Waterbox 15g AIO Budget Build

[skywelker]

A few months ago I purchased a cheap 10g starter kit from Petsmart in order to serve as a general purpose/frag tank as needed. I didn't care what it looked like since it was going in my garage on top of a mini fridge and the entire thing was $40, tank, lid, light, filter, heater, and thermometer. This worked fine in the spring but now that it is heating up in NC it was not able to maintain a temperature below 80° throughout the day. Since it now needed to come inside I was trying to find a way to make it look presentable. While deciding how to make that happen I came across a for sale post in a local facebook group for a Waterbox 15g AIO for $60 so I jumped on it. It also included a stand, return pump, and 3 filter socks.

 

[skywelker]

The first thing I went about doing was giving the tank and stand a good cleaning. I filled the tank with vinegar and water for a couple days and cleaned everything out as best I could. I gotta say, having never seen a Waterbox aquarium before, I was really impressed with the build quality. My main tank is a standard 75g with no sump, but I've always wished I got a rimless tank instead. I've never owned an AIO or a rimless tank so maybe they are all this nice, but I was not expecting this for $60.

 

[skywelker]

You may have noticed in the first post that the stand had a curved front. When I put the tank on it, the corners would overhang the curve. I'm sure this is how it was run in the past, but it was obvious that this stand was for a different bowfront tank. It may have been fine long term, but I decided to cut a piece of plywood that would go under the tank just to be safe. A quick coat of rustoleum and hopefully it blends right in.

 

[skywelker]

I attached it with some liquid nails. Ahh, that's better!

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

Looking great so far!I'll follow along!

 

[skywelker]

Looking great so far!I'll follow along!

Thanks! I'm going to do my best to stay on a reasonable budget. Should have some more updates this weekend!

 

[Mastiffsrule]

That’s awesome. I really need to join a group. I never see deals like that. I have never run an AIO, but I hear only good things about waterbox. When I first read about the stand issue I thought it will be fine and leave it. After I saw what you did I like that more.

Post once you start building it. Should be sweet.

 

[skywelker]

Next I moved the tank into my house. I decided to place it in my gameroom. Even though I would have preferred to have 3 sides exposed, space is at a premium so I went with 2.

 

[skywelker]

That’s awesome. I really need to join a group. I never see deals like that. I have never run an AIO, but I hear only good things about waterbox. When I first read about the stand issue I thought it will be fine and leave it. After I saw what you did I like that more.

Post once you start building it. Should be sweet.

Ya, the deals are out there just gotta be in the right place at the right time. I'd love to find a deal on a bigger tank to replace my 75. I think location is key, this guy listed for $100, then dropped to $80, then to $60. If I knew how much I would have liked the waterbox I probably would have bought at $100.

 

[skywelker]

Went to the LFS and picked up about 13 pounds of dry rock at $3/lb. Total spent so far $99.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

what that’s next to it? Looks fun too.

 

[skywelker]

what that’s next to it? Looks fun too.

It's a VPcabs Vertigo, and yes it is very fun :) The guy who owns the company was actually on Shark Tank a few years ago.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

You put in donkey Kong and I’m making the trip

 

[skywelker]

One step ahead of you ;)

 

[skywelker]

I put the rock in the tank just to get things cycling, I'm going to worry about an aquascape later and just leave it like this for now. I also installed a heater, thermometer, and cheap Macegrow LED light that I had picked up as a backup last year. Since I already had these items I'm not going to include them in the build cost even though that might be cheating.

 

[skywelker]

Almost forgot to mention, I put a Marinepure bio block and a foam filter from my main tank into the back chamber to start the cycling process, hopefully it doesn't take too long.

 

[skywelker]

Decided to take some PAR reading on the Macegrow light (model Aqua Knight 30 or A029). This is with the light 6" off the water and the rocks starting at about 6" below the surface. I turned the blues all the way up and the whites are at roughly half power. Also, a little tidbit from the manual, Macegrow stands for Most Awesome Commodity Experience. If you take nothing else away from this build thread, now you know that.

 

[First-time Reefer]

This is great. I want to see where this one goes.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Looking good. What are your stocking plans?

 

[skywelker]

This is great. I want to see where this one goes.

Thanks! I just had my ATO, inkbird, and light timer come in so there should be more updates soon!