Dueling Dragons Reef - Waterbox 180.5 + 2x 40g Breeder Build

[SaltwaterScoop]

"Dueling Dragons Reef"
~240 Gallons of Water Volume

Experiment Time - We recently plumbed in 2x 40 gallon breeders to the system to expand the water volume and have a place to house any future inhabitants that don't work out in the main tank like non-reef-safe creatures / plants. I'm leaning towards using them as display refugiums.

Stock List
Main Tank
1x Orange Storm Clownfish
1x Black Storm Clownfish
5x Scribbled Anthias
1x Sailfin Tang
1x Half Black Mimic Tang
2x Blue Star Leopard Wrasse Bonded Pair (Salamanca Twins)
1x Diamond Goby (Hector)

Left 40
1x Papuan Toby Puffer (Flynn)
1x Misbar Black Snowflake Clownfish (8 yrs old)

Right 40
1x Lemonpeel Angelfish
2x Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

Main Tank Equipment List
Aquarium/Stand/Sump - Waterbox 180.5
Protein Skimmer - Reef Octopus Classic 200 INT
Lighting - 3x Radion XR15 G6 Pro & 48" AI Blade Glow
Flow - 2x VorTech MP40mQD (w/ VorTech Battery Back-up)
Return - Vectra M2
Temperature Controller - Inkbird ITC-306A
Heaters - 2x EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater 250W
ATO - Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155
Power - 4x Kasa HS300 Smart Plug Power Strips
Monitor - Hanna pH/Salinity/Temperature Marine Monitor HI981520-01
Lid - TopLids Standard

2x 40 Gallon Breeder Equipment List
Aquarium/Stand/Sump - 2x Aqueon 40 Gallon Breeder
Overflow - 2x ESHOPPS Eclipse Slim Overflow Box (Medium)
Lighting - 2x Radion XR15 G6 Pro
Flow - 2x VorTech MP10mQD
Temperature Controller - Inkbird ITC-306A
Heaters - 2x EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater 125W
Lid - Black Egg Crate
Shares sump with Main Tank

Main Tank Rock
Created my rockwork using the BRS guide with E-Marco-400 and tons of superglue/insta-SET
80 Lbs Dry Reef Saver Aquarium Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks
1x Large Foundation Reef Saver Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks
3x Medium Foundation Reef Saver Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks
1x Small Foundation Reef Saver Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks

Main Tank Sand
80 lbs of CaribSea Dry Aragonite Special Grade Dry Sand

I plan to use this thread to track the progress of the tank. Happy Reefing!

Navigation Links

• Progress Timeline (December 7, 2021 - September 5, 2022)
• First Frags + Updated Return Plumbing (October 4, 2022)
• First Fish! Blackstorms & Scribbled Anthias (January 9, 2023)
• Sailfin Tang and 3rd Anthias addition (January 21, 2023)
• Auto Feeder Added to Sump (January 30, 2023)
• Demon Clown Exchange (February 23, 2023)
• Plumbed in 2x 40 Gallon Breeders (March 25, 2023)
• Lemon Wrasse & Mimic Chocolate Tang Addition (April 3, 2023)
• Melanurus Wrasse (July 13, 2023)

 

[Kolbyk]

Good lookin tank setup!

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

"The Upside Down"

I actually started piecing this tank together a year ago, and I've encountered several issues on the way! I initially dry-setup the tank in my living room but due to uneven tiling, I could not get the stand/tank properly level. I also noticed some intense glare from our TV on the tank so I did what anyone else would do and converted our dining room into an aquarium room

Stock List
1x Misbar Clownfish (6 years old)
might be overstocked...

Rock
Created my rockwork using the BRS guide with E-Marco-400 and tons of superglue/insta-SET
80 Lbs Dry Reef Saver Aquarium Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks
1x Large Foundation Reef Saver Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks
3x Medium Foundation Reef Saver Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks
1x Small Foundation Reef Saver Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks

Sand
80 lbs of CaribSea Dry Aragonite Special Grade Dry Sand

Equipment List
Aquarium/Stand/Sump - Waterbox 180.5
Lighting - 3x Radion XR15 G6 Pro
Flow - 2x VorTech MP40mQD (w/ VorTech Battery Back-up)
Return - Vectra M2
Temperature Controller - Inkbird ITC-306A
Heaters - 2x EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater 250W
ATO - Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155

I want to use this build thread to track the progress of the tank. I'll post a progress timeline soon detailing everything that happened prior to this thread.

