210 Oak Canopy Build

rededge2k1

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Recently I came across a post in the WTB forums posted by an ARC member (gnashty) who was looking for a canopy for his 210 tank. Since woodworking is another hobby of mine, I offered to build one for him to match his existing tank. A few emails and a SketchUp design later, we agreed on a price and the build began!

The construction is solid oak & oak plywood throughout. Size is 84x24x10 (Gary's lighting will be T5s, so the canopy did not need to be very tall).

I'm not big on words (I like to see pictures in build threads rather than read a bunch of rambling) so I'll keep the chatter to a minimum for your viewing pleasure.

I'll start with my SketchUp model, progressing through the build to show how everything goes together. (I drew this in wood texture so the details would be more pronounced. The end result was painted black).

13CompleteCanopy-OnTank.jpg
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3/4" Oak Plywood Top
01LidTop.jpg
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3/4" x 2" Oak Frame, this is needed to keep the lid flat. Otherwise it would warp/bow over time.
02LidTopandFrame.jpg
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1x2 solid oak trim applied (a 1/4" roundover was added on the actual build using a router table)
03LidTopandFramewithTrim.jpg
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1x8 solid oak canopy frame (1/4" roundover added on actual build)
04CanopyFrame.jpg
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3/4" oak plywood corner braces installed using pockethole screws + glue. These will keep the sides square and also hold the canopy above the tank.
05CanopyFramewithCornerReinforcing.jpg
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Back brace, cut from a single piece of 3/4" oak plywood
06CanopyFramewithBackBrace.jpg
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Four 2" brass hinges installed on a 2" wide strip of oak plywood, attached to the back brace
08CanopyFramewithHinges.jpg
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Lid & Canopy Frame
09LidandCanopyFrameExplodedView.jpg
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Complete assembly - back view
09LidandCanopyFrameExplodedView.jpg
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Complete assembly - front view
11CompleteCanopy-Front.jpg
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12CompleteCanopy-OnTank-Open.jpg
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13CompleteCanopy-OnTank.jpg
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Now for some actual build pictures...

4'x8' Oak Plywood on my "cutting board"
018x4OakPlywood.jpg
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8' handheld rotary saw jig I made for straight & accurate cuts without the need for a table saw
02RotarySawJig.jpg
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All of the pieces cut...
04PartsCut.jpg
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Assembling the lid frame with pockethole screws...
05KregPocketholeJig.jpg
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06Pocketholes.jpg
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07LidFrameBuild.jpg
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08LidFramePocketscrews.jpg
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Gluing the lid frame to the lid...
09LidFrameGluedtoLid.jpg
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Assembling the canopy frame with corner reinforcing & 90° clamps...
10TriangularCornerBraces.jpg
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The back brace cutout...
11BackBrace.jpg
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Back brace installed...
12CanopyFrameSide.jpg
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13CanopyFrameFront.jpg
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Dry fitting the lid...
14CanopyFrameandLidTestFitFront.jpg
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15CanopyFrameandLidTestFitBack.jpg
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Adding the lid trim...I did this inside because it was freakin freezing in my garage.
16TopTrimFront.jpg
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Lid trim complete...
17WoodCompleteClosed.jpg
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Woodwork complete...
18WoodCompleteOpen.jpg
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Nail holes, wood imperfections, etc patched with wood filler...
19WoodFillerApplied.jpg
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Sanded smooth after the filler dries...
20Sanded.jpg
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First coat of paint...
21FirstCoatofPaint.jpg
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Third coat of paint...
22SecondCoatofPaint.jpg
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Done!
24ProjectCompleteOpen.jpg
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23ProjectCompleteClosed.jpg
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Sittin' on Gary's tank the morning I delivered it to Acwoth -- picture taken with a cell phone
25OnGarysTank.jpg
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Design vs. Actual

14DesignedBuiltFinished.jpg
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Take care folks,
Dustin
 
Thank you so much Dustin, my tank has a whole new look with this canopy on. I also appreciate your patience with me thru the process..looks amazing.

:thanks:
 
i bet it took longer to draw it than it did to build it.. (due to your skilz)

:-)

nice job!
 
Rbredding;448559 wrote: i bet it took longer to draw it than it did to build it.. (due to your skilz)

:-)

nice job!

The drawing is half the fun, I love SketchUp. It's gotta be the best thing to come to custom woodwork since the electron.

Dustin
 
I need to play with sketchup more. I still need to learn how to use it. Beautiful build. I am going to have to put all my tools in a closet as I am moving to an apartment. I think it might kill me. I am picking up a 60 a friend of mine is giving me. When I build for it I do not know where I am going to go to use my tools. I guess I will just have to do it on the porch and eff the neighbors sleeping in on sat and sun :eek:
 
This is Great... PM me as i would love to find out how much for something like this for my 210.
 
Man, that is a beautiful setup...great job! I may need a canopy built in the somewhat near future if your open for business?
 
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