HartReefer
New Member
So I recently bought a SCA Starfire 112. This was my first build and tank with a sump. I bought my first home late last year and have always dreamed of a bigger tank.
I live on a second floor condo (townhome style). I spent a week trying to find the layout of my floor plan (nobody including the HOA/board had it). I was nervous about the weight after purchasing but I had a contractor come out and he said the floor would be perpendicular and there was a load bearing wall that would be able to support the weight. I had to buy some leveling supporters for under the tank and got it darn near perfect.
The stand needed to be repainted, so spent a few hours painting with a clean white, was originally black.
With the help of a local reefer, he told me the appropriate parts I needed to build my sump and piping.
I’ve never glued a scape, but after getting my dry rock, I glued and let sit for a day.
I didn’t have the funds to buy a stand for the lights, so I did the measurements and bought some wood and shelve holders. Painted them white to match the stand.
I’ve only had small salt water tanks and bought my water from my LFS. A local reefer was giving away a RODI system so I snagged it! I noticed while it was running that I was barely getting any waste water. I assumed it was low water pressure, so I purchased a pressure pump. Sadly, still no waste water. After a ton of frustration I found that a neck on the RODI was old and after replacing BOOM great flow. After filling the tankI put in too much salt (I know rookie move) and had to drain about 25 gallons.
However, since I did almost all of the placement by myself I noticed that a corner was not fully supported by the stand. This was something I should’ve noticed but I didn’t. Immediately drove to Home Depot, bought 4 suction cups, and 4 35 gallon trash cans, and had a buddy come over to move the tank the 1/4 inch it needed to be supported. I spent the next day re-filling.
I also decided I would build a screen top. Did the measurements and went back to Home Depot.
I’m week 3 of a fishless cycle and things seem to be coming along well! I have two AI primes (only one is in the picture since the other is on my fluval currently) and 2 Amazon lights (it will be a softy/LPS tank). Once the tank is cycled and with fish, I’m going to continue with no lights for about 2 months to avoid an ugly stage.
In addition, I may end up buying a proper top but I think this should be fine for the near future!
I’m really proud about all the hard work and time I’ve put into this and hope it turns out great.
I live on a second floor condo (townhome style). I spent a week trying to find the layout of my floor plan (nobody including the HOA/board had it). I was nervous about the weight after purchasing but I had a contractor come out and he said the floor would be perpendicular and there was a load bearing wall that would be able to support the weight. I had to buy some leveling supporters for under the tank and got it darn near perfect.
The stand needed to be repainted, so spent a few hours painting with a clean white, was originally black.
With the help of a local reefer, he told me the appropriate parts I needed to build my sump and piping.
I’ve never glued a scape, but after getting my dry rock, I glued and let sit for a day.
I didn’t have the funds to buy a stand for the lights, so I did the measurements and bought some wood and shelve holders. Painted them white to match the stand.
I’ve only had small salt water tanks and bought my water from my LFS. A local reefer was giving away a RODI system so I snagged it! I noticed while it was running that I was barely getting any waste water. I assumed it was low water pressure, so I purchased a pressure pump. Sadly, still no waste water. After a ton of frustration I found that a neck on the RODI was old and after replacing BOOM great flow. After filling the tankI put in too much salt (I know rookie move) and had to drain about 25 gallons.
However, since I did almost all of the placement by myself I noticed that a corner was not fully supported by the stand. This was something I should’ve noticed but I didn’t. Immediately drove to Home Depot, bought 4 suction cups, and 4 35 gallon trash cans, and had a buddy come over to move the tank the 1/4 inch it needed to be supported. I spent the next day re-filling.
I also decided I would build a screen top. Did the measurements and went back to Home Depot.
I’m week 3 of a fishless cycle and things seem to be coming along well! I have two AI primes (only one is in the picture since the other is on my fluval currently) and 2 Amazon lights (it will be a softy/LPS tank). Once the tank is cycled and with fish, I’m going to continue with no lights for about 2 months to avoid an ugly stage.
In addition, I may end up buying a proper top but I think this should be fine for the near future!
I’m really proud about all the hard work and time I’ve put into this and hope it turns out great.
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