Senator's Waterbox Frag 105.4 Shallow Lagoon

[SenatorPOPS]

New member following this with much interest. Have been since last year contemplating between lagoon style reef on 105frag or 130.4 6 inches higher.
Where did you get filter sock replacement cups? Was thinking about the same problems with continuous dirty socks. Appreciate your reply; like #5 layout. Simple will be nicer with shallow lagoon and leaves space for sps growth if going that route.

I actually printed this one https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2905077 at 106% and it’s a pretty good fit. I can upload a few pictures for you to show it. I looked all around for one, but I wasn’t sure if something was going to fit because no one makes anything specifically for waterbox.

 

[DiazE]

Thx for reply. Going with that; socks are too good at trapping and will clog quickly. I understood you 3-d printed it. You can sell to other reefers. Would pay $10 for a good fit.

 

[DiazE]

What is print media made from? Will it effect water chemistry?

 

[Cdeg]

Finally a long overdue update. Life seems to always get busy when there are things I want to get done!

Anyways, I was able to get most everything done except the controller board finished, but’s it’s coming along.

I’ve never been able to get my aquascape quite right when it all goes in the tank, but I switched some things around and like where it’s at. I think I’m going to try and get some more height out of the front rock on the left. Maybe more of a tower with a shelf on top? I’m leaving plenty of room for some acropora to grow out so it feels pretty empty right now, but its necessary.

View attachment 1445543View attachment 1445544View attachment 1445545View attachment 1445549

I also decided to go with an Ecotech Versa for my ATO. While it takes some effort to determine my current evaporation rate and that it will change during the seasons, I see a lot of positives with using a peristaltic pump vs a float switch/sensor to determine water level. To start, I took out 500ml at a time and marked where the water level was all the way up to 1500ml. I noted the time and then came back later to determine roughly what my evaporation rate was.

View attachment 1445546
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This was about 7ish hours, but I waited until it got down to 1500ml which was closer to 10 hours. I converted the hours into minutes (600 min) and divided that by the amount that had evaporated (1500ml). This got me to 2.5ml of evaporation per minute. I was then able to set that on my Versa and away it goes, dripping water in constantly at a rate of 2.5ml/min. I’m unsure if it actually does 2.5 or it rounds up or down, but really it doesn’t have to be too exact. I know where my water level should be so if it’s slightly off I can adjust it with my weekly water change.

I originally had hoped for using hard acrylic tubes as shown, but the Versa cannot be set in reverse (or at least I couldn’t find that option) so back to the drawing board!

View attachment 1445548
I then tried using some leftover RODI tubing I had, but from the bend and my not so flush cutting, it would pull air in and cause the water to eventually stop flowing. The placement is temporary so I’m sure if it was mounted in a way that the tubing didn’t bend so much near the connection and if the cut on the tubing was cleaner, it would work out much better.

View attachment 1445552

Being as determined as I am to make something work, I created a 1/4” bulkhead holder with my 3D printer and used the Versa barbs with some soft tubing as well as the acrylic rods. It’s the best of all worlds!

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I also decided to make some diffusers for my Hydra 32HDs. I made similar ones for my Prime HDs in the past, but this was much easier to design due to the rectangular shape.

View attachment 1445555View attachment 1445556

I’ve gotten most of my fish transferred out of the other tank and added some LR to assist with bioload. I’m sure the rock that was cycling in my brute could handle it no problem, but you can never be too safe! And I also added 2 female lyretails to bring my total to 3.

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I’m breaking in the Red Sea RSK 300 skimmer as well, but it’s still overflowing after a few days. I’ve left the drain hose open for now and will let it run for a few more days. If it stays that way, I might make a taller stand for it. It’s sitting right on the water level marker right now, but one more inch should bring the bubbles down enough for now. The side cabinet is also still a mess, but I’m starting to tackle some wiring before the board goes up and everything is mounted.

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If anyone has any tips or advice I would definitely appreciate it! I’m gonna try to take some better photos of the tank as well as it’s current inhabitants.

Really digging the scape. My 105.4 just showed up today. Going to be a while before I get mine up and going.

