LCR's Waterbox 20 Cube

[Lou City Reefing]

Hey Everyone!

After a year, or so, of being away. I'm finally getting back into the hobby with a WB 20 Cube. I downsized from a 75 gallon where I DIY'd the stand, sump, and most other things in the system. I wanted to get a small AIO and finally put the money and time into the hobby that it deserved, so, I went with the WB 20 Cube + stand. I've never had a rimless tank and I'm pumped to have gotten started with Waterbox!

equipment list so far:

• Aqua Illumination 16hds
• Aqua Illumination Nero 3
• Sicce Syncra Silen 1.5 Return Pump
• Innovative Marine Helio Smart Heater
• Crystal ATO 5 Gallon Reservoir - Trigger Systems

Controller:

• Hydros X4 Pro Pack (comes w/ XP8 | PH Probe | Temp Sensor)
• Hydros Triple Optic ATO Kit
• Hydros Automatic Fish Feeder
• Adaptive Reef Controller Cabinet v2

I've never used a controller so I am PUMPED to get started with Hydros!

Most of the equipment will be in on Tuesday, 2/11/25, and I will begin posting pictures and updated as I finish aquascaping and setting up the controller!

I'm open to hearing ideas regarding livestock for fish and invertebrates!

 

[Peace River]

Congratulations on the new adventure!

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Congratulations on the new adventure!

Thank you! Trying to decide if I want to run filter floss or get a filter roller for it!

 

[Lou City Reefing]

I'm struggling to decide between a filter floss clip or a roller mat for the first chamber. I've heard great things about the Reef n Roll filter roller, and there is a great thread regarding the Red Sea nano mat fitting the WB 20 Cube with a 3d printed modification.

I'm thinking just biological filtration in the 2ndchamber like some Maxspec Nano-Tech Bio Spheres. Also, heater in 2nd chamber w/ the ATO & return pump (obviously) in the 3rd chamber.

I'm open to ideas for the 1st chamber!

 

[nibes]

I’ve been looking for that article with the nano mat but have not found anything, could you point me in the right direction?

 

[Lou City Reefing]

I’ve been looking for that article with the nano mat but have not found anything, could you point me in the right direction?

Absolutely, here you go! New RedSea Nanomat fit in a Waterbox? - Thread

 

[Lou City Reefing]

So, I’ll be setting up everything this weekend and next week!

I’m just wondering if I can fill in my tank with the rock and sand, then fill it with RODI water, then mix the salt in the tank for the initial setup?

 

[Lou City Reefing]

I'm seriously considering replacing the AI Prime 16hds with the newly release AI Edge 44. I figure it would be a better blanket of lighting coverage with few shadows.

 

[Ken S]

Hello Lou City Reefing. St. Louis by chance?

I'm talking to reef n roll right now about a large custom roller myself. Just came here to see if there is any feedback about them.

You can fill the tank with RO & then add salt at initial setup. Should be no issues.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I'm seriously considering replacing the AI Prime 16hds with the newly release AI Edge 44. I figure it would be a better blanket of lighting coverage with few shadows.

I mean the AI Edges do look like they have some incredible coverage!

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Hello Lou City Reefing. St. Louis by chance?

I'm talking to reef n roll right now about a large custom roller myself. Just came here to see if there is any feedback about them.

You can fill the tank with RO & then add salt at initial setup. Should be no issues.

Hey! You can just call me Nathan, I thought the username was catchy!

No, I’m out of Louisville, KY! Not too far though

Let me know how the talks go! I don’t have any feedback to offer. Although, I see MK_Reefs on Instagram uses them and looks like they love them!

 

[Lou City Reefing]

I mean the AI Edges do look like they have some incredible coverage!

They definitely do! Plus they are super sleek looking

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Pictures coming soon!

I have setup my Hydros X4 and XP8 controllers, which was incredibly easy and now I understand why people rave about controllers! I believe I have my lighting schedule down thanks to a few WWC videos.


I'll be cycling my tank w/ Fritz TurboStart 900 + some live rock.

The only filtration I have right now is a filter floss clip w/ some filter pad on it, in the first chamber, and a Marinepure Biomedia Plate in the second chamber.

I would love to start out with a Chalk Bass instead of Clown Fish but my LFS rarely receives any Chalk Bass.

Lastly, I'm thinking I add a coral or two at the same time as my fish.

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Added the TurboStart 900 with a small piece of live rock. We have two clowns, which I couldn't photograph, and two corals. We have a beautiful Goni and some zoas. The fish are eating well and the corals are doing fantastic!

I'm still loving the Hydros XP8 and X4 combo. I will be buying another XP8 shortly as I setup my fresh water tank next to my saltwater. The Adaptive Reef Controller Cabinet is nice *BUT* I don't think I would ever buy one again. I would rather just build one based on the price, and material used. My first one came in broken but Saltwateraquarium.com really took care of me and Adaptive Reef sent a replacement free of charge.

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Now that I'm starting to see the first glimpses of diatoms I'm going to be adding copepods, which I bought from TSA.

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Just received some pods and phyto from Top Shelf Aquatics! Honestly, they’re becoming my favorite store to buy anything from. The two bottles of pods have a TON of pods and the phyto looks amazing. I’ll likely start my own culture of phyto soon.

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Diatoms started + a little hair algae from the frag plugs. I’m fine with the algae honestly. Yesterday I added 5 Trochus and a Tiger Sand Conch I really underestimated the power of a good clean up crew lol. Those Trochus Snails DECIMATED the diatoms on the rock and are already starting on the glass. The Tiger Conch is doing a great job.

I plan on acclimating a Sailfin Mollie to saltwater and letting it go to town in the hair algae! I’ll post pictures once it’s done with acclimating and added

 

[NDFoz]

Thank you! Trying to decide if I want to run filter floss or get a filter roller for it!

I have the same tank. All that filter floss mess can take a hike along with its mess. I am rocking the Reen-N-Roll’s filter roller and I absolutely love it! I will not deal with filter socks, filter floss, etc again I will only use filter rollers.

 

[Lou City Reefing]

I have the same tank. All that filter floss mess can take a hike along with its mess. I am rocking the Reen-N-Roll’s filter roller and I absolutely love it! I will not deal with filter socks, filter floss, etc again I will only use filter rollers.

Is there a water level sensor that keeps it rolling? Or does it come with instructions how to setup it up?

 

[NDFoz]

Is there a water level sensor that keeps it rolling? Or does it come with instructions how to setup it up?

I am going to be 100% honest. The instructions that come with the reef-n-roll REALLY are lack luster. The video on their website is less than helpful. BUT with all that being said I emailed the email address that was on the website and I mean within a minute or so I got an email from the owner and he literally walked me through step-by-step on assembly for my specific model and then I was having issues with the motor that reels the used filter up. He informed me that sometimes due to the tight tolerances they bind up so I just needed to use a little grip strength and get it to turn just a hair and well that did the job.

As far as the water level sensor yes there is one that is actually adjustable. I have attached some pictures that I just took.

Img_0181 - is the controller board. That thing is quite intuitive and if the unit detects an error it will sound an alarm.
Img_0180 - is a picture of the motor that spins and spools the nastiness that is filtered out.
Img_0179 - Is a picture of the level sensor. When the water comes into contact with that sensor it will roll according to the way you personalize it. I personally have it set to roll a small amount just enough so the water level goes down.

As far as setting it up. Heck if you’re having a tough time I am happy to help you set it up.