SC Aquariums Owners Thread

[greaps]

Good to know I'll be looking into how to widen them up without messing it up completely.

I'm in the process of a total tank rebuild. As part of my rebuild, I am putting in a DIY foam and rock back wall (egg crate covered in dry rock and pond foam to fill in the gaps) covering the entire back including the overflow tower. When cleaning the tank out, the acrylic overflow tower covers came right off. I had intended to re-silicone them back into place... But....

I could keep the overflow panels off and use egg crate instead. That would greatly increase flow and with the rock wall up the back, it wont be an eyesore.

I want a high turn over sump to keep detritus suspended for the socks to capture it. That's where my interest in increasing the bulk heads comes from. The tank is going to be fish only (reef safe) for some time, and eventually soft corals.

 

[Sabataki]

I wouldn't open them that much. Fish could go in. But average size is probably about 1/4 inch. I'd use a dremel but mine is already set up and I don't want to have to drain it

 

[Sabataki]

Then set up something as a guide and carefully grind a little off the side

 

[greaps]

I don't own a dremel, think with the acrylic covers all ready off the tank I could carefully and slowly use a miter saw to do the same thing?

 

[ian09]

Question, I was wondering what light system you're all using for your sump? I have the 4bulb T5 fixture that came along with the system but it's just too big and bulky for my taste. Anyone else using something with a smaller foot print to light up their sump (fuge area)? Thanks

 

[davocean]

I've always just used the round dome lights from HD.
Now they have these cool grey PVC ones, looks cleaner, and I use an LED floodlight in the 65k range.
My chaeto grows pretty quick under these.

 

[ian09]

I've always just used the round dome lights from HD.
Now they have these cool grey PVC ones, looks cleaner, and I use an LED floodlight in the 65k range.
My chaeto grows pretty quick under these.

Thanks davocean! I've used the HD fixture and just a grow light in my past set up and I see that these fixtures are now more compact and cleaner looking. You think you can take a pic of your sump setup with focus on the lighting you have?

Since we are on the topic of sumps, I'd like to request anyone and everyone to post pics of your sump setup. Thanks all!

 

[Sabataki]

@ dave ocean, where did you find the floods in the 65k range. I checked everywhere

 

[Sabataki]

@ greaps, I'd be real careful with the miter, you could just widen them with a file

 

[davocean]

@ dave ocean, where did you find the floods in the 65k range. I checked everywhere

Either HD or lowes should have them, got mine at HD

 

[Sabataki]

I'll have to check another than mine. Couldn't find anything. Closest was 5000.

 

[davocean]

*Correction, this LED is 5k, not 65k, but anything in that range will grow just fine.
This is the ecosmart brand

 

[davocean]

This is my sump area.
Forgive the mess and clutter of wires, I just replaced my DJ strip and added a new MP40QD so my wires are all over the place right now.
My tank is coming up on 3mo old so still very new and I have not finished adding things down below.
I plan to add an ATO resevoir where the B-ionic bottles are as well as a GFO reactor, and dosers.
You can see that PVC dome light, clean, simple, cheap.

 

[ian09]

This is my sump area.
Forgive the mess and clutter of wires, I just replaced my DJ strip and added a new MP40QD so my wires are all over the place right now.
My tank is coming up on 3mo old so still very new and I have not finished adding things down below.
I plan to add an ATO resevoir where the B-ionic bottles are as well as a GFO reactor, and dosers.
You can see that PVC dome light, clean, simple, cheap.

Thanks for the pic davocean
I'm gonna do some replumbing and gonna change my bulkheads to standard sizing and hopefully hard plumb some areas so all my wires are outside the tank and a big mess lol! I'll have to take a little trip to lowes or hd for one of those light fixtures so I can get rid of the huge T5 light disturb SCA included. I also plan to add some wooden pieces to create shelves as I have no space for anything unless it's in the sump. Super tight fit down there haha! As soon as I'm done I'll post a pic of my setup. I'm coming up on two weeks in since I started the 50g cube [emoji106]��[emoji16]

 

[A.Astore]

About ready to dive into a 120 system. Does anyone have a picture of the solid wood stand they purchased as well as still know if it was cherry or walnut?

 

[Raul-7]

How's the quality of the low-iron glass? Starphire or low-grade? Does it scratch easily?

 

[jayball]

How's the quality of the low-iron glass? Starphire or low-grade? Does it scratch easily?

I have had mine for 18 months now and I do not have any scratches (at least that I know of) but I would not know the difference between high and low grade glass.

 

[soulpatch]

About ready to dive into a 120 system. Does anyone have a picture of the solid wood stand they purchased as well as still know if it was cherry or walnut?

I just ordered mine and got the walnut which should be in soon. I have a stock picture of the stand Steve had emailed me if you would like that. Just shoot me your email in PM and I will forward it or if you can wait till tonight I will post in this thread.

I went with the walnut personally but I have pics of both the walnut and cherry in my email.



Oh and I am joining the club as well as I ordered the 150 with walnut all wood stand. Should be in hand in 2 weeks (had him hold it a week so I would be on vacation when it came) I have my own sump and such so I just went with the stand and tank. Came out less then getting just a tank made from other builders (basically about 1/2 what others would have cost for tank alone) So I am a happy camper. Now to figure out which return pump I want, powerheads, and whether I go TBS rock or dry rock...

Equipment ready to go is my life reef skimmer and trigger ruby elite sump. Have an ATO and dosers as well. Corals will mostly be moved from my current biocube as that gets transitioned into a frag tank. ZERO rock from my biocube will go over and all corals will be redipped in peroxide and QTed before they go into my next tank to ensure no algae or others get into the new tank. My clowns and talkspot will make the transition and then it is fish ordering time!!!

 

[ian09]

I just ordered mine and got the walnut which should be in soon. I have a stock picture of the stand Steve had emailed me if you would like that. Just shoot me your email in PM and I will forward it or if you can wait till tonight I will post in this thread.



I went with the walnut personally but I have pics of both the walnut and cherry in my email.







Oh and I am joining the club as well as I ordered the 150 with walnut all wood stand. Should be in hand in 2 weeks (had him hold it a week so I would be on vacation when it came) I have my own sump and such so I just went with the stand and tank. Came out less then getting just a tank made from other builders (basically about 1/2 what others would have cost for tank alone) So I am a happy camper. Now to figure out which return pump I want, powerheads, and whether I go TBS rock or dry rock...



Equipment ready to go is my life reef skimmer and trigger ruby elite sump. Have an ATO and dosers as well. Corals will mostly be moved from my current biocube as that gets transitioned into a frag tank. ZERO rock from my biocube will go over and all corals will be redipped in peroxide and QTed before they go into my next tank to ensure no algae or others get into the new tank. My clowns and talkspot will make the transition and then it is fish ordering time!!!

Excited and glad to have you aboard soulpatch [emoji106]
I wonder how many of us transitioned from a nano and upgraded to an SCA setup? Can't wait for your build thread [emoji16]
I hope they gave you great deal[emoji12]

 

[bitwise]

Go with the 66g setup and replace the plumbing [emoji106][emoji16]

How much work needs to be done? Is this desired so that I can more easily modify the plumbing with parts available in the US?