It's over now, time to re-group and re-build

john.m.cole3 · Mar 15, 2017

I tore down my 72. here's the build thread for it. Setting up a 135 in the next couple of weeks
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-first-upgrade-72-bowfront.240558/

jsker · Mar 17, 2017

That is exciting, were is the pictures

jsker · Mar 31, 2017

How is the new build going?

john.m.cole3 · Mar 31, 2017

It;s going well but taking longer than I anticipated. I've never re-worked a wood anything let alone a stand for my dream tank. I sanded the whole thing by hand, removed all hardware, and have applied the first coat of oil based primer. This weekend I will sand the primer and apply the first coat of white paint to the inside of the stand. I'm going to mix a small amount of paint thinner in with the white paint so I can achieve a really smooth coat. hopefully only 2 coats will be needed. Next comes the black exterior. After the stand, the rest of the build will be fairly easy, plumbing and scape build.

My living room feels empty without a reef tank in there.

Anirban · Mar 31, 2017

Pics please.....

john.m.cole3 · Apr 1, 2017

no pics until the stand is finished. I hope you can understand. It'll be ready in about 2 weeks

john.m.cole3 · Apr 1, 2017

Here's a pic

jsker · Apr 1, 2017

john.m.cole3 said:
It;s going well but taking longer than I anticipated. I've never re-worked a wood anything let alone a stand for my dream tank. I sanded the whole thing by hand, removed all hardware, and have applied the first coat of oil based primer. This weekend I will sand the primer and apply the first coat of white paint to the inside of the stand. I'm going to mix a small amount of paint thinner in with the white paint so I can achieve a really smooth coat. hopefully only 2 coats will be needed. Next comes the black exterior. After the stand, the rest of the build will be fairly easy, plumbing and scape build.

My living room feels empty without a reef tank in there.

It is almost best some times to build a new stand some times with all the work sanding and refinishing. Make sure you have a good brush and that will help with a smooth finish. I have also used a brush to apply the finish and the foam brush to smooth the finish. You have to find a good foam brush

Sorry to do this to you, have you heard of 80/20? link this would make a great stand

john.m.cole3 · Apr 1, 2017

I have heard of 80/20 and you can build almost anything out of it. I took on the refinish project to gain experience and to enhance my carpel tunnel, lol. But really to learn ow to do it correctly so I may help others in the future. I even decided to sand everything by hand so I can get an idea of how difficult this really is. The nooks and crannies around trip pieces are the most difficult areas. My son likes to help out also so we get to spend some exclusive father and son time together. How's the saying go, A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor?

john.m.cole3 · Apr 8, 2017

I have a friend who felt sorry for me and loaned me his electric sanders. OMG what a difference. The stand is primed, sanded, and ready for paint!

jsker · Apr 8, 2017

You got to love power tools

So far so good.

john.m.cole3 · Apr 8, 2017

You ain't kidding. Another friend loaned me his Graco sprayer. Taping up now...

john.m.cole3 · Apr 9, 2017

SPRAYER DIDN'T WORK. lETTING IT SET WITH MINERAL SPIRITS PRIMED IN IT TO SEE IF THAT CLEARS IT. wE STILL HAND PAINTED THE WHITE INSIDE. just realized caps were on and I'm not gonna re=type this, lol!

Lram853 · Apr 14, 2017

****** man.

john.m.cole3 · Apr 21, 2017

I still have some minor touch ups to do, but the stand I'd pretty much finished. The stand was sanded and primed, 3 cots of black stain with poly coat, 4 coats of satin white, foam lined bottom, and new hardware all around

jsker · Apr 21, 2017

Nice work on the stand reno.

john.m.cole3 · Apr 25, 2017

Alrighty then... I got my plumbing done! This is the first time I have hard plumbed from the pump to the returns. That requires much more precision than going from the pump with flex tubing to PVC that's for sure. But I leveled up my experience points that's for sure. I may paint it... any color suggestions???

JamesP · Apr 25, 2017

It looks great! One thing though, from my experience those type of ball valves stick and need to be cut out after a year or so. If its not too late, you may want to consider replacing with a cepex brand valve. Also, you can buy sch40 pvc already colored as well which would be better than painting pipes. Youre not to far to make those changes as you dont have water in yet.