canopy and bottom for my 12g nanocube

[Ross]

Hey guys

I'm building a canopy to house 150w mh and 3x24w PC's for my 12g nanocube. Its all out of mesquite.

Just the front piece of wood (the curved piece) has over 20 hours into it. The whole thing has over 50 and i still have quite a bit of work to do.

[dwdenny]

that is nice looks great.

[Ross]

The inside. Notice all edges are routered and perfect.

[Ross]

Here are the cracks (notice i filled them with black epoxy.

[cpreefguy]

I saw it the other day and it is awesome!

[Ross]

first coat of epoxy

[dwdenny]

With mesquite epoxy is the best thing to use. I built a rocking chair in High school ag as a shop project for SALE and only got third place out of 400 wood projects. lol but it was the Mesquite that made the difference. That canopy is very beautiful and great work.

[Ross]

Yeah, i used epoxy because it will withstand the harsh conditions of the saltwater and all that light. The final coat will be tongue oil.

[Ross]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I am in the process of mounting the lights and fans now. I cant wait to get finished with that. Its gonna be superrrr clean.

Josh if you really wanna talk about anything shoot me a pm.

[brewercm]

That is an extremely nice piece. If if didn't take too much work you should really think about marketing that dude, chaching!!!!

[Ross]

Thaks Cliff, unfortunately though it has been way too much work to ever make another one for any type of price someone would be willing to pay for a little hood for a 12g tank.

[brewercm]

Think big young man, think 170 Gallon (something like that size) BOWFRONT. ;)

[Triggerman]

that looks awesome ross...i know someone who has a 75 gal. stand and canopy made out of mesquite, i really like the look and custom aspect of it. i'm also on the look out for someone to make a set for a 215 gal. set -up. if your interested and up for the challenge LMK. it'll be a nice chunk of change for you.

[Ross]

Thanks triggerman

I'm afraid building a stand for a 215 is more than i can handle, plus getting enough mesquite for that kind of a job would not be easy at all. Most mesquite boards are not very big at all just because the trees are so scraggly.

[Triggerman]

just thought i'd throw it out there for you to think about...since you know how to work with mesquite projects this can be a golden oppurtunity for you not only aquarium stuff but all kinds of funiture. it's a growing trend in homes right now.

[dan]

that's a nice looking job your doing there. would like to see it when it's all done.

[blueboy]

i do some side work for mesquite furniture of texas. working with mesquite takes roughly double the time for the same piece as say oak, or birch, or cherry, or any straight grained wood. i didn't believe it at first, but i had it proven to me time and again. that's why mesquite furniture sells so high, that and the fact that there are few sources for the material, unless you have a saw mill. it's also very time consuming to get a good finish on, because it's so hard, and the grain varies so much.

[blueboy]

to give you an idea, gary weeks, from wimberly makes VERY nice rockers. oak, or cherry-$3500, mesquite, same chair-$8000

[Ross]

Yeah, i beleive it. My dad is starting to make a few mesquite tables and he said this little canopy project is turning out to be more difficult than a table.

Well, im off to mount the lights, hopefully i will have some pics of that tonight or tomorow.

[blueboy]

yeah, tables are a good place to start. all right angles, and flat piaces, not much shaping. is he using mortise and tendon joints, or just screws?

[bigdscobra]

Very nice lookin I like the bends in the wood!!

[tony]

i clicked this thread thinking why in the world would anyone build a canopy for a jbj nano


i leave this thread thinking, WOW!

that is amazing, keep us updated

[Ross]

Thanks guys, wait till you see pics of the lights. I dont think anyone has ever put this much light over a 12g tank!

[cpreefguy]

Man, now I gotta put MORE lights in mine to keep up with you!

[Ross]

Blueboy, im not sure what kind of joints they are called, but there definetly isnt any screws!

Heres the lights, they came out really nice. Im pretty sure this is more wpg than anyone has ever done, at least that i have seen. It comes out to like 27 wpg or something like that...anyways here it is...

[hobogato]

cant wait to see it all up and running! youll be growing things out like crazy!

[cpreefguy]

or bleaching them :P

[jrhein]

That is SWEEEEEET!!! Excellent wood work Ross.

Sean you need to go for 30 watts per gallon. 8)

[blueboy]

that looks super clean. nice installation on the lights, and fans.

[Ross]

Thanks

Here it is, the finished product. It looks really good IMO. Nothing in the tank is open, but you get the idea...

[cpreefguy]

Man that looks sweet!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

VERY nice - great job!!

Time for TOTM?

[falcondob]

Ross,
Aquarium bling-bling! Very fine craftmanship. There is nothing like a fine piece of woodwork. Kudos! Do you know anyone who does sculptures in wood?
john

[Ross]

Thanks alot guys. TOTM application will prolly be in a month or two once it gets more growth. Nope, i dont know anyone who does sculptures.

[cbianco]

Ross

I love your stand and canopy!!! Kudos to you!!!

Christopher

[Flobex]

EXCELLENT!!! that looks amazing!

[Ross]

Thanks guys!