Gundy's Reef WB Infinia Reef 150.4

[Flowology]

I pulled the plug on a Water Box Infinia Reef 150.4 and took advantage of the Labor Day sale. I placed the order 8/27 and it's supposed to deliver 9/5 via FedEx. Hopefully that process goes smooth, I've already read about the nightmare experiences out there. Equipment is still filtering in and I plan to take this slow and steady. Might not even have water in it for some time. Planning to do a fishless cycle with about 80% Marco Rock and 20% live rock. Dry rock and sand show up tomorrow and I'm undecided on where to procure live rock.

Equipment:
Syncra SDC 7 return pump
Vortech MP40 wave makers
Osmolator 3 ATO
BRS 600W heaters with Helio controller
Quantum 160 skimmer
Reefmat 1200 fleece roller
Spectrapure stage 4 RODI


I've been planning out a mixing station in my basement. Going to run water top offs and water changes up one level where my tank will be. End goal is to automate everything when the timing and budget aligns. My basement is currently unfinished and I have the luxury of running pipes and lines anywhere I want. I got really lucky with tank placement and was able to tap into a drain pipe directly under the tank. I ran a 1-1/2" chase into the utility room which will give me the freedom to run what I need after the basement gets finished. Here's a few pictures of the work I've done. Waiting to cut and glue fittings on the pipe coming through the floor until I get the tank set up.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Flowology]

Tank showed up today and the delivery was smooth. Mad props to Waterbox for their packaging skills. Everything showed up shrink wrapped and banded to a pallet. All glass and delicate components are separately packaged in cardboard and strategicly placed together in a wooden crate that is screwed together. I opened everything and inspected prior to signing for it. The FedEx guy was patient and understood the necessity to check everything out.

Last night I started messing with the rock, getting an idea of what my aquascape might look like. It’ll take some time getting the pieces to fit together to look good, definitely time consuming! Does anyone have any recommendations on gluing? I have the BRS superglue gel, is it best to mock it up in the tank and glue outside of tank or just go for it in the tank with maybe some cardboard underneath?

 

[Flowology]

Over due update. As soon as the tank showed up I started putting everything together. In the last step to finish the stand I was missing some parts. The two bottom side supports that accept the feet were missing the threaded plugs. What a buzz kill! WB was great and sent me the replacement parts but they took a week to get to my house. A whole week wasted which meant I couldn’t start cycling until I got back from our vacation (yesterday).

 

[Flowology]

Update part 2.

As of last night I have everything put together and ready for water. Plumbing is modified and converted to standard. I opted for the popular red and gray color scheme. I did the emergency drain lift modification as well.

 

[Tactical Reefkeeping]

awesome plumbing

 

[Flowology]

Update part 3.

Aquascape is 95% complete. I used 80 lbs. of Marco rock and ran out. I’ll probably change a few things when I get more rock, just depends on what the pieces look like. For the rest, I am adding Marco Mariculture live rock. Should be a nice boost for the fishless tank cycle. Last to do before water is hook up the Spectrapure RODI system in the basement. Hoping to tackle that tonight.

 

[Flowology]

awesome plumbing

Thank you!

 

[Flowology]

Saltwater mixing station is done and I started cycling the tank yesterday. I used Dr. Tim's One and Only and ammonia. I pulled saltwater from my mixing station in the basement. SO CONVENIENT! I'm very excited for all my future water changes. It'll be even better when I integrate a control system and automate everything.

This is the end result of my rock scape. I ended up changing the highlighted areas (compare to previous post). I'm stoked with how it turned out and still plan to fill in some areas in the back with Maricultured Marco Rock.

 

[Tactical Reefkeeping]

Saltwater mixing station is done and I started cycling the tank yesterday. I used Dr. Tim's One and Only and ammonia. I pulled saltwater from my mixing station in the basement. SO CONVENIENT! I'm very excited for all my future water changes. It'll be even better when I integrate a control system and automate everything.

This is the end result of my rock scape. I ended up changing the highlighted areas (compare to previous post). I'm stoked with how it turned out and still plan to fill in some areas in the back with Maricultured Marco Rock.

Looking great love the aqua scape

 

[mizukage]

Love the scape and plumbing! I have the same tank but it's still dry as I slowly put it together.

Question: what is the emergency drain lift modification you speak of? I intend to put a reefmat 1200 filter roller too.

Edit: Do you still have water going into the back chamber of the sump since you use the fleece mat? I am wondering what to do about it.



Thanks

 

[Flowology]

Love the scape and plumbing! I have the same tank but it's still dry as I slowly put it together.

