SC Aquariums Owners Thread

[d0ughb0y]

Originally Posted by cincyjim

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/YogaAccessori...5466102&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]

Originally Posted by ReefCowboy

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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...

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]

Originally Posted by edolan

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]

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

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]

Originally Posted by 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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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...

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.

[studboy36]

That's who I plan to use for a screen cover. I don't want a canopy. I have a pacific sun Diuna T5 8 bulb fixture that will be hanging from the ceiling. I've seen some pictures of tanks with flush eurobracing all around with these lids on and they look fine to me.

Looks like a euro braced tank for me. The price is right $1295 shipped. If I went rimless I'd have to go with thicker glass which would increase the cost. Just need to layout the stand so they know how I want it to look.

I should have thought this out more carefully and just went with what I wanted in the first place. An SCA tank. I would have already had the equipment by now. Sigh... I should be able to get this up and running by Christmas.

[soulpatch]

Then I would recess the ends so that the screen lays inside the lip of the tank so to not be noticeable

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[michael.lemke]

Originally Posted by studboy36

That's who I plan to use for a screen cover. I don't want a canopy. I have a pacific sun Diuna T5 8 bulb fixture that will be hanging from the ceiling. I've seen some pictures of tanks with flush eurobracing all around with these lids on and they look fine to me.

Looks like a euro braced tank for me. The price is right $1295 shipped. If I went rimless I'd have to go with thicker glass which would increase the cost. Just need to layout the stand so they know how I want it to look.

I should have thought this out more carefully and just went with what I wanted in the first place. An SCA tank. I would have already had the equipment by now. Sigh... I should be able to get this up and running by Christmas.

How do you like that light? I have been looking at one for my build. Have you used it yet?


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[studboy36]

Originally Posted by michael.lemke

How do you like that light? I have been looking at one for my build. Have you used it yet?


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Haven't used it yet. It's been sitting in its box since I bought it last year thinking that I would be set up in January. Plans change and now it's a bigger tank!

I took opened the bos to le a look and it's really a nice light. Well built and sleek. Only one cord coming out of it which is nice. The lights turn off and on in pairs. It's not dimmable. Hoch is ok for me. You usually have to burn the bulbs before you put them in operation, and dimming shorten the lifespan. you replace the bulbs every 6-8 months so maybe it doesn't matter? I don't really have any experience with that.

[adeebm]

Originally Posted by Reef Dude

Yes, 3 1" drain lines will fit. This is exactly how I have mine set up - 3 lines for a bean animal inside the overflow bow with the return line coming over the back of the tank.

Do you mind posting pictures of your plumbing? Particularly the center column and the return? I'm setting up the same system right now. Did you have any issues going with bean? Anything you'd do differently?

[Bracka345]

Finally got the tank on the stand. Hoping to start plumbing soon.

[ReefCowboy]

Originally Posted by Bracka345

Finally got the tank on the stand. Hoping to start plumbing soon.

Sweet!

[michael.lemke]

Well I think Steve mis quoted me (too low) with my 66x30x22 eurobrace drilled for ghost overflow and a stand. He did, however,back up how quote when I forwarded him the original e mail. They stand behind things. That's a really good sign!


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[ReefCowboy]

Originally Posted by michael.lemke

Well I think Steve mis quoted me (too low) with my 66x30x22 eurobrace drilled for ghost overflow and a stand. He did, however,back up how quote when I forwarded him the original e mail. They stand behind things. That's a really good sign!


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Thats all you can ask of a manufacturer and reason so many here are happy customers

[soulpatch]

Steve went above and beyond for me when I bought. He knew I needed some kessils and actually called me from reefapalooza that he could get me some that were used 2 days at the show for significant savings. Awesome dude

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