Waterbox Infinia 150.4 and Mixing Station Build

[Salty_Jon_NoVA]

Starting my Waterbox 150.4 build and including my mixing station I'm finishing off for fun. I'm upgrading from a Biocube 32 thats been established for about 4 years. Goals are to have a mixed reef, automated as possible, and organized. I've taking it slow and planning/acquiring equipment for about 6 months now. Of course all the sales this time of the year have added some extras to the list to the point that my home office is full of equipment and boxes and I cannot wait to actually get the rock, sand and water in this tank so I can really get this moving and clear out my home office (that starts tomorrow).

Equipment list:
Aquarium
Waterbox 150.4 w/ Controller Box and stand
Syncra SDC 7.0 return pump
2x Orbit 4 Cross Flow pumps
1x MP40 with battery backup (as a just in case backup)
2 x Reefi Uno 2.1 Lights
Reef Octopus Elite 150 INT Skimmer
ClariSea SK-3000 Filter Roller
Duetto 2 ATO
Pentair 25 Watt UV - Syncra SDC 3.0 for UV
Apex/Trident Pro and Apex NP w/ MXM, Adaptive Reef Toggle Box, Gro Light for refugium
2x Dos Quiet Drive Pumps
2 x Scuba 400 Watt
CaribSea Rock and Sand - See thread here for the aquascape I'm working on (Feedback appreciated)
Assorted other stuff for sump, organization, etc.

I'll update with pics as I go through the process.

The mixing station (below) was a challenge as I used to just have my RODI beneath the kitchen sink and would do about 4 gallons a week with a bucket. Not a big deal considering I was doing a biocube and was in the next room, but there was no way I was doing that with the Waterbox. Space is limited as we are in a townhouse, so had to go in the laundry room with the only place being about 2 feet wide between the HVAC and hot water heater. Mixing station is a gravity feed system using 2 x 15 gallon square containers with lids and a BRS 7 stage pro and Iwaki Pump to pump upstairs to the aquarium. Using an Aquatec booster pump to control pressure and feed from washer hookups up and above to the other side of the room. Have dual redundancy with a float valve and flood guardian. Whole thing is on wheels and the opposite side of the RODI system has a basket for backup filters/sediment. I fitted with a 75 foot python hose and python clean and fill hook to pump upstairs. Ignore the bottom plumbing in the picture, I screwed up initially and am redoing the lower half that feeds to the Iwaki pump. Entire thing is also on wheels so I can move to change HVAC filters or get to other equipment. Python hose get's removed and hung above so it's not in the way. All equipment controlled by a rackmount power center so I can easily flip off heater/powerhead, etc in the mixing station.

 

[TommyP]

nice build! I upgraded from the 45g red sea e-max 170 (no sump) to this same tank this year. Love it so far. I did not get the controller box though or use the ATO tank. I moved over my 5g container from my other build. I am seeking alternate options for ATO storage.

Whats the footprint to that square 15g? Im going too fast through the 5g bucket for me, only 3-4 days.

 

[kevgib67]

I’m upgrading from a Biocube 32next year, it will be 4 years old as well, to a waterbox 190.4, my biggest concern is water changes. I’ll be following and learning, thanks!

 

[Salty_Jon_NoVA]

nice build! I upgraded from the 45g red sea e-max 170 (no sump) to this same tank this year. Love it so far. I did not get the controller box though or use the ATO tank. I moved over my 5g container from my other build. I am seeking alternate options for ATO storage.

Whats the footprint to that square 15g? Im going too fast through the 5g bucket for me, only 3-4 days.

Measurements for the mixing station container is :

16" L x 16" W x 17-1/2" Hgt.​

I got them from US plastics. Lots of different options, but pricey. They are really strong and well made though so unless I upgrade to much larger tank I think I’m set.

I’m pretty excited about this upgrade and love the quality of the tank.

 

[Salty_Jon_NoVA]

I’m upgrading from a Biocube 32next year, it will be 4 years old as well, to a waterbox 190.4, my biggest concern is water changes. I’ll be following and learning, thanks!

Trust me, coming from a bio cube I’m sure I’m going to be learning a lot too. Happy to share along the way. Even building that mixing station was a big learning experience! Good luck with your future upgrade as well!

 

[kevgib67]

Trust me, coming from a bio cube I’m sure I’m going to be learning a lot too. Happy to share along the way. Even building that mixing station was a big learning experience! Good luck with your future upgrade as well!

Thanks, I’m going to read and learn and might have to pick your mind down the road, happy reefing!

 

[BigAl07]

This is going to be a GREAT build I'm looking forward to following your upgrade journey

 

[Gumbies R Us]

This is shaping up to be an awesome build!

 

[gastone]

Nice looking build, Jon. Along for the ride

 

[Salty_Jon_NoVA]

Got some time to finish the aquascape and mortar pieces together and put sand in. Reversed the scape given position of tank in the room. Gave myself enough room to work on the sides, but it is close to the wall. Unfortunately, it’s a sacrifice I have to make. Wish I had more room to work with, but it was a negotiation with the wife. Just a few adjustments on plumbing and I’ll start work on the sump equipment while first batch of water mixes. Still waiting on a few pieces of equipment to come in including heaters which I had to reorder. The heaters I ordered were too long…..oops. I’ve also learned that my dogs do not like me on step ladders and the largest/oldest one does not like the sound of pouring sand.

Overall I love the choice I made, but I’m not a fin of the Waterbox lids. I see an upgrade in my future but it will do for now.

 

[Salty_Jon_NoVA]

Started adding water and the mixing station has been fantastic except for one thing that I can’t seem to figure out. The pump gets all water upstairs to the tank with the exception of about 1 gallon of water getting stuck and not getting to the tank. Looked at other posts and didn’t see anything similar. I assume it’s due to not having enough pressure to carry that last little bit. If anyone has thoughts/tips that would be great because I’m at a loss. I can deal for now but kind of a pain and had a bit of blowback with water everywhere in the laundry room after flipping the pump off.

 

[Salty_Jon_NoVA]

Lights came in this week and they are awesome. Easy setup and config. They are off during the cycle which started today. Tested out the orbits and forgot to decrease power. Sand everywhere in the tank. Lots of lessons learned mostly due to rushing, but it’s cycling. So from now on I’m taking it slower. Waiting on my adaptive reef controller cabinet to be delivered (hopefully this week) so I can start organizing equipment. Goals for the upcoming week: cycle, test, wire management, uv mounting, shelf installation.