Waterbox Frag 145 build

[Kial]

Hey guys

Kial here from Australia. Been out of the hobby for a few years now but have decided I wanted to have a tank again. This time around I really want to take my time to create the best possible tank I can. Would also love to use this thread to get some great advice, and hopefully be able to give some out as well along the journey.

I've just got my hands on a 2nd hand Waterbox frag 145 in pretty much new condition. Couple or marks here and there but good to go. My last tank was rather deep and I hated having to get up on a chair and armpit deep in saltwater on maintenance days so have gone for a shallow reef this time!

*Planned Equipment list
•Great White Skimmer

•Ecotech vectra M1 return pump. However i may get a cheaper one just to get things going.

•Ai Hydras LED, will start with 2x 32HDS and look to add a 3rd as I go.

• Ai nero 3's or 5's. Being a 5ft tank I would imagine the 3s would only be OK to use as extra on the back glass. (If anyone has any experience with the Nero's I would love to hear your thoughts.

• ATO - not 100% on which one I'll go with just yet.

All other equipment such as reactors etc I'll add to the thread once the tank is all running. As sort of want to get the basics together first due to budget.

For some reason I am unable to post pictures into this first comment so I'll add them below.

If you are interested please follow along and if you're also on Instagram I'll be keeping that updated with videos etc. Follow @cornishreefer_downunder

 

[Kial]

 

[Kial]

 

[Kial]

 

[Kial]

Picked up a second hand ecotech m1 return pump today.

Need to figure out how to change the connections though as my plumbing requires a flexible hose.

In Australia I can only find the connections for the M2 so not sure if they will fit the M1?

 

[Kial]

So started playing around with some scape ideas today. Went with the caribsea life rock and have about 22kg.

Got a fair few swim throughs but have kept it pretty open to help with the flow. Still reckon I'll add a tiny bit more rock on the right hand side, potentially for a small zoa island of some sort.

(Pic below)

 

[Kial]

 

[Kial]

Had a busy weekend getting started on setting up some of the equipment and wire management.

The wires started off neat up until I needed to put in the power supply ends and it all went south from there. Now more of a rats nest

However I got my lights set up as well. 2x Ai hydra 32 hds.

Will post some photos soon for anyone who may be following

 

[Kial]

 

[Kial]

For my wires etc, I have used the 3M scotch mount heavy duty to keep my power supply boxes and controllers high up in the sump. Has anyone else used this type of stuff before?

Seems pretty secure but not sure how it will hold up on the power supply blocks when they get hot. The adhesive is rated for both indoor and outdoor so im guessing it can handle heat.

Pic is before i put the power supplies up as i still need to sort out neating up the wires.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Looks great! I'm considering getting the same tank. Curious to see how quiet the overflow is once everything is dialed in.
Keep us posted!

 

[Kial]

Looks great! I'm considering getting the same tank. Curious to see how quiet the overflow is once everything is dialed in.
Keep us posted!

Thanks! I do love the look of the tank and the height etc. Can easily reach inside the tank from everywhere.

Hoping to get it filled in the next few weeks so I'll do a few more posts then.

 

[Kial]

Ok so i gave up on my wires, way too many to make neat without either putting some in a seperate cabinet or creating a control board and having them all behind ...Everything is lifted off the floor though which is the main thing.

My top off chamber is also in this section which ill put a lid on top, just going to leave it as is for now.

4 Stage RODI unit also arrived today so all im waiting on now is the sand!

 

[Kial]

Little update on the Frag 145.

Have got the carribsea live sand and life rock into the tank now. Pretty happy with my scape as its nice and open which is the feel i was going for. Do think i need a 3rd light in the centre as the small rock formation poking out may not receive enough light to have much coral on it. Has some cool little caves scattered around also for fish to hide.

Have started the process of filling with saltwater, i went with the quantum mixed macro probiotic salt as i had used this on a previous tank and is easily available near me.

 

[Kial]

Tank is now full and starting to cycle.

Im getting a fair bit of noise through the overflow which i believe is due to my wavemakers creating a sloshing sound around the weir. Would raising the water level stop this?

 

[C4Rez]

“Im getting a fair bit of noise through the overflow”

Hi. I’m just in the first week of the cycle. Did you manage to resolve the noise? I also have a WB 145.5. I’m assuming after some time, the development of bacterial film in the pipes will lessen the noise, making it easier to dial it in. How’d yours do?

 

[Kial]

Hi. I’m just in the first week of the cycle. Did you manage to resolve the noise? I also have a WB 145.5. I’m assuming after some time, the development of bacterial film in the pipes will lessen the noise, making it easier to dial it in. How’d yours do?

I think it was my wavemakers in the end, creating to much of a wave. Got smaller ones now and no longer have any noise.

Only time I get noise now is if the water level in the weir drops too low. Seems to happen now and again for some reason.

 

[C4Rez]

Thanks @Kial, I may have to just lower the speeds for now.