Ok here i go!!!! 75g tank build

[acropora12]

Tagged. Looking forward to another build.

 

[acrylic51]

I have the materials sitting in the garage on the glue up table already!!!!!

 

[rslinger]

Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/382919/ok-here-i-go-75g-tank-build/20#post_3348982
I have the materials sitting in the garage on the glue up table already!!!!!

Right on!!!! I am wishing this build could go faster for me but not working full time since Christmas has really been putting a dampener on my wallet..... I think tomorrow i am going to get the sheet of plywood for the stand and maybe some of the oak plywood to cover the stand in just not 100% sure yet only got about $50 i can spend this week....So we will see.

 

[rslinger]

So i got some wood. Got the OSB for the tank to sit on and a sheet of 1/4 oak. Big question do you guys have any luck with finding 1/4 oak with the grain going the short way instead of the long way? Would really like to have it be one solid piece on the front and back and want the grain to go up and down not side to side.

 

[rslinger]

OK got the OSB on. Do you guys all put foam in between the tank and the plywood? I did not put any screw's in the middle so i don't have to worry about one ever working it's way out and breaking the bottom of the tank. The tank itself should be plenty of weight to hold it down and i screwed all around the outside. Next step is the oak. So do what do you guys do about my above mentioned problem. Do you just use it the wrong direction or do you do it in half or do you find wood going the right direction?

 

[2quills]

No you won't find any of the hardwood plywood with the grain running the way you are wanting it to. If you want the front to be all one piece you'll have to use it with the grain running side to side.

 

[al&burke]

You could make panels and the grain would be running in the right direction, kinda like a cabinet door.

 

[rslinger]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/382919/ok-here-i-go-75g-tank-build/20#post_3349572
You could make panels and the grain would be running in the right direction, kinda like a cabinet door.
I thought about that I probably will and put some trim going up the middle but i would love your it to be smooth o well i guess.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rslinger http:///forum/thread/382919/ok-here-i-go-75g-tank-build/20#post_3349596
I thought about that I probably will and put some trim going up the middle but i would love your it to be smooth o well i guess.
That would work. Honestly, I've seen pictures of guys installing it with the grain running horizontal and it doesn't look bad. Maybe do the door panels with it running vertically. Not a bad look IMO.

 

[rslinger]

I choose to go horizontal. Really this is the back as the tank will be a peninsula. I got 2 sides and the back cut but i remember why i hate finish carpentry, so i am done until i get a hold of somebody with a finish nail gun. Those little bending nails drive me nuts.

 

[vicegrip]

Sealing the inside of the stand is a great plan. Holds out moisture and makes clean up and housekeeping a breeze. I polyurethane everything on mine, very glad I did. Keeps everything looking nice too. Where in WI do you live I have a brad nailer and frags. LOL.

 

[rslinger]

I live in the big city of Randolph...... I have a friend that has a finish nail gun just got to get a hold of him probably mid week i might try...I thought about doing more than kills but i don't know. I might use painters silicone on all the joints but not sure if it is a good idea to have it that air tight..... I just got a real small budget for now. Hopefully work starts full time again tonight!!

 

[acropora12]

Nice stand you going there.

 

[acrylic51]

Kinda late to the dance, but curious if you used OSB sheathing for roofs or for subfloors?

 

[2quills]

I would deffinately seal all the joints inside and paint it. The Killz is just a primer it's not going to offer much protect for the wood for long. I would use something with a high gloss finish for durability. If the OSB gets wet it's going to swell and over time will begin to fall apart. I didn't catch whether or not you were going to run a sump but if you are then you have to figure on at least a few gallons of evaporation going on under there every week. Over time it will wreak havoc on the stand if you don't.
I've done minor trim work by hand before, it's not that bad if you don't have to do a ton of it.

 

[acrylic51]

I happen to see it this morning while pulling the rear out of my truck.....

Now you guys see why I left the mechanical field after 20yrs, just don't enjoy the work, so I was taking 1 of my many breaks, but didn't say anything got side tracked.....The OSB roofing sheathing will take water a bit better than the subflooring stuff, but I'd definitely seal the daylights out of it as Corey has recommended. Corey maybe you can show what you used to seal the inside of your stand with.....

 

[blackjacktang]

stand is looking good. Looking foward to the tank starting to cycle!

 

[rslinger]

For roofing i think, it was the more expensive of the two kinds at the do it center they told me it would deal with the wet better.... I was thinking the kills just to prevent some mildew/mold growth... Do you guys think i should seal it that tight? I figured it might be better to let it breath. But if i were going to seal it i would silicone the joints and prime and paint it. then maybe use a sealer of some form...got me thinking.

 

[rslinger]

Going to get trim and stain today.... probably get it put on this weekend. Then plumbing, lights and i should be ready to cycle. Well maybe some more rock and a ton of other stuff. Acrylic51 what was the name of those things you said i should use for the return? I forgot.

 

[acrylic51]

You mean for the return bulkheads? Tank jets!!!