Bangarang Build Waterbox Frag 145.5

[C4Rez]

I dub thee “Bangarang!”




Waterbox Frag 145.5 (5 feet long)
98.4 gallon display with 37.1 gallon sump, 10 gallon ATO reservoir
*Reusing equipment from previous systems, however majority are new items; will upgrade as needed

Lighting
48” DX T5 Hybrid Fixture
T5 Actinic x2
T5 Blue Plus x2
Kessil A360WE x3 USED

Pumps
Vectra M2 Return
MP40mQD x2

Heating
600W Redundancy Heaters, IM Helio Therm

Skimmer
Aquamaxx FC-80 USED

Misc
Tunze 3152 ATO USED
RedSea ReefMat 500
Kamoer X1 Doser (All for Reef) USED
BRS Deluxe Media Reactor

After building the cabinet/stand, it made sense to utilize the L compartment for a shelf and DIY control board above the ATO reservoir. Wood used is from the doors of my first tank stand; brings a bit of nostalgia. The mini board holds just the controls for the M2, MP40 x2, and Kessil lights. The board is held in place by magnets. The shelf is screwed in; precautions were made to keep electronics separate from the water reservoir below.




The sump was slightly modified for the ReefMat 500. Details are documented here: ReefMat 500



Special grade sand rinsed in tap water. Set in place. Drying for the next few days. Using mostly RealReef shelf rocks and a few Marco foundation rocks. Initial water test passed 24 hr check.

Next step - Fill and cycle!

 

[blaxsun]

Red Sea ReefMat = priceless!

 

[C4Rez]

Cycling. Biomedia used are the spheres and plates from MarinePure. MicroBacter Quickcylc and Start XLM from Brightwell.


There is a removable baffle that comes with the sump. Unfortunately, the weir section on it is too high causing the water level to also increase in the ReefMat section (prematurely triggering the roll). Baffle will stay out for now until I get it cut shorter.

Once the cycle is done. Next steps will include running the ReefMat and placing the Skimmer, along with a clean up crew and some hardy fishes.

 

[Lps_lover12]

I have the 105 frag tank and I love it! Love how short and wide they are. Excited to see this build come along, looks amazing so far.

 

[CoralDanimal]

Love your setup! Can’t wait to see it progress

 

[C4Rez]

While in the middle of cycling, I’ve decided to change out the aqua scape (of course I haven’t learned from my two previous tanks). Moved as much of the RealReef shelves into the sump. Made a few orders of CaribSea Shapes and Arches. The shelves were originally for another build before I started this one. Hopefully I’ll still find use for some of the bigger ones.

 

[Arcu2]

How’s your cycle going with the microbacter start XLM? It’s been 7 days for me and my ammonia hasn’t even gone down at all lol. Normally with dr tims or turbo start I see some nitrites at this point.

 

[C4Rez]

How’s your cycle going with the microbacter start XLM? It’s been 7 days for me and my ammonia hasn’t even gone down at all lol. Normally with dr tims or turbo start I see some nitrites at this point.

Took maybe 9 days for Ammonia to drop down to 0. Afterwards, I dosed it about 1/4 the recommended drops - dropped back down to 0 again after 24hrs. However, we’re not suppose to dose ammonia again. I was just curious.

Now Im stuck in that high Nitrite, high Nitrate phase. Don’t dose Ammonia here. Let Nitrites drop naturally (can take up to 3 weeks). Depending on the tank, it can be a fast or slow cycle.



Day 15 of Cycle (mind you I did redo the aqua scape probably resulting in a re*cycle lol)

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 5
Nitrate - 64.8

 

[C4Rez]

Lid from ClearView Lids in place. Fits nice. Expensive but still competitive pricing compared to others. For a 5 foot length tank though, wish I requested to have done in 2-3 sections. Carrying one long acrylic piece is scary, hate for it to break in half.



Here’s the new aqua scape using CaribSea Shapes and Arches, & leftover RealReef Shelves.

 

[C4Rez]

Started the ReefMat. Loving it so far. First night it rolled over 3ft due to leftover excess dust particles. I'm impressed with how it cleared up overnight. As of now, it’s only averaging 3inches/daily with no livestock. This is a 91ft roll. I’d be happy with 3ft/daily, changing the rolls monthly with a nice stocked bio load.



Basically with how it’s placed and positioned, it’s pretty efficient. See marked: Blue (sump water level), Red (current water level in ReefMat reservoir - will drop eventually as well as it rolls clear), and Yellow (trigger censor to roll).



Also, added a 4 toggle switch bar for Temp, ATO, Reactor, and Skimmer (eventually) for easy on/off water changes.

 

[C4Rez]

Day 21 - Cycled!

