Mrpontiac80’s Waterbox 65.4 AIO

[mrpontiac80]

edit: my new tank a 180 gallon planet aquariums mega matrix build is here-
Thread 'Mrpontiac80 ‘s 180 gallon build'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/mrpontiac80-‘s-180-gallon-build.938268/

Hello, my name is Michael and I have recently started my first saltwater tank. I’ve done the average freshwater stuff throughout the years but nothing fancy.
I decided that if I was going to do this I’d do it the best I can. I wanted something beautiful Ito look at so I decided on a Waterbox 65.4 AIO. It took 10 weeks to receive but it’s been here now for a couple of weeks and I figured I’d share as I go cause I’m sure I’ll have questions now and then.

 

[mrpontiac80]

So keeping my available funds in mind, I decided I’d build my own stand while waiting on the tank. I followed the basic concept from you tuber king of DIY. I built my stand and decided to wrap it inside and out with some bead board panels. Even though I know 99% of everyone out there will cringe and warn me about the doom ahead, I used some leveling casters on the bottom of my stand in case I ever have to move it for whatever reason. They are rated for 2600 lbs and I have no intention of ever moving the system unless necessary. For those not aware, it is basically a caster that when not in use uses a crank down rubber foot to hold everything in place.
I scored a quartzite countertop slab for 50 bucks and all said and done probably have about $150 invested in the stand. A far cry from the 800 they want for a Waterbox stand. I do plan to build a control board inside half the cabinet and the other half will hold a 10 gallon Petco tank as an ato tank. Here are some pics for anyone interested. And as I said, it’s not 100% done but has come a long way. I do have to change out one cabinet door handle. Lowe’s had some mixed products in the bin and I didn’t realize it till I was installing them‍.

 

[mrpontiac80]

Here are some more pics of the cabinet build..

 

[mrpontiac80]

Once the tank showed up, I was very pleased with the quality of the Waterbox brand!! Totally worth the 10 week wait, and now you can’t buy one of these without a stand. I did purchase mine with the AI prime 16hd lights and caribsea real life rock bundle.

 

[mrpontiac80]

Aquascape is done other than maybe some slight tweaks.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I got my RODI system partially set up and a plan for a mixing station. I decided I’d pick up some 55 gallon barrels and to get around the problem with internal access, I found some food grade 3 gallon buckets and some screw on lids. I cut the tops off of the buckets and used an aquarium silicone to fix them to the top of the barrels.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I just received 40 lbs of caribsea special grade sand. I plan to frame up a stand for the barrels and do some plumbing on the barrels this weekend. I am also waiting on a heater and power head for the salt barrel that should show up this weekend. Hopefully I have water in this tank soon!

 

[AJJ0501]

Following along! Looks good so far!

Curious what skimmer you will use and how many (and what kind) of return pump(s)?

 

[mrpontiac80]

Currently I am not thinking of a skimmer. For a return pump I have a sicce syncra silent 3.0. That was what was recommended on the Waterbox site at the time of purchase although shortly after I noticed it’s now recommended by them to run a 2.5 on this tank. I am just using one pump.
I do plan on a UV though. I just completed my RODI plumbing last night and tested it out. So now I need to start making water and hopefully as time allows, start a cycle very soon.

 

[mrpontiac80]

Just a shout out to Travis from Fishofhex. I had ordered some AI prime 16 hd 3D printed power pack brackets before I ever even received my tank. I just got around to installing them tonight as I’m figuring out a control board. They look great and do exactly what they need to do!

 

[mrpontiac80]

Well I finally got the tank full of sand and saltwater. Got it all running last night and ready to start the cycle!

 

[mrpontiac80]

Just a little update, I bought a maxpect xf330 gyre for flow. It’s only been running for a few short days but I think this is going to be a great addition!
Maldonado I am on day 12 of my cycle using Dr Tim’s method. So far so good although the timeline provided in his steps are not at all what I’m seeing in my tank. Day 10-11 is the first that I’ve seen my ammonia levels really drop enough to add more. 24 hours later on day 12 (today) I again see my ammonia has stayed low. Not gone but around. .5 ppm. I’ll check it again tomorrow and add more if it drops again. Hopefully I can get a couple of clowns in a couple of weeks and get some life into this thing.

 

[AJJ0501]

How's the tank coming along MrPontiac? Im'curious!

 

[mrpontiac80]

How's the tank coming along MrPontiac? Im'curious!

So far so good, I have been able to add ammonia and see it gone repeatedly so I honestly feel good about the cycle. I did a large water change Thursday night and plan to get some life in here soon. I’m actually in Tulsa OK today for some youth football and was hoping to meet up with dr reef and pick up a couple of clowns. But if not today, very soon.

 

[mrpontiac80]

So the tank finally has life! Over the long weekend I picked up some soft corals, a small cuc, a cleaner shrimp and 2 clowns.

 

[snr1968]

Nice. I’m waiting on the 50.3 to arrive. Did you get your rock from zwaterbox. The 20lb arches.

 

[snr1968]

Sorry just seen you got the bundle

 

[Rickybobby]

awesome, i have one as well, one problem you may face is that return pump, tons of flow, but the filter socks will clog up every 2-3 days and you may have back chamber water level issues. i stuck with the sicce 2.0 i beleve 560gph, more than enough, and have 8000gph possible from 3 nero wave makers

 

[mrpontiac80]

Got some of the fritz coral glasses and was able to use them to get better pics of the life in the tank. A few frags of coral are doing fantastic while a couple frags of zoas have closed up or changing color slightly. I’m hoping they just need to adjust to my lights and water and will get better with time.

 

[mrpontiac80]

An overall tank pic and my cleaner shrimp