TheDistrictReef's Waterbox 220.6 Mixed Reef and Waterbox 60.2 Seahorse Tank

[TheDistrictReef]

Hey WAMAS,

 

I've been meaning to put together a build thread for a while now. My tanks are pretty much built out at this point, but I figure I can also use this to document my progress. If you're interested in more updated (and sometimes fun) videos, I try to post pretty often to Instagram (@the_district_reef or https://www.instagram.com/the_district_reef/)

 

Background

I started to get my feet wet in 2018, and I've come a long way since that time. Like a lot of others in the hobby, I started with freshwater tanks. It was fun for a while, but it never seemed to be that challenging, and to be honest, it got a little boring. I should note that I never attempted a freshwater planted tank. Looking back, that seems like something that would have caught my interest.

 

I've always wanted to try my hand at a saltwater tank, but it just seemed so complicated. It also required so much more equipment (skimmers, pumps, sumps, lights, salt, carbon, etc.). Saying that, the fish options were just too beautiful to pass up on. After months of research and endless hours on Reef2Reef and other forums, I started gathering equipment and planning out my build. Unfortunately, I hadn't yet stumbled upon WAMAS, which is a shame since there are so many great reefers willing to help in the DMV.

 

I was very frugal with my first tank and tried to DIY wherever I could to save money. I started with a 40 breeder that I picked up from Petco. I drilled it myself and plumbed it into a 29 gallon sump. After letting it cycle, I added my first fish. A few months later, I added my first coral frags, and the rest is history. I was officially hooked.

 

A year later, I upgraded to a Waterbox Marine 60.2, which is now a Seahorse tank. And last year, I was able to sell my wife on another upgrade: a Waterbox 220.6. (p.s. Aside from the high price, I love everything about Waterbox tanks). They also have amazing and very responsive customer service reps).

 

Here's what I currently have running:

 

Waterbox 220.6 - Mixed Reef

Dimensions: 72.3"×25.3"×23.6"

• Display Volume: 167 gallons
• Sump Volume: 37.1 gallons

 

Equipment

• Lights: 4 x Aqua Illumination Hydra 32HD
• Powerheads: 4 x Aqua Illumination Nero 5
• Skimmer: Red Sea RSK 900
• Return Pump: Reef Octopus VarioS-8
• UV Sterilizer: Lifegard Aquatics Pro-MAX 3" Body 55W Amalgam High Output
• Auto Top Off: Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 ATO

 

Fish

• Clown Tang
• Yellow Belly Blue Tang
• Blue Eye Tang
• Copperband Butterfly
• Yellow Watchman Goby
• Black Storm Clownfish
• Ocellaris Clownfish

 

Inverts

• Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
• Blood Red Fire Shrimp
• Sand Sifting Starfish

 

 

Waterbox Marine 60.2 - Seahorse Tank

Dimensions: 24"×24"×18"

• Display Volume: 39.8 gallons
• Sump Volume: 22 gallons

 

Equipment

• Lights: Aqua Illumination Hydra 26HD
• Powerheads: Aqua Illumination Nero 3
• Skimmer: Red Sea RSK 300
• Return Pump: Reef Octopus VarioS-4

 

Seahorses/Fish

• 3 x Captive-Bred Erectus Seahorses (1 male, 2 females)
• Dragonface Pipefish
• Bangaii Cardinalfish

 

 

 

 

Edited August 27, 2022 by TheDistrictReef

[AlanM]

Nice.  I'm looking forward to hearing more about these tanks.  I'm especially interested in the seahorse one.  It's an unusual one for the club.

[howaboutme]

Both tanks look great! Seahorse tank is a rarity for sure. Keep the updates coming. 

[YHSublime]

We used to have a bunch of seahorse tanks. Both tanks look great, keep updates coming!

[TheDistrictReef]

Thanks everyone! I'll make sure to keep the updates coming.

 

A couple notes on the seahorse tank:

• I'm extremely limited when it comes to adding any new fish/coral/inverts.
• They're messy eaters and carry a somewhat larger bioload. I clean this tank more often than the larger one.
• They thrive in cooler temperatures than a traditional reef, with 70-74 degrees being the sweet spot. My wife keeps the house pretty cool, so I haven't had to add a chiller or any type of cooling fan.
• I initially kept the setup pretty simple with just an artificial coral skeleton and a few yellow plastic chains for hitching posts. I recently removed the plastic chains and added a variety of macro algae and red mangrove plants to give it a more natural look.
• Fun Fact: Seahorses (and sea dragons) are the only species in which the male gets pregnant and gives birth.
• My male seahorse has given birth three times, and despite my best efforts, I have not been successful in raising the fry.

If anyone is interested in setting up their own seahorse tank, I would highly recommend reaching out to Alyssa's Seahorse Savvy (https://seahorsesavvy.com/pages/our-seahorse-farm). They are a wealth of knowledge and very responsive. Bonus: While they don't have a retail location, their seahorse farm/hatchery is somewhat local (on the Eastern Shore of Maryland). It might be cool to have them come out to speak to the club at a future meeting.

[WheresTheReef]

Looking good. Kyle actually gave a talk on Seahorses back in 2016. 
 

 

[TheDistrictReef]

Very cool! That was just before my time, but I’ve been impressed with the speakers that WAMAS has been able to pull in.