Jose's First Reef - Waterbox Cube 20

[JoseClimaco]

Hello Everyone,
I apologize beforehand about my writing, English is not my main language.

This is going to be my first saltwater tank, i thought it was a really good idea to create a Journal, so i can have a project timeline and at the same time get some help from more experienced reefers.

My initial idea for the tank was the Fluval evo 13.5, but after some trouble finding one in Portugal i started looking for something else.
To be honest i couldn't find any tank with similar size in Portugal, so i started searching in Spain and found a store with a really good deal on a Waterbox Cube 20 and i pulled the trigger.

Equipment list:

• Stand: All Pond Solutions 45 Cabinet
• Lights: Ecotech Radion XR15 Pro G4
• Skimmer: Reefloat Micro Skimmer
• Heater: Fluval E-100
• Pump: Sicce Syncra 1.0
• ATO: Autoaqua Smart ATO
• Monitoring: Seneye Reef
• Wave Maker: undecided

Still undecided between Nero 5, MP10 or the aqamai KPS and i would love some help. Is it worth the extra money for the Nero 5 or MP10?

Aquascape:

• Rock: Two little fishies Stax 20
• Sand: CaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink

Media:
I'm not sure yet what i'm going to use and i would appreciate if someone would help me in the correct direction.

I have a the following:

• Chemipure Blue
• Marinepure GEMS
• Bag of Carbon (Came with tank)
• Bag of Bio Balls (Came with tank)
• Filter Sock (Came with tank)
• Sponge (Came with tank)

I was planning to use the Filter Sock, Chemipure Blue and Marinepure Gems and skip the things that came with the tank. What do you guys think?

Cycle:
I got the Red Sea Reef Mature Pro kit and later i realized that i should be using live rock with this kit, that's why i'm getting some temporary live rock from my LFS to help the cycle.
For testing i'll be using the Red Sea Marine Care Multi Test Kit and a Unbranded refractometer.



At the moment i'm doing my rock scape, i'll be posting photos soon to get feedback.

You would make my day if you could give me a little direction on the Wavemaker and Media.

Thank you in advance

 

[crizain]

Waterbox 20 was my first tank... but I am using the bio-balls and swapped the sock for a basket; I change out a piece of floss 2-3 times per week. I was running Chemipure elite, pulled it as I am trying to raise phos. Nothing else currently outside of sand and live-rock and everything seems happy.

For flow, I have the Nero 5. Honestly, it is a cool wave maker but it is too much power. My hammers and acans do not like more than 10% flow from this thing - and I am on the 3rd placement to try to get it right.

 

[Tom Stevens]

Waterbox 20 is a great tank to start with. I have a Waterbox 10g in addition to their 75.2 and love both. In my 10g I have the smaller version of the Aqamai KPS. It may be OK for the 20g but you might want to consider the larger version.

Enjoy the build!

 

[JoseClimaco]

Waterbox 20 is a great tank to start with. I have a Waterbox 10g in addition to their 75.2 and love both. In my 10g I have the smaller version of the Aqamai KPS. It may be OK for the 20g but you might want to consider the larger version.

Enjoy the build!

Don't you think the KPM will produce way too much flow?

I was aiming for 3000 litres per hour. Should I go higher?

 

[Tom Stevens]

Don't you think the KPM will produce way too much flow?

I was aiming for 3000 litres per hour. Should I go higher?

Well, it might. Both are adjustable. I can turn down the KPM if to strong at 100%, but you cannot turn up a KPS from 100%. The amount of flow depends on what you want to do. Since this is your first Saltwater set up, then most likely you will have softies and LPS, both are fine with low to moderate flow. KPS might just be the ticket. It is a nice little pump. Higher flows are for SPS which you probably wont get into until later.

 

[JoseClimaco]

Well, it might. Both are adjustable. I can turn down the KPM if to strong at 100%, but you cannot turn up a KPS from 100%. The amount of flow depends on what you want to do. Since this is your first Saltwater set up, then most likely you will have softies and LPS, both are fine with low to moderate flow. KPS might just be the ticket. It is a nice little pump. Higher flows are for SPS which you probably wont get into until later.

You are correct, thank you very much, i'll have to make a decision by the end of the week.

 

[JoseClimaco]

Little update

Yesterday i got home and i had this box waiting for me:

This rock looks great. I gave it a good rinse using tap water to remove loose bits and dust. Now is resting on rodi water for two days and after that i'll let it dry in the sun so i can start the rock work.

 

[Tom Stevens]

You are correct, thank you very much, i'll have to make a decision by the end of the week.

Here is my Waterbox 10g with KPS

 

[JoseClimaco]

Hello everyone,

Today I started to play with the Stax rocks, after some tries, this was the best I could do.

I have enough space on all sides to fit my hand. I tried to create some caves.

What do you guys think?

 

[btmedic04]

That aquascape looks great and I'm already look forward to seeing it come to life!

 

[JoseClimaco]

That aquascape looks great and I'm already look forward to seeing it come to life!

I'm still not sure about the aquascape, might change it a bit more.

Doest anyone have any suggestion?

 

[Lorenzo Angotti]

Hi, welcome, Just take your time, look at your rock work from all sides, I know you limited for space but make sure there is a few gaps so that water can flow through and your fish can swim in and out. Once your happy make sure you rock work is stuck well. Good luck

 

[JoseClimaco]

Hi, welcome, Just take your time, look at your rock work from all sides, I know you limited for space but make sure there are a few gaps so that water can flow through and your fish can swim in and out. Once your happy make sure you rock work is stuck well. Good luck

Thanks for your suggestion, I'm going to make sure there are enough gaps for the water to flow. I'll be using Aquaforest Stone Fix to bond most of the rocks.

 

[JoseClimaco]

Today I received my Radion XR15w Pro G4, with the matching rms stand and diffuser. I did a quick test and I was really impressed, this thing can illuminate most of my living room

 

[melanotaenia]

Looking good so far, that is a serious light for that tank; what kind of inhabitants do you have in mind?

 

[Lorenzo Angotti]

Thanks for your suggestion, I'm going to make sure there are enough gaps for the water to flow. I'll be using Aquaforest Stone Fix to bond most of the rocks.

Nice one

 

[Bruno_Soares]

Hello José,
Nice scape. I think it is good, but since I am still strugling with my first reef it may not be the best perspective.
Good luck... "Carrega".

 

[JoseClimaco]

Hello Everyone,

Things are going slowly because of my personal life.

I recieved the remaining equipement last week and i filled the tank with water. The scape changed a bit because i had a few problems with the cement. I'll post a few pictures soon.

I'm going to start the cycle his weekend and i'll get a few pieces of live rock to help.

The skimmer is quite small, i hope it works well

see you later

 

[EastCoastScaping]

Nice setup. Ive been looking to upgrade from my current IM 10g fusion to a waterbox cube 20 or a waterbox Marine aio 30.2 so seeing this helps me decide which one I prefer. I have a reef glass skimmer which is nearly identical to your skimmer. They work great as long as the glass tube is clean. In my experience it gets dirty fast and has to get cleaned often.