SCA 50 gallon Star Fire tank build!

[Mele__Reef]

Hey gang,

Just picked a new SCA 50 gallon Star Fire. I will be starting the build in a few weeks. I will be posting and documenting as I go along with the build. Look forward to having you guys join me on this journey. Thanks!

 

[mkutsch]

Nice!

 

[KJoFan]

Nice, I'm working on setting up an SCA 66g. I'm very happy with the quality of the tank so far. Is that little IM AIO on the right getting an upgrade?

 

[mkutsch]

Nice eye, looks like a 10 or 29 gal.

 

[Mele__Reef]

Yup. That's going to be my quarantine for now.

 

[Mele__Reef]

Hey gang, so today is day one of the the build. I made the new tee with unions for the loclines because the stock one that came with the tank (durso style) did not fit with standard PVC piping. So I ran the return behind the tank externally. And converted the 1" bulkhead and 1/2" bulkhead to the Herbie design. This is what I have so far. I'm also going to paint the pipe black. Any recommendations on good paint that's safe to use ?

 

[cgdcinc]

Didn't your tank come drilled with three holes and the 1" bulkheads?

 

[cgdcinc]

There should have been a 1" x 1/2" bell reducer that you can use to reduce the 1" to feed the 1/2" tee. Pretty much just like you have it on the outside but you can keep all of it in the overflow. It will still be herbie style.

 

[Mele__Reef]

@cgdcinc no it only has 2 drilled holes with the old duros style. Which is why it led me to go this route.

 

[Mele__Reef]

Durso*

 

[cgdcinc]

Ok I understand. You liking the package? I think it's a great deal for the money.

 

[Mele__Reef]

@cgdcinc i actually got the tank for free in excellent condition so I couldn't turn it down. I love the quality of the glass and how sturdy the tank is. No regrets. Can't wait to finish the build. Just trying to figure out how I'm going to customize a screen top with the return in the way.

 

[cgdcinc]

You can't beat that deal! I have never tried to make a screen top with cut outs for plumbing or equipment. I have just done diy square ones. I think there is a company that makes custom screen tops to your dimensions including cut outs. But I'm sure it comes at a price $.

 

[cgdcinc]

Octo lids. Octoaquatics.com. I have seen them here on R2R.

 

[Mele__Reef]

Hey folks,
Day 2 of the build consisted of finishing up my dry plumbing. I'm pretty pleased with the way I did it. I was short a 45degree elbow for my emergency drain so I can finish running it down to the the main overflow chamber, easy fix. I was going to run a 2 ball valve manifold, but I will only be running a reactor in the near future. I'll see what I come up with if I decide to go with an algae scrubber. For now I am satisfied, hence the fact I am limited on space under there.. lol.

 

[Barrett]

Looking good so far I love my sca 50 cube

 

[Jimbo662]

Everything is looking great! One thing I'd suggest. Since your emergency drain is smaller than your primary drain I'd make sure to test it and make sure the emergency can handle the full flow amount in case the main drain clogged.

 

[Mele__Reef]

Good point @Jimbo662 . I know the only way to find out is by running the system but do you thing I should make the emergency drain 3/4" in the overflow box reducing it to 1/2" with a coupling. Only so that the pipe holds more water on the way down? Sorry for the silly question. It's my first sump, and conversion.

 

[Mele__Reef]

@Jimbo662 or how about reducing it before and after the bulkhead then just making it 3/4"? Would be increase flow bit more ?

 

[Jimbo662]

It really all depends on how much water is actually flowing through the primary drain. The 1/2" emergency may be just fine. You just want to make sure that if there is an issue there will be no problems with the emergency drain handling the water. I wouldn't reduce it at all. You want to make sure you plan for any type of issue...if a snail could get into the top of the emergency but then was too big and got stuck where it was reduced could cause problems.