CAD 50G Artisan Rimless Starphire Cube Build

[ReeVo]

Well finally I got my tank. This is where the fun begins :bounce3:
I got a CAD 50G Artisan from here in SoCal, where CADLights is located.

I so far have the tank up and running with all the plumbing and everything. I'm just running the system with freshwater for now to check for any leaks in plumbing.

Still got a long way to go but just thought I would share my build along this exciting journey.

I know you guys like pictures. So here you go:

Didnt know where to put the ballast, so I put it on the side for now.

The fixture that came with the tank. 24" 14,000K 150 HQI, 2x actinic T5s, LED moonlights.

Leak testing. Sorry I didnt take pictures of the sump before, but I took the baffles out because the I didnt like how it was set up. So rebuilt it.

 

[ReeVo]

CAD tanks for some reason, cut out the vinyl right where the overflow is. I had some carbon fiber vinyl I used on my car to cover the back. The other side is plain black not CF lol

Running freshwater to check for any leaks. Dont mind the wires in the back. I still got to organize them.

I also put some nice stainless steel door handles from LOWES on the cabnet doors. Much easier to open now : )

This is what I see when I walk down my stairs :fun2:

 

[cocoaandme]

Looking good! Your plumbing looks familiar...

 

[norcaled]

very nice !

 

[ReeVo]

Looking good! Your plumbing looks familiar...

Ya lol
Yours inspired me to do it : )

Also herd its better so it doesnt put so much pressure on the return pump when I need to adjust the flow.

 

[cocoaandme]

Yeah but how will you plumb in the tubing for the chiller?

 

[Theprettycolors]

Beautiful. Can't wait to see the end result.

 

[ReeVo]

^Thanks buddy

Yeah but how will you plumb in the tubing for the chiller?

Well the plumbing thats on there now is what I first made. I made a different return setup that i wont put on till I get the Mag Drive 9.5. You'll see when I get all done bro.

I made this when i figured out this wasnt going to cut but it's almost the same setup.

 

[cocoaandme]

What chiller will you be using?

 

[TheWeaz]

Nice work. looks good so far.

 

[ReeVo]

What chiller will you be using?

Depends on how much flow I'm going to have with the Mag drive 9.5

Either a JBJ Arctica 1/10hp or 1/5hp.
I'm hoping the the Mag drive is strong enough for me to get a 1/5hp.
Lets see if 1/2" piping will allow me.

 

[Lt.Shineysides]

cool looking set up. what type of corals and fish are planning on stocking it with?

 

[urbaneks]

I am trying to decide between a custom order tank (48x30x18) from either Cadlights or Lee Mar. The Cadlights is a bit cheaper so I'm leaning that way. What is your opinion of your tank. Are you happy with the glass, seams, etc.

 

[ReeVo]

cool looking set up. what type of corals and fish are planning on stocking it with?

Not really 100% sure yet, but probably a few lps, sps, acans, zoos.
I'm getting 25lbs of dry rock Monday and 25lbs of live rock next week. So depending on my aquascape goes. I'll figure out the kind of corals I'm going to get.

As for fish, probably 2 true percula clowns, 2 or 3 anthias, maybe a tang or a wrasse. Ya I know my tank can't handle a tang, but I see people having them in 50G no prroblem. As long as they are not BIG lol

I am trying to decide between a custom order tank (48x30x18) from either Cadlights or Lee Mar. The Cadlights is a bit cheaper so I'm leaning that way. What is your opinion of your tank. Are you happy with the glass, seams, etc.

I honestly am very happy with the tank.
The starphire glass is amazing. You can seriously tell a big difference. The seems are perfect. The overall build quality is top notch.
But Leemar is Leemar. You really can't go wrong either way.
But Eddie at Cadlights is an awesome guy. His tank prices are great.





UPDATE:
I re-did my return plumbing. I got a Mag-Drive 9.5 as for my return instead of the cadlights 650GPH pump.
The water pressure was barely 100GPH. So I got the Mag-Drive and it fixed that problem. Half of the piping is 3/4" now to sort of take some of the stress off the pump.
I will post pictures once I get all my rock, which will be next week.
I just want to start my cycle already :bounce1:

 

[snowriderz]

nice! i love the spot you chose for the tank, having it the first thing you see when you get home. i have my tank facing the entrance door. 950GPH is alot of flow, but with an 18G sump its gonna work out great.

Urbaneks:
i have the 39G and the seams are perfect. the fronts are seamless but all the joints in the back. bottom, acrylic panels etc are sealed really nice and straight.

 

[James404]

Very clean setup, good job so far!

 

[eastcoaster1]

Nice! I've been seriously considering one of these so looking forward to seeing how you like it. Comments on the stand and light fixture?

 

[mrpet]

Not really 100% sure yet, but probably a few lps, sps, acans, zoos.
I'm getting 25lbs of dry rock Monday and 25lbs of live rock next week. So depending on my aquascape goes. I'll figure out the kind of corals I'm going to get.

As for fish, probably 2 true percula clowns, 2 or 3 anthias, maybe a tang or a wrasse. Ya I know my tank can't handle a tang, but I see people having them in 50G no prroblem. As long as they are not BIG lol



I honestly am very happy with the tank.
The starphire glass is amazing. You can seriously tell a big difference. The seems are perfect. The overall build quality is top notch.
But Leemar is Leemar. You really can't go wrong either way.
But Eddie at Cadlights is an awesome guy. His tank prices are great.





UPDATE:
I re-did my return plumbing. I got a Mag-Drive 9.5 as for my return instead of the cadlights 650GPH pump.
The water pressure was barely 100GPH. So I got the Mag-Drive and it fixed that problem. Half of the piping is 3/4" now to sort of take some of the stress off the pump.
I will post pictures once I get all my rock, which will be next week.
I just want to start my cycle already :bounce1:

you put a mag 9.5 on there? man thats alot of flow that pump is pretty loud i had one on my 375 to run the chiller its not to loud for ya? i used a rio 12 for my artisian its to loud as well i dont like it im not sure what to go with proly an eheim?

 

[ReeVo]

nice! i love the spot you chose for the tank, having it the first thing you see when you get home. i have my tank facing the entrance door. 950GPH is alot of flow, but with an 18G sump its gonna work out great.

Very clean setup, good job so far!

Thanks guys!

Nice! I've been seriously considering one of these so looking forward to seeing how you like it. Comments on the stand and light fixture?

I love the stand. Very well made and sturdy once the water is in.
But it does need door handles. But that was really easy to do

you put a mag 9.5 on there? man thats alot of flow that pump is pretty loud i had one on my 375 to run the chiller its not to loud for ya? i used a rio 12 for my artisian its to loud as well i dont like it im not sure what to go with proly an eheim?

The pump is actually perfect. They gave me a 650GPH pump and it was barely pushing any flow. Maybe 100gph the most. I am pushing about 500GPH now on full load with 1/2" piping. It'll knock that down a bit once I get the chiller too.
But mine is not loud at all. I put a piece of foam under the pump and it is completely silent. It is also hard plumbed.

Here is a picture of the new plumbing and accessories:

Mag-Drive 9.5

A drain silencer I came up with and it works GREAT!!!!!

An overflow cover I made with acrylic. I'm thinking about making out of black acrylic now since I know I can make one lol

50W Halogen light for refugium.

 

[cocoaandme]

Lookin real good Reevo! I like that acrylic overflow cover. And I really like that halogen refugium light you got. How did you fix it to the shelf? What is the color rating on it? Oh yeah and what skimmer will you be using?