What's upside-down?

 

[SaltwaterScoop]

Progress Timeline

December 7, 2021 - Received the tank from Waterbox. The delivery guy was super helpful!

December 13, 2021 - The leveling saga begins...I was unable to get the tank level in my initial location due to my uneven tile and the slightly too short leveling feet.

December 16, 2021 - I was able to get the stand leveled "enough" and put the tank on but immediately started regretting the tank location due to the cramped area and TV glare.

May 20, 2022 - Installed new floor in the dining room (now fish room), updated our house's circuit breakers to all have AFCI and GFCI protection, and moved the tank to its final location. Now the leveling saga continues...

I was discouraged to find out that this room was also pretty unlevel, and I was unable to get the tank properly leveled with the provided leveling feet. User @tenurepro suggested these leveling feet from Amazon and they did the trick! Thanks again!

June 5, 2022 - The tank is level and ready for leak testing! The supervisors are pictured below.

June 12, 2022 - I started working on the rockwork. I created a PVC shell of the tank size (slightly smaller).

June 20, 2022 - Continued work on the aquascape...I ended up liking the look of this but realized it wouldn't offer enough hiding places for fish/inverts.

June 22, 2022 - Here's the start of the new aquascape. So much dust...

June 25, 2022 - I finalized the aquascape after many bottles of BRS super glue, insta-set, and 2 buckets of E-Marco-400.

June 26, 2022 - Transferred the rock into the tank...It was extremely heavy. I ended up putting each rock on a piece of wood to carry it into the house and into the tank. This is where the foundation pieces came in handy.

June 28, 2022 - Installed the XR15 G6 Pros!

July 1, 2022 - Added side tables to hide equipment and easily access controllers. I also added sand, finished plumbing, and started leak testing!

July 12, 2022 - She passed the leak test and got salty!

July 15, 2022 - Let the cycle begin!

August 1 - Added the Reef Octopus Classic 200 INT

August 7 - Added some plants around the tank

September 5 - Added the first tank inhabitant (my 6 year old clownfish from another system). He may or may not stay. He's slightly aggressive and has always been kept alone. We also got a table for viewing

 

[SaltwaterScoop]

What's upside-down?

I just added a description of why we named it to the main post.

We were watching the latest season of Stranger Things when we picked a name for it. We pictured a group of cleaner shrimp hanging from the middle overhangs (the rockwork also fit the upside down vibe).

 

[Hungrypede]

Beautiful aquascape!

 

[SaltwaterScoop]

Good lookin tank setup!

Beautiful aquascape!

Thank you! It has been an interesting journey getting it ready for livestock

 

[NotReefsafe]

Wow that setup looks stunning!

 

[kiet_kat]

Any updates? Love the rockwork

 

[Dreamscapesaquatics]

Stunning. Well done. Love the rock work.

 

[SaltwaterScoop]

Any updates? Love the rockwork

Yeah! I picked up a few frags recently and updated my return pump plumbing. I am trying a mix of softies, LPS, and SPS to test out the water params.

Here are some updated pics:

FTS

Toadstool

Ricordea

Hammer

Grumpy Clownfish

I worked with Bulk Reef Supply to figure out what plumbing I need to get from the Waterbox's metric braided vinyl tubing to the Vectra M2's standard plumbing. I initially had the tank plumbed using Ecotech's barb kit but the barb was slightly too small and did not fit well. I had to use multiple clamps and zipties to keep it on. The first iteration of plumbing I ordered was a conversion to a 25mm barb but it turns out that the Waterbox 180.5 uses 32mm vinyl tubing even though 25mm is listed in the specs.

After finding the appropriate 32mm barb from Coralvue, I was able to plumb a 1" PVC from the Vectra to a DN32 (32mm to 1") Metric to Standard Coupler then to the 32mm barb. I had to heat the vinyl tubing in some hot water to slide it on the barb.

Here's what I ended up with:

 

[noelskii]

I saw a pic of your setup somewhere a few months ago, took a screenshot of it because I really liked the aquascape. I've been looking for the source of the pic ever since and now I found it! I just got a 180.5 myself and I wanted to ask you what rocks you used (had a feeling i knew which they were, but still wanted to track you down to ask).

