Waterbox 40.2 AIO Build

rahusky · Aug 13, 2018

The first one came cracked but Waterbox sent out a new one that afternoon - great customer service btw. It is almost here! I will be traveling for work several times before the first of the year so the actual setup may be a bit delayed. Figured I'd start this anyhow. Cheers!

Retro Reefer · Aug 13, 2018

Welcome to R2R

be sure to say hello in the new members thread..

NY_Caveman · Aug 13, 2018

Nice. Taking it slow is a great plan. Welcome to the forum!

SPR1968 · Aug 14, 2018

Welcome to R2R and we are looking forward to lots of pictures!

RichtheReefer21 · Aug 14, 2018

code4 · Aug 14, 2018

Welcome aboard! I am from Casper!

Shelley

Ruben's Reef · Aug 15, 2018

Following >>>>>>>>>>

rahusky · Aug 15, 2018

Yeah it arrived! The pups were curious. I have to say the packaging was really topnotch. This second shipment came on a full sized pallet. The first (broken) one came on a half-pallet.

A closer look:

The phone's camera really doesn't do it justice. This thing is a beautiful beast. It took two people to get it down the stairs. Those are north facing windows. I am thinking of totally blacking them out. Maybe a big piece of insulation there. Being a basement I am a bit concerned about the cold. I guess I can always add a second heater if needed.

I put the pump and filter socks in for the fun of it. Getting the hose not to kink was a pain. I think I want to replace the two white/clear fittings with 45s or maybe straight pieces.

Anyway, that's where I am now. I plan on an RO/DI system in the next couple of weeks. Also installing a couple GFCIs in the bedroom there. Am currently thinking of a Hydra 26 HD LED light.

Michael Naegeli · Aug 16, 2018

Welcome. Good luck w new setup! I wanna go Wyoming this winter perhaps. I’ve heard you have Epic Snowboarding. Lot better than these monster slopes down here in Florida.

rahusky · Aug 21, 2018

Coming along. Going to hook up a new DI/RO unit this weekend.

Also ordered an Aquamaxx HOB protein skimmer. The Venturi port on the pump was broken. I ordered a new part rather than deal with returns.

Also playing with lighting. Gotta say the stock hydra 26 mounting bracket is pretty disappointing. Everything tightens with what looks like 1/64" hex screws.

I plan on an order from Marco Rocks soon. Also planning on probably 20 lbs from KPaquanics live rock. Also toying with the idea of an additional few pounds from http://www.gulfliverock.com/index.html

rahusky · Aug 23, 2018

These lights are fun.

NY_Caveman · Aug 23, 2018

rahusky said:
These lights are fun.

Ha! Like you are at the mall in Spencer’s gifts (does that still exist?).

rahusky · Aug 27, 2018

So the new part came for my skimmer. The venturi port is on the opposite side of the new elbow. What this does is create a kink trying to get the airhose up and out of the skimmer - the tight-fitting inner divider comes right down on top of the elbow and will not work at all with the port on the top of the elbow.

So I am returning the new elbow part and the original skimmer and ordering a new skimmer. I really wish the nearest 'LFS' was closer than 90 minutes.

rahusky · Sep 11, 2018

Well I finally got water in it. I had to order three skimmers to get one complete unit put together. Agra-alive sand, dry rock a bunch of salt water and one stinking shrimp later this is where I am:

I added a little carbon and it cut the smell nicely. First test last night ammonia at 1.5 and Nitrite at 0.05. I think there is about 2/3 of the shrimp left. I started my skimmer understanding a break in period was expected. For about 12 hours it foamed like crazy - I ran the overflow back into the unit. By 48 hours a nice brown film has developed and the foaming is closer to what I expected. I figured I'd let it go another week or so then try to adjust the collection cup. Trying to keep the room dark but I had to crack the window a bit. I think I will invite my neighbor over to see my progress so he doesn't jump to conclusions about a faint blue glow behind foil covered windows.

mch1984 · Sep 11, 2018

NY_Caveman said:
Ha! Like you are at the mall in Spencer’s gifts (does that still exist?).

Yes, yes it does. We still have one in our local mall.

Welcome to R2R, looking forward to watching the build.

mch1984 · Sep 11, 2018

Any idea what you plan on stocking it with?

rahusky · Sep 17, 2018

mch1984 said:
Any idea what you plan on stocking it with?

Ah, so many ideas. I have been looking at bonded pairs of clown fish from this site: https://www.coralreeftn.com/ I understand that I need to wait a while for an anemone (clown fish and anemone are about 1/2 of why I started a salt water tank.) Yet part of me really wants a FuManchu fish too.

mch1984 · Sep 17, 2018

Ahh yes I guess that could be a problem. All I'll say, is if you go with clowns your options are more open. If you go FuManchu your list grows much shorter.