CADlights 39g Pro build thread

Hi creefer01!

welcome fellow enthusiast!!!:thumbsup:. IMHO, the CAD 39pro as it is now, is the best all in one available for less than 1000 bucks. The look of the tank is even better than Elos, marineland or oceanic IMO. Many of the components have been upgraded by Eddie due to customer suggestions and he is always trying to produce a better product. I purchased mine before many of the upgrades were done and yes, I have done modding on mine because thats what I love to do. The stock system is fine for keeping a fish only or mixed reef tank with LPS and hardy SPS. The flow rate and lighting of the stock system is adequate for mixed reef but if you plan to keep more demanding corals (acros etc.) then more flow and better lighting should be addressed. I think most on the forum that have been seriously upgrading pumps, skimmers and lighting have decided to go the true sps route so upgrades are inevitable with any AIO system-even Elos. My knock on CADlights has always been the plumbing kits that come with the systems. The components are okay but the consistency of what people get has not always been spot on (short durso's, missing clamps or hoses). I think thats the biggest area Eddie gets complaints about and simple QC would solve that easily. The Artisan tanks are awsome as well, but they also have had QC isues with the plumbing components. I think Eddie has finally got a handle on the components. He is a hands on guy and I believe when push came to shove, he did the QC himself.

I helped my brother build his Elos system and he shelled out over 3 grand for it. Granted it is significantly larger than the cad but he is still upgrading that thing and he's had it for three years now. I would hate to guess how much he has put into his but as with all others in this wonderfull, expensive hobby, it goes with the territory.

In summary, the CAD systems are great and if you decide to order, contact Eddie directly before he ships and let him know to personally QC that sucker:thumbsup:


Good luck with your exciting decision and Happy Reefing!

Tivo


RT,

Thanks for the insight. It's helping the decision making. I had some dialogue with Tom (CalmSeas) last year about this. I think that the inevitable "tinkering" with things will certainly happen with me but may not occur for several months after initial set up. I really do want to take it slow and eventually build up to something that contains the splendor of some of the systems on this forum. Needless to say, both the wife and I are rather excited. Containing the excitement and taking ones time is another issue all together.

I have thought long and hard about the artisan.....that this is beautiful. For budget purposes however I'm likely to go with the 39g Pro. Also for purposes of cost, I'll likely end up using Korlia's for flow until I can spring for an MP20 and eventually a controller. I'll have to stick with stock lighting for the time being as well. I am also likely not going to purchase the stand. I'll either build one or buy a piece of furniture that makes the boss happy and modify it as required to accommodate the sump. This will go in our living room, so noise is a factor. Your lining of the stand and the overflow modifications made by both you and Tom will no doubt come into play for me.

I'm open to any and all recommendations. I'm a bit of a noob with the reef dynamics. I have purchased and some reading materials and have been following these forums for well over a year trying to educate myself.

Thanks for the words....I'll be sure to keep you all posted.

Chris
 
no problem, we are all glad to help in any way!

We are all sponges in this hobby trying to learn and absorb info as we go.
 
marinetankdiver- Nah its not the water falling to the sump thats loud, just the water falling over the overflow before it goes into the durso.

CalmSeasQuest's ziploc bag mod seems to be the ticket! I still use my CD case mod with pond mesh.

You could always get a longer piece of Schedule 80 PVC and raise the standpipe. Just raising it an inch would make a huge difference.

Or go the Hofer route http://home.everestkc.net/jrobertson57268/HGB/
 
On another note;

I was fiddling around with my ever growing collection of skimmers and found out a couple of things. 1) The ASM mini pump works for the old stock cad skimmer (not the NAC3). However,the input on the bottom has to be slightly dremmeled to accept the pump. The flow is slightly higher than the resun pump but it kicks booty. I had to remove the rio valve system to get it to settle down. In my toying around with the old skimmer, 2) The lids on the bubble kings are not indestructable. I knocked over my Bubble king 160 and broke the lid on the cup (not happy). I will be getting a replacement lid from Jeremy at Premium Aquatics in a couple of weeks ($60 wow!). Wondering if any here would be interested in buying it from me before I put it up on the equipment forum. I was planning on using it for my wall build but that doesn't seem to be happening in the near future and it's too much skimmer for my system as it is now.

