New 160g Build Underway

[Lloyd Christmas]

Hi, I’m Triston and am relatively new to the saltwater arena. Last June I purchased a 90 gallon setup from Craigslist and there’s been no looking back! Fortunately my friend/neighbor was in the hobby for 13 years… always helpful!
At any rate, the 160 gallon is an off-the-shelf Aqueon dual overflow. I’ve been gathering components every chance I get: NIB Neptune ATK, Reef Octo 150 Classic skimmer, Jebao 12000 LPH return, Eflux 2100 pump pair w/hub, BRS heaters w/controls, etc.
My sump is an Aqueon 75 gal tank that will be segregated with baffles/dividers and I’m hoping to have enough room for a mangrove bed. The display tank stand is 52”H so vertical clearance shouldn’t be a big concern.
I do have SPS and a couple zoa colonies going in the 90 gallon display, but I’m not committed to soft or stony at this point; as much as I want a Picasso Trigger, I want a CUC more!
Additionally, I’ve got a smaller sheet of 1/2” acrylic on the way- I plan on building a floating reef with the dry pukani rock I’ve been hoarding- that’s another project on its own.
Like most of us, I have a family and kiddo that comes first, so this won’t be a super fast process, but feel free to comment or suggest if you’ve got any input.

I’ve attached the latest work on the stand.

Thanks for checking out my build!
-Triston

 

[JumboShrimp]

We’re happy for you... keep the build photos coming!

 

[Zach B]

Welcome Sounds like a great build!

 

[Lloyd Christmas]

Alright, little progress!
This is one of the shelves for my floating reef. I bought a sheet of 1/2” x 12” x 36” acrylic (ordered in from Home Depot).
I ripped it lengthwise into 3 7/8” strips on my table saw then cut to 8” lengths on my miter saw- 60 tooth finish blades on both. That left me a couple inches to make 1” returns on the ends and a little extra material for gussets. I’m using Weld-On 4 from Bezos and the gang. The ultimate plan is to bond these to the inside-back glass of the tank using 3M 5200 or Sika 295UV. I’m going to let this beta model cure out for a few days then try to break it apart by hand. I’d rather do that than find out the hard way.
Thanks for checking out my work!