The CalypZoo Reef (Waterbox 130.4)

[CalypZooReef]

A New Beginning: Setting Up the CalypZoo Reef​

After months of preparation, a saltwater aquarium now graces our living room once more. As a returning saltwater aquarist, let me introduce myself.

My name is Bas, and I live with my family in The Netherlands. Like many others here, I spent years maintaining freshwater aquariums, but between 2005 and 2014, I also ventured into the world of saltwater tanks. In recent years, I’ve enjoyed “aquascaping” freshwater setups ranging from 20L to 60L, which has been a delightful hobby. Yet, the itch to return to saltwater has always lingered. Over the last decade, the technology for saltwater aquariums has advanced significantly, and once you’ve experienced the magic of marine tanks, it’s hard to let it go.

Rekindling a Passion​

For a long time, I thought, “Someday, I’ll get back to saltwater aquariums.” However, losing several people in my life who died at a young age made me realize that putting off the things that bring joy might mean missing out entirely. With this newfound perspective, I decided to act on what makes me happy, and the plans for a saltwater aquarium were dusted off.

About a year and a half ago, I began researching, browsing the internet, writing down ideas, and revising my plans repeatedly. Two weeks ago, the moment finally arrived: my new aquarium was delivered.

Choosing the Right Setup​

I opted for the Waterbox 130.4, which I found to be the perfect size and although discontinued by Waterbox, still available. Initially, I planned to start with a 35"x20"x22" cm tank, but I decided to go a bit larger for more space and to avoid feeling the need to upgrade quickly. In the past,amongst other brands I’ve owned Red Sea tanks (the Max 130D and Max 250), which served me well. However, I was slightly apprehensive about reports of adhesive seams failing—a nightmare scenario for any aquarist.

For equipment, I chose a mix of Red Sea and Aqua Medic gear. For the initial setup phase I will use the standard filter socks but will change it out for the RS Reefmat that I already have.

Customizing and Building​

While assembling the stand, I noticed my model differed slightly from the webshops illustration. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, allowing me to build a custom control cabinet within the stand. I created space for hiding power strips and mounting controllers. By tailoring the design, I also made room for my UV sterilizer to be placed upright next to the sump, ensuring better flow and functionality by reducing the chance of trapped air in the device.

Now, with all the equipment installed in the stand and sump, I’m tackling cable management. It’s not the most exciting task, but I know it’ll pay off later in convenience and aesthetics.

Crafting the Reef Structure​

I’m currently gluing Marco Rock pieces together to construct the reef. I'm trying to buid an NSA aquascape. It’s a slow and deliberate process, but I’m enjoying it. The foundation is key to building a thriving marine ecosystem.

Sharing the Journey​

One of my passions is creating videos. Some of you may have seen my recent video about Vivarium 2024. I plan to document this aquarium journey as well, sharing updates on my YouTube channel: CalypZoo Reef TV. Be sure to subscribe to catch the latest videos as the tank comes to life!

My first video about Vivarium is in Dutch, but future videos will be in English. The video currently on my channel is a report of my visit to the largest aquarium expo in Europe. If you’ve never been, it might give you a glimpse of how we approach (marine) aquariums here in Europe (just feel free to skip past my Dutch commentary!).

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to follow along with my journey—and a ‘Like’ is always appreciated!

Looking Ahead​

While I’m already enjoying the setup process, the real fun—collecting corals and other marine life—is still on the horizon. For now, the next milestone is filling the tank with water and starting the cycling process.

Stay tuned for updates, and Keep on Reefing!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Tahoe61]

Welcome Bas.

I appreciate your attention to detail. Looking forward to the progression of the tanks development.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Bas, glad you are here! You clearly haven’t thought this through , ha ha! Following.

 

[twentyleagues]

I'll be interested in seeing what you come up with for the scape!

 

[CalypZooReef]

Progress Update: Organizing Cables and Tubes​

Last night, I spent a couple of hours organizing the cables and tubes for my aquarium setup. I’m not a fan of loose ends .

