Cabinetry with a Novice 300 Gallon Reef

[WLachnit]

Cabinetry with a Novice 300 Gallon Reef

Having recently moved into the house, we were trying to decide what to do with the space in the Family Room where most families would put the big screen TV. We were thinking bookcases, but needed a focal point. Having been interested in setting up a salt water aquarium in the last house, the thought returned. It was an opportunity to do some woodworking.

Tank Details: TruVue acrylic 96” x 24” x 30” w/ dual internal corner overflows.
Filled: May 1, 2008
Picture taken Nov. 5 2008

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1510.jpg

[WLachnit]

House Construction Notes:
-Wall is load-bearing shear wall sitting on a reinforced concrete grade beam.
-Joists (TJI) run parallel to wall and tank. So, I decided to have the load bearing wall carry >50% of the tank load.
-The Joists are carried by a PSL girder.

Stand Construction:
Stand was built attached to the wall.
The stand is joisted (4x4s) attached with joist hangers to a 2x6 ledger that is lagged onto the wall.
The 4x4 joists sit on a 4x6 header which has its load transferred to the floor girder either directly or via the floor joist (16” away from the wall).
Being in earthquake country, I wanted to minimize the possibility of having the stand rack due to seismic activity
The ends and the top of the stand were sheathed in ½” ply with 6d, 6” o.c. edge.

I now realize that I overbuilt this significantly but I wanted to minimize the chances of it moving.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Misc003.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Misc001.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Misc002.jpg

[reefnetworth]

:eek2: im almost speechless, very nice set-up WLachnit!!!
you did an awesome job, man! :thumbsup:
how much to do one in my house? JKA! i probably couldnt afford it...

[polywise]

WLachnit,
I am not a builder, but I don't think your front support beam is sufficient? Did you add some vertical supports to the 4x4's in front?

[marino420td]

Stunning woodwork! The tank is nice too but the woodwork is phenomenal.

[WLachnit]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13823500#post13823500 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by polywise
WLachnit,
I am not a builder, but I don't think your front support beam is sufficient? Did you add some vertical supports to the 4x4's in front? Yes, I added a 4x4 post under the 4x6 header.

[GlassReef]

Absolutely love that cabinet! Did you build it all yourself? That maple is stunning - is that cherry as contrast?

[RParker]

Yours is similar to mine, but you have nicer cabinetry!

Very nice build.

[WLachnit]

The canopy was also built using framing lumber and attached to the wall.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM0904.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM0907.jpg


I skinned it with Cherry veneered plywood. And then built the two side units using kitchen cabinet style construction.


http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM0908.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Misc180.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM0914.jpg

[WLachnit]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13824508#post13824508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Absolutely love that cabinet! Did you build it all yourself? That maple is stunning - is that cherry as contrast?

Yes, I did. I used Western Quilted Maple for the doors and Cherry for the rest.

[WLachnit]

Moldings and Trim
I ended up milling most of the moldings out of 4/4 Cherry and Figured Cherry for economic reasons as well as wanting to avoid the stock look.
So, I decided to add several inlays when I milled all the trim to customize it further and help define the lines of the cabinetry.
For the baseboard, I routed a couple of grooves to add a White Holly and a dark Wenge ¼” inlay. The inlays were made by ripping 1/8" strips of lumber.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1015.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Aquariumpix010.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Aquariumpix018.jpg

I routed similar grooves to the bed moulding as well as the top.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Aquariumpix011.jpg

The tops of the side units has a wide Birdseye Maple inlay as well.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Aquariumpix021.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Aquariumpix020.jpg

The Cornice and Crown are made up of 5 pieces using contrasting woods including Birdseye Maple

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Aquariumpix026.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Aquariumpix001.jpg

[WLachnit]

Raised Panel Doors
This was my first attempt at raised panel doors.
I used 4/4 Western Quilted Maple lumber
It required a fair bit of jointing, to join the panels

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1055.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1050.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1052.jpg

Once glued up, I had to to surface the fronts by sanding. I couldn’t use my planer because of the width. Although, it also turns out that it was very difficult to plane due to the tearout from the wild figure.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1056.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1054.jpg

I ran a 3 ¼” cove router bit in my table. Again, because of the wild figure, it took about 4-5 light passes to avoid tearout.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1057.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1058.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1061.jpg

I then sealed the panels using blonde dewaxed shellac

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1067.jpg

[WLachnit]

Rails and Stiles for the Doors
I used 4/4 Cherry lumber for the rails and stiles which were rough cut, then jointed and planed to nice flat ¾” pieces of lumber. I used a cope and sticking bit on the router table for the rails and stiles

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Aquariumpix015.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Aquariumpix013.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1059.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1073.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1071.jpg

I plan on using wire grilles for the doors on the side units

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1064.jpg

I sealed everything using dewaxed shellac. I used Amber shellac on the Cherry to give it a bit of a patina.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1068.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1072.jpg

[WLachnit]

Doors ready for installation

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1077.jpg

Doors hung

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1083.jpg

[WLachnit]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13823268#post13823268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefnetworth
:eek2: im almost speechless, very nice set-up WLachnit!!!
you did an awesome job, man! :thumbsup:
how much to do one in my house? JKA! i probably couldnt afford it...

