Waterbox 65.4 AIO Peninsula Build

josh515025

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
149
Reaction score
66
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Welcome to my build guys, so I've been in the hobby almost 18 months. Started with a nano and quickly swapped it out with a standard 75G that I drilled myself for a sump. That's been running for a year with great results, battling some persistent turf algae with vibrant but other than that corals and fish doing great. So this won't really be a new "build" as much as a insta reef, I'll be transferring all my fish and corals from my 75 and my 20 gallon over to this tank.

Unlike most people, I'm actually going back from using a sump to AIO. Why? On my 75 I tried ALL the gear in the sump, UV/algae reactor/media/etc. Ultimately I noticed the only thing that I really needed was to change the filter sock out once a week and run a skimmer. So really I only had the sump for the skimmer. Yes, extra water volume provides more stability but to be honest I was only adding 5-7 extra gallons of water with the sump.

I wanted something similar in size but that looked a lot sharper, so that I could keep maintenance low and be happy with it for a few years. So I decided on this AIO system, which will be perfect for my style. I didn't enjoy running so much equipment when I was in my "trying everything out" phase. So all I will run is two 3D printed cups in the sock chamber with some filter floss and carbon in them. In the middle chamber I will run a Tunze 9004 DC skimmer. A IM mighty jet DC return pump in chamber 3 and call it a day. I'd say I have a medium bio load so I'll change the floss as needed. Skimmer should be able to handle the rest of the nutrients, then I have the option of water changes which won't be too much due to the small water volume.

I really love the footprint, it's 47x20x18, (42x20x18 display). I won't be able to set it up as peninsula unfortunately due to my current living room setup but I will be buying a house next year so I will definitely look to use the three viewing sides when I do move. Am I making a mistake not getting the sump version of this tank? I am saving about 500$ and didn't really get much use of my sump in my 75. Follow the build to see! Anyways tank will be here next week. Some pics of the stuff I got for it. Will be using my x2 AI Hydra 26HDs with 4ft RMS system. x2 AI Nero 3's. Livestock will be Clownfish pair, neon goby, lawnmower blenny, starcki damselfish, tomini tang, coral beauty, black cap basslet, flame hawkfish and PJ Cardinalfish. Have about 20 corals mostly euphylia and softies. Will be a total mixed reef with sections for each class of coral. The biggest challenge will be aquascape because all rock is live with encrusted/glued corals so I will have to just stack the rocks and make interesting shapes that work. Ok ill update next week!

Screen Shot 2021-06-04 at 8.39.46 PM.png Screen Shot 2021-06-04 at 8.39.56 PM.png Screen Shot 2021-06-04 at 8.40.17 PM.png Screen Shot 2021-06-04 at 8.40.44 PM.png Screen Shot 2021-06-04 at 8.41.28 PM.png Screen Shot 2021-06-04 at 8.41.50 PM.png
 
OP
OP
josh515025

josh515025

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
149
Reaction score
66
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Tank delivered today will spend a day switching the 75 over to this. Let’s go!
 

Attachments

  • 69E16C1B-0BA6-4A6B-9EAF-14F655D6D41A.jpeg
    69E16C1B-0BA6-4A6B-9EAF-14F655D6D41A.jpeg
    139.1 KB · Views: 443
  • 13615238-37F6-4475-B718-24D81D367D92.jpeg
    13615238-37F6-4475-B718-24D81D367D92.jpeg
    156.7 KB · Views: 620
OP
OP
josh515025

josh515025

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
149
Reaction score
66
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Alright so here’s the tank after the install! It’s definitely a stressful process breaking down a tank and putting a new one in the same spot. No casualties and all corals look ok and open. My coral beauty looks scratched up and has a slightly cloudy eye but I’ve noticed that happens to him when stressed out, hopefully nothing serious.

I took advantage of the situation to introduce two fish I had in my nano, a flame hawk fish and a starcki damsel. I had previously tried to add the hawkish to the 75 but the clowns and tomini chased it to near death. Now they’re to worried about the new rock space and don’t pay attention to the new guys. Also added all my softies I had in the nano to this tank, will be breaking down the nano and focusing on only this tank.

