NEW ESHOPPS MARINER 180 BUILD

[CFLreefer1994]

Just picked up the brand new Eshopps Mariner 180, fresh off its debut at RAP Orlando last weekend! Wanted to share some first impressions and document the upcoming build for anyone curious about this model.

Huge shoutout to Scott at Eshopps — top-notch customer service and incredibly helpful throughout the process. That alone makes the brand worth recommending.

As for the tank itself… it’s an absolute beast. Built like a fortress — marine-grade plywood for the cabinetry, reinforced metal supports in the stand, and acrylic bracing on both the top and bottom of the display. Can’t wait to get this build going and see what it can do!

 

[CFLreefer1994]

Set in place after delivery and adding CaribSea Reef Sand Special grade

 

[CFLreefer1994]

Fully plumbed and filled with water. Rockscape work in progress but foundations are in place with Australian Live rock

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Heck yeah looking good! Whats your plans for stocking it? What fish and corals you leaning towards

 

[CFLreefer1994]

Heck yeah looking good! Whats your plans for stocking it? What fish and corals you leaning towards

Thanks! Appreciate it!

I’ll be migrating everything over from my current Waterbox 110 once the new system is fully cycled and dialed in. The main showstoppers I’m bringing over are:

Fish:

• Hawaiian Yellow Tang
• Australian Harlequin Tusk
• Zebra Tang
• Swissguard Basslet

Corals:

• Cosmic Bounce Chalice
• A variety of Torches
• Goniopora garden
• LRO Fukushima Chalice
• Scolys
• Mango Tango Echinata

Definitely planning to build around these and give them some more real estate to thrive. Might add a few new gems down the line once things are stable! What’s in your lineup?

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Very nice! I love the look of the Bounce chalice! Maybe one day I will afford one :face-with-tears-of-joy: :face-with-tears-of-joy: I am a huge chalice lover but looks good so far

And I recently started another tank, I been stuck in a nano cube the last few years after I sold my main. But I am working on a sps dominate system, but of course chalices are a 110% must for my sand bed lol I will be stocking with a small group of anthias soon (ordering next week) then looking at a purple and chocolate tang and finishing off with a couple nice wrasses

 

[tqui]

nice... any new on when the release date on m180 ?

 

[Proud]

Set in place after delivery and adding CaribSea Reef Sand Special grade

Wow, such beautiful tank. You're very lucky, seem you're the 1st person that own the M180 in the market, congratulation.

 

[RWinfrey]

Glad you got it home safely

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Fully plumbed and filled with water. Rockscape work in progress but foundations are in place with Australian Live rock

Great looking aquascape!

 

[Dragon8736]

How heavy was it? They use a lot thicker glass and with additional eurobrace at the bottom.

 

[RWinfrey]

How heavy was it? They use a lot thicker glass and with additional eurobrace at the bottom.

The glass is probably around 400- 450 lbs

 

[ScorpionQuan]

Very nice. Is the filter sock area removable to accommodate a filter roller?

 

[RWinfrey]

Very nice. Is the filter sock area removable to accommodate a filter roller?

Yes and now there is a removal plug so you can plumb right to a roller mat

 

[revhtree]

How's the tank progressing?

 

[JoJosReef]

That's a beautiful tank!

 

[ESHOPPS.INC]

nice... any new on when the release date on m180 ?

First batch of stores should be receiving theirs. East coast got the first batch. You can order from your store if they don't have it yet.

 

[nickng]

could you kindly post a top down picture of the sump? I can’t see clearly how many separate compartments the sump has. The eshopps webpage doesn’t show much information

 

[RWinfrey]

There are technically 4
On the left side
1.filter sock
2.skimmer area
3. Return pump
On the right hand side
4. Refugium or reactor or can be an ato it’s multi purpose

Also on the filter sock side the is a twist off cover so you can directly plumb a roller mat

The sump gives many options.

 

[nickng]

Thanks for description of the sump. Great it has 4 large chambers.
Btw, one more question. Are the valves used on the pre-assembled drain plumbing - ball valves or true gate valves?