Nick's Waterbox 100.3

Manny Tavan · Jan 10, 2019

For my 190.5 I plan to remove the back vinyll. I did it for my reefer 170 and it looks so much better.

nickkohrn · Jan 10, 2019

Manny Tavan said:
For my 190.5 I plan to remove the back vinyll. I did it for my reefer 170 and it looks so much better.

Do you have a build thread or photos of your Red Sea Reefer 170?

Manny Tavan · Jan 10, 2019

I don't but you can checkout Broadfield's reefer 350 build. It's similar size as yours and looks amazing without the vinyl background

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/273/32826824716_66ef9949c2_k.jpg

Fudsey · Jan 10, 2019

That does look really nice but you'd have to keep the wall and the back glass clean all the time to look that good

Manny Tavan · Jan 10, 2019

yes I keep the back glass clean. Looks more natural than the back glass covered in coralline algae and also add a lot more depth to the tank. Makes it look deeper than it is

here's another example on a reefer 525xl

count krunk · Jan 10, 2019

i like to paint the back glass black

Fudsey · Jan 10, 2019

I like the clean background but I know from past experience, I won't keep it up and it will look like crap after a while.... ;Hilarious;Hilarious

nickkohrn · Jan 11, 2019

If anyone else is looking to convert the metric plumbing of their Waterbox to standard plumbing, here is a video that I made yesterday to help you out.

nickkohrn · Jan 13, 2019

I received my replacement union from CoralVue on Saturday, but I didn't get it until I got back into town today. I also picked up a can of Oatey Fusion (PVC primer and cement combination) along with a handful of test PVC pieces; I wanted to test the process of bonding PVC since this is my first time working with any plumbing. I thought that I did well with the test pieces, so I glued the conversion fittings into the unions.

Now, it's time to start thinking about what color plumbing I want to go with. I'm undecided about whether I want to pay the extra cost and get the furniture-grade PVC from Bulk Reef Supply so that I don't have any branding visible, or whether I want to use the standard gray PVC from the local hardware stores so that I can easily get pipe and fittings as I need them. Since I will have this system for a long time, I would like to make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible. However, since it's my first time plumbing anything, I don't know whether it's worth the extra expenses without having any prior experience because I don't want to wait around for parts as I realize that I am missing some or need different ones.

Deiblerj · Jan 13, 2019

You could always paint the grey from Home Depot

Manny Tavan · Jan 13, 2019

You can rub the white pvc with acetone to get the black print off

nickkohrn · Jan 15, 2019

Manny Tavan said:
You can rub the white pvc with acetone to get the black print off

That’s a good idea. I don’t think that I want to spend the extra money on the furniture-grade PVC from BRS when this is my first plumbing application. I think that I will make mistakes, and I won’t want to wait for more orders arrive to fix them when I could drive to Lowe’s or The Home Depot and quickly get parts.

nickkohrn · Jan 15, 2019

I just received a call from the shipping company that Waterbox uses, SAIA, and my replacement tank will be delivered on Thursday!

NY_Caveman · Jan 15, 2019

nickkohrn said:
I just received a call from the shipping company that Waterbox uses, SAIA, and my replacement tank will be delivered on Thursday!

Sweeeeeet!

count krunk · Jan 15, 2019

Also, you can use RIT dye to color PVC. It's been used for aquarium before. Give it a Google and you will get results

NY_Caveman · Jan 15, 2019

yungreefer2410 said:
Also, you can use RIT dye to color PVC. It's been used for aquarium before. Give it a Google and you will get results

You are making me want to make tie dyed shirts. Been a long time.

nickkohrn · Jan 16, 2019

I placed an order at BRS for plumbing fittings today, and they should be here Friday, just in time to get snowed in! I hate that plumbing costs so much because I still have a return and manifold to build. ;Meh

I was going to order two flow sensors for my Apex and place them on the drain pipes so that I could be alerted if the main drain’s flow becomes reduced and if the emergency drain fills with water. However, I realized that I can use one of my optical sensors in the overflow box and be alerted if the water level rises, saving me ~$75. I’ll need to order three flow sensors, though; one for the return, and two for the manifold (UV sterilizer and algae reactor). I’ll also be using gate valves for the manifold taps rather than ball valves. Hopefully my stand has enlightened room to accommodate everything.

I should have plenty of time this weekend to get the main drain and emergency drain plumbed. Also, my replacement 100.3 arrives tomorrow, so it’s another work-from-home day!

By the way, sorry not sorry for all of the emoticons. I’m feeling a little extra today.

Tom Stevens · Jan 16, 2019

nickkohrn said:
I placed an order at BRS for plumbing fittings today, and they should be here Friday, just in time to get snowed in! I hate that plumbing costs so much because I still have a return and manifold to build. ;Meh

I was going to order two flow sensors for my Apex and place them on the drain pipes so that I could be alerted if the main drain’s flow becomes reduced and if the emergency drain fills with water. However, I realized that I can use one of my optical sensors in the overflow box and be alerted if the water level rises, saving me ~$75. I’ll need to order three flow sensors, though; one for the return, and two for the manifold (UV sterilizer and algae reactor). I’ll also be using gate valves for the manifold taps rather than ball valves. Hopefully my stand has enlightened room to accommodate everything.

I should have plenty of time this weekend to get the main drain and emergency drain plumbed. Also, my replacement 100.3 arrives tomorrow, so it’s another work-from-home day!

By the way, sorry not sorry for all of the emoticons. I’m feeling a little extra today.