Rookie questions

[lvsuckerfish]

yeah talked to my buddy he stated silicone will work better then weldon. you will have to silicone both sides of the bafflefor it to work right I used supper glue gel to help hold to the glass in a straight vertical 90 from the glass panel. worked great. just to hold in place some use tape.

 

[eww]

OK, I'm getting ready to put the plumbing together and figure out where to drill the tank. Is there anyone local willing to come by the house and help me lay it out since I have never done any of this before?

 

[jrgilles]

OK, I'm getting ready to put the plumbing together and figure out where to drill the tank. Is there anyone local willing to come by the house and help me lay it out since I have never done any of this before?

I'd be down if it wasn't so far away >.<

For the pipe cleaner you use before you add the pvc glue, the people at the store will probably direct you to this stuff with a purple dye in it. The dye is for plumbing inspections, so the inspector can tell that it was cleaned properly before gluing, but it will leave a purple smear all over the pipe. There is also a clear one that they should carry (yellow label instead of purple label on the can) which is colorless, so you might want to get that one instead of the purple that they direct you to.

 

[eww]

Thanks Rob. I already got the glue and primer and you're right. I bought the stuff with the purple dye in it. Back to the store again to return something I don't need and get something else.

I'd be down if it wasn't so far away >.<

For the pipe cleaner you use before you add the pvc glue, the people at the store will probably direct you to this stuff with a purple dye in it. The dye is for plumbing inspections, so the inspector can tell that it was cleaned properly before gluing, but it will leave a purple smear all over the pipe. There is also a clear one that they should carry (yellow label instead of purple label on the can) which is colorless, so you might want to get that one instead of the purple that they direct you to.

 

[jrgilles]

Hah, yea. I'm lucky. Lowe's is about a 3 minute drive away. Was awesome when I was putting my system together

 

[jrgilles]

if you have any questions while building, feel free to post or call me. Not doing anything tonight, so am available for any help I can offer remotely. Just build my system in january, so its all still pretty fresh in my mind.

Don't know much on glass drilling though. My DT has 2 overflow boxes and I drilled my fuge, but I just ground out a hole with a cheap tile cutting bit and a dremel. A cheap alternative for small tanks.

When I installed the bulkhead, I coated both sides of the gasket with silicone before I screwed it down. Made for a great seal

 

[eww]

Man oh Man. I am not a furniture finish guy that's for sure. I've been working on staining and finishing this stand for over a week and now I think I have to start all over GRRRR!!! I started with stripping it completely then I applied an oil based stain. We were going for the Ebony almost black stained oak look. After two heavy coats of stain and almost 4 days of drying I started in with the Watco Teak Oil. I screwed up and didn't read the instructions completely. I applied it to everything least night then did the second coat a few minutes later but missed the step about wiping it all down afterward. I went out this morning to check and see how things were and there was this huge sticky mess. I've tried rubbing it out to no avail. I now have another heavy coat of oil sitting on one piece to see if it will loosen up the sticky mess so it can be rubbed out. If this doesn't work then I guess I'm back to square one with stripping it all down and starting over. Major GRRR!!!

 

[jrgilles]

Aw man, that really sucks. Sanding and staining and vacuuming over and over was definately the worst part of building the stand. I really feel for you.

Make sure you read directions on everything i guess.

Wow, I don't even know what I would have done if that happened when I was staining my stand. It was already like a 2 week long project.

You can buy a Skil palm sander from lowe's for 29.99. Not sure if it would help you fix this. It couldn't sand everything but might make the big surfaces easier. They have a built in vacuum to move the sanding dust away, but not sure how good it does.

Really sucky, don't even know what to say. Was really my least favorite part of the whole process, and you have to do it twice now >.<

 

[TJL]

Eric, no worries. there is enough solvent in the Teak Oil to loosen the finish up and wipe clean again just a little more Elbow Grease and a bit of steel wool or scouring pad. I wish you didn't live like 3 counties away as I would have dropped by with some Watco Marine finish and a little help.

