Journal " The Creek" 75g tank and stand build

[artandsoul]

Looks good

For cheap its good enough looking for me but not for others. I try and do a decent looking stand near cheapo as possible and I'm happy with my cheapo stands. Many want a perfecto square ada/uns blah stand but not me. I want something cheap, strong as hell and not looking to win a stand contest in end but nice and clean. it will finish out great as I was a house/cabinet painter for 10+ years. I know tricks to make even brushed on paint smooth as sprayed In end. floetrol and penetrol is difference between seeing brush strokes in end or not. Sanding between coats makes a huge difference too.

 

[Koan]

other than buying a used full 5lb co2

I'm assuming you double checked the tank expiration date

I've made that mistake

 

[artandsoul]

I'm assuming you double checked the tank expiration date

I've made that mistake

its pretty new 2-26 will swap it out next year for another.

Finally got more paint on stand, tried a spray paint few days ago krylon metallic, like a light glittery finish well that was a mistake. It was more like sandpaper finish no shine or gloss very flat meh. Got sanded it down went with rustoleum satin color called London fog more like London turd brown once it got on lol. It looks ok wanted lighter color but its done. Just gotta install doors today install some tiny shelves on side and get it in the house that's the fun part!

 

[artandsoul]

if u spray a lot of spray cans make a paint shaker with a can and a bolt works great, put rag inside can to hold firm and can tilt it upside down as well.

 

[Rob23]

Thanks for the tip on using Floetrol. I tried it this week, and it made a noticeable improvement in the smoothness of the finish I was able to achieve with a brush followed by a sponge roller.

 

[artandsoul]

Stands finally done! elcheapo strikes again , its simple and effective well overbuilt so will hold a ton literally. Weighs around 60lbs alone lol its a beast. Looks more grey outside inside its brownish greyish whatever lol . Got some small shelves and center spot for nets/tweezers. have thin tall tupperware to go below it for water drops. Caulked the whole bottom inside after 3 coats of paint and 2 over caulk I think the OSB is good to go. Not worried about a water spill anywhere on it soaking in caulked and painted to death. Can still hold 5g bucket easily on left and fluval 407 canister with co2 on right. Nice wide 20" doors , its time for hardscape! its outside boiling right now. Bottom has harbor freight tool box liner. Its been fun but time for 40g stand build this week will go way faster for sure.

 

[davidkwilson]

Dude, that is a sweet score on the 75g! $159 out the door for a Marineland with free glass tops is an absolute steal. You are 100% right to stay away from those UNS prices when you can get a solid tank for way less. And you called it on the Imagitarium stuff - those things are notorious for leaking.

Your DIY stand sounds beefy as heck. You can never overbuild a stand, and 80 nails plus glue means that thing will outlive us all. I totally agree with you on the MDF junk they sell at the big box stores. Wrapping it in beadboard is a great call to make it look like a real piece of furniture instead of a doctor's office.

Jumping from a 30" wide tank to a 48" is a massive difference. I remember getting my first 4-footer and just staring at how wide it was. The lava rock in mesh bags is a smart move to save some cash on substrate - that stuff adds up fast. Sounds like you got a great plan for the tree line scape. Can't wait to see how Whipple Landing turns out!

 

[davidkwilson]

Man, that stand turned out killer! You can't even tell it was a cheap DIY build from the outside. That grey looks super clean and way better than the standard MDF stuff you buy at the store.

60 pounds is wild, but I’d rather have a heavy tank than a flimsy one any day. Caulking and painting the OSB to death was a smart move. The fact that you fit a 5g bucket and your Fluval 407 with CO2 on the sides is perfect. Also, that Harbor Freight toolbox liner is a total pro-tip for catching drips.

Get that hardscape boiled and in there! I don't blame you for staying inside, the weather is miserable right now. Good luck with the 40g build next, you're on a roll!

 

[Kwyet]

Nice job!

 

[artandsoul]

Your DIY stand sounds beefy as heck. You can never overbuild a stand, and 80 nails plus glue means that thing will outlive us all. I totally agree with you on the MDF junk they sell at the big box stores. Wrapping it in beadboard is a great call to make it look like a real piece of furniture instead of a doctor's office.

Didn't use beadboard in end cost to much for me. The end flat pieces used 1/4" luan it was free and used 1/4" mdf for door backs the rest it all solid wood but osb. The fluted moulding I used on corners is 3.00 for 7' locally too cheap not to use over Lowe's insane prices.
The 80 nails was the framing gun alone 3.5" for the glued, screwed and nailed 2x4 frame. There probably 100+ smaller 1-2" nail gun nails in it for mouldings and rest still all glued with titebond 2 . Yeah its way overboard it will last lifetime time for sure. My other stand build for 20l is near 30 years old still like new but selling it off since I'm going the bigger 75 and 40.

 

[davidkwilson]

Didn't use beadboard in end cost to much for me. The end flat pieces used 1/4" luan it was free and used 1/4" mdf for door backs the rest it all solid wood but osb. The fluted moulding I used on corners is 3.00 for 7' locally too cheap not to use over Lowe's insane prices.
The 80 nails was the framing gun alone 3.5" for the glued, screwed and nailed 2x4 frame. There probably 100+ smaller 1-2" nail gun nails in it for mouldings and rest still all glued with titebond 2 . Yeah its way overboard it will last lifetime time for sure. My other stand build for 20l is near 30 years old still like new but selling it off since I'm going the bigger 75 and 40.

That’s some solid work! Smart move using affordable materials without compromising strength. Your older stand lasting 30 years says it all. Looking forward to seeing the new setups!Since you have a build for around 30 years, i was curious to ask a question regarding any water filtration setup for my aquarium i want to get rid off green algae from my aquarium that keeps coming back after few months?

 

[artandsoul]

Man, that stand turned out killer! You can't even tell it was a cheap DIY build from the outside.

Really not that cheapo in end about 165 in stand but compared to Petco/petsmart 2-300 oatmeal crap it will surely outast there trash!

 

[NC AL]

Nice job. The doors look great!