DIY 90G Stand w/ Entertainment Center

drauka99 · 04/12/2007, 08:22 PM

Hey everyone,

I started this stand for my 180G tank that I was setting up due to budget I decided to setup my 90G tank on the stand I had started and slowly aquire all of the rest of the stuff I need for the 180. I figure this might be a good idea since I am currently using a 55 with lots of scratches and plan to turn it into a sump. I also want to be able to keep from making all the mistakes that I made with the first tank all over again.

The stand will house all of my equipment for the 90G as well as my tv and equipment. All of the electronics will be on top of the base of the stand. I plan to keep the bottom of the stand for all of the aquariums equipment. Hopefull I won't be busy this weekend and I can get most of the entertainment side done.

Oh yeah I am going for the built in look but since I am not sure this is where I plan to live for a long time I've kept the top half where it sould be disassembled and moved to some other house.

Enough explinations here are pics of where its at right now.

TOP

SIDE

CORNER BRACE

UNDERSIDE BRACE

CENTER BRACE

Michael Mota · 04/12/2007, 08:40 PM

Can't wait to see this as it progresses, I think it is going to be nice

Bergovoy · 04/13/2007, 03:30 AM

Congrats on taking the first step. Getting mentally ready then actually undertakinig two projects, (the actual construction, along with the BLOG.

I will be following also.

Bill

drauka99 · 04/13/2007, 08:06 AM

Mt only question in my head right now is - Do I want to put my 36" CRT tv in it or do I wanrt to put my 32" Widescreen HDTV in it.

I've been thinging about this one for quite a while so alot of stuff has long since been worked out in my head.

Bergovoy · 04/13/2007, 12:32 PM

This is exacly what I was talking about. Going from all the planning and what not, in your head, on paper dont matter. But getting that first step...

Now that you are committed, youwill have to make that decision, sooner rather then later....

My choice would be to frame it out for the maximum size needed for either tv, (so the you can put either tv in there. If you are going to have open space cause the wide screen shape, so be it. fill it with knick knacks, and make the GF or wifey happy..

drauka99 · 04/13/2007, 02:12 PM

yep exactly what I have done.

Great minds think alike

tabndust · 04/13/2007, 02:49 PM

following along

drauka99 · 04/15/2007, 01:23 PM

Suturday I got the shelves for all the tv equipment set and leveled and this morning I slaped on a couple coats of primer/sealer. I was planning on painting the stand black when it was all done but since looking at how the white looks with all the furniture and walls i might just put on a few extra coats of primer and leave it white.

Here are the updated pics

overall

Shelf Detail

Beadboard side

bebitte70 · 04/15/2007, 08:09 PM

The stand looks great. I would put paint to seal against moisture instead of primer.

drauka99 · 04/15/2007, 09:34 PM

its Kiltx primer/ealer pain. right now ther are like 3 coatrs on all the parts so far and i will be adding another few coats when its done so it should be pretty well sealed

drauka99 · 04/15/2007, 09:36 PM

on a side note - picked up spme scrap 8" pvc for the skimmer build, got 2 hunks that were around 20" in length, i figure that should be pretty good for a reaction chamber. I wanted to peices in case i messed up the first and the second one if i don't screw up the first i can build and sell/trade for something.

Bergovoy · 04/15/2007, 10:12 PM

primer / sealer is not paint. It is primer, and primer by nature is pourus, so although it is called sealar, it will still allow moisture into the substrate.

Teh sealar usually seals in stain, color, grain, and oils that would bleed through the paint.

Please invest ina quart of marine / exterior grade paint and finish off the project.

If youreally wanted to seal it, use EPOXY material. That stuff is great, and dont get any on you, unless youreally like that color...

Bill

drauka99 · 04/16/2007, 08:18 AM

I will definatly stop by one of the marine places soon and pick up some stuff then.

Thanks for the heads up - even thoug i was to hard headed to listen the first time it was mentioned

Bergovoy · 04/16/2007, 09:18 AM

youwill be glad you protected your investment. (the hard word you invested)

Also for your piece of mind, primer a piece of wood with as many coats of primer as you like, then spill some coke on it, then wipe it off and youwill see a stain.

Apply a coat or two of real paint, then repeat the experiment, and you will see that the coke will wipe up.

Obviously, there are things that will stain paint, but those items usually destroy the film or coating that is paint, but I think point made here.

