Cadlights 50G Artisan Cube Tank Build Thread

[cocoaandme]

Nice update. Looks like things are coming along nicely. I just noticed that CADlights now has a 40g Artisan on their site. No tank-only option yet, but your setup has got me thinking...

Also, how is the SWC 160 settling in? Does the SWC have a true gate valve on the outlet, or is it a wedge pipe with a knob?

The SWC 160 is doing great! I had some trouble tuning it in the first month or so as you might here from other people but after it broke in it worked like a champ. I plan on having this skimmer for a long long time. The outlet is a wedge pipe not a true gate valve but it still works fine. My skimmer is in 10 inches of water and I think that's best.

Does your damsel bother your corals? mine is starting to be a menace and i just cant imagine what it takes to get him out. those corals are awesome looking.

i asked Eddie and he let me get the new 40G Artisan package without the light. sometimes they can help you with extra requests if you call. im thinking about the 40G cause it isnt so big and has lots more swimming space for fish asides from coral. im just thinking between the LED package and the HQI package.

My damsel? My tank is damsel free. You should get a fish trap or build your own to catch him. The 40g artisan looks awesome. I love the dimensions. If I didn't have this tank already I would be hard pressed to choose between them. I like also that you can have a more traditional sump with the 40g artisan.

I would go with T5's for the 40g. IMO T5's are good for long tanks and LED or Halides are good for cubes. They all work for either but based on overall look and cost that's my choice.

 

[Sinful Aquatics]

Richard it has come a long way! I like the way it looks! FTS please

 

[cocoaandme]

Richard it has come a long way! I like the way it looks! FTS please

Thanks Peter! Right now I am holding some corals in my tank in breeders so it doesn't look too pretty but I should get them out this weekend so I will take a FTS when I remove them. Also I am still dealing with some hair algae. But FTS soon!

In the meanwhile here's a picture I took of a coral I was holding for a member of SFVR:

 

[psykokid]

looks good richard, how the macros fairing?

 

[cocoaandme]

The macros are doing great. I really like the ulva and I found some mysis shrimp in my sump which is exciting.

 

[gea0119]

nice

 

[dodgerblew]

Hey, I recognize that blue cespitularia

 

[cocoaandme]

Yeah the cespitularia I got from you grew like crazy and I gave frags to some friends of mine and I also got an African Blue one from Steve Garrett but then I had a crash due to my AC dying during a heatwave and I lost both colonies. Luckily my friends still have theirs so when they grow out I will get some back.

 

[firereef]

Glad your crash wasn't as bad as mine. Lookin good tho.

 

[psykokid]

The macros are doing great. I really like the ulva and I found some mysis shrimp in my sump which is exciting.

Good to hear, i have a ton of pods in my fuge so i figure you got a boost in variety from the macro pack i gave you..

 

[hanchung]

Richard, your cube is looking awesome! I have been reading up on cube set ups and really like your sump setup. Is it working out for you? I suppose it's doing great since your livestock is looking healthy. I'm debating on sump sizes and skimmer for a while for my 50G cube and like your sump. where did you get your sump and what is the noise level like on your skimmer.

thanks,

Han

 

[rroselavy]

Nice coral choices!

I was eyeing the Artisan sump at Age of Aquariums last week (stopped by after RAP), and one guy showed me how the SWC 160 cone fits in the sump, but mentioned that he gets microbubbles in his display on his identical setup at home. Have you experienced this, and does it solve itself after the break-in period?

I was thinking of getting one of those sumps for a shallow cube tank I am planning, but may go the cheaper route by adding baffles to an 18" square "turtle" tank instead...

 

[cocoaandme]

Richard, your cube is looking awesome! I have been reading up on cube set ups and really like your sump setup. Is it working out for you? I suppose it's doing great since your livestock is looking healthy. I'm debating on sump sizes and skimmer for a while for my 50G cube and like your sump. where did you get your sump and what is the noise level like on your skimmer.

thanks,

Han

I got my sump from Cadlights. It is the standard sump that comes with the Cadlights 50g Artisan package. It is working out quite well for me. I did some modifications on it so that the level of water in the skimmer chamber is higher (I have pictures of it earlier in this thread). The refugium is doing really well with lots of pods and mysis shrimp and the lots of different types of macroalgae (thanks Jake). I can try to take a picture of my sump tonight so you can see. The skimmer is very quiet but also the cadlights stand seals up pretty well so that sound does not travel through.

Nice coral choices!

I was eyeing the Artisan sump at Age of Aquariums last week (stopped by after RAP), and one guy showed me how the SWC 160 cone fits in the sump, but mentioned that he gets microbubbles in his display on his identical setup at home. Have you experienced this, and does it solve itself after the break-in period?

I was thinking of getting one of those sumps for a shallow cube tank I am planning, but may go the cheaper route by adding baffles to an 18" square "turtle" tank instead...

Yeah the SWC 160 fits perfectly into the sump. Pretty much as tight as possible. And yes it did have a ton of micrbubbles coming out in the beginning but after a few weeks it got better. It still has a bit of bubbles now but it doesn't get into the display tank because of the baffling system. Also I made modifications to my baffles which helps with eliminating microbubbles. I will try to take pictures of my sump tonight so you can see.

Also I was lucky and got my sump with my setup for a special offer so it was only $65. If you talk to Clay he might be able to hook you up with a deal. If you need his contact info just pm me.

 

[cocoaandme]

So here's a picture of my sump. As you can see the refugium is packed. Also the skimmer is growing a lot of coralline algae on it so I have to find some black acrylic to shade it. But the algae isn't really affecting the performance.

And here is a upclose shot of the skimmer. You can see some bubbles coming out but it's not much and none of it gets to the tank because of the baffles. Also the bubbles area result of the output of the pump which is tremendous. I am really impressed with these atman pumps. I had really wanted a sicce but after seeing this pump work I am no longer envious of sicce powered skimmers.

 

[cocoaandme]

And here is a FTS even though I have some stuff in the tank (specimen keepers):

 

[j5kidd]

Very nice tank! What exactly are you keeping in the specimen keeper?

 

[emklreefer]

Nice tank. for me it was between the 39G Pro and the 50G Artisan. i chose the Pro and love it. my sump looks the same but smaller of course. did you add that taller baffle in there yourself?

 

[cocoaandme]

Very nice tank! What exactly are you keeping in the specimen keeper?

The one in the back has a lemon peel angel that was picking on some corals and the one in the front is being used as a frag rack for some chalices that needed healing.

Nice tank. for me it was between the 39G Pro and the 50G Artisan. i chose the Pro and love it. my sump looks the same but smaller of course. did you add that taller baffle in there yourself?

Yeah I added the taller baffle so that the water level would be at the right place for the swc 160.

 

[firereef]

Wow. That looks dope. How are the acans? Are they the ones in the center?

 

[cocoaandme]

Wow. That looks dope. How are the acans? Are they the ones in the center?

Thanks Tanu! The acans you got for me are on the left in the corner. I am still trying to figure out a place to put them. The ones in the center are from wishtoboutside.