The CalypZoo Reef (Waterbox 130.4)

[CalypZooReef]

A New Beginning: Setting Up the CalypZoo Reef​

After months of preparation, a saltwater aquarium now graces our living room once more. As a returning saltwater aquarist, let me introduce myself.

My name is Bas, and I live with my family in The Netherlands. Like many others here, I spent years maintaining freshwater aquariums, but between 2005 and 2014, I also ventured into the world of saltwater tanks. In recent years, I’ve enjoyed “aquascaping” freshwater setups ranging from 20L to 60L, which has been a delightful hobby. Yet, the itch to return to saltwater has always lingered. Over the last decade, the technology for saltwater aquariums has advanced significantly, and once you’ve experienced the magic of marine tanks, it’s hard to let it go.

Rekindling a Passion​

For a long time, I thought, “Someday, I’ll get back to saltwater aquariums.” However, losing several people in my life who died at a young age made me realize that putting off the things that bring joy might mean missing out entirely. With this newfound perspective, I decided to act on what makes me happy, and the plans for a saltwater aquarium were dusted off.

About a year and a half ago, I began researching, browsing the internet, writing down ideas, and revising my plans repeatedly. Two weeks ago, the moment finally arrived: my new aquarium was delivered.

Choosing the Right Setup​

I opted for the Waterbox 130.4, which I found to be the perfect size and although discontinued by Waterbox, still available. Initially, I planned to start with a 35"x20"x22" cm tank, but I decided to go a bit larger for more space and to avoid feeling the need to upgrade quickly. In the past,amongst other brands I’ve owned Red Sea tanks (the Max 130D and Max 250), which served me well. However, I was slightly apprehensive about reports of adhesive seams failing—a nightmare scenario for any aquarist.

For equipment, I chose a mix of Red Sea and Aqua Medic gear. For the initial setup phase I will use the standard filter socks but will change it out for the RS Reefmat that I already have.

Customizing and Building​

While assembling the stand, I noticed my model differed slightly from the webshops illustration. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, allowing me to build a custom control cabinet within the stand. I created space for hiding power strips and mounting controllers. By tailoring the design, I also made room for my UV sterilizer to be placed upright next to the sump, ensuring better flow and functionality by reducing the chance of trapped air in the device.

Now, with all the equipment installed in the stand and sump, I’m tackling cable management. It’s not the most exciting task, but I know it’ll pay off later in convenience and aesthetics.

Crafting the Reef Structure​

I’m currently gluing Marco Rock pieces together to construct the reef. I'm trying to buid an NSA aquascape. It’s a slow and deliberate process, but I’m enjoying it. The foundation is key to building a thriving marine ecosystem.

Sharing the Journey​

One of my passions is creating videos. Some of you may have seen my recent video about Vivarium 2024. I plan to document this aquarium journey as well, sharing updates on my YouTube channel: CalypZoo Reef TV. Be sure to subscribe to catch the latest videos as the tank comes to life!

My first video about Vivarium is in Dutch, but future videos will be in English. The video currently on my channel is a report of my visit to the largest aquarium expo in Europe. If you’ve never been, it might give you a glimpse of how we approach (marine) aquariums here in Europe (just feel free to skip past my Dutch commentary!).

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to follow along with my journey—and a ‘Like’ is always appreciated!

Looking Ahead​

While I’m already enjoying the setup process, the real fun—collecting corals and other marine life—is still on the horizon. For now, the next milestone is filling the tank with water and starting the cycling process.

Stay tuned for updates, and Keep on Reefing!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Tahoe61]

Welcome Bas.

I appreciate your attention to detail. Looking forward to the progression of the tanks development.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Bas, glad you are here! You clearly haven’t thought this through , ha ha! Following.

 

[twentyleagues]

I'll be interested in seeing what you come up with for the scape!

 

[CalypZooReef]

Progress Update: Organizing Cables and Tubes​

Last night, I spent a couple of hours organizing the cables and tubes for my aquarium setup. I’m not a fan of loose ends .

