jemw
New member
Interesting to note that after I replaced the tubing with the soft silicone there was a noticeable reduction in noise.
SC Aquariums Owners Thread
- Thread starter OceanWolf
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Interesting to note that after I replaced the tubing with the soft silicone there was a noticeable reduction in noise.
CafeReef
New member
Hi guys, I just pulled the trigger on the 66 gallon Labor Day special, so I'm getting the tank, solid wood stand, and sump filtration. I have been out of the hobby for over 20 years so take it easy on me. My ultimate plan is to have a small reef set-up, but we love fish so the emphasis will always be on the fish! I'd like to start with mostly fish, and perhaps some live rock, and then perhaps later transition to a mix of fish and corals, but nothing too crazy.
I have read through a lot of pages on this thread and others, and I have to say the information is a little overwhelming at the moment. I'd really like to take it slow with this build, step by step and (re) learning along the way. My fist priority obviously is to get the tank erected and the plumbing set-up, and then fill up with sand and water and some live rock and let it cycle.
While I have many questions, most of which I hope you guys can help me with, I want to start from the beginning and with the basics. So my first concern is the proper set-up of the tank. I will continue reading through this (and other) thread, but I would really appreciate a few hints or tips any of you may want to share regarding the set-up. The LAST thing I want to do is make a mistake and then have to end up draining the tank later on to fix it! I am also very concerned with potential leaks and I want to do everything I can to prevent them from happening. So here are my initial questions:
Plumbing - I have read about issues with the provided plumbing. Would it be better to replace it from the beginning with something better? I'll be going with a Herbie drain. BTW, I talked with Steve today, great guy!, and he said the plumbing provided now is all SCH40 so I will try to use as much of it as I can. I already ordered the gate valve for the main return line from Amazon. I guess I will just start laying it out and see what I can use and what I still need to get.
Return pump - I got Steve to take the pump out of my order and he recommended the Jabeo 12000. At first sight it seems a bit overkill but I see the merits of using a pump at 50% capacity or less and it lasting a very long time that way. Eventually I will probably want to take full advantage of the DC motor and use the pump in combination with an "auto-leveling" controller for the overflow. I have to read up on this some more but I am assuming this pump will be compatible for something like that...will it?
Lighting - Probably the hardest decision I had to make so far...I decided on a single Kessil A360WE for now. It definitely is much more than what I was willing to spend originally, but after seeing and reading about the awesome shimmer these lamps produce, I have to say I had no other choice!
Here a couple of things I will be looking at once the tank is set-up:
Starting the cycle process - Do I use live rock or dead rock and introduce cultures in a different way? What sand is best? - I would really like it to be coarse with lots of coral fragments in it.
Water - We have an RO system for drinking water and I plan on "piggy-backing" on it daily, transferring water to a storage container in the garage which I will then use for mixing in salt.
ATO - Here is where I would like some input, what would you guys recommend? The reservoir will be located in the storage space behind the wall.
Controls - I am a big techy and I love the ability to monitor and (perhaps) control systems remotely. I love the idea of having some sort of master control for all, or most, of the systems, and being able to control them from my phone. Therefore, do I need to be conscious of my particular choices of hardware I purchase from here on? - This is an area I really need help with. This includes pH, temperature, salinity, and any other parameters that can be monitored electronically.
I have a storage space behind the wall where the tank will go, so I plan to mount all the controls, gauges, etc on the inside wall of that storage space. I can also envision mounting a wifi security camera zoomed in on the controls to be able to monitor everything remotely should the "on my phone" option be to complicated and/or too costly.
Anyway, thanks in advance for any input guys, I am so excited about getting back into the hobby! My tank will arrive in about a week so I have time to do my research and decide on the best path forward.
-Kaigoss
To come off your post here. I am running a Jebao DCT6000 on my 50 cube at 50% and it is more than enough, as Tex mentioned a 12000 may be a bit overkill, I want to say the new Jebao pumps are 7000 series now, personally I would go that route, you will still probably end up running it at 50% and will save you some $$.
