Anybody bought a stand from jt_from_kc on eBay?

[Ocicat]

http://cgi.ebay.com/180-Gallon-Oak-Aquarium-Fish-Stand-Canopy-Hood_W0QQitemZ7713344804QQcategoryZ20755QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Looks like a great deal... Too good to be true? He has a ton of great feedback, but I never know how much faith to put in feedback on eBay.

[agfahy]

Its a ready to assemble cabinet. Like something you would buy at Wal-Mart.

[Ocicat]

The ready-to-assemble stuff at Wal-Mart is particle board, not oak.

[agfahy]

Would you put something that weights 2000 lbs on a RTA cabinet made out of 3/4 ply, held together by screws and some glue? Are you familiar with the composition of various glues?
Not to mention risk finishing it yourself? Have you any experience with sealing a piece of furniture? HVLP?
I'm not trying to deture you from this product but having built furniture professionally, for most of my life I've always been leary of this process.
I guess thats why you have insurance. Silly me.
Good luck.

[Ocicat]

There's no reason to be sarcastic...

Since tons of people build their own stands, I figured I could at least figure out how to stain and water-proof one. I was thinking that I could also reinforce it if it seems necessary, but I can only assume that the supports are not 3/4 ply -- just the sides. He presumably didn't mention what the supports are made of because they're not oak. If you read his feedback, his customers seem very pleased... And most people aren't so stupid that they'll rave about a stand designed to hold 180 gallons if it's all plywood. Like I mentioned, though, I don't know eBay well enough to know whether feedback is totally trustworthy. I suppose I could try contacting a couple of his past customers to ask them how solid it is.

Even if I have to do some minimal reinforcing, it's a good enough price that it might be worth it. I would like to stain it myself. I have wood floors and I want to be sure it looks right against them.

If you want to drive over from Wichita and build me one, you are more than welcome. ;)

[Rdr4evr69]

If you want a AWESOME stand at a great price I have a guy for you, his name is Eric Wilken, in wichita, he built mine and it is fantastic quality!!!!!!! built anyway you want it, its all custom, even finished.... His website is www.aquariumaccents.com if you need pics or contact info let me know,
S...... Look at the gallery on his website, the 90G is mine

[Ocicat]

I'd very much like pics and price info too, if you could. I'll PM you my email address. I'm not sure how I'd get it from Wichita to St. Louis, but maybe I could figure something out if he's as great as you say!

All I want is a solid, attractive stand that doesn't cost a fortune. I've been looking high and low for where to find this over the last few weeks, and I'm getting a bit discouraged. The oak AGA stand's finish would go fine in my house... (http://www.all-glass.com/products/stands/mseries_oak.html) but the stand seems a bit flimsy up close. I'm sure it's perfectly functional; I'm just not crazy about the feel it has, or the design. And, for the stand & canopy, it's like $800 (or more -- that's the best price I've found locally). That stand does not seem worth that much.

[Rdr4evr69]

If you go on to that website i listed there are a couple pics of my 90 stand and canopy there, I can get you more,
S......

[Ocicat]

Just saw your edit about his Gallery. ;) Those are nice. I really like the finish on yours, and the trim on the 55-gallon.

I also like that yours has feet, but I have wondered if that is harder on the floor. My 180 will weigh over a ton; if the stand has feet, won't that result in all that weight being focused on those four points rather than spread out evenly around the stand?

[Rdr4evr69]

That could be an issue, mine is on carpet over concrete in my basement. The feet were something I told him I wanted, as i said he has no set plans for his stands or canopies so each one IS different, he will do it to your taste, not just some mass produced junk COUGH COUGH AGA COUGH COUGH. He builds interiors for airplanes as his day job, so he is very good at what he does!!

[Rdr4evr69]

You cannot see too well in the pictures, but I just built a new house, had it built, and all the fixtures are brushed steel, so I had him put a brushed steel accent on the stand and canopy too!! Looks very nice!!

[gobygoby]

there is atleast two people I have seen on this board in the last week who have purchased the same stand on ebay. They have both said that the stand and canopy is very nice and definatly worth it.

Check out this thread....I think you will find it helpful. :)

Ebay Stand (http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=679385)

Goby

[Ocicat]

Thanks, gobygoby! That's extremely helpful.

That's probably a $2,000 tank 8BALL is putting on that stand... There must be something solid about it!

[crab0000]

Have you looked at aquarium manufacturers stands? My Oceanic stand for my 75 is made of 3/4" ply held together with glue and pocket screws and very little reinforcement. If they can trust it I guess I can too.

[Jamesurq]

Originally posted by agfahy
Would you put something that weights 2000 lbs on a RTA cabinet made out of 3/4 ply,

Absolutely. 3/4" ply is very very strong vertically.

[Rdr4evr69]

There are 3 good reasons not to go with stands from AGA or Oceanic, and neither has to do with quality and the ability to hold the tank up.
1...Mass production, yours is jsut like everyone elses, which I dont like.

2... The hood, AGA does not make a hood, IMO to be high enough to put MH lights far enough off the water. Oceanic will do custom heights( see reason 3)

3.. Price for what you are getting... Oceanic hoods get pretty pricey when you want a custom size, and IMO are pricey for what they are when not custom sizes..

There is my Opinion, nothing more...
S....

[agfahy]

Ocicat,
First off let me apologize for coming off like an ***.
It's not my intent to harrass. I was just stating my case as a custom cabinet builder for years. I know aquarium furniture like the back of my hand.
I wasn't saying that the ebay cabinet wasn't a good deal, believe me, it is. $540 is what I would have in materials and hardware alone. If your on a budget I would recommend something like that.
If you buy it, and need some advice, drop me a PM. I would be happy to lend a hand to a fellow aquarist.

[agfahy]

Shawn! Good to see your still alive :)
Hows the baby?
Hope all is well.
Drop me a line if you need anything.

Eric Wilken

[Rdr4evr69]

I was hoping you would pop in on this thread!!!!! Everything is Great Eric, Im tryin to sell you another stand!!!! Mine is awesome!!!!! Oh and Jaelyn is doing great, and growing like a weed!!!!!

[agfahy]

I'm glad your aquarium is doing well.
Hope your selling lots of cars.
I have been so busy, no time to cruise the forums. I'm making time today. I'm doing cabinets for the LFS here in Wichita.

[Rdr4evr69]

That is awesome, your cabinets are fantastic!!!!! I am sure they will sell a lot for you!!! It is also cool to see mine on your website!! If you need any other pictures just let me know and I will get as many as you want!! now its time to quit the day job and just make cabinets!! LOL

[Rdr4evr69]

I just wish I was better at taking Pics, to show how nice it really is!! My photography abilitys do the stand and canopy no justice...lol.. not so sure my spelling is all that good either....

[agfahy]

Gettin there. I have an investor.
I would take a few close ups of some of the smaller details.
Thanks

[Rdr4evr69]

will get some for ya!!