New tank advice

[Naveen]

Hello,

I've been thinking about getting into the hobby for quite a while now but have just seriously started my research phase.

I poured over all of the craigslist ads but the condition most of those tanks are in leave much to be desired. When I was big into fish 20 years ago I would setup tanks that would be crystal clear with almost no maintenance and I'd like to setup a salt water tank that is thriving just as well (but with a lot more work).

I'm looking at the CAD Lights 70 Gallon Artisan II Aquarium system. It runs about 1500$ delivered with a skimmer. Is this a good starter model that I can expand on as I get more advanced?

Initially I was looking at starting with a reef tank but after a lot of reading I think I will do a FOWLR to start and branch out as I get more knowledge.

Any and all advice is welcome!

 

[Naveen]

Had no responses so bumping this back to the top. I'm looking to buy sooner than later.

Thank you

 

[pyithar]

i live in different part of the world therefore i have no access to craigslist. i also have no idea what a cad light artisan 2 aquarium is. but my advice to you is get the largest tank you can and get a large sump as well. you'll be limited to small fishes if your tank is not large enough. most marine fishes need plenty of room to swim. if you're planning to do reef later, remember not to get coral eating fishes.

 

[neonpoke]

I've seen the CAD lights 70 in person and it's a really nice tank. I don't know anyone with one myself, but I've seen some really nice pictures/videos of them fully stocked. You can always sub out the skimmer if you don't like it, or switch the sump with a refuigum. Not much else to expand on.

Get some good LED lighting (Kessil, AI, Reefbreeders, etc), keep a regular water change schedule and go straight into a reef tank with some easy care LPS and Softies.

If you don't feel comfortable with that, start with a FOWLR and just be careful to buy reef safe fish to you plan to add corals later on.

 

[Pife]

It seems expensive for what you are getting. Check out redsea tanks aio

 

[Pointboy]

I've seen some nice CAD lights tanks but have also seen many with poor quality seals and stands. I think they are using nicer stands now. I would never buy a used tank; you simply dont know its history. Check out DSA tanks; I think there products are a little better quality wise. It's my understanding that the tank builders at DSA are pervious oceanic employees. I reaseached both; in the end I purchased a Reef Octopus tank.

 

[formsix]

Personally, just given the little bit you've said about doing your research and your past experience, I would suggest putting your setup together yourself. But the CAD lights system does seem reasonable (just skimmed the product page) and if the quality is decent then I think that's a fine alternative.

One thing you should consider though is the length of the tank. When I was thinking about my first tank last year, one of my top priorities ended up being a length of 48". Anything less will preclude a lot of fish that like swimming space (and I'm talking about fairy wrasses and smaller anthias, 48" is still small for most tangs and other bigger swimmers). FWIW, our tank is a custom 48x22x16, so still roughly 75g.

Thus, my biggest piece of advice is to figure out what some of the tank inhabitants will be, and then build around their needs. IMO, if you pick the tank size first, then you might feel limited in the creatures you can keep -- the creatures that are, after all, what (who?) you are building the tank for!!

 

[Naveen]

Thank you all for posting! Great points to consider on all posts.

I've read through almost all the sticky posts and am getting closer to pulling the trigger!

 

[fishhuman]

What fish are you getting

 

[murdock84]

I was originally going to get one of the Red Sea systems. After being on here a little I decided to buy an aquarium then get the components separately. If you get an all in one and something goes out, most likely you will need to replace it with exactly what went out. Normally it's not a quick trip down to the store and back.