IM vs. Cadlights

[zak.payne]

Hi there!

With the move into the townhouse complete, I can finally start to get a tank up and running

My main question to you all is which is the "best" out there between Innovative Marine and Cadlights? My two options are this point are the Fusion 40 and the 50 gallon Artisan. I've heard many positive things about IM, but I like the idea of having a sump on the Cadlights tank. Only problem with that is that I have heard good and bad things about Cadlights (poor quality, bad customer service, etc.)

Can anyone shed some light on these? I just want to make sure I'm getting a good tank considering the money I am about to put into this hobby....

 

[michael.lemke]

Cad can be hard to deal with. I had a custom tank made by them. That being said, it's a really nice tank for the money. The IM is nice too but I think you'll find the sump option better for long term success. If you are going for a all in one kinda thing with a simp you can not beat the price of the cad. They are quite attractive tanks as well.

 

[zak.payne]

Is the build quality pretty solid? That is where I've heard the most issues with them, but it could've been a circumstantial thing.

 

[TylerVT26]

I recently got the CAD Lights Artisan II 70 gallon and I am very impressed for the price. Tank and stand are high quality. I had my own sump so can't comment on the sump quality but the plumbing is nothing special. Great tank and stand for the price though! I've heard their customer service is a nightmare so I am hoping I won't have to deal with them.

 

[bitwise]

I bought an 18g from them ~18 months ago. Other than a scratch in the front pane around the top and some tinkering to get the overflow working correctly, things are good.

The tank is attractive and the stand is very nice as well. I can see this thing operating very well for years to come.

 

[zak.payne]

Thanks for the reviews you guys! I'm going to go with the 2015 50 gallon Artisan cube. My fingers are crossed it comes without a scratch on it and that it all works because dealing with the support doesn't sound fun!

Do either of you have some pictures of your tanks now? Just curious how you have scaped yours!

 

[TylerVT26]

Not yet but I will try and get some pics this weekend!