CADlights 39g Pro build thread

[reeftivo]

Looks awesome reeftivo! I have to agree with you, I like the newscape. I wonder how the removal of 15 lbs of live rock and inch of live sand will affect your bio.

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

ItsMee,

I won't be affected by the change because I use the zeolites (zeovit). I just add more zeolites to my reactor to compensate, then feed the bacteria accordingly. I could actually run bare bottom and only leave in half the rock if I wanted to and still be fine.

I could go into a big dissertation of how the Zeo method works but I won't and it just does-LOL!

Dosing is a bit tedious though so it's definately not for everyone.

Happy Reefing!

Tivo

 

[reeftivo]

Hey guys,

Any issue with going without the legs and just leaving it flat on the ground?

Also, after building the stand I have the panel with hole in the middle of it left over. That is normal right? I think that piece is only for the sig series? Does that make sense?

Scott

It's just an extra shelf that most don't use.

You could leave the tank directly on the floor but it would depend on what flooring it's resting on. If it's flat it will work. The only thing you need to address is if the coating gets compramised in any way and moisture gets underneath then you may have problems since the stand is composite. The feet give you some ventilation from moisture but also give you a dust trap-LOL.

:fun4:Tivo

 

[timdanger]

are you at all worried about splashing water getting on all that equipment?? i just got my new apex lite in the mail yesterday, and i can't figure out where to put it (or my vortech controller or my JBJ ATO controller).

i bought a sprinkler box from Lowe's, thinking maybe i could fit everything in there -- but, it was like $30 and i don't know that i love what it's going to look like, especially given that i'm still going to have all my power cords and stuff laying around all over the place.

how are people protecting 1) controllers; 2) ballast (this is the toughest one); and 3) electrical outlets/power strips from splashing/spills? i've just got a mess right now.

 

[timdanger]

Made some changes to my scape.

pictures look great! i like the new scape as well -- tell your brother he doesn't know what he's talking about! :clown:

 

[ItsMee]

Its just over an empty tank right now, but its crazy bright. Way bright than the T5s that were on my old tank.

Have you ever had metal halide lighting to compare brightness? I would imagine the energy costs of LED is probably much lower than that of halides. I can't wait for LED lighting to progress, I bet the future holds great and wonderful things for LED lighting in the aquarium world. :bounce1:

 

[ItsMee]

are you at all worried about splashing water getting on all that equipment?? i just got my new apex lite in the mail yesterday, and i can't figure out where to put it (or my vortech controller or my JBJ ATO controller).

i bought a sprinkler box from Lowe's, thinking maybe i could fit everything in there -- but, it was like $30 and i don't know that i love what it's going to look like, especially given that i'm still going to have all my power cords and stuff laying around all over the place.

how are people protecting 1) controllers; 2) ballast (this is the toughest one); and 3) electrical outlets/power strips from splashing/spills? i've just got a mess right now.

I bought a small cheap cabinet with doors from Walmart and it is next to my aquarium and couch (in my living room). I don't have an eye for aesthitics when it comes to furniture, but it was my wife's idea and she says it looks good so it is good enough for me. It houses all my electrical stuff including my DJ Power strips. I can take a pic if youd like to see it.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

are you at all worried about splashing water getting on all that equipment?? how are people protecting 1) controllers; 2) ballast (this is the toughest one); and 3) electrical outlets/power strips from splashing/spills? i've just got a mess right now.

I've never had an issue with water being splashed from the tank (knock on wood) But I agree it should be a consideration. I mounted mine on the side of the cabinet for lack of a better space (too damp and corrosive inside the cabinet.)

The lip of the cabinet just below the tank provides some shelter, and most of the controller/display units appear "relatively" water resistant (not that I want to test it.) I put my power strips (Apex EB8s) as far away from the tank as cord lengths will allow and have them turned upside down to afford some protection in the event of a splash.

As for the ballast - LEDs have resolved that problem for me

 

[reeftivo]

I put my controllers on the wall away from my tank after the last california quake destroyed my old tank. I also put a splash guard made of dense treated cardboard off the back of the tank where my powerstrips are. I hope I won't have to test it but they keep saying the next big cali quake is coming. We had a descent size quake a few months ago and I had a little slosh out side the tank but all went well and it didn't make it to the splash guard or the wall.

Cali quakes suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've lost two tanks due to quakes (both were glass).

Tivo

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Wow - Being from Michigan, I never even considered an earthquake. I guess that's the trade off for not having to shovel snow

 

[FLGator56]

Splash guard

Splash guard

I have everything mounted on the back of my tank and it is probably 8-10 inches from the wall. I haven't installed it yet...but I am putting "L" brackets on back lip, cutting cord holes for my 2 vortech cord, and mounting a piece of acrylic sealed with silicone...he sealant peels easy and is as permanent or temporary as I want it to be. I also glued two small pieces to the bottom of my splash guard that are slight canted out so IF it does spill, the water runs out away from back of tank.