Although this part of the process won’t be visible once the tank is up and running, I believe it’s wise to tackle it now, before adding water. At this stage, it’s much easier to access everything, and unplugging or adjusting connections is a breeze. I also started laying out the tubing for the dosing pump but realized that I had previously used and cut two of the tubes. This means I’ll need to order new ones, ensuring everything is fresh and clean. I plan to get the Red Sea tubing in colors that match their new 4-in-1 RCP line—it’ll look neat and organized.

For managing the cables and tubes, I ordered bags of clamps from Temu. They were only a few euros but work perfectly. The larger clamps I’m using for the dosing tubes fit well, along with the official Red Sea clamps. To keep the tubes firmly in place without squeezing them too tightly, I’ll be adding a strip of rubber inside the clamps.

Tonight, I aim to tidy up the wires in the black controller cabinet, which will nearly complete that section. I’m also waiting for a second ReefWave45 to arrive. At the moment, I have one ReefWave45 and one ReefWave25, but the 25 is too weak for my setup, so I’ll be replacing it. Once the new pump arrives, I can finalize the placement of all the equipment in the sump.

Additionally, I’m planning to attach a black foam layer to the back of the sump. This will help regulate the temperature and, as a bonus, conceal the cables and tubes running along the back wall, making everything look tidy and streamlined.

Stay tuned for updates, and Keep on Reefing!

 

[CalypZooReef]

Finishing the Aquascape: A Solid Foundation for Corals

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today, I completed the aquascape for my saltwater aquarium. Over the past few weeks, I carefully worked on assembling the structure, attaching several pieces of Marco Rocks—72 pounds in total—step by step. By taking my time and using the tried-and-tested combination of super glue and aquascape epoxy, I’ve created a solid and stable design.

My goal was to build an open and airy layout, ensuring ample swimming space for the fish and leaving enough room between the rocks and the glass panels. The structure provides different height levels to accommodate coral placement, catering to the specific light requirements of each species. Additionally, there are multiple caves and hiding spots, which should make the setup comfortable for various tank inhabitants. The back wall of the tank remains entirely free of rocks, maintaining a clean look.

I’m satisfied with how it turned out and am excited about the prospect of covering the rocks with vibrant corals. The ultimate goal, of course, is for the rocks to disappear under a lush layer of coral growth.

To ensure stability, I placed all the rocks on frag racks. I noticed that the foundation rocks weren’t perfectly flat, so this approach helped level them. It also elevates the structure by about half an inch. The smallest freestanding pillar is unique, with two layers of frag racks, creating tunnels that I hope will house a pistol shrimp and goby pair. Beneath the other rocks, digging will not be possible, ensuring a sturdy foundation throughout the setup.

Now, it’s time to let nature take over and watch this aquascape transform into a thriving underwater ecosystem.

 

[kevgib67]

Finishing the Aquascape: A Solid Foundation for Corals

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today, I completed the aquascape for my saltwater aquarium. Over the past few weeks, I carefully worked on assembling the structure, attaching several pieces of Marco Rocks—72 pounds in total—step by step. By taking my time and using the tried-and-tested combination of super glue and aquascape epoxy, I’ve created a solid and stable design.

My goal was to build an open and airy layout, ensuring ample swimming space for the fish and leaving enough room between the rocks and the glass panels. The structure provides different height levels to accommodate coral placement, catering to the specific light requirements of each species. Additionally, there are multiple caves and hiding spots, which should make the setup comfortable for various tank inhabitants. The back wall of the tank remains entirely free of rocks, maintaining a clean look.

I’m satisfied with how it turned out and am excited about the prospect of covering the rocks with vibrant corals. The ultimate goal, of course, is for the rocks to disappear under a lush layer of coral growth.

To ensure stability, I placed all the rocks on frag racks. I noticed that the foundation rocks weren’t perfectly flat, so this approach helped level them. It also elevates the structure by about half an inch. The smallest freestanding pillar is unique, with two layers of frag racks, creating tunnels that I hope will house a pistol shrimp and goby pair. Beneath the other rocks, digging will not be possible, ensuring a sturdy foundation throughout the setup.

Now, it’s time to let nature take over and watch this aquascape transform into a thriving underwater ecosystem.

Looks awesome, happy New Year!

 

[Featherweight]

Great start!

