CADlights 39g Pro build thread
- Thread starter ArtC
- Start date
coolcorals
New member
I've not been on RC lately and somehow skipped this page, so didn't see the posts till today. Thanks for the offer - I will keep this in mind, if I decide to replace mine.
I've managed to get the temps under control at a fairly cheap price. Keep home at 78 during summer (temps regularly are in 90s to triple digits here, but so far it's been mild). Once MH came on, temps headed to low 80s and CAD fan did nothing.
So with wife's permission, I tried a fan pointed over the light fixture (not water). It really cools the fixture down, and tank too! Have it set to come on at 79 and turn off at 78.5. Have fan set to medium speed (quieter than high), and it turns on and off when house is 78 and outside is upper 90s!
So far a $40 Vornado fan from Target has saved me from having to buy a $500 chiller! Attached some photos - doesn't look clean, but works really well.
Attachments
coolcorals- I see something blue around the bottom edge of your tank and was wondering if that is a pad under your tank. I just received my 39 G PRO last week and am trying to decide if a pad under the tank is necessary. I checked the stand top with a straight edge and it looks totally flat to me. If it's a pad ,where did you get it?
coolcorals
New member
It's not a pad, but blue painters tape. Thought about a pad, but decided against it, though I do have a rubber pad under sump. Added the blue tape because water tends to get under the bottom lip - my tank is new, so my hands/arms are in and out a lot.
coolcorals
New member
The Vortechs are nice, but I didn't have the money, so went with two Koralia Evos 750s. They provide decent flow, but are rather focused (more than the regular Koralias and I assume Vortechs).
I have them attached to back wall pointed forward. Still adjusting for best position. A good deal for the money (after the bushings were replace to prevent from running backwards on controller). Depending on what you have, I think you need at least two PHs - seems almost all corals love decent flow.
That seems to be a problem with these rimless tanks. I saw another comment about water getting under a rimless. After mine is filled and running for a couple of weeks I think I am going to run a thin line of black silicon around the bottom. At least on the front and two sides. I am think I will do without the pad also. Top of stand is very flat as I said and I don't see any advantage to it.
reeftivo
Skim junkie
It's not so much a problem with Rimless in general, but with the Cad tank it's the overlapping mitered bottom that shows the water drips when they run down and touch the stand. I use a single sheet of paper towel and slide it between the glass and stand and hold it there for a minute or so and it wicks the water right out without any salt residual.
I haven't tried the silicone, but if I did I would use the black RTV as well. Less noticeable against my black stand.
Happy Reefing!
Tivo
I haven't tried the silicone, but if I did I would use the black RTV as well. Less noticeable against my black stand.
Happy Reefing!
Tivo
coolcorals
New member
The problem is definitely the mitered bottom trim - it always seems to trap whatever water drips down the outside of tank! And with a new tank, you are constantly having your hand in the tank - adding new frag on bottom, then moving them up or adjusting frag till you figure out proper location and are ready to glue/epoxy.
I've been doing the paper towel method, but that got to be a bit of a pain. The blue tape is a temporary solution (i.e. ugly), but keeps the water out. I too plan to put a silicone beads around edge to keep water out - I plan to use the clear silicone.
So far the tank is doing well, but there seems to be a lot of little "things" to deal with - not sure if it's just this tank or all reef ready tanks! I'm a newbie to RR, MH and SPS. The folks on this thread have been very helpful, which has made the setup more enjoyable for me.
What "little things" are you referring to? I joined this thread to see what others with this system had experienced and done with their setups also. I am hoping to get assistance from some of the people here that have experience with the 39G Pro. I have been in the hobby for a long time and every new setup in my experience has issues and frustrations to deal with. My main frustration so far with this system is that I am still trying to work through some problems with the equipment I received with my order. Hoping to resolve those issues soon so I can get on with the setup.
coolcorals
New member
I have an older version than what you probably have - purchased in Sept/Oct of 2008. Much of the equipment has been changed/replaced/improved.
Nothing major, and this is my first reef ready system, so might just be newbie frustrations. But if you're still interested, I'll post them and any adjustments/changes I made - may or may not be of help.
