Oxquo Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 It's nearing completion, trim, doors and stain to go. This one was really not too bad, truth is, I am almost liking stand building as much as fish keeping. Maybe I will make a different stand for every tank in my fishroom???? That would be kinda cool, can't wait till I get a chance to build my 10 gallon Grainery aquarium display..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxquo Posted April 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 As much as in between sucks, it's always nice to smell the final product getting close to completion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefishdude Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 nothing better than sawdust in the air.... -07- -07- -07- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majestic_Aquariums Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 Looks cool! Is it going to be like a T.V aquarium? I also like that one that you made like a fireplace-some neat ideas! Keep up the good work! Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxquo Posted April 5, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 Thanks, yeah it's suppose to be close to a 1959 Telefunken, due to patents though it has to be modified. Due to the person who bought it they want it modified even more. Just when you make a nice design that is working someone buys it and want's to change it on you. I have this idea for a cool 3D background for another tank using concrete. I can't wait to get into that as well. My biggest problem with stands is that what is on paper seldomly works in lumber. The plans change too often during a project so each new project for me ends up being a whole new one while I build it. After seeing a group of Yankees on My doorstep taking pictures of our old crappy grainery, I decided the grainery tank stand must be next. They travelled here from Iowa 6 of them just to photograph Graineries. I told them I would build the stand, they said if they liked it they would pay top dollar for it. Cool enough I salvaged some actual sheathing from the other grainery down the street that is just beat to hell, it's 82 years old and no longer in use. I wonder what top dollar is these days? They only want a 10 gallon tank as to not take away from the grainery, go figure??? I like your site it's good inspiration. At this point I am just hoping that the Americans can find Runnymede Saskatchewan a second time lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majestic_Aquariums Posted April 6, 2005 Report Share Posted April 6, 2005 Just do what I do-WING IT!! I seldomly do up shop drawings. I will do a composite sketch of more detailed stands, ect. But as a rule, I build as I go, keeping the crutial dimensions on hand at all times, for referral. I think the grainery idea is a great one-I wouldn't be surprised that you could sell more of those. To answer your question-What is top dollar? Simple. Your wage, plus materials. Sometimes custom stuff like that doesn't even compare to store bought for cost/gallon. But neither does the product. It is custom made, you don't find that @ Wal-Mart! Good luck. BTW-ever tried or considered a coffee table aquarium? I have often thought of one, but haven't tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxquo Posted April 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2005 I thought of the coffee table aquarium but can't fathom putting fish in there since I would have to sit across the room to see them well. Much like that disco place in the states where the dance floor is an aquarium, I am wondering how stressed the fish are. Fish seem to adjust best when they see our faces. We all kinda look alike to them from crotch down and I don't think it is that comforting to have crotches come running up to you unless you are sure who they belong to someone who's crotch you would like in your face I suppose. I do like the headboard design though, except for people like me who seem to do aerobics in their sleep. That could be a hell of a way to wake up with guppies in your shorts and an ear full of molly. For people who sleep normally, it would be trey cool, maybe a foot board though for the true aquarist who wants to actually see their fish. Also I have the free standing aquarium I want to try, the one that hangs from the ceiling but has no legs and is not touching a wall. I will wait for someone who wants to try one though as they are pretty hard to move once in place. For me I love small tanks 55 and under so it may not look as spectacular under 125 Gallons. Wing it hahaha I like that. Or like my old boss use to say, if you can't dazzle them with precision, Baffle them with loads of trim, lol. Oh yeah and a "Gap" is nothing more than an area that screams for silicone. But you are totally right, build a frame to dimension and solidify it and after that, whatever happens, happens. Alot of times it can become much nicer than planned. As for the fireplace stand, it is not done yet as I have been playing around with styrofoam and concrete and am going to try a chiminy on it. I would also like to do a seated area below the tank in real masonry, but need more practice yet. That tile you did on one of your stands though might be an even better approach and likely a cleaner job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxquo Posted April 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Well it's finally done, except for the handle at the top which will be in tomorrow, the knobs on the lid are only there to lift the lid without touching the final coat of clear. This was a fun project, and quite easy. It's always hard to believe it will turn out at all when it is finished at points. I am looking forward to doing a stand with MDF except for the actual stand underneath that is as it is so much easier to work with and more flexible on a large scale. I must say that I am enjoying a whole new hobby, not as much as fishkeeping but damn close at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloeclose Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Heyyyy.... lookin' good John!! :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxquo Posted April 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Thanks, it only cost $45.00 to make, but I already had the clearcoat and stain. The frame is made of econo 2x4 sliced in half and plained down to 1.25" so twice the lumber for half the price. Unfortunately as i mentioned, the plans got changed but I still atleast got to keep the TV like shape and legs. The rustic look that supposedly is so popular is not my style either but it's not for my house. For the extra rustic look, I had to burn it lightly with a torch, then lightly sand before conditioning and then staining. Why would someone want to buy something new and make it look old? I also wanted to build a light system into the hood instead but they wanted the cheap plastic one like in the kits. Maybe one day i'll get to modify it for them. Anyways, it was alot of fun like the last two. The girl I sold it too has been busy over the last couple of days building caves so I hope to get a pic of it fully loaded. She wants to start of with some of my saulosi fry so I won't expect the fish to show up too well in the photo but am sure it will look nice, maybe not as nice as a SA tank but nice. For me now, it's time to get the Grain Elevator stand done for a 20 gallon and then I am hoping to find an idea for the 230 gallon plywood tank I am just finishing up. Likely it will be a wall aquarium but I honestly have no ideas for it except making it against a feature wall with a book shelf included into it. Being someone who isn't much into big tanks I am not even sure what to put in it except that a Game warden here said I can get a permit to keep yellow perch providing I purchase them from a hatchery and staple the reciept to my permit. the fish have to come from a Saskatchewan hatchery and you have to sign the permit, vouching to never let them go or their fry into native waters. If this all goes through, I will do 6-8 perch and hook up my old refridgerator chiller to the tank. Now if I can only get a permit for a brown bullhead or two and maybe a school of stickleback or shiners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABwildrose Posted April 8, 2005 Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 I wish I was (or knew someone who was) talented enough to build nice stands like that. Nice job and good luck with your next projects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxquo Posted April 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2005 Truth is, you could do it sooo easily. If all you had was, a drill, mitrebox and saw and a skill saw or even a handsaw but it may take forever. You could have Rona or Homedepot cut the stuff for you next time in one or your local lumber retailler. You'd still need a drill, glue and some stain but it'd be pretty fun still. I think the stores charge less than 50 cents a cut and you can cut trim and mouldings right there as they charge by the foot. Even if it costs a case of beer to a neighbour, it would be cheaper. No woodworker turns down cold beer unless they drink the hard stuff. This way you could design it, they could cut it and all you need to do is assemble it and stain it. The thrill is in the building anyways not the cutting. Once you finish, you'll be eyeing up all your other stands, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garhan Posted April 22, 2005 Report Share Posted April 22, 2005 Hey Oxquo, good job. Thought I would let you know that I redesigned an egg tumbler that hooks up to either a box filter or a sponge filter. Will send you some pics later. I wanted a larger tumbler for you know what. LARGER FISH EGG BATCHES AND PVC spawning tubes. lol Cheers, Garhan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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