SundownReef
New Member
Hi there. So I’m jumping into the hobby again. Got my first taste around 2014 on a whim. Back then I didn’t realize the pit this hobby is and quit shortly after. This time, a little better prepared, I’m looking forward to building something as beautiful as some of the reef tanks I’ve seen on here.
After a bit of research I settled on Waterbox and went with the Marine X 110. Luckily for me it was around the November time frame and orders were on back order for over a month in which time I called and upgraded to the Reef 130.4 (great customer service by the way). The tank I had in 2014 was a 75 gallon bowfront DT and I always wished it was bigger.
Current gear-
Skimmer: Simplicity 240DC
Lights: 2 XR15 Pros
Return Pump: Syncra Sicce 5.0 (swapping with 7.0 SDC WiFi)
Power Heads: 2 Nero 5’s, Icecap Gyre 1K
Controllers: Inkbird 306A, Apex classic
Heaters: 2 Cobalt Aquatics Nero-therms 200W
4 Stage RODI
Aquascape: Marco Rock
Sand: 60lbs Fiji Pink
One of the best things I did so far was wash my sand. I went through that jumbo thread and decided to do it. Am now a believer. The Fiji Pink is white and doesn’t blow around and went clear right away. I did add some Bio Spira plus whatever was left after washing the sand got the cultures going.
I got 100 lbs of Marco Rock and just about used all of it:
60lbs Shelf Rock
30lbs Foundation
10lbs Reef Saver
I used superglue and baking soda as the activator. Made sure to blow each section out and washed with tons of RO water. Ended up making some changes once it was in the tank as I made a few obvious mistakes: 1; get down and look at it eye level as that’s how it’s going to be seen in the tank. I built it on the floor. And 2; don’t laugh now, I forgot about the overflow. Made it work though.
I am waiting for some parts to swap out the Syncra Silent 5.0 with a 7.0 WiFi version. I got the 5.0 with the intention of buying the smaller Waterbox 110 but figured I could/should upgrade if I want SPS plus any additional gear that would call for the extra flow. Plus WiFi is nice. Same story with the Simplicity 240DC skimmer. Hopefully it will match up decently with the bigger tank.
I like the lights but wow, I didn’t expect the leakage. My whole living room glows blue, I ordered diffusers but doubt that will make much difference. They are on the standard RMS brackets so can’t adjust height. I’m open for suggestions.
I absolutely want a refugium and pods. That’s one bummer about the smaller Waterbox tanks, that they don’t come with one, and I want to utilize the ATO reservoir so I ended up getting 1/4” black acrylic and making a baffle.
Fits nicely, I’ll take some pics later. It’s not big but I figure with a good light and some copepod hotels I should be alright. I purposely blacked out the sides to limit algea growth, we’ll see how it goes.
Current livestock:
1 Chromis
1 Domino
1 Three striped damsel
1 Yellow tail
I originally purchased 3 chromies and lo and behold, one made it. Uronema as far as I can tell. Everyone else seems to be healthy.
Currently working on a controller board and led’s. Will keep updating as I go.
After a bit of research I settled on Waterbox and went with the Marine X 110. Luckily for me it was around the November time frame and orders were on back order for over a month in which time I called and upgraded to the Reef 130.4 (great customer service by the way). The tank I had in 2014 was a 75 gallon bowfront DT and I always wished it was bigger.
Current gear-
Skimmer: Simplicity 240DC
Lights: 2 XR15 Pros
Return Pump: Syncra Sicce 5.0 (swapping with 7.0 SDC WiFi)
Power Heads: 2 Nero 5’s, Icecap Gyre 1K
Controllers: Inkbird 306A, Apex classic
Heaters: 2 Cobalt Aquatics Nero-therms 200W
4 Stage RODI
Aquascape: Marco Rock
Sand: 60lbs Fiji Pink
One of the best things I did so far was wash my sand. I went through that jumbo thread and decided to do it. Am now a believer. The Fiji Pink is white and doesn’t blow around and went clear right away. I did add some Bio Spira plus whatever was left after washing the sand got the cultures going.
I got 100 lbs of Marco Rock and just about used all of it:
60lbs Shelf Rock
30lbs Foundation
10lbs Reef Saver
I am waiting for some parts to swap out the Syncra Silent 5.0 with a 7.0 WiFi version. I got the 5.0 with the intention of buying the smaller Waterbox 110 but figured I could/should upgrade if I want SPS plus any additional gear that would call for the extra flow. Plus WiFi is nice. Same story with the Simplicity 240DC skimmer. Hopefully it will match up decently with the bigger tank.
I like the lights but wow, I didn’t expect the leakage. My whole living room glows blue, I ordered diffusers but doubt that will make much difference. They are on the standard RMS brackets so can’t adjust height. I’m open for suggestions.
I absolutely want a refugium and pods. That’s one bummer about the smaller Waterbox tanks, that they don’t come with one, and I want to utilize the ATO reservoir so I ended up getting 1/4” black acrylic and making a baffle.
Fits nicely, I’ll take some pics later. It’s not big but I figure with a good light and some copepod hotels I should be alright. I purposely blacked out the sides to limit algea growth, we’ll see how it goes.
Current livestock:
1 Chromis
1 Domino
1 Three striped damsel
1 Yellow tail
I originally purchased 3 chromies and lo and behold, one made it. Uronema as far as I can tell. Everyone else seems to be healthy.
Currently working on a controller board and led’s. Will keep updating as I go.
