75g Wall Cabinet Build

[Triggerfish]

Broke down my 125g about a year ago was running for 12 years. Didnt think i'd miss it as much as i do so have decided to scale down and go with a 75g.
old tank was sitting on a regular oak stand with canopy..nice but plain.
decided to make it as a combination of 2x and 3/4 ply. which is how my other stand was made.

after searching through pics decided to build the wall unit that RedEDGE2k1 built but will be staining and not painting. also no false draw fronts just trim and doors. decided to make it as a combination of 2x and 3/4 ply. which is how my other stand was made.
http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/cabinet.jpg



Using 3/4 maple ply from Lowes at $45 sheet.
http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/100_0016.jpg

I wanted to make the frames instead of cutting out the door holes so grain will run the same as the door grain. Couple issues. 1. i was going to make it about
39" high but realized when viewing tank while sitting its looks too high. it will be another 3/4" higher than pic.
2. The openning looks too high at 30 1/2". so the doors will be kind of giant looking.
http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/framewall.jpg

it was kind of a pain to build the frame so since i have to redo it i was thinking of making it as a solid front and just cut out the door hole. im just wondering how this is going to look with the grain running up/down on the top bottom rails. what do you think on this? just realized since the stand is 48 1/2" long so i would have to make it 48" to use on solid frame cutout with grain running top/bottom.

[afamousjohnson]

I have grains going both ways on the front of mine and with the red mohagony stain you really can't tell at all. I was a lil worried about that as well. Im throwin a pic of it up on my thread this morning so check it out and see if ya can tell.

[afamousjohnson]

Oh ya here is the thread name- 90 gallons under the hood bonsai aquascape build

[Triggerfish]

i think the height is going to be ok at 38" and a 3/4" top. if its lowered it will be to low when viewing while standing. ill just make the frame wider so doors will be smaller.

[flyguy1821]

I dont think you will have much issue if you use what you have or if you plunge cut to create your openings. Its going to be what you like.

I plunge cut my 4 door openings. Always makes me nervous because one little slip and its start over time. I added two pics, one before and one after.

On the after pic you can see a similar "frame" around the tank like you have in your pic. The stain is a mahogany like color with conversion varnish. The grain rolls nicely and as long as your joints are clean and tight, no problem.

I have Maple plywood and all the trim is Cherry. When stained they look very similar.

Three things I will recommend if you havent thought of them yet.

1. On the "after" pic look at the top right of the cabinet. I installed hardwood floor vents to allow a little air flow. I strongly recommend doing this. They are tongue and groove but just shave off the bottom of the tongue and they slide right in to another plunge cut.

2. Conversion varnish is king! While we stained and sealed, my stain guy emptied his varnish sprayer on the inside of the stand, total of 4 times. I think this has helped prevent any water/moisture issues with wood on the inside of the cabinet.

3. If you can add access to the tank from the rear or side I strongly recommend doing so. It is a pain in the $&# to get to the back of my tank. Its like the abyss.

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o584/flyguy1821/Builtin1.jpg

http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o584/flyguy1821/Builtin2.jpg

[Triggerfish]

thanks for the pics and tips. i like the vent idea.
making progress on bottom stand. have frame cutout and reinforced insides with 2x. just add few pieces to bottom to attach floor then just about done.
couple pics.
http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/botcabinet.jpg

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/100_0027.jpg

[peppie]

Great start.
Keep the updates coming

[peppie]

Great start.
Keep the updates coming

[birdsandsoap]

I think if you are worried about the doors looking too big, you can break them up visually. On my stand build (haven't got to the doors yet, but when I do) I'm going to make them with faux drawer fronts on the top. That way, they "door" part won't look so tall and I won't lose any workspace in the sump area with fixed drawer panels. I also think that the look of drawers makes it look less like a fish tank stand and more like furniture. Just some food for thought.

I'm following along. I'm so burned out on all of the DIY LED threads, it's nice to see a stand build. I'm way better with wood than electronics, haha.

[Triggerfish]

when i did the frame over i made the top rail 6" so the doors will only be about 28" tall.
ill either leave a larger space over the doors or use some type of molding. i think ill be figuring this out more or less as i progress forward.

