Sean’s Custom 110g Waterbox Build

[hurdbird]

We’re back!!! Things have settled down slightly after the move few years back when I decided to sell my last water box 130.4 and the kiddos are getting bigger. The wife has a different tune but nonetheless, life has a funny way of throwing you a curveball sometimes. Friend of a friend contacted me and presented an opportunity to buy a reef tank set up again after a full loss during the power outages from the blizzard of 2026. A few weeks to a month before I had been talking about reefs and fish tanks again with the kiddos and they expressed interest. I had started the idea / research of maybe setting up a nano tank and then bang… bought a Waterbox Marine X 110.4 to rebuild to restart the journey! Entire set up needs some serious love to say the least. Planning for a slow and steady rebuild because my other hobbies are expensive too and summer is coming, hence the grouchy wife . Looking forward to having you guys along for the ride and to help guide! Let the cleaning begin, cheers… Thanks for reading.

Used WB Marine X 110.4 - Picked Up in Cape Cod

 

[hurdbird]

My last Waterbox 130.4 pictures, as you can see, I’m pretty anal about ascetics and function and this tank will be no different

 

[Cpage101]

My last Waterbox 130.4 pictures, as you can see, I’m pretty anal about ascetics and function and this tank will be no different

Cheers! Welcome Back to the poorhouse lol!

 

[DatReefGuy]

Welcome back! Always good to see some resilience. Get back up and do it again!

 

[Reefried]

Good to have you back. Excited to watch this build

 

[hurdbird]

Well it has been an interesting few weeks (build thread is lagging behind a bit from real timeline overall), spent a ton of time cleaning up all the equipment, stand, etc and finally got to the tank…. About an hour into tank cleaning, I started to uncover some major scratches that I simply would never be able to live with. When I picked the tank up, it was so dirty that it was tough to see any significant scratches. Major bummer…. Finished cleaning, posted for sale that night and sold the tank, stand, equipment and kept a pair of MP40’s and a UV sterilizer out of the deal that will continue on with the build. Fellow reefer from CT was getting his first bigger tank after college so that was really cool.

MP40’s needed new wetsides / cages for sure and UV could use a bulb so got those ordered and replaced.

Struggling to confirm if the power supply for the MP40QD’s are correct? Doesn’t seem like it… they work fine but almost seems like they are aftermarket and make me nervous. I’ll post a better picture tonight.

May have bought another tank set up off Facebook marketplace place already, the wife thinks I’m crazy … update on the next post. Happy reefing!

 

[hurdbird]

Anyone know if these power supplies look correct for the MP40W quiet drives?

 

[hurdbird]

I bought a new set up off Facebook marketplace to build around that I’m very excited about. All equipment was used for 3-4 months.

-Alufab 80/20 stand with top and bottom starboard and wheels / leveling feet - same place that built all the Tidal Gardens stands
- 120 gallon Acrylic built by American Aquariums (48”x25”x23”) with Modular Marine 2400 gph overflow
- Luna ECCO 4418 acrylic filter roller compatible sump
- Red Sea 500 filter roller
- Pumps and accessories

Plan is to sell the tank and accessories while keeping the stand, sump and filter roller for the new build and order a custom glass tank with external overflow. Im looking at dimensions of 48”x25”x21” this go around with a Modular Marine 1600 gph overflow box. Have been going back and forth about ordering a custom Waterbox with their external glass overflow box or modular marine. Thoughts on dimensions or overflow direction / sizing anyone? Looking for some input before I pull the trigger.

Cleaned the sump up and installed cabinet lighting the other day - plan is to wrap the 8020 with wood but these cabinet lights are awesome with the door closure switch!

 

[bobbravo2]

Great looking build! Looking forward to following along.

 

[hurdbird]

Got the drawings back from Waterbox but need some help! Struggling to figure out the waterline level (top of tank to water). I’ve read that 1.75” top of tank to water is a good goal but that’s seems like a lot. Thoughts anyone?

Where should returns be placed for height as well? Top of returns should be above water line correct?

Thanks everyone!

 

[bobbravo2]

Sweet looking Tank!!

Personally, I would probably want a euro brace Tank. That’s just my opinion.

The returns themselves can be underwater, as long as you have appropriate backflow prevention or a siphon break

 

[Reefried]

My water line is 1 1/2” from top of tank

 

[hurdbird]

Sweet looking Tank!!

Personally, I would probably want a euro brace Tank. That’s just my opinion.

The returns themselves can be underwater, as long as you have appropriate backflow prevention or a siphon break

I’ve been going back and forth on eurobrace actually haha, I am switching the glass to 15mm from 12mm in lieu of euro brace I believe. For any tank larger than 100ish gallons, I would be doing a eurobrace for sure but don’t think it’s really necessary for this size if I go thicker glass. I had the waterbox 130.4 before which is very similiar size with the 12mm glass and it held up good but want a little stronger. Thoughts?

 

[Reefried]

I’ve been going back and forth on eurobrace actually haha, I am switching the glass to 15mm from 12mm in lieu of euro brace I believe. For any tank larger than 100ish gallons, I would be doing a eurobrace for sure but don’t think it’s really necessary for this size if I go thicker glass. I had the waterbox 130.4 before which is very similiar size with the 12mm glass and it held up good but want a little stronger. Thoughts?

My tank is rimless. It is basically a 120 but a little shorter. It has held up fine. If I had the choice I would go with eurobrace.

 

[bobbravo2]

I’ve been going back and forth on eurobrace actually haha, I am switching the glass to 15mm from 12mm in lieu of euro brace I believe. For any tank larger than 100ish gallons, I would be doing a eurobrace for sure but don’t think it’s really necessary for this size if I go thicker glass. I had the waterbox 130.4 before which is very similiar size with the 12mm glass and it held up good but want a little stronger. Thoughts?

I like eurobraces for the longevity, although rimless looks super sleek

 

[EddieG]

For insurance, I would also go with a eurobrace. Good luck with your project

 

[Reefried]

I like eurobraces for the longevity, although rimless looks super sleek

I agree. They also help with jumping fish, and give you a shelf to put things on when you are messing with the tank.