Waterbox 70.2 Build

[Dr. Phil]

Hi Everyone!

A little back story on my reefing journey. I started out about 10 years ago with a 29 gallon with hob filters, no live rock and just a few fish. Shortly after that I purchased a used 45 gallon corner aquarium (with live rock and a few corals) used that needed to be resealed (huge job that I do not intend to repeat haha). After the 45 I had a 90 gallon, and my most recent was a 125 gallon that a friend gave me when she decided to get out of the hobby for a while.

So the 125 started leaking after my last move about a year ago and I never restocked it. Yes, I was that person who had the aquarium running in my living room with nothing but rocks in it!

I recently decided to start stalking local groups in search of a new aquarium and found a Waterbox 70.2 at a price that I could live with. So... I have now trashed the 125 and moved in the Waterbox. ;Woot

My current equipment list is as follows:
Waterbox 70.2, with stock sump (2018 version, I believe), and stand
Nyos Quantum 120 Protein Skimmer
Eco tech Radion XR30 gen 3 Pro
MP40wes
Jebao DCT-12000 -Return Pump
Digital Aquatics Archon Controller
Air, Water, Ice Typhoon III 150gpd RODI

Items that I have on order are:
2x Finnex 300w titanium heater
40lbs CaribSea Liferock

I did not take pics of setting up the Waterbox, however, I now have it up and running with RODI water to make sure it doesn't leak (I'm highly impatient;Nailbiting).

My plan is to get the rock in and start the cycle with salt water next week.

Something I am considering is changing my controller to a different brand since DA is no longer supported. Any input on that is welcome!

I hope that some of you will find my journey through the setup process and the joys of maintaining my small reef worth following. Please feel free to comment with your suggestions and/or questions!

-Chad

 

[Dr. Phil]

The RMS mount arrived today!

However, I received notification from UPS that my rock shipment is delayed. I can't wait for this to start coming together!

 

[Dr. Phil]

I decided to buy a used MP40wqd from @Doostur on the marketplace. I'm hoping that will keep the noise level down I'm kind of enjoying my quiet living room. Haha

I hope my rock will arrive Monday so it can get salty next week!

 

[CasaReefer]

Awesome.. NEW TANK... Can't wait to see what you fill it up with... Looking forward to seeing your rock work. Keep us posted.

 

[Dr. Phil]

Awesome.. NEW TANK... Can't wait to see what you fill it up with... Looking forward to seeing your rock work. Keep us posted.

Thanks! I am definitely excited about this tank! Haha

 

[LadyMac]

Awesome! I have the same tank I adore it and I think you will too.

 

[Dr. Phil]

Awesome! I have the same tank I adore it and I think you will too.

Thanks! I love the design it is so clean! I am reading through your build now it looks awesome and I will definitely be looking for tips!

 

[Dr. Phil]

Yay! The CaribSea life rock arrived over the weekend and was waiting on the porch when I arrived home today.

So... like a responsible adult I decided to work on my dissertation and research and then work on rock scapes this evening. Um. No not really I put all of that off and worked on the rock scape. Lol

Here is my first attempt. What do you all think? I am open to all suggestions. The box behind the rock is approximately as tall as the tank and there should be clearance between the rocks and glass if I end up with this structure.

And please excuse the dog in the pics... She pretty much runs the place at this point. Haha

 

[Dr. Phil]

So... it's been a while since I updated this. Lol Since my last update I have made lots of upgrades to the tank. One of them being the change to an Apex controller from the Reefkeeper that I had used on my last several builds.

Today I managed to get started on a controller board in a cabinet beside the tank. I have mounted all of my Apex modules that run the main tank to the board.

It still needs a little work (mounting my vortech controller) and a little cleanup but I am satisfied with the way it has turned out so far!

Let me know what you think and any suggestions you may have.

-Chad

 

[Dr. Phil]

I totally didn't think to check and make sure my heater was still submerged after my controller overhaul yesterday. Discovered that the temp on my tank was low today. Upon investigating I found that my heater was half out of the water. It melted itself and was popping when I checked it.

Luckily I had an extra on hand but this gave me quite the scare.

 

[Dr. Phil]

Late night spur of the moment project... lol I connected my Apex to Alexa and I can now turn things on and off through voice command.

I decided to do this for convenience sake (laziness). As of right now I can turn my skimmer on and off, and control my radion through voice commands.

I know... geeky stuff. Haha

 

[Dr. Phil]

An update on what the tank looks like right now. I have one clownfish for now. I have another clownfish and a six line wrasse that I am getting from a friend. However, covid has delayed that for a bit. I need to order a cleanup crew soon!

 

[Dr. Phil]

Small diy for today: New cover for the overflow.

The Original overflow cover did not accommodate the RMS mount for my radion. This can sort of be seen in my previous pics. I ordered some black acrylic on Amazon and cut it so that it fits around the mount. It's not perfect but it looks pretty good to me. Haha