Another SCA 50 PNP Build

curiel909 · Jul 14, 2020

Hello everyone!

Feels great to be back on the hobby, my last build (40 gallon) unfortunately was sold as i moved to a new place.

Well after almost a year, i purchased an SCA Aquarium 50 gallon PNP setup and have been running it for a little over a month now. I want to lean more towards having some coral, probably soft and sps. Currently I am running the SCA provided equipment with a few Hydor circulation pumps that is hooked up to a wave maker and an Amazon Aqua Knight light.

I currently just ordered a SICCE SYNCRA 3.0 714 GPH to upgrade the Akman 600 gph return pump. 1 because my return pump is LOUD and 2 more flow since i have hard plumbing. I also ordered the SICCE SK400 to replace the pump that comes with the SCA-301 protein skimmer since that pump is also very loud.

I plan on changing all my equipment to EcoTech within the next 6 months. For now, i would like some opinions on what i can do currently help with introducing some easy (beginner) coral.

In the DT i have a pair of perculas, 2 damsels, scarlet cleaner shrimp, snails, hermits and urchin. I did introduce a bubble tip anemone, xenia, leather coral, and a zoa frag and they all seem to be doing great.

Water does seem to be a bit cloudy but nothing too crazy. Can i add carbon to the sump to help it clear up? Attached are some images of the sump setup i have but i feel like i am missing something. I probably just need someone to tell me on the right track (hopefully lol) . I've been doing a lot of reading and watching a lot of videos. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Auquanut · Jul 16, 2020

Your system looks great.
You can absolutely add a bag of carbon to a high flow area of the sump or use a reactor.
As far as easy corals, if your softies are doing well, you might try a hardy, inexpensive SPS like stylophora or montipora digitata in a high flow high light area.

You know, you have some really good info in this thread. You may want to start a build thread in the "Members Tanks" section with all of this good stuff. It's a great way to track the evolution of the tank while getting encouragement, tips and tricks from other reefers. And you get the nifty "Build Thread Contributor" badge.

curiel909 · Jul 21, 2020

Auquanut said:
Your system looks great.
You can absolutely add a bag of carbon to a high flow area of the sump or use a reactor.
As far as easy corals, if your softies are doing well, you might try a hardy, inexpensive SPS like stylophora or montipora digitata in a high flow high light area.

You know, you have some really good info in this thread. You may want to start a build thread in the "Members Tanks" section with all of this good stuff. It's a great way to track the evolution of the tank while getting encouragement, tips and tricks from other reefers. And you get the nifty "Build Thread Contributor" badge.

Thank you very much! I just ordered some carbon from BRS. Getting here Friday. I plan on checking out my LFS this weekend to check out the coral.

I have not thought about posting a "Build Thread" but i am convinced since i like the badge haha.

Thanks again!