Waterbox Cube 20 (Build Thread)

[Coral-Zone]

Hi everyone,

Started a new Waterbox 20 AIO build. Figured I would document it on a thread. I’ve been in the hobby for about 8 years now but recently downsized to this 20 gallon after a move 2 years ago crashed my tank.

Purchased tank locally at a LFS with Waterbox Stand.



Went with Marco rock and wanted something to build a scape with an upward design. I’m not the best artist but this what I chose.




Rock got wet April 5, 2025

 

[Savage Henry]

Your pictures aren’t showing.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

No pictures on my end either. However, congrats on the new tank!

 

[Coral-Zone]

Sorry I posted with the new app and think the pictures didn’t download correctly. Anyways, here’s pictures of the initial set up. I’ll post a follow up where I am today. Trying my luck at a nano this time around.

 

[Coral-Zone]

I cycled the tank with Dr Tim’s and cycle was complete within about 3 weeks. I chose to not put my light on until after the cycle was done.


After the cycle was complete I did a 5 gallon WC.

 

[Coral-Zone]

I picked up a Frostbite Clown & a Banggai Cardinal to add to my bioload.

Right now I’m running one AI Prime that I had from a previous tank. The lighting appears adequate for now. As far as the back chamber of the AIO goes I am trying to keep it simple.

AI Prime
75w- heater
Filter Sock
Sponge filter in middle chamber (for now)
Seachem Pond Matrix
Stock return pump
Tunze ATO
Ecotech MP10 set at 23 percent on Reef Crest


I also added Reef Nutrition Apex Pods

 

[Coral-Zone]

I’ve stayed consistent with weekly water changes and am running pretty much only blue lights. I’ve noticed the “ugly stage” so far has been limited. I’ve been pretty consistent on keeping the tank clean. I’m using Hanna checkers on phosphate, calcium, and Alk at this point. I had about a one week diotom bloom that was very limited compared to what I have experienced in the past.

a torch is probably not the most ideal test coral, but I picked up a pink tipped cotton candy torch as the first coral in the system.

 

[Coral-Zone]

I followed up with a few more corals a few weeks later. NY Knick Torch, 5th Element Blasto, WWC Mai Tai Goni. I also added one more clown, a Wyoming White. I’ll try to get a better picture of him later on

This is my current status as of today. Right now I’m just checking perimeters and keeping things balanced for a few more weeks waiting to see if any algae bloom is going to pop up.

I’m keeping nitrates at around 5 ppm and phosphates are staying steady at about .06

I was strongly worried about having too clean of water with a 5 gallon water change every week and dealing with dynos but I have not seen any negative effects yet. But this is it for right now. That gets me caught up for the last two months. I’ll keep posting as I build upon this!

Dosing manually about 2.5 mg of Brightwell Solutions NanoCode B daily. Everything is running smoothly so far. Knock on wood! Tell me what you guys think and any suggestions you have.

Thanks!

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

They really pop!

Looking good so far.

 

[Coral-Zone]

They really pop!

Looking good so far.

Thank you! I’m happy with it so far. Hopefully I can keep everything happy and keep adding to it

 

[Coral-Zone]

I went with an Innovative Marine’s RODI Container. It fits great in the WB20 stand. Just wanted to have a cleaner look in the stand. The drawer opening at the top does make adding fresh water a lot easier but it’s definitely not a necessity.

 

[Coral-Zone]

Best pics of the current fish in the tank:

Wyoming White Clown
Frostbite Clown
Banggai Cardinal

 

[Coral-Zone]

Current corals are happy and thriving. Just playing the waiting game for the next couple of weeks to make sure perimeters stay consistent. Water changes and dosing alk is all I’ve been doing. Right now that’s all I seem to need. I think the larger water changes are plenty to keep trace elements on par and it’s not too large of a water change that drops my phosphate and nitrate to 0.

 

[bgreen96]

Looking great!

 

[Coral-Zone]

Looking great!

Thank you! Work in progress for sure!

 

[CoastieCorals]

Cool tank! Following.

 

[TheNative192]

Following along!

 

[Coral-Zone]

Thank you ! Should be picking up some more corals this weekend. Need to give the tank a little more color.

 

[Coral-Zone]

Added 3 more corals today.

WWC Jaw Breaker grafted Montipora
Kryptonite Candy Cane
Frosted Ricordea

I’m hoping everything adjusts great. These were picked up today, dipped, and placed in the tank. Not sure if this will be the final resting place for each one, waiting to see how they do after a couple of days.

 

[Coral-Zone]

I also received this new lid today in the mail. I ordered it from KrackenReef.com

Honestly if you’re looking for a quick lid to keep your fish from jumping out, going with a DIY style is your best bet.

However, I would consider this lid ascetically pleasing and main very well. It comes with a cut out for feeding without requiring you to remove the lid. I’m very happy with this lid and would highly recommend KrackenReef to anyone. They are built to order and take a few weeks to come in but the quality is so nice and there’s no small spaces left for a fish to sneak out of. They are veteran owned and offer discounts to veterans who verify their veteran status. Great Product!