Not a Waterbox 7225: A Fluval V build (lots of pics)

[chaostactics]

A Fluval Spec / Evo V build!
Re: The title: I've been dreaming of getting a @Waterbox Aquariums 7225. I love, peninsula style tanks so much. However, my wife is active duty USCG and I'm an Army Civilian ER/Trauma nurse and money has been a bit tight since COVID hit. Once everything starts to settle I'd love to get a 7225 peninsula.

For now I've got the opposite a 5 gal pico. 20.5" x 7.5" x 11.6" vs 72.3"×25.3"×23.6"


Always wanted to try a proper PICO reef. I love DIY but the wifey says I have too many projects so hopefully this will limit just how much I can do with it. This is absolutely the hardest build I've ever done and I've worked on tanks from 2.5 gal to several thousand gal.

Picked it up as a aptasia garden. (I've since sold off the clowns.


17-Sept-2020 First Photos

11-Nov-2020 Update



*Back story I got this tank as part of a package deal including a 2016 apex and had 100% intentions of selling off the tank and all other equipment to offset the cost of the Apex.

Tech list:
- Fluval Spec V tank.
- Current Orbit USA Marine LED and mounting bracket.
- Marineland 606 return pump
-Hygger Adjustable DC powerhead
-VCA Random Flow Generator
- Inkbird ITC-308S
- Aqueon 50 watt heater
- XP Aqua Duetto ATO
- Auto Aqua Smart Level Security
-InTank Aquatics water director, plug kit, and surface skimmer
- Artic COV- 44100 8 Switch power strip with custom ICM203 feed delay circuit.

 

[Chrisfish]

Tank is looking really good

 

[chaostactics]

New gear just showed up! Hoping this will fit.

 

[chaostactics]

New gear just showed up! Hoping this will fit.

And... Already hate it. It's a great concept but the low level sensor is way too low for a pico and probably many nano aquariums. Just went ahead and spent double the price and pulled the trigger on a XP duetto ATO

 

[chaostactics]

Well back to something I do love. Some pics of the first DIY/mod I've done to the tank.

The tank came with a Current LED which seems to get a lot of hate but tbh I kinda like it and also I don't want to spend any more money on a new light.

I didn't however like the rim/leg mount of the light on the rim. Too easy to knock off, I already sent the light for a swim, and I wanted something that was going to look more sleek.

Step one was to cut the stock mounting bracket off the rear chamber. It was glued on with silicone so a little bit of patience and a razor blade was all it took to remove it.

And then I did a little bit of R&D and some mock-up and came up with a way to mount a stock current tank mount bracket without using the supplied clamp.

 

[chaostactics]

This is really my first time doing this sort of acrylic project. Huge shout out to @AVAST Marine for having craftics plastic weld on hand that stuff is a pain to find but works so much better than weldon.

I did all the cutting on my circular saw with a 200 tooth blade but it was fairly rusty/dull so I ended up with pretty rough edges. So I tried flame polishing the edges using a blowtorch and although not flawless came out better than expected.

 

[chaostactics]

The slot in the bracket is in case I ever want to add a thumb screw to adjust the height of the light. But in order to prevent light spill I plan on having the light as low/close to the water as possible.

After letting the acrylic set for 24 hours I then attached my new bracket to the back of the tank with silicone That way if I ever wanted to remove it down the road it would just take more patience and a razor blade.

I have a lot of failed DIY projects so I was pretty happy when this turned out the way I was hoping.

 

[chaostactics]

Happy to report the light bracket is holding. Very very well as a matter of fact.

I actually removed one bracket since the light weighs so little and it can now freely pivot 90 degrees (and a bit more) in each direction.

 

[chaostactics]

This is what I mean by pivot. Gives great access to reach in or feed or whatever else without having to remove the light all together.

 

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New toys. I've already started messing around with them a bit.

They are the Hygger Mini Wave Maker rated at up to 1600 gph (allegedly). Based on prop surface are Id guess a lot lower than that. It can be turned down to "40%" but not sure what that translates to.
and the Jebao SLW-10 rated upto 1050 gph. (Not really clear on GPH on lowest setting is.

One of these will replace the, now seemingly massive, Hydor Nano the tank came with.

Here are some comparison pics.

 

[chaostactics]

Another new toy showed up today .
Thanks @SaltwaterAq

Now I just need to get an upgraded return pump.

 

[chaostactics]

Another new piece of gear. Arrived as part on my Amazon subscribe and save, so free shipping and a % off.

Never thought I'd use the word cute to refer to a piece of Aquarium gear... But here we are.
It's so TINY!

 

[chaostactics]

Man I was hoping this thread would have at least a little interest...

Found a solution for a upgraded return pump although I'd strongly prefer to have a pump that fits with minimal modification.

This thing does rip especially when paired with a VCA random flow generator.

 

[chaostactics]

DIY 3D printed + acrylic media rack.
What do y'all think I should put in it?

 

[chaostactics]

Flow diverter from inTank. Love it. Came with two sizes for the price of one and one of them perfectly fits the aftermarket DIY 3D printed rack couple really baby drops of super glue to keep it in place.

 

[ReefingDad]

Really like that filter media rack you printed!

 

[chaostactics]

Thanks! Neighbor helped me out. Hoping for a good printer rig of my own some time soon.

 

[chaostactics]

Another cool 3D print. Rear chamber lid.

 

[swang]

What pump did you modify to fit?

 

[chaostactics]

What pump did you modify to fit?

SICCE micra plus