BobbyV's New 50 Gallon SCA Starphire Cube Build

BobbyV · 04/25/2018, 11:32 AM

So it was about a week maybe two after I sold my 300DD before I decided to put in my order in with SCAquariums.

I read excellent reviews on the build quality of these tanks for what you spend.

Equally the customer service from "Steve" has been excellent.

Located in California, they have a shipping service to bring the tank, stand sump right to your front door. Great communication the entire time with a supplied online tracking number to freely monitor your shipment 24/7 as you wish.

So cheers to them for providing such an affordable convenient service.

I wanted something manageable and easy to keep up with.

Something small enough so that no matter what I bought there were limits to what I could actually spend on equipment and on going consumable materials.

So I decided on a 24 x 24 x 20 Starphire Cube.

BobbyV · 04/25/2018, 11:35 AM

Currently the tank is cycling, but here is my rock work design.

Marco Rock

BobbyV · 04/25/2018, 11:38 AM

Top of the tank is a supplied over flow cover.

My RO tank fit perfectly hidden behind the tank.

20 Gallon Tank with Glass Lid.

Should get at least a month maybe two from this RO supply before refilling.

This tank is meant to be easy to keep so with that said, I think I am going to only do water changes as I fill the 20 Gallon RO Supply.

BobbyV · 04/25/2018, 12:26 PM

Chose to go entire SCH 80 with the plumbing.

Complete overkill but if I am going to build the tank I imagined to keep for an unplanned length of time. Might as well make it as nice as I can. I am using a Herbie drain method and you can literately not hear anything.

So Herbie if you are still our there, thank you for inventing this drain method. You sir are awesome!

Also note, I used soft silicone tubing for my return to prevent any sort of potential vibrations. Both the Glass sump and tank are on about 1/2 inch of neoprene.

My return is a Tunze USA 1073.020.

My skimmer was out for large debate. Many choices to choose, however I have heard many good things of the coveted "I-TECH". I was at the right place at the right time and picked up an original owner unit that was in acceptable condition. I - TECH 100

However since the tank is still cycling I have yet to turn it out. So fingers crossed.

Please excuse the cords. I am still setting up the equipment as you can see.

I installed some 2 x 2 Raceway for cable management. Not cheap stuff to my surprise. Best price I could find for 2 x 2 for 5.6 feet was $46 delivered to the house.

Picked up a gallon of MarinePure pieces in a mesh bag to help control nitrates and overall health of the system in general.

Seagars · 04/25/2018, 01:44 PM

you will be upgrading soon enough

BobbyV · 04/25/2018, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seagars

you will be upgrading soon enough

Let me think .. .. .. ..

NO

Just want my two or three semi-rare fish some easy super colorful reflective coral under blue light and I am good!

BobbyV · 04/25/2018, 03:19 PM

All I can say is good for Ecotech and Neptune.

They both have managed to stay in the game for over a decade and still taking my money!

d0ughb0y · 04/25/2018, 03:43 PM

what is that material in the filter bag in the return section? I'm looking for some media to help reduce nitrate. I have an SCA 50 as well.

BobbyV · 04/25/2018, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

what is that material in the filter bag in the return section? I'm looking for some media to help reduce nitrate. I have an SCA 50 as well.

Marinepure
MP2C-C BIOMEDIA

sandman12 · 04/25/2018, 08:05 PM

I had the same tank before my current Innovative Marine fusion 40 and I was very happy with it. Yours I’m sure will be nice.

BobbyV · 04/25/2018, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandman12

I had the same tank before my current Innovative Marine fusion 40 and I was very happy with it. Yours I’m sure will be nice.

I almost bought one of those. Good choice!

However I wanted just a little bit more with the opportunity to have a sump to mess around with and add a larger skimmer.

ReefKeeper64 · 04/26/2018, 07:37 AM

There were 5 to 1 odds in Vegas that BobbyV would be back in! Glad to see you are still at it bro! We all have our hobbies expensive or not. Since your wife liked your fish so much, it seemed strange to see your old tank go down so this is a pleasant sight. Glad to see you back at it. Really nice setup as usual!

