SCA 50 Package

[Gil149]

Anyone had any experience with this brand or package setup? I am seeing good and bad mixed reviews all over.

https://www.amazon.com/Starfire-Aquariums-Complete-Package-24x24x20/dp/B00HY5PD56
https://www.scaquariums.com/product-p/sca-50gpnpb.htm

 

[Brew12]

Anyone had any experience with this brand or package setup? I am seeing good and bad mixed reviews all over.

https://www.amazon.com/Starfire-Aquariums-Complete-Package-24x24x20/dp/B00HY5PD56
https://www.scaquariums.com/product-p/sca-50gpnpb.htm

I don't have the package, but my system is a custom tank from SCA.

SCA is a budget aquarium company. They provide sapphire glass tanks at as low a cost as possible. If you are looking for a high end system or aren't willing to accept some flaws, this isn't the supplier for you. You could get a flawless system, but you may not. The components that come with it are very basic and will work (for at least awhile).

I think this picture from my tank shows it all.

Wonderfully clear glass, nicely beveled. The Eurobrace wasn't straight and where they tried to improve it, the black silicon got a bit sloppy. Since it is completely hidden from the front, it doesn't bother me so I am very pleased. If this would drive you nuts, you should go to a higher end supplier.

 

[TheEngineer]

I’ve had this exact system for almost 3 years. I’m happy with it.

 

[Jimbo662]

I purchased that package from Amazon a couple of years ago. I've had 3 of their tanks and had no issues with any of them.

 

[LatinKing]

I had purchase the 66g Star fire PNP
Great deal for the money especially if your on a budget. You get everything to setup, except the lightning. The tank and sump well made. The skimmer not bad! The plumbing you can purchase some pvc and I would get a better return pump.

 

[Jimbo662]

I had purchase the 66g Star fire PNP
Great deal for the money especially if your on a budget. You get everything to setup, except the lightning. The tank and sump well made. The skimmer not bad! The plumbing you can purchase some pvc and I would get a better return pump.

Agreed on the plumbing. They use a thin walled pvc...I always do my own. I'm actually selling my 66g this weekend since I upgraded to a larger tank.

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

I bought this 50 PnP setup about 8 months ago. The stand arrived with one door mounted 1/2" higher than the other. There are multiple issues with the silicone. Silicone started peeling off one of the seams on the inside. On the outside, silicone is retracting on one of the seams. It has not leaked though, luckily. Steve at SCA said the silicone issues I have are cosmetic only. Who knows. Anything going weird with silicone makes me nervous.
The hinges are not SS, and are now completely rusted. The hose clamps included were also not SS, rusted within one week. You get what you pay for, sometimes not even then when it comes to tanks. It's hard to find a tank manufacturer who doesn't have some complaints out there. Anyhow, I cannot recommend SCA.

 

[Gil149]

I appreciate the feedback. I think based on what I am hearing, which is what most people are saying I will skip SCA. Any recommendations on tank/stand if not SCA?

 

[Brew12]

I appreciate the feedback. I think based on what I am hearing, which is what most people are saying I will skip SCA. Any recommendations on tank/stand if not SCA?

It's really hard to beat the RedSea tanks when it comes to quality.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reefer-250-complete-system-40-gal-red-sea.html

 

[Gil149]

It's really hard to beat the RedSea tanks when it comes to quality.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reefer-250-complete-system-40-gal-red-sea.html

Very true, but the cost would hit hard...considering I would still need a skimmer, light and return pump....

Are the cabinets MDF/Particle Board?

 

[Jimbo662]

In the package deals the cabinets are MDF.

 

[cgdcinc]

I have the 50 and have zero complaints. Great quality for good value. Service was fast and friendly. They will customize your holes in the tank if you ask. Great set up to mod how you want it to run. Clear glass.

 

[cgdcinc]

I have the 50 and have zero complaints. Great quality for good value. Service was fast and friendly. They will customize your holes in the tank if you ask. Great set up to mod how you want it to run. Clear glass.

 

[Gil149]

It's really hard to beat the RedSea tanks when it comes to quality.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reefer-250-complete-system-40-gal-red-sea.html

Are the lights on this tank good enough for SPS and Anemones? I used to use HQI Halides and wondering if these are comparable? How do they stack up to other LEDs on the market?

