CADlights 39g Pro build thread
- Thread starter ArtC
- Start date
I wasn't suggesting you were a newbie at all so don't take it that way.
I had no problem setting the unit up, including the stand. My masters in agriculture didn't help tho. BUT I am a handy type of guy.
Sure there are thing Eddie can do to improve but overall my experience was good. The shipment took over 2 weeks to get to me by no fault of Eddie's, just my location is somewhat remote. So I am sure it took a beating being transfered from hub to hub and there was no damage at all. The boxes looked brand new.
As far as the skimmers, ummmm, each to there own. I had a skimmer 20 years ago that I thought was the best in the world (still have it, I ran it with O3). So far I have no reason to believe this will not run as good without O3.
Before I make changes with the equipment, there has to be a reason. This hobby is expensive enough.
I had no problem setting the unit up, including the stand. My masters in agriculture didn't help tho. BUT I am a handy type of guy.
Sure there are thing Eddie can do to improve but overall my experience was good. The shipment took over 2 weeks to get to me by no fault of Eddie's, just my location is somewhat remote. So I am sure it took a beating being transfered from hub to hub and there was no damage at all. The boxes looked brand new.
As far as the skimmers, ummmm, each to there own. I had a skimmer 20 years ago that I thought was the best in the world (still have it, I ran it with O3). So far I have no reason to believe this will not run as good without O3.
Before I make changes with the equipment, there has to be a reason. This hobby is expensive enough.
Here are the 2 mods I did.
1. Hofer Gurgle Buster
2. Return lines in sump.
I tried the durso-both the supplied one and 1 modified (11/4" and longer) but felt they were too noisy so I tried the Hofer and you can't even hear it. No gurgle and I was able to stop the micro bubbles with it also. I added some filter medium to stop the waterfall noise.
I was going to hard plumb the discharge and return into the sump but there is not enough room to do it neatly and out of the way. At least with the vinyl you can bend them out of your way if necessary.
I also didn't like the hose barb connectors with hose clamps (they will rust) so I used pvc fittings and glued them.
I still might hard plumb the system by going out and fastening it on the back but since I have added a Bulkreefsupply GFO and Carbon reactor that is attached on the back it limits my area.
The whole system is controller by a AC3 Pro. What I am trying to do is something similar to the following http://nano.ereuland.com/
Have a look, it is with an older CAD but the principles are the same.
Notice how nice and neat the overflow looks.
Also the UV and heater fit really nice in there also. I opted for a DSB in the center compartment of the sump, not large but I can put critters in there.
1. Hofer Gurgle Buster
2. Return lines in sump.
I tried the durso-both the supplied one and 1 modified (11/4" and longer) but felt they were too noisy so I tried the Hofer and you can't even hear it. No gurgle and I was able to stop the micro bubbles with it also. I added some filter medium to stop the waterfall noise.
I was going to hard plumb the discharge and return into the sump but there is not enough room to do it neatly and out of the way. At least with the vinyl you can bend them out of your way if necessary.
I also didn't like the hose barb connectors with hose clamps (they will rust) so I used pvc fittings and glued them.
I still might hard plumb the system by going out and fastening it on the back but since I have added a Bulkreefsupply GFO and Carbon reactor that is attached on the back it limits my area.
The whole system is controller by a AC3 Pro. What I am trying to do is something similar to the following http://nano.ereuland.com/
Have a look, it is with an older CAD but the principles are the same.
Notice how nice and neat the overflow looks.
Also the UV and heater fit really nice in there also. I opted for a DSB in the center compartment of the sump, not large but I can put critters in there.
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Thanks.
The interesting thing is that you can adjust the height of the water in the overflow by moving the air tubing up or down. Its a micro adjustment tho. The durso was more difficult.
Anyways, again each to their own.
Have a good weekend.
Toughest thing you will find is drilling the 1/2" holes in the 1" pvc. Go slow and be prepared for a jolt when the bit cuts through the pvc.
I was concerned about the flow compared to the durso so I contacted the inventor/mcgiver. They found it could handle a flow of 1000gph as well the length of the 1" didn't matter (mine was about 12" long but going to a larger diameter created some problems with others.
The interesting thing is that you can adjust the height of the water in the overflow by moving the air tubing up or down. Its a micro adjustment tho. The durso was more difficult.
Anyways, again each to their own.
Have a good weekend.
Toughest thing you will find is drilling the 1/2" holes in the 1" pvc. Go slow and be prepared for a jolt when the bit cuts through the pvc.
I was concerned about the flow compared to the durso so I contacted the inventor/mcgiver. They found it could handle a flow of 1000gph as well the length of the 1" didn't matter (mine was about 12" long but going to a larger diameter created some problems with others.
fishIZneat
In Memoriam
I have a question. How does the Hofer skim surface junk if it is underwater?
