SC Aquariums Owners Thread

[michael.lemke]

You will need to order it

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Thanks, just wanted to give them as much businesses as possible. Steve has been great so far. My custom build should be shipped soon. Just waiting on the stand now. Your build looks great by the way.


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[Arc Katana]

Does anyone know if SCA makes custom aquariums? I'm looking for two or three tanks in a particular size, and have been impressed with their tanks.

Thanks

 

[soulpatch]

yes they do but you need to calla nd talk to Steve. Plenty of folks on here have gotten custom with them.

 

[Mikeboone]

[96 pages later] Well that took a very long time to read through...

 

[moondoggy4]

Welcome to Reef Central Mikeboone, SCA tanks are real nice, I will be looking at them at the next aquarium show in the OC this weekend.

 

[Mikeboone]

Welcome to Reef Central Mikeboone, SCA tanks are real nice, I will be looking at them at the next aquarium show in the OC this weekend.

Thanks for the welcome. Yeah, I like the tanks and want a 50 pnp but not too fond of the mdf or even the plywood. Trying to figure out a solution that will appease the wifey.

 

[soulpatch]

If you dont like the stands then dont go PNP. Honestly the only reason I would go PNP is if you liked the stand. I am not too fond of the oversized sumps, plumbing, or return pump. The skimmer is decent though for most people.

 

[Mikeboone]

If you dont like the stands then dont go PNP. Honestly the only reason I would go PNP is if you liked the stand. I am not too fond of the oversized sumps, plumbing, or return pump. The skimmer is decent though for most people.

Soulpatch, what size sump would you suggest for the 50? Any particular sump come to mind?

 

[D805]

Another one that just got through 96 pages after a couple of day. Getting back into the hobby after a 11 year hiatus. Looking at the 50 pnp. Want to run a herbie overflow, do I need to ask to have a third hole drilled? Thank you.

 

[soulpatch]

Another one that just got through 96 pages after a couple of day. Getting back into the hobby after a 11 year hiatus. Looking at the 50 pnp. Want to run a herbie overflow, do I need to ask to have a third hole drilled? Thank you.

Tanks come with 3 holes std now. I would suggest planning to replace the return pump right away that comes with the PNP. Use the PNP pump to mix your salt water and such. It is just loud and annoying.

 

[soulpatch]

Soulpatch, what size sump would you suggest for the 50? Any particular sump come to mind?

Probably something like a trigger sump. Or if you wanted to spend the money on one getting a custom GEO or BAO sump made for your needs.

 

[D805]

Tanks come with 3 holes std now. I would suggest planning to replace the return pump right away that comes with the PNP. Use the PNP pump to mix your salt water and such. It is just loud and annoying.

Thanks for the reply. Wasn't sure from the 50 description. Yeah pump upgrade is first on my list. Any pump recommendations?

 

[soulpatch]

hard to make recommendation not knowing your full expected setup. IE amount of turnover you want, manifolds, how plumbing will be routed and whatnot.

I will say I have been super happy with my Fluval SP return pump. Obviously you would not need the SP6 like I have but an SP4 would give you plently of bandwidth. Pumps are like powerheads though and plently have opinion. I tend to steer clear of Jabeo for my returns though I use them for skimmer pumps and additional flow in tank.

Eheim are great pumps as well...

 

[Mikeboone]

$650 for the 50 pnp seems like a great deal though...

 

[soulpatch]

It IS a great deal if you plan to use the stand. If you are going to go another route for a stand it is a lot of money to pay for a base model sump, crap return pump, and a decent skimmer as opposed to buying individually.

I always recomend to throw out the plumbing that comes with the tank as well and hard plumb as opposed to the barbs and tubing supplied.

 

[D805]

hard to make recommendation not knowing your full expected setup. IE amount of turnover you want, manifolds, how plumbing will be routed and whatnot.

I will say I have been super happy with my Fluval SP return pump. Obviously you would not need the SP6 like I have but an SP4 would give you plently of bandwidth. Pumps are like powerheads though and plently have opinion. I tend to steer clear of Jabeo for my returns though I use them for skimmer pumps and additional flow in tank.

Eheim are great pumps as well...

Yeah I guess I still need to figure all that out. Still in the planning stages but have decided on picking up the 50. Looking at getting the Radion lights. Do you think the XR15 would be good enough for a mixed reef or should I go with XR30? Thanks again for your help.

 

[soulpatch]

I am not one to talk to about LED. I had Kessils and I find the focused points that LED light orginates from to be restrictive and if you want SPS like I do then this causes too much shadowing issues. You typically need at least 2x the LED fixtures for coverage to get rid of the shadows.

I now run ATI T5 fixture and have a reef brite XHO strip on them to give the shimmer and pop afforded with LED

 

[Browncoat]

Here's some SC Aquarium Top Quality for y'all after 4 months being setup. Steve said it's not going to leak. I'm not so sure. Didn't offer to replace it. Looks like crap.

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[Thornbreaker]

Just an outer ring of silicone to seal the glass. A lot of guys do this if they want to switch to a ghost overflow except the glass is solid. You will want it drilled instead obviously.

Apply generous silicone to underside of glass pane and lay it into position. You can put an outer edge as needed

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Update on this:

I received a 3" x 3" glass piece from Steve a couple months or so ago. We've just finally moved into our new house, and I hadn't set the tank up before now to avoid cross contaminates from paint and hardwood staining that took place.

So I'm about to finally try patching the tank, and fortunately, my wife's arm is skinny enough to get to the bottom of the overflow box.

To make sure I understand correctly, I just need to put a liberal amount of silicone on the bottom, flat side of the glass piece, then lay into position, then attach the bulkhead to add pressure while it solidifies?

No silicone around the edge of the glass piece unless it's just necessary later?


I ordered a glass cutter this week to actually trim the glass piece down some. The 3"x3" didn't account for the silicone seals on the bottom inside of the overflow box :\ (though I mentioned it to Steve).

 

[soulpatch]

I would likely try to put a bit around the outer edge of the glass pane you are seating just to ensure you dont leave any areas for crap to build up in. It doesnt have to be pretty as you will never see it but just stops anything from getting under the glass and causing nitrate issues or such.

You could put in the bulkheads and tighten down to seal it nice and tight but make sure you tighten then loosen and pop out to clean up and silicone that comes over onto the bulkhead.

Honestly you dont need a ton of pressure here so i would likely use small clamps to secure the pane. Above all else also make sure silicone does not get on top of the replacement pane around the bulkheads as that will need cleaned so as to not impact the bulkhead seal.