Anyone Run a Waterbox 50.3 AIO or Similar Sized AIO?

[Fish Fan]

Hey guys!

I have an itch for a new tank, and I'm just kind of exploring a few different options. I haven't decided on anything yet, except that I want a new tank

I'm really looking for my "'realistic' dream tank", which would be somewhere between 80 to 120 gallons, maybe 150, but I'm having a hard time finding what I want for an amount I'm already begrudgingly willing to pay for a glass or plastic box to hold my fish. When it comes to the cost of new tanks these days, I am in full on "old man" mode, please don't get me started ;-)

But, I have a "nook" in my basement living area that was built by the 1970's homebuilders ostensibly to hold an old, standard def TV set. We can't knock this nook thing down because it's hiding some of the major plumbing works where the town water comes into the house. And since old, boxy, standard def TV's are a long distant memory, this space is simply screaming for an aquarium, in my opinion. I mean, even my wife agrees, what else are we going to put there?

This space would allow for a 36" aquarium, but without getting into too much here, plumbing a sump would be problematic, to say the least. So I was thinking freshwater, until it just popped into my head, an All-In-One reef tank might be a good idea for this space.

I did a little looking, and I'm open to other ideas for sure, but I found the Waterbox 50.3 AIO and I'm interested. To any owners of this tank, how has it been? Do you feel you're missing out by not having a sump?

https://waterboxaquariums.com/produ...9uT6E1E4NpG-iGgXJ5yT-fnGv2pwxNtQaAspyEALw_wcB

It looks like the included filter socks are small, possibly non-standard size. I really don't like socks, and prefer to run cups of floss, and I even have one of the fleece rollers, though I haven't set it up yet. Can I use anything else for mechanical filtration on this Waterbox tank besides their socks?

Can you setup a refugium in one of the sections in the filter area?

Any other thoughts/feelings/do's or don't with this tank? It looks like there's an InTank media basket available, so that's a plus.

More generally, for those of you who run similar sized AIO's, any advice or thoughts?

Thanks very much for your help!

 

[Tamberav]

Here is a media basket for your 50.3

Waterbox AIO 28.2 | AIO 30.2 | AIO 35.2 | AIO 40.2 | AIO 50.3 - BLACK EDITION

inTank Media Baskets greatly improve and increase the filtration of your aquarium while making it easy to maintain

intankaquatics.com

Don't get their stand but guessing you don't plan to.

The waterbox back is not "fully black". If you put a fuge in it, you will see the light through the front of the glass. You would have to put black acrylic or something in the back.

For my AIO's I just ran floss and a bag of carbon, done. I tried all the other crap but it just over complicates the back and impedes flow for little benefit.

 

[Tamberav]

I love the simplicity of AIO's - they are generally simpler to keep clean manually. You have gravity on your side so a vinyl tube in the back and you can suck the water out periodically if you want. No bending over and using a pump to empty a sump.

They do make tiny skimmers if you want one, I quit using those too because they ALL make some amount of noise and there is no cabinet doors to silence it. Plus its ugly on the back. Filter roller is neat but also an eyesore. I have seen some make a cover for wall for the back to block taller things like skimmers and such though..

If you want a heavier stocked tank or hate water changes then those things are probably useful though.

 

[Fish Fan]

Here is a media basket for your 50.3

Waterbox AIO 28.2 | AIO 30.2 | AIO 35.2 | AIO 40.2 | AIO 50.3 - BLACK EDITION

inTank Media Baskets greatly improve and increase the filtration of your aquarium while making it easy to maintain

intankaquatics.com

Don't get their stand but guessing you don't plan to.

The waterbox back is not "fully black". If you put a fuge in it, you will see the light through the front of the glass. You would have to put black acrylic or something in the back.

For my AIO's I just ran floss and a bag of carbon, done. I tried all the other crap but it just over complicates the bag and impedes flow for little benefit.

Thank you for your reply!

No, I don't want their stand, this would go on our "nook", for lack of a better word, so no stand needed.

A "Not fully black back" may be a hard no for me. I own a brand new, and now discontinued, IM Nuvo Black 40 gallon, which I've thought about running, but I think it's too small. Also, it features a "smoked" back panel, as they call it, but it's entirely see through, not fully black. So if you hung a HOB filter on the back, you'd see the "shadow" of the filter. I'd have to paint it or black it out. Plus, it's not drilled and at only 40 gallons, doesn't seem worth it.

