Journey of my Waterbox 50.3 AIO

[Hatuey]

The Pre-krill

Dear 55 Gallon,
I bought you through impulse
But never regretted it…much
You taught me what I know
And raised the Mbunas
Who terrorized each other…very often
Yet, I settled with them
I was afraid of the reef
Now it’s time to end this chapter
And start fresh salty
You will be sold
But not forgotten

 

[Hatuey]

This is how you torture me.
I have no patience for waiting around, a prisoner in my mind, lurking through reef sites across the web,
the almighty Algorithm plopped me onto this forum so I can channel this madness...
Prepare for shipping
You bet I will!
"Build Threads"...It's like they knew we needed this...

And so the research continues(and it will never stop)

Oh and it's Asssspen!

P.S.
My 55 Gallon ignored my texts all day...I think they're getting the hint.

 

[Hatuey]

Hey it’s Hatuey , comin' through with a reef tank mission,
50 gallons of marine life, it's gonna be a sick addition,
Waitin' on delivery from Waterbox, it's true,
It's comin' in May, but impatience got me feelin' blue.
Workin' with dry live rock, got it from MarcoRocks,
Breakin' it down to smaller pieces, man, it's nonstop,
My hands are gettin' dry, but MarcoRocks rocks,
Got my hands on Gorilla super glue, the green cap, I'm locked and stocked.

Impatiently waitin', my reef tank's takin' a dive,
Aquascapin' this weekend, my excitement's in overdrive,
Sold my 55 gallon, a couple hundred, that's a lot,
Soon, my new 50-gallon reef tank, it's gonna hit the spot.

Now, let me tell ya, about this Gorilla super glue,
The green cap is the secret, it's the one to pursue,
But here's the magic touch, a trick I've learned,
Bob Smith Industries' instant super glue spray, ummm….tables turned.
Sprayed it on the Gorilla glue, it worked like a charm,
An unbeatable duo, my aquascape's unharmed,
Gotta wear gloves, don't let your fingers get trapped,
Trust me, I learned the hard way, it's a sticky mishap.
So here I am, preppin' the tank, the thrill escalates,
Gatherin' ideas and plans, my creativity resonates,
The weekend's comin', I'm ready to aquascape,
50 gallons of beauty by Waterbox, man, it's gonna captivate.

Yo, this journey's like a rap verse, it's got its highs and lows,
Every step, every challenge, the passion only grows,
Can't wait to share it with y'all, this reef tank tale,
It's Hatuey’s marine life, beyond the veil.

 

[Hatuey]

What' I've ordered and used so far.

6 Stage RODI from BRS (Connected with no issues, running as expected).
Soon after I got the Value Plus Upgrade Kit which I recommend anyone with an RODI system to get. This includes a Meter, Pressure Gauge, and a Flow Membrane Flush Valve. I also had a small scare which had me buy the Watchdog Leak Detection Alarm on BRS. Definitely a piece of mind.

I went with Dry Live Rock from MarcoRocks and got myself 34 lbs of it. I also got myself 2 Medium and 1 Small Foundation Rocks. Needed tools and supplies and ordered the Kurui 3lb Sledge Hammer & Flat Chisel from Amazon. I made the mistake of getting a two pack of Gorilla Super Glue Gel XL from Amazon, although it worked with no issues, it was expensive compared to BRS 10 oz Extra Thick Glue which worked just as good. It would have been impossible to have glued these rocks without the Insta-set Super Glue Accelerator from Bob Smith Industries however I recommend the 8oz on Amazon as I had to go through 2 bottles from BRS which only sells them in 2oz, plus its cheaper on Amazon. I've been using the E-Marco 400 Aquascaping Mortar kit from MarcoRocks, and although messy, it's easy to use.

I've ordered and received the following, however I haven't used these items yet as I'm waiting for my aquarium to arrive:

BRS
Replacement 10" Gravel Tube with Tail & Connector (already had a hose from my previous freshwater tank)
1/2 Gallon Bulk Premium ROX .8 Carbon
1/4 Gallons Bulk GFO High Capacity
Syncra SDC 3.0 Wifi Controllable Pump
2 Vortech MP10's
Hanna Checker Phosphate ULR
Hanna Checker Alkalinity DKH
Hanna Checker Nitrate HR
Salifert Magnesium Aquarium Test Kit

Hanna Website
Hanna Waterproof Pocket PH tester

Chewy
Salifert Ammonia Test Kit
Salifert Aquarium Nitrite Kit
Marinepure Biofilter Media Spheres 2 its

Amazon
5 Gallon Plastic Hedpack
Apera Instruments PH Calibration Buffer Solution (for PH tester)
Aquatic Experts Mesh Filter Media Drawstring Bags
Refractometer

I ordered the High Precision Hydrometer from BRS, I read the reviews and took a chance however it arrived broken and luckily I was able to return to BRS with out any issues. I ended getting a Refractometer off of Amazon.

I only buy when I see things on sale as I promised myself I would take my time in my purchases. The Ammonia & Nitrite Test kits along with the Media Spheres were bought off of Chewy as they gave 20.00 off for first time buyers.

I'll continue to keep updating as I move along my journey.

 

[Hatuey]

Playing around with some aquascaping ideas, please share your thoughts and feedback:


Version A





Version B

 

[Hatuey]