55 gal. Aquarium Cabinet Done

[Mike Goetzke]

I worked with my 14 year old son to complete this oak cabinet for his fish tank:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/th_IMG_1413.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/IMG_1413.jpg)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/th_IMG_1404.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/IMG_1404.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/th_IMG_1405.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/IMG_1405.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/th_IMG_1408.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/IMG_1408.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/th_IMG_1406.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/IMG_1406.jpg)

It was a fun project since my son helped out a lot. He cut the flat panel door panels, stained the whole thing himself, and helped apply the poly.

I used my newly built Eurekazone PBB (power-bench-bridge) to break down the rough sawn oak (4/4x12"x12' planks), and cut a 4x8 sheet of ply down to create the carcass. My son showed so much interest in the PBB I supervised but let him cut the 6-door panels.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/EZ%20Smart/PBB/th_IMG_1271_2_1.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/EZ%20Smart/PBB/IMG_1271_2_1.jpg)



I also used a product Rockler sells called poly gel. I usually dilute my own poly but thought I'd give this stuff a try. I actually liked it better than the wipe on. The coverage it great and no drips.

Thanks for looking,

Mike

[Thomas Kila]

Very nice, Mike! I really like the design. I can't wait for my son (he's only 6 now) to be able to make such things with me in my shop. It's great for a father to be able to spend that kind of quality time with his son.

[Bill Huber]

Great looking stand, I really love the doors, they add a lot to it.
Do you have some type of pads on the legs?


Now you just need make some fish to put in it.:D

[Alex Elias]

Nice looking project. I like how everything came togheter. The best part is the good time you've spent with your son.
Congrats.

[frank shic]

handsome kid and great-looking cabinet. what are the knobs? they don't look like the plain ones that i normally use.

[Don Bullock]

Mike, that's a well designed cabinet. It's great to see that you worked on it with your son. I've read good things about the Eurekazone, but have never seen one. Thanks for the information about the Poly Gel that Rockler sells. I'll have to try that on a future project where I'm using poly.

[Jeffrey Makiel]

That stand looks great!

I've been an aquarium keeper for 35 years. Of all the size tanks that I've had, the 55 gal tank was one of my favorites. I like its proportions.

When I had the 55 gallong tank, it sat on a store bought stand made of cheap particle board. You know, the stuff that falls apart when it gets wet. :p In addition to your stand being attractive, it looks very sturdy. An nice peace of mind. Plus, it was a collaboration between you and your son. That's probably the best part especially when showing it off.

-Jeff :)

[Bruce Page]

Great looking cabinet stand Mike. You can tell by the smile that your son is very proud!
Did you leave access into the cabinet for air lines, electrical, etc.?

[Mike Goetzke]

Great looking stand, I really love the doors, they add a lot to it.
Do you have some type of pads on the legs?


Now you just need make some fish to put in it.:D


Yes - I put that dense felt padding along all the edges touching the floor. I thought this would help evenly distribute the load.



handsome kid and great-looking cabinet. what are the knobs? they don't look like the plain ones that i normally use.


Thanks for noticing - I forgot to post a pic of the pull. My son picked them out:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/th_IMG_1414_1_1.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v212/mbg/Eric%20Aquarium%20Stand/IMG_1414_1_1.jpg)




Great looking cabinet stand Mike. You can tell by the smile that your son is very proud!
Did you leave access into the cabinet for air lines, electrical, etc.?

Yes - in the center section I cut a hole at the top of the 1/4" backed board. I have a power strip mounted inside.


When we put it together last night my son had two of his friends over and I don't know who was the most excited...I think it was me!

Mike

[Bruce Benjamin]

Fantastic job Mike! I really love those fish shaped door pulls too! But your son is really short in that picture. Either that or that's one big aquarium and stand. ;) :D

I'm working on my Eurekazone PBB today and I think my first project with it will be pet related too. I have reptiles and have had a furniture quality reptile cage business in the past. It's been a while since I've built any new cages for my own critters but my Australian Blue Tongue Skink has outgrown his current dwelling. A larger and much fancier home is in the planning. I have nearly everything that EZ sells now and I don't see much use for my table saw or CMS or RAS at all for this project.:cool:

Bruce