ReeferReefer Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 So I just got my hands on a 90 gallon Sea Clear System II from a friend for an deal I could not refuse. This tank is set up with an AIO false wall with a small sump area in the back set up for wet dry and a strange return along the bottom of the tank. Does anyone have experience with these tanks? I know I could re plumb it but I want to keep the set up simple. Perhaps just throw a skimmer in the back, modifly the wet dry into a refugium for macro and call it day? I was also thinking about sealing the return and adding my own so that I could direct return flow from the top. Looking for advice and suggestions on this build. I also have a TEK T5 x6 fixture that I plan on using with it. Do you guys think that will enough light to keep softies and some LPS in a 4ft long 90 gallon? Link to comment
DurocShark Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 I used to sell those way back when. The AIO in those is really limited. You have the right idea though on how to modify it. If you're going bare bottom, the bottom return is awesome. But light sand will be blown around, though crushed coral should be fine. Is the acrylic stretched at all? A lot of tanks from that generation of SeaClear seem to "muffin top" a little. They bulge out at the bottoms. Never heard of a leak because of it, but it's always made me nervous. Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 I used to sell those way back when. The AIO in those is really limited. You have the right idea though on how to modify it. If you're going bare bottom, the bottom return is awesome. But light sand will be blown around, though crushed coral should be fine. Is the acrylic stretched at all? A lot of tanks from that generation of SeaClear seem to "muffin top" a little. They bulge out at the bottoms. Never heard of a leak because of it, but it's always made me nervous. Yeah, my biggest concern with the tank is being able to fit a decent skimmer in the back compartment. I might just go with a HOB if it comes down to it. I think Ill go with BB just to save initial cost and put in a crushed coral in the back and sand in the front. The tank is in perfect condition. Ill keep an eye out for any stretching but as far as I can tell the tank has never even had water in it. Ive got a matching stand and canopy so I want to make this work for the price I got it for. Im just excited to get a little extra volume. Probably keep the return then and just get some good power heads. Thanks for your input! Another thing I should mention is that my 6 bulb T5 is only 36 inches long for the 48 inch long tank. Is this going to work or will I need to throw in some supplemental leds on the sides or something? Link to comment
DurocShark Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 LOL! I just went and looked and Sea Clear is still selling a line of tanks called System II. So I have no idea if they're the same construction or different, though the bottom/side return holes are still there. Either way, my comments may be completely irrelevant. By "back when" I'm talking mid 90's or so. Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Yeah, It still has those bottom return holes. Like I said this tank doesn't look like it has even had water in it before. Seems like they are designed for fresh water but coming from a 10 gallon Nano only running carbon and live rock I think we can make it work. Im getting the tank, stand and canopy for $150. I've gotta try and make it work for that price! Plus I can get some of the bigger fish I have always wanted like a Kole Yellow Eye Tang (still wishing it was bigger so I could get a yellow tang). Link to comment
DurocShark Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Wow, that's a sweeeet price. Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Wow, that's a sweeeet price. Yeah. I was going to set up my new reef in my old 40 breeder and do a sumpless build but just getting a stand for it would cost that much. My friend is having a baby and never set up the tank so they are just trying to get rid of it. They were originally try to get 500 for it but I told them I couldn't afford it and they should make me an offer I could not refuse. So they did! Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 BTW I could also use some stocking suggestions. Perhaps a site not focused on nano reefs would be better but I like it here as you guys taught me everything I know about reefing. I want a Clown pair, flasher wrasse of some sort and either a yellow or Kole yellow eye tang. I am worried that I don't have enough space for a yellow tang so I am leaning towards the kole tang instead. I could use some other fish suggestions as well! Link to comment
DurocShark Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 I'm sure the tang police will hunt me down, but I think a lightly stocked 90 would be fine for a yellow. Otherwise, there's a few angels that would go well. A school of chromis or cardinals would be nice too. Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Thanks. I am not super attached to the tang but my GF is helping me fund this tank and its her first experience with the hobby. The Yellow Tang is her favorite fish so I know she will be really happy if we can fit him in there. <3 Happy wife means a happy life! Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Here is a picture of the tank and stand from their craigslist posting. The cabinet is what really sold me on this. I was going to need to build a new stand for my 40B otherwise. Link to comment
DurocShark Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 I was really hoping for the twin tube Sea Clear black acrylic stand. Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 I was really hoping for the twin tube Sea Clear black acrylic stand. Something like this? Link to comment
DurocShark Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Those tanks were goofy. But the matching stand is what I was talking about: Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 Any advice on power heads for a tank of this size? Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Any advice on power heads for a tank of this size? Jebao probably- Vortech is better but out of the budget Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 Seems more affordable. I was thinking two poerheads with over 1000gph each, not sure how the LPs and softies will like that much flow. Maybe less? Link to comment
Cencalfishguy56 Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Jebao probably- Vortech is better but out of the budget I agree btw I tested out the mp10 I got from you and that shit pushes water!! It's not too noisy unless you run it all the way which I have no use in doing so Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 What about the Hydor Koralia Evolution around 1150 GPH? Would two be good or one at a lower flow rate? I was thinking about getting the wave controller down the road so I can spread out the cost. Are they much worse than the Jeabao? Should I just spend the extra 20 bucks per head on the Jebao? Link to comment
DurocShark Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 I have one Hydor and one Jebao. The Jebao is a RW-8, the Hydor is about the same size, but I don't remember which model it is. They are both about the same as far as noise, and the Jebao comes with a wave controller. Link to comment
ReeferReefer Posted June 26, 2015 Author Share Posted June 26, 2015 How about fish stocking? Anyways here is what we had in mind. 2 O. Clowns 1 yellow tang 1 six line wrasse 1 flame angle Now I am thinking about a bottom dweller as well. A blenny, goby or hawk fish? This will be a bare bottom tank so no burrowers. Any suggestions? Trying to keep a medium bioload or lower. Link to comment
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