Although this part of the process won’t be visible once the tank is up and running, I believe it’s wise to tackle it now, before adding water. At this stage, it’s much easier to access everything, and unplugging or adjusting connections is a breeze. I also started laying out the tubing for the dosing pump but realized that I had previously used and cut two of the tubes. This means I’ll need to order new ones, ensuring everything is fresh and clean. I plan to get the Red Sea tubing in colors that match their new 4-in-1 RCP line—it’ll look neat and organized.

For managing the cables and tubes, I ordered bags of clamps from Temu. They were only a few euros but work perfectly. The larger clamps I’m using for the dosing tubes fit well, along with the official Red Sea clamps. To keep the tubes firmly in place without squeezing them too tightly, I’ll be adding a strip of rubber inside the clamps.

Tonight, I aim to tidy up the wires in the black controller cabinet, which will nearly complete that section. I’m also waiting for a second ReefWave45 to arrive. At the moment, I have one ReefWave45 and one ReefWave25, but the 25 is too weak for my setup, so I’ll be replacing it. Once the new pump arrives, I can finalize the placement of all the equipment in the sump.

Additionally, I’m planning to attach a black foam layer to the back of the sump. This will help regulate the temperature and, as a bonus, conceal the cables and tubes running along the back wall, making everything look tidy and streamlined.

Stay tuned for updates, and Keep on Reefing!

 

[CalypZooReef]

Finishing the Aquascape: A Solid Foundation for Corals

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today, I completed the aquascape for my saltwater aquarium. Over the past few weeks, I carefully worked on assembling the structure, attaching several pieces of Marco Rocks—72 pounds in total—step by step. By taking my time and using the tried-and-tested combination of super glue and aquascape epoxy, I’ve created a solid and stable design.

My goal was to build an open and airy layout, ensuring ample swimming space for the fish and leaving enough room between the rocks and the glass panels. The structure provides different height levels to accommodate coral placement, catering to the specific light requirements of each species. Additionally, there are multiple caves and hiding spots, which should make the setup comfortable for various tank inhabitants. The back wall of the tank remains entirely free of rocks, maintaining a clean look.

I’m satisfied with how it turned out and am excited about the prospect of covering the rocks with vibrant corals. The ultimate goal, of course, is for the rocks to disappear under a lush layer of coral growth.

To ensure stability, I placed all the rocks on frag racks. I noticed that the foundation rocks weren’t perfectly flat, so this approach helped level them. It also elevates the structure by about half an inch. The smallest freestanding pillar is unique, with two layers of frag racks, creating tunnels that I hope will house a pistol shrimp and goby pair. Beneath the other rocks, digging will not be possible, ensuring a sturdy foundation throughout the setup.

Now, it’s time to let nature take over and watch this aquascape transform into a thriving underwater ecosystem.

 

[kevgib67]

Finishing the Aquascape: A Solid Foundation for Corals

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today, I completed the aquascape for my saltwater aquarium. Over the past few weeks, I carefully worked on assembling the structure, attaching several pieces of Marco Rocks—72 pounds in total—step by step. By taking my time and using the tried-and-tested combination of super glue and aquascape epoxy, I’ve created a solid and stable design.

My goal was to build an open and airy layout, ensuring ample swimming space for the fish and leaving enough room between the rocks and the glass panels. The structure provides different height levels to accommodate coral placement, catering to the specific light requirements of each species. Additionally, there are multiple caves and hiding spots, which should make the setup comfortable for various tank inhabitants. The back wall of the tank remains entirely free of rocks, maintaining a clean look.

I’m satisfied with how it turned out and am excited about the prospect of covering the rocks with vibrant corals. The ultimate goal, of course, is for the rocks to disappear under a lush layer of coral growth.

