55g canopy build

[scottayy]

I'm going to build a canopy to match my stand for my tank. I've got the lumber supply list ready.

I'm curious, how is the lumber beveled? E.g. all the boards on my stand have rounded corners and the doors are made out of 1x4's side by side, but they are beveled to give a grooved appearance.

I'll update with pictures and stuff as I go along. But I wanted to ask that before I get started.

 

[bumzc]

I'm currently in the process of building a canopy also.. will be following

 

[scottayy]

Cool.. will be glad to hear your input as well.

I had some other plans for it but I want it to match the style of my stand. I'm going to build it 12" high so I can hang my t5 lights in there and get rid of the hideous legs on them.

For the back, I'm just going to put two 1x4 at the top, so it'll leave a 4" space at the bottom (for overflow box, return tubes, ventilation). Going to also have a hole out of the back for the light plugs.

Should be dead simple, but to get it to look exactly like my stand I'll have to figure out how to bevel the wood edges and get the exact same color of stain.

 

[MrBeta]

Rounded corners are created with a router and the corresponding bit. There are also other bits you can use for different designs. If it's just a flat bevel, you can do that with a tablesaw.

Can't wait to follow this.

 

[scottayy]

Ah, I don't own a router. They are quite pricey too.. wasn't planning on that. So I guess I wait until I have the money for a router or do a build that doesn't match the stand exactly.

Not sure.

The stand is beveled like this:

Not quite flat. Any idea what kind of bit that looks like if I decide to wait and buy a router?

 

[MrPeon99]

Usually bits will have a picture of the design they cut

 

[Jlsardina]

Can't you rent one at home depot?

 

[scottayy]

Ah, not as bad I thought. $60 at lowes for the router and $20 for a rounded corner bit set.

 

[scottayy]

Alrighty going to round up my supplies and clean the workspace and finalize my plan.

Hope to post soon with some updates!

 

[scottayy]

I have the lumber

4 - 1x4's
4 - 1x2's
4 - 1x6's

Probably much more than I need.

I also got the top frame and bottom frame cut. This is actually my first time working with wood with power tools.. but I'm very pleased with how the cuts came out (even the angles!).

I just have to use the router on them to get the beveled look but I'm too tired to do that tonight. So I'll do it tomorrow and then assemble the top and bottom and post pictures!

 

[Jlsardina]

Can't wait to see it!

 

[bumzc]

Waiting for pictures and design

 

[scottayy]

Not gonna rush it! Though I'm tempted to, lol. The design is to match my stand which is set up like this.

The top and bottom are 1x4's for the front and sides and back
They are connected with a 1x6 at the left, middle, and right.
The space left inbetween is for two doors made out of vertical 1x4's placed side by side.
The sides are made out of vertical 1x6's.

 

[bumzc]

True, don't rush it. I've been working on my stand for the past week. A couple hours here and there. Here a few pic of what I've done so far.

Don't laugh as this is my first DIY with wood

My plan is to build the stand, setup the tank, start the fish less cycle and work on the canopy.
Will you be using any type of trims?

 

[Retired_AF]

Not gonna rush it! Though I'm tempted to, lol.

VERY good thinking. Many projects are ruined for just that reason.

Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[scottayy]

Hey bumzc that's a very nice looking sturdy stand. Could probably park a truck on top of it!

I got my wood cut (even cut it length-wise to match my stand's dimensions exactly) and angled and the rounded corners cut with the router.

It was my first time working with a circular saw and router so I am very new to this.

Overall I'm pretty pleased though I will have to do a little fine sanding.

Then I screwed them together to form the top and bottom of the canopy. Screwing angled wood together is very very difficult. I think I did ok, but I'm going to have to hide a little bit with sanding and some wood putty.

 

[bumzc]

Wow.. Very Nice..can't wait to see the finish product.

I wanted to make my stand sturdy because they say it can weight over 500# for a 55 Gal tank.. didn't want any mishaps later on.

 

[scottayy]

Wow.. Very Nice..can't wait to see the finish product.

I wanted to make my stand sturdy because they say it can weight over 500# for a 55 Gal tank.. didn't want any mishaps later on.

Definitely. Saltwater is about 8.5 lbs per gallon, along with sand and rocks.

 

[scottayy]

I have the left, center, and right front pieces measured, cut, rounded, and notched.

And installed them on the top and bottom frames.

That's it for the front. The rest will be two doors. I may get around to the sides today but I'm not sure. Woodworking wears me out lol I think because I'm new and being way too careful with everything.

 

[mrbee2828]

Get a router on Craig's List and it'll have bits with it I bet