Jon’s Waterbox 70.2 build

[Nfd552]

Hey everyone this is my first build thread. That means I’m batting .500 on these since this is only my second tank. I’ve been in the hobby for almost 2 years now running a 75 gallon bowfront tank with a 30 gallon eshopps sump. Along with an X120 eshopps skimmer, 15W UV sterilizer, 2 hydor Wavemakers, BRS reactor for carbon. 300 watt heater. The tank originally came with a marine orbit 48” light, which i quickly upgraded to 2 radion xr30 gen2’s and a reeflink. When they arrived(eBay purchase) one did not work. After speaking to ecotech i shipped it out. Long story short, i ended up getting a gen 4 for an amazing price from them because the light was toasted. So I’ve been running gen 2 and a gen 4. Sorry to be long winded with my previous tank in a new tank build forum, but i needed to list those things So you knew what I’m working with since some items will be transferred to the new tank throughout this entire process. And with some input from you guys, maybe not transferred.

 

[Nfd552]

Now, the new tank....well let me tell you, I was kind of losing the flame of the saltwater tank. Battling algae outbreak after outbreak(gha and cyanto mostly, toss in a random Byropsis outbreak luckily localized to one rock) flatworms, a fish that demolished my other tank residents. But that 75 bow is still up and running strong. I’m sure everyone has these woes and downs, or you don’t...but I’ve lived and learned from my mistakes on this first tank and decided to commit to a waterbox 70.2 reef cube. I know most people go larger with new tanks, but i just like the look of this cube tank. I’ve been in love with waterbox aquariums since they arrived on the market(around when i began reefing lol) having been a huge fan of red sea reefers rimless tanks and clean, sexy stands. Waterbox i knew was the new guy on the market but something drew me toward them over a rsr so this past Black Friday weekend, Saturday to be exact, i pulled the trigger.


The deal they were promoting was any reef or pro tank/stand combo got a free nyos skimmer(120 or 160 depending on tank size) that right there drew me in since my plan is to keep my 75 up and running while cycling and maturing this new tank it would save me a few bucks to not have to purchase a skimmer(and have one to sell down the road,) not to mention the nyos is a $400 skimmer.


I also purchased a new mp40wqd with the tank. After rewards points hit i followed that up by a 40lbs box of caribsea life rock, saving $20 on the box with the reward points.

 

[Nfd552]

This specific Post will be continually updated...

So tank order was placed on Saturday 11/25/18. 70.2 waterbox with white stand.
Waterbox freight consent form received and signed on 11/28/18
Recieved call for delivery date 12/3/18
Scheduled delivery date 12/5/18 between 9a-2p
Delivery 12/5/18 130p

Equipment
Waterbox 70.2 Tank - delivered
Waterbox white Stand - delivered
Nyos 120 skimmer - delivered
Mp40wqd - delivered
Caribsea life rock - delivered
Free box fritz salt(bonus on large orders) - delivered
Ecotech radion xr30 gen 4 - still on 75g bow tank
Marine aqua dc900 Return pump - delivered
Caribsea ocean direct original - delivered
Heater - finnex 300w w/ digital controller- ordered



Now i continue to prep and wait...

 

[SPR1968]

Sounds like a great build thread so far, but remember we need pictures and lots of them! Lol

 

[LEOreefer]

More pics!

 

[pshootr]

Sounds like a very solid plan for a new tank. Looking forward to it [emoji106]

 

[Nfd552]

The pile has begun to grow...

 

[Nfd552]

I did forget to add this to the pile, since it’s not being stored in the garage

 

[Nfd552]

So being i have today off, and that I’m an early riser, i figured to myself let’s go play with some rocks. Because that’s what adults do! To me this is the most artistic part, your foundation for everything else. I know i can re scape at any time basically through the tanks life, but Since this tank is starfire glass all around i want to plan to, at minimum, epoxy the base level of rocks together solid to prevent movement or scratching to the bottom or the potential to have something shift and a top rock fall and damage the sides of the tank. Rocks above i will epoxy, but not so it’s that i have to remove the entire scape to take out one rock.
So i opened up my caribsea liferock box to see what we have. The rock is packaged in a heavy duty cardboard box, and within each rock is individually wrapped. In my first tank i built i used caribsea south sea base rock which was just a box of rocks tossed in, so it did have some broken pieces at the bottom which got eventually used as frag rubble, but the liferock was pretty well intact. I noticed two 2” pieces laying in the box after i removed all the rocks, but that’s the price of shipping UPS i guess. The individual wrapping prob could be a little thicker or softer. It’s like a multi layer cardboard/tissue paper hybrid. But again not much damage to the rocks after opening them all up. The two pieces on 2” i found at the box, i was able to locate on the rocks and i will either attach them back or just use are rubble for a frag plug and hide the broken spot. Obviously these rocks are treated by caribsea to have the purple coraline coloring and a dormant bacteria (i believe) so where pieces break off they are bright white. Now I’ll get to do some stacking and see what i come up with..