I have two small AIO's going currently, both IM Nuvo Fusions, a 10 and a 15, but I consider these my "I wanted to get back into saltwater tanks", not my "dream" tank. But I run these with little more than floss and water changes. I'm not sure I can do that on a much larger tank, but thank you for sharing how you run your system.

Side note: I have an also brand new, never used, standard 65 gallon, reef-ready tank, but I don't like the old glass or the overflow.

And, for once, I don't want just another fish tank, I want a nice aquarium.

This is what's driving my decision making with this purchase.

 

[Fish Fan]

I love the simplicity of AIO's - they are generally simpler to keep clean manually. You have gravity on your side so a vinyl tube in the back and you can suck the water out periodically if you want. No bending over and using a pump to empty a sump.

They do make tiny skimmers if you want one, I quit using those too because they ALL make some amount of noise and there is no cabinet doors to silence it. Plus its ugly on the back. Filter roller is neat but also an eyesore. I have seen some make a cover for wall for the back to block taller things like skimmers and such though..

If you want a heavier stocked tank or hate water changes then those things are probably useful though.

I try to never overstock with fish, and I don't yet have a solid livestock plan for this tank, if I did it. Honestly, being that it would be an AIO and in a bit of an awkward spot in my home, I kind of see an easier softy tank, which is not my dream tank, but would still be a fine display.

I'm starting to lean more towards a 'fuge vs. a skimmer in general, but I know that there are nano skimmers available for AIO tanks. I also have one of the AquaGadget 'fuge lights where you peel back a bit of your IM Nuvo Fusion's black backing, and velcro the light to the back of the tank. If that light would shine through the display on the Waterbox 50.3, then that's a no. I am interested to know if there is another way to run a 'fuge in these tanks.

I agree, I don't like the way the filter rollers sit above the tank, and I really, really don't like the cost of the replacement rolls. I just don't like dealing with socks, so I'm open to other ways of mechanical filtration, including just using no mechanical, which I believe Josh from World Wide Corrals advocates. But for my money, ideally, I'd have a media basket or cup and run cheap (like me!) PolyFil from Walmart, and pitch it every few days to a week.

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[Tamberav]

It's possible they changed the back glass since then. It has been years since I have looked at one, but it is how it used to be. I didn't know IM was this way, I have older IM's and they are acrylic AIO sections.

This thread is a good example but it is from 2018 so I can't be sure it is still that way. I don't have any waterbox currently.

Waterbox AIO 50.3

It's been around two weeks since receiving my new Waterbox AIO 50.3. First shipment came in cracked but they quicky send me a replacement .. I build my own stand due to their stand on backorder. Besides that I been really happy with the aquarium until I discover this. I notice that I can't do...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Fish Fan]

It's possible they changed the back glass since then. It has been years since I have looked at one, but it is how it used to be. I didn't know IM was this way, I have older IM's and they are acrylic AIO sections.

This thread is a good example but it is from 2018 so I can't be sure it is still that way. I don't have any waterbox currently.

Waterbox AIO 50.3

It's been around two weeks since receiving my new Waterbox AIO 50.3. First shipment came in cracked but they quicky send me a replacement .. I build my own stand due to their stand on backorder. Besides that I been really happy with the aquarium until I discover this. I notice that I can't do...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks again for your time and help, it's very much appreciated!

My IM 40 gallon is not one of their AIO's, it's a now discontinued, non-drilled, rimless tank that featured low-iron glass, nice seams, and their "smoked glass" back, which seemed great when I ordered it sometime around 2017, but once it arrived I was left scratching my head. It's dark, but not see through or light proof. I don't know what engineer or designer decided that the back needs to be dark to hide equipment, but not so dark as to completely hid the equipment. It's like you'd see the "shadow" of the equipment.

I appreciate, and will check out the link you posted.

Thank you again for your help!!!

 

[steveschuerger]

I was running and IM SR60 AIO for about a year and almost half. A nice midsize tank. I’d go back to them if I was getting a larger tank for sure

• Outside DIMS: Length 35.43” Width: 23.62” Height: 16.14”
• Display DIMS: Length 34.65” Width: 17.88” Height: 16.14”

 

[Fish Fan]

I was running and IM SR60 AIO for about a year and almost half. A nice midsize tank. I’d go back to them if I was getting a larger tank for sure

• Outside DIMS: Length 35.43” Width: 23.62” Height: 16.14”
• Display DIMS: Length 34.65” Width: 17.88” Height: 16.14”

Thank you for your reply!

I am unaware of an IM tank that has these dimensions, could you post a link?

I like IM, and have three (two saltwater) of their smaller AIO tanks running.

