WATERBOX AQUARIUMS REEF PRO 180.5 BUILD THREAD

[eatsleepreef]

Finally 8020 shipped!!! I’m so happy. I also made a video on 8020 to explain how you can apply it to your tanks


Making custom light mount or tank stand

 

[JMac82]

Saw you use Mollies to cycle. Here is a pic of my Mollies I used to cycle my tank. They are still alive and kicking. They had a few babies that didn't last to long after I added a few more fish.

 

[eatsleepreef]

I decid

Saw you use Mollies to cycle. Here is a pic of my Mollies I used to cycle my tank. They are still alive and kicking. They had a few babies that didn't last to long after I added a few more fish.

thats all I ever use to cycle

 

[tonydig11]

Hello brother and thank for following along. Refugiums are great and work very well. Personally I know that they can also be super messy with the light spill growing algae everywhere in the sump. I didn’t want to deal with that so decided to do the pax. Not to mention the pax can run a calcium reactor if you buy the kit they sell for it which forces the effluent from the CALRX back into the pax, which feeds co2 to the Chaeto thus crazy growth and increases ph. As far as the skimmer I run it the way Triton method does it. Also I want the first chamber to maybe become a frag section in the future or a fuge display. For now I just want it open.

All makes sense. Good luck with the rest of the build.

 

[eatsleepreef]

For those wanting to see how I made the mixing station here you go


Plumbing mixing station + QT fish have babies!!

 

[eatsleepreef]

Ordered a hose Automatic reel to convert it to vinyl tubing so it’s safe to use. This will make rolling the hose back so easy

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Great job. Well done.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Awesome job!

 

[eatsleepreef]

Awesome job!

Thanks!

 

[eatsleepreef]

Great job. Well done.

Appreciate it

 

[eatsleepreef]

Plumbing is coming along. So far I’m very happy with it. For the manifold I made sure it was 100% adjustable by adding unions before and after the T. I’m happy I did the grey fittings over the white

 

[eatsleepreef]

Sand coming in. I think I will
Go for a 1” thickness. These 120lb of Caribsea special grade should do the trick

 

[eatsleepreef]

I like to leak test my tanks just to make sure all is good. I also notice on certain floors it allows the tank to settle.

 

[eatsleepreef]

Next is adding rock. I don’t like adding the rock without the sand being put down. If for any reason a rock slips at least the glass is protected. Once rock is in I make sure it is seated and making contact with glass

 

[eatsleepreef]

The time is almost here to mix up some Tropic Marin. After trying so many salts this is my go to for sure from now on.

 

[eatsleepreef]

The time has come to add saltwater

 

[tonydig11]

looking good. I am in just about the same stages you are in with my 6x2x2 true 180g display. Like you were with you 80/20, I am at a roadblock waiting for my contractor to brace and support my flooring before I can move forward. Everything else is ready to go. 20 frags in a frag tank and 6 fish spread between 3 QT tanks. Hopefully it gets wet after Christmas to start the cycle.

It will be nice to follow my progress along with yours as they will be just about the same age. Keep up the good work.

IMO I would have waiting on the Kole Tang (My fav tang). Being the first fish he will claim the entire tank as his and will battle any new additions. I am starting with a peaceful bunch of fish followed by a pair of clowns and a lawnmower blenny to control the ugly stages. THEN I will add 2 tangs at a time for a total of 4 tangs. I am sure you will be ok but tangs in the early stages can lead to aggression.

 

[eatsleepreef]

looking good. I am in just about the same stages you are in with my 6x2x2 true 180g display. Like you were with you 80/20, I am at a roadblock waiting for my contractor to brace and support my flooring before I can move forward. Everything else is ready to go. 20 frags in a frag tank and 6 fish spread between 3 QT tanks. Hopefully it gets wet after Christmas to start the cycle.

It will be nice to follow my progress along with yours as they will be just about the same age. Keep up the good work.

IMO I would have waiting on the Kole Tang (My fav tang). Being the first fish he will claim the entire tank as his and will battle any new additions. I am starting with a peaceful bunch of fish followed by a pair of clowns and a lawnmower blenny to control the ugly stages. THEN I will add 2 tangs at a time for a total of 4 tangs. I am sure you will be ok but tangs in the early stages can lead to aggression.

Very cool!! My first batch is a total of 4 tangs none the crazy aggressive. Generally bristle tooth with only go after their type. Then again every fish is unique. All I can do is add them and pray all goes well. Most of my tanks will be in before 3 months and are all small so I think we should be okay. But only time will tell

 

[eatsleepreef]

First batch of fish arrive tomorrow and begin Qt for 30 days

 

[tonydig11]

Looks like a nice first batch. I figured you had a plan and adding them all at once is the best plan. Can't wait to see the reef up and running.