My 60g SCA build

Regular_Reefer · Jul 16, 2020

I was told to move my thread so here it is. Tank is a 60g SCA. On day 29 of the cycle. Sump is set up as follows Overflow to filter sock and ceramic rings>Skimmer>Center chamber bio balls/bio brick>return pump with a 5gallon ATO from Bashsea.

Equipment List:
AI prime 16hd
Eco tech mp40qd
30 gallon sump (three chamber)
20lbs live sand
40lbs dry rock
Microbacter Dry Rock starter kit (bacteria and ammonia)
Hydor 300w heater
Duetto ATO
Plumbing materials all aquired from lowes
SCA 302 protein skimmer

still on the look out for a filter sock set up to switch out the filter pad and floss it has now.

Bosreef · Jul 16, 2020

Looking great!! Love that tank! Thats the amazon special right? Have almost pulled the trigger on that on a few occasions of drinking and Amazoning.

You plan on adding another light?

Is that the overflow dead center tiny ? Or is it just me?

Whats your plan for livestock ?

Regular_Reefer · Jul 16, 2020

I ordered straight from Steve with SCA, had some request for the cabinet and didn’t really want to try the amazon route. The center chamber is a decent size( I can get you a measurement if wanted).
I do plan on adding an additional AI 16 once I start jumping into coral.
my list so far is as follows:

1. Pair of Mocha Storm Clowns
2. Lawnmower Blenny
3. Goby/pistol shrimp (fingers crossed they get along so I can reach the kiddos about symbiosis)
4. Royal Gramma
5. Blue head wrasse
6. Coral Beauty kind of stuck in the middle

Standard CUC/1 cleaner shrimp, maybe a bristle star

I have no regrets on the purchase, the stand I worked out with Steve was assembled and sturdy as all get out. It matches the foot print of the display perfect. As for the display it’s crystal clear came in awesome no blemishes or scratches. I was skeptical and was in between RedSea/Waterbox/ or SCA for awhile (several years haha) but I’m definitely happy with my choice. I just really liked the dimensions

Regular_Reefer · Jul 16, 2020

Here is the bottom cabinet with the Bashsea ATO reservoir.

Regular_Reefer · Jul 16, 2020

Bosreef said:
Looking great!! Love that tank! Thats the amazon special right? Have almost pulled the trigger on that on a few occasions of drinking and Amazoning.

You plan on adding another light?

Is that the overflow dead center tiny ? Or is it just me?

Whats your plan for livestock ?

The only change I made was to the plumbing. What they send will probably cut it short term but didn’t seem like a good long term application

muzikalmatt · Jul 16, 2020

Nice! Very clean setup and I dig the aquascape. I'm a big fan of arches and the rock island in front would be great for a zoa garden or maybe to isolate some GSP if you're so inclined.

I noticed you mentioned you're on the lookout for a filter sock setup, but are you sure you want to go that route? In the longrun it's definitely cheaper than filter floss or filter pads, but it's more labor intensive having to wash the filter socks. I prefer pulling out a filter pad and throwing it away, but that's just me.

I'm a big fan of the goby/pistol shrimp. My yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp are so fun to watch, even though the pistol shrimp likes to bury my corals from time to time. It didn't take long for them to pair up either and I added them about a week apart from each other. Just make sure your rockwork is actually on the bottom glass and not the sand bed as the pistol shrimp will excavate most of the sand from under your rocks to make his caves.

Looking forward to seeing this build progress!

Regular_Reefer · Jul 16, 2020

muzikalmatt said:
Nice! Very clean setup and I dig the aquascape. I'm a big fan of arches and the rock island in front would be great for a zoa garden or maybe to isolate some GSP if you're so inclined.

I noticed you mentioned you're on the lookout for a filter sock setup, but are you sure you want to go that route? In the longrun it's definitely cheaper than filter floss or filter pads, but it's more labor intensive having to wash the filter socks. I prefer pulling out a filter pad and throwing it away, but that's just me.

I'm a big fan of the goby/pistol shrimp. My yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp are so fun to watch, even though the pistol shrimp likes to bury my corals from time to time. It didn't take long for them to pair up either and I added them about a week apart from each other. Just make sure your rockwork is actually on the bottom glass and not the sand bed as the pistol shrimp will excavate most of the sand from under your rocks to make his caves.

Looking forward to seeing this build progress!

I originally put that island for gsp. I’m leaning towards a zoa garden on the top right portion (probably the most room) love zoas!!. And yes! The rock is on the glass, sand was added after. I’m kind of in a bind trying to pick a good spot for a hammer or torch (or both

) to try and entice the clowns to host later on.

Regular_Reefer · Jul 16, 2020

Tank finally cycled Day 29. Not too bad, give it a couple more days to break in the skimmer and it’s off to the LFS!

dungdatinh · Jul 17, 2020

Nice tank

Regular_Reefer · Jul 29, 2020

dungdatinh said:
Nice tank

Thanks

Regular_Reefer · Aug 11, 2020

New (1st) Additions Update:
-two mocha clowns about two weeks ago
-colt coral (Sunday)
-scrambled eggs zoa (Sunday)

Water parameters are still holding nicely, the skimmer finally has something to do. The corals opened and extended almost immediately which I was kind of surprised about. My wife and I really enjoy feeding the clowns, they look like happy little sharks when it’s time to eat.
Some pictures (iPhone, sorry for the quality haha)

Regular_Reefer · Aug 11, 2020

Im looking to go to the LFS tomorrow since it my day off. I’m really interested in either a bicolor angle that has been there my last few visits or a goby/pistol shrimp pair.
Kind of stuck in the middle.

Regular_Reefer · Aug 11, 2020

(Maybe some more zoas or a hammer...)

Regular_Reefer · Aug 12, 2020

Picked up a yellow watchman goby and a Tiger pistol, as well as a cleaner shrimp and a pretty BA marble hammer coral.

I float acclimated then dripped all for about 30min.
The coral got a coral rx dip and the watchman got a safetystop bath.

The goby and pistol have already scurried off together and have started construction on their new burrow.