Now I know for sure! LOL! Good luck with it!

 

[SaltwaterScoop]

I saw a pic of your setup somewhere a few months ago, took a screenshot of it because I really liked the aquascape. I've been looking for the source of the pic ever since and now I found it! I just got a 180.5 myself and I wanted to ask you what rocks you used (had a feeling i knew which they were, but still wanted to track you down to ask).

Now I know for sure! LOL! Good luck with it!

EcoTech Marine featured the tank...maybe that was it!





I have a full equipment list in the first post if you're curious about anything.

Here is the rock breakdown:
Created my rockwork using the BRS guide with E-Marco-400 and tons of superglue/insta-SET
80 Lbs Dry Reef Saver Aquarium Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks
1x Large Foundation Reef Saver Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks
3x Medium Foundation Reef Saver Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks
1x Small Foundation Reef Saver Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks

 

[noelskii]

I don't follow them haha. Any updates?

 

[WallyTime7]

Progress Timeline

December 7, 2021 - Received the tank from Waterbox. The delivery guy was super helpful!

December 13, 2021 - The leveling saga begins...I was unable to get the tank level in my initial location due to my uneven tile and the slightly too short leveling feet.

December 16, 2021 - I was able to get the stand leveled "enough" and put the tank on but immediately started regretting the tank location due to the cramped area and TV glare.

May 20, 2022 - Installed new floor in the dining room (now fish room), updated our house's circuit breakers to all have AFCI and GFCI protection, and moved the tank to its final location. Now the leveling saga continues...

I was discouraged to find out that this room was also pretty unlevel, and I was unable to get the tank properly leveled with the provided leveling feet. User @tenurepro suggested these leveling feet from Amazon and they did the trick! Thanks again!

June 5, 2022 - The tank is level and ready for leak testing! The supervisors are pictured below.

June 12, 2022 - I started working on the rockwork. I created a PVC shell of the tank size (slightly smaller).

June 20, 2022 - Continued work on the aquascape...I ended up liking the look of this but realized it wouldn't offer enough hiding places for fish/inverts.

June 22, 2022 - Here's the start of the new aquascape. So much dust...

June 25, 2022 - I finalized the aquascape after many bottles of BRS super glue, insta-set, and 2 buckets of E-Marco-400.

June 26, 2022 - Transferred the rock into the tank...It was extremely heavy. I ended up putting each rock on a piece of wood to carry it into the house and into the tank. This is where the foundation pieces came in handy.

June 28, 2022 - Installed the XR15 G6 Pros!

July 1, 2022 - Added side tables to hide equipment and easily access controllers. I also added sand, finished plumbing, and started leak testing!

July 12, 2022 - She passed the leak test and got salty!

July 15, 2022 - Let the cycle begin!

August 1 - Added the Reef Octopus Classic 200 INT

August 7 - Added some plants around the tank

September 5 - Added the first tank inhabitant (my 6 year old clownfish from another system). He may or may not stay. He's slightly aggressive and has always been kept alone. We also got a table for viewing

Great job! QQ - when you say leak testing, what specific tests did you do?

 

[SaltwaterScoop]

I don't follow them haha. Any updates?

Letting the tank dirty up some so I can add a CUC lol

Great job! QQ - when you say leak testing, what specific tests did you do?

1. I filled it with water to test the main silicone seams (check for bubbles etc)
2. Then made sure the overflow box wasn't leaking
3. Then made sure plumbing wasn't leaking

 

[kbnh]

@SaltwaterScoop how do you like the 180.5 so far?

 

[SaltwaterScoop]

@SaltwaterScoop how do you like the 180.5 so far?

Once I conquered all of the leveling issues and fixed the return plumbing, I'm really liking it! I love the dimensions.

 

[kbnh]

Once I conquered all of the leveling issues and fixed the return plumbing, I'm really liking it! I love the dimensions.

What was the issue if you don’t mind sharing? Seems like the dimensions I’d want to go with on my next tank

 

[WallyTime7]

Letting the tank dirty up some so I can add a CUC lol


1. I filled it with water to test the main silicone seams (check for bubbles etc)
2. Then made sure the overflow box wasn't leaking
3. Then made sure plumbing wasn't leaking

Just test it with freshwater before the sand then drain?