I put a hold on mounting as we may be remodeling and I many need to move the tank in the next 4-6 weeks. The back of cabinet has: 2 vortech contollers; tunze osmo control; 2 vortech power bricks; vortech battery backup; surge protector/powere strip; apex contol module; apex 8 outlet power bar; 2 AI power bricks...and I'm probably forgetting something. Velcro tape works great and result is a very clean install.

 

[reeftivo]

I have everything mounted on the back of my tank and it is probably 8-10 inches from the wall. I haven't installed it yet...but I am putting "L" brackets on back lip, cutting cord holes for my 2 vortech cord, and mounting a piece of acrylic sealed with silicone...he sealant peels easy and is as permanent or temporary as I want it to be. I also glued two small pieces to the bottom of my splash guard that are slight canted out so IF it does spill, the water runs out away from back of tank.

I put a hold on mounting as we may be remodeling and I many need to move the tank in the next 4-6 weeks. The back of cabinet has: 2 vortech contollers; tunze osmo control; 2 vortech power bricks; vortech battery backup; surge protector/powere strip; apex contol module; apex 8 outlet power bar; 2 AI power bricks...and I'm probably forgetting something. Velcro tape works great and result is a very clean install.

Welcome FLGator56,

Sounds awsome! My half @#ss slash guard would pale in comparison-LOL!

Good job! Sound like you and CalmSeasQuest are just about fully automated.
Love to see some pics! I'll have to get a shot of my splash guard and post for the cheap guys. Mine actually looks good but it was a spur of the moment thing that needs to be re-visited soon.

Vortechs Rule!!!

Happy Reefing!

Tivo

 

[reeftivo]

Wow - Being from Michigan, I never even considered an earthquake. I guess that's the trade off for not having to shovel snow

Yep, IMO Tile floors are a must in southern california if you have a tank-LOL!

C'mon, Snow Shovels? Whats that? Forgive me but I'm in California-LOL!!!!

Peace!!!

 

[ItsMee]

If there is any of you that have the shelf in the cabinet above the sump and have ever thought about removing it to make room...DO IT! I had it in there a long time until yesterday I finally decided to remove it to see what it is like and it is so much better without it. I guess the only reason someone might want to keep it in is if they actually use it, perhaps for an auto-top off.

 

[snslarison]

Cool, Im glad I left the shelf out when I built mine.

I'm going to freshwater test my system this weekend and if all goes well I should have saltwater in there next week.

 

[marinetankdiver]

If there is any of you that have the shelf in the cabinet above the sump and have ever thought about removing it to make room...DO IT! I had it in there a long time until yesterday I finally decided to remove it to see what it is like and it is so much better without it. I guess the only reason someone might want to keep it in is if they actually use it, perhaps for an auto-top off.

I have to agree, I just took out my shelf this weekend too and it is much easier to work in their that it was and it even looks better. Though i did use the shelf for all of my test kits, which have taken up residence in the garage with the other fishy stuff.

 

[mylifeismyown66]

Have you ever had metal halide lighting to compare brightness? I would imagine the energy costs of LED is probably much lower than that of halides. I can't wait for LED lighting to progress, I bet the future holds great and wonderful things for LED lighting in the aquarium world. :bounce1:

Nah, Ive never had Halides. I was going to get the CAD halide fixture until I saw the upgrade. The fixture I have is 120w, but equivalent to a 250w HQI radium in PAR, lumens, and LUX.

 

[mylifeismyown66]

Someone here as a small 2g or so ATO sitting on their sump. I was going to do that, but there is so little space in there! Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I was just going to gravity feed something small sitting on the sump with an esshops float valve.
Like others here Id like to hear more suggestions on where to mount a controller/power strips. My AC Jr. should be in today and I want to mount it safely. I am having 2 fans installed in the stand, so Im not sure if that makes it safe to mount the power stuff in the stand?

 

[timdanger]

Orbit brand sprinkler timer box from Lowe's/Home Depot for $29.99 works well and can be inconspicuously mounted on the side of the cabinet. i haven't 100% decided whether i'm going to stick with this as a solution or not (because i still don't know where i'm going to stick my power strips -- the EB8 fits in there, but it's pretty tight), but it is the best i've come up with so far to make sure the stuff stays dry.

 

[timdanger]

Here is the Orbit Outdoor Timer Box. i would say the best thing to do is forget the GFCI plug in there and just mount it on the side of your cabinet or wall.

Neptune's EnergyBar8 strips fit in them, but most power strips are going to be too big. they will work pretty well for controllers/monitors/etc., though.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Someone here as a small 2g or so ATO sitting on their sump. I was going to do that, but there is so little space in there! Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

I use to have a Kent Aquadoser (5 gal) using an IV style drip on top of my sump. It worked OK but...

I removed it because I evaporate about 7 gallons a week, (and got tired of having to cram it back into the cabinet after every refilling) I wanted a larger reservoir in which I could also include the addition of Kalk. Now I have a use a second Cadlight cabinet that holds a frag tank and ATO reservoir

Second Cadlight cabinet holding BRS dosing pumps and 7 gallon bucket that contains a Tunze calcium dispenser and Osmocontroller pump.