BobbyV · 04/26/2018, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefKeeper64

There were 5 to 1 odds in Vegas that BobbyV would be back in! Glad to see you are still at it bro! We all have our hobbies expensive or not. Since your wife liked your fish so much, it seemed strange to see your old tank go down so this is a pleasant sight. Glad to see you back at it. Really nice setup as usual!

Thank you for the post. Having such a large tank for such a long time, I just grew tired of it. EVERYTHING about it was expensive.

As in regards to this tank, I am going to try and keep great care of it. Keep it scratch and pest free.

Nice to have a fresh start with a new tank and years of experience behind me.

Just want to stay involved in the hobby and not feel overwhelmed.

ClownMan727 · 04/27/2018, 08:10 AM

Welcome back Bobby. Look forward to watching the progression of you new tank.

BryanS4 · 04/29/2018, 11:10 AM

Nice Bobby. I have their 150 and 50 as well.

Just set up the 50 about 2 months ago, sick of the larger tank as well. Get you an Octo Lid for the 50, very clean looking.

BobbyV · 05/12/2018, 04:45 PM

Well - Better to have a 2nd MP10 to run as a slave on ANT-SYNC than not to have.

Installed XR15w PRO Gen 4. Looks great in my opinion. Re-arranged some rock work that I feel will maximize coral placement.

Cut some black acrylic to match the RMS mounting arm. I wanted to create a good mounting pad for the Neptune Apex AFS Auto Feeder.

MJNTWise · 05/12/2018, 04:53 PM

I put my feeder next to return pump in sump....Just a ideal for you.

BobbyV · 05/12/2018, 04:54 PM

So this is what cramming every piece of technology I ever wanted for an overkill 50 Gallon Cube build would look like.

I have left room for a WXM. However still on the fence if I really want it or not. Still on the look out for a good price on a used one.

Notice I added two BRS Dosing Pumps for KH and CA. The APEX display I picked up locally.

Neptune not selling this with the $800 kit irritated me. Now I feel as if the controller is complete.

By the way, the SCA new OAK stands are SOLID!

If you find yourself with an opportunity to buy an ITECH 100 Skimmer. Make sure to buy it. They are made very well and run on a TUNZE 9410.040.

BobbyV · 05/12/2018, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJNTWise

I put my feeder next to return pump in sump....Just a ideal for you.

Thank you for the suggestion.

I had thoughts on putting the feeder on the back rim of the tank. But I truly like the idea of it up high away from the moisture.

I am trying to get my Anthias to eat pellets. I use the Spectrum pellets with no luck as of yet.

However the pellets supplied with the feeder have a strong odor to them and the Anthias ate a couple which was promising.

BobbyV · 05/12/2018, 05:02 PM

To some the AFS looks awkward but when we have visitors, they always got a kick out of pressing a button to "feed the fish".

So once again it becomes a center of discussion when people see the tank and they can still press a button to enjoy a favorite classic past time.

Which is another reason I wanted the APEX Display.

Mr. Rogers had it right - feeding fish is mesmerizing to some and good fun!

purpletang123 · 05/12/2018, 07:23 PM

Awesome tank! Tagging along.

Zoahoarder · 05/15/2018, 01:23 PM

Awesome tank. Going to look great when it's all said and done.

rogergolf66 · 05/24/2018, 03:09 AM

U have more $ in equipment there then you sold your 300 and all its equipment for. So much for a cheep, maintenance free, small setup.

Good luck with the new build.

BobbyV · 05/24/2018, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogergolf66

U have more $ in equipment there then you sold your 300 and all its equipment for. So much for a cheep, maintenance free, small setup.

Good luck with the new build.

Yes . . . I went a little over board.

