Skinning stand while tank is running

[Squeaky McMurdo]

Is there any reason I can’t put the skin on my stand after my tank is set up? I’ve had a 125 gallon sitting in my front yard for several months now, but my husband finally built a stand for it (didn’t trust the one I got) minus the covering to make it look pretty. He wants to do tongue and groove.

I’m getting really impatient to move my fish and corals out of my 60 gallon.

 

[reefes pieces]

I don't see why not. Just make sure that paint or stain is done first and thoroughly dried with no odor prior to installing it onto the tank. Do not paint or stain the skin while it's on the stand next to the tank,

 

[Eggs]

I’ve done this on a 150g, tank was up and running for over a year before I finished the stand.
As mentioned above, I stained the skin in my garage and let it dry before attaching to the stand.

 

[AquaDaddy]

I did the same thing. I built the stand and it took months before I finished the skin, but as pointed out, The majority of the painting /sanding, etc... was done in shop. I did touch up while skin was attached, but that's about it. Turned out great. A word of caution though. Takes way more motivation and probably even time to go back and finish later. I personally won't do it again, but it is completely possible.