Benapilot's SCA 150 Upgrade

[8251reefer]

This is my dream tank! Loving the progress so far! My next door neighbor is a welder by trade. I may try to talk him into building me a stand over a few beers. Do you have the exact dimensions of the stand that you made and type of steel? I’m looking to source some locally.

 

[AbjectMaelstroM]

I got SCA 120...kinda kicking myself now for not getting the 150.

Looking good so far!

 

[benapilot]

This is my dream tank! Loving the progress so far! My next door neighbor is a welder by trade. I may try to talk him into building me a stand over a few beers. Do you have the exact dimensions of the stand that you made and type of steel? I’m looking to source some locally.

Stand dimensions:
Top 60” x 24”
Base 60” x 30”
38” Tall
2” steel tubing, don’t remember the thickness... 1/4”?

With 3/4” plywood under the tank (as recommended by SCA), the rim is at 63”, perfect for almost straight viewing (I’m 5’10”).
I made the base bigger for two reasons: 1) so that I have a little room in the cabinet in front of my sump, and 2) so there’s a more vertical run for the drains.
Here’s a top down view (I haven’t installed the overflow yet)

 

[8251reefer]

Stand dimensions:
Top 60” x 24”
Base 60” x 30”
38” Tall
2” steel tubing, don’t remember the thickness... 1/4”?

With 3/4” plywood under the tank (as recommended by SCA), the rim is at 63”, perfect for almost straight viewing (I’m 5’10”).
I made the base bigger for two reasons: 1) so that I have a little room in the cabinet in front of my sump, and 2) so there’s a more vertical run for the drains.
Here’s a top down view (I haven’t installed the overflow yet)

Thank you for the info! Will be following this build closely! Exactly what I want to do on my next tank.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I think 3 or 4 of us got this same tank about the same time. It will be interesting to see how they progress and the variations of each system. As for me I am waiting on the stand and a few other things then will start the build thread. I love the way you did the stand with it offset to take advantage of the external overflow.

 

[benapilot]

Tonight’s project:

Now I have to figure out how to hang it in m sump. Options are to hang it from a baffle, or modify the sump to hang it from the back.

 

[benapilot]

Plumbing!

I had to modify the sump to fit the ClariSea and make it easily accessible. I Dremmeled out the eurobrace and two of the drain holes and filter sock holders. The main syphon comes straight down from the overflow box, through the gate valve the via silicone tubing to the bottom of the ClariSea. I’ll keep the hose barb on the ClariSea side friction fit in case I need to remove it.

Front view:

The plan is for two return pumps; a COR20 through the manifold to the left return, then a COR15 straight to the right return. Both will be connected via silicone tubing.

I still need to figure out how to support the PVC.

 

[LBReefer]

Following along this great Alaska build.

I love the orange stand. I wish I had thought of that.

 

[Ef4life]

Very nice, how did the exotic marine overflow fit?

 

[josvanmeer]

I’ll be following along, my sca 150 is being shipped to me next week so I guess I am looking at completion around Christmas or new year. Your build looks good!

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I like how you did the filter roller. It gave me better understanding what I need to do to mount mine in my sump. I am still waiting on my stand.

 

[benapilot]

Very nice, how did the exotic marine overflow fit?

Like a glove! My only concern is I can’t access the weir box under the eurobrace (and this isn’t limited to just the Exotic Marine Overflow). Hopefully nothing will get trapped in there! The Modular Marine box is removeable.... but I think the exotic marine box is quieter. It’s a trade-off, I guess.

I’ll be following along, my sca 150 is being shipped to me next week so I guess I am looking at completion around Christmas or new year. Your build looks good!

I’m taking my time... we’re headed to Hawaii for Christmas and New Years. I don’t want to have a brand new tank for the house sitter to worry about! (More accurately, for ME to worry about!)

I like how you did the filter roller. It gave me better understanding what I need to do to mount mine in my sump. I am still waiting on my stand.

Thanks! I kinda felt guilty cutting into such a beautiful sump, but this will work so much better than hanging it off the back- much more accessible for changing the filter roll. And I only have a filter sock on the secondary drain which should see minimal water flow.
Are you having a steel stand built or wood?

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I have a stand coming from Planet Aquarium that my LFS ordered for me made of wood. price was right as I do not have all the tools to build one properly. The sump I have is a Trigger Triton 44 that I picked up used but is like in new condition, paid $250 and the Roller I can not decide BM-Large or Aquamaxx AF-1.

 

[benapilot]

Great deal on that sump! Mine was “used” as well, never had any water in it. $250!

You won’t go wrong with any of those rollers, BM, Aquamax, Clarisea. They all do the same thing!

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I have a Klir DI 4 on my Seahorse tank and on my SPS tank so yes to filter rollers are a must.

 

[josvanmeer]

I have a Klir DI 4 on my Seahorse tank and on my SPS tank so yes to filter rollers are a must.

I read some complaints about that Klir that it easily fell apart and water wasnt flowing properly through it etc, can you express your thoughts on this filter roller?

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I have a first gen one on my red sea reefer 250 and it has been doing well for over a year but now the motor seams to be real week and some rust on the spindle is appearing. There is some water bypassing but I am ok with that. My Po4 is usually at .04 on Hanna ul and nitrate always at 2 or 3 on myosin test. Atm one roll is lasting me about 10 to 12 weeks. On my seahorse tank a roll lasts about 8 weeks max but seahorses are high matenance.

 

[benapilot]

While I wait for more plumbing parts (sure wish I could get this stuff locally), I assembled the screen top. DD Aquatic Solutions Jumpguard. It’s a pretty straightforward kit! I made the mistake of thinking I could put the netting in the spline through the center brace... unfortunately it ripped some of the netting. I “sewed” it up with some light fishing line (I’ve got enough extra netting to re-do it one day).

 

[BirdGuy21]

Looks good! Just saw your post on the SCA Facebook group. So you have it resting inside the eurobracing. I like that idea. How did you get it to fit so snug?

 

[benapilot]

Looks good! Just saw your post on the SCA Facebook group. So you have it resting inside the eurobracing. I like that idea. How did you get it to fit so snug?

Measure twice, cut once!