Need help with custom canopy design

scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2504152
Are you sitting down? We got quoted $1600 for stand/canopy. I'd say there is quite a bit of air there because I already talked to another cabinet maker and we are talking a different ball park already and he had no problem with our design which is nothing special in the stand part, just something different in the canopy part.
Dang, I knew I worked too cheap!
I would say you're right, this guy is obviously very proud of his work!
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by Scopus Tang
http:///forum/post/2504190
Dang, I knew I worked too cheap!
I would say you're right, this guy is obviously very proud of his work!
Glad I'm not the only one that thinks that it's a tad high! I'd understand if we'd want a motor to open the canopy and a lot of other fancy stuff, but we are not asking that. The things in the canopy that we are talking about are... 39 inch tall structure where first 30inch is a solid front with *fake* doors and the whole structure can be opened *up* and there are pressure hinges or similar that will keep the door open. The last 9 inches on the top is left as a shelve that tops to a crown molding. Inside the canopy we just need holes drilled to the sides so that we can raise and lower the board where the lights are attached to on 2 inch intervals. Very clean and simple. Does that sound too much?
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2504201
Glad I'm not the only one that thinks that it's a tad high! I'd understand if we'd want a motor to open the canopy and a lot of other fancy stuff, but we are not asking that. The things in the canopy that we are talking about are... 39 inch tall structure where first 30inch is a solid front with *fake* doors and the whole structure can be opened *up* and there are pressure hinges or similar that will keep the door open. The last 9 inches on the top is left as a shelve that tops to a crown molding. Inside the canopy we just need holes drilled to the sides so that we can raise and lower the board where the lights are attached to on 2 inch intervals. Very clean and simple. Does that sound too much?
In terms of what you are asking for no, in terms of what he wants to build it possibly (I hate to second quess the guys who actually do this for a living, but I know some of them can be very, very proud of their work). I would have to also say that it depends on what you want it built out of? Oak for example gets very expensive very fast ~ I would probably price a solid oak stand/canopy at $1200 or more. Also what he found for a hydrolic or pressure hinge big enough to hold the weight of that false front canopy could add significantly to the cost. What are you using for holes/pins inside the canopy to adjust lights? weight of your light could become a big factor here, some of the lights they make are heavy enough to pull the standard 1/4 pins right out of the wood
Just a couple of thoughts
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
We got the quote in and it's lower than the first offer even with tax included and the whole deal will be delivered, setup with the tank and built EXACTLY how we wanted it. It's all solid oak with heavy duty bracing etc to be sure to hold 1500-2000 lbs. We are getting the stand part in 2 weeks which is perfect timing. Our LifeReefugium II is coming in on first week of April and the canopy should come in around the same time. I'm really getting excited about this!
The really positive thing is that this gentleman has built custom stands and canopies before and was building one for himself when I first met him.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
I'm proud to present the new stand for our 150g RR build
Our stand is in! It's is absolutely gorgeous and the workmanship is beyond our expectations. All hardwood, the top, sides, bottom all inch thick oak. The stand is big enough to have a 24inch deep tank on it and ours is only 18inch. We wanted it extra deep to have enough room inside for all equipment.
I'm just so happy with Jack's work, AWESOME STUFF JACK!!!
Canopy will following a few weeks (hubby is gone for 2)
2 dedicated 20a GFCI outlets will be installed before that baby gets filled.




 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
Very nice! Looks like great craftsmenship as well
. Just one question, are you going to have them do a wrap for the bottom plastic border of the tank? If you set it on this nice stand, and put a nice canopy on it, the only place you're going to see the plastic edges is on the bottom (which I personally think will look a little cheezy). Just wondering.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by Scopus Tang
http:///forum/post/2544246
Very nice! Looks like great craftsmenship as well
. Just one question, are you going to have them do a wrap for the bottom plastic border of the tank? If you set it on this nice stand, and put a nice canopy on it, the only place you're going to see the plastic edges is on the bottom (which I personally think will look a little cheezy). Just wondering.

Yes, that is part of the final *polish*. There is going to be a border that wraps around the top of the stand covering up the black plastic of the tank, same thing is going to be with the canopy. Then the back of the tank where there is a gap between the tank and the wall, a cover *plate* will cover that area. Everything is going to look like it's built in :)
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2544257
Yes, that is part of the final *polish*. There is going to be a border that wraps around the top of the stand covering up the black plastic of the tank, same thing is going to be with the canopy. Then the back of the tank where there is a gap between the tank and the wall, a cover *plate* will cover that area. Everything is going to look like it's built in :)
AWESOME! My compliments to your builder. Figured they had it covered, but had to ask.
 
t316

t316

Active Member
Very nice spidey....if he didn't give you any, ask him for some automatic closures for those door hinges. They go with those recessed hinges that you have and they just snap on. I have them all over the house, including the aquarium, and they are awesome. Looks like it's going to be a really nice setup.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by Scopus Tang
http:///forum/post/2544275
AWESOME! My compliments to your builder. Figured they had it covered, but had to ask.

