Post by Crazygar on Feb 3, 2024 5:50:42 GMT -5
Before starting this journal, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jess at Waterbox Aquariums. Not only are your Aquariums wonderful, affordable and easy to customize, but the service you have provided with all my emails, questions and final purchase have been stellar. I cannot thank you enough.
For anyone considering a custom Aquarium (or even their standard Aquarium and Aquarium Packages), I am wholly satisfied with my Waterbox Aquarium along with the process to suggest you take a look at their website (https://waterboxaquariums.ca/, waterboxaquariums.com and https://waterboxaquariums.eu) to see what they are all about.
Now onto the build..
This will be my first truly custom, overflow and sump specific Aquarium I have owned. While the concept is still a bit daunting, I am sure over time, as I run and maintain such a system that I will never go back to any other type of filtration again. This tank will serve as my display (and only aquarium) with a place of prominence in my living room.
As in the words of Mola Ram, "You will become a true believer Dr. Jones", I believe I will as well when it comes to Overflows/Sumps for Aquaria in general.
A Bit of History
The whole idea and concept actually started in 2021. At the time I was maintaining a small planted Nano in my Office. While I enjoyed the tank immensely, I wanted more.
A larger tank, filled with a group of schooling fish peacefully swimming back and forth while plants sway in the current is what I missed. Apistogramma and Otocinclus are top on my list of fish species and Nano tanks do not afford that luxury of keeping either species proper.
At the time, my residence resembled a construction zone (adding to that I was once again, flying for work) so at that moment, it was simply, a wishful idea.
Once all my major construction jobs were completed and my traveling started to lessen, it was already at the middle of 2022.
I had torn down the Nano (the last of my Chili Rasboras passed away from old age and I never replaced them) and sold the Nano and stand. Packed away all the substrate (always comes in handy for future projects), lighting (AI Prime Freshwater), CO2 Regulator (which I have already for this new project) and 5lb CO2 Canister (need a larger 20lb tank for this project)
For the first time since 2008/part of 2009, I was without an aquarium not only actively running but in my residence. This where I decided to re-engage my idea of having a larger, custom aquarium in the living room.
Wanting to try something new and maintenance friendly, I decided that an overflow with sump would fit the bill. Not only are sumps easier to maintain and clean, they provide the system with extra water volume, the ability to hide equipment, more efficient and the ease of customization is much higher.
As usual, life gets in the way. More renovation projects (ideas are costly), major projects at work saw me lose focus from Feb 2023 to Nov 2023 and now, the great leap forward, the actual ordering of the Aquarium...
Tank Specs
Waterbox Custom 75 US Gallon Aquarium
- 48" Long, 18" Tall, 20" Deep
- 2 X 1" Holes drilled into the back wall of the Aquarium
- 1 X 10" X 4" X 18" Integrated Overflow (which will be holding a Bean Animal plumbing system)
- 1 X Aluminum Framed Stand w/White Doors and Panels
- 2 X INKBIRD Titanium Aquarium Heater for Freshwater or Saltwater Tanks 300W Submersible
- 1 X Inkbird ITC-306A WiFi Aquarium Temperature Controller 1100W Double Sockets
The Cost (so far): CAD $3273.43
...and so the let the fun begin. I have an idea of the aquascape look I want to achieve but this will have to sit on the back burner until I setup the aquarium to fully functional and do some water testing during the process. Only then, do I tackle the actual look of the aquarium
Next Step: Install a GFCI Outlet where the aquarium will be placed.
Gary
For anyone considering a custom Aquarium (or even their standard Aquarium and Aquarium Packages), I am wholly satisfied with my Waterbox Aquarium along with the process to suggest you take a look at their website (https://waterboxaquariums.ca/, waterboxaquariums.com and https://waterboxaquariums.eu) to see what they are all about.
Now onto the build..
This will be my first truly custom, overflow and sump specific Aquarium I have owned. While the concept is still a bit daunting, I am sure over time, as I run and maintain such a system that I will never go back to any other type of filtration again. This tank will serve as my display (and only aquarium) with a place of prominence in my living room.
As in the words of Mola Ram, "You will become a true believer Dr. Jones", I believe I will as well when it comes to Overflows/Sumps for Aquaria in general.
A Bit of History
The whole idea and concept actually started in 2021. At the time I was maintaining a small planted Nano in my Office. While I enjoyed the tank immensely, I wanted more.
A larger tank, filled with a group of schooling fish peacefully swimming back and forth while plants sway in the current is what I missed. Apistogramma and Otocinclus are top on my list of fish species and Nano tanks do not afford that luxury of keeping either species proper.
At the time, my residence resembled a construction zone (adding to that I was once again, flying for work) so at that moment, it was simply, a wishful idea.
Once all my major construction jobs were completed and my traveling started to lessen, it was already at the middle of 2022.
I had torn down the Nano (the last of my Chili Rasboras passed away from old age and I never replaced them) and sold the Nano and stand. Packed away all the substrate (always comes in handy for future projects), lighting (AI Prime Freshwater), CO2 Regulator (which I have already for this new project) and 5lb CO2 Canister (need a larger 20lb tank for this project)
For the first time since 2008/part of 2009, I was without an aquarium not only actively running but in my residence. This where I decided to re-engage my idea of having a larger, custom aquarium in the living room.
Wanting to try something new and maintenance friendly, I decided that an overflow with sump would fit the bill. Not only are sumps easier to maintain and clean, they provide the system with extra water volume, the ability to hide equipment, more efficient and the ease of customization is much higher.
As usual, life gets in the way. More renovation projects (ideas are costly), major projects at work saw me lose focus from Feb 2023 to Nov 2023 and now, the great leap forward, the actual ordering of the Aquarium...
Tank Specs
Waterbox Custom 75 US Gallon Aquarium
- 48" Long, 18" Tall, 20" Deep
- 2 X 1" Holes drilled into the back wall of the Aquarium
- 1 X 10" X 4" X 18" Integrated Overflow (which will be holding a Bean Animal plumbing system)
- 1 X Aluminum Framed Stand w/White Doors and Panels
- 2 X INKBIRD Titanium Aquarium Heater for Freshwater or Saltwater Tanks 300W Submersible
- 1 X Inkbird ITC-306A WiFi Aquarium Temperature Controller 1100W Double Sockets
The Cost (so far): CAD $3273.43
...and so the let the fun begin. I have an idea of the aquascape look I want to achieve but this will have to sit on the back burner until I setup the aquarium to fully functional and do some water testing during the process. Only then, do I tackle the actual look of the aquarium
Next Step: Install a GFCI Outlet where the aquarium will be placed.
Gary