SCA 150 GALLON STARFIRE PNP SYSTEM, thinking about pulling the trigger on this

Gato 1 · Oct 2, 2022

Hello all

Like some input from the group. We have built a 100-gal reef tank in the past in Anaheim Cal, was nice had a few clams that were beautiful. Anyhow job moved me to Arizona now I still have my dry rock, a/c unit, AMS G3 oh ya 35-gal sump. I like to get a tank up and running here soon. I did see aqua Japan. I believe still made in China. Red Sea just seems over price for me (just my opinion) I like the SCA 150 GALLON STARFIRE PNP SYSTEM, I would appreciate any input on the equipment.

Rtaylor · Oct 3, 2022

I have a sca 150. I just got the tank, but it’s great. I don’t have any great pics, but here it is.

Gato 1 · Oct 3, 2022

Thank you for shearing, looks great like how you hung your lights

Gato 1 · Oct 28, 2022

Little update what we're thinking

Thank you all for the response, I will be going with the internal Herbie, I did not like the box on the outside of the tank and to run the pluming on the outside as well. To many possible outside failures Like it all be eternal, the builds will be with the SCA 150-GAL, sump still looking SCA sump 52” almost as long as the tank 60”, do not get me wrong great sump, but I want some room to expand inside the cabinet not outside. AMS G-3 skimmer, SCA skimmer back up, pump APEX Core 20, Marco rock just came I am going to give the NSA aquascape a try. Oh, yea just put up my RODI water system up
, now that am a where of TDS, I will be carful on what water I drink or give to my dogs.

Here I have question am thinking about going with
TROPIC MARIN Tropic Marin Syn-Biotic Salt, so many benefits with this salt, so if I like to change salt, I would be ok as long as I stay with Tropic Marin. Or I start with Tropic Marin Pro Reef, and switch to Tropic Marin Syn once my build matures in time?

Thank you all for your time

ryshark · Oct 28, 2022

Gato 1 said:
Little update what we're thinking

Thank you all for the response, I will be going with the internal Herbie, I did not like the box on the outside of the tank and to run the pluming on the outside as well. To many possible outside failures Like it all be eternal, the builds will be with the SCA 150-GAL, sump still looking SCA sump 52” almost as long as the tank 60”, do not get me wrong great sump, but I want some room to expand inside the cabinet not outside. AMS G-3 skimmer, SCA skimmer back up, pump APEX Core 20, Marco rock just came I am going to give the NSA aquascape a try. Oh, yea just put up my RODI water system up
, now that am a where of TDS, I will be carful on what water I drink or give to my dogs.

Here I have question am thinking about going with
TROPIC MARIN Tropic Marin Syn-Biotic Salt, so many benefits with this salt, so if I like to change salt, I would be ok as long as I stay with Tropic Marin. Or I start with Tropic Marin Pro Reef, and switch to Tropic Marin Syn once my build matures in time?
Thank you all for your time

I’ve had 2 SCA tanks and sumos, no issues. A lot of people have recently switched away from TM salt, look in the forum. I think a cheaper salt would be fine for your initial fill and cycle.

Gato 1 · Oct 28, 2022

yes, I understand about the salt issue with TM, no turkey salt that is for sure, all Germany. Just me, I do not want to change salts. if I have to it will be out of my control. it will be for the best for my aquarium. I have heard it is not good to change salts. Thier chem is deferent. I have looked in the form on this, that why I think it's important to know about the salt, and what we're putting in our water for the water changes.

Hungrypede · Oct 28, 2022

Just so you know, SCA consistently runs a pretty good Black Friday sale. Our 150 from them was an awesome deal.

Gato 1 · Oct 28, 2022

yes, I am hooked because they seem to work with you. better than most

ScubaShane · Oct 28, 2022

I have an SCA 150 and I'm verry happy with it. I had mine drilled for the 16" Synergy Shadow Overflow.

Gato 1 · Nov 2, 2022

Good afternoon, all

Just installed my RODI system. Since I live in Arizona or a part of Arizona that has no place to go for salt water so we will be making are own. Also picked up a ECHOTEC MP40 at bulk reef supplies sale going on. Now I will be in the market for some water storage containers. trying to keep it simple.

ryshark · Nov 2, 2022

Gato 1 said:
Good afternoon, all

Just installed my RODI system. Since I live in Arizona or a part of Arizona that has no place to go for salt water so we will be making are own. Also picked up a ECHOTEC MP40 at bulk reef supplies sale going on. Now I will be in the market for some water storage containers. trying to keep it simple.

Looking good. I live in an area with a lot of options to buy saltwater, but it’s still better to make it yourself/myself.

Gato 1 · Nov 6, 2022

good evening, all

RODI, working well so far am happy with the lay out. making water, stared the stand today few pics of where we are, wife's birthday today could not do too much today. If you see something not good or bad, please let me know I will not get upset, lessons learn

Started the stand build making progress 2.jpg

Gato 1 · Nov 6, 2022

Thinking forward what is a good heater for today's reef tank today, I'm sure heaters have changed as well?

StatelineReefer · Nov 6, 2022

Gato 1 said:
Thinking forward what is a good heater for today's reef tank today, I'm sure heaters have changed as well?

Titanium heater elements with a helios controller...
Never had such stable temps, and the elements are on sale right now, so good time to look at it.

jmichaelh7 · Nov 6, 2022

I love my SCA 150 with 60 gallon sump…

Gato 1 · Nov 6, 2022

StatelineReefer said:
Titanium heater elements with a helios controller...
Never had such stable temps, and the elements are on sale right now, so good time to look at it.

StatelineReefer where are these heater elements on sale?

Gato 1 · Nov 6, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:
I love my SCA 150 with 60-gallon sump…

yes, very nice tank. am a little confuse at what going on below the tank what light you are you using in the sump is it that red or is it the picture?

jmichaelh7 · Nov 6, 2022

Gato 1 said:
yes, very nice tank. am a little confuse at what going on below the tank what light you are you using in the sump is it that red or is it the picture?

the picture was when the tank first started. To the right is the micron filter sock that the drain goes into. Then the refugium where macro algae lives. The red light is the Kessil H380 light that is pink / red. It grows chaeto to pull all nitrates and phosphates at the time. It was on 24/7 but now i have it at 12 hours a day, opposite to the display lights. If you haven't read on it, please do. A refugium is a must for my aquariums.. a must.

Other things you see is the activated carbon reactor to the right. Skimmer in the middle. Co2 scrubber. Currently i have a 80 watt Aqua ultra violet uv sterilzer hanging on the back but i noticed it isn't in the picture here. This is another piece of equipment i highly recommend. Another topic that has many threads on this website.

I need to get a better picture of the aquarium... it looked so messy. I have custom made magnet doors that latch on to the stainless steel stand. But i just wanted to show you how i'm still using an SCA 150 till this day :)