Howme's Waterbox REEF 70.2 Build

[howme127]

So it has begun!

I received the tank from WB with the wrong color cabinet, which they told me before it was shipping (Maybe to save some shipping time?) but sadly UPS lost the white cabinet, but 2 weeks later, just showed up. There was absolutely no tracking! ha!

Part of the white cabinet was having some delamination in areas. I deal with making and fixing highly engineered furniture so I went the route of fixing it myself and I feel pretty confident about it.

I'm not a fan of the leveling feet threaded insert that is used. In my opinion, it's too small for the hole that is drilled. I'm running with it for my freshwater leak test but might end up changing the inserts.

Overall the cabinet is as expected, the white parts seem to have a nice thick coating, so let's hope that holds up.

The sump was kinda a trick to get out of the DT. On one side one person can reach and get underneath it, but the other person (me) has to have dry pinchers and just grip and lift. My wife was the other person, and it hit us both "Why not pack straps under the sump to lift out safely?".... Maybe a decent idea?

I got the stand put together leveled and in place last night and I have to say putting that stand together too longer than it should have, mostly from having to clean out the overspray in the threaded inserts on the white panels.

I installed some ikea leds just so it would be easier to see in the cabinet and I purchased a Besta cabinet to use as a controller cabinet on the side.

Other than that, the only thing I've done is place the sump in just to see. The DT will have to take a friend coming over.

Next will be installing the RO/DI.

 

[howme127]

Just got word from Waterbox about faulty cabinets and they want to replace mine. I'm hoping it will be soon. I'm at a pause again. I have to say I've been VERY impressed with WB's communication.

 

[howme127]

I noticed glass deformation on my DT. Is this common? @Waterbox Aquariums Seems much smaller and minor with such a wide angle phone lens. Also sorry about the background performance.

 

[howme127]

... tried deleting a duplicate post ...

 

[howme127]

@Waterbox Aquariums this is cabinet number 3. Cabinet 1 was the wrong color, cabinet 2 is in the video above and shows delamination. These are the pictures for the just received cabinet number 3. Box looked fine from the outside but you can clearly see there was internal damage while shipping. Also the leveling feet inserts are still undersized for the holes drilled and will most likely push in again. Also the white paint is so oversprayed into the threads it will be another 2 hour fun zone to clean them out to be able to use them. What’s the next step here??

 

[howme127]

Hey Reef2reef experts, should I move on from Waterbox? The 3 rounds on cabinets, 1 feeling not stable enough to put water in and deformation in the glass of the tank. What’s your advice?

 

[anthonygf]

Hey Reef2reef experts, should I move on from Waterbox? The 3 rounds on cabinets, 1 feeling not stable enough to put water in and deformation in the glass of the tank. What’s your advice?

Send everything back, get refund and go with Red Sea.

 

[Jimbo662]

Hey Reef2reef experts, should I move on from Waterbox? The 3 rounds on cabinets, 1 feeling not stable enough to put water in and deformation in the glass of the tank. What’s your advice?

Sorry to hear about all the issues with the stand. Sounds like some very bad luck with the shippers. I would think the issue is the packaging the stand is in isn't designed for it to ship separate and not bundled. Maybe ask if they can double package it.

My tank also has a small deformation in the glass on one of the side panels. I've had no issues. Tank has been running since the end of April.

 

[howme127]

Sorry to hear about all the issues with the stand. Sounds like some very bad luck with the shippers. I would think the issue is the packaging the stand is in isn't designed for it to ship separate and not bundled. Maybe ask if they can double package it.

My tank also has a small deformation in the glass on one of the side panels. I've had no issues. Tank has been running since the end of April.

I completely agree about how the cabinets aren't shipping well without being crated with the tank.

 

[howme127]

Long story short, we are going to try again, from scratch. Waterbox wants to try everything to get this right. I still have concerns for now. But they do have without a doubt an amazing customer service department.

 

[howme127]

Round 2 on its way!

 

[BKLYN651]

I would make or have made my own cabinet! Similar to the one that holds your 12in vinyl collection! Good luck

 

[howme127]

I would make or have made my own cabinet! Similar to the one that holds your 12in vinyl collection! Good luck

I would definitely build my own if these tanks came with an option not to have the cabinet. Also that record stand could prop up my house if needed. Haha.

 

[Andyf30]

Following along. I am in the same boat with Red Sea at the moment (although it sounds like waterbox's customer service is a lot better than what I have dealt with so far). I am two stands and two tanks in at this point lol. Such a frustrating process to have all of your equipment just sitting around waiting to be used.

 

[howme127]

System #2 is showing up in a hour.

 

[treedog5]

Following along, fingers crossed!

 

[howme127]

 

[howme127]

 

[howme127]

Well, stand number 4 also has a problem. There are 2 of the same side panels instead of 1 of each. So it is incomplete and unfixable. I’ve contacted customer service and the president of @Waterbox Aquariums.
I’m completely at a loss.

 

[LBReefer]

Well, stand number 4 also has a problem. There are 2 of the same side panels instead of 1 of each. So it is incomplete and unfixable. I’ve contacted customer service and the president of @Waterbox Aquariums.
I’m completely at a loss.

Wow. I appreciate your patience throughout this process.