First Reef Tank! Waterbox Infinia 230.6

[SeaJelly]

It’s finally time!

After weeks and weeks of researching tanks and fish and corals and equipment, I have finally received my aquarium system. Granted, I’m no where near close to even filling it with water, let alone fish. But it’s a start!

I am the proud new owner of a waterbox INFINIA 230.6. This has a 167 gallon display tank and a 51 gallon sump. The display tank is 72.3”L x 25.3”W x 23.6”H. This is my very first saltwater aquarium (and reef tank). I’m also pretty new to aquariums in general. I have a 2.6 gallon betta tank and a 15 gallon high freshwater that I’m starting at the same time as this…

Perhaps I’m ambitious, but I’m doing everything I can to do this right and responsibly. I have so many more things to learn, it’s fun! If not overwhelming.. but still fun!

I need to place the tank on top, obviously. But the stand is finally put together and the sump and reservoir are in. Definitely a bit intimidated bringing the tank down. This is on the bottom level (on concrete, it’s a finished basement). There is a relatively easy way to get down to where the stand is around the house and down a slope (not too steep).

But man, it’s heavy. The sump alone was super heavy. I’m sure my husband and I will be able to handle it, though.

Anyway, I have nothing else but the aquarium set up (tank, stand, sump). I realized that the stand did not have a good place for me to mount any control panel/power. Nor did it have a mesh lid. So I ordered a control box (that I can mount onto) and a mesh lid specifically for this tank model through Waterbox.

I did order a bunch of rock (185lbs reef saver macro rocks + 3L and 2M foundation pieces + glue). I’m expecting the aquascaping to take awhile, as I’ve never done it before and I’m also a perfectionist. I’ve been researching a lot of different tank designs as well as coral and fish needs. I’m still deciding what fish/corals I like and need to see what’s compatible. That will determine my aquascaping and equipment.

So much to research! So much fun! I’m so excited! Much more to come

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[SeaJelly]

Huzzah! The tank is finally on the stand (90lb German Shepherd to scale).

We hired professional movers to put it on, which I’m very happy that I did that. Well worth the money. It took 4 guys and even then it was a challenge.

 

[SeaJelly]

Okay! I set up the plumbing and Neptune Apex system and cleaned the glass! It took a hot second but I’m satisfied with it.

I still need to do a water test to make sure the plumbing isn’t leaking. Not sure how I should do that, but I’m going to do some research on that.

I have almost all equipment. I have to return the gyre power heads I got, though. I bought the Maxspect gyre cloud edition w/o the controller because I thought that it was compatible with the Apex. Alas, it is not.

So I’m returning those and purchased two AI Orbit 4 pumps. I also didn’t realize that I needed an MXM module, so I got that too. Hopefully those are here later this week or early next week!

My equipment so far is:

- Neptune Apex
- Vectra M2
- Aquamaxx ConeS DRC-2 protein skimmer
- 2x 600W titanium heater (BRS)
- Osomolater 3 Auto Top Off

I also got:

- 5 Stage Premium Plus RO/DI
- Ultra Zero utility pump
- No Spill Clean & Fill Python

Plus I’m starting with all dry rock, CaribSea Special Grade sand, and RedSea aquarium salt mix.

I think my next steps are doing a water test and setting up my equipment. I’ll also start to get to work on my aquascaping.

 

[SeaJelly]

I’ve been super busy over the last few days working on the tank. On Friday I worked on my Aquascape. I also set up my RO/DI station and have two 32 gallon trash cans that I’m filtering it into (w/ a 5 gallon bucket for the waste water that I have to empty every 25-30 minutes). Unfortunately I don’t have a sink or drain downstairs near the aquarium. But the hose is right outside, so that’s been convenient.

On Saturday I glued my Aquascape together and kept filtering water.

I’ve been trying to set up my equipment too. I got an open box Aquamaxx protein skimmer and it came with the center part broken off. So I returned that and ordered a Reef Octopus Regal 250INT 10” protein skimmer (which was 20% off! Woohoo!).

I filtered about 60 gallons of RO/DI water over the last couple of days so I finally started filling the tank! I put the CaribSea special grade sand (100lbs) in the tank. I bought the Ultra Zero utility pump so I put that in the first bucket and started filling! No leaks and it went super smooth!

Sand is in!

Starting to fill it up.

The set up.

The first 30 gallons.

60 gallons in!

Now I’ll wait for more RO/DI water to filter and go from there!

 

[SeaJelly]

All the water is in, the salt is in, and all of the equipment I have is set up. I’m still waiting on my protein skimmer to arrive, which will be here this week.

