Journal Waterbox 20g AIO Planted Tank

[NC AL]

NC AL’s Waterbox 20g AIO Planted Tank

Current view as of 5/26/26

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Tank: Waterbox 20 AIO
Return pump: AI Axis 40
Lighting: (2) AI Blade Fresh 12”
Dosing pump: Ecotech Marine
CO2 injected

The purpose of this tank is to maintain a healthy planted tank for at least 1 year. There is a stipulation that I must be able to do this using my tap water for water changes.

 

[NC AL]

DIY Stand

 

[NC AL]

DIY Canopy/Lid

This is currently not finished. I still need to glue the plastic board to the lid, one more coat of paint, and then finished the removable top panels.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Beautiful work, I envy the skills. The plastic board you are referring to, what is that material? I’d like to make some sort of cover for my tanks filter chamber to hide the tubing and wires coming out of it.

 

[NC AL]

Beautiful work, I envy the skills. The plastic board you are referring to, what is that material? I’d like to make some sort of cover for my tanks filter chamber to hide the tubing and wires coming out of it.

Thanks man. This is simple cutting board (kitchen stuff). Mine is 3/4” because it will support the weight of the canopy/lid. It will sit on the tank with a foam strip as the buffer.

For what you are trying to do, uhmw polyethylene or starboard might work best. I am assumming you are wanting it to come up from your aquarium rear chambers about 2-3” and cover the the rear chamber?

If you just want to cover the rear chamber and need space for air tubes and cords, I think you could get away with 3/4 board. This is what I did for my desk tank.

Marine board

 

[NC AL]

Here is what I made for my desk tank. It could be done on a larger scale for the rear chambers of your tank.

My desk tank

I am not sure where you live in SC, but if you are ever up in the Charlotte area, I could help you make something like this.

 

[NC AL]

Worked on some of the aquascaping.

 

[hamfist]

I am already in awe of your construction skills, equipment and space !!!!

 

[NC AL]

I made some progress this weekend. I worked on the rear sump/filtration chambers. The first thing I always do with AIOs is remove the filter sock and build a bracket for filter floss pads. In my opinion, filter socks as a main source of mechanical filtration clog too quickly. Often with socks there isn't a bypass in case the socks to get clogged.

Next I felt the middle chamber was too large and would have dead zones where there wouldn't really be an water movement. So I made the middle chamber into 2. This gives me a place to put a finer filter sock as a secondary mechanical filtration (and with an overflow by pass). It also gives me a dedicated aeration chamber far enough away from the return to where its not likely any bubbles would make it into the display.

Lastly, I filled the tank and am testing the seals and return pump. I can already tell I am going to switch out the supplied return pump with a DC one. The stock makes just enough noise to where it will be an issue by the couch.

 

[BranchScape]

Impressed with your mods. Looks like you are the right man for AIO planted setups.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

The socks that came with mine are a nylon material, not the typical cotton. They clog even quicker from what I’ve read and cause issues. Taking advantage of the sturdier material, I used a hole punch and then stuffed the socks with filter floss. The socks now act as a holder instead of the source of mechanical filtration. I’ll eventually switch to a custom tower made by Kreative Reefer. My other chambers have poret foam sponge and a little bit of lava rock.

 

[MKEnovice]

Installing the CO2 diffuser in the return chamber is genius!

 

[Koan]

I can already tell I am going to switch out the supplied return pump with a DC one

Love these guys

MightyJet Mini Universal AIO DC Return Pump (266 GPH)

The smallest MightyJet yet-- universally fits just about any All In One Aquarium! Innovative Marine MightyJet DC Pumps are perfect for any AIO or in-sump application. Set the perfect flow rate for your tank with the included DC controller. The tiny pump fits into most back compartments of all in...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

If that's still too much flow, this is the lowest flow DC I've been able to find, I have it on two tanks

 

[gnatster]

The socks that came with mine are a nylon material, not the typical cotton. They clog even quicker from what I’ve read and cause issues. Taking advantage of the sturdier material, I used a hole punch and then stuffed the socks with filter floss. The socks now act as a holder instead of the source of mechanical filtration. I’ll eventually switch to a custom tower made by Kreative Reefer. My other chambers have poret foam sponge and a little bit of lava rock.

Another alternative was recently introduced to the reefers world. NOSOK™ – The Aquarium Filter Sock Alternative | Vivid Creative Aquatics

 

[NC AL]

The socks that came with mine are a nylon material, not the typical cotton. They clog even quicker from what I’ve read and cause issues. Taking advantage of the sturdier material, I used a hole punch and then stuffed the socks with filter floss. The socks now act as a holder instead of the source of mechanical filtration. I’ll eventually switch to a custom tower made by Kreative Reefer. My other chambers have poret foam sponge and a little bit of lava rock.

Kreative Reefer makes good stuff. I looked at your tank a few years ago, and that was going to be my plan.

 

[Koan]

Another alternative was recently introduced to the reefers world. NOSOK™

Or a custom $15 micro filter-roller

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1286901372/waterbox-roller-mat-filter-fits-10g-20g

 

[NC AL]

Love these guys

MightyJet Mini Universal AIO DC Return Pump (266 GPH)

The smallest MightyJet yet-- universally fits just about any All In One Aquarium! Innovative Marine MightyJet DC Pumps are perfect for any AIO or in-sump application. Set the perfect flow rate for your tank with the included DC controller. The tiny pump fits into most back compartments of all in...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

If that's still too much flow, this is the lowest flow DC I've been able to find, I have it on two tanks

These are my go to pumps. I have never had an issue and can control it to have an infinite amount of settings to correspond with feedings and co2 injection. I will run it between 30 - 50% and it will be dead silent. I just need to wait on a 10% off sale.

AI Axis Pump

 

[Koan]

can control it to have an infinite amount of settings

Nice! I don't expect long life span out of these Landens good to have a new go-to when they fail!

Why not go to their smaller pump, already 30% cheaper?

Axis 20 Centrifugal Pump (185 GPH)

PUMP IT UP with AI Axis Big Pump Features in Pumps of All Sizes Control with MyAI, Mobius, or MXM Three Easy-to-Use Pump Modes Perfect as a Return Pump Ideal for All-In-One Aquariums up to 15 Gallons Axis pumps offer full control, wireless smart device programming, DC motor quiet operation...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[NC AL]

Another alternative was recently introduced to the reefers world. NOSOK™ – The Aquarium Filter Sock Alternative | Vivid Creative Aquatics

Yep, I have seen that. Reduces the need to clean socks, but still will get clogged. If you don't catch it before it clogs, you have more flow into the display than you have exiting. A simple filter floss pad with a back corner cut out fixes all of that and takes 5 seconds to swap out.

This is on my 8g. its hard to see but when the floss pad fills, the water can flow through the back side and bypass the mechanical filtration.

 

[Koan]

its hard to see but when the floss pad fills, the water can flow through the back side and bypass the mechanical filtration.

This is a great feature did you design this bracket? and/or is it on Thingiverse or somewhere?

I want one two