SC Aquariums Owners Thread

[Browncoat]

It's not guaranteed to leak. Many who do their own holes have the blade jump on them time to time and have gouge marks. Though that said you will likely not get an acceptable seating with the gasket alone. You could put silicone and basically seal in the bulkhead. Not something ideal but would likely suffice. It will make bulkhead removal later on much more difficult but doable

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I disagree completely. This is a brand new tank someone received, no patching, fixing anything like that should need to be done. The tank should be replaced at no cost. Period. Could it be silicone'd? Sure. On a professional level though, that type of mickey mouse stuff doesn't fly. I've setup and maintained reefs in million dollar homes for years and never once have I had to silicone a bulkhead nor have I ever gotten a hole like that from one of my aquarium suppliers. Truth is, SCA tanks are not well made and I'm beginning to suspect all the people here who gudh about them and the amazing quality don't know what they are looking at. The 50 Cube I just received from Steve had multiple issues that I had to correct myself and the stand is also a piece of junk.

 

[soulpatch]

I disagree completely. This is a brand new tank someone received, no patching, fixing anything like that should need to be done. The tank should be replaced at no cost. Period.

And it will be if he wants but then there is the time to shop back and get new tank. Steve will also pay for his glass patch should he ping him. The patch hidden in an overflow is easy fix to get him up and running. If scratches or chips where in the viewing panel I would return. Shipping issues happen across the board with all levels.

Could it be silicone'd? Sure. On a professional level though, that type of mickey mouse stuff doesn't fly. I've setup and maintained reefs in million dollar homes for years and never once have I had to silicone a bulkhead nor have I ever gotten a hole like that from one of my aquarium suppliers.

I have never siliconed a bulkhead either but in a case of minor crazing it can be and has been done numerous times. Not the best avenue to go as changing the bulkhead at a later date can be a nightmare. Adding the glass pane adds support and a clean spot to house the bulkhead.

As for holes from other manufactorers... I have never seen anything on tanks like Reef Savvy and such either. Though I have also never seen them at less then triple the price. You cant buy a ford focus and balk that it is not a ferrarri.

Truth is, SCA tanks are not well made and I'm beginning to suspect all the people here who gudh about them and the amazing quality don't know what they are looking at. The 50 Cube I just received from Steve had multiple issues that I had to correct myself and the stand is also a piece of junk.

So you had a bad experience (stands are a current recurring issue and I would steer all from them at the moment till he finds reliable maker again) with his tank. 100s more have had nothing but a great experience. And yes my tank and the others in my area I have helped to set up have been in perfect shape. Sorry you had a bad experience but many others in this thread and multiple others across other forums show a damaged tank from him is an outlier. It happens sure but his customer service takes care of it.

And I agree that you can get a guarenteed perfect tank from the getgo if you are ok with spending 3x. Or you can run a small % chance of an issue that he will fix for 1/3 of the cost. I was not willing to spend 3x for my tank and only had a small scratch on a cabinet door that a replacement was overnighted to me. My tank,stand, and canopy were less then just the tank quote I got from reef savvy.


And edited to add that I dont disagree with your premise. If any damage was done to an area that could not be easily fixed and out of site I would send back. I am a bit more forgiving I guess when it is such a simple fix that no one will see. I WOULD call Steve to notify him and have him pay for the materials though. If I was less handy I would also have someone come out on Steve's dime for the repair but dropping a piece of glass with silicone on it is super easy to be done.

 

[d0ughb0y]

I disagree completely. This is a brand new tank someone received, no patching, fixing anything like that should need to be done. The tank should be replaced at no cost. Period. Could it be silicone'd? Sure. On a professional level though, that type of mickey mouse stuff doesn't fly. I've setup and maintained reefs in million dollar homes for years and never once have I had to silicone a bulkhead nor have I ever gotten a hole like that from one of my aquarium suppliers. Truth is, SCA tanks are not well made and I'm beginning to suspect all the people here who gudh about them and the amazing quality don't know what they are looking at. The 50 Cube I just received from Steve had multiple issues that I had to correct myself and the stand is also a piece of junk.

