Yet Another of Bob's Build Threads / 150g

Even though the inside of the tank is progressing nicely - stuffed all full of fish & corals which seem to be doing well - the outside if the tank still needs a LOT of work...

There are wires and ballasts and extension cords everywhere; my ReefKeeper Elite controller is still sitting in a cardboard box. This is mainly due to the stand still being nothing more than a bare metal frame, with no where to put anything.

Well, this weekend I finally got around to changing that

I set out to design and build the exterior 'skin' for the stand. I wanted it to be a little more than just a cover for the metal frame; I wanted some functionality as well as looking decent.

This was the starting point. Completely exposed, wires and equipment everywhere

This is the inner stand wrap. It is designed to enclose the back and sides of the stand. The side panels are attached

to the back panel with stainless steel hinges; this will allow the side panels to open 90 degrees for easy access to the interior.

I will mount the metal halide ballasts and Gyre power supplies to the inside of one side panel; the controller and associated

 hardware will be mounted to the interior of the other side panel

Side and Rear Interior panels installed

For the actual 'skin' I chose a design based on the Red Sea "S" series of aquariums. I really like the clean look of those stands.

I was able to get pretty far, but still have some trim work left to do. Still need to install the base moulding, corner moulding. and mock cabinet door handles.

The front panel is made to look like a pair of cabinet doors, but will be completely removable as a single piece. This way I easily access everything inside the stand from all 3 sides.

Here is what it looks like so far:

The base moulding will match the trim that covers the bottom frame of the tank. I will also be making a trim piece

to cover the top tank frame as well.

Once the cosmetic work is completed, I will then install the ballasts, power supplies, controller, and all wiring so nothing will be left outside the stand, save for one lone main power cord. 

Now, I don't think I am going to put Dion out of business with my mad carpentry skills, LOL -

but not too bad for an amateur... wouldn't you agree?