Waterbox 100.3 Zeo build

[ReefDuke]

Hi all I’m new to the forum however I’ve been in the hobby for several years and recently decided to dive back in. I purchased a waterbox 100.3 with hopes to make this a SPS dominate zeo tank. I wanted to go bigger however once I received the tank I’m glad I didn’t as the 100.3 seems to fit perfectly in my apartment. I’ve had the tank for about 2 weeks now so I’ll stop all the chit chat and get every one caught up with the progress. Feel free to ask questions and all feedback is appreciated

Tank built and put on the stand, had to have my buddy come by, this thing was heavy!!

Sump put in and checking out where I’m gonna install some of the gear.

Ordered some led lights off Amazon and mounted the apex

Swapped out the 6 outlet surge protector, for a 13 outlet protector and mounted the mp40’s. Nyos skimmer creeping in the background =)

6 fan propeller breeze installed at the top of the stand, hoping this will help bring the temp downs in the summer as I won’t be running a chiller.

Decided to not go with the stock sump and got a trigger 29 platinum and 5 gallon ATO. FYI the sump and skimmer were really easy to assemble. I’m going with the zeovit system so although the sump and ato fit perfectly in the stand i need to find room behind the sump for my avast vibe which should be coming in soon. I also learned that the plumbing is all metric so I have to convert all the plumbing from metric to us =\

overall shot of the tank with the dual XR15 gen 5’s and quad mp40’s, decided with only putting the power heads against the back wall this time as I’m chasing that “Minimalistic look”. The mp40’s have the wide flow cages on them from neat aquatics. They fit perfectly on the wet side, thumbs up to an awesome 3D printed product! Did I mention this will be a bare bottom tank!?

 

[Macbalacano]

Looks very nice! 4 MP40s is going to be a beast! haha Looking forward to it!

 

[ReefDuke]

Looks very nice! 4 MP40s is going to be a beast! haha Looking forward to it!

This is definitely overkill, I wanted to do two MP40’s on the top half and two MP10’s for the bottom but the MP10’s won’t fit the 1/2” glass. But this also means I can run them at a lower speed and keep the vibration/noise down to a minimum.

 

[Macbalacano]

This is definitely overkill, I wanted to do two MP40’s on the top half and two MP10’s for the bottom but the MP10’s won’t fit the 1/2” glass. But this also means I can run them at a lower speed and keep the vibration/noise down to a minimum.

I have just 1 MP40 in my 34g display and run it at 1% so you'll be ok!

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Looking fantastic so far. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ReefDuke]

Removed the old pvc coupler from the metric bulk head to covert the plumbing to standard however I don’t like the way they look after applying the heat gun to the fitting. At this point I’ll be surprised if they don’t leak. I need to find a alternative just in case

 

[ReefDuke]

Close up view of inside the trigger sump, can’t wait to get water in the tank.

 

[ReefDuke]

Found these noise dampening pads on Amazon so the avast vibe can sit on. The avast vibe fits perfectly, I’m using every inch of this stand lol. I also finished the plumbing.

 

[DothanReefer]

Wow! This looks amazing!! Im really impressed with your patience on this build. I started my first ever tank last year, a WaterBox Reef 100.3 also. Needless to say, i wasnt very patient. My wires and sump area are a mess!! One day, i'll prob hit you up about how you converted the plumbing and changed the sump...

I will add that i run 2x MP40s and they are plenty - couldnt imagine having FOUR. LOL. My 2 have never been above 50% power - and that is like a hot tub...LOL

Looks awesome, definitely following!!! Got water in yet?

 

[ReefDuke]

Wow! This looks amazing!! Im really impressed with your patience on this build. I started my first ever tank last year, a WaterBox Reef 100.3 also. Needless to say, i wasnt very patient. My wires and sump area are a mess!! One day, i'll prob hit you up about how you converted the plumbing and changed the sump...

I will add that i run 2x MP40s and they are plenty - couldnt imagine having FOUR. LOL. My 2 have never been above 50% power - and that is like a hot tub...LOL

Looks awesome, definitely following!!! Got water in yet

Thanks this is my second personal reef tank I’ve had so I learned how wire management helps long term. I say personal because I owned an aquarium maintenance service in the past. So most of my saltwater experience came from customer tanks. I do have water in it but I’m currently dealing with the expected bacteria bloom. I’m day 7 in the 14 day zeovit cycle and other than the bacteria bloom all is well.

 

[PSU_Reefer]

Thanks this is my second personal reef tank I’ve had so I learned how wire management helps long term. I say personal because I owned an aquarium maintenance service in the past. So most of my saltwater experience came from customer tanks. I do have water in it but I’m currently dealing with the expected bacteria bloom. I’m day 7 in the 14 day zeovit cycle and other than the bacteria bloom all is well.

Super well organized! looking good. Do you have any concern with the Apex and power strip down there? I imagine day to day won't be a huge deal but that moisture might pose a problem long term.

I'm looking at getting the 100.3 and (as i'm sure you've also seen) the biggest complaint is a lack of a separate controller space and the tightness of the cabinet with the sump.

 

[Robertellis30]

Does the fan placed underneath affect the skimmer at all?

 

[ReefDuke]

Super well organized! looking good. Do you have any concern with the Apex and power strip down there? I imagine day to day won't be a huge deal but that moisture might pose a problem long term.

I'm looking at getting the 100.3 and (as i'm sure you've also seen) the biggest complaint is a lack of a separate controller space and the tightness of the cabinet with the sump.w

 

[ReefDuke]

No not too concerned with the moisture the back of the tank stand has a large opening so it vents. pretty well.

 

[ReefDuke]

Does the fan placed underneath affect the skimmer at all?

No I actually have a airline ran from my skimmer outside my house. Was having issues with really low PH and this solved it over night

 

[maceto]

Looks very nice!!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Melodydavis]

Super well organized! looking good. Do you have any concern with the Apex and power strip down there? I imagine day to day won't be a huge deal but that moisture might pose a problem long term.

I'm looking at getting the 100.3 and (as i'm sure you've also seen) the biggest complaint is a lack of a separate controller space and the tightness of the cabinet with the sump.

I just purchased, and assembled my 100.3 stand. I agree there is no room to keep power strips in a dry area. I decided to add an Adaptive Reef board to the side of my aquarium. I know, I know, all the beauty of the Waterbox stand is now not balanced, but this was the solution I decided would best protect my new equipment investment.

 

[bluerider098]

I just purchased, and assembled my 100.3 stand. I agree there is no room to keep power strips in a dry area. I decided to add an Adaptive Reef board to the side of my aquarium. I know, I know, all the beauty of the Waterbox stand is now not balanced, but this was the solution I decided would best protect my new equipment investment.

Curious to see how this looks. Can you post some pictures?

 

[Melodydavis]

Hello Bluerider098: I have the adaptive reef controller board on the left of the tank. I have some blue painters tape holding my Apex units up until I figure out what all else needs to be attached and plugged in. Once all equipment is added, I will permanently screw the board face to the board back.

 

[bluerider098]

Hello Bluerider098: I have the adaptive reef controller board on the left of the tank. I have some blue painters tape holding my Apex units up until I figure out what all else needs to be attached and plugged in. Once all equipment is added, I will permanently screw the board face to the board back.

Looks good. I will be interested to see it when it's finished.