I don't want/need a stand, so it drives me nuts that IM and others won't sell me a tank without all the extra stands and stuff they add to their 'packages'.

I am very interested to learn more about your 60 gallon, how you set it up and ran it, and what you are keeping in it. Do you have a build thread?

 

[steveschuerger]

Thank you for your reply!

I am unaware of an IM tank that has these dimensions, could you post a link?

I like IM, and have three (two saltwater) of their smaller AIO tanks running.

I don't want/need a stand, so it drives me nuts that IM and others won't sell me a tank without all the extra stands and stuff they add to their 'packages'.

I am very interested to learn more about your 60 gallon, how you set it up and ran it, and what you are keeping in it. Do you have a build thread?

I do but since I’ve upgraded tanks it’s no long an “active one . But here it’s is-

AIO Build - My Innovative Marine SR60 upgrade

It’s been quite a year.Last October I started a small saltwater project with a Biocube 16 LED. A few months later I wanted more room so I went with an IM 30l Nuvo Pro. I loved the tank but realized I needed more room as my coral buying got a little out of hand. Here’s my last tank (and probably...

www.reef2reef.com

Shop | Innovative Marine Products

Shop Now | Innovative Marine's Official Store | Free Shipping on all orders* | NUVO aquariums and saltwater reef supplies.

www.innovative-marine.com

 

[Tamberav]

Thank you for your reply!

I am unaware of an IM tank that has these dimensions, could you post a link?

I like IM, and have three (two saltwater) of their smaller AIO tanks running.

I don't want/need a stand, so it drives me nuts that IM and others won't sell me a tank without all the extra stands and stuff they add to their 'packages'.

I am very interested to learn more about your 60 gallon, how you set it up and ran it, and what you are keeping in it. Do you have a build thread?

It drives me crazy too... I want the 40L AIO by IM but I don't want the stand!

 

[steveschuerger]

It drives me crazy too... I want the 40L AIO by IM but I don't want the stand!

Yeah when I bought both IM tanks I’ve owned stands were optional. As much as I love em if I had no place for the stand I’d have to look else where. The SR 60 was on a desk rated for 800 lbs in the study.

 

[swinglow1321]

I also was looking for a tank to fill a certain spot in our home. I settled on the 62G tideline, much like the waterbox they come with socks which I immediately replaced with media baskets. If you’re looking just for a tank, the 47G lagoon looks like it might just fit for you, at a fraction of the cost. Quality is top notch in my opinion, I’m very happy with mine. I did have to order at a LFS.

 

[Brubaker]

Hey guys!

I have an itch for a new tank, and I'm just kind of exploring a few different options. I haven't decided on anything yet, except that I want a new tank

I'm really looking for my "'realistic' dream tank", which would be somewhere between 80 to 120 gallons, maybe 150, but I'm having a hard time finding what I want for an amount I'm already begrudgingly willing to pay for a glass or plastic box to hold my fish. When it comes to the cost of new tanks these days, I am in full on "old man" mode, please don't get me started ;-)

But, I have a "nook" in my basement living area that was built by the 1970's homebuilders ostensibly to hold an old, standard def TV set. We can't knock this nook thing down because it's hiding some of the major plumbing works where the town water comes into the house. And since old, boxy, standard def TV's are a long distant memory, this space is simply screaming for an aquarium, in my opinion. I mean, even my wife agrees, what else are we going to put there?

This space would allow for a 36" aquarium, but without getting into too much here, plumbing a sump would be problematic, to say the least. So I was thinking freshwater, until it just popped into my head, an All-In-One reef tank might be a good idea for this space.

I did a little looking, and I'm open to other ideas for sure, but I found the Waterbox 50.3 AIO and I'm interested. To any owners of this tank, how has it been? Do you feel you're missing out by not having a sump?

https://waterboxaquariums.com/produ...9uT6E1E4NpG-iGgXJ5yT-fnGv2pwxNtQaAspyEALw_wcB

It looks like the included filter socks are small, possibly non-standard size. I really don't like socks, and prefer to run cups of floss, and I even have one of the fleece rollers, though I haven't set it up yet. Can I use anything else for mechanical filtration on this Waterbox tank besides their socks?

Can you setup a refugium in one of the sections in the filter area?

Any other thoughts/feelings/do's or don't with this tank? It looks like there's an InTank media basket available, so that's a plus.

More generally, for those of you who run similar sized AIO's, any advice or thoughts?

Thanks very much for your help!

