SCA 90 rimless...a mountain reef build.

Devaji108 · 02/13/2016, 02:12 PM

Hello everyone,
just thought I would share my new build.
A little back story I got in to the hobby about 10 years ago. in that time I had a 90, 6'-125, 150, 240 75, almost a 40br and now a rimless 90.

I move a lil to much and once I got in to it I had 3 tanks running..haha

ok fast forward been tank less for a few years. decided to get back in with a KISS 40br...well you all know how hard that is. or least it seams to be anyway. got the 40 at the 1 per gallon sale decided to drill it. cracked the 1st attempt. back 100 miles to get another one. got that one drilled but was just a lil to low but i was gonna rock it. during the cycle the bulk head started leaking very slowly siliconed it worked for a few days then keep going would drip down inside tha paint in to the rim then over. was a pain...

so I just decided to treat myself to a new tank! I mean its the only since able thing to do right?

a SCA 90 galon rimless my 1st rimless. cube(ish)
36x 24x24 12mm starphire glass on 3 sides.

I decided to go with a 36" tank as I had my BML 36" MC 20K light waiting to be used. + my though was if/when I move again I would be able to easily keep the tank. I really had to resist there deal on the 150.

the tank is a real beauty! black silicone nicely done. polished edges..
BUT it's Fing heavy. its not a bad thing its build like a tank with the 12mm glass but DAMN it was a pain to move in the snow and up a flight of stairs.

but so far i LOVE it!

equipment list:

~DIY 2x4 stand trimmed out in cold roll steel.
~40br sump 3 chamber
~reef octopus skimmer I kept from my 75 rated for 100+
~DIY ATS (not sure on upflow of waterfall or turbo style ) I really like the idea of ATS and may even go skimmer less

~ 500W heater
~ quite one return pump
~ 50 lbs of TBS 2:1 LR
~20lbs of BRS reef saver now LR for cycling in that 4 months
~ I have one RW15 will add another next size up.

lighting
another 36" BML 20K MC or XB
OR
reef breeders new photon V2

tank is going to focus on gorgs. sponges ,LPS and some softies and with a few select SPS like monti and birdnets.
I really like flow, and movement..

so let the fun began!
:cheers:

davocean · 02/13/2016, 02:30 PM

Nice, lets see some pics!

Devaji108 · 02/13/2016, 02:40 PM

Ha I was just working on that...

sexy lines on this rimless..

current FTS...lol

Devaji108 · 02/13/2016, 02:42 PM

dont mind the mess on/in/around the tank. as you all know thats what happen when you bring in a new toy..things get real messy.

davocean · 02/13/2016, 02:50 PM

Isn't it amazing how clean of tank they make for the price?
And Starfire glass on top of it.
Great score, looks nice already and will only get better!

Devaji108 · 02/13/2016, 02:53 PM

picked up the 2x4 the other day.

and order a pocket jig to help with the stand.
was gonna go a classic rockets template but did not composite for the "L" 2x4 so my 40br sump would not slide in... so I had to rethink that after talking to a few folks in the DIY section i decided on pock holes.

Devaji108 · 02/13/2016, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

Isn't it amazing how clean of tank they make for the price?
And Starfire glass on top of it.
Great score, looks nice already and will only get better!

yes great tank at a good price point. and starfire too!

the over flow box is a big bulky wish there was an option for an external or C2C.
but for the price you just cant beat SCA tanks!

Mrtakeoff53 · 02/14/2016, 08:53 AM

I have the 50 gal SCA cube and I love it. Im in the miltary and move too much, otherwise I would have got a much bigger tank! Anyways, one thing to note is that I think SCA uses metric bulkheads. I had my tank set-up, in place when I realized none of the pipes to go to the sump fit the bulkheads....ugh! I got out the dremel and ground down a pipe to make it fit. It works, but I will be replacing the bulkheads the next time I move. You might wat to check this before you set it all up. Have fun!

csb123 · 02/14/2016, 10:17 AM

Can't wait to see it set up. I really like the rimless look.

Devaji108 · 02/14/2016, 11:18 AM

Mrtakeoff53 I prob should have gotten the 50. the 90 is quite heavy. I was thinking with the foot print this could be a little big tank. haha oh well I do LOVE it.