Ammonia - 0 (Since Day 9)
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 31.5 (Dropped from 64.8 after starting the ReefMat)



Day 22 - 40% Water Change

Salinity - 1.026 (Target: 1.025 - 1.026)
pH - 8.0 (Target: 8.2 - 8.5)
dKH - 7.0 (Target: 8-9 stable)
Nitrate - 8.8 (Target: < 20)

I'll be transitioning to RedSea (Blue Bucket) from Tropic Marin; however, I'll continue to dose with TM All for Reef.



ReefMat appears to be almost too efficient. Thankfully, I do welcome it because of what I plan to do moving forward. I will be feeding a lot… lol.

Til’ next time, ya’ll!

 

[fishface NJ]

Looking good! Good luck with everything

 

[C4Rez]

Looking good! Good luck with everything

Thanks!

 

[phpwebdev]

I dub thee “Bangarang!”




Waterbox Frag 145.5 (5 feet long)
98.4 gallon display with 37.1 gallon sump, 10 gallon ATO reservoir
*Reusing equipment from previous systems, however majority are new items; will upgrade as needed

Lighting
48” DX T5 Hybrid Fixture
T5 Actinic x2
T5 Blue Plus x2
Kessil A360WE x3 USED

Pumps
Vectra M2 Return
MP40mQD x2

Heating
600W Redundancy Heaters, IM Helio Therm

Skimmer
Aquamaxx FC-80 USED

Misc
Tunze 3152 ATO USED
RedSea ReefMat 500
Kamoer X1 Doser (All for Reef) USED
BRS Deluxe Media Reactor

After building the cabinet/stand, it made sense to utilize the L compartment for a shelf and DIY control board above the ATO reservoir. Wood used is from the doors of my first tank stand; brings a bit of nostalgia. The mini board holds just the controls for the M2, MP40 x2, and Kessil lights. The board is held in place by magnets. The shelf is screwed in; precautions were made to keep electronics separate from the water reservoir below.




The sump was slightly modified for the ReefMat 500. Details are documented here: ReefMat 500



Special grade sand rinsed in tap water. Set in place. Drying for the next few days. Using mostly RealReef shelf rocks and a few Marco foundation rocks. Initial water test passed 24 hr check.

Next step - Fill and cycle!

Any reason why you didn't plumb your reactor into one of your manifolds?

 

[C4Rez]

Any reason why you didn't plumb your reactor into one of your manifolds?

No real reason. Just didn’t lol. To be honest, not sure yet how I’ll be utilizing the manifold. Maybe a sterilizer down the road? I don’t know /shrug.

 

[C4Rez]

Update! It's been a little over 2 months since the last post. And about 3.5 months since starting the cycle. Its very interesting watching this tank develop during the early stages. It's barely getting out of the uglies. There was a diatom bloom, a short hair algae phase, and even an episode of bubble algae! The ReefMat during these stages utilized so many rolls - averaging 12-15ft daily. It sucked having to change rolls every 5-7 days. My fault though since I added too many fish during the first 3 months of it's life LOL. Yes, it's a 100gallon display tank... can hold more than the 16 I dumped in there; however, I probably should have taken it more slowly.

Fish List:

• Blue Tang
• Sailfin Tang
• Fairy Wrasse
• Leopard Wrasse
• Clowns x2
• Yellow Watchman Goby paired with a Tiger Pistol shrimp
• Diamond Watchman (love this sand sifter!)
• Coral Beauty
• Blue/Green Chromis x5
• Helfrichi Firefish
• Aiptasia-Eating Filefish

The ReefMat did it's job as expected... too well. Nitrates stayed below 10 (hated that it would maintain < 5); Phosphates were scary - undetectable (0.00 with Hanna). The moment I saw bubble algae, I went and addressed it. Basically a combination of: 3 day blackout & Microbacter CLEAN dosing - cleared it up. Of course, this is only 3-4 months in. May only be temporary, which I've come to accept in this hobby. Currently, ReefMat is averaging 3-5 ft daily and slowly getting better.

I also have been culturing the last 2 months: Tisbe Pods (gave up on Tigr pods), and Phytoplankton (Nanno, Tetra). I've been dosing Phyto daily, and the Tisbe pods weekly to the display tank and sump.

Corals: Just Euphyllias (Hammers, Frogspawn, Torches), Gonioporas, and a softie here and there. I'll probably go back to my Coral-buying craze after the one year mark.

