New Waterbox 35 Gallon AIO Upgrade

[jhadaway117]

Good evening everyone. So I decided to upgrade my Fluval 13.5 gallon to the 35.2 Waterbox AIO. I decided to go with dry rock to prevent any unwanted critters getting into this one. I used an underwater expoxy similar to JB weld to build my aquascape. I’ll dip my coral and transfer them over once everything gets stable. I’m the process of cycling now but have a few questions about maintenance. Below is a list of what I’m using.

AI Prime 16HD
Nero 3
Tunze 9004 Comline Skimmer
Cheap Amazon ATO
Scuba Preset 100W Heater

The instruction manual is pretty vague, so I had a few questions for those that have one. The kit came with carbon, bio balls, filter sox and foam filters for each side of the return pump chamber. Do I put the bio balls and carbon in both chambers, or just one of each in each chamber? Also, how often should I replace the carbon? I’m assuming once a month? Lastly, I have a Tunze 9004 Comline skimmer on the way. Do I just push down the foam filter in order to accommodate the skimmer? Any help would be appreciated! Also open to some upgrades on filtration.

FYI I’ll be moving my watchman goby/pistol shrimp, and blue damsel over once it cycles. Clownfish are in there now after I introduced bacteria. I’d like to know what other livestock you’d recommend for this size tank?

 

[jhadaway117]

bump

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

It looks like things are off to a great start. I wish one of these was sitting next to the biocube when I was deciding on what to purchase. lol

 

[jhadaway117]

It looks like things are off to a great start. I wish one of these was sitting next to the biocube when I was deciding on what to purchase. lol

I almost bought a biocube before I bought my Evo 13.5, but decided to go small since I was just getting into the hobby! Little did I know that small is still expensive in the salt water industry...lol

 

[jhadaway117]

Anyone have any suggestions on filtration upgrades?

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Not a filtration upgrade but I would add an inkbird temperature controller for additional safety in the event that your heater sticks on.

 

[jhadaway117]

Tank has cycled. Ammonia zero, nitrites zero, and nitrates 10 PPM. The ugly stage Diatom bloom started as expected. Added some new livestock and seeded with pods. I’ve always wanted a fire fish but the smaller evo just didn’t have enough room. I’ll wait another week and add the watchman goby/pistol combo and blue damsel. That will be all I add besides the CUC. I’ve also ordered media baskets to replace the filter socks.

I’ve got some LPS to transfer over but I’ll wait another couple of weeks until the water has some nutrients in it.

20% Water change will be done tomorrow.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

I hope your damsel doesn't cause trouble for the peaceful ones in your tank!

 

[jhadaway117]

I hope your damsel doesn't cause trouble for the peaceful ones in your tank!

He behaved himself with the clownfish and watchman goby. I’m waiting to put him in last so hopefully he doesn’t try to establish territory and become a jerk! I’ve heard that can be mean little boogers so hopefully he stays peaceful.

 

[jhadaway117]

Just a little update. I replaced the filter socks with InTank media baskets, installed the INKBIRD temp controller and transferred over some coral. Fish and coral are happy! Diatoms are slowly fading and CUC about to go in this weekend. I’ll add in some SPS later down the road when my tank matures.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Just a little update. I replaced the filter socks with InTank media baskets, installed the INKBIRD temp controller and transferred over some coral. Fish and coral are happy! Diatoms are slowly fading and CUC about to go in this weekend. I’ll add in some SPS later down the road when my tank matures.

The coral looks great in there! Glad the transfer went smooth!

 

[jhadaway117]

The coral looks great in there! Glad the transfer went smooth!

Thanks I appreciate it! I'm running the David Saxby settings on my AI Prime 16HD. Hoping to see some good growth and coloration soon.

 

[jhadaway117]

Just a weekly update. Bought some new zoas, anacropora, and a forest fire digi to add to the mix. A CUC of miscellaneous snails and an Emerald crab was added. I also seeded with pods and started dosing phytoplankton. For some reason after a week at the recommended dosage of phytoplankton, my nitrates bottomed out! My frogspawn and torch weren’t filled out like normal so I decided to double check parameters. Nitrates read zero! I stopped dosing and fed a little heavy a few times and

from the look of it, they are getting happy again. Also transferred my watchman goby/pistol combo and they went to work on their new tunnel system immediately! Lastly, I’m on the last leg of diatoms and things are starting to clear up.

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

I have been struggling with zero nitrates for a while now. I'm dosing ammonium bi-carbonate which is helping. I was at 0.6 today. I may need to get a dosing pump though to spread it out over the day so I can increase the dosing.

 

[Port City Reefer]

Good evening everyone. So I decided to upgrade my Fluval 13.5 gallon to the 35.2 Waterbox AIO. I decided to go with dry rock to prevent any unwanted critters getting into this one. I used an underwater expoxy similar to JB weld to build my aquascape. I’ll dip my coral and transfer them over once everything gets stable. I’m the process of cycling now but have a few questions about maintenance. Below is a list of what I’m using.

