AJ’s 90g SCA tank

[Alan_J_MN]

Haven’t posted progress for a while. Stuff getting in the way, but I’ve made progress.
Let’s see..
After 3 weeks observation everyone was fat and healthy and eating well, so they all graduated to the big tank. As well as the anemone, the tank inhabitants are
Frenchie the clown
Dora (the explorer) - splendid dottyback
Violet, -orchid dottyback
JD (John Deere) - lawnmower blenny
Mr shrimp - cleaner shrimp
There is room for many more, but purchases are on hold until things get back to normal.
The Noopsyche K7s arrived. All set up and simply awesome lights. Took a while to work out the controller, but got it worked out.

Ordered a Tunze ATO from BRS when they had a 10% off sale last week.

Been working on the controller/ATO cabinet. It is now stained and mostly finished with polyurethane finish. Just need to finish the door. I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out. Pics tomorrow if I have time to get it finished.

 

[treedog5]

Interested to see how those lights work out for you, I'm shopping a 50 gallon SCA at the moment.

 

[Alan_J_MN]

The controller/ATO cabinet is finished and installed.

 

[Alan_J_MN]

Interested to see how those lights work out for you, I'm shopping a 50 gallon SCA at the moment.

You will love the tank. Although I believe they are closed right now because of the lockdown. I really like the lights so far, but then I’m new in the game so I can’t compare them to others.

 

[treedog5]

I can't believe the pricing they have, I was determined that I was going to get a waterbox 50 gallon, but after I came across the SCA tanks I changed my tune real quick. They have the 50 gallon PNP for $765, and it comes with a skimmer and return pump, same setup for waterbox 50 gallon is $1200. Almost twice the price.

 

[Alan_J_MN]

I can't believe the pricing they have, I was determined that I was going to get a waterbox 50 gallon, but after I came across the SCA tanks I changed my tune real quick. They have the 50 gallon PNP for $765, and it comes with a skimmer and return pump, same setup for waterbox 50 gallon is $1200. Almost twice the price.

Yep. The tanks are made in China, so that’s why the price difference. But the quality is excellent.

 

[Why-Me]

Love my SCA 50 cube

 

[Alan_J_MN]

I can't believe the pricing they have, I was determined that I was going to get a waterbox 50 gallon, but after I came across the SCA tanks I changed my tune real quick. They have the 50 gallon PNP for $765, and it comes with a skimmer and return pump, same setup for waterbox 50 gallon is $1200. Almost twice the price.

Me, I would be considering the 66g for $999. That extra 6” width is worth it. Still a lot less than the waterbox. And it’s delivered free, with no tax unless you are in CA

 

[treedog5]

I will be following along on your thread to see the progress. One question I already have is how do you like the Herbie drain? I was thinking about going Bean animal but if the Heribe is dead silent then I won't bother.

 

[Alan_J_MN]

I will be following along on your thread to see the progress. One question I already have is how do you like the Herbie drain? I was thinking about going Bean animal but if the Heribe is dead silent then I won't bother.

There is a very slight trickle sound you can hear up close if there is no other noise, but totally not noticeable, unless maybe you have it in your bedroom. My wife is far less noise tolerant than I am and she has not complained at all.

 

[Alan_J_MN]

There is a very slight trickle sound you can hear up close if there is no other noise, but totally not noticeable, unless maybe you have it in your bedroom. My wife is far less noise tolerant than I am and she has not complained at all.

We have a 2 gallon goldfish tank in the same room and the air stone bubbles make more noise.

 

[treedog5]

Ok that sounds good then. I was thinking about getting the 60 gallon but I think I'm going to use the extra savings and get the upgraded stand.

 

[Why-Me]

I have upgraded stand and love it. I went rustic grey.
Also heard that steve will be discontinuing them so get it ordered sooner than later.

 

[Alan_J_MN]

I’ve been neglecting my build thread for a few weeks.

So what’s been going on?

Major bacterial bloom started early April. Normal new tank ugly stuff going on I guess. I was trying to wait it out, but after 10 days or so getting slowly worse I ordered a 24w green machine UV. Within 24 hours of installing it, the water was crystal clear.

I got my first corals as a discounted 3 pack deal from LA with some fish. A nice devils hand leather, some small rhodactis and a small green mushroom.

 

[Alan_J_MN]

A Royal gramma and yellow tailed blue damsel are eating well in the observation tank. Another week without signs of infection and they graduate to the DT.

Coral shipment is on its way from AquaSD tonight. So excited for these. Mostly softies, but one SPS (a purple monti digitata) snuck in there when I wasn’t looking.

Not sure if the tank is ready for it yet. We will see.

 

[Alan_J_MN]

This one is pretty. It’s supposed to be WYSIWYG. Let’s hope.

 

[Alan_J_MN]

This one is pretty. It’s supposed to be WYSIWYG. Let’s hope.

Well, I don’t have the same lighting and fancy camera setup... but I’m happy with how it looks in my tank. It looks closer to the above photo than my poor pic.

 

[Katrina71]

Well, I don’t have the same lighting and fancy camera setup... but I’m happy with how it looks in my tank. It looks closer to the above photo than my poor pic.

Hello baby!

 

[Strawberry]

Any updates? <3 I’ve also been looking at these SCA systems. I love that they come with a return pump and sump. PNP is so much simpler than custom builds. I’m so indecisive and I want everything to be perfect so my plan for upgrading my biocube is driving me nuts!

 

[Alan_J_MN]

Any updates? <3 I’ve also been looking at these SCA systems. I love that they come with a return pump and sump. PNP is so much simpler than custom builds. I’m so indecisive and I want everything to be perfect so my plan for upgrading my biocube is driving me nuts!

I love the tank, and am (so far) happy with the sump. While they call it PNP, I would say that's a stretch. The internal plumbing for the overflow and loc-lines are included, but you still need to complete the plumbing to the sump. I think it is supposed to come with vinyl tubing, but mine didn't, which was fine because I wanted to hard plumb it anyway. You need to design the plumbing, decide on unions and gate valves etc. I did not use the included return pump. I wanted something controllable so went with a DC pump. The SCA pump is my backup.