First time, First Build, Wish me luck! Waterbox REEF 100.3

Bellamy803 · Oct 14, 2020

Cabinet build and maybe some plumbing tonight. We will see how far I make it. It’s been a long day!

Bellamy803 · Oct 15, 2020

Ahhhhh the cabinet build was interesting to say the least. But it’s done and the quality they claimed has been delivered.

flyfisher2 · Oct 15, 2020

Bellamy803 said:
Ok!!!!! So no unboxing...there’s plenty of that on YouTube. However here are a couple pics pre cabinet build tonight.

THE FUN BEGINS!!!

flyfisher2 · Oct 15, 2020

Nice Even doors... Looks good! Great pics. Keep them coming

Sysyphus · Oct 15, 2020

Bellamy803 said:
New to the hobby! First build......

Aquarium

Waterbox Reef 100.3 (72g display w/about 100 gallon total system) (Delivered)

Lighting- Kessil Ap9x (Delivered)

Flow - x2 Vortech MP40's (2-3 Days out)

Sump Setup:

Vectra S2 pump (1 day out)

XP Aqua Ultimate ATO (2 days out)

NYOS Quantum 120 Skimmer (1 day out)

Apex Neptune System Controller w/ Apex Dosing Package (Delivered)

Kessil H80 Tuna Flora Refuguim Light (Delivered)

Things I still need or I am still researching:

In-line UV Sterilizer - Researching still

Heater/Chiller (Thought I would cycle the tank and watch the temp variations before making decisions)

Live Rock (Still going back and forth between dry rock and live wet rock)

Sand (I think I have settled on CaribSea Bimini Pink) (Still researching)

RODI System (Still researching)

Pics will start this evening!!!

What am I missing?

Sysyphus · Oct 15, 2020

I’m getting ready to start my own reef tank as well. I’m planning to start assembly and setup this weekend. The only thing I wondered was about your water supply and the usual need for an RO/DI system? I’m contemplating buying one now, owing to the chloramines used in the water here. It may be something to consider...? One thing I do understand is that water quality is preeminent for success. Best of luck.

virtual reality · Oct 15, 2020

The cabinet looks really nice. Good job.

Bellamy803 · Oct 15, 2020

flyfisher2 said:
Nice Even doors... Looks good! Great pics. Keep them coming

Funny you mention the doors. Either you have one of these or someone else has mentioned/complained about them before haha......I plan to watch the “how to install the doors” video link that comes with the assembly instructions sometime today. I managed but it was no simple task and my OCD still has me feeling like there’s a small adjustment that needs to be made.

I didn’t go into much detail last night about the build instructions that come with the cabinet But let me tell ya, they are worthless. I’m pretty good at working through things and it was interesting to say the least.

If I wasn’t busy watching 3 episodes of the last kingdom while I put it together I probably would have saved myself a lot of hassle and time watching Waterboxes YouTube videos or reading about someone else’s experience putting one of these together......

First fail from Waterbox. “Cabinet installation instructions are worthless”

Bellamy803 · Oct 15, 2020

Sysyphus said:
I’m getting ready to start my own reef tank as well. I’m planning to start assembly and setup this weekend. The only thing I wondered was about your water supply and the usual need for an RO/DI system? I’m contemplating buying one now, owing to the chloramines used in the water here. It may be something to consider...? One thing I do understand is that water quality is preeminent for success. Best of luck.

Yes I’m going to get one. Just trying to figure out which one at that moment. I have friends close to me who have many many many freshwater tanks. They have RODI I can pick up and use for now. That will buy me some time until I decide the system I want.

What’s crazy is I’m considering a $600 order of Pacifoc Ocean NutriSea to start this tank. I’m sure there are solid reasons to use it, some will believe it’s a waste of money and others will say it’s not worth it.....but with Live Sand, Live rock and the proper water out of the gate I’m wondering if the extra investment will give the system a solid boost in the cycle process.

Bellamy803 · Oct 15, 2020

virtual reality said:
The cabinet looks really nice. Good job.

Thanks!! Not so fun part of the build so far lol but done none the less.

flyfisher2 · Oct 15, 2020

Bellamy803 said:
Funny you mention the doors. Either you have one of these or someone else has mentioned/complained about them before haha......I plan to watch the “how to install the doors” video link that comes with the assembly instructions sometime today. I managed but it was no simple task and my OCD still has me feeling like there’s a small adjustment that needs to be made.

I didn’t go into much detail last night about the build instructions that come with the cabinet But let me tell ya, they are worthless. I’m pretty good at working through things and it was interesting to say the least.

If I wasn’t busy watching 3 episodes of the last kingdom while I put it together I probably would have saved myself a lot of hassle and time watching Waterboxes YouTube videos or reading about someone else’s experience putting one of these together......

First fail from Waterbox. “Cabinet installation instructions are worthless”

NO!!! Wasn't being sarcastic. Doors look good, nice and straight. I've got my issues but not a Waterbox. That's coming along well. Keep the pics flowing

flyfisher2 · Oct 15, 2020

Sysyphus said:
I’m getting ready to start my own reef tank as well. I’m planning to start assembly and setup this weekend. The only thing I wondered was about your water supply and the usual need for an RO/DI system? I’m contemplating buying one now, owing to the chloramines used in the water here. It may be something to consider...? One thing I do understand is that water quality is preeminent for success. Best of luck.

I live north of you and can't stress enough. Get the RO/DI You won't regret it

Bellamy803 · Oct 15, 2020

flyfisher2 said:
NO!!! Wasn't being sarcastic. Doors look good, nice and straight. I've got my issues but not a Waterbox. That's coming along well. Keep the pics flowing

Yeah I just thought you knew how much a PIA it is to put those doors on haha.

Bellamy803 · Oct 15, 2020

flyfisher2 said:
I live north of you and can't stress enough. Get the RO/DI You won't regret it

I am def getting it! Just researching which one to get!

Bellamy803 · Oct 15, 2020

Well, Kessil light mount showed up today. I guess I’ll set the light up and get the sump and plumbing unpacked tonight’

Bellamy803 · Oct 15, 2020

Well Kessil light is up. Have a couple awkward things that I have to figure out. #1 with the light set fairly low (my guess is 10 inches or so off of the would be water line) I get some pretty wild light splash on the wall. Mainly from the ref election of the glass overflow box. That’s not the biggest issue though.

Since I opted for a single mount system the ap9x mounting hardware mounts directly in the return box. This make it where I am unable to install the return lid. Smdh.....soooooo no lid, deal with the funky design of light spilling over or rethink my lighting. I would either move to two AI Hydra 32 or to two Of the newer tuna a360x’s. I was really pumped about this ap9x dual light in one. But now I’m no so sure it’s going to work with the Waterbox.