 

[CalypZooReef]

A New Milestone: The System is Running on Water

As of yesterday, the entire system is running on water! It’s been a journey to get to this point, and fine-tuning the setup proved to be quite the challenge. But now, everything is running smoothly and quietly. Well, almost quietly – my wife insists she can still hear it.

The next big step is to ensure that the system operates flawlessly and remains stable for the next two days. If all goes well, I’ll begin the exciting process of starting the bacterial cycle. To prepare for this, I’ve stocked up on some essential products: CaribSea live sand, AquaForest Life Bio Fil, Aqua Medic NP Bio Grain, and Microbe-Lift Special Blend.

The live sand is already in the tank, and now it’s just a matter of waiting. It’s been 24 hours since I added the sand, and the tank is still a bit cloudy. Patience is key here – I’ll wait for the mist to clear before moving on to the next steps.

Once the water clarity improves, the plan is to:

• Begin dosing with the bacterial products to kickstart the nitrogen cycle.
• Monitor water parameters closely to ensure everything progresses as expected.
• Gradually introduce other elements of the system in a controlled and methodical manner.

It’s an exciting time, and I’m eager to see how this process unfolds. Each step brings me closer to a fully operational and thriving setup. Stay tuned for updates on how the system evolves over the coming days!

 

[CalypZooReef]

The Sandstorm

Setting up an aquarium is an exciting journey filled with learning moments and challenges. Recently, I made another significant step in my startup phase: introducing the sand bed! I chose Carib Sea’s Ocean Direct, a "live" sand ideal for kickstarting the aquarium cycle. This sand contributes to a stable microbial environment, making it a perfect choice to use early in the process.

Adding the Sand: A Cloudy Adventure​

Before adding the sand, I had already filled the tank with water and mixed in the salt. As soon as the sand went in, it created a dense cloud, leaving me staring at what looked like "sea mist" for 48 hours. Fortunately, the water is now slowly clearing, which is a relief.

To manage the situation, I turned off my wavemaker and set the return pump to a low setting. This helped maintain a stable temperature in the tank. However, this approach resulted in a thick layer of sand dust settling in my sump. Cleaning it will be a time-consuming task—draining the sump, removing all the sediment, and thoroughly cleaning the equipment. It’s tedious but necessary to keep everything in optimal condition.

The UV Filter: A Small Oversight​

I had turned off the UV lamp since it isn’t needed during this phase. What I didn’t realize, however, was that the pump for the UV filter was still running. This caused the cloudy water to circulate through the filter, which may lead to sediment settling on the UV lamp's glass. If this happens, it could reduce the lamp’s effectiveness when I eventually turn it on. It’s a rookie mistake, but as they say, live and learn.

Adjusting and Adding More Sand​

Another point to address is the distribution of the sand. In photos, it might look like there’s a thick layer, but most of it has settled at the front of the tank. The back layer is significantly thinner, so I’ll need to level it out for a more uniform look. I will leave it for now and think it will level by itself over the next few days.

Additionally, I’m planning to pick up some used sand from a fellow hobbyist this weekend to kickstart the Biome Cycle. With that, I’ll be ready to move forward with the startup phase. The better everything is prepared, the faster the system can stabilize fully.

Reflection and Next Steps​

Despite the challenges and extra tasks, I’m happy with the progress. Choosing Carib Sea’s Ocean Direct still feels like the right decision. It’s reassuring to know that this "live" sand is actively supporting the aquarium cycle.

Now, it’s time to clean up the sediment, level the sand bed, and finalize the details before officially starting the system. The journey continues, and I’m excited for what’s next!

 

[CalypZooReef]

Cycling Progress and New Live Rock!

I figured it was time to share a quick update on my tank journey. It’s been about four weeks since I set up my reef tank with just water and rock. I've been testing the water regularly and performing light maintenance, but I haven’t done a water change yet—doesn't seem necessary so far.

(Lights on for picture)

What I’ve Been Adding:​

• Bacteria: MicroLift Bacteria & Aqua Forest Bio Fil
• Occasional Feeding: To keep some biological activity going
• Tropic Marin Phos Start: Small daily doses as per instructions
• Had two dead shrimp in the tank for a while that eventually decomposed completely

Observations:​

Not much visible action yet, though I did spot my first patches of brown algae (diatoms) yesterday on a few rocks.

