Red Sea Max E170 or SCA 50g or Cadlight 50g?

[V4Vendetta]

Hey everyone,
new member here, I've always loved the salt water aquariums and i think it's about time for me to try out this new hobby.
After days of researching, I've narrowed my options to Red Sea Max E170, SCA 50G, and Cadlight 50G.

I know RS E170 is smaller but I really like the look and love the overflow not sticking out and it comes with almost everything to get things started since I'm a newbie at this, I think that's a big plus. Only thing is the price.

SCA and Cadlights are solely for the price. But I've read that Cadlights have the worst customer service so I think I can scratch off Cadlights from my list.
SCA also comes with almost everything plus sump so that's a plus.

I've checked out RS tanks at my LFS and it was beautiful.
How's SCA quality compared to RSea?
Does it command the price difference?
How's SCA customer service?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Blumy]

My first tank was a 120 gal pieced together mess. Served well with the learning curve and actually had decent success toward the end. I eventually bit the bullet and got an RS E260 for the all in one factor. Couldn't be any happier. I do wish the skimmer wasn't as touchy as it is.


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[CafeReef]

scratch cad lights from your list. Cadlights and SCA are essentially the exact same setup. but the Customer Service and assurance you will get your entire order beats the crap out of Cadlights hands down. Steve is the man.

I have no experience with Redsea, I know they make quality setups. But my biased opinion goes to the SCA 50. I have it, LOVE it. I would recommend spending the extra $$ and getting the solid wood stand. Give Steve a call, he can build a package for you.

 

[Dogshowgrl]

Love love love Red Sea. The E series is really nice and give you options to expand but is perfect without additional things. I work at a LFS we sell Red Sea as our all-in-one tank options. We do installs all the time, and maintenance of the system from people who want to look at them but know they don't know what they are doing. Red Sea is easy to clean and work in. The design is well thought out. I was overwhelmed by the price when I first started (I am a DIY person) but it is great bang for your buck. Their customer service rocks, too.

I know you were asking about the other brand, but I thought I would share my experience with Red Sea.

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[Ron Reefman]

I just got a new CadLights Artisan 125 and they were great. First, Free shipping vs RS asking $300 extra. The CL system was already $400 less than the RS and the RS didn't have a skimmer, DC pump, a smaller sump, a crowed cabinet or glass top panels. And when mine arrived, it didn't have the box with all the plumbing. I called and the next day it was out with Fed Ex. So I didn't have any issues with customer service. Mine came with a skimmer and DC12000 pump. The pump is very similar to the one I already have so I used my old one. The skimmer works very well and started making skimmate in just a few days. At 16 days of running, I'm very happy with the system. A friend has the RS system and to look at his vs mine from the front, you are hard pressed to see any difference. I thought the euro brace would be something I wouldn't like. But with it and the glass panels, I can keep fish that are jumpers now.

 

[snowriderz]

i have the CADlights 100G Artisan and LOVE it very much. any issues i have had was always taken care of by them so i dont have any service problems. my tank beautifully built, cabinet is Solid wood and piano paint, nothing in my LFS compares to it.

 

[LQT]

How have your experiences been with setting up the plumbing for the CadLights tanks? I have heard horror stories with their less than stellar metric bulkhead fittings and plumbing kits. Wondering if they have since improved this area from past issues. No doubt they make a beautiful tank, but it's the things that I've heard about their plumbing and poor service that make me nervous to pull the trigger.

 

[Ron Reefman]

How have your experiences been with setting up the plumbing for the CadLights tanks? I have heard horror stories with their less than stellar metric bulkhead fittings and plumbing kits. Wondering if they have since improved this area from past issues. No doubt they make a beautiful tank, but it's the things that I've heard about their plumbing and poor service that make me nervous to pull the trigger.

I think both CadLight and Red Sea have metric plumbing. My shipment showed up without the plumbing kit, I called and the next day the plumbing kit was on it's way FedEx. Service hasn't been a problem for me. BTW, I would have scrapped out the metric plumbing of either system and switched it all to standard schedule 40 pvc.

 

[snowriderz]

For my 100G Artisan. the plumbing is good. Eric (from CAD) explained to me that the plumbing they use is uPVC which is much better with corrosion and sea water. i googled the "Advantages of uPVC" and found that its a much higher grade than Schedule 40. uPVC can even handle acid (Breaking Bad image of bath tub). so instead of changing it, i decided to use the original CAD plumbing that it comes with. uPVC also costs a lot more than reg PVC.