My 300 gallon acrylic tank

[steve the plumb]

Thank you I am going to stain it tonight(maybe) I have the right size bulkheads but because I ordered another brand(of bulkheads)for the CL I don't want to drill the tank just yet.I want to make sure of the size first just in case these bulkheads require a hole slightly larger.I would rather do it correct the first time.

[steve the plumb]

I got one coat of stain on.I didn't take any pics since it was a little dark and I was alone so its hard to take pics of me doing the work.My wife critiqued my work.She said there are a few spots where I didn't clean it well.I think it was the cheap brush it leaves little brisstles sometimes.I will give it a light sanding and put on another coat.I will take some pics of my work.

[ssbreef]

looking GREAT bro!

[steve the plumb]

Thanks nice to see a fellow montrealer on reef central

[steve the plumb]

I did my second coat of stain.I took some pics.I am not crazy about the stain I find its a bit to light.I may need more coats if I still don't like it I will get a darker stain.

[steve the plumb]

[steve the plumb]

[steve the plumb]

[steve the plumb]

And the last pic.It may be a little hard to tell because of lighting.I find its light so its not a forgiving on mistakes or blemishes.

[steve the plumb]

With the flash of the camera you can still see the putty marks even though this is a second coat.So far I am not crazy about the look.I like the stain but the little mistakes show.I think i may need to do at least 4 coats.

[steve the plumb]

I went out and bought some sand 120 pounds of olite

[steve the plumb]

and 185 pounds of the 1-2mm

[steve the plumb]

305 pounds all together.I hope its enough

[Hop]

Nice to see things picking up! I'm not certain that you will be able to stain more coats to cover the putty though... I've always picked up matching sandable putty and then used it sparingly to cover up the nail holes.

Maybe someone has a better tip?

[steve the plumb]

I don't think I will be able to cover the putty either.I did sand it with a sander but some spots show and some don't.I am going to get a darker stain.My wife chose this one but I wanted a darker colour in the first place.I don't want to have to sand the whole stand and redue it again.I hope to get something to cover this but not come out strange because of my first choice in stains.

[Hop]

I'm sure it will only be minor and only noticeable to you when it's done

[cbui2]

i see there are 2 different grain of sand. will the sugar grain be placed at the bottom and larger grain on the top?

[steve the plumb]

Yes more than likely.I was going to put the sand on top of the sugar size.To tell you the truth sugar grain is very small.I may just mix the two.I don't know if its enough sand.I am going to buy more once its setup.I did buy another stain walnut colour.This one is nice but I will have to do a few coats to see.I did one for now.I will buy the small sand for the fudge for sure.

[cbui2]

you can go to RC home page on the left hand column has sand calculator to determine the thickness.

[steve the plumb]

Thanks Bart.I figured you need about 1 pound per gallon of water.Plus I need more of the very fine sand for a dsb in the sump.II stained the stand with the walnut stain and I like it much better.I will give it another coat if not another 2 coats.

[cbui2]

yes extra coating will give the wood much more realistic look, but should be done when dry for about 24hrs. will you give it clear coat finish?

[steve the plumb]

Its all in one so it doesn't need the varithain.

[steve the plumb]

Here is the other stain I chose.The first one was to light

[steve the plumb]

[steve the plumb]