If any one is interested in the 160 please PM me.

Peace,

Tivo
 
Received the lumenmax 3 fixture today and fired it up at lunch. Holy smoke! I think the corals are going to love this thing. I'll have to post some pics soon. I'll be running a 250 watt 14k Phoenix on it and start at 150 watts to see if thats sufficient. At 150 watts on the dimmable lumatek ballast it looks twice as bright as the stock fixture. The phoenix bulb is really blue so I don't know how it will look yet over the tank. I have a hanging kit for it and the fixture is barely over 11 inches square so I'll be able to get into the tank much easier and it should look really clean. Super excited!

I'll post pics soon
 
So my tank is finally up and running with the AC Jr. and everything other than the ATO Im planning on installing. Pics are up on my build thread for those interested. Thanks for all of your help with my issues!
 
Sorry to be a pain, but I have another problem I have never had to deal with before. On my old tank I had a bubble magus nac7 and it was awesome, so I was very happy to get a bubble magus included with this setup. Now I have a ton of microbubbles in my DT whenever my skimmer is on. What can I do to stop this?
 
+1 on the sock. The bubbles will lessen as the skimmer gets "broken in" (slime coat develops.) You can also slow the water flow through the sump until it subsides.
 
RT,

Thanks for the insight. It's helping the decision making. I had some dialogue with Tom (CalmSeas) last year about this.
Chris

Hi Chris - Welcome aboard! Save your nickels and buy the biggest tank you can (i.e. the Artisan) It will extend (just slightly) the time until you feel the need to go even bigger ;)

Received the lumenmax 3 fixture today and fired it up at lunch. Holy smoke! I think the corals are going to love this thing. Super excited!

I'll post pics soon
WTG RT,

That's the route I was planning on going before deciding on the LEDs. Can't wait to see the pics.
 
The filter sock where the return goes into the sump will solve the skimmer microbubbles? (I did try to get a filter sock at 1 LFS yesterday and they dont sell them. Im going to try another LFS tomorrow.)
 
The filter sock where the return goes into the sump will solve the skimmer microbubbles? (I did try to get a filter sock at 1 LFS yesterday and they dont sell them. Im going to try another LFS tomorrow.)

Yup - get the Felt type. I order em through BRS. I keep a dozen or so on hand and just toss em in the washing machine 10 at a time with a little bleach - 2 rinses and let dry. I then wring them out in a little RO/DI before replacing.
 
WTG RT,

That's the route I was planning on going before deciding on the LEDs. Can't wait to see the pics
.


Thanks Tom,

Installed the fixture last night while my wife was trying to watch That Glee show-LOL!. She says the stock fixture looks better. I told her "Whatever, between you not liking the lights and my brother not liking the scape, You two should have got married-LOLOL!"

It looks sweet and I love the room for access now. There is no glare from this sucker even at 250 watts. The stock Cad fixture is fine but did glare at me when I sat on the couch. The lumenmax does not because it sits so deep up into the fixture-Nice! It does pump out some heat so I put a small fan at the back of the overflow to push some air and it works perfect. My tank temps hold at 77.3 constant with no threat of the chiller coming on.

Didn't get pics last night but will tonight.

I think you'll like it-I do!

Happy Reefing

Tivo
 
Ok so it doesnt have to cover the side portions inside of the overflow?

Correct. The bag really creates a soft landing for the water when it enters the overflow box and can't even really notice it!!! You will be amazed at the difference. I've had my cadlights running for 4 months now and it probably took me about 3 months to get everything adjusted and make minor modifications to reduce the noise levels.
 
Correct. The bag really creates a soft landing for the water when it enters the overflow box and can't even really notice it!!! You will be amazed at the difference.

+1 It's "stupid simple", It will totally silence the overflow...dead quiet and it automatically adjust to any change in water flow.
 
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