Covering a 125G Stand

[Sisterlimonpot]

Now the doors are all glued up and ready to round everything over:



I want to add a slight angle to the inside of the doors… to make it easier to grab when opening (I’m not a fan of door handles/knobs) So I use a 14 degree dove tail bit to achieve this:



Finished with that:



Then on the front side I wanted to round it over, so I used the trusty 3/8� round over bit:



Finished with that:

[Sisterlimonpot]

Now it’s time for sanding again. And here they are sitting on the stand:










Doors are done. I didn’t make it to the hardware store before they closed so I need to go there tomorrow and get some hinges and make a trip to Sherwin Williams and get them to match the existing stain of the top canopy and go from there

[spleify]

Sweet work man!! I love the attention to detail you have.

Can't wait to soo it finished.

[fishfanatic06]

Looks nice. I would tank the bio balls out of the sump though.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Thanks Leif, fishfanatic,

After I eat some breakfast I'm off to get some hinges, and stain.

The bio-balls... they are seeding the tank from my other one (more bio-diversity) and in about a months time I will take them out. However, on the subject, I don't buy into the theory that they trap nitrates any different than LR does. The only benefit that I can think of is LR has critters in them to push out detritus. But there are pods crawling around the balls as well.
Cheers

[spleify]

Can't wait to see it done(i'm sure you can't either), its coming along nicely Jimmy

I think the problem with bioballs when comparing to LR, is that the bioballs dont have the potential to properly convert nutrients like LR does.

[Sisterlimonpot]

I went to get some hinges and had SW mix up a stain.
Now that I got the hinges:


I mark off where the hinges are going to go:











And drill them:





Screw them in:

[Sisterlimonpot]

It took me 3 coats of stain to match the hood, It's not exact but it's close. This is coat number 2:







Hopefully tomorrow it will be dry and I can start adding a polyurethane satin finish. I’m thinking for ample protection from the water I will add 4-6 coats.

What do you think? Too much? Not enough?

[melev]

6 coats is what I would recommend. Do you use steel wool between each coat to keep it glassy smooth?

[spleify]

I did 4 coats and sanded inbetween each coat. I sprayed mine.

[murfman]

I am damn sure glad that I put up a wall around my tank vs having to have people look at my stand and then your stand. Very fine work, Sir!!!

[Sisterlimonpot]

Originally posted by melev
6 coats is what I would recommend. Do you use steel wool between each coat to keep it glassy smooth?

What is this.... change avatars every 12 hours?

Yeah, I'll use 0000 steel wool between coats and a very thin final coat then rubbed with an orange oil to bring back its luster.

Originally posted by spleify
I did 4 coats and sanded inbetween each coat. I sprayed mine.

I wish I had the means to spray mine but I would have all kinds of imperfections in my finish. (I need to set up a clean room)

Originally posted by murfman
I am damn sure glad that I put up a wall around my tank vs having to have people look at my stand and then your stand. Very fine work, Sir!!!

Thanks for the kind words

[melev]

Originally posted by Sisterlimonpot
What is this.... change avatars every 12 hours?

Yeah, I'll use 0000 steel wool between coats and a very thin final coat then rubbed with an orange oil to bring back its luster.

I wish I had the means to spray mine but I would have all kinds of imperfections in my finish. (I need to set up a clean room)

More like every 23 hours, I'd guess. I don't want to cheat anyone out of the full experience.

That sounds good. I sprayed my 29g's canopy years ago, and it was the worst time of year. Cold, wet, humid... it took forever to dry between coats. I steel wooled each surface between coats, and it came out beautifully. That stand and canopy is still in my garage to this day, even though the tank was broken down almost 5 years ago. I need to go burn it right now while I'm thinking about it.

[Sisterlimonpot]

There's been a few of my projects that ended up in the fire wood pile.

So since yesterday the weather is cold and wet, definitely not normal wyoming weather for this time of the year. (which I'm not complaining because I haven't turned on the sprinklers yet this year) The extra humidity in the air gave me plenty of time to add the first coat of poly and rub it in before it tacked up. But on the other end.... it's going to take a while before I can smooth it for the next coat.

[xsocali]

The stand is coming along real nice...looks like a well planned build with some exeptional details.Always nice to follow someones DIY project.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Thanks xsocali.

I hate waiting for the finish to dry so in between coats I painted the stand with kilz:



Hopefully it will be a little bit more water proof.

[dtech]

It;s coming along great very nice.

[spleify]

Its like waiting for paint to dry...............................

[Sisterlimonpot]

This is the first time I used minwax fast drying, it says 4 hours between coats:



the first coat dried quickly but the second coat is taking forever to dry. Is it just the humidity? I mixed the contents of the can with a scrap piece of wood, got all the gunk that settled on the bottom mixed in well like the directions said, my second coat was thinner than my first, it's been 6 hours and it's still tacky. Any ideas?


I usually use old masters but I have to order this stuff, there isn't a place around here that sells it, I have a little bit but not enough to finish this project.:




Oh well, it looks like I have to wait till tomorrow to add the third coat.

[spleify]

I waited a full day to sand inbetween each coat, somtimes two days. I used the same polyurethane.

[Sisterlimonpot]

So the 4 hours is just a marketing ploy? I guess I am waiting then to get the next coat on. but the sun is out today and it's sitting in the sun right now to help dry it.

[spleify]

Hey Jimmy just make sure it doesnt get to hot sitting in the sun, the wood will sweat out of the grain/pours and could make your stain spotty in areas. (unfortunately I know this from experience)
It can be sanded and restained, but just try and not let it get to hot.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Thanks Leif,
I've had experience with that as well... in the winter time I crank the heat up and it pushes the still wet stain through.

Well it feels dry but I will have to wait till this evening to put a third coat on. we are heading your way for the day.

[Whys]

Now that's style, Sister.

Some great wood grains on those doors, but please move the power strip directly beside the sump. It's making me nervous.

[Sisterlimonpot]

Don't you remember... I like living on the edge!!

The set-up is temporary until I get an ACIII pro. However yesterday I moved it about 15 inches away from the sump. and if worst comes to worst it is GFCI protected. No more pictures of burning down the house for this sister