My crazy drop off style tank build!!!

[afboundguy]

I have started the process of leaving the nano realm even though the three tanks I had plumbed together was 70-75 total gallons I still considered it a nap tank (old build here - https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/afboundguys-35-cube-display-fuge-mangrove-build-thread.783003/) and now I'm upgrading! Old system was a 35 cube main tank, 8 gallon "remote refugium" and 10 gallon mangrove tank.

I've always wanted a 200+ drop off tank but realized a true drop off tank wasn't financially feasible so I started planning a 200+ gallon tank (probably IM200) as my final dream tank but thanks to 2026 just sucking and costing 5 figures so far for stupid adulting costs that dream tank is now several years away...

...but, thanks to some great local members I secured a 60 cube (24"x24"x24") and an 80 gallon tank (48"x24"x16") and I had a crazy idea to link them together and make a drop off tank! Plan is to keep the 60 cube as SPS dominated and the 80 gallon as a lagoon tank and keep the 35 cube plumbed in in a different area as a clownfish harem tank!

I am raising the 80 gallon tank to be flush with the 60 cube . The 60 cube will go where the 35 cube currently is and the 80 gallon will go to the left of that tank. I made a small stand to raise the 80 gallon tank a few weeks ago but today I started tackling the main projects...

 

[afboundguy]

Today I brought the 80 gallon tank inside from the shed and put it on the stand next to the 60 cube!

 

[afboundguy]

I have been going between wanting to use 3" or 2" bulkheads to connect the two tanks. I really wanted the 3" ones but there wasn't enough room to safely add two. Then I struggled with doing two or three 2" bulkheads and ended up deciding that two 2" bulkheads was only 4 holes to drill instead of 6 holes and 2 would allow for more structural integrity on the two tanks!

I forgot how long it takes to drill a tank. Took about 50-60 minutes to drill the two holes on the 80 gallon and it's going to take even longer on the 60 cube as it's at least 1/2" thick glass! Was super excited when I started to see the water start dripping through! Ended up using a template to help and just let the weight of the drill do the heavy lifting!

 

[afboundguy]

Tried adding a vinyl wrap on the lower portion of the 60 cube and didn't like it so I will paint both tanks tomorrow or next week.

 

[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.

Dog was not impressed. It's supposed to be 95+ in MA today and I figured the dogs would enjoy some fresh air but I was clearly mistaken!

 

[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!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[afboundguy]

I am picking up some live rock from a local member who moved out of state and comes home every few weeks/months and is trying to sell their 450 gallon tank and is slowly selling off his live rock.

He's a hobby OG and I trust his live rock is totally pest free so it should help with the mini cycle I'm sure will happen with the 60 cube's dry rock.

 

[afboundguy]

Following along!

I'll try not to let you down!

 

[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.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

this is really neat! following!

 

[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.

 

[helmsreef]

What a creative build, following along! I would def cut and drill the opposite glass where you are going to have the tank setup. Any torsion on that panel will crack so just make sure its not going to move at all. Excited to see how it comes out.

 

[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]

 

[afboundguy]

Installed the raised platform for the 80 gallon tank.