[Triggerfish]

got bottom put in place today..this took way longer than i would have figured. ended up using 1/2" so added few 2x on bottom for support.have some gaps to fill in and then will seel it up to make water tight.
attached a 1x in back to prevent spill over if need be.

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/bottomfloor.jpg

[s_kelley]

Found ya! Plan looks better than ya described. Gonna be awesome looking.

[Indymann99]

I have a similar build, might give you some ideas.
I had a "unique" space to work with in the basement.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Tankframing.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Tank12132009.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Tankdoorsopen.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Basement52009.jpg

[Triggerfish]

hey Shane.. yeah coming along slowly kind of figureing things out as i move along with it.
thanks again for the tank..amazing it actually fit in the car. your tank was looking sweet. might have to hit ya up for a frag or two once i get going again.


Indymann..nice looking cabinet.. i'm thinking ill be making my doors pretty much just like that. iv'e got a wall in my basement room that may eventully be home to an 8 footer in wall some day..

[Triggerfish]

wall is 78 3/4" figured i would leave a 4" space on sides of cabinet so total length will be 70 3/4". top cut. side cabinets will be recessed in 5".

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/100_0029.jpg

[Donw]

Be sure to check that new Lowes Maple ply real close. Im doing a veneer press job for a local cab shop that got into a bind and ran to lowes for maple ply to finish up a job. All the end panels are face de-laminating. Im having to sand off the faces and repress new veneer.

Don

[Triggerfish]

thx for the heads up.. not sure what to look for in regards to the veneer peeling off..other than a visual look at all the edges. and i dont see anything that would indicate an issue as of yet..

[iced98lx]

tagging along, going to enjoy this.

[Triggerfish]

made an error when i cut the top as i wanted a 5" recess for the side cabinet but forgot to add the 3/4" for the frame so it will now be 4 1/4". didnt realize until i had the bottom in place. stupid oversight. maybe it will look better..not sure.

pic stand upside down.

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/100_0030.jpg

[Triggerfish]

ive decided to take the end apart and cut it down to what i wanted it to be.. it's bothering me too much. don't you love doing things twice.
what a pita this is, damaged the side taking it off..gotta cut new side and bottom.

[Triggerfish]

both side cabinets attached.. next thing to figure out is the frames for them.
the inside width is only 10 1/2" so pretty narrow.thinking 1 1/2" frames.
wondering if i should made the doors the same size as the front cabint doors or taller. not sure what sort of molding im going to use for top front yet.

i've decided to use the cutout from front to make cutouts for the side frames only thing here is grain is going different directions. i thought of framing the pieces together but then will see the joint lines.. dont think it will look good considering the front frame has none.
any ideas are welcome..thx

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/100_0032.jpg

[Triggerfish]

one side frame complete..lot of work but think it came out pretty good.
i decided to mount inside and i will cover up outside edge with a fluted molding. it's now 5 7/8" of and inset from front cabinet.

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/sidecabinetframe.jpg

[Triggerfish]

Coming along slowly.. total spend so far $162.
inside of stand done with 3 coats Kiltz sealer and edges caulked with kwik seal.
next i figure i would work on the 2 front doors. pondering a couple different styles. either with a framed square frames or angled. will be using solid maple with probably birch 1/4" panel inserts.

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/standsealed.jpg

[Triggerfish]

Coming along very slowly. began work on the doors and have one completed. not sure i like how it came out. it seems like it may be better if i made the rails a bit wider like 2 1/2 - 3" instead of 2". damn.. not sure.

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/door1.jpg

[iced98lx]

Did you caulk before or after the killz?

[Triggerfish]

before

[iced98lx]

before

That's what I figured, but bought I'd ask!

This is goin to be one fine stand.

[Triggerfish]

ive jsut about got both front doors completed. the next part of the build will be the two front side doors. originally i planned for them to be taller than the front doors and made the frame accordingly... but now im wondering how this is going to look.
the shortest i can make the difference is just under 1" .
could also be larger over 2".

currently making a sample side door to see how it may look. without the top molding and the doors mounted with stand upright not sure if im going to be able to really tell.

could use some thoughts on this?

[birdsandsoap]

I think it will look great! Your mock-up looks nice and either way it will look like pure awesomeness when it is finished. I think the different door height will add some dimension to your stand. Since your shelving units are recessed, they look like their own unit so any variance in height is welcomed, in my opinion.

