GoTakeANap's 100.3 Reef Waterbox Aquarium Build

GoTakeANap · Oct 1, 2019

Hello everyone. Super excited to start this build thread. I ordered my tank on August 22nd. Unfortunately it was on backorder and it was released for shipping on September 25th. Received the tank on Friday September 27th and the build started. I put the stand together Friday night. Moved the tank in Saturday afternoon when my help arrived. I will be putting the plumbing in tonight along with moving the sump inside and setting up my ATO. Thank you in advance to all of you that follow this thread.

GoTakeANap · Oct 1, 2019

Forgot to add everything was good other than the overflow top which was broken but Waterbox has already taken care of it and sending me a replacement. Equipment list will be posted in the next day or to when I get a chance to get it typed up.

GoTakeANap · Oct 2, 2019

Good afternoon everyone. I got the plumbing, ATO and under cabinet lights installed on the tank last night. Everything is starting to come along nicely. Will be working on the rockscape tonight.

infinite0180 · Oct 2, 2019

Nice! I really like the 100.3...

GoTakeANap · Oct 3, 2019

infinite0180 said:
Nice! I really like the 100.3...

I love the looks of it. I am so ready to put water in this bad boy and get rolling.

Started on the rockscape last night but i did not finish it. I do not have enough rock since i decided to change up what I was going to use. Ordered 40lbs this morning. I most likely wont have it until Tuesday of next week. I am going to put that on hold and get the light brackets mounted on the wall, and put my T5 light together. That way when the rock comes, it will just be figuring out the remaining rockscape.

LadyMac · Oct 3, 2019

Very cool! I’ll follow along

Daniel@R2R · Oct 3, 2019

Woohoo! Following!

siggy · Oct 3, 2019

Hey looking good. What T5 are you using Hybrid? Any leds

GoTakeANap · Oct 3, 2019

siggy said:
Hey looking good. What T5 are you using Hybrid? Any leds

I went with the Aquatic Life 36" T5 Ho Hybird. 4 X 39 Watts. I currently have a Hydra 52 HD I am thinking about putting it in the middle of the fixture, or selling it and buying 2 Hydra 26's. Also ordered ATI lamps. Should have them tomorrow according to tracking.

36" T5 HO Hybrid LED 4x39W-Lamp Mounting System Fixture (Kessil, Ecotech, AI) - Aquatic Life

Free Shipping on Everything, Rewards, Free Swag, Price Matching & Free Returns.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

NPD_289 · Oct 4, 2019

Following! Just picked up my 100.3 today and will be starting a build thread soon. Just threw together a manifold even though I can't set the tank up for a few more weeks.

GoTakeANap · Oct 4, 2019

NPD_289 said:
Following! Just picked up my 100.3 today and will be starting a build thread soon. Just threw together a manifold even though I can't set the tank up for a few more weeks.

very nice. what are you using that for? I love the tank.

NPD_289 · Oct 5, 2019

I wanted a manifold so I could have the option of running some media reactors or algae scrubber without having to use extra pumps. I figured it would be easiest to install during initial build than to try and add it after water goes in.

Can't wait to see your tank come together!

GoTakeANap · Oct 7, 2019

Hello everyone. I wanted to give you a small update. I put together the light over the weekend and got the floating wall mount brackets installed. Made some more saltwater. The rest of the rock I have been waiting on is sitting on my front porch at this time. I am hoping to have my rockscape completed tonight. Will post pictures if I finish it.

NPD_289 · Oct 7, 2019

I was looking to get that same mounting system for my T5 hybrid. Does it extend far enough from the wall to center it over the tank?

GoTakeANap · Oct 8, 2019

Yes sir it sure does. The knob in the photo is to adjust it to and from the wall. It will adjust 6-8" from eyeballing it. I can measure it if you need a exact measurement.

NPD_289 · Oct 8, 2019

GoTakeANap said:
Yes sir it sure does. The knob in the photo is to adjust it to and from the wall. It will adjust 6-8" from eyeballing it. I can measure it if you need a exact measurement.

Thank you. I was going to set my tank 2 to 3" from the wall so that should be enough adjustment to center it.

GoTakeANap · Oct 8, 2019

I set my rockscape up last night and this is what I came up with (1st photo) then after taking it apart I ended up with something different (2nd Photo) messing around loved it. 2nd photo is what I went with and has been glued/cemented together and will be put in the tank tonight if I get that far after adding sand and setting everything up in the sump.

GoTakeANap · Oct 10, 2019

Got the LS, Rock and the tank filled with water. Added the return pump to the sump. I will fill the tank the rest of the way tonight along with getting everything installed on the tank. Will post pictures tomorrow with everything up and running.

NPD_289 · Oct 10, 2019

Looking good! Can't wait to see it lit up with the aquatic life.

GoTakeANap · Oct 14, 2019

Its been a hectic week with a friend passing away so I didn't have alot of time over the weekend to get much done. I did get the ATO setup and running but I will have to read the manual to figure out why the low light reading is on and why. Will definitely have photos posted tonight with the lights on. I start the cycle on the tank with dosing DrTim's Aquatics Ammonium Chloride and then the following day I dosed Turbostart 900. Day 1 showed no difference in the amount of Ammonium. I will post Day 2 results tonight along with some photos.