I also got starter bacteria and ammonium chloride, so I’ll get the cycle going this week!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Aquascape looks great!

 

[SeaJelly]

Aquascape looks great!

Thank you!

 

[Northern Flicker]

Off to a great start Jelly. I didn't see lighting mentioned - what will you be using?

 

[SeaJelly]

Off to a great start Jelly. I didn't see lighting mentioned - what will you be using?

Thank you!

I’ll be getting three EcoTech Radion XR15 G6 Pro lights with the RMS tank mount system. It’s compatible with the Apex controller via MXM, plus I’ve read great things about it. It seems like a good choice and a lot of opportunity for different coral types.

 

[Northern Flicker]

That's what one of the greats SunnyX runs, so you can't go wrong. Should be a rewarding build.

 

[SeaJelly]

That's what one of the greats SunnyX runs, so you can't go wrong. Should be a rewarding build.

Awesome! I just bought them, so they’ll probably be here sometime next week. I’m excited!

 

[SeaJelly]

Everything is set up (minus the lights) and the tank is cycling! I’m using Dr. Tim’s one and only and dosing with ammonium chloride per the instructions.

I just ordered my lights today, which should be here next week sometime.

Now I need to learn how to program and use the Neptune apex. I’m in the process of reading the user manual and then I’ll watch a bunch of YouTube videos on it. I think it will be really fun to learn!

One step closer to having fish!

 

[mizukage]

what a lovely set up! Thank you for sharing your experience. First time reefer too and I have an infinia reef 150 (smaller than yours) and I haven't got it wet yet.Still have to build the stand, and get the equipment but following your build is an inspiration.

Did you end up researching how to do a water leak test or did you go straight to filling it up?

 

[SeaJelly]

what a lovely set up! Thank you for sharing your experience. First time reefer too and I have an infinia reef 150 (smaller than yours) and I haven't got it wet yet.Still have to build the stand, and get the equipment but following your build is an inspiration.

Did you end up researching how to do a water leak test or did you go straight to filling it up?

Thank you so much!! It’s definitely a lot of work, but it’s so rewarding.

I followed the leak test guidance but I did it with RO/DI water and just filled it slowly over a few days (mostly because I only have two 32 gallon cans and it takes a long time to filter 200+ gallons of water). Everything worked out fine and there are no leaks!

I did test the overflow box with regular water at first though because I wanted to make sure everything was secure there. Once all the water was in and I had the return and gyre pumps all set up I put in the salt. I also filled the tank with the RO/DI water (and did the leak test at the same time) after I did my Aquascape and put the sand in.

 

[SeaJelly]

I now have a battery backup! Living in the PNW we have a lot of wind storms in the fall/winter months and, as a result, power outages. This will keep the return pump running for about a day. I’ll probably end up investing in some sort of generator before wind season kicks off, though.

I’m also on day 8 of cycling the tank! I put in a 16oz bottle of Dr. Tim’s “one and only” and have been dosing with ammonium chloride per the instructions. Yesterday my ammonia level was at 2ppm and this morning it’s at 0.25ppm! Very excited to see progress there.

My lights will be arriving tomorrow, so I’ll get those set up soon. I’ll also be setting up a quarantine tank here soon.

I’m getting closer to adding fish! Yay! I think I’ll start off with a pair of clownfish. I also just learned that clownfish can live 20+ years, which is super cool.

 

[mizukage]

I now have a battery backup! Living in the PNW we have a lot of wind storms in the fall/winter months and, as a result, power outages. This will keep the return pump running for about a day. I’ll probably end up investing in some sort of generator before wind season kicks off, though.

I’m also on day 8 of cycling the tank! I put in a 16oz bottle of Dr. Tim’s “one and only” and have been dosing with ammonium chloride per the instructions. Yesterday my ammonia level was at 2ppm and this morning it’s at 0.25ppm! Very excited to see progress there.

My lights will be arriving tomorrow, so I’ll get those set up soon. I’ll also be setting up a quarantine tank here soon.

I’m getting closer to adding fish! Yay! I think I’ll start off with a pair of clownfish. I also just learned that clownfish can live 20+ years, which is super cool.

By the way, a lot of reefers such as @telegraham and @KalamazooReefer have been recommending the ecoflow as a back up battery solution. I'm going down this route too. Just some thing to consider

 

[SeaJelly]

By the way, a lot of reefers such as @telegraham and @KalamazooReefer have been recommending the ecoflow as a back up battery solution. I'm going down this route too. Just some thing to consider

Oh sweet, thank you so much for the recommendation! I’ll look into that!

 

[SeaJelly]

Let there be light!!

 

[sharkbait-uhaha]

welcome and following along for the ride...