My Waterbox 130.4 build thread

mtdaly85 · Jul 27, 2018

Hello all,

I've been in the hobby for a few years now (currently have an IM Fusion 10) but recently decided to build a much larger tank.

As the title would suggest, I went with a Waterbox 130.4. As you can see from the pictures below, I've just begun to cycle. For gear, I went with:

Return pump: Ecotech Vectra M1
Additional flow: 2x Echotech MP40wQD
Heater: Jaeger 300w (might need to rethink this, doesn't quite fit in the sump)
Skimmer: TBD, likely going with a Deltec 1000
Lights: 2x AI Hydra 52HD
ATO: Tunze Osmolator 3155
Rock: BRS Reef saver dry rock
Sand: Aragonite Special Grade dry sand

Going to be heavily SPS stocked tank. Likely going to go with some sort of medium sized tang, clown pair (maybe? I hear they can be jerks / bitey), some anthias, maybe a goby or blenny. I'd love feedback on suggested stocking plans.

Lights on, no water:

We have water!

aKlevans · Jul 27, 2018

Love the scape!

mmw64 · Jul 27, 2018

mtdaly85 said:
Hello all,

I've been in the hobby for a few years now (currently have an IM Fusion 10) but recently decided to build a much larger tank.

As the title would suggest, I went with a Waterbox 130.4. As you can see from the pictures below, I've just begun to cycle. For gear, I went with:

Return pump: Ecotech Vectra M1
Additional flow: 2x Echotech MP40wQD
Heater: Jaeger 300w (might need to rethink this, doesn't quite fit in the sump)
Skimmer: TBD, likely going with a Deltec 1000
Lights: 2x AI Hydra 52HD
ATO: Tunze Osmolator 3155
Rock: BRS Reef saver dry rock
Sand: Aragonite Special Grade dry sand

Going to be heavily SPS stocked tank. Likely going to go with some sort of medium sized tang, clown pair (maybe? I hear they can be jerks / bitey), some anthias, maybe a goby or blenny. I'd love feedback on suggested stocking plans.

Lights on, no water:

We have water!

Beautiful Tank!

Dennis McGrath · Jul 27, 2018

That is beautiful. Can't wait to see the progress.

NY_Caveman · Jul 27, 2018

Sounds like a good plan. Great aquascape!

mnml · Jul 30, 2018

Congrats on the new tank. Scape looks awesome.

mnml · Aug 10, 2018

Question for you, how much space does the AI rear mounting screws stick out from the back of the tank?

mtdaly85 · Aug 10, 2018

mnml said:
Question for you, how much space does the AI rear mounting screws stick out from the back of the tank?

Hey man,

Not very far. Maybe an inch or two?

mnml · Aug 10, 2018

Okay perfect. From their YouTube video, it looked like 2-3". I don't want the tank too far away from the way. Also, did you have any quality issues with the quality of the tank and/stand?

mtdaly85 · Aug 11, 2018

mnml said:
Okay perfect. From their YouTube video, it looked like 2-3". I don't want the tank too far away from the way. Also, did you have any quality issues with the quality of the tank and/stand?

No issues with the quality at all! This is one amazing tank. Love everything about it.

mtdaly85 · Sep 7, 2018

Been way too long since my last update!

I found out the hard way that moving slow and having proper QT is the only way to acclimate fish. I lost some really beautiful fish because of my own stupidity, but the rest of the tank is looking great. I'm being a bit too cocky adding the acros at this time, but I can't help myself. They are growing nicely and starting to encrust the plugs.

Just a few pics. I haven't picked out a skimmer yet, but with the light bioload I'm still fine. Phosphates reading less than 0.05 today, nitrates under 0.5.

mnml · Sep 7, 2018

Tank looks great. Are you dosing or using a CA reactor for your SPS demand?

OffTopic · Sep 7, 2018

Beautiful tank, I really want to get a Waterbox myself. Great work with the scape

mtdaly85 · Sep 8, 2018

mnml said:
Tank looks great. Are you dosing or using a CA reactor for your SPS demand?

Thanks, man! I am just dosing for now (manually) but I am looking into another solution. Will likely go the route of autodosing instead of using a Ca reactor.