SC Aquariums Owners Thread

[cincyjim]

Looks very nice! I love the part of putting together a new system. Don't get me wrong I love it when it's together but it was a lot of fun getting everything hooked up. Please do keep us posted.

 

[Chicagoreef2016]

Looks very nice! I love the part of putting together a new system. Don't get me wrong I love it when it's together but it was a lot of fun getting everything hooked up. Please do keep us posted.

Agreed, it is a lot of fun figuring everything out. Part carpenter, plumber, designer, painter, chemist, biologist, etc. etc.

 

[Mark SF]

Thanks for the long read, I think I made it half way through and by and large, it sounds like the quality vs. cost can't be beat. I spoke to Steve yesterday about building a custom tank and wanted to get everyone's opinion on the 66G vs the 80G.

If you have a 66G, do you wish you opted for the taller tank and viceversa? I've had tanks up to 20", but never 24". I like the idea of more vertical space for SPS and rock work, but didn't know if people felt the additional height was a burden or a blessing. One thing, I'm 6'6" so the additional height doesn't necessarily make me concerned for tank access.

-Mark

 

[moondoggy4]

^^^My ideal size tank is a 36" x 30"x24", I have a friend that has his but at 16" deep elbow to sand depth very sexy tank. So it is a hard choice.

 

[Mark SF]

Did most people use the bulkheads that came with their SC tanks? I just got my tank and am thinking of going with the schedule 80 bulkheads from BRS. Thoughts?

Side note, haven't leak tested my tank, but am really pleased with the custom job Steve put together. Also a shout out to Soulpatch for telling me to skip the eurobrace on the back of the tank, awesome move for water level purposes.

Are you using the Modular Marine overflow? I like the idea of skipping the Euro Bracing in the rear where the overflow is going - makes for easier access and definitely helps with the water level. My question is have you filled the tank yet, and where does the water line end up with the recessed Euro Bracing?

If you have filled the tank, looking back, would you have changed anything with the bracing?

 

[Chicagoreef2016]

Are you using the Modular Marine overflow? I like the idea of skipping the Euro Bracing in the rear where the overflow is going - makes for easier access and definitely helps with the water level. My question is have you filled the tank yet, and where does the water line end up with the recessed Euro Bracing?

If you have filled the tank, looking back, would you have changed anything with the bracing?

Give me 2 days and I will post a picture with the answer. I just finished the plumbing the other day and need a couple hours of time to fill and watch for any leaks/issues. Eyeballing it it looks like the water line will fall just below the eurobrace. I used the Synergy Ghost overflow, the 16" one.

 

[cincyjim]

very nice plumbing job! I can't wait to see more of this build and tank.

 

[soulpatch]

Saw the plumb job on fb. Very nice. Just make sure to add PVC bracing after you finish leak testing plumbing

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[Chicagoreef2016]

Saw the plumb job on fb. Very nice. Just make sure to add PVC bracing after you finish leak testing plumbing

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Thanks! To be fair, I got the no eurobrace on the back of the tank from Soulpatch. Was a wealth of information on the setup of the actual tank when I messaged him. And the plumbing, that comes mainly from stalking everyone else's pictures/setups on here.

Soulpatch, I just put on copper straps on to support the pipes, not too tight and easy to remove/change if needed. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[soulpatch]

Cool. No strapping always worries me. It's not the weight of the pipes or such but that they can act as levers when bumped and do a ton of damage.

And no worries on any advice. That is what we are here for. I for one am excited to see it filled and such.

 

[angelargill]

Ordered my 90 gallon yesterday. I am sad they use schedule 40. I already have a **** ton of 80. I have the bits to drill the holes bigger but I have only ever drilled on fresh glass - never enlarged. Thoughts/advice?

Thanks!!


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[soulpatch]

Ordered my 90 gallon yesterday. I am sad they use schedule 40. I already have a **** ton of 80. I have the bits to drill the holes bigger but I have only ever drilled on fresh glass - never enlarged. Thoughts/advice?

Thanks!!


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You can mix schedule 80 fittings with schedule 40 pipe. That said no reason to use schedule 80 bulkheads nor pipe. The real only reason to use schedule 80 fittings is for the grey color. Our systems don't even come close to pressure for schedule 40 pipe...

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[angelargill]

You can mix schedule 80 fittings with schedule 40 pipe. That said no reason to use schedule 80 bulkheads nor pipe. The real only reason to use schedule 80 fittings is for the grey color. Our systems don't even come close to pressure for schedule 40 pipe...

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I can't find any adapters for it. Part of my reason is I have a **** ton of unions, gate valves, pipe all in schedule 80. I also really prefer the grey color.


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[soulpatch]

I can't find any adapters for it. Part of my reason is I have a **** ton of unions, gate valves, pipe all in schedule 80. I also really prefer the grey color.


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You don't need adapters. Schedule 40 and 80 pipe has same outer diameter making them inter changeable. The difference is schedule 80 is a bit narrower internally as the walls are thicker

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[angelargill]

You don't need adapters. Schedule 40 and 80 pipe has same outer diameter making them inter changeable. The difference is schedule 80 is a bit narrower internally as the walls are thicker

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No - they have the same internal dimensions. Exterior dimensions are larger for schedule 80.


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[soulpatch]

No - they have the same internal dimensions. Exterior dimensions are larger for schedule 80.


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That is true for bulkheads and the fittings but the pipe outer dimensions is the same. This is why one can swap fittings amongst the 2 sizes.

https://flexpvc.com/Reference/FullPVCPipeChart.shtml

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.engineeringtoolbox.com/amp/pvc-cpvc-pipes-dimensions-d_795.html

So you can use the schedule 40 bulkhead and slide in schedule 80 pipe just fine

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[angelargill]

No - they have the same internal dimensions. Exterior dimensions are larger for schedule 80.


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Which - funny. Because each site I pull up says something different . But I want to use the schedule 80 stuff I own....so....which is it.


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[angelargill]

Ahhhh - awesome! So I will use the schedule 40 bulkheads and the schedule 80 pipe and other fittings. Perfect. Whew! No holes to drill!!

Thanks!!


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[strat1960s]

I've had my SCA 50g cube over 1 year now. It has really done well. I figured it was time to move on up to "phase 2". LOL
I've kept African Cichlids in a 210g (not SCA) tank for several years. Last November I gave 20+ hand sized African Cichlids to a kid here in San Antonio that was just getting into Cichlids and proceeded to gut the tank. Since October, I have been purchasing what I'll need to get it going as a salt tank.

I am leak testing and fine tuning everything using tap water. I figure it is cheaper than mixing the salt/RODI and finding a ton of saltwater on my floors.

Ted

 

[Reefer72]

pre-drilled holes

pre-drilled holes

How many pre-drilled holes in the overflow section on the SC50?