civics14
Member
This is kind of discouraging... especially since I'm in the process of deciding where to put my money on my tank upgrade next month.
SC Aquariums Owners Thread
- Thread starter OceanWolf
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This is kind of discouraging... especially since I'm in the process of deciding where to put my money on my tank upgrade next month.
soulpatch
New member
I will have to look at my 150 but with it set up and on the stand it will be difficult to try to light down the glass.
That said I had both a regular glass tank and this sitting next to one another when I got it and there was no comparison. Yes the regular tank had been running and that has an impact but it was similar to HD vs non HD in terms of clarity.
I will also note that the black vinyl in the back of the tank will impact the glass color to a degree as that black will radiate through the entire glass to a degree for the side panels.
That said I had both a regular glass tank and this sitting next to one another when I got it and there was no comparison. Yes the regular tank had been running and that has an impact but it was similar to HD vs non HD in terms of clarity.
I will also note that the black vinyl in the back of the tank will impact the glass color to a degree as that black will radiate through the entire glass to a degree for the side panels.
civics14
Member
yeah, my current tank uses the low iron glass and there is a huge difference between that and my previous tank. I could never go back.
Fcsteve777
New member
After looking at the 3/8 glass i had cut to block off the stock overflows the glass on the sides and front does appear to be more clear when compared side by side. It just looked odd which could be the lighting in the shop. As i said build quality looks really good. There are a couple of tiny chips on corners but thats it. And the silicone job is pretty tidy.
As far as glass quality is concered. Starphire has become a term for any kind of low-iron glass, where as there are number of different glass formulations that are low-iron.
It seems to me that "Edge Color Guide" actually refers to the Opto-clear or Opto-white glass, which have almost no tint at all because all impurities were removed not just iron.
The best way I have been told to differentiate between regular glass and starphire is by the tint color of the edge, Starphire glass is supposed to be more blue (like the color of sapphire) where as regular glass is greenish. My SCA 150g edges have a distinctly blue tint.
I believe due to the presence of blue tint to the glass, SCA correctly refers to their glass as Starphire (sapphire).
If you are looking at the tank under a warm (yellow) light, blue starphire glass would appear more green.
It seems to me that "Edge Color Guide" actually refers to the Opto-clear or Opto-white glass, which have almost no tint at all because all impurities were removed not just iron.
The best way I have been told to differentiate between regular glass and starphire is by the tint color of the edge, Starphire glass is supposed to be more blue (like the color of sapphire) where as regular glass is greenish. My SCA 150g edges have a distinctly blue tint.
I believe due to the presence of blue tint to the glass, SCA correctly refers to their glass as Starphire (sapphire).
If you are looking at the tank under a warm (yellow) light, blue starphire glass would appear more green.
civics14
Member
apt220
Member
My mistake on this. Steve got back to me this morning. I noticed on his email that my original email was actually date-time stamped this morning :hmm4:. Not sure why it took too long to send but I did send it using outlook, which I usually don't use.
Anyway. Fast reply on his end. Look forward to joining the club :beer:. I will probably aim to get a 120g hopefully in March, depending on when I get some tile work finished in my home.
SinCityReefer
New member
Just got my 120 last week. It's great, you wont be disappointed!
Like many others my first impression of the edge color wasn't quite what I expected, but i took a 40gal breeder i was getting ready for a sump and set it on the table next to the SCA 120. The 40g has MUCH thinner glass and even with that there was no comparison looking at the two side by side. The SCA was the CLEAR winner.
davocean
Active member
I agree, and mine is clearly blue on edge.
I for one can definitely tell low iron from standard glass, and I have to have low iron, and I'm very pleased w/ my SCA
Saltwaterwill
New member
I just got a 75, comes with three holes for 1" plumbing. Awesome tank, well made and HEAVY
TankArchitect
Member
Sorry if this was asked and answered somewhere in the thread, but can anyone tell me the approximate dimensions (footprint) of the overflow box. Looking at either a 120 gallon tank or a special order 100 gallon (with dimensions of 48" long x 24" front to back x 20" high top to bottom) and was wondering how much real estate the overflow takes up (with 3 - 1" holes in it). Thanks/
TankArchitect
Member
Thanks, andrek787.
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