My system may not be too much different than your. That's is one of the issues I have with what I was shipped. I did not get the latest version of the tank that has the glass inside the overflow and the flow slots in the bottom of the overflow. The drain and return bulkhead holes are a concern also. The drain hole especially is very close to the overflow wall and actually overlaps the silicon sealing the box to the bottom of the tank. Still working with Eddie at Cadlights to resolve this. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Here's a pic's
Perhaps on the odd side, I don't think my LEDs are saving me any $$. I've got the tank set at 79.5 degrees and my ReefKeeper is telling me the heater (300 watts) is on about 8 hours a day to keep it there. The house is about 77. My youngest daughter has a rare metabolic disorder and can't take heat.
It's 100 outside and I'm pumping about 100 watts per hour + pumps and what not to heat a 39 gallon fish tank.
This I did not expect.
It's 100 outside and I'm pumping about 100 watts per hour + pumps and what not to heat a 39 gallon fish tank.
This I did not expect.
so would you recommend the old koralias over the new ones?
that is fascinating.
why not just let the tank sit at 77? there's nothing wrong with that temperature.
my tank was at 82.6 yesterday evening. sigh.
reeftivo
Skim junkie
Quote:
Originally Posted by coolcorals
The Vortechs are nice, but I didn't have the money, so went with two Koralia Evos 750s. They provide decent flow, but are rather focused (more than the regular Koralias and I assume Vortechs).
I have them attached to back wall pointed forward. Still adjusting for best position. A good deal for the money (after the bushings were replace to prevent from running backwards on controller). Depending on what you have, I think you need at least two PHs - seems almost all corals love decent flow.
so would you recommend the old koralias over the new ones?
a couple 750's would be fine.
Tivo
Quote:
Originally Posted by schnitm
Perhaps on the odd side, I don't think my LEDs are saving me any $$. I've got the tank set at 79.5 degrees and my ReefKeeper is telling me the heater (300 watts) is on about 8 hours a day to keep it there. The house is about 77. My youngest daughter has a rare metabolic disorder and can't take heat.
It's 100 outside and I'm pumping about 100 watts per hour + pumps and what not to heat a 39 gallon fish tank.
This I did not expect.
that is fascinating.
why not just let the tank sit at 77? there's nothing wrong with that temperature.
my tank was at 82.6 yesterday evening. sigh.
Agreed! 77 is fine. If the colors fade a bit then try it at 78.
Tivo
Originally Posted by coolcorals
The Vortechs are nice, but I didn't have the money, so went with two Koralia Evos 750s. They provide decent flow, but are rather focused (more than the regular Koralias and I assume Vortechs).
I have them attached to back wall pointed forward. Still adjusting for best position. A good deal for the money (after the bushings were replace to prevent from running backwards on controller). Depending on what you have, I think you need at least two PHs - seems almost all corals love decent flow.
so would you recommend the old koralias over the new ones?
a couple 750's would be fine.
Tivo
Quote:
Originally Posted by schnitm
Perhaps on the odd side, I don't think my LEDs are saving me any $$. I've got the tank set at 79.5 degrees and my ReefKeeper is telling me the heater (300 watts) is on about 8 hours a day to keep it there. The house is about 77. My youngest daughter has a rare metabolic disorder and can't take heat.
It's 100 outside and I'm pumping about 100 watts per hour + pumps and what not to heat a 39 gallon fish tank.
This I did not expect.
that is fascinating.
why not just let the tank sit at 77? there's nothing wrong with that temperature.
my tank was at 82.6 yesterday evening. sigh.
Agreed! 77 is fine. If the colors fade a bit then try it at 78.
Tivo
reeftivo
Skim junkie
what type of return pump are you using?
The reason I ask is that you could use a return pump with a more prominent heat signature (quiet one, resun, sicce etc.) and it would help counter the heater. Also, the older model stock cad pumps are notorious heat generators.
Just a thought!
Tivo
The reason I ask is that you could use a return pump with a more prominent heat signature (quiet one, resun, sicce etc.) and it would help counter the heater. Also, the older model stock cad pumps are notorious heat generators.
Just a thought!
Tivo
