AJs Eshopps Mariner 100

[HARDY CORALS]

3/27/2026

Well it all started with a trip to the city to find my first dosing system, for my 40g breeder. The LFS had a redsea reefdose 4 in stock so I decided to make the long 1hr drive... plus I love going to brick and mortar stores!! As I was walking out I spotted a Eshopps Mariner 100 (the first Mariner I had ever seen). The store owner noticed my investigation and decided to make sure I left knowing the price and that he had it at a substantial discount. I was planning on upgrading my tank this winter but I was planning on ordering a waterbox infinia 150 at a later date. I had never considered or really even heard much about the Eshopps mariner tanks until that moment.

I spent the next 48 hours with my mind consumed by this tank. Comparing it to the other 48in tanks by the leading competitors. Finally decided that I do not see new tanks at used prices very often so I pulled the trigger. My son and I had to borrow my wife's van and it BARELY squeezed in haha. We are extremely excited, and we plan on sharing as much of this build as we can. This will be a great upgrade from our 40g breeder. Im pretty sure step one is bracing my floor haha. (we live in a manufactured home from 2005).

 

[smitten with ocean life]

very nice!!

 

[X-37B]

New tank yea! Looks like a nice full system

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Proud]

Following

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Always nice to score a sweet deal at the LFS! Following along…

 

[Julie'sreef]

following!

 

[HARDY CORALS]

After much debate and seeking some help from my local coral dealer, I have decided on an equipment list. I have also come up with a battle plane or list of home improvements that must be done prior to setup. I plan on putting water in this tank realistically by Sept. 30th if I can get these things done in my spare time haha.

Equipment ordered:
Lighting: ReefBreeders Meridian 45
Return pump: Ecotech Vectra m2
Powerheads: Ecotech mp40
Skimmer: Nyos quantum 220
ATO: ReefBreeders
Heating: 2x bulkreef supply 300w with Helios
Controller: Apex
Auto tester: Trident
Dosing pumps: Redsea Reefdose4

Most likely going upgrade to reefmat 500 but still undecided there.


My 9 year old son and I also battled our way under the house to investigate our floors situation. It absolutely needs bracing!!! Haha!! Luckily our floor joist are oriented in a favoring direction. We decided we will build some legs, no different than if we made a stand from 2x4s. We will make 6 of these, pressure treated, to be overbuilt and wedge them in place underneath where our stand is going to be and plates to keep them out of the dirt. A continuation of our stand through our floor to the dirt in our crawl space, for lack of a better description.

As far as the interior of the house goes. We had planned on installing different flooring next year but I said I want a bigger aquarium haha. So I'm just going to replace some flooring under the tank area so I dont have to move it later. I do not want to move my 40g until this m100 is cycled and safe to house all of my current reef (this is after all an upgrade for my current fish and coral).

If anyone has any ideas on how I could squeeze a refugium into this sump with my nyos 220 please let me know. Skimmer chamber is 15.5" x 12".

 

[HARDY CORALS]

I made some progress towards my new build this week. My son and I finally found the motivation to go under our house and add a little bracing. Its not bad, I think it should easily support the tank above. On one side there is an "I" beam that runs the length of the house under the floor joist. I just wedged some more 2x6 between the floor and that beam, then ran 2x6 to the footing below. On the opposite side (which is less supported and away from the stem wall) I created more meat running between the floor joists, and ran some 4x4 (made of 2x4 haha) posts down to bricks.

It also seemed like a good week to add to the list of things I need to get done before I get this tank running. For almost 2 years I have been buying bottles of water from home depot... it was not very pocket friendly with my 40g. I figured this jump to the 100g with 30g sump is going to more than double my water use and i cant keep buying bottled water. So I have started a rodi / saltwater mixing station. I was looking at tanks on tankbarn.com when I realized that they were only an hour away from me here in Idaho. So after calling and talking to a nice gal on the phone, I grabbed my trailer and went to get some tanks. Once again my ambition got the best of me and I got a 200g tank for rodi with a 65g tank to do my mixing in. I think it should work well. I have ordered a 200gpd bulk reef supply 7 stage filter. Im not really sure what inline pump to grab to put between these two tanks. I would love recommendations from anyone who has built one of these.

Some of my equipment has started to arrive as well. I should be able to start working on the tanks space now, and get ready to move her inside.

 

[Arie_Idaho_Reef]

New Tank builds are the funnest!

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

do you think i'll be ok with 2x 250 watt heaters? BRS hooked up to an inkbird.

 

[BonnieB]

Well it all started with a trip to the city to find my first dosing system, for my 40g breeder. The LFS had a redsea reefdose 4 in stock so I decided to make the long 1hr drive... plus I love going to brick and mortar stores!! As I was walking out I spotted a Eshopps Mariner 100 (the first Mariner I had ever seen). The store owner noticed my investigation and decided to make sure I left knowing the price and that he had it at a substantial discount. I was planning on upgrading my tank this winter but I was planning on ordering a waterbox infinia 150 at a later date. I had never considered or really even heard much about the Eshopps mariner tanks until that moment.