Also, the added coats of primer will definately not be a wasted effort as it will have penetrated into the wood pretty deep and SEALED any open pores you may have had. So, you did not waste anything, and your added labor will be rewarded with an item that will last much longer then a factory or other homemade project...

drauka99 · 04/16/2007, 04:57 PM

hey Bergovoy yoursetup for you 180 is basiclly the exact same kind of components i was planning on for my 180, well still am when budget will allow

Bergovoy · 04/16/2007, 11:05 PM

i have some pics int the gallery of the setup

And I graduated from two 50 gallon tanks. I am at the popint right now where i am letting this tank get a bit more established, and keeping my hands out of the tank. I been aquascaping a bunch, and now I just want soe stability. I have a ton of coroline on the overflow and all the plastic, so I know things are going well, just want to let things gill in now...

drauka99 · 04/17/2007, 08:24 AM

Looks nice Bergovoy

I am moving up from my 55 where I made lots of mistakes by listening expressly to my LFS, nice people but at thtat point they didn't know much more than me. This time I hope to put it all together and get it right from the start.

brentstep1 · 04/17/2007, 01:14 PM

Very Nice Indeed!

drauka99 · 04/17/2007, 01:15 PM

Thanks, I appreciate that, hopefully I will continue to do stuff right and not screw it all up

brentstep1 · 04/17/2007, 01:17 PM

I know what you mean!

I am just starting out and I have gone through a lot of trial and error.

drauka99 · 04/17/2007, 01:18 PM

Ask lots of questions, and not all in one place, thats what I did and I started off ok but I could have done much better

drauka99 · 04/23/2007, 08:05 AM

Ok got the entertainment side done this weekend, and almost everything installed. Tank side may have to wait a few weekends while I work on finding a top trim for my tank with the center brace(mine was made without it).

Here are the pics

OVERALL

Beadboard tieing into sheetrock

oharaell · 04/23/2007, 08:13 AM

Is that an original Nitendo??!!!

drauka99 · 04/23/2007, 08:24 AM

oh yes, fixed it aboue a year ago, it is also MY original Nintendo. One of these days I am gonna break out my old Sega and hook it up.

cutnup · 04/23/2007, 04:29 PM

i hope you got contra

04/12/2007, 08:22 PM	#1
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	DIY 90G Stand w/ Entertainment Center Hey everyone, I started this stand for my 180G tank that I was setting up due to budget I decided to setup my 90G tank on the stand I had started and slowly aquire all of the rest of the stuff I need for the 180. I figure this might be a good idea since I am currently using a 55 with lots of scratches and plan to turn it into a sump. I also want to be able to keep from making all the mistakes that I made with the first tank all over again. The stand will house all of my equipment for the 90G as well as my tv and equipment. All of the electronics will be on top of the base of the stand. I plan to keep the bottom of the stand for all of the aquariums equipment. Hopefull I won't be busy this weekend and I can get most of the entertainment side done. Oh yeah I am going for the built in look but since I am not sure this is where I plan to live for a long time I've kept the top half where it sould be disassembled and moved to some other house. Enough explinations here are pics of where its at right now. TOP TOP SIDE CORNER BRACE UNDERSIDE BRACE CENTER BRACE

04/13/2007, 08:06 AM	#4
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	Mt only question in my head right now is - Do I want to put my 36" CRT tv in it or do I wanrt to put my 32" Widescreen HDTV in it. I've been thinging about this one for quite a while so alot of stuff has long since been worked out in my head. __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/13/2007, 02:12 PM	#6
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	yep exactly what I have done. Great minds think alike __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/15/2007, 01:23 PM	#8
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	Update Suturday I got the shelves for all the tv equipment set and leveled and this morning I slaped on a couple coats of primer/sealer. I was planning on painting the stand black when it was all done but since looking at how the white looks with all the furniture and walls i might just put on a few extra coats of primer and leave it white. Here are the updated pics overall Shelf Detail Beadboard side __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/15/2007, 09:34 PM	#10
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	its Kiltx primer/ealer pain. right now ther are like 3 coatrs on all the parts so far and i will be adding another few coats when its done so it should be pretty well sealed __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/12/2007, 08:40 PM	#2
Michael Mota Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ma. Posts: 850	Can't wait to see this as it progresses, I think it is going to be nice

04/13/2007, 03:30 AM	#3
Bergovoy Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 2,163	Congrats on taking the first step. Getting mentally ready then actually undertakinig two projects, (the actual construction, along with the BLOG. I will be following also. Bill

04/13/2007, 12:32 PM	#5
Bergovoy Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 2,163	This is exacly what I was talking about. Going from all the planning and what not, in your head, on paper dont matter. But getting that first step... Now that you are committed, youwill have to make that decision, sooner rather then later.... My choice would be to frame it out for the maximum size needed for either tv, (so the you can put either tv in there. If you are going to have open space cause the wide screen shape, so be it. fill it with knick knacks, and make the GF or wifey happy..