While it’s on my mind, i’m also Still debating the egg crate below the rock....

 

[Nfd552]

Took a few minutes to tape out my tank dimensions on a cardboard box, something i told myself I’d do after don’t doing it in my first tank. So after messing around for a bit I appear to be drawn to the “C” shaped scapes for this tank. Of course, it’ll prob change everyday till i get it in the tank, but this has been my favorite layout so far. Gives me ample space to place plenty of corals at various heights based on what they like. Ease of flow from my mp40 may also make me adjust the scape. I do think I’ll have to run to the store are maybe grab a rock or two more, or even see if they have any liferock shapes. I added the tv box behind taped out, another Black Friday buy lol, to be able to see how the rock would look vertically in the tank. I like it so far...I’m more than pleased to receive any input or comments

 

[Nfd552]

After a brief phone call today from the shipping company, my tank will be delivered this Wednesday 12/5 between 9a-2p!

 

[HairyGary]

Following along. Looking forward to it

 

[Nfd552]

Came home from work yesterday to find my nyos 120 had been delivered

 

[PookieGV]

Following

 

[Nfd552]

Big things happened today! As scheduled, the tank arrived today. Giving a 9a-2p window and showing up at 130p kind of sucks, but i was off today either way so i worked on my honey-do list while waiting. Truck arrives and delivery man was nice enough to bring it right into the garage for me so i didn’t have to have the hassle of moving it from the driveway into the garage. He was well tipped just for that simple courtesy. Once in the garage i quickly moved the cabinet to the side and unscrewed the four screws, one on each side, holding the top of the wooden crate together to inspect the glass on the tank and sump as specified in the waterbox freight email doc. Trying not the hold the gentleman up but to make sure i get a good look at everything. I did a lot today so I’ll be posting a few times with pics in red to each post. Just a warning...

 

[Rjukan]

How does the silicone look? After reading a few other waterbox threads I'm wary of their quality and would love to see some good news this time.

I really like your planned aquascape, looks great! I have a cube tank also, what are the dimensions on yours?

 

[Nfd552]

How does the silicone look? After reading a few other waterbox threads I'm wary of their quality and would love to see some good news this time.

I really like your planned aquascape, looks great! I have a cube tank also, what are the dimensions on yours?

I haven’t had a chance to inspect the silicon throughly as the tank portion is still in the box with the sump within. Knowing i wasn’t going to have time for the stand assembly and installing the tank and sump i left it in its protective crate for the time. I will post pictures when i get it out and check it over more throughly...it’s also a two man process to get the sump and tank in place, mainly bc the sump is also starfire glass and is shipped within the tank.

The tank is 24”wx24”dx22”h(it’s technically just shy of those numbers, they use cm so it’s like 23.89”)

 

[Nfd552]

Well this is a build thread so i got ready to do some building...but Murphy has appeared already. As post previously, i made sure to go through the glasswork to make sure it was delivered ok. The box for the cabinet appeared fine so i just moved that to the side when i did this not thinking much of it. Brought the stand box into my house to start this project up. I payed the box down, carefully cut the tape and opened the box...at this point i noticed the styrofoam is funky on the top of the box. I inspect the box from the inside and it’s all torn up. Check the panels and one has a dent in it, with the pain chipped off. Now i look at the outside of the box to see why didn’t notice this originally. I mean i would’ve noticed this size issue with the box. Turns out the delivery company must’ve had some issue, it fell, they dropped it, they dropped something on it, etc..and covered the damaged portion of the box with cardboard colored packing tape and had placed that side down on the delivery. Right away, not even having this setup at my house for 15 mins i email waterbox with pictures of the damage and the shady coverup attempt. This is not Waterbox’s fault at all, but I must say their customer service is awesome. They inquired which panel it was...i responded...they then replied that that panel was the door and i am able to proceed with the built and that the door with not inhibit mounting tank or anything and that at the point when i am ready to install the door if i have any visible or functional issues and would like it to be replaced they will send out a new door. The following photos show the damage and skelly coverup attempt by the delivery company. Once i got to the door in the build, i did have visible issues with the damage and i replied to them a few minutes ago that i would like the new door shipped to me. Waiting to hear back but like i said so far amazing customer service by @Waterbox Aquariums so far!!

 

[Nfd552]

So here are my stand build photos, minus the door installation from today. I tried to take as many as possible. The instructions that come with are kind of vague, but i will also include the photo i found online in a separate post that is a much better explaination to the build process. Only took about an hour to finish.

 

[Nfd552]

I did have one small issue, an un-tapped hole for one of the threaded feet. Quick fix with a 6mm tap and now it’s fine. (Photo shows a normal threaded hole, other photo shows the one that was not thread at all)