New stand for 50 gal FOWLR

[BMW Rider]

I have had to bump this project up in the queue of many that I have to do. I need to get my remaining marine fish out of the 60 gallon tank that is normally for my pond fish to over winter in. I put them in it when I shut down the 75 I had and moved some fish to my new reef tank. The remaining fish are the non reef compatible ones that I still wanted to keep.
But now with winter rapidly bearing down, I'll need to get the pond shut down and those fish indoord again. So even though I have much to do to finish the woodwork on the reef tank and the rest of the basement, this needed to be done first.

All the wood was leftover materials I had on hand, so all i had to buy was the hardware. I really like Arts and Crafts/Mission styl furniture, so I wanted to try an aquarium stand in that style. I am quite satisfied with the results. I still have to set up all the hardware and drill holes for the plumbing, ventilation etc. after that's done I will give it some finish, and into the living room with it. Hopefully ahead of the freezeup.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/101750-Stand-003-med.jpg

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/101750-Stand-004-med.jpg

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/101750-Stand-005-med.jpg

[AJ_77]

:eek: I feel inadequate... :mrgreen:

nice, Ed, real nice...

[StirCrazy]

nice look, how did you cut the curve on your door styles?
I think the supports on the sides under the top and the lid add a nice touch. what are you plans for finnishing it?

Steve

[andestang]

Great looking stand :cool: How many fish do you bring in ? All Koi's ? Got caught a few years back and they ended up in the spare bathroom bathtub :confused: Water changes were a snap :mrgreen:

[Willito]

Impressive... :biggrin: . I like the solid wood look. The style too, simple with a comtemporary flare. Big up from the wood man himself. :mrgreen: :biggrin:

[BMW Rider]

nice look, how did you cut the curve on your door styles?
I think the supports on the sides under the top and the lid add a nice touch. what are you plans for finnishing it?


The arched door rails are simple to do. I just dadoed a deep groove in the rail for the panel, then rough cut the arch on the bandsaw followed by sanding on the drum sander. The panel is cut square on top. I have also done them by just using a piloted bit to rout the groove after cutting the arch, but then you need to cut the panel to match. This way was easier.

I plan to stain the wood to a medium brown tone then apply several coats of low luster poly. The inside will get a couple of coats of white melamine paint.

How many fish do you bring in ? All Koi's ?

Actuall no Koi's, just six pond comets. My pond is not big enough to hold koi when they get larger. The comets are all five years old now, and the largest is about 10". The tank I use for them is a 60 gallon with just a Fluval 403 filter. Not the best setup for marine, but it's only for a little longer.

I still need to get all the equipment for this new on. I have most of it ordered, but still need fans and lighting. I will also have to build another skimmer. I was going to use the one from my reef tank and replace it with a larger one, but that one won't fit in this stand, it's too tall.

[StirCrazy]

then rough cut the arch on the bandsaw followed by sanding on the drum sander..

ahhh so now I need to buy a bandsaw :confused: :mrgreen:

Steve

[BMW Rider]

I got the tank set up in the house last friday. Here are some new photos. I still need some more LR yet, it will be arriving with the bulk order from J&L that Josh has organized. The sump is a 15 gallon tank which I added a bubble trap into. I'm running a Quiet One 3000 pump, and a home made PVC counter current skimmer. The blue jug is my top off water which is controled by a humidifier float.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/101750-gal-FOWLR-1.jpg

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/101750-gal-FOWLR-2.jpg

These two critters are the reason I needed this tank. I had them in my 75 gallon FO system, but they could not go into the new reef tank with the rest of the fish. I'm not sure what type of damsel this is, but it is a real mean little bugger. It harassed every other fish in the tank except the Domino damsel which could hold its own. The Domino is in this tank also. I haven't decided what other fish to add into it yet, but plan to wait until the LR is cured first.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/1017Scarlet-Hermit-Crab.jpg

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/1017Damsel.jpg

[Invigor]

looks like a jewel damsel to me.

is it just me or is that crab huge? ..like baseball size huge?

[Buccaneer]

I haven't decided what other fish to add into it yet

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/1017Damsel.jpg

How about a nice fat Eel or Lionfish to eat those damsels :evil: :razz: :mrgreen:

Sorry but I just cant stand those little buggers :razz:

[AJ_77]

That crab is impressive! Is it big?

[BMW Rider]

I do like the snowflake eels, but I think one would get too big though for a 50 gallon. Plus, I think this little damsel could open a can of whup-a** on an eel :eek: Well maybe not quite, but I don't think he'd become lunch anytime soon. I liked him for his colours when I got him, and at first he was fairly shy. Once he got a bit bigger though, he started to put the run on everything. I don't plan to get any more damsels anytime soon... or ever. I would like to have a flame angel in this tank, but I worry about these damsels harassing it too much.

Yes that crab is a monster. Its not quite baseball size, but it is about the size of a fist. She's a real pig when I give her a chunk of fish mush or a clam to dine on, the damsels get the scraps that get away. I decided it must be female because I leave four or five shells in the tank and shes in a different one almost every day :mrgreen: . Likes to change her outfits, she does.

[BMW Rider]

The live rock is finally cured and in, now I just need a few more fish.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/1017Aquascape.jpg

[G1GY]

What a beautifull peice of work. :smile:

[rodsboys]

Maybe you will luck out and the crab will get luck on those damsels.I tried to have a damsel or 2....shame they are so cute.lol.
Your stand is outstanding by the way.