04/13/2007, 02:49 PM	#7
tabndust Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Columbus/ Lincoln Village, OH Posts: 2,229	following along

04/15/2007, 08:09 PM	#9
bebitte70 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 206	The stand looks great. I would put paint to seal against moisture instead of primer.

04/15/2007, 09:36 PM	#11
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	on a side note - picked up spme scrap 8" pvc for the skimmer build, got 2 hunks that were around 20" in length, i figure that should be pretty good for a reaction chamber. I wanted to peices in case i messed up the first and the second one if i don't screw up the first i can build and sell/trade for something. __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/15/2007, 10:12 PM	#12
Bergovoy Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 2,163	primer / sealer is not paint. It is primer, and primer by nature is pourus, so although it is called sealar, it will still allow moisture into the substrate. Teh sealar usually seals in stain, color, grain, and oils that would bleed through the paint. Please invest ina quart of marine / exterior grade paint and finish off the project. If youreally wanted to seal it, use EPOXY material. That stuff is great, and dont get any on you, unless youreally like that color... Bill

04/16/2007, 08:18 AM	#13
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	I will definatly stop by one of the marine places soon and pick up some stuff then. Thanks for the heads up - even thoug i was to hard headed to listen the first time it was mentioned __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/16/2007, 09:18 AM	#14
Bergovoy Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 2,163	youwill be glad you protected your investment. (the hard word you invested) Also for your piece of mind, primer a piece of wood with as many coats of primer as you like, then spill some coke on it, then wipe it off and youwill see a stain. Apply a coat or two of real paint, then repeat the experiment, and you will see that the coke will wipe up. Obviously, there are things that will stain paint, but those items usually destroy the film or coating that is paint, but I think point made here. Also, the added coats of primer will definately not be a wasted effort as it will have penetrated into the wood pretty deep and SEALED any open pores you may have had. So, you did not waste anything, and your added labor will be rewarded with an item that will last much longer then a factory or other homemade project...

04/16/2007, 04:57 PM	#15
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	hey Bergovoy yoursetup for you 180 is basiclly the exact same kind of components i was planning on for my 180, well still am when budget will allow __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/16/2007, 11:05 PM	#16
Bergovoy Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monrovia, CA Posts: 2,163	i have some pics int the gallery of the setup And I graduated from two 50 gallon tanks. I am at the popint right now where i am letting this tank get a bit more established, and keeping my hands out of the tank. I been aquascaping a bunch, and now I just want soe stability. I have a ton of coroline on the overflow and all the plastic, so I know things are going well, just want to let things gill in now...

04/17/2007, 08:24 AM	#17
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	Looks nice Bergovoy I am moving up from my 55 where I made lots of mistakes by listening expressly to my LFS, nice people but at thtat point they didn't know much more than me. This time I hope to put it all together and get it right from the start. __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/17/2007, 01:14 PM	#18
brentstep1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 10	Very Nice Indeed! __________________ “If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Made In Prolonging The Problem.” Current Tank Info: 55G RR

04/17/2007, 01:15 PM	#19
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	Thanks, I appreciate that, hopefully I will continue to do stuff right and not screw it all up __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/17/2007, 01:17 PM	#20
brentstep1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 10	I know what you mean! I am just starting out and I have gone through a lot of trial and error. __________________ “If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Made In Prolonging The Problem.” Current Tank Info: 55G RR

04/17/2007, 01:18 PM	#21
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	Ask lots of questions, and not all in one place, thats what I did and I started off ok but I could have done much better __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/23/2007, 08:05 AM	#22
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	Ok got the entertainment side done this weekend, and almost everything installed. Tank side may have to wait a few weekends while I work on finding a top trim for my tank with the center brace(mine was made without it). Here are the pics OVERALL Beadboard tieing into sheetrock __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/23/2007, 08:13 AM	#23
oharaell Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 206	Is that an original Nitendo??!!!

04/23/2007, 08:24 AM	#24
drauka99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: at the Beach in Fl Posts: 792	oh yes, fixed it aboue a year ago, it is also MY original Nintendo. One of these days I am gonna break out my old Sega and hook it up. __________________ "Aliie, Eat a Snickers, you're "HANGRY" - me "I sometimes enjoy watching shadow puppet shows" - jpfelix "Bacon is Love." - Fat Man Current Tank Info: 240 Algae Farm System Running

04/23/2007, 04:29 PM	#25
cutnup Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Vero Beach Florida Posts: 674	i hope you got contra