I think Steve sent me non metric bulkheads. defiantly gonna check I am a few days out anyway gotta finish the stand. was gonna work on it a few hours this AM but man man back is sore from bringing this in + all the massages I did yesterday. busy holiday weekend we will see how much i get done.

csb123 thanks I hope I like it filled as much as empty..haha hopefully I can create a nice clean zen look.

davocean · 02/14/2016, 11:38 AM

I changed my plumbing out, and I went w/ braided flex line so I could set up my drain better, I'm glad I did, was able to adjust my waterline properly and my drain is dead silent

Devaji108 · 02/14/2016, 11:43 AM

^ nice! i was just thinking about how I want to plumb this. did you go with a herbie? use a gate valve to tune it in?

would love to see a pic or 2. one fear I do have with the rimless is that the water level will be low and it will look odd..

davocean · 02/14/2016, 11:50 AM

I did a kind of modified durso, used a flexible drain line, home depot sells the perfect ones w/ slip couplings so you can make it exact, they are the white ones w/ an orange stripe, come in preset lengths that happen to be perfect.
I did a durso, but hacked it shorter on the down tube that goes under water, it's a tight space but w/ flex lines it works.
I have a tunze silence 1073.02 that is adjustable just in case but it's wide open, i actually could have maybe gone to the next size up on tunze and tuned it down, but this works for me.

davocean · 02/14/2016, 12:20 PM

Pics of what I did that might help.
Anything that showed I used krylon fusion to make black and less visible.

EvenFurther · 02/14/2016, 01:54 PM

That tank is awesome, perfect dimensions for size.

Devaji108 · 02/14/2016, 01:56 PM

nice! I remember seeing that now on your thread. so is your tank a 2 holer or 3?
mine is 3 looks like there is room in there for me, but once you start plumping...

did you use the bluk heads that came with or with them out?

Devaji108 · 02/14/2016, 02:00 PM

thanks Even Further. i think so too. I was really between the 75 and 90 only difference was the 4" of vertical space. easer to clean but less volume..

dt204 · 02/14/2016, 03:23 PM

Davocean, I used krylon fusion on the back of my tank. Is it water safe for your fittings? I've got a white one I wouldn't mind being black too

davocean · 02/14/2016, 03:50 PM

Krylon fusion is perfectly safe and many have used it for years now, just make sure to clean off and scuff parts w/ 220 so it sticks, but it does hold up even under water if prep'd properly.
My tank only has 2 holes drilled, it's the one thing I wish different, I like a backup drain, so I have eggcrated my overflow AND eggcrated the drain opening to make sure nothing crawls in there to block it.
I believe I used the bulks they gave me, but I picked up at their location and I'm pretty sure they gave me the right bulkheads, I just did not like the schedule 80 that came w/ it, and hard line restricted a proper drain setup, using theirs as is it was louder and the water level was below my canopy, I could not deal w/ either.
So they are not a perfect tank, some adjustments may be needed, sounds like they are working on some, but for clean glass and a quality build where it matters most it's still a very good deal.

dt204 · 02/14/2016, 03:54 PM

Thanks. I'll be watching the build Deva

lashoskin · 02/15/2016, 10:48 AM

I'm excited for you

Devaji108 · 02/15/2016, 01:13 PM

^ thanks lashoskin,
it's always nice to get excited about a build right. and just as fun to share it with other reefers...

did not get anything done yesterday as my back was so sore from bring in the tank had to go up a few flights of stars...you all now the story.

but today got the bottom frame done and drill the pocket hole for the supports..the both batteries died on the drill

booo borrowing a cordless as my corded is acting up. but the batteries life is sooo bad.

now to order my plumbing.
I am thinking of schedule 80 fittings and blue pvc OR just spray it black or blue..

Devaji108 · 02/15/2016, 02:28 PM

OK guys I was able to fiddle around with my corded drill some it was a pain to the butt, with a lil wiggling the cord I could get it to work. it would stop 2 to 3 time per hole but with little perseverance I got the more done:
support legs:

frame done:

another view:

going to add 1" plywood to the top. and 1/4 to the bottom.

and here is a sneak peak on how I am going to trim or "skin" the stand out.

Devaji108 · 02/16/2016, 12:18 PM

OK not much done yesterday except a lot of talking and thinking about the stand. there are week points on the side as I wanted to use the 40br sump and the classic L support would not work. then someone brought up the my pocket holes are a lil close for 2x4..uggg so more research on that now.
i guess better get it right before I move on. so much easy to fix now that when the tank is full.

I did get my gate value ordered tho. so that is good. I am thinking about the blue PCS from BRS and sch. 80 fittings or just paint it all black or blue. the colored PVC along with scd. 80 fitting would look the best tho. we will see.

Devaji108 · 02/18/2016, 07:20 PM

a lil update:
the stand is ok now with some mods. but i am thinking about going steel..haha
any spent 28 in wood 7 in glue and 40 for the kreg jig. price out some steel stands and I think i can get one for around 150 - 180. going 1x1 and around 225 for 2x2 steel tubing.

makes me pause for a moment...

