ChrisQ0904
Valuable Member
Here come yet another build thread for myself. I have gone through several tanks in the past but finally hit the nail on the head with this one. I found a used SCA 150G setup "locally" after a short 2.5hr drive I met up with the seller and inspected the tank and all the other equipment. I have a bunch of equipment from my old setups that I will be using so a fair amount of the used setup will not be used.
The tank has a synergy reef overflow with a bean animal drain setup, which is something I was really wanting so I can maximize the space for the aquascape. I was really on the fence trying to decide what to do for a stand (wood/aluminum/8020) and after a lot of restless nights I decided to build my stand out of wood as I have done it the past. I have never really made a stand for myself that I was 100% happy with so really took my time with this one.
I built the frame out of 2x4 and skinned with 1/2" plywood and did my trims with 1x6 and 1x3. I made the doors with euro style hinges and went for the shaker style look. I usually stain my stands but this time I wanted to take a "gamble" and went with paint using a gray color. I really like how the color turned out and happy I went with the change.
The color doesn't show properly in the above picture and will post an updated picture of the color on a later date.
For filtration I will be using the following... 40 breeder sump with a fiji cube baffle kit (really amazing kit and really love the precise cuts and finish on the acrylic, I really recommend this to anyone looking for something along these lines), lifereef skimmer, 57w Aqua UV, mini BRS reactor for carbon. I have an algae scrubber that came with the setup that I will be trying to find a way to make it fit to be able to use it.
Lighting will be radion XR15's two are g5 and two are g4. Will be taking par readings later on to see if I need to increase the intensity or add a 5th light (hopefully not). Have some jebao powerheads for now, but may eventually upgrade to mp40s or gyres. Return pump is a jebao 15000 which seems to be really strong for my setup (even on the lowest setting). I have a jebao 10000 form a different build laying around that I may try to see if I can control the flow a little better.
Picked up about 120lbs of dry rock but didn't end up using all of it and threw in old pieces of rock from the tank I am upgrading from.
As per normal, I played around with the aquascape quite a bit before I landed on something I liked. I didn't use enough mortar for the structure on the right and it fell apart so I ended up redoing it once it went in the tank. But still like how it came out overall.
I still need to paint the doors and work on cable management and get all the power supplies off the ground. There is a partition in the stand to house all/most of my electrical which made it easier but I still hate doing cable management lol. I also need to add some kind of shelf/storage behind the doors to keep my heavily used items with the tank.
I apologise for the lack of detailed pictures and will try to take more as the build progresses but I wasn't planning on making this build thread until now. If there's something you wish to see that I haven't posted please feel free to ask and I'll get to it. Also, if you have any suggestions or think I am missing anything please let me know, I am always open to constructive criticism.
Hope you all had a good time over the holidays and that your new years is just as good!
-Chris
The tank has a synergy reef overflow with a bean animal drain setup, which is something I was really wanting so I can maximize the space for the aquascape. I was really on the fence trying to decide what to do for a stand (wood/aluminum/8020) and after a lot of restless nights I decided to build my stand out of wood as I have done it the past. I have never really made a stand for myself that I was 100% happy with so really took my time with this one.
I built the frame out of 2x4 and skinned with 1/2" plywood and did my trims with 1x6 and 1x3. I made the doors with euro style hinges and went for the shaker style look. I usually stain my stands but this time I wanted to take a "gamble" and went with paint using a gray color. I really like how the color turned out and happy I went with the change.
The color doesn't show properly in the above picture and will post an updated picture of the color on a later date.
For filtration I will be using the following... 40 breeder sump with a fiji cube baffle kit (really amazing kit and really love the precise cuts and finish on the acrylic, I really recommend this to anyone looking for something along these lines), lifereef skimmer, 57w Aqua UV, mini BRS reactor for carbon. I have an algae scrubber that came with the setup that I will be trying to find a way to make it fit to be able to use it.
Lighting will be radion XR15's two are g5 and two are g4. Will be taking par readings later on to see if I need to increase the intensity or add a 5th light (hopefully not). Have some jebao powerheads for now, but may eventually upgrade to mp40s or gyres. Return pump is a jebao 15000 which seems to be really strong for my setup (even on the lowest setting). I have a jebao 10000 form a different build laying around that I may try to see if I can control the flow a little better.
Picked up about 120lbs of dry rock but didn't end up using all of it and threw in old pieces of rock from the tank I am upgrading from.
As per normal, I played around with the aquascape quite a bit before I landed on something I liked. I didn't use enough mortar for the structure on the right and it fell apart so I ended up redoing it once it went in the tank. But still like how it came out overall.
I still need to paint the doors and work on cable management and get all the power supplies off the ground. There is a partition in the stand to house all/most of my electrical which made it easier but I still hate doing cable management lol. I also need to add some kind of shelf/storage behind the doors to keep my heavily used items with the tank.
I apologise for the lack of detailed pictures and will try to take more as the build progresses but I wasn't planning on making this build thread until now. If there's something you wish to see that I haven't posted please feel free to ask and I'll get to it. Also, if you have any suggestions or think I am missing anything please let me know, I am always open to constructive criticism.
Hope you all had a good time over the holidays and that your new years is just as good!
-Chris
