SC Aquariums Owners Thread

[TechnicalFisher]

I honestly do not trust the PH2500 return pump that's included with the 50PNP at all. I never used it in my setup and immediately swapped it out for a DC return pump. I use the PH2500 for water changes only. I would say you will have far to much head pressure to run a reactor off a 3-4 distance and return back to the tank. Upgrade the return

Thanks CafeReef and all who responded, I didn't know the story on those PH2500's but after seeing these posts and reading up a bit it looks like that's going to be an immediate upgrade. Any suggestions on a DC pump that won't break the bank but is dependable and would have the head pressure for me to run at least one T for a reactor? I saw a couple SCA folks who have upgraded to Jebao's.

 

[CafeReef]

I upgraded to a jebao dct6000

 

[TechnicalFisher]

I upgraded to a jebao dct6000

Great to know, thanks- that's the one I'm looking to buy. Can you tell me how you have it plumbed? I'd read about some issues with thread size on some of these pumps. I'm thinking of running a short run of tubing before hard plumbing it the rest of the way and considering a check valve near the pump. Thanks again.

 

[CafeReef]

Great to know, thanks- that's the one I'm looking to buy. Can you tell me how you have it plumbed? I'd read about some issues with thread size on some of these pumps. I'm thinking of running a short run of tubing before hard plumbing it the rest of the way and considering a check valve near the pump. Thanks again.

it comes with a barbed fitting. I used a short piece of flex pipe off that

 

[jmcdaniel0]

Hello all!

I am looking at getting a 90 Gallon PNP system from SCA. I am looking at the cost of equipment I will need to upgrade/purchase when I get the tank home.

I already plan on replacing the return pump.

The skimmer I will use for awhile, but I fully intend on upgrading it eventually.

Lighting. I have two Kessil A360WE's with the spectral controller. Do you all think they will be enough light? I plan on keeping a mixed reef, with quite a bit of SPS.

I am trying to keep this build as budget friendly as possible so any suggestions would be great!


Edit**

Also,

How hard is it to remove baffles in the sump. I would very much like to remove the Baffle that is immediately after the drain to make a nice sized refugium box.

 

[greaps]

Hello all!

I am looking at getting a 90 Gallon PNP system from SCA. I am looking at the cost of equipment I will need to upgrade/purchase when I get the tank home.

I already plan on replacing the return pump.

The skimmer I will use for awhile, but I fully intend on upgrading it eventually.

Lighting. I have two Kessil A360WE's with the spectral controller. Do you all think they will be enough light? I plan on keeping a mixed reef, with quite a bit of SPS.

I am trying to keep this build as budget friendly as possible so any suggestions would be great!


Edit**

Also,

How hard is it to remove baffles in the sump. I would very much like to remove the Baffle that is immediately after the drain to make a nice sized refugium box.

I think 2 Kessils 360's will be enough light. Its only 36 inches long.
I like Jebao products DCT return pumps and power heads.
I like my coral box skimmer, with jebao pump. Great price, works fine.

Research Jebao at your own risk, and you will see many like and dislike the products on this forums.

The Baffles are not hard to remove with a razor.

 

[jmcdaniel0]

I think 2 Kessils 360's will be enough light. Its only 36 inches long.
I like Jebao products DCT return pumps and power heads.
I like my coral box skimmer, with jebao pump. Great price, works fine.

Research Jebao at your own risk, and you will see many like and dislike the products on this forums.

The Baffles are not hard to remove with a razor.

OK good deal. I didnt want to spend a small fortune on lighting the tank.

Anyone tried the Gyre powerheads? Are they worth the money?

I was thinking of eventually upgrading the skimmer to a Reef Octopus NWB-150 Needlewheel Skimmer assuming it will fit... Ill have to measure and see first.

As far as powerheads, I was considering the Gyre, but I dont know.

 

[greaps]

OK good deal. I didnt want to spend a small fortune on lighting the tank.

Anyone tried the Gyre powerheads? Are they worth the money?

I was thinking of eventually upgrading the skimmer to a Reef Octopus NWB-150 Needlewheel Skimmer assuming it will fit... Ill have to measure and see first.

As far as powerheads, I was considering the Gyre, but I dont know.

Have not tried the gyre out, a lot of mixed reviews on that product jebao or maxspect version. Have seen some users commenting lately that the gyre pumps are better on longer tanks.