02/13/2016, 02:12 PM	#1
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	SCA 90 rimless...a mountain reef build. Hello everyone, just thought I would share my new build. A little back story I got in to the hobby about 10 years ago. in that time I had a 90, 6'-125, 150, 240 75, almost a 40br and now a rimless 90. I move a lil to much and once I got in to it I had 3 tanks running..haha ok fast forward been tank less for a few years. decided to get back in with a KISS 40br...well you all know how hard that is. or least it seams to be anyway. got the 40 at the 1 per gallon sale decided to drill it. cracked the 1st attempt. back 100 miles to get another one. got that one drilled but was just a lil to low but i was gonna rock it. during the cycle the bulk head started leaking very slowly siliconed it worked for a few days then keep going would drip down inside tha paint in to the rim then over. was a pain... so I just decided to treat myself to a new tank! I mean its the only since able thing to do right? a SCA 90 galon rimless my 1st rimless. cube(ish) 36x 24x24 12mm starphire glass on 3 sides. I decided to go with a 36" tank as I had my BML 36" MC 20K light waiting to be used. + my though was if/when I move again I would be able to easily keep the tank. I really had to resist there deal on the 150. the tank is a real beauty! black silicone nicely done. polished edges.. BUT it's Fing heavy. its not a bad thing its build like a tank with the 12mm glass but DAMN it was a pain to move in the snow and up a flight of stairs. but so far i LOVE it! equipment list: ~DIY 2x4 stand trimmed out in cold roll steel. ~40br sump 3 chamber ~reef octopus skimmer I kept from my 75 rated for 100+ ~DIY ATS (not sure on upflow of waterfall or turbo style ) I really like the idea of ATS and may even go skimmer less ~ 500W heater ~ quite one return pump ~ 50 lbs of TBS 2:1 LR ~20lbs of BRS reef saver now LR for cycling in that 4 months ~ I have one RW15 will add another next size up. lighting another 36" BML 20K MC or XB OR reef breeders new photon V2 tank is going to focus on gorgs. sponges ,LPS and some softies and with a few select SPS like monti and birdnets. I really like flow, and movement.. so let the fun began! :cheers: Last edited by Devaji108; 02/13/2016 at 02:58 PM.

02/13/2016, 02:30 PM	#2
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Nice, lets see some pics! __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/13/2016, 02:50 PM	#5
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Isn't it amazing how clean of tank they make for the price? And Starfire glass on top of it. Great score, looks nice already and will only get better! __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/14/2016, 08:53 AM	#8
Mrtakeoff53 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Navarre, FL Posts: 50	I have the 50 gal SCA cube and I love it. Im in the miltary and move too much, otherwise I would have got a much bigger tank! Anyways, one thing to note is that I think SCA uses metric bulkheads. I had my tank set-up, in place when I realized none of the pipes to go to the sump fit the bulkheads....ugh! I got out the dremel and ground down a pipe to make it fit. It works, but I will be replacing the bulkheads the next time I move. You might wat to check this before you set it all up. Have fun! __________________ Current tank: 50 gal starfire glass rimless cube with a Kessil A360W and an Apex controller

02/14/2016, 11:38 AM	#11
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I changed my plumbing out, and I went w/ braided flex line so I could set up my drain better, I'm glad I did, was able to adjust my waterline properly and my drain is dead silent __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/13/2016, 02:40 PM	#3
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	Ha I was just working on that... sexy lines on this rimless.. current FTS...lol

02/13/2016, 02:42 PM	#4
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	dont mind the mess on/in/around the tank. as you all know thats what happen when you bring in a new toy..things get real messy.

02/13/2016, 02:53 PM	#6
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	picked up the 2x4 the other day. and order a pocket jig to help with the stand. was gonna go a classic rockets template but did not composite for the "L" 2x4 so my 40br sump would not slide in... so I had to rethink that after talking to a few folks in the DIY section i decided on pock holes.

02/14/2016, 10:17 AM	#9
csb123 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 104	Can't wait to see it set up. I really like the rimless look.

02/14/2016, 11:18 AM	#10
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	Mrtakeoff53 I prob should have gotten the 50. the 90 is quite heavy. I was thinking with the foot print this could be a little big tank. haha oh well I do LOVE it. I think Steve sent me non metric bulkheads. defiantly gonna check I am a few days out anyway gotta finish the stand. was gonna work on it a few hours this AM but man man back is sore from bringing this in + all the massages I did yesterday. busy holiday weekend we will see how much i get done. csb123 thanks I hope I like it filled as much as empty..haha hopefully I can create a nice clean zen look.

