Picked this up to convert to enclosures.

[Gscottjr]

I found this unit at an estate sale and it screams T enclosures. I think I will put a solid wood back on it then put individual acrylic doors on the front. Was thinking some kind of pond coating on the inside to make it more water resistant. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

 

[Kymura]

Thats nice! is it actual wood or one of those press-board types? If its wood should work great.
make sure you post lots of images as you go along!
I would think any fish friendly pond sealant would probably be fine just let it air completely.
sliding doors or hinged?

 

[Gscottjr]

@Kymura It is press board. I am hoping with a solid back and the sealant it will hold together for a while.
I will post lots of pics as I go. It should be fun.
As for doors I am thinking cover half the opening with solid acrylic pieces attached to hold in substrate then put a flip down piece for the door.

 

[Kymura]

Looking forward to seeing it as you progress. If you seal it well it should hold up for a while. Or consider the cheap super thin thin plexi or acrylic and line them?

 

[kormath]

That's a great find!

if it were me I'd strip the pressboard of that fake wood paper coating, then stain and seal it. That fake wood paper bubbles up and peels at the slightest bit of moisture.

You can use any of the poly sealers, like Minwax polycrylic., or any other water based/water cleanup. You won't want an oil based like a shellac or varathane - too many fumes. I'd go with Gloss or Hi-Gloss to help repel the moisture more.

 

[Johnnyp1987]

I found this unit at an estate sale and it screams T enclosures. I think I will put a solid wood back on it then put individual acrylic doors on the front. Was thinking some kind of pond coating on the inside to make it more water resistant. Any and all suggestions are welcome.View attachment 19095

Ive looked at similar units for the same thing, im interested on seeing how this turns out [emoji6]

 

[Will]

Instead of solid wood for the back how about some more acrylic/perspex/plexiglass?

 

[Gscottjr]

Instead of solid wood for the back how about some more acrylic/perspex/plexiglass?

I thought about acrylic but I found a piece of hardie board from another project that has a nice wood grain pattern on it that I am thinking about using.

 

[Phil]

I found this unit at an estate sale and it screams T enclosures. I think I will put a solid wood back on it then put individual acrylic doors on the front. Was thinking some kind of pond coating on the inside to make it more water resistant. Any and all suggestions are welcome.View attachment 19095

Nice unit. I have mine in this type of set up too. Please see below in night (blue) and day (white) mode. ....lol

 

[Gscottjr]

@Phil That looks awesome. Very nice job.
Also gives me lots of new ideas. I want to make each cubby an actual enclosure. Wonder if the LEDs could go inside with the Ts?

 

[Phil]

@Phil That looks awesome. Very nice job.
Also gives me lots of new ideas. I want to make each cubby an actual enclosure. Wonder if the LEDs could go inside with the Ts?

Thank you. A labour of love.....lol.
The only thing to watch out for will be the laminate coming away and the chipboard rotting if any moisture gets in there (chance of escapes then) as you can see from mine, has the same effect but with glass tanks that slide in. There is a heat mat (variable and low wattage attached to a thermostat), and LED lights (converted hang on aquarium types) that have separate timers for day and night mode. Personally, I would not put any type of electrical item actually inside with the T. But that's just me

 

[Kymura]

Could you not use a router or drill and make a place in the back board of each of them.?

 

[Gscottjr]

I am thinking doing like @Kymura said and drill holes just big enough for an LED to go in that lights up the cube but all the wiring is on the back outside out of the way. I could even put some type of clear dome over the light so the T couldn't get to it at all. Lots of work ahead. I am going to start it this weekend. After the HERPS show Saturday. (have to get more Ts to fill up the new enclosures)

 

[Phil]

I am thinking doing like @Kymura said and drill holes just big enough for an LED to go in that lights up the cube but all the wiring is on the back outside out of the way. I could even put some type of clear dome over the light so the T couldn't get to it at all. Lots of work ahead. I am going to start it this weekend. After the HERPS show Saturday. (have to get more Ts to fill up the new enclosures)

That would work. Maybe get some clear sticky back plastic so the veneer issue I mentioned gets some more protection?

 

[Kymura]

Now, what about good ventilation o.0

 

[Phil]

Now, what about good ventilation o.0

Excellent point, would need hinged perspex doors with lots of holes at the very very least. I still think that laminate with substrate on it is not ideal. IMHO, much better to build or buy custom enclosures that fit within the space to allow for all the heating, lighting and ventilation requirements.

 

[Redacted]

Nice unit. I have mine in this type of set up too. Please see below in night (blue) and day (white) mode. ....lol
View attachment 19118 View attachment 19119

The blue light is mesmerizing.

 

[Gscottjr]

I will drill holes in the doors of each and probably will have to put a screen vent in the back of each one. I found some epoxy for fish tanks that I plan on painting the insides with so that will take care of any moisture rotting the particle board. Will put 2 or 3 inch strips of plexi glass across the bottom of each cubby to hold back the substrate and then put hinged fold down doors on each.

 

[Gscottjr]

That's a great find!

if it were me I'd strip the pressboard of that fake wood paper coating, then stain and seal it. That fake wood paper bubbles up and peels at the slightest bit of moisture.

You can use any of the poly sealers, like Minwax polycrylic., or any other water based/water cleanup. You won't want an oil based like a shellac or varathane - too many fumes. I'd go with Gloss or Hi-Gloss to help repel the moisture more.

I like this idea too. Strip off the paper cover and put the epoxy on the particle board.

 

[Gscottjr]

Well I am going to have to do like @Phil and put enclosures in the cubbies. I started putting the back on the unit and every screw broke the particle board to pieces. I guess it is just too old and dried out to convert. I am still going to put lights and paint it to hang on the wall. I will take some pictures when I get it finished.