I spent the next 48 hours with my mind consumed by this tank. Comparing it to the other 48in tanks by the leading competitors. Finally decided that I do not see new tanks at used prices very often so I pulled the trigger. My son and I had to borrow my wife's van and it BARELY squeezed in haha. We are extremely excited, and we plan on sharing as much of this build as we can. This will be a great upgrade from our 40g breeder. Im pretty sure step one is bracing my floor haha. (we live in a manufactured home from 2005).

I have the M100 and I love it!! It will bring you joy when you have everything dialed in! Luckily besides my sons I know some strong men who were willing to get it into my house and set up!!! I’m two months in just about and I haven’t found a downside based on what I want to do. My next challenge is moving everything from the smaller tank to the M100! GL!

 

[HARDY CORALS]

do you think i'll be ok with 2x 250 watt heaters? BRS hooked up to an inkbird.

I think you will be great!

 

[Foxy-88]

I made some progress towards my new build this week. My son and I finally found the motivation to go under our house and add a little bracing. Its not bad, I think it should easily support the tank above. On one side there is an "I" beam that runs the length of the house under the floor joist. I just wedged some more 2x6 between the floor and that beam, then ran 2x6 to the footing below. On the opposite side (which is less supported and away from the stem wall) I created more meat running between the floor joists, and ran some 4x4 (made of 2x4 haha) posts down to bricks.

It also seemed like a good week to add to the list of things I need to get done before I get this tank running. For almost 2 years I have been buying bottles of water from home depot... it was not very pocket friendly with my 40g. I figured this jump to the 100g with 30g sump is going to more than double my water use and i cant keep buying bottled water. So I have started a rodi / saltwater mixing station. I was looking at tanks on tankbarn.com when I realized that they were only an hour away from me here in Idaho. So after calling and talking to a nice gal on the phone, I grabbed my trailer and went to get some tanks. Once again my ambition got the best of me and I got a 200g tank for rodi with a 65g tank to do my mixing in. I think it should work well. I have ordered a 200gpd bulk reef supply 7 stage filter. Im not really sure what inline pump to grab to put between these two tanks. I would love recommendations from anyone who has built one of these.

Some of my equipment has started to arrive as well. I should be able to start working on the tanks space now, and get ready to move her inside.

 

[Foxy-88]

Glad I stumbled on your post. Been looking to buy a new water storage tank and had no idea where to find a decently priced one or quite frankly one I was looking for to work with my space. Love starting a new tank for sure too. Good luck to you

 

[HARDY CORALS]

Glad I stumbled on your post. Been looking to buy a new water storage tank and had no idea where to find a decently priced one or quite frankly one I was looking for to work with my space. Love starting a new tank for sure too. Good luck to you

They had so many different tanks!! They had an awesome warehouse and they were very nice to boot. Glad to here you might find something from them! tankbarn.com can definitely cover your water storage needs.

 

[HARDY CORALS]

I was not truly sure how the rock and sand would arrive, but there it is. My wife was not impressed to find this on the porch while I was out of town haha ...

I just need to finish preparing the wall it will sit in front of. Plus remove a 4 foot section of carpet. Then I can move the tank in and prepare for water. I will try my hand at glueing a nice aquascape together as well, we shall see. I believe everything except the skimmer has arrived. I had to change that up do to a stocking issue. So I decided to try a dalua great white skimmer.

 

[HARDY CORALS]

Well I finally made some more progress towards the tank upgrade for my reef. In fact I believe I'm FINALLY ready to move the tank into place and start assembling for water. Over the last week I skim coated the wall to get rid of the texture. Yesterday I sanded the joint compound and sealed to prepare for my wallpaper.

This morning my son and I were able to hang the wallpaper. We also replaced a small section of carpet with vynil panel flooring. We plan on doing the whole house next year and hopefully this will keep me from having to move my tank haha.

Hopefully this will make for an amazing reef wall. In our home. The next step is getting some help moving the tank and stand into place. Hopefully we can have it ready for water next weekend and have the mixing station / rodi tank setup.

 

[Dr. D]

I have a Mariner 100 and I’m excited to see your build! It’s a nice tank/sump setup and I’m sure you’ll be happy with it. I’m so happy that I’m already trying to talk my wife into an even larger tank!

 

[Dr. D]

Well I finally made some more progress towards the tank upgrade for my reef. In fact I believe I'm FINALLY ready to move the tank into place and start assembling for water. Over the last week I skim coated the wall to get rid of the texture. Yesterday I sanded the joint compound and sealed to prepare for my wallpaper.

This morning my son and I were able to hang the wallpaper. We also replaced a small section of carpet with vynil panel flooring. We plan on doing the whole house next year and hopefully this will keep me from having to move my tank haha.

Hopefully this will make for an amazing reef wall. In our home. The next step is getting some help moving the tank and stand into place. Hopefully we can have it ready for water next weekend and have the mixing station / rodi tank setup.

My tank move happened at Xmas… potential in-law sons get to show their strength!