 

[rtague]

Hi all,does anyone know the water level height in the 50 g cube sump,will be upgrading the skimmer,water level looks pretty low,what skimmer have you guys upgraded to on the 50 cube?

 

[ryshark]

Have not tried the gyre out, a lot of mixed reviews on that product jebao or maxspect version. Have seen some users commenting lately that the gyre pumps are better on longer tanks.

From what I have read the jebao gyre gets bad reviews and the maxspect gets good reviews. Not sure about length of tank, but I'm hoping to put the 230 maxspect on the overflow box with the magnet between the black acrylic and the glass.

 

[VGT]

I'm looking at the 150g PNP system. Those of you who have them, are you generally content with the supplied skimmer, pump, etc? I'm sure I'll eventually upgrade items, but this seems like a solid deal to get started.

 

[strat1960s]

I've seen some of the pictures posted by the people with the SCA 50 PNP. The amount of space under their stand is very minimal. I'm building my stand using 2x4s and 1/2 in pine plywood. I think I have less space than in the stock stand, but this thing is solid. I even increased the footprint of the stand to 25x25, not that it matters. ARGH!
I can get the sump into my stand. I'll just need to be very selective of what equipment I use in the sump.
I was looking at an Apex system, but wasn't totally convinced I needed one. I forgot I was mixing up a batch of RODI water and flooded the laundry room.:wildone: I consider myself convinced as of now.

I'm giving myself 2 years with the 50 gal, then I'll begin the process of converting my 210 African Cichlid tank into a salt tank. The APEX will definitely cross over to the big tank then.

Hope you all have a great evening.

Ted

 

[texdoc77]

I've seen some of the pictures posted by the people with the SCA 50 PNP. The amount of space under their stand is very minimal. I'm building my stand using 2x4s and 1/2 in pine plywood. I think I have less space than in the stock stand, but this thing is solid. I even increased the footprint of the stand to 25x25, not that it matters. ARGH!
I can get the sump into my stand. I'll just need to be very selective of what equipment I use in the sump.
I was looking at an Apex system, but wasn't totally convinced I needed one. I forgot I was mixing up a batch of RODI water and flooded the laundry room.:wildone: I consider myself convinced as of now.

I'm giving myself 2 years with the 50 gal, then I'll begin the process of converting my 210 African Cichlid tank into a salt tank. The APEX will definitely cross over to the big tank then.

Hope you all have a great evening.

Ted

Using an apex is definitely the right move, I use mine more than I ever thought I would. concerning the amount of room under the sump, I have the 150 and still feel constrained, LOL. they make some great aftermarket sumps that are really good for smaller tanks. I like my trigger systems one.

 

[strat1960s]

The stand is almost finished. Then I'll do some sanding and prep it for paint. I wanted to paint the inside white and the outside black. We'll see how that goes.

Merry Eve before Christmas Eve.

Ted

 

[hipertec]

Hi all,does anyone know the water level height in the 50 g cube sump,will be upgrading the skimmer,water level looks pretty low,what skimmer have you guys upgraded to on the 50 cube?

The problem is the 50G sump footprint for the skimmer is very small but take a look at Your Choice Aquatics DC16. This skimmer takes very little footprint and rated at 200G I think? I did a review on it a while back. It's a great skimmer.

 

[Potatohead]

Hi all,does anyone know the water level height in the 50 g cube sump,will be upgrading the skimmer,water level looks pretty low,what skimmer have you guys upgraded to on the 50 cube?

I got the 65g but I imagine it's the same, at 6.75". Really short. I cut the upstream baffle out (because it's kind of redundant unless you are trying to spin cheato in place or something) and silicones it to the other baffle 2" higher. Works great.

 

[rtague]

Thanks hipertec,I'll check out that skimmer.
Potatohead,whats the up stream baffle?, the first or second after the skimmer section?, any pics,thanks.

 

[rtague]

Hipertec,the 50g cube has 6" water level skimmer section, do you have your skimmer working in that depth?.

 

[Potatohead]

Thanks hipertec,I'll check out that skimmer.
Potatohead,whats the up stream baffle?, the first or second after the skimmer section?, any pics,thanks.

Upstream is the one closest to the drain side, away from the return side. You only need the one baffle and it will maintain the level on the drain side and middle section. Then the water will cascade over into the return section. I run the return side about 1" lower.

 

[rtague]

Thanks bud, gonna do that mod .