Many years ago, back in the UK (I'm now in Tennessee in the US) my love for marine fish started, it spawned from a honeymoon in the Maldives! I could not believe what I saw out there and wanted a slice of the Indian ocean in my house. I had 3 tanks in total, the first was a 50 gallon no name reef tank, this soon blossomed into a 250G custom build tank, both were somewhat failures, but I learnt a lot. I then got a 90 Gallon Aquamedic Percular tank, this is where everything came together, it was stunning. I was just about to up-size to a 500 (I think) Aqaumedic Tridacna! But after many years of throwing money at projects I could not really afford, I was forced to sell everything!
Present day, and I now am in a financial position to have the things I want in my life. I'm 47, I have worked hard, my son has flown the nest and we live in a great house in a great state and I have a great job. Lately, I really have had the itch to get back into reef keeping. I planned on starting small, getting a BioCube, having it upstairs, but I knew I was kidding myself, I knew I would not be happy. So I started researching larger aquariums, and I have finally (I thought) settled on a WaterBox Marine 70.3. I called them to order one, this was just two days ago! They were out of stock, back ordered and even the back orders were full, if I wanted that 70.3 I would have a wait that I was not happy with.
I bugged the hell out of Jess at Waterbox, she probably hates me! I was going over every detail of their tanks, the size, the dimensions, the cabinet sizes, the wait list and the only solution that I had, that would see me get something sooner rather than later was to buy a Reef 100.3 system. I did not take this decision lightly, and although I am in the very lucky position of just being able to buy this, with money in the bank, I pondered over this for a couple of days. This afternoon I pressed the blue "Buy Button" on the Reef 100.3 +Plus system.
I keep staring at the picture below. Slightly in disbelief that I actually did and also in excitement of getting this thing up and running. This tank will be done right, not fast. I'll take my time to look at what you all have done in the time I have taken off from the hobby and use your experience to ensure this tank looks awesome. I'll ask lots of questions! Forgive me for that, I was an experienced reefer 20 years ago, things have changed!
So this is it! Jess at WaterBox advised that the next shipment should arrive toward the end of this month, they already have the cabinet, they just need the glass. They then unpack it all, check it and ship it. Best case scenario would be the 1st week of September, worse case the middle of September.
I am a photographer in my spare time! Expect lots of pictures. I also want to put some YouTube videos together. I'm no vlogger, so don't expect anything out of this world, but I do see a lack of Reef 100.3 videos out there, I think it would be nice to share some experiences.
Nest steps are, as far as I can see to get the tank up and running, will be to decide on the following:
Thank you all for all the encouragement thus far
The Aquarium
WATERBOX Reef 100.3 +Plus
At the heart of the VorTech`s success is its unique, patented, magnetically coupled design.
Webcam Monitoring (ReefCam)
Foscam Z2 1080P Wireless Camera
1080P Full HD Video Quality Powered by an Ambarella chipset,full HD 1080P @25fps video Resolution offers better fluent video quality while monitoring your home. Night vision up to 26ft to capture more details either in day or night. Smart One-Button Sleeping Mode - The camera also can hide the lens totally to help you get privacy protection when you active the function
Aquarium Controller
Neptune Systems APEX Wi-FI Controller
Neptune Systems DOS - Not Yet Installed
Neptune Systems Trident
Neptune Systems APEX WAV & 1LINK Module - Not Yet Installed
Neptune Systems APEX Ecotech Wireless Expansion - Not Yet Installed
Neptune Systems LDK Leak Detection Kit - Not Yet Installed
Neptune Systems COR-20 Intelligent Return Pump - Not Yet Installed
Neptune Systems Magnetic Probe Rack x 2
Substrate and Rock
CaribSea Arag-Alive Substrate 80lbs - 3 bags
NYOS QUANTUM 160 Protein Skimmer
Finnex Digital Temperature Controller With 300W Titanium Heater
AP-1 TDS/TEMP Water Tester
Flipper Standard 2-in-1 Magnet Algae Cleaner
Salifert Test Kits
I use the entire range of Salifert test kits. I find these much more reliable than the RedSea kits I was using.
Hanna Instruments Marine Waterproof Salinity and Temperature Tester
Salt Mixing & R/O Production
Bulk Reef Supply 4 Stage Value Plus Edition RO/DI System (150GPD)
Marineland Maxi-Jet 1200 Multi-Use Water Pump (For Salt Mixing) x2
BRUTE 55 Gallon Waste Container With Lid (For Salt Mix and Plain R/O)
Present day, and I now am in a financial position to have the things I want in my life. I'm 47, I have worked hard, my son has flown the nest and we live in a great house in a great state and I have a great job. Lately, I really have had the itch to get back into reef keeping. I planned on starting small, getting a BioCube, having it upstairs, but I knew I was kidding myself, I knew I would not be happy. So I started researching larger aquariums, and I have finally (I thought) settled on a WaterBox Marine 70.3. I called them to order one, this was just two days ago! They were out of stock, back ordered and even the back orders were full, if I wanted that 70.3 I would have a wait that I was not happy with.
