Our Waterbox 50.3 AIO tank build journal

[Jakejtown]

Husband and wife starting new hobby together. Follow our tank build with us!
We have purchased our Waterbox 50.3 tank and stand (already wondering if we should have went bigger!) LOL. We have just finished up our rock work for the tank and we feel pleased with the way. It is looking. It is different than our first plan/idea of having 2 separate pieces of rock with a free space in the middle. But once you get going…Boy, the conflict of your “vision for the tank” and also providing a habitat/shelter for the fish and having the rock work meet the needs for what we anticipate for corals. Then water flow etc, How fun, tedious, nerve wracking the list goes on and on. I know you know! I’m attaching the first photo of our tank build thread. Thanks for looking, advice, encouragement. Now on to which salt, and sand! looking hard at the Nyos salt. Decisions, decisions. Any advice on that topic would be appreciated.
Next up final decisions on
Salt
Sand
Pump and power head.
Heater

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Aquascape looks nice!

 

[TX_REEF]

Congrats on the waterbox purchase, if I would have researched more I would have gone waterbox over red sea. Also love the rockscape planning. Here are some opinions/tips on your outstanding decisions:

Salt
I use Instant Ocean standard salt. If it's good enough for public aquariums, it's good enough for me! and it's cheap...

Sand
Lots of folks, me included, enjoy carib-sea special grade reef sand because the grains are small enough to be soft and visually appealing, but large enough to not constantly blow around with flow. https://amzn.to/4a2v9du

Also, consider adding some real ocean live sand. TBS is amazing for this: https://tbsaltwater.com/shop/sand-box-15-pounds-live-sand/

Finally, keep in mind that bare-bottom/no sand is a totally viable option, which prevent detritus buildup in the sand, and lets you run much higher flow rates without sand to disturb. Personally, I love the look of sand, so I didn't go this route.

Pump and power head
For return pumps, check out reefbreeder nautilus. Can't beat the (near) silence and functionality for the price.

Nautilus DC Return Pumps

The Nautilus DC return pump is an energy efficient and controllable solution for aquarium return pumps. They’re DC- powered and can be adjusted to run as low as 10%. There are 10 different output settings, so you can easily adjust the pump to suit your tanks needs. 3 built in feed timers enable...

shop.reefbreeders.com

Powerheads, I use and enjoy vortech MP pumps https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vortech-mp40qd-mobius-ready-quietdrive-propeller-pump-ecotech-marine.html?ab_version=A&utm_term=&utm_campaign=EL+|+ACQ_Smart_Shopping+|+ROAS+|+All+Products&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=7373341438&hsa_cam=17740353356&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxaCvBhBaEiwAvsLmWHVS22Or0fFIiIXDLLOt33oMhS_BMctbtNHx9TYqQxgM-V2d-lhYkhoCD3EQAvD_BwE and maxspect gyres https://amzn.to/49Y1EJS

Heater
Helio smart eaters are awesome, have audible alarms for temp spikes/drops and running dry: https://amzn.to/3wEvyo9
Finnex titanium is also a reliable, cheaper option: https://amzn.to/49He5Kl

Currently use both of these in my 2 systems without issue.

 

[Jakejtown]

Aquascape looks nice!

Thank you!

 

[Jakejtown]

Congrats on the waterbox purchase, if I would have researched more I would have gone waterbox over red sea. Also love the rockscape planning. Here are some opinions/tips on your outstanding decisions:

Salt
I use Instant Ocean standard salt. If it's good enough for public aquariums, it's good enough for me! and it's cheap...

Sand
Lots of folks, me included, enjoy carib-sea special grade reef sand because the grains are small enough to be soft and visually appealing, but large enough to not constantly blow around with flow. https://amzn.to/4a2v9du

Also, consider adding some real ocean live sand. TBS is amazing for this: https://tbsaltwater.com/shop/sand-box-15-pounds-live-sand/

Finally, keep in mind that bare-bottom/no sand is a totally viable option, which prevent detritus buildup in the sand, and lets you run much higher flow rates without sand to disturb. Personally, I love the look of sand, so I didn't go this route.

Pump and power head
For return pumps, check out reefbreeder nautilus. Can't beat the (near) silence and functionality for the price.

Nautilus DC Return Pumps

The Nautilus DC return pump is an energy efficient and controllable solution for aquarium return pumps. They’re DC- powered and can be adjusted to run as low as 10%. There are 10 different output settings, so you can easily adjust the pump to suit your tanks needs. 3 built in feed timers enable...

shop.reefbreeders.com

Powerheads, I use and enjoy vortech MP pumps https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vortech-mp40qd-mobius-ready-quietdrive-propeller-pump-ecotech-marine.html?ab_version=A&utm_term=&utm_campaign=EL+|+ACQ_Smart_Shopping+|+ROAS+|+All+Products&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=7373341438&hsa_cam=17740353356&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAxaCvBhBaEiwAvsLmWHVS22Or0fFIiIXDLLOt33oMhS_BMctbtNHx9TYqQxgM-V2d-lhYkhoCD3EQAvD_BwE and maxspect gyres https://amzn.to/49Y1EJS

Heater
Helio smart eaters are awesome, have audible alarms for temp spikes/drops and running dry: https://amzn.to/3wEvyo9
Finnex titanium is also a reliable, cheaper option: https://amzn.to/49He5Kl

Currently use both of these in my 2 systems without issue.

Wow! Thank you so much for your tips/input. We will use your information to help us move forward on our decisions. We appreciate you!

 

[Jakejtown]

Aquascape looks nice!

Thank you!

 

[Jakejtown]

Well it has been a bit since my last post on our tank build. Time for a catch up.
We finished the rock scape.
Love the look of the rock scape but hoping it will provide enough area for the corals we want with having it heavy on one side a lighter on the other.
The plan is for the hammers/frogspawn area on the far right. A very few select zoas/and or play on substrate. Some softies/ leathers in middle area and mid to upper area on left for acropora/stick corals.

Tank is cycled. Moved our 2 clowns to new tank and added 2 Azure Damsels.
After some deliberation, we chose Tropic Marin Pro reef Salt for our new tank. And started doing small water changes to our 13 gallon with the new salt in hope of acclimating the existing corals to the new saltwater. We were purchasing RODI water and saltwater for the 13 gallon but decided we are in this for the long haul and purchased and plumbed our own RODI system. Husband ran water line from basement where the water supply comes in the house to the first floor and we made a small opening in the wall with a supply hose and valve for RODI water for top off and water changes. Pictures attached. Husband has a supply of 50 gallons x 2 at all times. You know the idea…. If 1 will do it, 2 should be better!! lol….

We have purchased a 4 head doser - for when we move exiting corals over and of course add new ones! So hard not to rush things.

Also purchased a Eheim auto feeder for a few upcoming vacations.
We are running 2 AI prime lights ( very little) at the moment and plan to add the 3 one when we move our corals from our 13.5 gallon tank.

Very near Future purchases we are pondering.
— what ATO
—Comline 9004 skimmer or better?
— inkbird for heater
— Programable WiFi power strip (Kasa) or better?
—MP 10 x 2
—aquarium top/screen cover


Eventually we want a Trident and apex. Just can’t swing it all at once. Not saying that if the just right one presented itself at the right time and very right price, we wouldn’t be all about it! .


Love this hobby.