SC Aquariums Owners Thread

[soulpatch]

Originally Posted by bereleah

$1,000 for a 24"x24"x36" I think that's a little high. Plus SCA is not mass producing at this point they are just going from shop to shop to try and get something decent made, but as I said since this will be placed in my living room I can't afford it not looking 100% and my wife not liking it, made that mistake once and never again I'm returning to the hobby after years being out and I wanna do it right this time around and hoping to go bigger once I'm successful with this one.

Call around but be prepared for a hefty price. LIke I said I was quoted as high as a few grand for a 60" long stand and the minimum quote I had was 2K. Even if you take 1/3 of that you are still at 600 so 1K really is not too far fetched.

Still even a couple grand for the stand and tank is the least of your financial worries setting up a reef tank. I spent more on my calcium reactor setup than I did buying my tank and stand/canopy. Really in the grand scheme of things the tank and stand are the cheapest part of the hobby....




Rogue - I doubt you will have any issues. From the last couple pics I would think you might have to adjust the door slightly at worst. That is a few turns of a screw driver on the adjustable hinges. Please take the time to prep the stand though and caulk the seams and I recommend painting the interior with a white appliance epoxy paint. Not only will it brighten up the interior of the stand but the paint also holds up to water and abuse like a champ.

[davocean]

Originally Posted by bereleah

$1,000 for a 24"x24"x36" I think that's a little high. Plus SCA is not mass producing at this point they are just going from shop to shop to try and get something decent made, but as I said since this will be placed in my living room I can't afford it not looking 100% and my wife not liking it, made that mistake once and never again I'm returning to the hobby after years being out and I wanna do it right this time around and hoping to go bigger once I'm successful with this one.

Right, this is exactly what we builders hear too often, so this is what happens, now a tank manufacturer is squeezed to be competitive, he squeezes on builders, and they have to whip things out or cut corners to make what they need to stay in business and pay overhead.

This is the issue, people don't think about material cost and how many days it takes to make it properly, or the tools needed, upkeep, overhead.

It's a very frustrating situation, what I used to enjoy doing, making cabinets for fellow reefers has become such a headache now I don't even build them anymore unless it's for friends or returning favors, or someone I feel deserves and needs.

[soulpatch]

Originally Posted by davocean

Right, this is exactly what we builders hear too often, so this is what happens, now a tank manufacturer is squeezed to be competitive, he squeezes on builders, and they have to whip things out or cut corners to make what they need to stay in business and pay overhead.

This is the issue, people don't think about material cost and how many days it takes to make it properly, or the tools needed, upkeep, overhead.

It's a very frustrating situation, what I used to enjoy doing, making cabinets for fellow reefers has become such a headache now I don't even build them anymore unless it's for friends or returning favors, or someone I feel deserves and needs.

I wish ya lived closer Dave. We would def talk about a custom stand for me I would like doing. I would love to know a local cabinet guy who I could talk fish tanks to and help design a cool stand with since you would know the equipment and such that I would want slide outs for.

[125mph]

This is the one I really wanted. I think it's about $4000 ... the builders wouldn't even return my email cause they so busy. Still happy with the one I got at a third the price.




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[RogueGrown]

Originally Posted by soulpatch

Rogue - I doubt you will have any issues. From the last couple pics I would think you might have to adjust the door slightly at worst. That is a few turns of a screw driver on the adjustable hinges. Please take the time to prep the stand though and caulk the seams and I recommend painting the interior with a white appliance epoxy paint. Not only will it brighten up the interior of the stand but the paint also holds up to water and abuse like a champ.

I have already planned on taking my time with this build as it could be up to 9 months before it gets wet. I an definitely going to paint the inside bright white and seal the seams. I also plan on making a couple of additions to the stand on the exterior for an electrical cabinet and another for an ATO. Thank you for the advise!!!


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[davocean]

Yeah I doubt you'll have any issues either Rogue, they stand behind their products, that's why I encourage others on their behalf, keep the cool folks goin!

Yes SOULPATCH, there are a number of people I meet/see on the boards I wish lived close enough to work with or even talk shop with.

[RogueGrown]

Originally Posted by davocean

Yeah I doubt you'll have any issues either Rogue, they stand behind their products, that's why I encourage others on their behalf, keep the cool folks goin!

Yes SOULPATCH, there are a number of people I meet/see on the boards I wish lived close enough to work with or even talk shop with.

One thing I mentioned to Steve was that his support from RC about his customer care is second to none and was a driving factor to me choosing to go this route.

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[soulpatch]

Originally Posted by RogueGrown

I have already planned on taking my time with this build as it could be up to 9 months before it gets wet. I an definitely going to paint the inside bright white and seal the seams. I also plan on making a couple of additions to the stand on the exterior for an electrical cabinet and another for an ATO. Thank you for the advise!!!


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If you look at my build thread I have both done the stand interior as well as made an external wall cabinet for my electronics. Quite a few other SC build threads in the tank journals section as well that should give you some stellar ideas.

[soulpatch]

Originally Posted by davocean

Yes SOULPATCH, there are a number of people I meet/see on the boards I wish lived close enough to work with or even talk shop with.

Well you find yourself anywhere around the NY/Philly/Baltimore area let me know.

I have met at least 10 people from the boards and swap gear/frags with em. It's nice to have people with the same interests. Heck in a couple weeks I am going "shopping" at a local guys house for some walt disney acros and a few other named pieces. Can't wait.

