[geekdafied]

Originally Posted by KOgle

Looking good. That paint makes it look clean.

Originally Posted by Matt Rogers

Great job.
Any special paint?

I used a "Bright White" exterior grade paint (15 yr warranty for the outside of your house) for the inside of the stand because I like to be able to see everything under there without the need of a light. The outside, I used "Tree Bark" Brown, also an exterior grade paint. Lots and lots of coats of paint so I never have to worry about the wood warping. The paint I used was a little pricey, about $30 a gallon, but well worth it considering I'll never have to paint it again and no worries about the wood warping. That stand will out live me.

Inside the stand is sealed and water tight. It can hold up to 1" of water without over flowing the front.

[geekdafied]

Here the CAD I came up with for the canopy in a hurry. I plan on having a mostly open top with 2x2 braces to hold everything up. There will be a trim piece on the top sides to hide everything so nobody will ever see the top of it unless they over 6'3". The MH's will be sitting on top of the canopy about 8"s off the surface of the tank so there shouldnt be any heat issues cause technically they are not in the canopy. There will be cross braces for T5HO's as well, and they will be in the canopy.

[geekdafied]

I only plan to run those lights about a year. Then Im switching everything over to Lumen Bright reflectors with a new canopy. This is just a "get me by" kind of thing. I got a GREAT deal on the HQI lights or I wouldnt be using them.

[R34dawn]

Really sweet!!! i am on my way to buy the materials to build my own here in a little bit, but trust me, I am overwhelm with the material list, cause once i start it's hard to stop...lol
you know I hate having to go back for more stuff. (btw did you use screws?)

[lunatik_69]

Everything sounds and looks good, but I hope that you will be providing pics? Luna

[Matt Rogers]

Sounds like you did your homework. That paint should hold up nice!

[geekdafied]

Originally Posted by Matt Rogers

Sounds like you did your homework. That paint should hold up nice!

Ive researched it for awhile. Looking at other peoples plans, seeing how they did it and how I could improve upon it. I know several civil engineers (one being my uncle) who I discussed my plans with and even a cabinet maker. LMAO, if there is a tornado, I know where I will be hiding out at!

Originally Posted by R34dawn

Really sweet!!! i am on my way to buy the materials to build my own here in a little bit, but trust me, I am overwhelm with the material list, cause once i start it's hard to stop...lol
you know I hate having to go back for more stuff. (btw did you use screws?)

I used a buttload of screws! I lost track after the first box of 50 screws. I also used a pnuematic stapler to for the trim. All of the wood is supporting itself, none of the screws are load bearing, they just hold the wood together. If you need any help with the build and design, let me know. Just remember, if you plan on upgrading soon, keep that in mind when building your stand. Its fairly simple to make it alot bigger and stronger then you need now and convert it when the time comes.

Originally Posted by lunatik_69

Everything sounds and looks good, but I hope that you will be providing pics? Luna

Im just getting started with all of this, and you've seen the pics thus far, hahaha!

[hooch]

hey geek i'm currently trying to design a stand. i think i'm going to go off your design. could you take a couple more pics of the inside of the stand so i can get a clear view of the supports at the top and left and right sides. it would help a bunch! thanks

[cuttingras]

I like the lip you put around the edge! that's really gonna look nice when the tank is on it and full......so....when we gonna see some of those pics?

[ReefSparky]

How the heck did I miss this thread??

Nice job, Geek!!