How are you liking the hydras for coverage? Haven't decided on lights just yet

 

[Coach_M]

Lookin good! Did you go with life rock shapes or a combo?

 

[SenatorPOPS]

What is print media made from? Will it effect water chemistry?

I typically print in PLA. If it’s going to be in the tank long term I’ll print in PETG. PLA is biodegradable so it will breakdown over time, if it’s in the tank, but it’s natural so it won’t really hurt anything. PETG on the other hand won’t breakdown and is completely safe in a reef tank.

Thx for reply. Going with that; socks are too good at trapping and will clog quickly. I understood you 3-d printed it. You can sell to other reefers. Would pay $10 for a good fit.

Unfortunately the cup wasn’t one of my designs so I wouldn’t sell it, but there are a ton of printing services people can upload the model to and they’ll print it.

 

[SenatorPOPS]

Really digging the scape. My 105.4 just showed up today. Going to be a while before I get mine up and going.

How are you liking the hydras for coverage? Haven't decided on lights just yet

I really wanted three, but with two that high up the coverage has been great visually. I’ll take the par meter out soon and see what I’m getting with the two and if it’s all over the place I’ll add a third.

 

[SenatorPOPS]

Lookin good! Did you go with life rock shapes or a combo?

A combo! It’s all Liferock, but a mix of shapes and regular rocks. I actually just picked up a liferock shroom I’m excited to add, I’ll probably trim it down and add a flat piece to it, but Caribsea makes a really cool product with these liferocks.

 

[Coach_M]

A combo! It’s all Liferock, but a mix of shapes and regular rocks. I actually just picked up a liferock shroom I’m excited to add, I’ll probably trim it down and add a flat piece to it, but Caribsea makes a really cool product with these liferocks.

Cool! Those mushroom rocks would be super cool standing up, with acros up high on the sides and some acans/zoas/shrooms on the base. Had no idea they had those available, also see they have large caves and other shapes you can buy seperatley.
Still bouncing around which tank I want, not an easy choice when we sink 4k-5k$ on just the setup! But love the dimensions and looks of the 105.

 

[SenatorPOPS]

Cool! Those mushroom rocks would be super cool standing up, with acros up high on the sides and some acans/zoas/shrooms on the base. Had no idea they had those available, also see they have large caves and other shapes you can buy seperatley.
Still bouncing around which tank I want, not an easy choice when we sink 4k-5k$ on just the setup! But love the dimensions and looks of the 105.

Not sure if you have a LFS that carries them, but I was able to go there and pick out certain pieces I liked to add. It made it a lot easier to figure out what I wanted. Tank choice is really hard, it took me awhile to really figure it out and its definitely a large investment.

 

[SenatorPOPS]

Alright, so I'm considering removing the black vinyl on the back of the tank. I found a common theme among tanks I've been inspired by over the years and apparently the majority have a clear background. It wouldn't be hard to put new vinyl back on in case I don't like it, but it's still freaking me out to peel it off. Any thoughts??

 

[Jimbo662]

Alright, so I'm considering removing the black vinyl on the back of the tank. I found a common theme among tanks I've been inspired by over the years and apparently the majority have a clear background. It wouldn't be hard to put new vinyl back on in case I don't like it, but it's still freaking me out to peel it off. Any thoughts??

With the right paint color on the wall and some cool LED lighting it could make the tank look amazing.

 

[good.reef]

Finally a long overdue update. Life seems to always get busy when there are things I want to get done!

Anyways, I was able to get most everything done except the controller board finished, but’s it’s coming along.

I’ve never been able to get my aquascape quite right when it all goes in the tank, but I switched some things around and like where it’s at. I think I’m going to try and get some more height out of the front rock on the left. Maybe more of a tower with a shelf on top? I’m leaving plenty of room for some acropora to grow out so it feels pretty empty right now, but its necessary.

View attachment 1445543View attachment 1445544View attachment 1445545View attachment 1445549

I also decided to go with an Ecotech Versa for my ATO. While it takes some effort to determine my current evaporation rate and that it will change during the seasons, I see a lot of positives with using a peristaltic pump vs a float switch/sensor to determine water level. To start, I took out 500ml at a time and marked where the water level was all the way up to 1500ml. I noted the time and then came back later to determine roughly what my evaporation rate was.

