RobW's 280 Gallon Build

[Caravanshaka]

And the Blues just won in overtime... bummer! Good game though

I'm a Stars fan, so this series is painful for me....do I root for the team that knocked us out in game 7 OT, or do I root for the Bruins....I dunno, but I still enjoy good hockey!

 

[Siggy in CR]

That stand is turning out great. Solid pine wrapped in 3/4" plywood, that thing is built like a tank. Not to mention that the finish looks like it'll be flawless. Following this build. Looking forward to seeing how you tackle making the tank yourself.

 

[RobW]

That stand is turning out great. Solid pine wrapped in 3/4" plywood, that thing is built like a tank. Not to mention that the finish looks like it'll be flawless. Following this build. Looking forward to seeing how you tackle making the tank yourself.

Thank you. It certainly needs to be. Theres going to be a lot of weight sitting on it. Let me tell you, it is heavy!

 

[RobW]

Ok... it is finally Friday and I'm home from work! Think it's time for an ice cold beer then out to the garage to continue with the interior finish of the stand. Pics in a bit!

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Ok... it is finally Friday and I'm home from work! Think it's time for an ice cold beer then out to the garage to continue with the interior finish of the stand. Pics in a bit!

Enjoy both and looking forward to more pics!

 

[RobW]

Another section done. Got the bottom deck covered. Tomorrow once it dries I can sweep up the excess chips and do the top portion.

 

[RobW]

Did a little more this morning. Should be able to flip it on end soon and do another section.

 

[RobW]

The hardest part is going to be covering the back side of the uprights where the doors are. Have to lay it on its face and crawl in the end to do them.

 

[Caravanshaka]

The hardest part is going to be covering the back side of the uprights where the doors are. Have to lay it on its face and crawl in the end to do them.

Please take pictures of this process, not just the result!!

 

[RobW]

Please take pictures of this process, not just the result!!

It's fairly easy. Just roll a coat of the base color paint on and just sprinkle the chips on from the bag. Doesnt matter how heavy you scatter them. When it is dry the next day you sweep the excess up with a brush and dustpan that is nice and clean. Dump them back into the bag and reuse. But, yes I will try to get some pictures of of the process.

 

[RobW]

Doing some more on the stand today. Boy this stand is heavy moving it around to get all the surfaces. So here are a few more pictures of the progression this morning. Had my wife take some shots while I was doing it so you could kind of see the process. I believe someone asked about it last night. It's pretty much roll the entire first coat of base on. Wait for it to dry. Then roll the second coat only on the panels that you are working on and basically just shake the bag of chips over the wet paint. Once it dries, you can take a 6" drywall knife and scrape across to knock the excess off. Sweep up the excess and reuse them. The chips are 10.00 per 1 pound bag at lows or home depot. The base is an oil gloss for garage floors. That's like 20.00 for a gallon. Then just buy the epoxy clear. And roll it on all the surfaces when you are done with the chips and the base has dried for 24-48 hours.

 

[RobW]

I think all the materials combined cost me about 150-160 bucks.

 

[Caravanshaka]

It's fairly easy. Just roll a coat of the base color paint on and just sprinkle the chips on from the bag. Doesnt matter how heavy you scatter them. When it is dry the next day you sweep the excess up with a brush and dustpan that is nice and clean. Dump them back into the bag and reuse. But, yes I will try to get some pictures of of the process.

I was specifically talking about you crawling into the stand to get the back side of the uprights ;)

Cool to see the process though, it’s coming along nicely!

 

[RobW]

I was specifically talking about you crawling into the stand to get the back side of the uprights ;)

Cool to see the process though, it’s coming along nicely!

Haha! Gotcha. Thanks! Once the inside is done then I can turn my focus back to the outsides again. I have to sand the face again and break the rough edges and paint build up on the corners from the roller. When it's all said and done I will probably spray one coat of finish on the stand before moving it into position in the house. When the canopy and side cabinet are built, prepped and first coated and installed then I can put the finishing touches, like the base and ceiling mouldings. Then make all the removable door panels etc. I will spray the final coat of finish when it is all in place inside the house.

 

[RobW]

Seems I will have one more day with the paint chip application. Just have to do the backsides of the uprights. Then I can flatten out and scrape the excess chips and high spots. After that I'll be ready for the clear coating to seal everything in. Back at it tomorrow after work, I guess.

 

[Janci]

This is a great idea and stand, Robb.
Follow along with this built.

 

[RobW]

Thank you!

 

[RobW]

Is it 4:30 yet? I want to go home and work on my project.

 

[Alexreefer]

Wow! Great build so far! I love the craftsmanship and the use of the Rustoleum chips. Can't wait to see how you build the tank itself!

 

[HunterW]

Hey everyone, New to the forum and was told I need to put my build here. The build is a 280 gallon mixed reef/fish. Two panels of the tank will be Starphire glass. The heart of the system will be filtered by all Bashsea components which include the Signature Series 60"x 15" x 16" 60 gallon sump with an 8-30 Twisted Skimmer, 8-30 Bio-Reactor, a Pellet Master 3, and 2 Media Reactors. Return pumps will be two Eco-Tech Vectra L1's. Skimmer gets the Vectra M1 and another Vectra L1 into a manifold for everything else. I plan on using an Apex with flow sensors to regulate flow to all components. I'm kind of old school with lighting. I like a combination of Halide and T5. My water will be made via BRS 7 stage RO/DI system with a 15 ATO resovior. I also have 65 gallon Norwesco container for mixing saltwater for water changes. Probably going to do a 50 watt sterilizer from the beginning to aid in keeping a healthy tank. I have some drawings that I did on some c.a.d. software that I will post later on and I have a couple of pictures of the start of the build process. I literally just started the actual build two days ago. So I hope you all will enjoy the progression as much as will.

Going to read your tank processes on the weekend, when I have the time to read and take notes. Very good build!