I've been a member here and just browsed. So this is my first thread.
Right now I've got a senegal bichir (grown from very young to about 5" now) and a tire track eel that's over a foot. They're very cramped in their admittedly too small tank. I expected this.
I purchased a used 55 gallon on craigslist last weekend (the guy lived 3/4 of a mile from me!) with the stand, split glass hood, and lights for $60. It has one of the metal stands, which I hate. So I set out to build my own.
I've never built any type of cabinet. I've been working/learning as an upholsterer for the last two years. I've built lots of furniture (i can post pics if anyone is interested in my work), so I have a basic understanding of what to do.
Thanks to pics and plans on here, I set out to build it this week. In total I think I have 6 hours in it. I've spent $112 on wood. (7-2x4x8's, 1 sheet of 1/2" blonewood ply, and misc trim.) I usually stay late at the shop and build after work. It's not DONE, but pretty close. I need to sand and stain it and build the hood, but it's so close I couldn't wait. My twin brother stayed after work today to help me with the trim. I think he's registered here, he's got a 24" and growing alligator gar.
anyways, I didn't take all the progress pics because a stack of cut 2x4's is boring. I thought I would share for anyone else looking to build their own.
I think the pics explain themselves.
I glued each joint, then used huge (2") staples we use to repair furniture frames to hold the 2x4's, then screwed everything.
I'm mad the pic of the middle step didn't save on my phone. I then cut the 1/2" ply to case 3 of the 4 sides.
all trimmed out today:
I'm proud of it so far. I'll update this as I work on it. Plans are to sand and stain monday, then start on a hood for the top. The tank sits against a wall, which explains the 3 finished sides. I probably won't have it up and running for a couple weeks. I need to buy a canister filter, I can't stand the over the tank style anymore.
Right now I've got a senegal bichir (grown from very young to about 5" now) and a tire track eel that's over a foot. They're very cramped in their admittedly too small tank. I expected this.
I purchased a used 55 gallon on craigslist last weekend (the guy lived 3/4 of a mile from me!) with the stand, split glass hood, and lights for $60. It has one of the metal stands, which I hate. So I set out to build my own.
I've never built any type of cabinet. I've been working/learning as an upholsterer for the last two years. I've built lots of furniture (i can post pics if anyone is interested in my work), so I have a basic understanding of what to do.
Thanks to pics and plans on here, I set out to build it this week. In total I think I have 6 hours in it. I've spent $112 on wood. (7-2x4x8's, 1 sheet of 1/2" blonewood ply, and misc trim.) I usually stay late at the shop and build after work. It's not DONE, but pretty close. I need to sand and stain it and build the hood, but it's so close I couldn't wait. My twin brother stayed after work today to help me with the trim. I think he's registered here, he's got a 24" and growing alligator gar.
anyways, I didn't take all the progress pics because a stack of cut 2x4's is boring. I thought I would share for anyone else looking to build their own.
I think the pics explain themselves.
I glued each joint, then used huge (2") staples we use to repair furniture frames to hold the 2x4's, then screwed everything.
I'm mad the pic of the middle step didn't save on my phone. I then cut the 1/2" ply to case 3 of the 4 sides.
all trimmed out today:
I'm proud of it so far. I'll update this as I work on it. Plans are to sand and stain monday, then start on a hood for the top. The tank sits against a wall, which explains the 3 finished sides. I probably won't have it up and running for a couple weeks. I need to buy a canister filter, I can't stand the over the tank style anymore.
