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!

 

[afboundguy]

Took out the support rocks to see how it looks and I'm a big fan! I have to redo a little bit of mortar on the back side as the overhanging rocks moved a little but still stayed up.

 

[afboundguy]

Started the tank move and man was it a nightmare. Ended up spilling the pool shock I use for sterilizing my fresh SW for phytoplankton and it made a mess and the whole basement stunk.

Before pictures right to left - 35 cube, 10 gallon QT tank(not plumbed in) 10 gallon mangrove tank and 8 gallon fuge.

 

[afboundguy]

Moved the 35 cube to the left and re-plumbing it was tons of fun. The return plumbing is temporary as I have a plan when I get the 60 and 80 tanks in.

I have the mangrove and display fuge running with a small pump to keep it circulating as there's still livestock in there that will go in the two larger tanks.

 

[afboundguy]

Think I lost my female mandarin. She might have jumped out as I heard a splash and saw the male near the overflow at the top of the tank. I checked the overflow box and rollarmat and couldn't see her. Hoping she's just hiding after I moved the tank with all the commotion.

It was easier to cut the two tall pieces that held up the remote fuge than take them out and cut them anyways. Used a hand saw to make quick work of the platform.

 

[afboundguy]

With everything off the stand I cut the top to fit both tanks

 

[afboundguy]

Installed the raised platform for the 80 gallon tank.

 

[afboundguy]

80 gallon tank was easy to put on but the 60 cube was heavy especially with the rockwork already in.

 

[afboundguy]

Also was a pain to flip the 60 cube on its side to drill the holes. I marked it with a sharpie but with all the sweating and moving it the mark came off so I had to put it back and then put the diamond drill bit through the holes so they'd line up.

 

[afboundguy]

I sure got a workout moving the 60 cube a bunch of times and was drenched. But man does it look good so far! Going to trim the bulkhead end so it's not sticking out as much.

Also decided I want to move the 35 cube further to the left so the left side of the 80 gallon is more visible but that will be for another day.