Water Parameters (Hanna Marine Master & Salifert tests):​

• Temperature: 24.3°C (75.7°F)
• Salinity: 1.024
• pH: 8.0
• Alkalinity: 8.0
• Ammonia: < 0.15 ppm
• Nitrite: 200 ppm (max reading on Hanna)
• Nitrate: 8 ppm
• Phosphate: 0.08 ppm

Nitrite levels spiked recently, and I’ve been consistently measuring 200 ppm for the past week. I suspect I might have hit the max value on the Hanna tester. Ammonia levels have been stable, and I haven't seen a significant change on the Salifert test. Could I have missed the ammonia spike, or is it still to come? Curious if anyone else has seen this kind of cycle pattern.

New Live Rock Addition:​

Got a marketing email yesterday from a forum sponsor about fresh live rock from Indonesia. I couldn't resist and ordered some. Amazingly, it was delivered within 12 hours! Super fast service.

Unwrapped it with high hopes for cool hitchhikers, but sadly no brittle stars or surprises—just a nice piece of rock that fit perfectly into my scape. Fingers crossed it brings in some beneficial bacteria.

Next steps? I’ll continue monitoring the parameters and do an ICP test before introducing any fish or snails. Anyone else cycling a new tank right now? Would love to hear your thoughts or tips!

 

[twentyleagues]

Cycling Progress and New Live Rock!

I figured it was time to share a quick update on my tank journey. It’s been about four weeks since I set up my reef tank with just water and rock. I've been testing the water regularly and performing light maintenance, but I haven’t done a water change yet—doesn't seem necessary so far.

(Lights on for picture)

What I’ve Been Adding:​

• Bacteria: MicroLift Bacteria & Aqua Forest Bio Fil
• Occasional Feeding: To keep some biological activity going
• Tropic Marin Phos Start: Small daily doses as per instructions
• Had two dead shrimp in the tank for a while that eventually decomposed completely

Observations:​

Not much visible action yet, though I did spot my first patches of brown algae (diatoms) yesterday on a few rocks.

Water Parameters (Hanna Marine Master & Salifert tests):​

• Temperature: 24.3°C (75.7°F)
• Salinity: 1.024
• pH: 8.0
• Alkalinity: 8.0
• Ammonia: < 0.15 ppm
• Nitrite: 200 ppm (max reading on Hanna)
• Nitrate: 8 ppm
• Phosphate: 0.08 ppm

Nitrite levels spiked recently, and I’ve been consistently measuring 200 ppm for the past week. I suspect I might have hit the max value on the Hanna tester. Ammonia levels have been stable, and I haven't seen a significant change on the Salifert test. Could I have missed the ammonia spike, or is it still to come? Curious if anyone else has seen this kind of cycle pattern.

New Live Rock Addition:​

Got a marketing email yesterday from a forum sponsor about fresh live rock from Indonesia. I couldn't resist and ordered some. Amazingly, it was delivered within 12 hours! Super fast service.

Unwrapped it with high hopes for cool hitchhikers, but sadly no brittle stars or surprises—just a nice piece of rock that fit perfectly into my scape. Fingers crossed it brings in some beneficial bacteria.

Next steps? I’ll continue monitoring the parameters and do an ICP test before introducing any fish or snails. Anyone else cycling a new tank right now? Would love to hear your thoughts or tips!

Its possible you missed the ammonia spike. You may now be in the nitrite phase and a little nitrite shows up as a lot of nitrate on most nitrate tests. Give it some more time and I am sure as the nitrite is converted you will see the nitrate come down to more reasonable levels.

 

[Featherweight]

I dont think you need to go as far as an icp yet. Id be tempted to get a fish and a few snails or crabs in to start pooping.

 

[CalypZooReef]

The Ugly Phase Begins
My aquarium has been running for two months now, so it's still very much in development. However, I’m already noticing some stability in the water parameters—they’re getting closer to the ideal values. Of course, fluctuations will still occur, especially when adding new fish and corals, but for now, I’m happy. I’m not necessarily striving for perfect values, but it’s reassuring to see everything moving in the right direction and the cycle progressing as expected. No reason to panic!

