HTown Reef - 200g Waterbox Reef LX 270.6 (SPS Dominant)

[kenbennedy]

Following! I’m in Houston also, did you get some friends to move your tank in, or are you hiring someone? I’m looking for a recommendation if things work out, I’m trying to remain optimistic that my wife and I can move my incoming 180 (12mm glass). We’ll see.

That Reef LX looks fantastic.

 

[Ugin]

Following! I’m in Houston also, did you get some friends to move your tank in, or are you hiring someone? I’m looking for a recommendation if things work out, I’m trying to remain optimistic that my wife and I can move my incoming 180 (12mm glass). We’ll see.

That Reef LX looks fantastic.

Due to Covid, the friends I'd normally leverage for something like this are quarantining themselves. I'm having Fish Gallery come out and move the tank from the garage to the living room + leveling, very basic stuff.

I'd personally recommend reaching out to Ocean Life or FJW. They're cheaper, however I couldn't get anyone in in a short amount of time.

 

[kenbennedy]

Due to Covid, the friends I'd normally leverage for something like this are quarantining themselves. I'm having Fish Gallery come out and move the tank from the garage to the living room + leveling, very basic stuff.

I'd personally recommend reaching out to Ocean Life or FJW. They're cheaper, however I couldn't get anyone in in a short amount of time.

Well, I certainly hope your COVID symptoms remain mild. Thanks for the info, and I’m looking forward to seeing your reef come together.

Did you already work out where you will be sourcing your livestock?

 

[Ugin]

Well, I certainly hope your COVID symptoms remain mild. Thanks for the info, and I’m looking forward to seeing your reef come together.

Did you already work out where you will be sourcing your livestock?

Thanks! My current livestock plans are to reach out to Dr. Reefs Quarantined Fish who has a full prophylactic QT method that I'd personally use, but cannot due to compromise with the girl. (Not) having extra QT tanks was the compromise I made with the girl to buy a 200g+ tank LOL.

I'm basically going to pay a small premium to have fish pre-QT'd. Once I start cycling the tank, I'll reach out and have them begin the 4-6 week process. That should be more than enough time for the cycle to finish and some. As a side note, I plan on doing the same with my inverts.

 

[Ugin]

So after talking to BRS about when they'd get the IceCap 4k Controller instock, they told me it had been discontinued... even though they sell the standalone gyres by themselves without stating the controllers are discontinued :/

I've got the return label already, going to send it back sometime this week. That said, I've decided to move towards 4 MP40's instead as I already have 1 MP40 on hand. I'm thinking on the configuration below, don't judge my amazing paint skills.

Anyone else have powerhead configuration suggestions?

 

[lolgranny]

Looks like a good plan. Only wrasse I would be hesitant with is meleanirus. I was the odd ball and had two that killed fish. with a radiant and yellow being more peaceful I would be careful.

big tank you should be ok but

agree, 2/3 of my meleanirus were complete jerks. One, despite the screen decided to carpet surf. Can’t say I was mad about it.

 

[lolgranny]

congratulations on the new tank friend!

 

[Ugin]

congratulations on the new tank friend!

Thanks bud!

 

[Ugin]

UPDATE

- Big news. I just sold + handed off my old 90g. Arms hurt, but otherwise we're good!
- Next step is to move the liquor cabinet I mentioned very early on to the spot where my 90g was to make room for the Waterbox 270.6.
- Tomorrow early afternoon I have my LFS coming to help me move the tank into position.

 

[Ugin]

Oh also forgot to mention this arrived today!



I've never used an Apex before, but I'm excited to learn.

 

[Ugin]

Major progress!

Had to remove the garage door to get this in...



Had to adjust the feet of the stand as it wasn't perfectly leveled. A few of the feet post-leveling were also not touching so those were adjusted as well.



And here we are! I'm very pleased with the position of the tank and the build quality of the stand. Next steps will be...

1. Plumbing
2. Aquascape
3. Hang the lights
   1. I already have 2x4's painted white across my joists ready to install the hanging system
   2. Going to hang the lights after I aquascape to make getting in there a bit easier.

 

[Ugin]

So I can't really dig too much into the tank because it's still a work day (IT - WFH full time). That said, I found an issue already.

The sump came pre-fitted into the stand on delivery. If you compare the below image to the very bottom image, you can see the sump was placed backwards.

The filter socks SHOULD be on the left with the return chamber on the right, but it's flipped. To fix this, I'm going to remove the bracket highlighted in red before I fill the tank, pull out the sump, and flip it. I spoke with Waterbox support and this was their recommendation.

 

[Ugin]

Problem solved.

I removed all the bolts tied to this center brace:



I took out the sump, flipped it around, and we're in business!



Next step is to install the hinges + doors/siding.

 

[Ugin]

I got some good work in today between knocking out IT requests

Here's the fully completed cabinet in all its glory. I gotta say, Waterbox's build quality is superb.

Here's the tank in "open mode". All front panels are on slow-closing hinges and the side panels are magnetically fitted.

This is the electrical cabinet on the right side. Each inner electrical panels I installed are on hinges so you can swing them outward to do any kind of cable management/work behind the scenes.

Next steps...

 

[Ugin]

Does anyone have suggestions for under cabinet lighting? Gonna need a decent amount of light for how large this space is.

 

[40g Nano]

My Covid symptoms are mostly gone... what a great way to kick off 2022!

@Crabby48 So I've been refining my planned wrasse list and I had a few questions.
1) Do you have any suggestions regarding the potter's wrasse? Is this a fish you'd only recommend after having a well established pod population akin to other leopard wrasses/mandarin's?

2) Do you have any experience with the Checkerboard Wrasse (Marble/Hortulanus)? I have a reef buddy who keeps one with success, but I don't see much information online for care/experiences, so I figured I'd ask.

Checkerboard wrasse is the same thing as a marble wrasse right?

I got one a week ago and it seems to be doing great so far

 

[Ugin]

Checkerboard wrasse is the same thing as a marble wrasse right?

I got one a week ago and it seems to be doing great so far

Correct, they're the same!

 

[kenbennedy]

Does anyone have suggestions for under cabinet lighting? Gonna need a decent amount of light for how large this space is.

I grabbed an LED strip from Amazon that has adhesive backing, but I recommend adding some mechanical fasteners too. My stand is 48 x 36 and for me this is plenty bright. My stand is about 34" on the inside.

 

[Ugin]

I grabbed an LED strip from Amazon that has adhesive backing, but I recommend adding some mechanical fasteners too. My stand is 48 x 36 and for me this is plenty bright. My stand is about 34" on the inside.

I'll check them out. I've honestly not had the best lighting in the past from LED strips like those, but I don't remember the wattage of them vs. this one at 16W. Thanks!

 

[kenbennedy]

This particular one came in sections, the lengths of which were just right for my stand, but I would check for yours. On the other hand, so many of these types of lights are under $30, the risk is pretty low. Plus the return policy is usually pretty generous if it is still in good shape.