(New Video) WaterBox 20 Build Thread SPS and ZOA only Video tutorial!

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

Got my tank, Lights I have my Hydra 26 Hd coming, final pieces, a good quality heater my basement gets a little chilly on really cold days so the more precise the better. Also does anyone use a Nero5 in a AIO tank this size? Im doing SPS dominate bonsai aquascape so the more flow the merrier but with out a sand storm if you know what I'm saying, I really like the Nero5 because of the mount ,with their magnets you can mount the Nero to the rear of the tank and don't have it sticking out as much from the side of the tank like a dry side of an MP10. Thanks in advance

Here is my very thorough WaterBox 20 gallon cube unboxing video that was ordered through Dr. Foster and Smith for $199 delivered


Chi

 

[TheEngineer]

Congrats on the tank

Not sure about the Nero.

For heaters, take a look at the Eheim Jagers. Very reliable and accurate (you should still use a heater controller). My only gripe is that they are very long. Check the measurement to make sure it will fit where you want it before ordering one.

 

[ingchr1]

For heaters also take a look at the Cobalt Neo-Therms. They're accurate, not as long as others and skinny. Might work out better with the available space.

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

How many watts you using ?

 

[Arcticreefer]

Just setting up the same tank next weekend as a sps focused mixed reef.
I plan on eheim 100w heater.
Tunze return pump.
Autoaqua awc with ato
And for circulation I plan on using aqamai kps wifi controlled pump. One to start with maybe two depending on how it goes with one.

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

What Tunze return fits ? Thanks I’m going hydra 26hd Nero5 or mp10 we shall see

 

[Arcticreefer]

What Tunze return fits ? Thanks I’m going hydra 26hd Nero5 or mp10 we shall see

Sorry for a late reply but I have it set up now with Tunze silence 1073.008 and it fits fine
With 210 gallon max flow it’s a nice flow in the tank and maybe would be enough for a soft/lps tank alone but I have a tunze nanostream 6025 for now that will be salt mixing pump later but I am quite pleased with that little pump

 

[Arcticreefer]

Just set mine up by the way and am really pleased with the quality of the tank and the glass is fantastically clear. Had to turn my Grotech heater as the light on it penetrates the smoky glass and was visible from the front so I don’t think a rear refugium would work in this tank.
Not an issue for me but worth noting.

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

I saw they make new media trays that block out the the smoked glass... maybe one day itank.com

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

So I purchased a new Hydra 26 HD (white) today online, I still need to find a mount , my thinking is to first find the best mount (?) and then to prime and paint (3-4 coats) it white to match both the Hydra and the background behind the tank which is in a corner and very bright white
Anyone ever heard of anyone doing this?
I also believe it might give a cool effect of the light almost floating above the tank as it blends in with the mount and the walls in my fish cave. I assume Ill probably have to paint or tape the exposed parts of the what I assume is a black cord. Anyone ? Ideas? Thoughts? I think its a little weird they make the light in white but not a white mount, but I'll figure a work around.
Anyone know anything about powder coating ?
Thanks in advance
Chi

 

[lakai]

ditch the eheim heaters and get a 100 watt aqueon preset heater or cobalt neotherm. Even the smallest eheim is too large and temps fluctuated too greatly due to he size and evaporation that happens with the tank which is about 1 gallon every 3-4 days using a radion xr15 pro. The filter socks clog up really quick and end up slowing the flow to the other chambers so much that the water levels in the other two chambers are too inconsistent to use an ato.

Mp10 and nero is overkill for this tank and its too much flow at any setting tbh. I just use a hydor korila nano and the return for flow now.

I haven't been able to keep acros alive for more than a month or two in this tank due to the instability that these issues cause and the size but LPS and softies no problem.

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

Ok I have purchased all the equipment needed,my AI Nero5 is arriving next week.
First question SUBSTRATES
What do you use and why ?
GO

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

Video 2 equipment disscussion and setup

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

 

[GucciReefsExploda]

Oh nice love the waterbox I will be watching this build!! I am just waiting to make a build with a waterbox 20... how is the light bleeding outside the tank... not sure if I want two primes or a hydra 26

 

[GucciReefsExploda]

I wanted t5 lighting but the waterbox is 17” inches right? So that prolly wouldn’t work out too good

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

Oh nice love the waterbox I will be watching this build!! I am just waiting to make a build with a waterbox 20... how is the light bleeding outside the tank... not sure if I want two primes or a hydra 26

I am going all SPS with zoa all over the bottom, I didnt think I could get enough power out of the prime. Also you can tell Im a minimalist so two lights IMO might be a little crowded in back. Bleeding I think you can see it does bleed through but that doesnt bother me as I usually sit with all the other lights off in the basement. So it almost gives it a spotlight effect in the corner. Here Is a picture of the back filter area, I have one bracket for Hydra, Cobalt heater and ATO in there for references. Hope that helps

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

I wanted t5 lighting but the waterbox is 17” inches right? So that prolly wouldn’t work out too good

I think T5's would be to long and might look silly sticking outside the tank. But to each his own. Yes the tank is 17.5 on center.

 

[ChicagoNanoGuy]

So today the cycle algae bloom has started.. stay tuned

 

[GucciReefsExploda]

Looks good ya, I guess the pendants of the hydra are closer than I thought. I’m excited for the build thanks for takin the pics and sharing. You goin skimless? I think I might do eshopps nano would look good with a set up like this