Recommend wood for a refugium/dosing locker?

Hi all -
been a bit crazy with work and kid lately, but I am catching up.

Anyway - I am dying to build a locker for all the stuff around my tank - my refugium, ATO reservoir and now my Bubble Magus doser too.

It will basically be a book shelf kind of deal with a door that I can lock on it. (child-proofing!)

My plan is to build it out of wood from Home Depot.

My question is - what kind of wood? Does it matter?

Any other wood working recs are appreciated. I just built a raised garden bed out of redwood recently and had fun with that. Somebody just gave me an old table saw too, so I am fired up!

Thanks in advance,

matt

 

dont use cider it leechs that funky smells it shouldnt matter which kind but u also might wanna stay away from partical and fiber board

 

It dont matter. Unless your really looking for a DIY project I just bought one of those pressed wood el cheapo ones at wal-mart for like $30 on sale. Its like 5 x 3, for the price i was pretty impressed with the size. It didnt have a lock on it, but since it went in the walk in closet a stop in the hardward isle fixed that.

 

I guess the question should be paint, stain or clear coat. You can build the case out of MDF and use Poplar for the frame and door if you are going to paint it. If you are going for stain or clear you can get hardwood ply and the hardwood of your choice for the frame and door. Most all they sell at Home Depot hare is Oak and Maple. You can also use ACX pine / pine if you like that look.

Problem is, the big box stores charge way too much for lumber. Make some calls to lumber dealers and you might save some money plus get some better material for your buck.

 

birch plywood and wood stain

 

Thanks guys. k+
I guess I was thinking about wood that would be strong and affordable. Redwood for my other project was a bit higher in price and tough to get screws into. Something that could handle a little water would be nice.
Big thanks for info - I will reread when I get back from the BBQ I am going to right now!

matt

 

Yeah I combed all over for a pre-built that would work. Problem is - I need shelves at specific heights for my gravity fed refugium and gravity fed ATO.. plus doors and locks, so I think DIY is the only way to go.

Great info RPM. I may look up a lumber store in my neighborhood.

I'll check it out - thanks bioreefdude.

matt

 

Use Epay, it looks and is as strong as teak, but without the high price. We use it on boats as faux-teak for chairs and swim platforms and it holds up to saltwater fantastically. It's really heavy and dense with a tight grain.

Epay Wood - The Strongest Hardwood Option

 

Big thanks Whiskeytango! That looks real nice. My only concern there is I wanted to do a black finish to match my stand. Could I do something like that with epay? I have to check that out.

Funny you mentioned teak - I am going on my third coat of cetol on some teak hand rails on my boat. They were really weathered. Looks much better now after sanding and cetol (natural teak finish version).

 

Good times, Sometimes I have dreams about sandpaper and Cetol Marine I once crewed on 130ft schooner, we Cetoled the deck about every 3 months.

I don't know about painting epay, personally I like it just oiled or varnished. If you're gonna paint it anyway, mind as well use oak or pine.