Checkered Pants’ Waterbox 5526 Build

CheckeredPants

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Today I placed my order for a Waterbox 5526 Peninsula! I ordered it through LiveAquaria since they offered a $500 gift certificate with this purchase and an extra $50 in loyalty points. The tank should be delivered in 2-3 weeks, but in the meantime, I already started buying equipment to go along with this build.

While at RAP NYC in June I picked up two MP40s and a Vectra L2 at 20% off from Living Reef Orlando and this started the task of figuring out what else I’ll need. I have been in the hobby for about 10 years off and on but it’s time for a tank big enough to house all the inhabitants I’ve always wanted.

My current setup is a 28g Nano Cube that will be converted into a QT once the Waterbox is setup. Also, this is where the tank will be placed.

28G Nano.jpeg


Before anything, I’m going to be installing two jack posts in the basement for peace of mind that the tank won’t flex the floor since our house was built in the 50s. I also plan to add blocking between the existing joists.

Basement.jpeg


Here is a list of the equipment I’ve purchased, ordered, and still need to buy.

Purchased:
Return: EcoTech Vectra L2
Flow: EcoTech VorTech MP40 X 2
Skimmer: Eshopps Axium X-160
ATO: Tunze Osmolator 3155
Biological Filtration: Eshopps Bio Lux (my son won at their booth at RAP) Plan to use these for a stand to raise the skimmer in the sump.
Sump Lighting: TrueLumen 10in. Strips 2 Blue 1 Rose mounted to the reflector off the old Nano Cube lid
Water: BRS 6 Stage RO/DI with Drinking System (installed two weeks ago)

Equipment.jpeg


Ordered:
Tank: Waterbox 5526 Peninsula
Heaters: Jager TruTemp 200watt X 2
Rock: 80 lbs. Base Rock and Marco E-400 Mortar Kit (already have 30 lbs. of Haitian Shelf in Nano to add)

Need to Buy:
Lighting: AquaticLife T5 Hybrid (ordering from AquaticLife to have them wire both cords to one side) and later some type of LED
Bulbs: ATI Blue Plus X 4
Sand: 60 lbs. CaribSea Hawaiian Black Sand
Power Management: 4 outlet Smart Strip and a Tripp Lite 8 outlet
Jack Posts: Akron or Tiger Brand 4’6” to 7’9” models X 2
Lid: Clearview or Top Lids
Salt: Instant Ocean Reef Crystals (currently using but may change to something else)

Now that the tank has been ordered my excitement level is through the roof! I’ll just have to find a few people to help get it into the house and on the stand.

Happy Reefing and thanks for tagging along!
 
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CheckeredPants

CheckeredPants

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It’s been a hectic week, but there is still lots to be excited about. The day after ordering my tank I placed the 80 lbs. of rock into a bin to take outside and rinse. I should have had my wife help me since the bin was not heavy but awkward, and my determination to move it by myself resulted in me aggravating an old back injury which resulted in a trip to the ER. This was the worst flare-up I’ve had and left me immobile for three days. I am still in pain, but it is manageable.

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These rocks came from Worldwide Imports on Amazon and were a little over $1 a pound. I could not be happier with the sizes and shapes I received. They are similar, if not the same, as rocks from BRS and other retailers but were not cleaned. I had to rinse them 3-4 times and took them to a local carwash to pressure wash them which exposed all the crevices and holes that weren’t initially visible. They have been soaking in in a Brute trash can for the past 4 days in RODI and are now drying in the sun so I can begin aquascaping them with E-Macro 400. Along with the mortar mix, I received the tank scrapper, two Eheim Jager 200 heaters, and the four T5 ATI Blue Plus bulbs which will be going in the 48-inch AquaticLife T5 Hybrid fixture, which I also received in the mail.

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I’d like to give a special shout out to Dave and the crew at @AquaticLifeProducts for working with me. I had read that they would reconfigure the light so that both power cords were on the same side to accommodate a peninsula tank. They had my light changed and shipped to me within two days and I cannot thank them enough for the quick turnaround and awesome customer service! The light is still in the box and I should have it assembled soon. I plan to build a floating canopy which should be fun to design and build.

To my surprise, I got a call Tuesday from the freight company that would deliver my tank. I was expecting 2-3 weeks as @LiveAquaria had stated, but nope, my tank was already in town and got delivered Thursday! That was seven days!!! I think I peed on myself a little since I was not ready for such a surprise…then again it may have just been the meds for my back.