View attachment 1445546
View attachment 1445547
This was about 7ish hours, but I waited until it got down to 1500ml which was closer to 10 hours. I converted the hours into minutes (600 min) and divided that by the amount that had evaporated (1500ml). This got me to 2.5ml of evaporation per minute. I was then able to set that on my Versa and away it goes, dripping water in constantly at a rate of 2.5ml/min. I’m unsure if it actually does 2.5 or it rounds up or down, but really it doesn’t have to be too exact. I know where my water level should be so if it’s slightly off I can adjust it with my weekly water change.

I originally had hoped for using hard acrylic tubes as shown, but the Versa cannot be set in reverse (or at least I couldn’t find that option) so back to the drawing board!

View attachment 1445548
I then tried using some leftover RODI tubing I had, but from the bend and my not so flush cutting, it would pull air in and cause the water to eventually stop flowing. The placement is temporary so I’m sure if it was mounted in a way that the tubing didn’t bend so much near the connection and if the cut on the tubing was cleaner, it would work out much better.

View attachment 1445552

Being as determined as I am to make something work, I created a 1/4” bulkhead holder with my 3D printer and used the Versa barbs with some soft tubing as well as the acrylic rods. It’s the best of all worlds!

View attachment 1445557View attachment 1445558View attachment 1445559View attachment 1445560

I also decided to make some diffusers for my Hydra 32HDs. I made similar ones for my Prime HDs in the past, but this was much easier to design due to the rectangular shape.

View attachment 1445555View attachment 1445556

I’ve gotten most of my fish transferred out of the other tank and added some LR to assist with bioload. I’m sure the rock that was cycling in my brute could handle it no problem, but you can never be too safe! And I also added 2 female lyretails to bring my total to 3.

View attachment 1445550View attachment 1445562

I’m breaking in the Red Sea RSK 300 skimmer as well, but it’s still overflowing after a few days. I’ve left the drain hose open for now and will let it run for a few more days. If it stays that way, I might make a taller stand for it. It’s sitting right on the water level marker right now, but one more inch should bring the bubbles down enough for now. The side cabinet is also still a mess, but I’m starting to tackle some wiring before the board goes up and everything is mounted.

View attachment 1445551View attachment 1445554

If anyone has any tips or advice I would definitely appreciate it! I’m gonna try to take some better photos of the tank as well as it’s current inhabitants.

It's looking great. Thanks for the update! I have this exact tank coming next week. Very excited!

 

[Jimbo662]

It's looking great. Thanks for the update! I have this exact tank coming next week. Very excited!

Me too...signed my freight waiver yesterday!

 

[SenatorPOPS]

It's looking great. Thanks for the update! I have this exact tank coming next week. Very excited!

Me too...signed my freight waiver yesterday!

Exciting times! I love new tank builds.

 

[Jimbo662]

Hey, what's the water level in the skimmer chamber? I can only find pics of other sumps and the water looks pretty deep...maybe 10" or so. My skimmer runs in 8".

 

[SenatorPOPS]

Hey, what's the water level in the skimmer chamber? I can only find pics of other sumps and the water looks pretty deep...maybe 10" or so. My skimmer runs in 8".

It’s just about 8” so you should be good. Making a 2.5” stand for my skimmer as we speak.

 

[SenatorPOPS]

Well, pulled the vinyl off the back and I love it. It gives the tank a little more depth which I like for the lagoon effect.

 

[good.reef]

Well, pulled the vinyl off the back and I love it. It gives the tank a little more depth which I like for the lagoon effect.View attachment 1452204View attachment 1452205View attachment 1452206View attachment 1452207View attachment 1452208View attachment 1452209View attachment 1452210View attachment 1452211View attachment 1452213View attachment 1452214

Wow I love everything about this!!!

 

[Paul Bradford]

I just finished setting up my WB Frag 80.4 over the weekend and this is what I did for the control board.

I’m not sure how the switches board will hold up over time, but I’m happy with it right now.

Yes, the temp controller is just hanging upside down for now.