I bugged the hell out of Jess at Waterbox, she probably hates me! I was going over every detail of their tanks, the size, the dimensions, the cabinet sizes, the wait list and the only solution that I had, that would see me get something sooner rather than later was to buy a Reef 100.3 system. I did not take this decision lightly, and although I am in the very lucky position of just being able to buy this, with money in the bank, I pondered over this for a couple of days. This afternoon I pressed the blue "Buy Button" on the Reef 100.3 +Plus system.
I keep staring at the picture below. Slightly in disbelief that I actually did and also in excitement of getting this thing up and running. This tank will be done right, not fast. I'll take my time to look at what you all have done in the time I have taken off from the hobby and use your experience to ensure this tank looks awesome. I'll ask lots of questions! Forgive me for that, I was an experienced reefer 20 years ago, things have changed!
So this is it! Jess at WaterBox advised that the next shipment should arrive toward the end of this month, they already have the cabinet, they just need the glass. They then unpack it all, check it and ship it. Best case scenario would be the 1st week of September, worse case the middle of September.
I am a photographer in my spare time! Expect lots of pictures. I also want to put some YouTube videos together. I'm no vlogger, so don't expect anything out of this world, but I do see a lack of Reef 100.3 videos out there, I think it would be nice to share some experiences.
Nest steps are, as far as I can see to get the tank up and running, will be to decide on the following:
Thank you all for all the encouragement thus far
The Aquarium
WATERBOX Reef 100.3 +Plus
- 97.2 Gallons (368L)
- 36″ L x 24″ W x 22″ H
- Glue Free NFS Certified UPVC Plumbing Kit
- Reef Ready Sump System
- ATO Reservior
- Heavy Duty UV Coated Cabinet
- AI Hydra TwentySix™ HD x 2
- AI HMS Single Arm Kit x 2
- Fully wireless connection to EcoTech lights and pumps
- Controls multiple aquariums
- Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
- Plug and play
- Built-in RF for communication with EcoTech aquarium hardware
- Can use Ethernet if Wi-Fi is unavailable
- Makes selection and monitoring of lighting colors, water modes and timing easy
At the heart of the VorTech`s success is its unique, patented, magnetically coupled design.
- No distractions from the beauty of the tank and its inhabitants
- No wires in the aquarium
- No unwanted heat added to the water column
- No risk of electrical discharge harming people or marine life
- No hassle when it comes to installing, relocating or cleaning the powerhead
Webcam Monitoring (ReefCam)
Foscam Z2 1080P Wireless Camera
1080P Full HD Video Quality Powered by an Ambarella chipset,full HD 1080P @25fps video Resolution offers better fluent video quality while monitoring your home. Night vision up to 26ft to capture more details either in day or night. Smart One-Button Sleeping Mode - The camera also can hide the lens totally to help you get privacy protection when you active the function
Aquarium Controller
Neptune Systems APEX Wi-FI Controller
Neptune Systems DOS - Not Yet Installed
Neptune Systems Trident
Neptune Systems APEX WAV & 1LINK Module - Not Yet Installed
Neptune Systems APEX Ecotech Wireless Expansion - Not Yet Installed
Neptune Systems LDK Leak Detection Kit - Not Yet Installed
Neptune Systems COR-20 Intelligent Return Pump - Not Yet Installed
Neptune Systems Magnetic Probe Rack x 2
Substrate and Rock
CaribSea Arag-Alive Substrate 80lbs - 3 bags
- Special Grade Reef Sand - Grain Size 1.0 - 2.0 mm
- This coarse sand is 100% aragonite and has excellent diffusive properties
- A very versatile product, use in a deep or shallow beds
- A significant denitrator when utilized in deeper beds or plenum systems.
- Tampa Bay Saltwater is home of the largest Live Rock Farm in the world!
- They have over four million pounds of live rock under production on a five acre lease site in the Gulf of Mexico, and an Aquaculture site located in the Florida Keys.
- They offer invertebrates from the Gulf of Mexico, live sand, and they say they have the finest quality live rock available in the industry
NYOS QUANTUM 160 Protein Skimmer
- Pump: Quantum® 3.0
- Air max.: 1500 l/h
- Power: 18 W
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 7.29" x 9.85" x 20.87" (18.5 x 25 x 53 cm)
- Tank Size: 100-250 Gallons (250-1,000 litres)
- Recommended Sump Water Level: 8"-10"
- Control your flow with a twist of the Body
- Double chamber allows two medias to be used simultaneously
- No hose attachments, keeping the sump area free from clutter
- Modular, swapping cartridges with fresh or new media
Finnex Digital Temperature Controller With 300W Titanium Heater
- Finnex Memory Chipped Digital Control w/Sleek Finnex 300 Watt Titanium Tube!