 

[Brew12]

Are the lights on this tank good enough for SPS and Anemones? I used to use HQI Halides and wondering if these are comparable? How do they stack up to other LEDs on the market?

I don't believe that system comes with lights. The way RedSea does things is a little odd.
These do have lights. I'm not sure that any LED's can compare to halides, but they are a good quality light imo.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/max-e-170-led-complete-reef-system-red-sea.html
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/deluxe-reefer-170-complete-system-34-gal-red-sea.html

 

[wiselyy73]

Same manufacture as Cadlights. Better than JBJ.

 

[ScottsTot]

I'm also considering the SCA 50 PNP system. The value is nice but I've also read enough bad review that make me think if I will be happy with the setup.

If you were to compare the Red Sea tanks, the equivalent would be the 170. The difference in the display is the depth. The SCA is 24 x 24 x 20. The Red Sea is 24x 20 x 20 so 4 inches of depth. External volume differences are 42 gallons (Red Sea) vs 50 Gallons (SCA).

I called a few LFS and many can do the white stand for ~$900 so the black stand is probably a bit cheaper. I priced everything out required to build a complete system and it actually comes out to the same give or take a bit.

So for me, it pretty much comes down to.....do I want the 4 extra inches of depth and risk quality? Or do I just go with the 170 which is pretty much superb (according to reviews) but lose a little space (and looks a lot better IMO).

If you're interested in how I calculated the costs, I'd be happy to share!

Let me know what you decide to do as well!

 

[Why-Me]

Comparing the two is closer to apples to oranges. Red Sea 170 is 34 gallons in DT the sump is 9 gallons. Sca is 50 gallons in the DT then 14 gallons in the sump. Red Sea 170 total water volume 42-43 gallons. Sca 50 total water volume 64 gallons. The Red Sea 250 DT is 54 gallons, much more in line with the SCA 50 water volume. SCA comes with the sump, pump, skimmer and stand. Red Sea the pump, skimmer all extra $ but can buy what you want.
Are you looking for largest capacity? Cheapest total cost? BTW right now you can get the 90 gal SCA for about the same as the 34 gal red sea 170 and not much more than the 50 cube you've been shopping. Also Steve at SCA is great to work with for pricing as well as with issues/questions you may have before and after your tank is assembled or even shipped/delivered, he will make sure you're happy.

 

[Gil149]

Comparing the two is closer to apples to oranges. Red Sea 170 is 34 gallons in DT the sump is 9 gallons. Sca is 50 gallons in the DT then 14 gallons in the sump. Red Sea 170 total water volume 42-43 gallons. Sca 50 total water volume 64 gallons. The Red Sea 250 DT is 54 gallons, much more in line with the SCA 50 water volume. SCA comes with the sump, pump, skimmer and stand. Red Sea the pump, skimmer all extra $ but can buy what you want.
Are you looking for largest capacity? Cheapest total cost? BTW right now you can get the 90 gal SCA for about the same as the 34 gal red sea 170 and not much more than the 50 cube you've been shopping. Also Steve at SCA is great to work with for pricing as well as with issues/questions you may have before and after your tank is assembled or even shipped/delivered, he will make sure you're happy.

I am looking for the best bang for the buck. The 90 Gal SCA you linked is a great price and considering that the comparable is the Red Sea 450 which is over twice the cost...the biggest factor is am I really getting a system that is that comparable in quality...I keep coming into two camps...either people love the SCA brand and says it's excellent price to cost ratio...or there are defects and it was a bad experience... The cost savings from the Red Sea are hard to argue against, small defects I don't think would bug me...but would the Red Sea last longer and does it look higher quality in person? I have looked at the Red Sea brand at the local LFS and they look great.

 

[Why-Me]

Mine isn't set up yet but I received mine two months ago, no silicone issues, everything is flush and looks great. I'm happy with my SCA 50 cube.
BTW quality seems fine, and Steve will ship you a new one if there's something wrong with it.

 

[Brew12]

or there are defects and it was a bad experience

I fall into the having a defect and still think it was a great purchase category. As I said initially, you can't see the flaw when looking at the tank from the front. Everyone who sees my SCA tank is impressed with how nice it looks and how clear the glass is.

I can't speak for the stand, I built my own (and still haven't finished) ;Blackeye