02/14/2016, 11:43 AM	#12
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	^ nice! i was just thinking about how I want to plumb this. did you go with a herbie? use a gate valve to tune it in? would love to see a pic or 2. one fear I do have with the rimless is that the water level will be low and it will look odd..

02/14/2016, 11:50 AM	#13
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I did a kind of modified durso, used a flexible drain line, home depot sells the perfect ones w/ slip couplings so you can make it exact, they are the white ones w/ an orange stripe, come in preset lengths that happen to be perfect. I did a durso, but hacked it shorter on the down tube that goes under water, it's a tight space but w/ flex lines it works. I have a tunze silence 1073.02 that is adjustable just in case but it's wide open, i actually could have maybe gone to the next size up on tunze and tuned it down, but this works for me. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/14/2016, 12:20 PM	#14
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Pics of what I did that might help. Anything that showed I used krylon fusion to make black and less visible. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/14/2016, 01:54 PM	#15
EvenFurther Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 352	That tank is awesome, perfect dimensions for size. __________________ Slowly Building: 38 Gal. DT Cube \| DIY Sump \| DIY Stand

02/14/2016, 01:56 PM	#16
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	nice! I remember seeing that now on your thread. so is your tank a 2 holer or 3? mine is 3 looks like there is room in there for me, but once you start plumping... did you use the bluk heads that came with or with them out?

02/14/2016, 02:00 PM	#17
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	thanks Even Further. i think so too. I was really between the 75 and 90 only difference was the 4" of vertical space. easer to clean but less volume..

02/14/2016, 03:23 PM	#18
dt204 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 233	Davocean, I used krylon fusion on the back of my tank. Is it water safe for your fittings? I've got a white one I wouldn't mind being black too

02/14/2016, 03:50 PM	#19
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Krylon fusion is perfectly safe and many have used it for years now, just make sure to clean off and scuff parts w/ 220 so it sticks, but it does hold up even under water if prep'd properly. My tank only has 2 holes drilled, it's the one thing I wish different, I like a backup drain, so I have eggcrated my overflow AND eggcrated the drain opening to make sure nothing crawls in there to block it. I believe I used the bulks they gave me, but I picked up at their location and I'm pretty sure they gave me the right bulkheads, I just did not like the schedule 80 that came w/ it, and hard line restricted a proper drain setup, using theirs as is it was louder and the water level was below my canopy, I could not deal w/ either. So they are not a perfect tank, some adjustments may be needed, sounds like they are working on some, but for clean glass and a quality build where it matters most it's still a very good deal. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/14/2016, 03:54 PM	#20
dt204 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 233	Thanks. I'll be watching the build Deva

02/15/2016, 10:48 AM	#21
lashoskin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 74	I'm excited for you

02/15/2016, 01:13 PM	#22
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	^ thanks lashoskin, it's always nice to get excited about a build right. and just as fun to share it with other reefers... did not get anything done yesterday as my back was so sore from bring in the tank had to go up a few flights of stars...you all now the story. but today got the bottom frame done and drill the pocket hole for the supports..the both batteries died on the drill booo borrowing a cordless as my corded is acting up. but the batteries life is sooo bad. now to order my plumbing. I am thinking of schedule 80 fittings and blue pvc OR just spray it black or blue..

02/15/2016, 02:28 PM	#23
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	OK guys I was able to fiddle around with my corded drill some it was a pain to the butt, with a lil wiggling the cord I could get it to work. it would stop 2 to 3 time per hole but with little perseverance I got the more done: support legs: frame done: another view: going to add 1" plywood to the top. and 1/4 to the bottom. and here is a sneak peak on how I am going to trim or "skin" the stand out.

02/16/2016, 12:18 PM	#24
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	OK not much done yesterday except a lot of talking and thinking about the stand. there are week points on the side as I wanted to use the 40br sump and the classic L support would not work. then someone brought up the my pocket holes are a lil close for 2x4..uggg so more research on that now. i guess better get it right before I move on. so much easy to fix now that when the tank is full. I did get my gate value ordered tho. so that is good. I am thinking about the blue PCS from BRS and sch. 80 fittings or just paint it all black or blue. the colored PVC along with scd. 80 fitting would look the best tho. we will see.

02/18/2016, 07:20 PM	#25
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	a lil update: the stand is ok now with some mods. but i am thinking about going steel..haha any spent 28 in wood 7 in glue and 40 for the kreg jig. price out some steel stands and I think i can get one for around 150 - 180. going 1x1 and around 225 for 2x2 steel tubing. makes me pause for a moment...