 

[Fish Fan]

I also was looking for a tank to fill a certain spot in our home. I settled on the 62G tideline, much like the waterbox they come with socks which I immediately replaced with media baskets. If you’re looking just for a tank, the 47G lagoon looks like it might just fit for you, at a fraction of the cost. Quality is top notch in my opinion, I’m very happy with mine. I did have to order at a LFS.

Thank you for your help, I will check out those tanks!

It drives me crazy too... I want the 40L AIO by IM but I don't want the stand!

It definitely drives me crazy, and it's not just IM. I don't know why more manufacturers don't offer just the tank if that's what you want. I'm a woodworker and want to build my own stands, or in this case, I already have an area in my house where I want to place this tank. And, I have a storage unit full of gear like sumps, skimmers, lighting, etc. I have old standard tanks I no longer want to use, I just want a nice, new, contemporary tank lol!

I do but since I’ve upgraded tanks it’s no long an “active one . But here it’s is-

AIO Build - My Innovative Marine SR60 upgrade

It’s been quite a year.Last October I started a small saltwater project with a Biocube 16 LED. A few months later I wanted more room so I went with an IM 30l Nuvo Pro. I loved the tank but realized I needed more room as my coral buying got a little out of hand. Here’s my last tank (and probably...

www.reef2reef.com

Shop | Innovative Marine Products

Shop Now | Innovative Marine's Official Store | Free Shipping on all orders* | NUVO aquariums and saltwater reef supplies.

www.innovative-marine.com

Thank you to you and Xena! I'll check out your build thread today.

 

[Fish Fan]

I was running and IM SR60 AIO for about a year and almost half. A nice midsize tank. I’d go back to them if I was getting a larger tank for sure

• Outside DIMS: Length 35.43” Width: 23.62” Height: 16.14”
• Display DIMS: Length 34.65” Width: 17.88” Height: 16.14”

And could I please just ask, did you feel that not having a sump was an issue, especially if you were dosing at all? Again, I have two small AIO's running now, a 10 and a 15, and a 15 freshwater, but I consider these to be very basic reef tanks, and I rely mostly on water changes to keep them going. On a much larger or more advanced tank, I'm going to have to rely much more on the filter system than water changes.

Thank you in advance!

 

[steveschuerger]

And could I please just ask, did you feel that not having a sump was an issue, especially if you were dosing at all? Again, I have two small AIO's running now, a 10 and a 15, and a 15 freshwater, but I consider these to be very basic reef tanks, and I rely mostly on water changes to keep them going. On a much larger or more advanced tank, I'm going to have to rely much more on the filter system than water changes.

Thank you in advance!

Like @swinglow1321 I took the sock out and ran with 2 media baskets. Used a hob refugium, and dosed 2 part (ESV B-Ionic) for Alk/Ca and micro element dosing once a week. Biweekly water changes 10%. That’s it.

 

[Fish Fan]

Like @swinglow1321 I took the sock out and ran with 2 media baskets. Used a hob refugium, and dosed 2 part (ESV B-Ionic) for Alk/Ca and micro element dosing once a week. Biweekly water changes 10%. That’s it.

Thank you for your help! I actually forgot that I could do a HOB fuge, I'd been thinking about how to convert one of the chambers.

 

[Fish Fan]

I also was looking for a tank to fill a certain spot in our home. I settled on the 62G tideline, much like the waterbox they come with socks which I immediately replaced with media baskets. If you’re looking just for a tank, the 47G lagoon looks like it might just fit for you, at a fraction of the cost. Quality is top notch in my opinion, I’m very happy with mine. I did have to order at a LFS.

I took a look at this tank, I see now this is by Planet, who has a pretty good reputation here at R2R. And like you said, this tank is WAY cheaper than the Waterbox, almost half for their 47 gallon lagoon ($600) vs the 49 gallon Waterbox for $1000.

The shallow lagoon style tank isn't my favorite style personally, but dimensionally that tank would fit my space nicely. Even the shallow depth works as it would allow me more room to get rocks or livestock or whatever in and out of the tank, which has been a concern of mine when I'm looking at this space where I want to place a tank.

I'm definitely interested. It's too small to be my "dream tank", but considering the low cost and that it would not take up any extra floor space in our house, I think I can get this tank and still convince my wife that I need a larger, "dream tank" lol!

Finding one may be a problem. When I looked an LFS right near me is listed as a dealer, but they are a mom and pop shop that has sadly gone way downhill over the years. They are now only open on Sundays, if I remember correctly, so I don't have high hopes, but it may be worth a phone call to see if they can get this tank.

Thank you again for the suggestion!

 

[Wayner]

I just want the IM stand, for the 40 long tank, but they won’t just sell the stand , have to buy the tank too