Anyone figure out how to get a tank only out of these guys? I mean I know it must be possible. With all the freight problems they are having they must have a way to ship a replacement tank only without the whole package. My lighting and filtration equipment is way better then what they offer in their package, I do like their tank though.
fishIZneat
In Memoriam
This filter pad you mention, is it inside the PVC tower of a Hofer or Durso designed overflow?
So the trade off is that the toxins and other unwanted "stuff" that forms a film on the surface of the water never gets to the protein skimmer? It just stays in the confines of the overflow and therefore never leaves the aquarium and never has the chance to be removed?
And finally is the only reason to use a Durso or Hofer to remove slurping and gurgling sounds?
fishIZneat - Look carefully at the picture.
You can see a blue and white filter pad that is folded in the overflow box so that the water coming through the grates hits it and does not splash down into the chamber. This can be easily pulled out and cleaned so YES, contaminants are being removed from the system.
The design that you are suggesting would be extremely foolish, but you appear to understand that.
Yeah, the main point of a Durso or HGB is to eliminate the sound of water moving down a standpipe. I know that I will never have a tank without one of them again.
HTH
You can see a blue and white filter pad that is folded in the overflow box so that the water coming through the grates hits it and does not splash down into the chamber. This can be easily pulled out and cleaned so YES, contaminants are being removed from the system.
The design that you are suggesting would be extremely foolish, but you appear to understand that.
Yeah, the main point of a Durso or HGB is to eliminate the sound of water moving down a standpipe. I know that I will never have a tank without one of them again.
HTH
There are no 'foolish questions', let alone 'extremely foolish' ones.
The unwanted 'stuff' eventually gets to the skimmer, although it might be delayed. No place else for it to go!
I don't remember ever seeing an overflow with either a Durso or Hofer than had a cake of scum floating at the top. Just the drop into the overflow tends to mix the surface film back into the water.
Although the Dursos etc don't themselves skim off the surface, the overflow does. That means that the high concentration surface water gets into the overflow and no film can form that prevents gas exchange on the surface of the tank proper. The second point is probably the more important issue in preferentially skimming the surface water.
The filter pad might catch some of the organic film, but if it isn't frequently cleaned then they'll just break down and go into the Durso anyway.
I'm just starting to work on my CAD 39g, I'm getting a bit worried with some of the problems you guys are having lol. This is my first tank with a sump, I figured I'd start with the CAD because it seemed like it would be easier to get help with and I could not stand having no sump in my last tank.
California Crow
New member
Hey, don't worry. There may be a few issues that could crop up, but nothing that can't be easily solved. You're going to end up with a nice tank!
CC
CC
snowriderz
New member
problems can come from anywhere in this hobby, but nothing thats hard to fix. any questions i have i contact CAD and they typically get back to me within the same day and they stand behind their product 100%. one of the best service crew i ever had.
fishIZneat
In Memoriam
A-ha! O.k. So the surface film eventually gets to the sump and skimmer, just not in the super efficient manner as with a regular overflow.
California Crow
New member
Progress... sort of
Progress... sort of
It's an interesting weekend here 'tank-wise'. I thought that at least I'd be able to get the plumbing done, but after seeing the earlier comments I decided to skip the Durso and go with the Hofer. Only problem with that turned out to be my total inability to find the necessary PVC slip bushing anywhere in the city of Sacramento. (OK, I may not have checked everywhere).
Plumbing plans temporarily on hold while I wait for the bushing to arrive from a newly placed Marine Depot order... I needed some stuff anyway... I was able to switch gears and start thinking rock, as FedEx delivered my Marco Rock shipment late in the afternoon. I noticed immediately that 50lbs of this stuff is more than I'll need. These rocks are far less dense than the Florida rock I'd used in my previous reef. I think I'll spend much of the rest of the weekend looking closely at what I have to work with and coming up with some sort of aquascaping master plan. I may have to cook them. I'd hoped to just be able to drop them in a new tank of salt water, and turn 'em loose with some seed sand and rock.
Ah, well. Two steps forward, one step back.
CC
Progress... sort of
It's an interesting weekend here 'tank-wise'. I thought that at least I'd be able to get the plumbing done, but after seeing the earlier comments I decided to skip the Durso and go with the Hofer. Only problem with that turned out to be my total inability to find the necessary PVC slip bushing anywhere in the city of Sacramento. (OK, I may not have checked everywhere).
Plumbing plans temporarily on hold while I wait for the bushing to arrive from a newly placed Marine Depot order... I needed some stuff anyway... I was able to switch gears and start thinking rock, as FedEx delivered my Marco Rock shipment late in the afternoon. I noticed immediately that 50lbs of this stuff is more than I'll need. These rocks are far less dense than the Florida rock I'd used in my previous reef. I think I'll spend much of the rest of the weekend looking closely at what I have to work with and coming up with some sort of aquascaping master plan. I may have to cook them. I'd hoped to just be able to drop them in a new tank of salt water, and turn 'em loose with some seed sand and rock.
Ah, well. Two steps forward, one step back.
CC
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