[RogueGrown]

Originally Posted by soulpatch

If you look at my build thread I have both done the stand interior as well as made an external wall cabinet for my electronics. Quite a few other SC build threads in the tank journals section as well that should give you some stellar ideas.

I will definitely go check it out later this evening when I get home and have time to spare. I browsed briefly through the first section of your build. I had what you did in mind with the white paint, sealed seams, and LED strip lighting around the top. I wonder if I can rig a switch to the LED to come on when I open the door and turn off when I close it. I plan on having a small fuge so there will be a small light for that as well... I have so a few ideas running through my head but can really pull any triggers till the tank arrives hopefully later this week.

[RogueGrown]

Originally Posted by 125mph

This is the one I really wanted. I think it's about $4000 ... the builders wouldn't even return my email cause they so busy. Still happy with the one I got at a third the price.




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I hate seeing things like this. Im going to get my tank in, build the stand grab a beer and poke my bottom lip out cause it will never compare to such art like this.

[davocean]

Originally Posted by RogueGrown

I hate seeing things like this. Im going to get my tank in, build the stand grab a beer and poke my bottom lip out cause it will never compare to such art like this.

Never measure yourself by what others do or have, that there is the key to an unhappy life!

[davocean]

Originally Posted by soulpatch

Well you find yourself anywhere around the NY/Philly/Baltimore area let me know.

I have met at least 10 people from the boards and swap gear/frags with em. It's nice to have people with the same interests. Heck in a couple weeks I am going "shopping" at a local guys house for some walt disney acros and a few other named pieces. Can't wait.

Thank you for the kind words, one day I'll get some travel in out yonder!

[davocean]

Originally Posted by 125mph

This is the one I really wanted. I think it's about $4000 ... the builders wouldn't even return my email cause they so busy. Still happy with the one I got at a third the price.




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I'm not sure of them and if they build just for tanks or do home cabinets too, usually it's a LOT easier to get a fair price for a house where that type of expense is more acceptable since most people and their significant other can clearly see that as adding value to the home, where a fish tank is often seen as going the other direction by many!

[RogueGrown]

Originally Posted by davocean

Never measure yourself by what others do or have, that there is the key to an unhappy life!

I hadn't intended to make that post sound envious by anymeans and after reading it again i could see how that would be assumed. We all work very hard for what we have and do.

I plan on customizing mine to my liking. It may not turn out like that gorgeous stand but at least I'll be able to say "I did this and I'm proud of it" 😊 if only I had followed my father's steps in wood working, he was always much more patient than I am with it.

I can say, I'm excited cause I just checked the tracking on my new tank and it will be at the shop Thursday. I'm impressed by the quick freight. I wait for car parts from Reno for 3 days, and that's only a 4hr drive!!!!

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[cincyjim]

For those that have ordered a tank and stand in 2017, how long did it take to receive them? I ask because I ordered mine in February and it hasn't shipped yet... stand issues. Just curious is all. Thanks!

[GfordQC]

Originally Posted by cincyjim

For those that have ordered a tank and stand in 2017, how long did it take to receive them? I ask because I ordered mine in February and it hasn't shipped yet... stand issues. Just curious is all. Thanks!

Took just a bit over 7 weeks for me. What stand did you get? I went with the 90Gal Cube w/ White stand which is why it took a bit longer for mine as it had to be made. Then Steve wanted to look at it before it shipped and he was out at a trade show.

[cincyjim]

I ordered the 150g with stand. I refused the first stand due to quality and wrong color and that was on March 7th. The original order was placed on February 13th. I'm a patient person but I'm starting to get frustrated.

[z3speed4me]

What pics of the stand are people looking for? I think mine was built pretty well.
I think I have one of the few (maybe first) white stands they did.

I would be willing to take photos of whatever everyone wants. My setup was delivered in October.

[curryb15]

Originally Posted by z3speed4me

What pics of the stand are people looking for? I think mine was built pretty well.

I think I have one of the few (maybe first) white stands they did.



I would be willing to take photos of whatever everyone wants. My setup was delivered in October.

What size setup do you have ?


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[z3speed4me]

Originally Posted by curryb15

What size setup do you have ?

75 gallon - 36x24x24

[curryb15]

Originally Posted by z3speed4me

75 gallon - 36x24x24

I would love to see some pics especially of the sump area and how you have the electronics and plumbing arranged.


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[z3speed4me]

Yup I can do that this weekend... I don't have the absolute neatest setup haha, but it works

Soulpatch and others with amazing setup's are allowed to laugh at my "wire management".

[RogueGrown]

Will I got the 50pnp in yesterday. Brought it home unpacked everything and inspected it. Everything seems to be in one piece, though the stand is not that great. I half expected that. I'm not thrilled with the thin cheap finish on it, look like I'm going to Lowe's this weekend and getting some sanding disks, and some sealer. What caulking should I use to for the seams? Any good recommendations. 20170323_211758.jpg

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[soulpatch]

Originally Posted by z3speed4me

Soulpatch and others with amazing setup's are allowed to laugh at my "wire management".

Mine was a rats nest as well till I got to it recently. I still need to get into the stand a bit more and route wires for my calcium reactor.


Rogue - If you are talking for the seams I like paintable caulk. Since it wont be in contact with the water and you sound like you are painting over it you can pretty much get whatever. If you are sanding and painting the interior (which I highly recommend) get appliance epoxy paint at your local store. Be warned it stinks to high heaven so do it outside if you can but the paint dries to form a hard shell which is AWESOME to repell water, make cleanups easier, and most importantly it is bright white so it makes things in the stand easier to see.