Discussion on Cabinets

[Blue Whale]

Hi people,

I was thinking of taking the next 6-8 months into planning the next tank, either a 3ft or a 4ft one. One of the consideration is to get a cabinet instead of a stand. Price if available at when.

Now based on your recent experience, could you share your experience with cabinets if you own one or if you ever own one. Now compressed wood chip is definitely out of the picture.

It would be most wonderful if you can share picture of your cabinet whether the tank comes with a top or not. If you do not know your wood type, just share with us your picture. If the wood is visible, share with us a close up picture of the wood as that the density of the wood rings can be shown.
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As this thread is open discussion, everyone gets to keep their own points and values. Marine or Freshwater welcome.
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[blackconvoy]

one thing for sure, your cabinet depend on what you are keeping.
i had a 'normal' tank with stand that i use for marine, untill one day i notice the stand sides bend/warp outwards.because marine tank plus live rocks plus sand will be very heavy.

those 'tank with cabinet' sold in lfs is good enough for FW.

p.s i am saving up for a customise cabinet tank myself

[blue33]

Any recommendation where to get good/cheap/quality customize cabinet.

[Nicky]

Want to share with you what I have as cabinet design. Do a search on my nickname and you can see the pic. But the person doing it has left Singapore, so you got to find your own carpenter.

[Fuzzy]

Any recommendation where to get good/cheap/quality customize cabinet.

I'd recommend to get quotes from CR Aquarium (http://www.craquarium.com.sg/products.htm)

N30 (Weeyang) and SG Bros. I've seen quite a few examples of their workmanship, looks pretty good, I haven't started asking for quotes for my next tank yet though, probably after CNY.

[Blue Whale]

I came across some that mentioned Chenggai Wood. But I also found an interesting link that the wood is poisonous due to the way it is treated.
http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/ar.../t-400915.html

I found some custom tank here:
http://sgaquaticdreams.blogspot.com/

Ready Cabinet/Stand:
http://www.mizuworld.com/product/1/3

Type of wood explanation:
http://www.wood-furniture-manufactur...e-of-wood.html
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodi...es_a_to_g.html

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Fuzzy,
Not able to read the number of rings of the wood from those pictures, don't know the density of the wood.

[Morgan01]

got mine from NA...strong n steady. 1.5 yrs usage without any issues.

[Blue Whale]

got mine from NA...strong n steady. 1.5 yrs usage without any issues.

Morgon, could you capture an overview photo and a close up of the wood? Best if you can take the picture within the cabinet for closer examination. 2 picts.

[blue33]

I came across some that mentioned Chenggai Wood. But I also found an interesting link that the wood is poisonous due to the way it is treated.
http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/ar.../t-400915.html

I found some custom tank here:
http://sgaquaticdreams.blogspot.com/

Ready Cabinet/Stand:
http://www.mizuworld.com/product/1/3

Type of wood explanation:
http://www.wood-furniture-manufactur...e-of-wood.html
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodi...es_a_to_g.html

Chengai is ok but they will stain your floor. The rest most of them i know.

got mine from NA...strong n steady. 1.5 yrs usage without any issues.

Have check with Chan already, the carpenter only make standard size which dont fit my requirement.

[Blue Whale]

Chengai is ok but they will stain your floor. The rest most of them i know.

Blue Blue, given your standard, did you goto this link yet?
http://sgaquaticdreams.blogspot.com/

I think can consider. But you might need to prepare your house floor plan so that you can plan it more thoroughly.

[BFG]

Blue whale, the link you posted showed that the owner left the wood to be rained upon and whatever that leached out from the wood nearly wipe out his arowana. For a cabinet however, I would not think that will happen unless you left the cabinet in the open area ready to be hit by the rain. And also, since the tank is above the cabinet, how can the leached water from the chengai cabinet, if any, reach to the tank above it? Another thing to note is that your cabinet would be covered by formica, which would look more nicer than being painted, no chance of water going to the wood unless you are not monitoring what you do around the tank and cabinet and let water splash to your cabinet.

The reason chengai and kapur wood are used for cabinets for a tank setup, especially for a marine tank, is that they do not absorb and expand so much when in contact with water. You would find this type of wood used in boats and sampan due to this behaviour. However, owner of these cabinet that are made of this material should not take for granted and let water seep into the wood itself as overtime, the wood might rot if they are not careful.

Another wood that is considered as strong or if not stronger is jati but they are heavy and are also expensive. Plywood, compressed chip wood or MDF board are not suitable as they will expand when comes in contact with water. All it need is a few droplet and you'll soon see the wood board expand in size and are weakened.

Hope this helps!

[neverwalkalone]

I am also doing some homework on my next cabinet.. been using Wrought Iron so far.. time to improve the aesthetics.

I've yet to come across solid wood cabinets; maybe I'm looking at the wrong LFSes. Those I've seen are made from Plywood/MDFs. Think it's probably more price-sensitive.

Like Adrian, I am keen to know who has the best bang for buck in the vendors. Perhaps our friends in JB may have more "attractive" offers.

Does anyone know of good cabinet makers in JB?

[blue33]

Blue Blue, given your standard, did you goto this link yet?
http://sgaquaticdreams.blogspot.com/

I think can consider. But you might need to prepare your house floor plan so that you can plan it more thoroughly.

Huh... what standard . hmmm... just not my type

[vinz]

Huh... what standard . hmmm... just not my type

Adrian's demands high standards... else how to get his position in ADA competition?

[Blue Whale]

Hmm..this?
http://www.adana.co.jp/_e_product/80_index.html

[blue33]

Adrian's demands high standards... else how to get his position in ADA competition?

OMG...

[Blue Whale]

Actually, aqua star trading took over another shop recently.
http://www.aquastar.com.sg/

Just watch the strips going right to left. Focus on cabinets also can.

[Blue Whale]

Adrian, don't keep me guessing -.-" I create this thread so that I can learn as well.

[blue33]

....lol

Hmm..this?
http://www.adana.co.jp/_e_product/80_index.html

[Blue Whale]

....lol

Oooo..i see....zen. 70H, woah...
Then you will need this also
http://www.adana.co.jp/_e_product/82_index.html