Clean Up Crew: I've always been a fan of ReefCleaners; I try to tread away from Hermit crabs. I'm more of a snail-type of guy. For this 100gallon display:

• 10-15 Bumblebee snails
• 20 Trochus snails
• 15-20 Astrea snails
• 30 assorted Cerith snails
• 2 Conch
• 2 Giant Knobby Creepers
• Urchin
• 2 Tongan Nassarius
• 10-15 Nassarius Vibex

This journey is still in it's baby stage. Lets keep things rolling!

 

[Lps_lover12]

Update! It's been a little over 2 months since the last post. And about 3.5 months since starting the cycle. Its very interesting watching this tank develop during the early stages. It's barely getting out of the uglies. There was a diatom bloom, a short hair algae phase, and even an episode of bubble algae! The ReefMat during these stages utilized so many rolls - averaging 12-15ft daily. It sucked having to change rolls every 5-7 days. My fault though since I added too many fish during the first 3 months of it's life LOL. Yes, it's a 100gallon display tank... can hold more than the 16 I dumped in there; however, I probably should have taken it more slowly.

Fish List:

• Blue Tang
• Sailfin Tang
• Fairy Wrasse
• Leopard Wrasse
• Clowns x2
• Yellow Watchman Goby paired with a Tiger Pistol shrimp
• Diamond Watchman (love this sand sifter!)
• Coral Beauty
• Blue/Green Chromis x5
• Helfrichi Firefish
• Aiptasia-Eating Filefish

The ReefMat did it's job as expected... too well. Nitrates stayed below 10 (hated that it would maintain < 5); Phosphates were scary - undetectable (0.00 with Hanna). The moment I saw bubble algae, I went and addressed it. Basically a combination of: 3 day blackout & Microbacter CLEAN dosing - cleared it up. Of course, this is only 3-4 months in. May only be temporary, which I've come to accept in this hobby. Currently, ReefMat is averaging 3-5 ft daily and slowly getting better.

I also have been culturing the last 2 months: Tisbe Pods (gave up on Tigr pods), and Phytoplankton (Nanno, Tetra). I've been dosing Phyto daily, and the Tisbe pods weekly to the display tank and sump.

Corals: Just Euphyllias (Hammers, Frogspawn, Torches), Gonioporas, and a softie here and there. I'll probably go back to my Coral-buying craze after the one year mark.

Clean Up Crew: I've always been a fan of ReefCleaners; I try to tread away from Hermit crabs. I'm more of a snail-type of guy. For this 100gallon display:

• 10-15 Bumblebee snails
• 20 Trochus snails
• 15-20 Astrea snails
• 30 assorted Cerith snails
• 2 Conch
• 2 Giant Knobby Creepers
• Urchin
• 2 Tongan Nassarius
• 10-15 Nassarius Vibex

This journey is still in it's baby stage. Lets keep things rolling!

How did your corals handle the blackout? I’m fighting bubble algae too and I’m thinkiig of doing what you did. Blackout for 3 days and then dosing the microbacter clean

 

[C4Rez]

How did your corals handle the blackout? I’m fighting bubble algae too and I’m thinkiig of doing what you did. Blackout for 3 days and then dosing the microbacter clean

3 days didn’t affect them negatively. When corals ship, 3 days in the mail is about the average length. I would have done 5-6 days but thankfully the bubble algae disappeared around hour 65.

Its been about 2 weeks. So good so far.
I’ve also been experimenting with an Oxydator (Model A). My corals have responded well to peroxide dips so I figured an Oxydator may be beneficial.

Ive also utilized Emerald Crabs in the past to deal with bubble algae. They do well on the rocks, but don’t touch the ones on the sand unfortunately.

Good luck!

 

[C4Rez]

4 months in! Just wanted to add some pictures.

 

[C4Rez]

Wanted to share some cool microscope pictures. Bubble algae and some diatoms here and there isn’t a surprise in young tanks. Dinos hasn’t been too much of a nuisance. I try not to let it deter me from enjoying the hobby. It’s an ongoing balance that the tank will eventually sort out. I help it out with 3 day blackouts (just turning off lights; haven’t needed to cover it), phytoplankton and MicroBacter CLEAN dosing. Ya know, help the beneficial bacteria along. Vacuuming the top of the sand and stretching out water changes to 2-3 weeks also helps.


Looks like Dinos, but can’t ID the specific type. Y’all got any ideas?


Now these are cool! Look at them eat the dinos! Copepods? Gotta love pods. Gotta love anything that helps control nuisance algae LOL.

As of now, I’m only culturing phytoplankton: ISO, TETRA, & NANNO. Just easier to buy pods from the store and dump it into the tank every 2-3 months.

I’m gonna cut back on the amount of phyto I culture. Running out of room in the dedicated office fridge. Honestly, I think culturing 2L each of these 3 phytos for my 100 gallon display is all it needs every 2-3 weeks.