Newbie with a WB 135.4

Citycop89 · May 19, 2018

Greetings everyone. I feel it is finally time to start my build thread, even though I’ve been at it for some time now.

I started out with a 29 gallon tank with a HOB filter and a Zetlight. I was quickly overwhelmed of the feeling of wanting something bigger. I decided to go with the Waterbox 135.4 and hoping to prevent the urge to go bigger down the road.

I started by building a water station in my basement. I have two 32 gallon Brute cans on a stand with a small pump inside to circulate water and mix salt. A second external pump is used to send the water directly above to the first floor for water changes. I have the plumbing set up to drain down into the basement for water changes, if I ever decide too. Additionally, I ran a dedicated 20amp circuit to power the water station and the aquarium on the first floor. Adequate power for running multiple pumps and heaters at the same time. Also to run a Q tank in the future.

I got the water box together and immediately knew it was the right choice for me. This thing is gorgeous. Only hiccup was the ATO wasn’t shipped with the tank and Waterbox immediately sent one to me.

I worked on my aquascape with Marine Depot Eco rock I believe it was called. Utilized roughly 100lbs of it. The large peice on the right is wide open inside for the possibility of an eel (much research to be done still).

I scored an amazing deal on two AI Hydra 26HD with the Red Sea Mount. NIB for less than the light would have been.

I am using an Eshopps X-160 Skimmer, Jager heater and SICCE SDC 7.0 WiFi controlled return pump.

Still lots of fine tuning to go. Getting the salinity squared away and starting the cycle soon. I’m trying to tackle an issue of micro bubbles from the skimmer being sent to the display via return pump.

Let me know your thoughts!!

crazysun · May 19, 2018

Looking good. I really like the thought of using the HVAC vents to transfer water and really respect your water station. Nice Ideas!

NY_Caveman · May 19, 2018

Very nice! I like the aquascape.

Welcome to R2R!

jsker · May 19, 2018

Great build!!

Citycop89 · May 19, 2018

Thank you everyone. The HVAC was the easiest way to get water upstairs and everything stays hidden. Used some PVC fittings and Spa flex pvc to accomplish snaking it into the HVAC. I would say it goes through HVAC about 12-18” at most. Then some quick connect fittings.

Scurvy · May 19, 2018

Slick idea for the water transport! I did the same thing to get coax and cat5 cables up two stories many years back but never would have thought about plumbing that way.

Citycop89 · May 23, 2018

Picture of it up and running. Very happy with how it’s coming along.

Surfside74 · May 23, 2018

Did you get rid of the microbubbles? I am having same problem. Skimmer been running for about 6 days so still very new.

PookieGV · May 23, 2018

Looking good. My water box is sitting in my garage., need to get moving.

hdsoftail1065 · May 23, 2018

Great looking build!

Citycop89 · May 23, 2018

Thanks everyone. The microbubbles are currently gone because I was advised to turn off the skimmer. I was advised by a LFS maintenance guy to shut it down for a couple weeks and let a bio load build up in the tank before turning it back on. BRS customer service also gave the same advice to keep it off for two weeks.

Citycop89 · Jun 9, 2018

Surfside74 said:
Did you get rid of the microbubbles? I am having same problem. Skimmer been running for about 6 days so still very new.

I have solved the micro bubble issue. Firstly, I left the skimmer off for a bit and let the bioload build up. I recently turned it back on and it was going nuts! Bubbles everywhere! So I let it run with the cup off the skimmer for several days. Slowly I saw the bubbles clearing up and finally the skimmer was pushing micro bubbles out of the bottom of the skimmer. Today, I raised the skimmer 1 1/4” out of the water with some egg crate and pvc fittings for the stand.

I recently watched a video and they said if the skimmer is going nuts with bubbles into the collection cup, remove that water from the tank. I did this 3 times and the skimmer seems to be running well. When I got the water out, it was discolored and I assume it was going nuts because it was pulling gunk out of the water. I uploaded a photo with how it is running right now. I’m slowly learning how to work this thing and fine tune.

Citycop89 · Jun 18, 2018

Tanks been up and running just over a month so far. I took some pictures of what I think is brown algae on the sand bed. It’s been there a few weeks and doesn’t seem to be going away. Should I just let it ride it out? I planned on doing my second water change tonight. Also, I noticed an interesting pattern on the glass; curious to what you all think it may be.

Brent Behringer · Sep 10, 2018

Tank is looking awesome! How happy are you with the waterbox tank? I'm still on the fence going back and forth between Red Sea and Waterbox. What type of rock and where did you purchase from?

Citycop89 · Sep 10, 2018

I love the tank and set up of how it came. Been running smoothly with no issues with the set up and equipment that I have. Def an A+ for Waterbox!

I was also between Red Sea and this one. Ultimately went with this one due to standard sized filter socks, the sale price I got it for and there were a couple other reasons that I can’t remember.

The rock was Awuamaxx Eco dry rock that I got from marine depot. Came in various sizes and used JB waterweld to build my structures. Also used fiberglass rod.