90g RR build :D

Hello!! With the big move to Ames for vet school, of course it should be matched with a big new tank! So, the 65g is turning into a 90g RR. That means hand built new stand and canopy, new sump, and finally a RR tank that I don't have to do PVC plumbing for. It's taken quite a long time to get to this stage. I'm not proficient with a saw so could only work when my dad was available to operate his on the weekends. But, the big day is tomorrow when we get the 90g set up to start its cycle. Plan is the fish with then move into the 90g on Thursday or Friday.
PICTURES!!We only have the stand done as of now. I don't have a good picture of it yet because its all covered in clamps holding the trim in place as the wood glue dries but I will be taking a lot of pictures tomorrow.
First up is mostly just the guts of the stand. All solid oak or oak veneer plywood stained with a red mahogany wood stain and then 2-3 layers of either semi-gloss poly on the outside or marine varnish on the inside surfaces. It didn't turn out nearly as dark as I had hoped but it's still handsome. Only the crown molding is on in this picture for trim.
For anyone interested in how we got the crown molding on, first, it is a PAIN IN THE @$$. Second, there are no official clamps for holding crown molding to a surface at the proper angle as most people use it in homes along the ceiling. We ended up using the 90 degree angle Kreg clamps (BTW, all things Kreg are amazing for cabinetry).  Worked out well though to make the small triangle pieces that were screwed into the bulk of the stand from the inside. Then a combination of wood glue and very small diameter nails are holding the molding to the triangles. Its very solid.
For the sump, I'm using a 29g tank. Was originally planning on using a 30g I got from the in laws but went to reseal it and there was a large chip on an inside seam that made me nervous. Here is most of the tape pattern. Ended up swapping the last two baffles but general plan is from left to right: 1) intake with filter sock, gravel, and chaeto; 2) skimmer and other equipment, 3) return.
Thats all for now. The canopy has barely any work done on it but fishyness has a light fixture I get to borrow (THANKS!). That'll keep the kids happy until I can get my LEDs back over them. I'll post pictures of the whole tank minus canopy on Tuesday as I'll probably be extremely tired tomorrow. (Moving my 90g freshwater tank also tomorrow!! EEK!)
Wish me luck!

 

My dad and I are doing it. I did the design and got the wood. He makes the actual cyts for mw but then I did all of the finishing. We assembled together.

 

Well it is finally in and we are back to Iowa City. The saltwater tank setup went well with only minor blips. Turns out ames water is nasty for tanks even though it tastes and smella chlorine free. Killed all but one of ny freshwater fish within an hour. Saved the last by adding a conditioner. Today was not good but we got a lot done and the tanks are coming together /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif Forgot to take pictures due to the emergency though. Sorry

 

It was really unfortunate. I've not had to add any sort of conditioner for either coralville or iowa city water. Didn't think to add it in Ames. Learned my lesson on that one though.

As soon as my CUC arrives in the mail today I'm packing up the salties and heading to Ames /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif My brother has a nice camera on his phone so I'll put him in charge of taking pictures while I do 'my fish thing' as he refers to it. haha.

 

http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad28/kmday/photobucket-51173-1344969358699.jpg

Here's an updated picture of the tank. No cabinet doors yet as I'm low on funds and school starts tomorrow. The canopy is 80% done so hopefully we'll get that finished this weekend. Canopy is very similar to the stand with trim and such. There will be two front doors as well as a large piano hinge along the top of the canopy allowing me to lift the whole front panel for short person access to the tank /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif