SC Aquariums 50G PNP system review

[RnMB1988]

I purchased an SC Aquariums (http://www.scaquariums.com/aquarium-systems/50-gallon-starfire-pnp-system.html) 50G Cube PNP system with 10mm glass, startfire tank on E-bay for $635 shipped to my door. Now how can you beat that?

I thought some of this thing would be cheap or crappy, and there are a few minor things that are being upgraded from what came with the tank, but overall I am completely impressed with everything about this set up.

Shipping took a week and a half and arrived by truck (BIG TRUCK…SEMI) and there were two boxes, one contained the cabinet (major assembly required) and the second box contained the cube, the sump, skimmer, pump and all other components, It must have weighed 150 lbs.

The packing was excellent and there was no damage on either box. The setup came with the tank, stand, sump, skimmer, return pump, bulk heads, tubing to connect he tank to the sump with clamps, literally everything you need to set the system up except a heater and a MDT light.

I found the quality of the stand to be very good, it is made of MDF wood, for those of you who do not know what MDF is, it is a manufactured wood, it is better then pressboard, but not as good as solid wood. With the proper care it will last a long time.

The tank is a three-sided StarFire glass tank, the back and bottom of the tanks are regular drillable glass. I paid an additional charge to upgrade my tank from 8mm to 10mm.

The only things missing are a heater and a light to make it a true PNP.

I must say that I am completely impressed with the SC aquariums kit, in my opinion it is one of the best PNP system on the market. There is room for improvement in some areas, but they are not required. For a better understanding of this system please follow my build thread.

 

http://www.scaquariums.com/aquarium-systems/50-gallon-starfire-pnp-system.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow my adventure with this set up here --> My Build thread

[evo_2679]

Nice tank !! And Zia bought one (tank only) awhile ago last year I think. You may want to PM if you have any question on the overflow set up. Here is his link:

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/321752-zias-30g-gets-a-facelift-new-video-pg210/

[dixie reefer]

Can't wait to see it set up!

[RnMB1988]

Nice tank !! And Zia bought one (tank only) awhile ago last year I think. You may want to PM if you have any question on the overflow set up. Here is his link:

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/321752-zias-30g-gets-a-facelift-new-video-pg210/

 

Hi Evo, Thanks for stopping in!!

Yes Zia did get a tank only, that is part of why I purchased this system, I was able to see what the tank looked like up at his place.

I have to say it again, these tanks are SWEET!!!

 

Can't wait to see it set up!

 

Hey Dixie!!

Hows things girl!!

 

I will be posting a build thread in the next few days, make sure to stop in and see all the modifications going on!!

[dixie reefer]

Eh, things could be better, Kraken is missing, we had to take the zero edge down, and Craig went to the field for a month. I'm so bored it's crazy!

[farkwar]

Great deal.

 

Set it up, get it wet, and take some pics.

[Steensj2004]

I am stuck hard between one of these, a CAD Lights system, and a scratch build with a DeepBlue 80 gallon RR shallow, rimless tank........ I am loving the PNP systems but HATE the MFD material. One small overflow or the like and your eff-ed. But the price point is hard as heck to beat. you can snatch a 66 gallon on Ebay for under 1000.00 and all you need is a light,LR, and water,lol.I could reuse everything I have and buy a Radion and be set.... Can't wait to follow along!

[RnMB1988]

Eh, things could be better, Kraken is missing, we had to take the zero edge down, and Craig went to the field for a month. I'm so bored it's crazy!

 

I saw that Kraken is missing on your thread, sorry to hear that, but since you cant find the body, there is still hope!

 

Great deal. Set it up, get it wet, and take some pics.

 

Thanks for stopping in! All in the works!! I have started a build thread in the members aquariums area, look for Hexahedron Heaven

 

I am stuck hard between one of these, a CAD Lights system, and a scratch build with a DeepBlue 80 gallon RR shallow, rimless tank........ I am loving the PNP systems but HATE the MFD material. One small overflow or the like and your eff-ed. But the price point is hard as heck to beat. you can snatch a 66 gallon on Ebay for under 1000.00 and all you need is a light,LR, and water,lol.I could reuse everything I have and buy a Radion and be set.... Can't wait to follow along!

 

Thanks for stopping in!

I am familiar with your worry about the MDF material, I took the worry out by painting the inside of the cabinet, no it won't reduce all the risk, but I think that is where the risk is the greatest. Check out my build thread in the members aquariums area and see what i have done to this for not a lot of $$

[farkwar]

Inside the tank is only half of it.

 

Don't know about you, but I always get water trickles down the outside; from moving stuff, catching pests, putting frags in the tank, suctioning detritus, feeding coral. This will all get caught in the wood fibers of fiberboard stands,,,puff.

[RnMB1988]

Inside the tank is only half of it.

 

Don't know about you, but I always get water trickles down the outside; from moving stuff, catching pests, putting frags in the tank, suctioning detritus, feeding coral. This will all get caught in the wood fibers of fiberboard stands,,,puff.

 

Ok, well you got me going on this one....lol

I just called SC Aquariums, they are going to put the actual specifications of there MDF cabinets on there web page.

I was told by them that this is the best MDF you can get and it is veneered.

I can attest to that, the cabinet is veneered.

So outright soaking it in water will, over time ruin it, but the type of spillage you are describing will not affect the MDF wood because it is covered with a veneer.

Now you have no reason NOT to get that 66 gallon setup!

Your welcome........WEG.................................................. (Wicked Evil Grin)

 

Oh by the way, you can get the cabinet made from maple if you want real wood from a tree, but soaking to in water ruins it too.....just saying.......

 

MDF is not particle board http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium-density_fibreboard

[21CentSchizMan]

I may be ordering one of these in the next week or so. Any updates? I love the cube/stand and included sump. What do you think of the included skimmer and pump?

 

BTW, can we post on NR with a 50 gallon? I want to stay here...

[aesp533262]

My tank delivers tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think. I don't plan on getting water in it for a while but I will open it and see quality.

[21CentSchizMan]

Great, thanks. I just ordered a Nano Box Duo from Dave with this cube in mind. I'll do mostly softies and LPS, maybe SPS in the top third about a year from now - if i have room. I get pretty impatient about populating it.

[Sk8n Reefer]

My tank delivers tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think. I don't plan on getting water in it for a while but I will open it and see quality.

 

I really like the looks of their tanks ,skimmers and sumps- their 80 cube looks super. I'll be interested to see what you think

[aesp533262]

I really like the looks of their tanks ,skimmers and sumps- their 80 cube looks super. I'll be interested to see what you think

 

ME TOO! This will be my first entry back into salt water since I sold my 90 gal last year when I moved.

[CrazyCarl]

I got the 66g a little over a month ago, tank, stand, sump and skimmer are great quality. return pump gives adequate flow. Only complaint I had was that I couldn't figure out the plumbing they provided. I think they gave 90 degree elbows at the bulkhead which I didn't really like and some pieces just didn't fit (seems like they gave extra fittings maybe for a larger system they provide) so I wound up hard plumbing everything, which I was kind of planning on doing anyway.

 

Edit: Just the plumbing below the bulkheads I had to hard plumb. Everything else was fine.

[Sk8n Reefer]

I got the 66g a little over a month ago, tank, stand, sump and skimmer are great quality. return pump gives adequate flow. Only complaint I had was that I couldn't figure out the plumbing they provided. I think they gave 90 degree elbows at the bulkhead which I didn't really like and some pieces just didn't fit (seems like they gave extra fittings maybe for a larger system they provide) so I wound up hard plumbing everything, which I was kind of planning on doing anyway.

 

Edit: Just the plumbing below the bulkheads I had to hard plumb. Everything else was fine

 

Just went through your build thread?

[aesp533262]

Just got my boxes. They look exactly the same as the pictures above. Probably wont open them until this weekend.

[hwk7072]

Thinking I'll order the 50g pnp from Amazon this week. Cheaper than DIY considering time, mistakes, etc., and they look great in pics at least. Hope you can post progress!

[nanoreefer11]

Hey man, was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me:

First question, on some pictures it appears there are several slits maybe 1/5 up the overflow near the bottom of the tank, can you confirm this? I'm worried that if the pumps shut off you'd have a huge drainage of water, unless I'm not understanding the plumbing correctly.

 

Second is everything pre-drilled? On the amazon page it doesn't say it is, and on the eBay page it does, although they are different sellers.

 

Thanks man! Sweet setup, totally just threw a curveball in my setup options

[CrazyCarl]

I don't believe the slits go into the overflow, they seem to blanked. also the tank comes with a durso standpipe, so it only takes in water near the top of the overflow. The tanks are pre-drilled and come with bulkhead fittings, pipe for the return and drain above, and some tubing and fittings for underneath, although most people just diy the sump plumbing.

[aesp533262]

Ok So here goes. I will start off by saying there was a problem with my shipment.

 

The stand built easily, although the instructions aren't 100% clear, or for the exact stand I was building. Anyone who has built ANYTHING from Ikea should not have a problem. Took a total of about 20 mins after laying out all the parts. Metal parts were not extremly strong, kind of on the weak side when trying to turn with a screw driver, but honestly that was expected. Once but together, it was very strong and I actually like the way it looks, which I didnt think i was going to at first. The height is perfect, once the tank is on, perfect for viewing. I am excited to get this build going.

 

 

 

The front glass cracked. Not blaming anyone, not pointing fingers. Just get me a new tank and Ill be a happy reefer. They have already sent out a new one, which is awesome, so Ill see what happens on the next one.

 

 

[Sk8n Reefer]

Ok So here goes. I will start off by saying there was a problem with my shipment.

 

The stand built easily, although the instructions aren't 100% clear, or for the exact stand I was building. Anyone who has built ANYTHING from Ikea should not have a problem. Took a total of about 20 mins after laying out all the parts. Metal parts were not extremly strong, kind of on the weak side when trying to turn with a screw driver, but honestly that was expected. Once but together, it was very strong and I actually like the way it looks, which I didnt think i was going to at first. The height is perfect, once the tank is on, perfect for viewing. I am excited to get this build going.

 

 

Dang- that's too bad- tired of hearing of tanks breaking hope they take care of you! Keep us posted- thx for the update

 

 

The front glass cracked. Not blaming anyone, not pointing fingers. Just get me a new tank and Ill be a happy reefer. They have already sent out a new one, which is awesome, so Ill see what happens on the next one.

 

 

[aesp533262]

The size is Fantastic. Im coming from a 90 rectangle, and i wanted something smaller. THIS WAS THE PERFECT SIZE.

I can speak to the clarity of the glass shards. Its pretty dam clear. I cant wait to see this set up.

 

based on initial inspection of everything else, the plumbing: I will probably replace the durso, thin wall pvc that was included and i do not personally like the design. I will build one based on the old perfecto durso i had in my 90. Super silent. The sump: Looks solid. has many chambers and baffles. I havent opened the equipment yet so I cant speak to their quality. But, I have an expectation, which I dont see it being under, but could surprise me and be better. We will see.

[Jimbo662]

Any new updates from everyone? I'm considering the 50g cube...great price on amazon and 0% for a year if I charge it!