ATO, I would go tunze as well. I have the 3152 ATO and I have it in a storage container on the other side of the wall from my tank as well. I just run the line through the wall, works great.
Thank you very much for your comments! Much appreciated!!!
Regarding the RO system, I'll read up on that. Its a Watts Premier from Costco.
Regarding the Neptune Apex, I was afraid of that
. Is there any way I can do it cheaper???Thank you for your input! I actually bought the Jebao DCS 7000 yesterday! Now though I am not so happy reading that perhaps the Apex cannot control this pump? - It seems it would need a dedicated external interface module which exists for the DC/DCT models but seems incompatible with DCS models? :uhoh3:
texdoc77
New member
finnex
texdoc77
New member
Regarding the Neptune Apex, I was afraid of that
Many have had good success with the reef angel system, you might check it out. IMO a controller is tantamount to long term success without significant burnout. There are times you just won't want to mess with your tank and a controller helps keep things in line during this time.
texdoc77
New member
There are lots of ways to run your system. I don't plan on messing with my return pump much if at all. That said when Neptune comes out with their return pump, I will likely get it as I suspect it will work with my system and have redundant fail safe features.
soulpatch
New member
Thank you very much for your comments! Much appreciated!!!
Regarding the RO system, I'll read up on that. Its a Watts Premier from Costco.
Regarding the Neptune Apex, I was afraid of that
drinking RO<>reef tank RO plus you would need the DI stages as well. You are looking at $200 for a system that sets you up for success. Nothing is more frustrating to set up an awesome tank and constantly have algae and other issues from your water...
What are you planning to do with the return? We are not running closed loops where dynamic flow would be beneficial. Instead most I do is have a clean and feed mode that kills the return and other equipment for a period of time.
A return pump is basically set to your drains so you keep constant flow and water level in tank.
Thank you. Looked on Amazon but there are many different models, al lot of which have not so good reviews. I am thinking 300W? Better to have the external control?
soulpatch
New member
no. you are actually better with 2 smaller heaters so if one fails you dont fry the tank. oversizing a heater is a disaster waiting to happen...
Sigh...that's an expense I definitely did not plan on. Wifey definitely won't be happy. So I'll set that up in the garage. More reading to do!
I'll do a Herbie so the control is not necessary but I thought it would be good to have.
Ok thanks, which model do you recommend?
soulpatch
New member
I have eheim in mine currently but they are on the long side. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eheim-jager-trutemp-aquarium-heater.html
A lot of people rock the finnex. Issue with finnex is that their temp controller on cheaper models has a large swing. If you get an apex though that is not an issue...
A lot of people rock the finnex. Issue with finnex is that their temp controller on cheaper models has a large swing. If you get an apex though that is not an issue...
Thanks, what wattage if I get 2? 66G tank.
Normski619
New member
Same here...they're great pumps. Been using mine for a couple of years now. Super quite.
On another note, anyone using Kessil A360we on thier SCA66?
texdoc77
New member
This. I run mine off the apex controller between 79.8 and 80.2.
soulpatch
New member
The 66 is 32x24. You are over the upper range for single 360 eesoecially when you account for shadowing. You would likely need 2 to account for shadowing and supply enough light fr the tank
z3speed4me
Member
Wow that 66 price is a great deal!
OceanWolf
Member
Thank you very much for your comments! Much appreciated!!!
Regarding the RO system, I'll read up on that. Its a Watts Premier from Costco.
Regarding the Neptune Apex, I was afraid of that
Yes. I use a reefangel. I have 3 temp sensors, 1 ph, 4 water level sensors (controls the Ato pump and water level through a dc 12000)
It s not as pretty as Neptune Systems - their office is down the street from me, but it works perfect with iPhone app. Cost is about half to start and the expansions are also very good priced.
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