flsoccerace
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2019
- Messages
- 132
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- 174
After keeping a 90 gal FOWLR tank for a little over 10 years, I decided that I should downsize and start a new reef tank. If any of you have been in the hobby even for a couple of months, the idea of downsizing almost sounds crazy. Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking.
First, I bought a 20 gal step tank from a local guy on R2R. I've always loved that style and thought it would be perfect for my 9 year old clown and a new. It was the quest for a used AI Prime that got me into the rest of my trouble. (This tank is still sitting in the garage). So, when I was looking for the Prime I found a great deal on Craigslist for a 5 month old Waterbox 28.2 frag tank from a guy who was getting out of the hobby. It came with the stand, pump and light, plus extras that were worth as much for what I paid for the tank!
I really liked this AIO, except for the AIO part. I have only run my main tank with a sump and really wanted a refugium. I wrestled with drilling an overflow and even ordered a Trigger cube sump on Black Friday. I was gathering all of the pieces I needed for this tank, but I was absolutely terrified to drill it and ruin it. At this point (if you're still reading) I'm sure you will all (not) be surprised that I kept hunting for another tank. *I did set up the 28.2 alongside the 80.4. One day I may set up a build thread for that one and I'll link it here if that happens.
I lucked out and found the 80.4 on Facebook marketplace and stalked the listing until it dropped to a price I could afford. To my surprise and excitement, the guy threw in a Vectra L1 and the heaters for free! This build thread will cover the 80.4 as well as the saltwater mixing station that I set up to make maintenance easier.
* This is the pic from the listing
First, I bought a 20 gal step tank from a local guy on R2R. I've always loved that style and thought it would be perfect for my 9 year old clown and a new. It was the quest for a used AI Prime that got me into the rest of my trouble. (This tank is still sitting in the garage). So, when I was looking for the Prime I found a great deal on Craigslist for a 5 month old Waterbox 28.2 frag tank from a guy who was getting out of the hobby. It came with the stand, pump and light, plus extras that were worth as much for what I paid for the tank!
I really liked this AIO, except for the AIO part. I have only run my main tank with a sump and really wanted a refugium. I wrestled with drilling an overflow and even ordered a Trigger cube sump on Black Friday. I was gathering all of the pieces I needed for this tank, but I was absolutely terrified to drill it and ruin it. At this point (if you're still reading) I'm sure you will all (not) be surprised that I kept hunting for another tank. *I did set up the 28.2 alongside the 80.4. One day I may set up a build thread for that one and I'll link it here if that happens.
I lucked out and found the 80.4 on Facebook marketplace and stalked the listing until it dropped to a price I could afford. To my surprise and excitement, the guy threw in a Vectra L1 and the heaters for free! This build thread will cover the 80.4 as well as the saltwater mixing station that I set up to make maintenance easier.
* This is the pic from the listing