I agree with everything you say. If I paid for a brand new product, I expect to get a brand new product, and not something I have to fix. Granted things can happen outside of anyone's control, I think the seller should still bear all the costs, even if it is for a sending a professional to your house to do the repairs and guarantee the work. I'd think SCA or any seller will build this into the cost of the product. I think there are people who are just more forgiving. I think in this case, it should just be replaced. I've read post here from someone who bought a redsea tank from marine depot and tank got damaged. MD just sent a replacement and let customer keep the damaged tank.

 

[Thornbreaker]

I disagree completely. This is a brand new tank someone received, no patching, fixing anything like that should need to be done. The tank should be replaced at no cost. Period. Could it be silicone'd? Sure. On a professional level though, that type of mickey mouse stuff doesn't fly. I've setup and maintained reefs in million dollar homes for years and never once have I had to silicone a bulkhead nor have I ever gotten a hole like that from one of my aquarium suppliers. Truth is, SCA tanks are not well made and I'm beginning to suspect all the people here who gudh about them and the amazing quality don't know what they are looking at. The 50 Cube I just received from Steve had multiple issues that I had to correct myself and the stand is also a piece of junk.

I appreciate your comment, brown. In this case it was delivery where the problem occurred. Steve at sca has been great so far and there is a year window on replacement especially since I've reported it.

If i don't feel I can patch it confidently and easily, I'll probably just ask it be replaced. I won't risk 150 gallons of saltwater on my floor even if I do have a floor drain and it's in a closet.

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[KJoFan]

Happy so far with the SCA 302 skimmer.

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[d0ughb0y]

This is the one I got from Amazon. Actually I got two, one for under the tank and one for under my sump. I got them in brown. Nice cushion and doesn't slip hardly at all. Easy to cut with scissors or knife.


https://www.amazon.com/YogaAccessor...ise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1495466102&sr=1-8

I got a 5mm thick yoga mat at frys for $9

http://frys.com/product/9026147

cheaper than amazon, even if not on sale.

 

[MikesReef83]

Received the 20" Overflow for the 150... build coming together. Fits perfectly

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Hows the tank and overflow holding up for you so far? I'm thinking of ordering one just likes your in September. Without the euro bracing and added thickness of the glass can you say it's enough to hold?

 

[michael.lemke]

I have a question for you guys who have the ghost overflow. I'm most likely ordering a custom tank after speaking to steve. Everyone here seems to have a high opinion and the price is reasonable.

I'm ordering a custom size 70x30x22 eurobrace and drilled for a reef synergy ghost. How much space do you have between the water level and the top of the tank? I'd like a little room (2" or so) for a wave... I'm disappointed with my cadlights tank for that very reason. The overflow only allows for less than 3/4".


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[soulpatch]

If you are getting it custom drilled already then have them put the holes where you want them. I woudl strongly suggest since you are already going custom to get rid of the eurobrace though as that makes your water line sit extremely low and would not work well to make a wave in the tank.

 

[michael.lemke]

If you are getting it custom drilled already then have them put the holes where you want them. I woudl strongly suggest since you are already going custom to get rid of the eurobrace though as that makes your water line sit extremely low and would not work well to make a wave in the tank.

I suppose you are right. I was just curious where it sat with "standard drilling. To make my tank rimless it'd need much thicker glass which would add a ton to the price, shipping and chiropractic bill when moving it in. Lol I'm talking to Steve when he gets back into town. Thanks


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[soulpatch]

it is not that much of a sticker shock though it would be more. That said if you are running the shadow on the tank you really do have to take off the eurobrace else the waterline will be WAY too low and be an eye sore.

That OR you ask them to put the bracing at the top of the tank as opposed to 2 inches deep in it and have the bracing flush and not stacked like they do now.

Talk to Steve though. He sells rimless tanks now drilled for the synergy for this reason...

 

[michael.lemke]

it is not that much of a sticker shock though it would be more. That said if you are running the shadow on the tank you really do have to take off the eurobrace else the waterline will be WAY too low and be an eye sore.

That OR you ask them to put the bracing at the top of the tank as opposed to 2 inches deep in it and have the bracing flush and not stacked like they do now.

Talk to Steve though. He sells rimless tanks now drilled for the synergy for this reason...

Good advice! I didn't realize he put the eurobrace that low in the tank! I'll
be sure to have that conversation with him, I'd be super disappointed with that.


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[soulpatch]

it is not really 2 inches deep but it is deeper then it needs to be and with 1/2 inch glass that only adds to the total depth of wasted space.