Whiskylen · 05/24/2018, 03:37 PM

Nice tank that is the size I want to upgrade too. I'm also looking at a IM 50 as well. Ive learned that small is easy to overdo lol. Check out my 8g nano build if you want to see overboard

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/25/2018, 11:32 AM	#1
BobbyV Established since 2008 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Apollo Beach, FL Posts: 2,190	BobbyV's New 50 Gallon SCA Starphire Cube Build So it was about a week maybe two after I sold my 300DD before I decided to put in my order in with SCAquariums. I read excellent reviews on the build quality of these tanks for what you spend. Equally the customer service from "Steve" has been excellent. Located in California, they have a shipping service to bring the tank, stand sump right to your front door. Great communication the entire time with a supplied online tracking number to freely monitor your shipment 24/7 as you wish. So cheers to them for providing such an affordable convenient service. I wanted something manageable and easy to keep up with. Something small enough so that no matter what I bought there were limits to what I could actually spend on equipment and on going consumable materials. So I decided on a 24 x 24 x 20 Starphire Cube.

04/25/2018, 08:05 PM	#10
sandman12 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bradenton,FL Posts: 2,056	I had the same tank before my current Innovative Marine fusion 40 and I was very happy with it. Yours I’m sure will be nice. __________________ Support aquaculture! Current Tank Info: 50g CAD lights cube in progress

04/26/2018, 07:37 AM	#12
ReefKeeper64 Wanna be a reefkeeper Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,158	There were 5 to 1 odds in Vegas that BobbyV would be back in! Glad to see you are still at it bro! We all have our hobbies expensive or not. Since your wife liked your fish so much, it seemed strange to see your old tank go down so this is a pleasant sight. Glad to see you back at it. Really nice setup as usual! __________________ Reef Savvy 110g Tank \| GHL Profilux 4 Controller & Doser \| Royal Exclusiv Skimmer & Dreambox/Sump \| ATI 8x54 Sunpower T5 \| Ozotech Ozone Generator

04/27/2018, 08:10 AM	#14
ClownMan727 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: New Port Richey, FL Posts: 776	Welcome back Bobby. Look forward to watching the progression of you new tank. __________________ "A flute with no holes is not a flute ...and a doughnut with no hole...is a Danish." - Ty Webb (Caddyshack, 1980) Current Tank Info: 125gallon, 3 T247 led's and 2 80w T5's. 2 MP 40's,2 MP 10's. and a 40 breeder, ATI 4 bulb 39w light with 2 blue led strips. 1 MP 10. All plumbed to 40 gallon homemade acrylic sump. with APEX controller.

05/24/2018, 03:09 AM	#23
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 12,930	U have more $ in equipment there then you sold your 300 and all its equipment for. So much for a cheep, maintenance free, small setup. Good luck with the new build. __________________ Goal levels: salinity 35ppt, temp 78-79, alk 8-9, cal 430-450, mag 1310-1400 po4 .03, no3 1-3 Current Tank Info: System 1... 100 gal Zoa tank I built, 30 gal Ric Yuma shroom tank, 30 gal mix tank my sons,40 gal softie tank, 40 gal nem tank, two 40 gal LPS tank. System 2... 240 gal SPS display attached 100 gal frag SPS only tank.

04/25/2018, 11:35 AM	#2
BobbyV Established since 2008 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Apollo Beach, FL Posts: 2,190	Currently the tank is cycling, but here is my rock work design. Marco Rock

04/25/2018, 11:38 AM	#3
BobbyV Established since 2008 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Apollo Beach, FL Posts: 2,190	Top of the tank is a supplied over flow cover. My RO tank fit perfectly hidden behind the tank. 20 Gallon Tank with Glass Lid. Should get at least a month maybe two from this RO supply before refilling. This tank is meant to be easy to keep so with that said, I think I am going to only do water changes as I fill the 20 Gallon RO Supply.