To ensure stability, I placed all the rocks on frag racks. I noticed that the foundation rocks weren’t perfectly flat, so this approach helped level them. It also elevates the structure by about half an inch. The smallest freestanding pillar is unique, with two layers of frag racks, creating tunnels that I hope will house a pistol shrimp and goby pair. Beneath the other rocks, digging will not be possible, ensuring a sturdy foundation throughout the setup.

Now, it’s time to let nature take over and watch this aquascape transform into a thriving underwater ecosystem.

Looks awesome, happy New Year!

 

[Featherweight]

Great start!

 

[CalypZooReef]

A New Milestone: The System is Running on Water

As of yesterday, the entire system is running on water! It’s been a journey to get to this point, and fine-tuning the setup proved to be quite the challenge. But now, everything is running smoothly and quietly. Well, almost quietly – my wife insists she can still hear it.

The next big step is to ensure that the system operates flawlessly and remains stable for the next two days. If all goes well, I’ll begin the exciting process of starting the bacterial cycle. To prepare for this, I’ve stocked up on some essential products: CaribSea live sand, AquaForest Life Bio Fil, Aqua Medic NP Bio Grain, and Microbe-Lift Special Blend.

The live sand is already in the tank, and now it’s just a matter of waiting. It’s been 24 hours since I added the sand, and the tank is still a bit cloudy. Patience is key here – I’ll wait for the mist to clear before moving on to the next steps.

Once the water clarity improves, the plan is to:

• Begin dosing with the bacterial products to kickstart the nitrogen cycle.
• Monitor water parameters closely to ensure everything progresses as expected.
• Gradually introduce other elements of the system in a controlled and methodical manner.

It’s an exciting time, and I’m eager to see how this process unfolds. Each step brings me closer to a fully operational and thriving setup. Stay tuned for updates on how the system evolves over the coming days!

 

[CalypZooReef]

The Sandstorm

Setting up an aquarium is an exciting journey filled with learning moments and challenges. Recently, I made another significant step in my startup phase: introducing the sand bed! I chose Carib Sea’s Ocean Direct, a "live" sand ideal for kickstarting the aquarium cycle. This sand contributes to a stable microbial environment, making it a perfect choice to use early in the process.

Adding the Sand: A Cloudy Adventure​

Before adding the sand, I had already filled the tank with water and mixed in the salt. As soon as the sand went in, it created a dense cloud, leaving me staring at what looked like "sea mist" for 48 hours. Fortunately, the water is now slowly clearing, which is a relief.

To manage the situation, I turned off my wavemaker and set the return pump to a low setting. This helped maintain a stable temperature in the tank. However, this approach resulted in a thick layer of sand dust settling in my sump. Cleaning it will be a time-consuming task—draining the sump, removing all the sediment, and thoroughly cleaning the equipment. It’s tedious but necessary to keep everything in optimal condition.

The UV Filter: A Small Oversight​

I had turned off the UV lamp since it isn’t needed during this phase. What I didn’t realize, however, was that the pump for the UV filter was still running. This caused the cloudy water to circulate through the filter, which may lead to sediment settling on the UV lamp's glass. If this happens, it could reduce the lamp’s effectiveness when I eventually turn it on. It’s a rookie mistake, but as they say, live and learn.

Adjusting and Adding More Sand​

Another point to address is the distribution of the sand. In photos, it might look like there’s a thick layer, but most of it has settled at the front of the tank. The back layer is significantly thinner, so I’ll need to level it out for a more uniform look. I will leave it for now and think it will level by itself over the next few days.

Additionally, I’m planning to pick up some used sand from a fellow hobbyist this weekend to kickstart the Biome Cycle. With that, I’ll be ready to move forward with the startup phase. The better everything is prepared, the faster the system can stabilize fully.

Reflection and Next Steps​

Despite the challenges and extra tasks, I’m happy with the progress. Choosing Carib Sea’s Ocean Direct still feels like the right decision. It’s reassuring to know that this "live" sand is actively supporting the aquarium cycle.

Now, it’s time to clean up the sediment, level the sand bed, and finalize the details before officially starting the system. The journey continues, and I’m excited for what’s next!