Will have mostly softies and Euphylia for most of the Reef and very few SPS on that back rock. My plan is to eventually upgrade the 26hds to 32hds. I got the 26’s used and you can tell they don’t have the same color by the picture, it really annoys me. For now they’re fine though. As for flow, I was pleasantly surprised at the IM mightjet pump. Provides massive flow and has a amazing sine mode that makes it seem like I have a tunze wavebox in the tank! I have it set at lowest setting and I think with a RFG nozzle and the pump cranked up I could have enough flow for the whole 4ft! But I am using my 2 Nero 3s also to provide more random flow.

As far as filtration im using the stock filter socks for now along with bioballs and carbon provided by WB in the first chamber. Second chamber I’m running the 9004dc which I’ll have to tune. Mighty jet, heater and inkbird sensors in chamber 3. I still have to install my Osmolator ATO and my dosing pump. Ordered a dosing tube holder and extra RO tubing for the added length.

A benefit of no Sump is the huge amount of space under the cabinet now! Will do cable management next week but I have tons of room to work and make everything pretty. Last but not least added a Current USA led strip in the back, not everyone’s cup of tea but IMO it looks awesome with the white wall behind it.

Will focus on selling all the extra equipment I have and not buying anything else for a while lol. I have enough for corals for the time being will focus on beating turf algae and growing what I have currently.
 

Attachments

  • 8D9B5918-1404-43AD-8A68-0972E294E7A3.jpeg
    8D9B5918-1404-43AD-8A68-0972E294E7A3.jpeg
    137.2 KB · Views: 612
  • 1C7A72AC-EEDF-413D-963C-D76AAC98BBDE.jpeg
    1C7A72AC-EEDF-413D-963C-D76AAC98BBDE.jpeg
    208.1 KB · Views: 539
  • 198B3069-53FD-4C0B-A4B1-419F4F034546.jpeg
    198B3069-53FD-4C0B-A4B1-419F4F034546.jpeg
    212.2 KB · Views: 413
  • EA3C9CA4-423C-4A6E-BC25-28C974C1750A.jpeg
    EA3C9CA4-423C-4A6E-BC25-28C974C1750A.jpeg
    206.9 KB · Views: 392
  • D94FBB1E-ACEA-44D4-91CD-933156C17464.jpeg
    D94FBB1E-ACEA-44D4-91CD-933156C17464.jpeg
    215.7 KB · Views: 377
  • 776C87F5-A195-4BAA-9815-9ACC585A8868.jpeg
    776C87F5-A195-4BAA-9815-9ACC585A8868.jpeg
    233.9 KB · Views: 399
  • 3C50AFB4-C5CC-4361-8957-DF732004284F.jpeg
    3C50AFB4-C5CC-4361-8957-DF732004284F.jpeg
    139.6 KB · Views: 429
  • 90C35E4E-E37C-4135-B0CB-98F0EFAD34AA.jpeg
    90C35E4E-E37C-4135-B0CB-98F0EFAD34AA.jpeg
    145.9 KB · Views: 433
  • 6CA6A6AE-3146-458D-B1B5-8F2FD249626C.jpeg
    6CA6A6AE-3146-458D-B1B5-8F2FD249626C.jpeg
    169.2 KB · Views: 381

saltyhog

blowing bubbles somewhere
View Badges
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
9,392
Reaction score
25,022
Location
Conway, Arkansas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Looks good! Love your torches! Any problem reaching the rear chamber next to the wall setting it up against the wall? I've always wanted a peninsula, my IM 25 Lagoon is as close as I'll probably get.
 
OP
OP
josh515025

josh515025

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
149
Reaction score
66
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Looks good! Love your torches! Any problem reaching the rear chamber next to the wall setting it up against the wall? I've always wanted a peninsula, my IM 25 Lagoon is as close as I'll probably get.

thanks! Almost had a heart attack because I broke off my Hellfire torch that was glued on to the rock. Luckily it was a clean break right below the skeleton.

No the chambers are spacious almost 5 inches so you can put your whole hand in! Easy access, only although since the stand is tall 3ft and I’m only 5’9 I’m ordering a small step stool for when I clean sand bed and all that. Good thing about hydra lights is they’re really high off the water too.

only problem will be cleaning that back glass. I left a gap off the wall so I can use a window cleaner for the outside but I will have to put my hand in the tank for removing algae.
 

saltyhog

blowing bubbles somewhere
View Badges
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
9,392
Reaction score
25,022
Location
Conway, Arkansas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
thanks! Almost had a heart attack because I broke off my Hellfire torch that was glued on to the rock. Luckily it was a clean break right below the skeleton.