- Control Range: 0F - 99F * Accuracy: +-2F
- Three prongs power receptacle works with Finnex 300W, 500W & 800W heating tubes and other brand's heating elements
- LED water temperature reading
- Good for aquariums up to 80 Gallons
- Metering pump flow rate based on pumping height: 3 feet:13.7gph, 5 feet:12.4gph, 6.5 feet: 7gph, Maximum pumping height: 7.22 feet
- Magnetic Mount System: Maximum glass thickness ½ inch
- For indoor use only
- 2-year warranty
- Flow = 2000 gph (7,500 lph)
- Max head pressure = 21.5` (6.5 m)
- Footprint: 7.5"L x 4.5"W
- Input dimension = 1.25" (31.75 mm)
- Output dimension = 1" (25 mm)
- Power = 96 watts
AP-1 TDS/TEMP Water Tester
- Simultaneous TDS and Temperature reading
- Large easy-to-ready screen
- Digital Calibration
- Water resistant housing
- Magnetic body (Patent Pending) –Perfect for a fridge
- Retail friendly packaging
- Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC)
Flipper Standard 2-in-1 Magnet Algae Cleaner
- Flipper is made with the strongest rare earth magnets optimized for fresh or saltwater aquariums
- Blade side has 3 contact points with a 3 mm gap between the panel and cleaner minimizing the chance sand will get trapped
- Wet-side does not sink when magnets are disengaged, for easy retrieval
- For tanks up to 1/2" (12mm) in panel thickness
- Includes 2 blades:
- One stainless steel blade to be used on Glass tanks only
- AND an ABS blade for use on Acrylic tanks!
I use the entire range of Salifert test kits. I find these much more reliable than the RedSea kits I was using.
Hanna Instruments Marine Waterproof Salinity and Temperature Tester
- The Hanna Instruments Marine Salinity and Temperature Tester (HI98319) was designed to simplify testing your salt mix`s salinity and temperature in seconds, with reading results in parts per thousand (ppt), Practical Salinity Units (PSU), or specific gravity (S.G.).
- This waterproof tester uses a graphite amperometric conductivity probe, which is resistant to oxidation, improving the measurement repetition to determine the salt content in the water. The use of a graphite probe also reduces the polarization effect common with testers that use two stainless steel pins.
- Calibration is performed by pressing the dedicated calibration button. Once in calibration mode, the probe is placed in 35.00 ppt calibration standard. When the standard value is recognized and stability reached, the meter will automatically accept and store the value.
- The Hanna Marine Salinity Tester displays the readings along with temperature on an easy to read large LCD screen.
Salt Mixing & R/O Production
Bulk Reef Supply 4 Stage Value Plus Edition RO/DI System (150GPD)
- Produce 0 TDS water
- Minimal waste water
- Multiple source water connections
- Mur-lok Push Connect dual EPDM O-Ring fittings
- 10 Ft Each of 1/4" Blue, Red and Black Tubing
- Pre-installed NSF Certified Filters
Marineland Maxi-Jet 1200 Multi-Use Water Pump (For Salt Mixing) x2
- Venturi – Silent, fully adjustable aeration.
- Rotational Output – Directs water flow to needed areas of the tank.
- Impeller – Maximizes water flow.
- Adaptable Intake – Allows the power head to be used with undergravel filters.
- Omni-Directional Mount – Adjusts the pump to fit the proper current needs inside the tank.
- Propeller –Maximizes the water flow.
- Propeller Cage – Protects the propeller and tank inhabitants while minimizing flow restriction.
- Very quiet operation
- Long service life, best quality
- Airflow adjustable at each air outlet on the device
- Additional adjustment of the air flow and bubble effect using the included Eheim diffusers
- Completely equipped with Diffusor: air pump 200 = 2 diffusers
- Rubber suction pads to dampen vibration
- Wall Mounting Eyelet
- TruTemp dial with readjustment ring allows the user to calibrate the heater for a precise temperature reading
- Thermo safety control - enables running dry protection; heater will shut off when out of water
- Made of shatter-proof glass
- Precise temperature regulation
- Extra long cable of 5`6"
- Includes clamp with 2 suction cups
- Simple and safe recalibration (+/- 2 degrees)
BRUTE 55 Gallon Waste Container With Lid (For Salt Mix and Plain R/O)
- All-plastic, professional-grade construction will not rust, chip or peel; resists dents.
- Strong, snap-on lids are available for secure, stable stacking.
- Reinforced rims add strength and durability.
- Built-in handles allow easy, non-slip lifting and anti-jam nesting.
- Double-ribbed base increases stability and dragging capacity.
- Gray, White and Yellow are USDA Meat & Poultry Equipment Group Listed and assist in complying with HACCP guidelines.
- 2657-88 is California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) approved for fire safety when used with 2655.
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