Aquarium Cabinet

[lrogers]

I think it looks great. The fish door knobs are a great detail.

[GPA61]

i think it looks fantastic. nice work with the pulls too!

just a remedial question. what is the joinery technique called that you used on the door miters?

The miters are reinforced with splines.

[cranbrook2]

Nice work Claudio
Be sure to get a picture with the tank on if you can.

[wareagle]

Nice work Claudio.

[lrr]

Claudio,

Very nice indeed. I've built a few aquarium cabinets and you've made a good choice of using more screws than you think necesssary, rather than fewer!

I have a 55 gallon tank on a store bought oak stand I got 2nd hand, and I would never have made it as flimsy as it appears. I always wonder if it will hold up over time.

One of these days when it gets torn down for a room remodel, I am going to reinforce it, just to have the peace of mind!

[cabinetman]

Claudio

Cabinet looks real nice, good proportions, doors and hardware go well with the cabinet.

Just a few suggestions for your next one. By the time you put the aquarium on it and fill it with water (water is 8.33 lbs/gal) and add the weight of the aquarium, rocks, and any ornaments, you've got some real weight up top creating a top heavy situation. Not that the cabinet can't withstand the straight down weight, it's the twisting or racking that becomes a problem.

You'll have to cut some decent holes in the back for tubing, pump tubing, and electrical wires, air lines, etc. I have made many aquarium cabinets, and the way I do them is basically leave off the back, or a minimum back and create a faceframe type piece both top and bottom, in the front and back. A large opening in the rear also allows for the pumps to get some ventilation. In the pictures below, you'll see above and below the doors a substantial face piece that connects the two ends. Those pieces are 4" of 3/4" maple. It takes out any chance of racking by creating a gusseted corner. This was done both front and back.

You can also see that there is a side frame of enough width to create a very strong verticle end. Both of these cabinets have flush (inset) doors.

The oak tambour cabinet is for a 40 gal, and the ebony is for a 55 gal.



A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOREVER - John Keats

[GPA61]

Cabinetman,
Appreciate the info.

From the beginning I thought face frames would be the way to go but this was the instruction I was given. I guess I should have had conversation with my brother-in-law about it but that's water over the dam.

Only time will tell if we have any racking or twisting occurring. We can hope that won't happen.

I did put a good size (2") hole in the back for all the tubes and wiring. He said he'd make more holes if he needs them. I don't think he is taking ventilation for the pumps into consideration. He can do what ever he feels like doing with the back.

[charger1966]

Aquarium Stand

Very nice job, My son would want that one for his Fish tank.
Keep up the great work
Lance

[JSCOOK]

Very nice ... that'sa a lot nicer than the one we built for my dad's 210 gallon tank

[bigstick509]

Awesome

[Ken Massingale]

Great job, Claudio. I'd sure like to see it finished.
ken

[lcm1947]

Yes, extremely nice clean looking cabinet. I too like using pocket screws. I think thier great and fun to use. It's so pretty right now I sure hope he doesn't stain or paint it. Very good job!

[Duff]

Very nice cabinet!!! I'll be building one of those some day...soon as I finish the other 31 projects on my list I like the style too! Very nice.