No the chambers are spacious almost 5 inches so you can put your whole hand in! Easy access, only although since the stand is tall 3ft and I’m only 5’9 I’m ordering a small step stool for when I clean sand bed and all that. Good thing about hydra lights is they’re really high off the water too.

only problem will be cleaning that back glass. I left a gap off the wall so I can use a window cleaner for the outside but I will have to put my hand in the tank for removing algae.

Not enough room for a magnetic cleaner and your hand?
 

GoVols

Cobb / Webb - 1989
View Badges
Joined
Nov 29, 2016
Messages
13,078
Reaction score
37,560
Location
In-The-Boro, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Good thing about hydra lights is they’re really high off the water too.

Your light bar up that high sure makes for a perfect light spread.

Congrats on your new peninsula.
 
OP
OP
josh515025

josh515025

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
149
Reaction score
66
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Your light bar up that high sure makes for a perfect light spread.

Congrats on your new peninsula.
Thanks I just followed Randy’s BRS recommended mounting height! I would be happy with the lighting if it wasn’t for one having weaker blues than the other one.
 
OP
OP
josh515025

josh515025

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
149
Reaction score
66
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
BTW I simply reused all the sand from my 75. I found a article/post from someone with a awesome method to clean your sand, though I forgot where I read it.

basically you empty your tank to a few inches. Then agitate/mix the sand very heavily to release all detritus. Move sand over to one side of tank making a large hill. Drain all the muddy water. Dump a few gallons back in the tank. Repeat process a few times until sand is less muddy.
 

GoVols

Cobb / Webb - 1989
View Badges
Joined
Nov 29, 2016
Messages
13,078
Reaction score
37,560
Location
In-The-Boro, TN
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
BTW I simply reused all the sand from my 75. I found a article/post from someone with a awesome method to clean your sand, though I forgot where I read it.

basically you empty your tank to a few inches. Then agitate/mix the sand very heavily to release all detritus. Move sand over to one side of tank making a large hill. Drain all the muddy water. Dump a few gallons back in the tank. Repeat process a few times until sand is less muddy.

Good call, good bacteria from day one.

Have always used the Phyton "No-Spill" to keep sandbeds clean during a water change.

Screen Shot 2021-06-13 at 1.35.44 PM.png


Been bare bottom for a long time, so found a 5/8" wide/long tube on Amazon, attached the hard tube inside the hose. Sucks detritus right down the drain.

If you don't mind:
What are you using for your auto water top-off system?
 

saltyhog

blowing bubbles somewhere
View Badges
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
9,392
Reaction score
25,022
Location
Conway, Arkansas
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My arms fit but I can’t reach 4ft of glass. I might have to just get a Tunze care magnet and do the back without magnet.


I have one of these guys and it works very well. Won't have to put your hand in the tank.

 

Fudsey

Jack of all trades, Master of none ;-)
View Badges
Joined
May 7, 2016
Messages
10,036
Reaction score
48,988
Location
So. New Hampshire
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I bought one of these, uses straight razor blades like old shaver. Can pinch utility knife blades on it too just not through the holes. Works better than any scraper I've ever had.
Amazon Link

71ELchhG+8L._AC_SL1500_.jpg
 
OP
OP
josh515025

josh515025

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 12, 2020
Messages
149
Reaction score
66
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Good call, good bacteria from day one.

Have always used the Phyton "No-Spill" to keep sandbeds clean during a water change.

Screen Shot 2021-06-13 at 1.35.44 PM.png


Been bare bottom for a long time, so found a 5/8" wide/long tube on Amazon, attached the hard tube inside the hose. Sucks detritus right down the drain.

If you don't mind:
What are you using for your auto water top-off system?
I will probably just reuse my Tunze Osmolator nano. Works fine so don’t need need to replace. Have to order more RO tubing however to reach the added height.
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 73 51.8%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 72 51.1%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 36 25.5%
  • None.

    Votes: 31 22.0%
  • Other.

    Votes: 9 6.4%

New Posts

Back
Top