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With my back being wrecked, I have been unable to do the things I had planned to do. However, my parents came to visit, and I cannot express how grateful I am enough for my Dad who rolled up his sleeves, took charge, and worked his tail off during their visit. Among other things around my new house that needed work he installed the jack posts in my basement and assembled the tank stand all while entertaining our cat, Patience, that seems to be just as excited for the new tank to be set up. Dad, I love and thank you for your help!!!

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I’ve also purchased and have on hand 60 lbs. of CaribSea Black Sand, a 200-gallon box of IO, the smart power strip, and surge protector. I also placed my order for a Tsunami lid from Clearview Lid from @ArtFully Acrylic. Now the only thing left to order is the New Aquarium Cycle Pack from @AlgaeBarn that comes with Fritz Turbo Start 900 and their new NitroCycle to get the tank cycled.

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CheckeredPants

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Here is a list of fish I plan to add to the tank. If anyone has any feedback on compatibility or the order I should add them I would greatly appreciate it.

Fish I already have:

Fijian Devil Damsel
Two-Stripe Damsel
Flame Angelfish

Fish I plan to add:

Lemonpeel Angelfish
Powder Blue Tang
Orange Back Fairy Wrasse
Royal Pencil Wrasse
Exquisite Firefish
Black Cap Basslet
Bangaii Cardinal Pair
Yellow Watchman Goby w/ Tiger Pistol Shrimp

Thanks in advance for any feedback!
 
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CheckeredPants

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Quick update...

Had a local Reefer and two of his buddies (also reefers) over tonight to get the tank in place. Used three suction cups I ordered from Amazon and all went well. (I had ordered four, but one broke when trying to lock it in for suction). Almost didn’t use them, but the three worked as advertised.

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CheckeredPants

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Got my canopy built and hung! Still waiting on the correct gate valve from WaterBox that is shipping today. Just a few more days and I can start to cycle!!!

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Lawpoke87

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I'm in the process of building the exact same canopy style for my 7226. May I ask what paint you used to match the stand?
 
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CheckeredPants

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My corrected gate valve should arrive later today so I can finish plumbing the tank. Also, a shout out to @premiumaquatics!!! When I opened the Eshopps Axium skimmer the Adjustable Water Level Tube was broken. I reached out to Premium Aquatics, they contacted Eshopps, and a replacement was sent out the same day. Thanks for the rapid response and great customer service!!!

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CheckeredPants

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We have water!!! Got my replacement part from WaterBox and plumbed the tank. Finished filling it and got the sump all setup. Still need to add bio-media, but that will wait until I blow off all the silt from the dry rock. Also, have to setup the ATO.

Really happy with how this is turning out!

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CheckeredPants

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Yesterday I got the light into the canopy and turned it on only for a photo op. I also added Fritz Turbo Start 900 and dosed AlgaeBarn’s new NitroCycle. Today I tested the water and as expected results.

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CheckeredPants

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Been pretty quiet waiting for my tank to finish cycling. I started another thread to track my cycle using Fritz TurboStart 900 and AlgaeBarn’s new NitroCycle.
I did get the replacement water level tube from Eshopps. Also, a friend had a disaster when his return pump hose came off and fried every piece of equipment under his tank. He’s also leaving on vacation for a month so he broke down his tank. I feel really bad for him.

He did offer me any of the fish in his tank before he takes them to a LFS this week. I scooped up his beautiful Purple Tang that is eagerly awaiting my tank to finish cycling since he’s currently in my nano. He’s doing good but you can totally tell he’s cramped.

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Great build so far. What suction cups did you buy on amazon to lift the tank into place? I'll be ordering the 6026 soon and would like to safely be able to lift it onto place with 4-5 guys
 
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CheckeredPants

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It’s been awhile, but the tank is moving right along. Got my lid from @ArtFully Acrylic and could not be happier!!
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All the fish I’ll be adding are in, with the exception of two bucket list ones that I may not ever add.

Inhabitants:
Purple Tang
Flame Angel
KwaZulu Wrasse
Exquisite Wrasse
Red Head Solon Wrasse
Pink Margin Wrasse
Banggai Cardinal Pair
Yellow Watchman Goby with Pistol Shrimp
Emerald Crab x 2
Purple Porcelain Crab
Red Porcelain Crab
Fire Shrimp
Cleaner Shrimp
An assortment of snails
And 4 hermits: a black, a scarlet, a white claw, and a white

Bucket List Fish:
Powder Blue Tang
Royal Pencil Wrasse

I’m hoping to get a filter lens for my phone so I can get some better photos of the tank. I just took the plunge and bought a couple high-end mushrooms that I’ll post pics of soon.
 
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CheckeredPants

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Here’s a pic of the Porcelain Crabs I picked up. I haven’t seen the reddish color before. Now that they’re in the tank I only catch a rare glimpse of their claws once in a while.

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