Todd

 

[eww]

Thanks for the input guys. You are right Todd, I just soaked it down with more Teak Oil and it release all the sticky stuff. Its all rubbed out and done. My only complaint now is with all the rubbing the stain finish got considerable lighter but I am tired of working on it so it is going together just like it is. I will post some pics once it dries and I get it assembled again. Hopefully the evening.

 

[eww]

OK this stand looks horrible. Not only did most of the color rub out of it with all the extra working it over but it is not blotchy as all get out. I think we might just be painting it next. If we do it will probably be a black/brown color because that is the original look we wanted. I am just a wood guy so I wanted to stain it to get there but alas after almost two weeks it's not good.

New tank on the stand
http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish Tank Cabinet/DSC_0058_6775.jpg

Front view of stand only with "dark stain"
http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish Tank Cabinet/DSC_0053_6770.jpg

Modification of rails to fit the slightly wider tank
http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish Tank Cabinet/DSC_0054_6771.jpg

Another shot of the new tank... Man I can't wait to get this up and running.
http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish Tank Cabinet/DSC_0060_6777.jpg

 

[eww]

New tank on the stand
<a href="http://s962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish%20Tank%20Cabinet/?action=view&current=DSC_0060_6777.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish%20Tank%20Cabinet/DSC_0060_6777.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Front view of stand only with "dark stain"
<a href="http://s962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish%20Tank%20Cabinet/?action=view&current=DSC_0053_6770.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish%20Tank%20Cabinet/DSC_0053_6770.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Modification of rails to fit the slightly wider tank
<a href="http://s962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish%20Tank%20Cabinet/?action=view&current=DSC_0054_6771.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish%20Tank%20Cabinet/DSC_0054_6771.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Another shot of the new tank... Man I can't wait to get this up and running.
<a href="http://s962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish%20Tank%20Cabinet/?action=view&current=DSC_0058_6775.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i962.photobucket.com/albums/ae103/ewward31/Fish%20Tank%20Cabinet/DSC_0058_6775.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[eww]

OK I admit. I can't figure out how to embed the pics in my posts...

 

[jrgilles]

I don't think its as bad as you make it sound. I noticed after I finished staining my stand, both my GF and I thought it looked very blochy and uneven.

But, i don't even notice it anymore with it all set up. Seemed to just disappear...

 

[TJL]

Hey Eric, all in all it looks really good. You might try a dark colored finishing wax as a top coat it'll provide better waterproofing and builds up the finish a bit. I would think that Daly's would carry an assortment. Plus agree that once set up it will become a background to the reeftank itself.

Todd

 

[eww]

I checked with the local Lowes/Home Depot/McLendons and I tell ya... the help you get in these stores now-a-days leaves a lot to be desired. Everyone just looks at me with a blank stare when I ask about a dark color furniture wax finish or top coat. Any ideas where this might be readily available or at least someplace with competent people that know something?

 

[jrgilles]

Maybe go to a specialty shop? A place that only sells paint and stains? I've heard bad things here about sherwin-williams, but I think you pretty much just need to find a guy somewhere who knows what he is talking about. I've found a couple people at lowes who seemed good, but a lot don't know anything....

Luckly I live close to lowes, so if I don't see any faces of people that I know are knowledgable, I leave and try again another time....

 

[NWDiver]

I would look for a millwork store in your area, they will know what you need for sure.
google map shows three near Puyallup.

 

[eww]

For all you south-enders who love wood working and building your tank stands and such... Sumner Wood Work Store in downtown Sumner is a fantastic candy store for you. I could have wandered in there for hours had I not had other things to do today. It has what appeared to be an unlimited assortment of great quality wood in all kinds of species as well as every tool that Norm Abrahms has and then some I think. I am not sure how prices compare because I don't think I have ever seen half these items in a store before. The employees (I dealt with Bill) have tons of knowledge and were able to help me in my stain/finishing dilemma I've been in with my tank stand and hood. Just an FYI on a store that, in a round about way, can help our hobby. Just google their name if you want/need to find them.

 

[sglazne]

your stand would look great in my house...ha. you did a good job. I am not a wood guy but we put a dark glaze on the woodwork in our kitchen. I think vandyke brown or something. I think it would really grab in the grain and darken it up, but I really like the color.