Thanks :) I'll tell him. He made all wooden parts himself instead of buying for example readymade doors. The doors in the canopy will have arches on them, just like our kitchen cabinets. He cut the openings to the stand at our house and showed how thick the panels were. You could kill a man with those pieces
 
ifirefight

ifirefight

Active Member
Spidey, I have a concern. I cant really tell from the picture...but...How is the "horizontal" top of the stand,attached to the "face frame" and the sides? I see it is set INSIDE the front and sides...thus leading me to believe it is supported by fasteners and glue. Does the edge of the tank sit one the face frame and sides OR the horizontal top?
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by ifirefight
http:///forum/post/2544327
Yes,nicely done. I was worried about the stands integrity. Looks like the builder has some knowledge.

:) Yep, not his first stand :)
One of the reasons why we went with him is because of what he did before he retired.. he was a race truck driver for many years and knowing what their work ethics are, I had trust in him. At least the older truck drivers have a way of working that is admirable.
 
F

flame hawk

Guest
where are the extra braces to hold all the weight of that size tank also those or big doors will most likley start to bow also i see he used a lot of plywood is it an mairne plywood so it dont come apart whwn it gets wet what finish dose it have on it for the salt splash looks like a cheap store stand to me also why is tank next to window i see where you told someone in another post not to put tank next to window how long have you been into saltwater fish you seam to know everytinhg form looking at your replys. those hinges on your stand do the doors come off or are they just a cheap hinge not much if a stand to me hope you didnt pay to much for it looks real cheap hope it holds all that weight with water and rock
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by flame hawk
http:///forum/post/2547112
where are the extra braces to hold all the weight of that size tank also those or big doors will most likley start to bow also i see he used a lot of plywood is it an mairne plywood so it dont come apart whwn it gets wet what finish dose it have on it for the salt splash looks like a cheap store stand to me also why is tank next to window i see where you told someone in another post not to put tank next to window how long have you been into saltwater fish you seam to know everytinhg form looking at your replys. those hinges on your stand do the doors come off or are they just a cheap hinge not much if a stand to me hope you didnt pay to much for it looks real cheap hope it holds all that weight with water and rock
Hi Doug, Actually I won't respond to your post in any way. All I can say is that is a cheap shot. You can tell the quality from the stand even if you are blind. I'm very happy that we went with the *other* builder.
 
phils29bcinwa

phils29bcinwa

Member
Originally Posted by flame hawk
http:///forum/post/2547112
where are the extra braces to hold all the weight of that size tank also those or big doors will most likley start to bow also i see he used a lot of plywood is it an mairne plywood so it dont come apart whwn it gets wet what finish dose it have on it for the salt splash looks like a cheap store stand to me also why is tank next to window i see where you told someone in another post not to put tank next to window how long have you been into saltwater fish you seam to know everytinhg form looking at your replys. those hinges on your stand do the doors come off or are they just a cheap hinge not much if a stand to me hope you didnt pay to much for it looks real cheap hope it holds all that weight with water and rock
Not at all true, you are the idiot. I work for a lumber company and that is all oak and oak plywood, yes it is safe to get wet and wont come apart at all, also those hinges are very nice cabinet hinges that come with all of the higher end cabinets for your home. I dont know what you have been using for all of your projects but from your post I am sure that you are using crap from walmart or somewhere. Please get a clue
 
nel621

nel621

Member
Very nice stand.I see you just made it with the width of the tank and stand for that wall.Are you concerned about the tank being so close to the window?Or is that shade going to down all the time.
 
veni vidi vici

veni vidi vici

Active Member
Ive been building homes for 20+ years and THAT is one fine stand.
Nice ....Clean....Well built....
To the guy who built it
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by Nel621
http:///forum/post/2547367
Very nice stand.I see you just made it with the width of the tank and stand for that wall.Are you concerned about the tank being so close to the window?Or is that shade going to down all the time.
We actually got lucky that the back wall of our breakfast area would be wide enough to hold a 72inch tank + some. Blinds in that area are always closed + the sun never hits that area. This is a corner in our house that has a huge extension shadowing it. Those windows face north-east so the only time there is any light coming from that direction is in the morning. Definitely not the most attractive side of our house... nothing to see there :)
 
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