Norms SCA66 build thread

[normski619]

So we just moved into our new house and the wife said I can get the tank setup again. I sold my previous 80 and wanted to do something more like a cube. I ended up getting an SCA66 gallon tank from Steve at SC Aquariums Dim. are 32"x 24" x 20". I always wanted to build my own stand so after looking around the web I pulled the trigger and bought the wood.


Frame made by standard 2x4. Final dimensions for the stand came out to 36"x 30" x 36". (LxWxH) I really liked how some guys had a lip around the tank so I decided to make the stand a little wider than the tank.


Partially skinned and my son inspecting workmanship =P


Custom sump I'm putting together 1/4" thick 24"x24"x 18". I haven't put the baffles in yet.


I still have lots to do to the stand. ie. sanding, painting the inside, and staining the outside. The bottom of the stand does have about a 2" lip and I was thinking of lining it w/ some sort of vinyl in case of a spill. Any suggestions on the what type of paint to use for the inside and how many coats?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Great start and cute kid!

 

[normski619]

Thanks revh, they grow so fast. He just turned 1 a few weeks ago. I swear the picture in my avatar was just taken few months ago

 

[normski619]

Sump baffles installed and side panels done. Getting ready to paint the inside inside then a couple coats of polyurethane.

 

[normski619]

Thanks for the likes ReeferMaddness and Lilly =) I wasn't able to paint the inside this past weekend. We have some family from out of town over till Wed. Painting will be postponed till they head back home. FYI Lilly, our best friends live in the South Windsor area =) We're flying out there to visit them next month.

 

[normski619]

Insides painted

Two coats of red chestnut stain. I'll have to do at least a couple more coats to match our dining room table.

Once I'm done with the stain, I'll do a heavy coat of poly on the inside. [emoji4]

 

[normski619]

Lol....maybe I should have stirred the can first. All the red pigment settled at the bottom of the can. So did a quick coat again after stirring up the can and here's what it looked like. Much better match to our dinning room table. I'll poly it up this afternoon. [emoji4]

 

[normski619]

Lol....maybe I should have stirred the can first. All the red pigment settled at the bottom of the can. So did a quick coat again after stirring up the can and here's what it looked like. Much better match to our dinning room table. I'll poly it up this afternoon. [emoji4]

 

[normski619]

Oops...double post.

 

[normski619]

Stand sanded,stained, and polyurethane coated. Used yoga mats inbetween the tank and stand. I'm currently water testing the sump to make sure it's water tight. I'll probably get the plumbing done in the next few days. It's nice seeing the tank finally on the stand [emoji4]

 

[Jimbo662]

Can't wait to see your progress. I just ordered this tank. I had the SCA 50g cube previously and loved it.

 

[normski619]

Can't wait to see your progress. I just ordered this tank. I had the SCA 50g cube previously and loved it.

Yeah..I'm very excited to get it up and running. I ordered a couple MP10wQD and a Kessil A360we tuna blue so those should be in the next few days!

 

[normski619]

Full tank dry shot with the lights, mp10wqd x 2 on back wall ,skimmer and return pump in the sump. I ordered the 90degre adapter for the Kessil so the light can be more in the middle of the tank. I'm waiting for the gate valves to come in tomorrow. Once I have the gate valves, I'll start on the plumbing. Going to do the herbie overflow method. I had good results with it so I'll stick to what I know. Fyi....didn't realize the size of the MP10's. I've never had vortechs before so hopefully 2 of them will give me good random flow =)

Thinking about cutting this extra acrylic in half and mounting the controllers on it then mount that on the wall next to the tank. What do you guys think?

 

[Jimbo662]

I had two MP10s on my 50g and they did a good job. I've been wondering how they'll do on the 66g cause I was planning to use two on it also.

 

[normski619]

I had two MP10s on my 50g and they did a good job. I've been wondering how they'll do on the 66g cause I was planning to use two on it also.

Well...I'll keep you posted on how they do. I'm hoping to get it wet in the next couple of weeks.

 

[normski619]

Got my gate valves yesterday. Wasn't able to work on the plumbing because my son loved all the new PVC fittings I brought home so we played w/ PVC fittings all last night =P I'll work on the plumbing this afternoon and snap some photos.

 

[normski619]

Herbie overflow setup.

Plumbing done. I'll leak test the lines tomorrow. Emergency line on the left, Return line in the middle and main drain line on the right going into a filter sock.

 

[Jimbo662]

You must have read my mind. Exact way I plan on plumbing mine too. I'm a big fan of the herbie...so easy to get a quite drain.

 

[normski619]

You must have read my mind. Exact way I plan on plumbing mine too. I'm a big fan of the herbie...so easy to get a quite drain.

Yeah Jimbo662, I've had great success in the past w/ the Herbie style drain. Its super quite. Poured some water in the return and drain pipes w/ the gate valves closed and some in the overflow box to check the bulkhead seals last night. Checked them this morning for puddles of water in the sump and we're dry!!! No leaks! Yay!!! I'll start filling my 5 gallon water jugs from Scripps pier here in La Jolla. I can only do 20 gallons per trip so its going to take a ate least 4 trips =( Oh well, it will give me time to get some live/dead rock and work on the aquascape.

 

[Jimbo662]

I got mine yesterday and unpacked it today. WOW...I'd measured out on my desk to see how big it would be but seeing it in person it's much larger than I was expecting. I love the footprint of it. I've got a neon green toadstool that's about 8" across and had considered selling or fragging it. After seeing the tank I'm keeping him!!!