Cadlights 50G Artisan Cube Tank Build Thread

[cocoaandme]

It's finally here! I just got the new Cadlights 50 Gallon Artisan Series Aquarium and I will be doing my first build thread. The purpose of this thread is to show off my new tank and to help other people who are thinking about getting this tank. Also I will try to make this as detailed as possible including suggestions for next generation models.

So first off a little about the tank:

-Dimensions: 24"x24"x20"
-Rimless
-Low Iron High Clarity Glass "Starphire"
-Black seams
-Built in overflow on the back with two return holes drilled in the overflow and one hole drilled for drain and one hole drilled for return on the bottom of the overflow
-Stand is made out of a real wood/particle board composite (extremely nice looking with the most sump space to tank dimension ratio possible)
-Huge sump with 4 chambers (dimensions in picture)
-Sleek aluminum light stand

Tank Equipment:

Protein Skimmer: SWC Xtreme 160 Cone
Lighting: 150 watt Lumenbright Mini pendant with Coralvue ballast and Radium bulb
Powerheads: Tunze 6025 and I will be adding a Tunze 6055 or Vortech MP20
Return Pump: QuietOne 3000


Before buying this tank I asked the sales rep a TON of questions because I was suspicious as to how a tank of this caliber could be priced so low. So I know probably there are at least a few of you potential buyers out there who have lots of questions too. So I'll try to take some burden off of Clay and answer them with this thread.

If you have any questions about the tank please feel free to ask. Sharing info is the best!

Now for some pics:

Stand with sump on top. Stand Dimensions are about 24"x24"x30".

Close up of the sump

The sump is about 13" high

 

[NVTE]

looking good Richard.

 

[Sinful Aquatics]

Nice! Did you just get this from Clay?

 

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

Nice one. I almost bought this same set-up. Ended up with just the CAD sump. Clay was also very helpful with me.

Tagging along...

 

[bullitr]

Nice! Did you just get this from Clay?

peter i think i know your next tank will be!!!!!
24x24x20 rimless

 

[bullitr]

thanks for the picture Richard

 

[cocoaandme]

looking good Richard.

Thanks Daniel!

Nice! Did you just get this from Clay?

Yep yep I did. When are you going to get yours?
PS you were right about Kisame but totally wrong about Pain!:rollface:

Nice one. I almost bought this same set-up. Ended up with just the CAD sump. Clay was also very helpful with me.

What did you do with the sump? Why not the whole setup?

thanks for the picture Richard

Haha are you thinking about getting one too? Your house is going to be underwater with all the tanks you'll have!

 

[rroselavy]

I'm excited for ya, but where's the picture of the tank?

 

[cocoaandme]

I'm excited for ya, but where's the picture of the tank?

Haha yeah. I haven't taken it out of the box yet. I am clearing space in my room to set up the tank and I didn't want to risk damaging the tank until everything was in place. I should have it up after this weekend. I am super excited!!

I am already in love with the stand. It is like a work of art and it was so easy to put together. Every 5 minutes I touch it to make sure it's real. :inlove:

 

[firereef]

I love those stands. What do you plan to keep in it as far as fish?

 

[cocoaandme]

I love those stands. What do you plan to keep in it as far as fish?

Haven't decided yet. Nothing too fancy. It's more for the corals. What do you suggest?

 

[clayw]

it'd be cool to see some ORA bangaiis in there
small ones
-Clay

 

[firereef]

Haven't decided yet. Nothing too fancy. It's more for the corals. What do you suggest?

A bit expensive but I saw the Ora clowns at the MAX show and all I can say is wow! It's really up to you tho, just make sure you don't put damsels in there.

 

[Sinful Aquatics]

Yep yep I did. When are you going to get yours?
PS you were right about Kisame but totally wrong about Pain!:rollface:

How so about Pain? I never said he wasn't dead... Oh well! How is everything. Hope everything is good...

Btw is everything stock so far? Or will you upgrade somethings?

 

[Sinful Aquatics]

peter i think i know your next tank will be!!!!!
24x24x20 rimless

Actually I wanted to go 24" cube.... But you were close! Are you buying it for me lol hahahahaha

 

[cmagallon]

Nice bro, Can't wait to see the craftsmanship on the tank.

when do you plan to fill it.

 

[cocoaandme]

A bit expensive but I saw the Ora clowns at the MAX show and all I can say is wow! It's really up to you tho, just make sure you don't put damsels in there.

Haha ohhh noo. I would never put damsels in my tank. I've never had a damsel and never will.

How so about Pain? I never said he wasn't dead... Oh well! How is everything. Hope everything is good...

Btw is everything stock so far? Or will you upgrade somethings?

You totally said he was still alive! And everything is stock so far except for the equipment (IE skimmer, lights). I plan on modifying the sump a bit and the light rack. Not sure how I could upgrade the stand and tank haha but if you know a way I can try.

BTW you should definitely get this instead of a 60 cube. The 60 cubes are too high which kind of ruins the point of having it rimless and also makes it difficult to work with when you are feeding corals. I know from the tank that I cam replacing haha.

Nice bro, Can't wait to see the craftsmanship on the tank.

when do you plan to fill it.

Umm as soon as I get all the plumbing.

 

[BriGuy31+]

Nice Tank. Mine is shipping right now. I already have the stand and sump but I am waiting on the tank. I wanted the SWC160 also but I was scared it wouldn't fit into the sump. Will the height be a problem in the compact stand? I'm glad to find out it will fit into the sump. I went with the Bubble Magnus NAC-6. What made you decide on the SWC160? I'll be following this thread for sure!!!

 

[cocoaandme]

Nice Tank. Mine is shipping right now. I already have the stand and sump but I am waiting on the tank. I wanted the SWC160 also but I was scared it wouldn't fit into the sump. Will the height be a problem in the compact stand? I'm glad to find out it will fit into the sump. I went with the Bubble Magnus NAC-6. What made you decide on the SWC160? I'll be following this thread for sure!!!

Yeah I got my SWC before the cadlights tank when SWC was having their pre-sale discount. I just saw the skimmer and fell in love with it. Which I think my friend Conrad did as well. I really wanted a cone skimmer because it reduces turbulence which allows for a more stable foam head which in turn means better skimming (it's no coincidence that Royal Exclusiv partnered up with Vertex to make cone skimmers). The SWC 160 cone was the biggest cone skimmer that I could reasonable fit into a sump for a cube tank and still have a refugium and it's beautiful. I can take more pictures of it if you like.

Before I bought the cadlights sump I asked Clay to measure the skimmer compartment for me to see if I could use their sump and voila it was a perfect fit. But I was going to get the sump anyway since the outer dimensions were exactly what I was looking for and re-doing the baffles is super easy. I mean for just a normal tank custom built to the size of that sump is like $140 or more without baffles from other places. So $65 for the sump with baffles was ridiculously cheap.

Anyway you should post a build thread too. They help people learn and they are a good "journal" for you to keep track of your tank. Plus I want to see pictures of your setup haha. :dance:

 

[cocoaandme]

I put my light stand on today. The kit came with to posts but I opted to just put one on for what I think is a cleaner look.

This is the light stand as it is currently mounted:

And here is how it screws in to the back of the stand. (There are plastic risers that go between the bracket and the stand because the top of the stand has a small lip.)

I think it looks pretty sleek. The new stands aren't flush like the old ones but the veneer is stronger and nicer looking and it is easier to open the doors due to a larger gap between the doors and the top platform.