Last week, the infamous "ugly phase" began, and the first patches of algae appeared on the rocks. The live rock I added was the first to develop a layer of algae, and soon after, the rest followed. Within a few days, algae covered both the rocks and the sand, growing rapidly. Shortly after, I noticed a light green haze on the glass, and the water became slightly cloudy. Nothing to worry about, and honestly, I find the process quite interesting. After three days, algae growth stabilized, and no new spots appeared. I’m leaving the back wall as is, but I clean the glass daily with the Flipper — kind of a fun task!

(For the photo, I temporarily set the lighting to 100% white.)

First Fish: Success & a Sad Loss
At the moment, I have three Chromis Viridis swimming in my tank. They’re still small, but I find them lively and beautifully colored. Maybe not that special or everyone’s favorite, but I hope they live a long and healthy life here. I bought them along with a pair of Amphiprion Percula, but unfortunately, those didn’t survive. Within two days, they developed a white film over their heads and backs and lay exhausted on the sand. All signs pointed to Brooklynella. Very unfortunate, but the store offered a refund. For now, I won’t be adding any new fish, and the Chromis are doing well.

(In this photo, you can clearly see that the fish on the right wasn’t healthy — shortly after, the other fish was affected too.)

Adding a UV Filter to the System
The disease was the reason I decided to connect my UV filter. I’m using an Aqua Medic Helix 2.0 36W, but one of the fittings had a small leak. After fixing that and replacing the UV bulb the system is now running smoothly.

The skimmer is also up and running now. I had left it off during the first few weeks, but now that fish are in the tank, it’s skimming well. Every morning, I drain a cup of brown-green sludge using the convenient tap. It’s still relatively light — not yet the dark gunk I was used to in my previous tank. I’ll give it time and let it run without cleaning for now.

ATO Issues Finally Resolved
I also finally got my ATO+ working after a lot of hassle with the settings. The pump kept running continuously, even when the water level was correct, or it would shut off with a "time-out error". I contacted Red Sea, and they recommended buying a new sensor and controller. I took my sensor and controller to a Red Sea retailer, where they tested it in their system. The sensor worked fine, so the issue had to be with the controller. A new controller solved the problem. Now, I can see in the ReefBeat app that the ATO adds about 1.5 liters of water in total over six times a day. Finally, no more manual top-offs—except for refilling the RO reservoir, of course.

Corals: Just Getting Started!
As for corals, I currently only have a few easy species, but I enjoy watching them. This week, I plan to add a few more, which I’m already looking forward to! If anyone knows the exact names of the corals I have, I’d love to hear. They might not be the most spectacular, but it would be nice to know their names. I believe I have three different types of Zoas and one Rhodactis. Can anyone help me identify them?

(By the looks of the white Marco Rocks, the photos were taken before the algae phase.)

 

[Tahoe61]

Great update, the tanks looks to be progressing as expected. Sorry about the clowns. Since they possibly introduced a disease to the system I would wait awhile longer before attempting to get a replacement pair. Perhaps consider another source.

 

[Featherweight]

Wins and losses. Thanks for the update.
I got my 180.5 partway filled. The win.
My red sea 250 sprouted a fat bubble in the seam and will likely fail. Loss.

You aren't alone, haha

 

[CalypZooReef]

Update – New Additions, Corals, and Some Worries About My Salarias

It’s been a little while since my last update, so I figured it was time to share some news. Quite a bit has happened in the tank over the past few weeks!

About a month ago, I added some extra cleanup crew: 6 Histro snails, 2 larger Turbo snails, and a Mithrax crab. At the time, the tank had quite a bit of algae—basically a green paradise for them. Unfortunately, the Turbo snails didn’t get to enjoy it for long… The very next day, I saw my two hermit crabs proudly parading around in shiny new shells. Despite having placed some empty shells in the tank, they clearly couldn’t resist the fresh Turbo shells.

That same evening, I made a quick trip to a nearby hobbyist, who had invited me over to pick up some beginner-friendly corals. Of course, we spent some time admiring his stunning tank, and he shared some great tips as well. I ended up going home with a nice haul:

-Seriatopora Caliendrum (Green)
-Montipora Digitata “Bubble Gum”
-Sarcophyton Ehrenbergi (Brownish Red)
-Lobophytum sp. (Green – also known as Devil’s Hand)
-Gorgonian
-Pavona Cactus

I gave everything a quick dip and slowly acclimated them to the tank. It was a great day with lots of new additions! The Caliendrum seemed to struggle at first—the bottom had gone completely white—but the top still looks beautifully green.