 

[d0ughb0y]

I am looking at a new skimmer as well. The coral box d500 seems to get pretty good reviews. Anyone have experience with it?

did you get the skimmer?

I'm about to order one, it seems to be selling faster lately. The skimmer has been out for 3 years, and I don't see a lot of used one for sale. must be a keeper.

 

[Robb/Scottsdale/AZ]

I had Steve set my ghost overflow box to keep waterline at 1-3/4". With 2 MP40s I dont have water going too high. With an unbraced tank you may not want to have too much surging of water anyway.

 

[michael.lemke]

I'll talk to Steve on Friday as he is at a trade show. I may do rimless if it fits the budget or change the height. I'd like to be able to do a small wave. Steve has been really helpful so far so I'm not worried about working things out how I want them. So many positive reviews over the years for him. I'm gun shy after my experience with CAD a few years ago.


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[soulpatch]

Cadlight and SC used to be same company and still use same Chinese factory I believe. The difference is that Steve has customer service down and cadlight seem to forget about the customer. That split was a great thing for us reefers as SCA is awesome product with outstanding customer service

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[edolan]

did you get the skimmer?

I'm about to order one, it seems to be selling faster lately. The skimmer has been out for 3 years, and I don't see a lot of used one for sale. must be a keeper.

Yes I did buy the coral box dc500. I have had it for a couple of weeks now and it is doing a pretty good job I think. I don't have any experience with skimmers so I can't compare it to anything. My tank has only been running for about 8 weeks and I only had the sca-302 running in the sump for a few hours before I pulled it out.

The dc500 is pulling out some stuff but I can't say if it is performing better or worse than the 302. I currently have the dc motor on its lowest setting. It is skimming mostly pretty wet right now. I would like it to skim dryer but I haven't spent to much time trying to adjust it. The skim I am getting is pretty light colored but I only have 4 fish in an 80 gal tank and I am feeding pretty light so that may have a part in it.

I measured how loud it is with a sound meter app and it measues quieter than the 302 by about 5 to 7 decibels but it is not silent. The dc motor makes a higher pitched sound. I have a jebao dcp 8000 for my return pump and I cant hear it at all. I was hoping the dc 2000 would be as quiet.

At first I was very aware of the noise but I have stopped paying attention to it now. Kind of like when we got a new refrigerator. I imagine some people are more sensitive to different sounds but I personally am much happier with the noise level of the dc500 compared to the 302. Overall for the price I am happy with the purchase.

 

[studboy36]

Cadlight and SC used to be same company and still use same Chinese factory I believe. The difference is that Steve has customer service down and cadlight seem to forget about the customer. That split was a great thing for us reefers as SCA is awesome product with outstanding customer service

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I finally got around to sending Steve an email for a quote on a 185 gallon euro braised 60 x 30 x 24. I also had him quote it rimless too same dimensions. Both tanks drilled for a 16" Synergy reef overflow. The eurobraced tank with 12mm thick glass came to $1295 shipped. Eurobracing is flush with the rim of the tank. The rimless tank $2250 shipped with 15mm thick glass. He didn't recommend this size tank be made rimless. Stand would cost $900 made out of 3/4" oak plywood similar in style to the MDF stand they sell.

I thought long and hard on this tank. I was really torn between a custom SCA and a reefer 625xxl. I'm upsizing my skimmer to a bk mini 200, PRS auto Zeovit reactor, getting a custom Elite Aquatics roller-mat sump 40" long and selling my Synergy reef CL-34 sump. I really like the look of the reefer stands. I could probably lay it out for them to build one similar without the inner compartment. I like how the doors are flush with the tank.

I really want a rimless tank and the thickness of the glass is what increased the cost by $950. Decisions...:spin1:

What do you think?

 

[soulpatch]

15 mm glass is just over 1/2 inch. I wouldn't go rimless that size for less then 3/4 inch glass personally but that 30" width would give me some pause to go without bracing.

If you go with eurobracing flush with the top that would give you the support needed while also allowing the waterline to be acceptable height. It would also look decent if you went without a canopy BUT you would be hardpressed to put any type of screen or cover to stop fish jumping.

If you want to run without a canopy I would recess the end bracing below the front and back so you could put a screen recessed (and I would go with artfully acrylic). If you are planning to go canopy then I would leave it flush all around.