afboundguy's now crazy "drop-off" tank build!!!

[afboundguy]

I plan on doing a hanging reef for the drop off and picked up three 1/2" black acrylic sheets to bend to support the hanging rockwork. They took a lot longer than I thought and ended up going outside with a heat gun. I ended up cutting a small 1/4" slit to make it easier to bend and keep the bend on a straighter line.

Gunner was not impressed but I figured it wasn't holy smokes hot yet and wanted to give them some fresh air but he was not happy with my decision.

 

[afboundguy]

I plan to add two of the bent acrylic pieces to the left side that will abutt the 80 gallon and then one on the back panel. I ended up drilling a bunch of holes in the top piece (everybody says to for detritus and allowing fish to swim/hide) and they're not a true 90 degree as they're slightly upwards for more support. I used aquarium silicone to glue them to the sides and they're drying now.

 

[afboundguy]

Added 1/4" of HDPE for the bottom after I trimmed it.

 

[afboundguy]

Tackled the floating rockwork and added mortar and siliconed a few of the bottom rocks to the bent acrylic for more support. Big test will be if they all still hang after I remove the rocks I added to support while mortar cures. (Blue X's are support rocks)

 

[afboundguy]

I did realize I haven't drilled the 60 cube and it's going to be interesting drilling with the rockwork in place as well as be super heavy when I lift it on the stand

I did make sure there's tons of open spaces for flow and fish to swim around!