AI Prime 16HD
Nero 3
Tunze 9004 Comline Skimmer
Cheap Amazon ATO
Scuba Preset 100W Heater

The instruction manual is pretty vague, so I had a few questions for those that have one. The kit came with carbon, bio balls, filter sox and foam filters for each side of the return pump chamber. Do I put the bio balls and carbon in both chambers, or just one of each in each chamber? Also, how often should I replace the carbon? I’m assuming once a month? Lastly, I have a Tunze 9004 Comline skimmer on the way. Do I just push down the foam filter in order to accommodate the skimmer? Any help would be appreciated! Also open to some upgrades on filtration.

FYI I’ll be moving my watchman goby/pistol shrimp, and blue damsel over once it cycles. Clownfish are in there now after I introduced bacteria. I’d like to know what other livestock you’d recommend for this size tank?

Nolan laying down the law!

 

[jhadaway117]

Nolan laying down the law!

By far my favorite autographed piece in the house! I can’t afford that stuff anymore now that I’m in this hobby though!

 

[jhadaway117]

I have been struggling with zero nitrates for a while now. I'm dosing ammonium bi-carbonate which is helping. I was at 0.6 today. I may need to get a dosing pump though to spread it out over the day so I can increase the dosing.

This was my first time I’ve zeroed out on nitrates. My evo never went above or below 20ppm. If it doesn’t climb I’ll try dosing what you’re using. Hopefully stopping the phytoplankton proves to be the solution.

 

[jhadaway117]

Weekly update. Coral are doing great with the exception of my frogspawn and Rasta zoas. They just aren’t opening very well right now. The frogspawn isn’t extending like I did in my evo, but it’s starting to come around. I suspect the zero nitrates is causing somewhat of an issue, but as of right now, even with heavy feeding and dosing aminos I still don’t have a nitrate reading. However the digitata is showing great polyp extension and coloration!

I am considering switching my Prime 16HD to the Noop K7 pro III as well. I’d like more par at the top and bottom of the tank. I bought a par meter and am only getting a reading around 60 where the frogspawn is and that’s running the zaxby settings at 110%. The 16HD just doesn’t have the spread I’m looking for. I’d add a second Prime but I wouldn’t be able to space them out evenly with my skimmer in its current place.

Also, I’m switching out the filter foam and replacing it with filter floss. For some reason I’m consistently getting that hazy water look. Not sure if it’s from the new rock still, or my pistol shrimp constantly digging. Also added a Mccoskers Wrasse and royal gramma.

The clowns have been moved back to their evo so I can start an anemone tank in a couple of months. As for now they have decided to host the power head…..

 

[jhadaway117]

Tank update. Everything is coming along nicely. I installed the new Noop K7 Pro V3 light and am pleasantly surprised at the quality of this light. I’m able to achieve 150 par at the bottom corners of the tank and my LPS are responding nicely!

I added a pink and yellow plating monti to the top of the rock work in about 350 par and it’s showing great color and polyp extension.

Current parameters:

Salinity 1.025
DKH 8.6
Mag 1340
Calcium 400
Nitrate 5 PPM
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0
Phosphate 0

I also started dosing AFR and have been able to keep my DKH stable at 8.3 to 8.6. I also started dosing phosphate as well since I haven’t found it to be detectable with any tests, including a new Hannah checker.

I did however suddenly lose a firefish goby a couple days ago. It happened after I did a water change and added the new coral. Literally he was doing fine up until I did the water change and showed no signs of illness whatsoever. I noticed him breathing hard afterwards and hiding. He unfortunately passed about 3 hours later. It’s baffling that he was eating fine and just died. Do these guys get frightened and stressed easily? All other fish are showing no signs of illness either. No spots, no erratic behavior, and eating well. I have noticed my anthias and blue damsel chasing it off from time to time, but never actually nip at it. More of a territorial thing I’m thinking. What do you guys think?

 

[jhadaway117]

So I just finished battling Dino’s for the last few weeks. Here’s to hoping they don’t come back. I’ve got a bit of Cyano that has shown up but it’s not near the severity of the Dino’s. Below is the list of things I did with the help of this community to battle them.

-Dosed Nitrates/Phosphates to 10PPM/.05
(They both bottomed out to Zero)
Still dosing NeoPhos to keep stable
-Dosed Microbacter7 daily ( still dosing)
-Dosed 3% peroxide daily for 5 days 1ml per 10 gallons
-Installed UV sterilizer
-Turned off lights except blues to 10%
-Basted Dino’s off rocks/sand a couple time per day

Hopefully this helps anyone new like me that starts a tank with dry rock! It’s seems like this stuff is inevitable with new tanks unless you’re a seasoned veteran.

All of my coral have survived so far and I think due to bringing nutrients up they are showing more color and look fuller! I’ll keep an eye on the cyano and improve flow in the areas that need it. Last resort would be chemi clean which I’m trying to avoid.