[peppie]

Coming along very slowly. began work on the doors and have one completed. not sure i like how it came out. it seems like it may be better if i made the rails a bit wider like 2 1/2 - 3" instead of 2". damn.. not sure.

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/door1.jpg


Your first door looks great. IMO and past experiance the rails for the doors look better if they are 1 1/2 X the width or more of the stiles. This also adds a larger area for glue joint and adds structural support for racking on a larger heavier door.
The different height of the doors IMO will be just fine.
We are our worst critiques when it comes to small details. LOL

[iced98lx]

ive jsut about got both front doors completed. the next part of the build will be the two front side doors. originally i planned for them to be taller than the front doors and made the frame accordingly... but now im wondering how this is going to look.
the shortest i can make the difference is just under 1" .
could also be larger over 2".

currently making a sample side door to see how it may look. without the top molding and the doors mounted with stand upright not sure if im going to be able to really tell.

could use some thoughts on this?

if you have to make them un-even, make the difference as big as you can (the original plan).

Looking good, your craftsmanship is excellent.

[Triggerfish]

thanks for feedback. that was another question of how much taller to make them.so ill go with about 2' taller there also going to have 1 1/2' rails as oppesed to the 2 1/2 on the front doors.

pic of new door with wider framing. the other might of been fine but at the time i didnt think so.
ill use that door for another stand i plan on making for a 30g.
the molding inside door is maple that lowes carries. it was hard to find a good one, in fact the first one i got i brought back as there were so many bumps on it didnt want to chance on how it would looked stained. ill try a different lowes to see if they have better stock.

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/100_0041.jpg

[iced98lx]

thanks for feedback. that was another question of how much taller to make them.so ill go with about 2' taller there also going to have 1 1/2' rails as oppesed to the 2 1/2 on the front doors.

pic of new door with wider framing. the other might of been fine but at the time i didnt think so.
ill use that door for another stand i plan on making for a 30g.
the molding inside door is maple that lowes carries. it was hard to find a good one, in fact the first one i got i brought back as there were so many bumps on it didnt want to chance on how it would looked stained. ill try a different lowes to see if they have better stock.


I like that plan, it will differentiate them, so your mind doesn't assume they should be exactly the same.

[Triggerfish]

finally got back to the build. kind of been hung up on molding ideas. i think i finally have it narrowed down to two options. these are rough photos of what each one would look like just around the fluted columns.
which one do you think looks better?

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/standmolding2.jpg

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/standmolding1.jpg

[S14Swap240sx]

second one. love the extra detail

[birdsandsoap]

Second one, the chunky piece on top balances out the wide rail on the frame.

[Triggerfish]

most of molding attached for bottom cabinet. next making shelfs for top unit and adding more molding.

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/stand4.jpg

[birdsandsoap]

looks awesome! I'm so jealous. Our fish tank project is on the backburner for now. I'm hoping to get back into it when summer wraps up.

[Triggerfish]

thanks man. its taking forever but already thinking of stain so getting close.
didnt realize pic so small..here is larger image.

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/stand4-1.jpg

[SNAKEMANVET]

Awesome job on your stand.

[Triggerfish]

stand pretty much completed,couple more door handles on small doors and thats bout it.. was a long project and although not perfect i think it looks real good in the room.. to get color i wanted after making numerous samples was combo of varathane colors: cypress, summer oak, autumn. 3 coats of polycrylic for finish.

http://i808.photobucket.com/albums/zz7/triggers01/completedstand.jpg

[birdsandsoap]

gorgeous! the color turned out beautiful.

[Triggerfish]

thanks man.. the color looks better than in the photo.....

[sp0k]

wow good job on that....

[rovster]

Nice job! I'm finishing up my stand now, not as big a project as yours. I'd be way proud of that!

[s_kelley]

Hmm that tank looks vaguely familiar haha. Cabinet came out crazy good!
Awesome job!

[iced98lx]

Very nice looking, just got around to checking back in!

[MGM_]

Think I am just going to go chop up my DIY stand and make some firewood. Very nice stand!

[joe_himself]

Nice looking stand, Something to be proud of for sure.

[Triggerfish]

modification of stand coming soon.. going to be upgrading to a 110 tall.
same footprint. so just need to mod the tank frame and upper panel.. still think going to be a pain...