Anyone have SC Aquariums?

Lexusman25

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#1
I was thinking about possibly picking up one of their 50g set ups for a new sps tank! I'm hoping to get some input from people that have SC aquariums. I was wondering what you think of the tank/stand and skimmer quality and what equipment you have in their sump they provide? Would it just be better to make a custom sump and upgrade the skimmer or are the stock skimmer and sump decent? Thanks for the help guys! Was it this company that used to have the 50g setup for $500 or was that someone else?
 
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#3
I had their 50 gallon cube. Great tank, poor quality stand (starter to warp in less than a year, skimmer was ok, and the sump was good (just a standard 3 chamber)
 

xmas_one

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I have their 66g, it's very good quality for something Chinese built. I made my own steel stand and used a 20g long for a sump. You really can't beat these tanks for the price. They also offer a pretty good discount if you elect to pick the tank up from their warehouse in Montclair.
 

Smite

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#5
I had the 66g sca and loved it. I've had the 100g set up for close to a month now and this one is great as well.

I built my own stands for both. I started with the stock skimmer on the 66 then upgraded to a aquamaxx coneS 1. To be honest performance was very close to the same with the aquamaxx being slightly more quiet.

Only downside is they use metric plumbing. So the bulkheads ect will not except schedule 40 or 80 pvc. Something to work in the overall cost.

I like that they build the sump as large as possible. Never had any micro bubbles reach the display.

Overall I highly recommend sca and will continue to use them going forward.
 

Lexusman25

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I had the 66g sca and loved it. I've had the 100g set up for close to a month now and this one is great as well.

I built my own stands for both. I started with the stock skimmer on the 66 then upgraded to a aquamaxx coneS 1. To be honest performance was very close to the same with the aquamaxx being slightly more quiet.

Only downside is they use metric plumbing. So the bulkheads ect will not except schedule 40 or 80 pvc. Something to work in the overall cost.

I like that they build the sump as large as possible. Never had any micro bubbles reach the display.

Overall I highly recommend sca and will continue to use them going forward.
Thank you for the input guys! I ll probably go with them then! I emailed them to see if they can still do that awesome $500 deal if I pick it up! I also think they offer the tanks with the option for regular size holes instead of the metric but I could be wrong. Matt I will definitely be asking you some questions when it comes to plumbing because your tanks plumbing is a work of art haha
 

Smite

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Thanks man.

Just to clarify. The holes drilled in my 100g were for a standard 1" bulkhead @ 1 3/4" holes. You'll just need to replace the bulkheads themselves and plumbing if you decide to set it up different than the way they lay it out.
 
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I had the 66g sca and loved it. I've had the 100g set up for close to a month now and this one is great as well.

I built my own stands for both. I started with the stock skimmer on the 66 then upgraded to a aquamaxx coneS 1. To be honest performance was very close to the same with the aquamaxx being slightly more quiet.

Only downside is they use metric plumbing. So the bulkheads ect will not except schedule 40 or 80 pvc. Something to work in the overall cost.

I like that they build the sump as large as possible. Never had any micro bubbles reach the display.

Overall I highly recommend sca and will continue to use them going forward.
What lighting did you use on the 66

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Smite

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What lighting did you use on the 66

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Swapped lighting a few times. 24" fixtures fit great. I had a t5/metal halide fixture that worked well. I then went with 2 AI Sols, eventually adding a floating canopy with 4x24w DIY t5s (stripped from the mh).

I'm in love with my ATI fixture now. So I'd go with a 6 or 8 bulb t5 fixture or a power module hybrid, 24" long. Great tank
 
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Swapped lighting a few times. 24" fixtures fit great. I had a t5/metal halide fixture that worked well. I then went with 2 AI Sols, eventually adding a floating canopy with 4x24w DIY t5s (stripped from the mh).

I'm in love with my ATI fixture now. So I'd go with a 6 or 8 bulb t5 fixture or a power module hybrid, 24" long. Great tank
Any current pictures of your current setup


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#14
I have a 120 gallon SC Aquarium tank and love it. It is well made. Did PVC plumbing instead of the plumbing it came with. The tank and sump are really nice. I've had it running a few months now. Steve is really easy to communicate with in my experience.



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theMerchant

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I have the 75g with 2 AI Hydra52HD and very happy with the build quality.


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Friday my 66g PNP arrived, purchase online from The Reef Aquatics, compliments to SCA Aquarium packing. Truthfully I don't know any other company who ship Starfire tanks, by Saturday I had it up and running. As for the quality money well spent. Impress by the quality work of the Starfire tank, in compare to Glass Cage, price of SCA Aquarium is better and clean. In the pass I purchase glass cage, almost every tank you had to take a razor blade to remove the silicone that was all over the place. In addition glass cage does not delivered straight to your door. This system packed with a already built stand, sump, skimmer and return pump all great quality. As for the stand warping, even wood in time will ruin if you don't take care of it. You just need to be careful with any furniture you own. The sump is glass rimless beautiful craftmanship, the skimmer I'm stoke dial it once and no need to be playing around with it. I know it's been only a couple of days. But in 19 years I've owned so many aquarium and skimmers that I can say, I'll be a a SCA Aquarium owner for a long time. Just wanted to point out that originally I was in the market for a Red Sea Max 250 65g. Price over $2500, and there stand is not real wood either. s I started looking at used price range from $900-$2000 from research almost every RSM owner had a chiller on the setup which is an additional cost. And still gets hot. I paid $999 for a brand new almost complete system. Yes the light is not included. For more information, go to Facebook and read about the SCA Aquariums.


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#17
I'm going to get a sca 50 early next year. I will definitely prime and seal the inside of the stand, and then Seal the exterior as welll.

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BeanMachine

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I'm going to get a sca 50 early next year. I will definitely prime and seal the inside of the stand, and then Seal the exterior as welll.

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They will be at RAP next month. You may be able to get one at a steal right off the show room floor at a substantial discount.
 

reefes pieces

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They will be at RAP next month. You may be able to get one at a steal right off the show room floor at a substantial discount.
save them pennies and make sure to at least come on Sunday if not both days. I've never met a vendor that wasn't motivated to sell their floor demos. Best part is you get to inspect everything before purchasing.
 

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