04/25/2018, 12:26 PM	#4
BobbyV Established since 2008 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Apollo Beach, FL Posts: 2,190	Chose to go entire SCH 80 with the plumbing. Complete overkill but if I am going to build the tank I imagined to keep for an unplanned length of time. Might as well make it as nice as I can. I am using a Herbie drain method and you can literately not hear anything. So Herbie if you are still our there, thank you for inventing this drain method. You sir are awesome! Also note, I used soft silicone tubing for my return to prevent any sort of potential vibrations. Both the Glass sump and tank are on about 1/2 inch of neoprene. My return is a Tunze USA 1073.020. My skimmer was out for large debate. Many choices to choose, however I have heard many good things of the coveted "I-TECH". I was at the right place at the right time and picked up an original owner unit that was in acceptable condition. I - TECH 100 However since the tank is still cycling I have yet to turn it out. So fingers crossed. Please excuse the cords. I am still setting up the equipment as you can see. I installed some 2 x 2 Raceway for cable management. Not cheap stuff to my surprise. Best price I could find for 2 x 2 for 5.6 feet was $46 delivered to the house. Picked up a gallon of MarinePure pieces in a mesh bag to help control nitrates and overall health of the system in general.

04/25/2018, 01:44 PM	#5
Seagars Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 1,084	you will be upgrading soon enough

04/25/2018, 03:19 PM	#7
BobbyV Established since 2008 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Apollo Beach, FL Posts: 2,190	All I can say is good for Ecotech and Neptune. They both have managed to stay in the game for over a decade and still taking my money!

04/25/2018, 03:43 PM	#8
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	what is that material in the filter bag in the return section? I'm looking for some media to help reduce nitrate. I have an SCA 50 as well.

04/29/2018, 11:10 AM	#15
BryanS4 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Hernando Beach, FL Posts: 944	Nice Bobby. I have their 150 and 50 as well. Just set up the 50 about 2 months ago, sick of the larger tank as well. Get you an Octo Lid for the 50, very clean looking.

05/12/2018, 04:45 PM	#16
BobbyV Established since 2008 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Apollo Beach, FL Posts: 2,190	Well - Better to have a 2nd MP10 to run as a slave on ANT-SYNC than not to have. Installed XR15w PRO Gen 4. Looks great in my opinion. Re-arranged some rock work that I feel will maximize coral placement. Cut some black acrylic to match the RMS mounting arm. I wanted to create a good mounting pad for the Neptune Apex AFS Auto Feeder.

05/12/2018, 04:54 PM	#18
BobbyV Established since 2008 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Apollo Beach, FL Posts: 2,190	So this is what cramming every piece of technology I ever wanted for an overkill 50 Gallon Cube build would look like. I have left room for a WXM. However still on the fence if I really want it or not. Still on the look out for a good price on a used one. Notice I added two BRS Dosing Pumps for KH and CA. The APEX display I picked up locally. Neptune not selling this with the $800 kit irritated me. Now I feel as if the controller is complete. By the way, the SCA new OAK stands are SOLID! If you find yourself with an opportunity to buy an ITECH 100 Skimmer. Make sure to buy it. They are made very well and run on a TUNZE 9410.040.

05/12/2018, 05:02 PM	#20
BobbyV Established since 2008 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Apollo Beach, FL Posts: 2,190	To some the AFS looks awkward but when we have visitors, they always got a kick out of pressing a button to "feed the fish". So once again it becomes a center of discussion when people see the tank and they can still press a button to enjoy a favorite classic past time. Which is another reason I wanted the APEX Display. Mr. Rogers had it right - feeding fish is mesmerizing to some and good fun!

05/12/2018, 07:23 PM	#21
purpletang123 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 234	Awesome tank! Tagging along.

05/15/2018, 01:23 PM	#22
Zoahoarder Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 364	Awesome tank. Going to look great when it's all said and done.

05/24/2018, 03:37 PM	#25
Whiskylen Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 56	Nice tank that is the size I want to upgrade too. I'm also looking at a IM 50 as well. Ive learned that small is easy to overdo lol. Check out my 8g nano build if you want to see overboard Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk