SCA 90 Gallon "Cube" Build

[Bret]

Just about done plumbing the mixing station in the garage.
Need to decide on solenoid valve, or a small pump to feed the ato

 

[Bret]

Swapped the return outlets to 3/4" instead of 1/2". This netted me an additional 150gph, for a total of about 550gph. Still a decent amount lower than the 900 I was shooting for, and a little slow for my targeted UV dosage. Short of a massive pump upgrade, I don't have many options, so I'm going to run it.

 

[brianbigoats]

looking good so far
I would imagine that the number of 90’s you have as well as additional added head are what is accounting for the lower flow. I am running my UV on a separate loop to make sure I get the correct flow. But I am only running about 650 GPH on my 90 So not that low of turn over

 

[Bret]

looking good so far
I would imagine that the number of 90’s you have as well as additional added head are what is accounting for the lower flow. I am running my UV on a separate loop to make sure I get the correct flow. But I am only running about 650 GPH on my 90 So not that low of turn over

Yes, no fewer than 8 90's, 2 45's the flow sensor,the UV the Chiller, various valves, unions, and almost 5' of vertical head, adds up to quite a bit. Thought I picked an effectively large pump to handle it all though, guess not...

On the other hand, I just finished reading this article: https://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html

And now I'm thinking I can get away with much less flow.

 

[brianbigoats]

I think you will be fine as long as you have enough power heads

 

[Bret]

I think you will be fine as long as you have enough power heads

2 MP40s in the display
My only concerns were the recommended flow rate of the UV manufacturer, and an attempt at the Triton method.

 

[brianbigoats]

2 MP40s in the display
My only concerns were the recommended flow rate of the UV manufacturer, and an attempt at the Triton method.

Should be good in the same tank i am running 2x6055 2xgyre 330 and mp40 (SPS barebottom)
I am also running with Trident principals i thought UV was not used
I only have my UV in case of emergency so it is not running currently

 

[Bret]

Experimenting with the rock scape...

 

[Bret]

Second attempt. Feel like I’m not getting enough height, but want to leave plenty of room for coral.

 

[dungdatinh]

Nice tank

 

[Bret]

Nice tank

Thank you

 

[Bret]

It's finally "done"! Mods, can you please move this post to the beginning of the thread?

Full specs:

Tank: SCA 90 Cube
Stand: Custom powdercoated steel, wood, and acrylic. Magnetic doors.
Sump: Trigger Triton 20C V2
Display Light: Kessil AP9X
Fuge Light: Kesil H160
Return Pump: Jebao DCQ 10000
Flow: 2X MP40
Skimmer: Custom Reef Octopus 110EXT
Heater: Finnex 300w titanium
Chiller: Aquanetics 1/3hp
UV Sterilizer: Aqua UV 25w W/Ozone
Reactors: BRS Dual, Avast Marine Kalk Stirrer
Controller: Apex, EB832, EB4, 3x FMM, FMK, Mobius
ATO: Neptune 2x ATK, Trigger Triton 5g reservoir
Live Rock: ~ 75lbs
Sand: Caribsea Special Grade ~30 lbs

 

[Bret]

Here's the finished mixing station/ATO.

Specs:
BRS 5 stage RO unit.
Twin 50 gallon poly tanks
Mag 9.5 mixing pump
3/4" and 1" plumbing
Neptune ATK

I have this plumbed through my attic with 3/8 RO tubing to my tank-side ATO reservoir. Using several redundancies, it keeps my ato constantly filled with little chance of flooding my house. I also run an aquabus cable through the attic to my Apex to control everything. There is a second RO line ran as well in case I ever want to incorporate auto water changes.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Wow, the magnetic skin really hides a ton of goodies under that stand! Enjoy your 90 gal. cube-- and the water mixing station will make life so much easier. You seem good to go.

 

[Bret]

I finally got some test kits in. Alkalinity in the tank after running with a fairly light coral load for about a month is 4.9! No wonder growth slowed and colors have been fading. I'll be doing a 50% water change tomorrow and starting the Kalk reactor now that I have the kits to monitor what I'm dosing.
FYI tested my fresh mixed saltwater and got the following results:
Calcium: 490 (Red Sea)
Magnesium: 1350 (Red Sea)
Alkalinity: 11.6 (Red Sea) 10.6 (Hannah)
This is using Reef Crystals mixed to 1.025

 

[Bret]

Quick update.
Coral growth is still very slow and coloration is not great on most.
Continue to be running fairly low alkalinity, and dropping consistently. Went from 7.4 to 6.8 over two weeks despite running the kalk. I have increased the concentration in the stirrer to hopefully stabilize it. Worried about pH though as it’s been creeping over 8.4 during the day.
Phosphate has been consistently 0.0 despite increasing feedings. Will be adding more fish soon, so hopefully that will help some.

Also did a little test kit organization.

 

[Jgerm]

Don’t know how I missed this build! Great work! Well thought out and the stand you built is awesome! You really utilized all the space under there and you would never know how much is packed in unless you took the panels off. Following along.

 

[Okinawa_reefer]

Great work on the stand! I wish I had all of these tools for the metal work. Just can’t justify the cost for as little as I would use them. Will be following along!

 

[Zagreus]

Just about done plumbing the mixing station in the garage.
Need to decide on solenoid valve, or a small pump to feed the ato

Increadible thread and following. I was thinking about getting the same tank. Great job!

 

[kirtdog]

great build. I have the same tank with the stock stand and sump. I am so glad that I stumbled upon this build as the stock stand is starting to fail and II want to go with a metal stand. Your detailed description of how you built it came in handy as I had something to give to the fabricator. How is the apex panel attached?