On March 31st, after a weekend getaway, I stopped by a fish store with nice display tanks and great collection of fish and corals. I wasn’t planning on buying anything… but you know how that goes. I saw a beautiful pair of Banggai Cardinals, my wife fell for a Foxface, and we also picked up a cleaner shrimp. So the fish population got a little boost too. What surprised me is how well the Foxface and my Salarias get along. They’re like best buddies—always swimming together, no aggression or dominance at all. Really fun to watch!

That said, I’m starting to get a bit concerned about my Salarias. He only eats algae—completely ignores flakes, nori, frozen food, and pellets. Now that algae is almost gone from the tank, it’s getting harder for him to find enough to eat. I’ve tried feeding Ocean Nutrition green seaweed on a clip, but so far he’s not interested. The Foxface will nibble at it now and then but doesn’t seem to love it either. Could it be the type of nori I’m using?

I also swapped out my protein skimmer in the sump. I had a Red Sea Skimmer 600, but after a slight sump redesign, it didn’t fit quite right anymore. I had a Red Sea 300 lying around that fits better. Performance-wise I don’t see much difference, but it’s probably a bit underpowered for my water volume, so I’m casually looking into other options.

On top of that, I managed to score a second-hand Jecod DCP 3000 return pump. It’s adjustable and has made a huge difference—the water is crystal clear now. I’ll probably take it out eventually since it’s a bit bulky and doesn’t look great in the tank, but for now it’s doing the job well.

Lastly, I filmed a quick video of the tank last night with my phone that I’d love to share with you all!


Looking forward to hearing your thoughts—and any advice for getting my Salarias to eat something other than algae would be very much appreciated!

 

[CalypZooReef]

Always Something to Tinker With!

One of the things I really enjoy about this hobby is that there’s always something to do — cleaning, maintenance, or little upgrades to make the system just a bit better. This time, I worked on the inside of the sump doors.

My wife is pretty sensitive to "little noises," so I installed soundproofing mats on the inside of the doors. I also properly adjusted the doors so they now close almost seamlessly, reducing gaps. I was skeptical about how much difference it would make, so I measured it with a decibel meter. After finishing the project, the noise level dropped by about 5dB — a definite win! I can also hear the difference myself, and it passed my wife's approval.
Overall, the tank room is already pretty quiet — the pumps are very silent. The skimmer is still slightly audible, but I’m considering upgrading to a BBK skimmer and adding an air scrubber at the same time, which should make a big difference.

On the left sump door, I installed a small storage bin system. The bins are mounted on a rail and can be easily removed if needed. They fit perfectly into my layout and are great for storing small tools and supplies that I frequently need around the tank.
Really happy with how it all turned out!

 

[CalypZooReef]

DIY Project: Silent Red Sea ATO+!

Had the day off yesterday thanks to Liberation Day here in the Netherlands—so of course, I used the time to get a little DIY project done on the tank.

The pump on my Red Sea ATO+ had been making quite a racket for a while. I’d gotten used to it screaming a few times a day when the ATO kicked in, but guests at the dinner table (which is right next to the tank) would visibly jump when it started up. For such a small pump, it really makes an insane amount of noise—especially when it’s sitting directly on the sump bottom.

I had noticed before that the noise was significantly reduced when the pump was suspended in the water rather than resting on a surface. Turns out, resonance is the main culprit.

So, I dug up a scrap piece of frag rack, grabbed some old weather stripping, and built a little bridge over the ATO reservoir section in the sump. The bridge rests on two strips of weather stripping to absorb vibration. Then I zip-tied the pump to the bridge so that it hangs freely about 1 cm above the bottom.

And the result? Unreal. I literally can’t hear it anymore.

Combined with the sump door tweaks I posted about earlier, the whole setup is now whisper quiet. I even had to double-check the ReefBeat app a few times to make sure the ATO was still working. If I really focus, I can just barely hear a faint hum.

Simple, cheap, and surprisingly effective—another small win for the tank!