Waterbox Marine X 60.2 build.

[Benetisreef]

Hey everyone, I'm about to embark on my second reef tank adventure and decided to document it here . I have recently purchased a 2nd hand Waterbox Marine X 60.2, along with the following equipment.
-Bubble Magus Curve 7 Skimmer
-AI Hydra 32 LED
-Kamoer ATO
-Kamoer X4 Pro doser
-Custom sump with new baffle fitted to create fuge.
- 2x Jebao SWL-20 wavemakers
-Custom made side cabinet (currently housing doser and storage but will likely convert into control unit.

I payed a very good price for everything so I'm pretty stocked. (at least 3K off RRP). The previous owner had it set up for about 6 months, had to sell as he was expecting a baby.

After about 4 months of research, I have decided to adopt the cycling method of populating a robust population of micro biome by way of beneficial bacteria additives, phytoplankton and copepods. With the aim of having healthy populations of all three elements to reduce the amount of surface area for non desirable algae to grow. My list of additives are as follows

-Dr Tim's One and Only (for initial cycle)
-Dr Tims Eco Balance Probiotic Bacteria
- Reef Revolution Prio Bio Blast
-Reef Revolution Pro Cycle A + B
- Copepods (few bottles of various strains)
- Phytoplankton

I will be using Marco Rock foundation for the base of my aquascape, then using Caribsea Shapes for the rest of the structure. For substrate I am using a 1 inch thick layer of Caribsea Arag Alive special grade. I have chosen to use Tropic Marin Pro Reef salts

My plan is to take it really slow. I'm not 100 percent sure but I think it will be a LPS/ Softie dominated tank with maybe a monti and a couple of easier to keep SPS.

 

[Peace River]

It looks like you are off to a great start! Congratulations on the new adventure!!!

 

[Lps_lover12]

Congrats with the new tank! Cant wait to see how it turns out. Best of luck and keep us updated!

 

[BrianB421]

Looking really sharp so far!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Hey everyone, I'm about to embark on my second reef tank adventure and decided to document it here . I have recently purchased a 2nd hand Waterbox Marine X 60.2, along with the following equipment.
-Bubble Magus Curve 7 Skimmer
-AI Hydra 32 LED
-Kamoer ATO
-Kamoer X4 Pro doser
-Custom sump with new baffle fitted to create fuge.
- 2x Jebao SWL-20 wavemakers
-Custom made side cabinet (currently housing doser and storage but will likely convert into control unit.

I payed a very good price for everything so I'm pretty stocked. (at least 3K off RRP). The previous owner had it set up for about 6 months, had to sell as he was expecting a baby.

After about 4 months of research, I have decided to adopt the cycling method of populating a robust population of micro biome by way of beneficial bacteria additives, phytoplankton and copepods. With the aim of having healthy populations of all three elements to reduce the amount of surface area for non desirable algae to grow. My list of additives are as follows

-Dr Tim's One and Only (for initial cycle)
-Dr Tims Eco Balance Probiotic Bacteria
- Reef Revolution Prio Bio Blast
-Reef Revolution Pro Cycle A + B
- Copepods (few bottles of various strains)
- Phytoplankton

I will be using Marco Rock foundation for the base of my aquascape, then using Caribsea Shapes for the rest of the structure. For substrate I am using a 1 inch thick layer of Caribsea Arag Alive special grade. I have chosen to use Tropic Marin Pro Reef salts

My plan is to take it really slow. I'm not 100 percent sure but I think it will be a LPS/ Softie dominated tank with maybe a monti and a couple of easier to keep SPS.

Great looking tank!

 

[Benetisreef]

UPDATE. So I picked up the tank and all the equipment last week. I also had my sand, biological filtration media and cycling bacteria delivered. Got most of it into position and set up some of the equipment. Also did a little cable management. I have been working flat out so things are going slow, but today I just started working on my aquascape. Let me know what you think, any suggestions for improvement would be great.

 

[kevgib67]

Looks like you have everything you need, now lets get some water in there!

 

[Benetisreef]

Scape is in!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Scape is in!

Now to just get the water in and start cycling!

 

[Reefer500]

I'm really liking the scape can't wait to see it filled out with coral!

 

[Benetisreef]

UPDATE

Had to put my build on hold for a few weeks whilst I tended to some life admin, but finally we have it filled!

In the weeks between my last post I had a custom acrylic sheet cut to create a refugium space.

Now just waiting for the water temp to reach the desired amount, then I will be adding salt and starting my cycle. Happy days!

 

[Lizbeli]

Your scape is amazing imo. I just got my 60.2 wet today too. Its a nice looking small system.

 

[Benetisreef]

UPDATE

Super happy with how my tank is looking so far (even though it's still empty )

The cycle took 12 days using Dr Tim's. My initial parameters after cycling were as follows

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates over 100 ( I know shocking right?)
Kh 6.5
Ph 8.5
Salinity 35

I was pretty shocked with the Nitrate levels, I implemented 30 percent water changes over the span of about a week to bring it down to 10PPM.

I have added 3 bottles of pods, staggered over 2 weeks and have been adding Phyto twice a week.

I am also seeding beneficial bacteria by dosing pro bio blast daily and Dr Tim's eco balance weekly.

Next week I'll be starting to add the CUC.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

UPDATE

Super happy with how my tank is looking so far (even though it's still empty )

The cycle took 12 days using Dr Tim's. My initial parameters after cycling were as follows

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates over 100 ( I know shocking right?)
Kh 6.5
Ph 8.5
Salinity 35

I was pretty shocked with the Nitrate levels, I implemented 30 percent water changes over the span of about a week to bring it down to 10PPM.

I have added 3 bottles of pods, staggered over 2 weeks and have been adding Phyto twice a week.

I am also seeding beneficial bacteria by dosing pro bio blast daily and Dr Tim's eco balance weekly.

Next week I'll be starting to add the CUC.

Glad to see it is cycled!