Thanks, many many hours were spent...which I actually enjoyed.

[Lunchbucket]

HOLY COWS!! That looks great!

I wish I had those mad woodworking skills

Lunchbucket

[todd rose]

WoW! Beautiful work!!

[jamesdawson]

BEAUTIFUL cabinetry work and very nice tank!

Love the massive rock, Is it agracrete?

James

[kingsland]

Awesome cabinet!

[EnderG60]

Ya know, I was going to just do a simple red stained cherry for my next stand, and then you had to go posting that. Thanks ALOT, now I have to do something similar!

whats that seahorse thing on the right?

[WLachnit]

Thx for the comments everyone.

James,
Actually, its' not agracrete. I used the DIY foam, epoxyy resin on eggcrate technique. I do have a few pix of that which I will post.

EnderG60,
The seahorse is an inexpensive imported wood carving that I stumbled on in a small town store.

[jamesdawson]

SCHWEET!

Good job on the foam/resin, especially on anchoring it since it tends to be pretty buoyant and your pieces are massive. Best I'v ever seen.

James

[WLachnit]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13829876#post13829876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jamesdawson
SCHWEET!

Good job on the foam/resin, especially on anchoring it since it tends to be pretty buoyant and your pieces are massive. Best I'v ever seen.

James
Actually, just the back is foam, the massive parts are LR. There were a couple of things that I did to get the foam to stay in place. I zip tied it to egg crate that was buried under the sand horizontally and I ran it all the way to the top.

[Khandurian]

I just have one question. Why do your rocks spell LOL?

[EnderG60]

EnderG60,
The seahorse is an inexpensive imported wood carving that I stumbled on in a small town store. [/B]

funny how that works. I kinda like that thing, reminds me of those aliens from the beginning of fifth element:D

[WLachnit]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13830132#post13830132 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Khandurian
I just have one question. Why do your rocks spell LOL?
Let's hope it doesn't when it's all grown in.

[WLachnit]

Sump Pan

I decided to build a waterproof pan underneath since the room has hardwood floors. I thought of it similar to a shower pan that would fit under the DT. I used ext. grade ¾ “ ply for the bottom and the 4” walls. I then coated it with an elastomeric waterproof membrane. It was overkill in the end.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM0901-1.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM0902-1.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM1659.jpg

I can remove all the doors including the middle stile if I need full access like installing the pan and then later on to install my 80 gal sump.

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/HPIM0921.jpg

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq218/wlachnit/Aquariumpix017.jpg

[8BALL_99]

Great looking setup. Love the maple doors. That setup fits that room perfect. Now all you have to do is sit back and watch the corals grow..:)

[ScarabRa]

Will, It was very nice visiting with you today. TY for the bump.

I have to say that cabinet and tank are STUNNING!!! I am in AWE with the woodworking. Were you a Woodworking journeyman, or just another one of your hobbies??

So the backing looks like LOL as previously stated comically but true, that parts the foam? It almost seamlessly blends in with the live rock in that pic. do you have any closer pics , maby from the side?


I may have to bug you to see this in person.......WOW
any pic updates?

[woodwrangler]

Very, Very Nice!
You've paid great attention to detail :thumbsup:

[WLachnit]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14392326#post14392326 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ScarabRa
Will, It was very nice visiting with you today. TY for the bump.

I have to say that cabinet and tank are STUNNING!!! I am in AWE with the woodworking. Were you a Woodworking journeyman, or just another one of your hobbies??

So the backing looks like LOL as previously stated comically but true, that parts the foam? It almost seamlessly blends in with the live rock in that pic. do you have any closer pics , maby from the side?


I may have to bug you to see this in person.......WOW
any pic updates?

Will, Thanks.
Woodworking is just another hobby for me.

The foam is on the back and the LR is placed up against it. With the coralline on it, it blends fairly well. The nice thing about having the foam on the back is that it makes it pretty easy to attach frags. I will have to post some updated pix.

BTW, You're more than welcome to see it anytime (and I'll pick your brain on fuges :D )

[schudini]

Wow, that is the most impressive and detailed aquarium cabinetry that I have ever seen. The write up was great and I liked the step by step with pictures.

I would enjoy looking at that much more than a TV.

Is that a stuffed fish that is smiling in the empty tank?

[NexDog]

Would love to see an update with a full tank shot and all those fishies. :)

[WLachnit]

I have taken some FTS, but they either come out very bluish, grainy, with burnout and too much contrast. Not sure how to fix that. I will have to do some homework here.

[reefcrazydude]

very nice tank and wood work

[strout]

I spent so much time looking at the wood work that I never really looked into the tank, lol. I really like the way you have the tank aquascaped. The " New Yankee Work Shop" has nothing on you.

[Crozure]

great woodworking but I would like to see more middle support. either way, looks great!

[waynem]

Nice wood work.