LoJack's 144 Gallon Reef Build

haha thanks! I'll be sure to take a panned out shot after I clean up a bit.

This build has destroyed my man cave lol

 

wonderful build... keep'm coming !!

 

Will do lol

And thanks ...

 

Well I started on my canopy.

I only worked on it for about 3 hours and made quite a bit of progress. I need to cut out the opening for the doors, and I need to put the trim on, but I got the framework and the pillar work completed.

I'm back to work starting tomorrow for 4, 16 hour days ... so I'll try and finish it up on Friday when I start my days off.

Here it is ...

Formed up the shell out of 3/4" Oak Plywood. I hate the idea of using plywood ... but you get the oak look without the weight. For a canopy with solid oak trim, I need to save weight where I can. Plywood was one of those solutions.



Building up the framework for the pillars







Cut the slots out of the back for the standpipes and the return plumbing.



The front pillars (very time consuming ... )

 

Some close ups of the pillar structure and detail.









Still a ton of sanding to do. The joints on the canopy are not nearly as nice as the joints on the stand ... but after sanding, filling, and staining ... they shouldn't even be noticeable.

And this shot I included because when I was trying to learn how to build these pillars ... this was the biggest question. How do you build up for depth? I'm not sure if this is how its supposed to be done ... but its how I chose to do it.

Also the reason for choosing plywood. All of the pieces in this photo are 3/4" solid oak flat stock and very heavy.



Hope you enjoy.

With how fast this came along, I'm thinking on Friday when I get back to it I should be able to have the trim and the doors done, and then stain it and paint the inside the next day. I am getting close to being done with the construction aspect of the build.

The cycle of the tank is coming along nicely as well. I've got massive Ammonia and Nitrite levels on the go ... which is great.

Once done the canopy ... I'll focus on soldering up my LED's and heat sinks, as well as learning the dimmable drivers and lighting controllers that I'll be working with.

Stay Tuned!

 

that is some nice carpentry!

 

You did great on the pillars. I use mdf for build up and cover with the expensive lumber or veneers. If painting, i use just mdf. Nice canopy.

 

Thanks!

and Thanks!

 

Well I am done the canopy ... sort of. I need to build the doors, just like with the stand. And it needs to be stained on the outside and painted on the inside (which I intend to do tomorrow)

I didn't take a ton of progression shots ... but here is the canopy as it stands today ...

I'll post pics of stained finished product tomorrow!

 

Great job!! Finish it already!