Waterbox 75.2 Build

Tom Stevens · Jul 16, 2018

Hi @GoonReef, I took some pictures of the plumbing for reference.

I hope this helps. The plumbing looks pretty straight forward.

Tom

kgk · Jul 17, 2018

I really, really like the removable weir. They seem to have changed that on the newer tanks, but it seems like a great idea for maintenance. I guess we'll see in a year!

Personally, I wouldn't let the plumbing deter me one way or the other. You can get adapters cheap from BRS or other places. Sump configuration, price, etc would be more of a driving force for me.

I'm pretty impressed so far. I'm not sure I like the ATO compartment - 5ish gallons won't get me a week in an air-conditioned house & I'd like that space for other things - but overall, impressed.

GoonReef · Jul 17, 2018

kgk said:
I really, really like the removable weir. They seem to have changed that on the newer tanks, but it seems like a great idea for maintenance. I guess we'll see in a year!

Personally, I wouldn't let the plumbing deter me one way or the other. You can get adapters cheap from BRS or other places. Sump configuration, price, etc would be more of a driving force for me.

I'm pretty impressed so far. I'm not sure I like the ATO compartment - 5ish gallons won't get me a week in an air-conditioned house & I'd like that space for other things - but overall, impressed.

How much of the wise is removable? All the way to the glass bottom or just like the 2-4” on the top ?

GoonReef · Jul 17, 2018

@Tom Stevens did you have to glue the plumbing? Or was it already assembled?

Reason I’m asking is I’m getting a 75.2 overstock. No stand. And I’m using a trigger systems sump instead of the provider one. So I have to change the plumbing to 1”. But my stand is made of 8020 aluminum and 39” tall so I might be able to cut the pipe right at the strait down drop point to convert to 1”

Tom Stevens · Jul 17, 2018

GoonReef said:
@Tom Stevens did you have to glue the plumbing? Or was it already assembled?

Reason I’m asking is I’m getting a 75.2 overstock. No stand. And I’m using a trigger systems sump instead of the provider one. So I have to change the plumbing to 1”. But my stand is made of 8020 aluminum and 39” tall so I might be able to cut the pipe right at the strait down drop point to convert to 1”

@GoonReef I did not have to have glue. Everything was twist on or compression. Very easy and straight forward.

kgk · Jul 17, 2018

GoonReef said:
Reason I’m asking is I’m getting a 75.2 overstock. No stand. And I’m using a trigger systems sump instead of the provider one. So I have to change the plumbing to 1”. But my stand is made of 8020 aluminum and 39” tall so I might be able to cut the pipe right at the strait down drop point to convert to 1”

This thread may help. It's got some links to some adapters at BRS & discussion around it.

kgk · Jul 17, 2018

GoonReef said:
How much of the wise is removable? All the way to the glass bottom or just like the 2-4” on the top ?

It's about the top 4". It's the piece with the slits that that water drains through, and where the return outlets plumb through. You can see the joint clearly in Tom's last picture above.

GoonReef · Jul 17, 2018

@kgk thanks for the info ! i still think the IM tank is going to fit my needs better as its a bit thicker glass, on sale, and uses standard bulkheads. but your build is coming right along well!

Tom Stevens · Jul 20, 2018

I got my rock today from Marcos Rocks. They are soaking in bleach at the moment. I like the look and can’t wait to set up aqua scape. I have to plumb the return pump too.

Made progress on setting up the sump too.

Hopefully I will be adding water soon.

Tom

NY_Caveman · Jul 20, 2018

Looking great! Seeing your sump in the stand I can see why you picked up that IKEA cabinet. It looks great there BTW in the photos.

jsker · Jul 20, 2018

Really coming to together well.

Tripptastic · Jul 20, 2018

Tom Stevens said:
The tank arrived today. I was a bit apprehensive since there are a couple of other threads that had quality problems (i.e scratches) with their waterboxes. When the delivery arrived there was a some damage to the packing crate and I was worried.

To my surprise and a testament to the packaging, there was no damage. In fact there we zero scratches to my delight.

The build of the stand went well in spite of the poor instructions.

Here is the final product.

There is more stuff arriving tomorrow so the build will continue.

I am having so much fun!

Tom

I haven't read much on the 2017 models having scratches, but for myself and other people who have received the new models, their process must have changed because our tanks arrived with damage and for what we paid, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a scratch free tank.

Tripptastic · Jul 20, 2018

I love the progress you have made in such a short amount of time! and I love the IKEA stand. I have been thinking about where am I going to keep all the cords and power strips.

Tom Stevens · Jul 21, 2018

Tripptastic said:
I love the progress you have made in such a short amount of time! and I love the IKEA stand. I have been thinking about where am I going to keep all the cords and power strips.

Thank you @Tripptastic. I am lucky as IKEA is real close. The cabinet is actually for a bathroom. I added the legs. It hides the cords and keeps the controller away from the sump. Knowing me, I would have knocked the controller into the sump if it was close.

I am having a lot of fun. The Apex is the bomb. I am a gadget geek and the Apex plays right into my hands.

Your build seems to be going pretty well too. I see we got rocks around the same time. The Tampa Bay rocks you got look real nice. Mine are from Marco’s rocks and they are soaking in RO water after their bleaching.

I am hoping to get water into the tank this weekend. Still waiting on a couple of items to show up though.

Zeal · Jul 21, 2018

Wait can that Ikea cabinet hold the weight?

Tom Stevens · Jul 21, 2018

Zeal said:
Wait can that Ikea cabinet hold the weight?

The tank is still in the stand that came with the Waterbox. The IKEA stand is just setting next to it.

Zeal · Jul 21, 2018

Ohhhh mybad derpppp

Tom Stevens · Jul 22, 2018

Today is dedicated to the reef tank. I feel like such a kid playing with rocks!

I watched a couple of YouTube vids and went to work. I started by laying out the Marco rocks.

I then started stacking. I was amazed how easy the rocks fit together. I am really liking the Marcos rocks. Here is my 1st attempt at a scape.

It will be interesting to see what I end up with.

I bought some gel glue to hold the more unstable pieces when I am ready.

Tom Stevens · Jul 27, 2018

Hi all, quick update. I have finished the plumbing (I hope) and I am getting close to starting the cycle. I added a second IKEA cabinet as I settled on a UV filter. The sump area is pretty tight. I will probably move things around in the sump once the water is in.

Going out of town on a short vacation so the cycle will have to wait until next week.

Here are some pics of my set up. Any helpful hints are welcome.

Tom

Tom Stevens · Aug 3, 2018

Hi all, just got back from a short vacation to New Mexico, so it was back to the tank. I set up the aqua-scape, put in water, started programming the Apex and began the cycle. It has been a long but productive day.

Two challenges so far. I had a small leak where the flex hose attached to the barb fitting. Tightening up the band was all that was needed. The other issue, I can’t for the life of me get the Apex salinity probe to calibrate. I looked all kinds of forums and watched BRS video to no success. Finally opened a ticket with Neptune. Considering all the other equipment that got fired up today, all in all not bad.

Here are some pics from today.

The fun continues tomorrow as I dial in the Apex.