Question: what is the emergency drain lift modification you speak of? I intend to put a reefmat 1200 filter roller too.

Edit: Do you still have water going into the back chamber of the sump since you use the fleece mat? I am wondering what to do about it.



Thanks

E drain mod involves raising the inlet to raise water height about 1/2”. This eliminates the noise from water falling into that back chamber. I used two 45 degree elbows. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/waterbox-overflow-design.986540/

This is a decent video of the mod.
Yes, I have water back there. I didn’t for a long time then I shut off my return pump to change some plumping and all the water flooded back there. It will be an issue going forward, no way I can see to keep it dry. I’m currently using the return manifold to create flow but it’s leaking so I have to change it up. I posted my plan in the other thread you’re following. Pics coming this weekend.

Waterbox 150.4 Sump - Reefmat 500 Installation thoughts . . .

I'm in the middle of setting up our Waterbox Infinia 150.4 We are adding a Reefmat 500 instead of the Filter Socks so I need to modify the main drain pipe to run into the Reefmat instead of the back chamber in the factory sump. The area inside the red circle is that main focus of this post...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[apeshot]

I love the water change pipe to the basement. I’m currently running a water box 110 on my main floor but have the water mixing station in the basement. I know I’m going to want to upgrade this tank to a 7 footer in about 18 months. I’ll be running a pipe just like yours to the basement for water changes and for a drain. I can’t wait to see how you try to automate it, if you do.

 

[Flowology]

I love the water change pipe to the basement. I’m currently running a water box 110 on my main floor but have the water mixing station in the basement. I know I’m going to want to upgrade this tank to a 7 footer in about 18 months. I’ll be running a pipe just like yours to the basement for water changes and for a drain. I can’t wait to see how you try to automate it, if you do.

Thank you! I’m pretty proud of it haha. Haven’t made a final decision yet but leaning towards Hydros. My understanding is you can program when the pumps come on and off and can put a meter inline to measure the volume. Definitely a next year project.

Even without the automation component, it’s made my life so simple. I installed an inline meter from Amazon to measure exit volume. I need to install some kind of anti-siphon component. When the pump shuts off, the water keeps flowing. Open to suggestions from any readers.

I have an Avast Marine ATO with extra components arriving this week to complete the set up running from the basement mix station.

 

[apeshot]

I was planning to put a simple ball valve in the line that I can turn to break the siphon once my water is moved to the appropriate place. That way no matter what happens with water levels or messed up automations or power outages I can sleep at night knowing the line is closed.

 

[Flowology]

I was planning to put a simple ball valve in the line that I can turn to break the siphon once my water is moved to the appropriate place. That way no matter what happens with water levels or messed up automations or power outages I can sleep at night knowing the line is closed.

I had similar thinking and will use a valve for the time being. I would like to use a check valve with some sort of siphon break. Cool thing about AWC is having the ability to do more frequent changes of less volume. Having to manually turn a valve defeats the convenience of AWC.

 

[Flowology]

Tank Cycle
I am now almost 3 weeks into the cycle, everything looks great. I had a little scare in week one with a massive ammonia spike (my fault). Dr. Tim’s reference sheet had instructions to dose 4 drops per gallon. Further down it mentioned the old recipe was 1 drop per gallon and to follow the instructions on the bottle. Lesson learned, always read the instructions in full. Nothing catastrophic happened, I just waited it out and time fixed the overdose. Ammonia and Nitrites are now zero. First fish are 2 Black Ocellaris Clown Fish.

Aquascape
There’s not much to look at during a fishless tank cycle and my OCD got the better of me (multiple times). I ended up changing my rock design multiple times and ended up with the below product. I’m pretty stoked on it. A lot of feedback came in saying my previous design was too tall and I agree. I’m ordering maricultured rock to fill in a few places which should also add a lot of biodiversity and speed up the maturing process.



Tank Plumbing and Equipment
Everything is running as it should. I’m only making small modifications here and there as needed. Breaking in the skimmer and tuning it in. Reef Mat works and doing it’s job, not much to pull out at this point. I have more red pipe and gray furniture coming in this week to modify my return line. I am using the stock manifold to create flow into the back chamber of my sump since I have a reef mat. Unfortunately, the manifold is leaking so it’s being removed. I’ll install a dual manifold in its place which will change up the return line design a bit. Reefi Uno 2.1 lights are mounted but not plugged in. I won’t turn them on for quite some time. No need to create unnecessary chaos with unwanted algae. Avast Marine ATO w/ extra accessories for salt tank pump. Arriving in a couple days. Refugium kit and light arriving in a couple days as well.



Basement Mixing Station
Station is complete and running flawlessly.