50 CAD Cube Build - Aquascaping Pics Added

All build threads have to start somewhere, but this may be the most anticlimactic start this site has seen.

I owned the CAD 50 gallon about a year and a half ago until I went through my divorce and had to part out the system.

Wasn't sure the direction I wanted to go with a new set up so for the time being I opted for a used Nuvo 38. I knew I wanted to go for the cube look so my intentions were a 93 cube build. The CAD 50 was always in the back of my head though. Then I had a chance to visit Laird and see his CAD and all the improvements they've done I was sold.

I just happened to visit CAD's website about a week ago to do some window shopping and they had the complete CAD 50 Artisan II on sale for $799.99, marked down from $999.99. Couldn't pass up a deal for a tank that came with everything except lights for that price. The only upgrade I opted for was to go from the PLS-100 pipeless skimmer to their TIA-1150 cone skimmer.

Was very impressed with Lairds choice in sand so I copied his choice of Tropic Eden's Reeflakes/Miniflakes mix that he did, and got that ordered today.

I will be going for a very minimalist aquascape, so I'm still shopping for just the right pieces of rock. There will be a few smaller pieces moved over from the existing tank too.

It will be SPS dominant, with my second emphasis on chalices.

Equipment coming from Nuvo will be my MP10W ES (on battery back up), ATI Sunpower 6x24 light fixture and my autotopoff.com set up.

SPS corals that will make the move are Red Dragon, Biohazard, Pink Lemonade, Red Planet, Setosa, Idaho Grape, 20K Lokani, Cornbred's Fire Dragon, Purple Dragon and Watermelon Milli.

Chalices will be Emerald Mummy Eye, Pink Boobies, Purple Urkle, Hollywood Stunner, My Miami, and Cornbred's Beetlejuice.

I have a lengthy wish list of other SPS and chalices jotted down, but will have to pick carefully as space will be at a premium. Just know I have quite the shopping trip planned to Jared Butler's soon!

Equipment to get ordered are a second MP10W ES, APEX Controller with WXM module, and calcium reactor.

Well told you all the beginning of this build thread would be anticlimactic, cuz all I can share right now is what was sitting in the driveway when I got home a bit ago.

Hopefully, more to follow soon.



Edited by Snowsrfr - September 04 2013 at 5:27am

It's gonna be a great tank congrats ...

I have a CAD 100g with the Lamp trees, my only complaint about them is that they will show a little surface rust. I would recommend using some type of sealer on the bare metal before mounting them.

not the best picture but this is how i mounted mine when I was first getting it up:

Did you get your tank moved?

I'm really starting to question my decision to go with CAD for the new set up. Ugh.

Hoped to do more step by step posting, but I just got caught up in trying to get it up and running and my Nuvo tore down.

There were several items that I purchased from CAD, or came with the set up that were very sub par. Their customer service can be so hit and miss, as I learned.

First the light tree arms from them. I paid the $119 that they sell for, and are advertised as "polished stainless steel". These were far from the item description. Mine had dust from the grinding of the weld spots coating the arms. There were polish/grind areas at the weld seams. The rest of the arms had a bit of a brush look, not polished, and scratch marks all over them. I brought this up to the guys at CAD and was just ignored. It was my intent to paint them black for a better look and protection from the saltwater atmosphere, but was surprised that they charged this much for a product that were so poorly manufactured. Regardless, I put two coats of black Rustoleum on the arms for protection and a darker look to match the tank and stand.

I was very happy with the the overflow set up. Instead of using the traditional bulkheads that most reef ready tanks use, CAD uses a "hand tight one step bulk head fittings" system. The over flow, emergency overflow tube, and return feed through from the overflow, and the fittings that thread on are all done by simply hand tightening. Once tank was filled I had zero issues with any leaks. I then simply used the supplied ball valve and flex hose provided for the overflow and return.



I knew there was gonna be another issue, of course it had to rear it's ugly head after the the pump was installed. The whole package was shipped on a pallet and then wrapped in plastic. The return pump was not in a box and merely strapped down to the outside of the boxes. After I got the whole thing set up and turned return pump on I noticed it was spraying water out and actually pumping very little water up the return. Upon further inspection I noticed a chunk broken off the return pump allowing most water to just be sprayed back into sump. I contacted CAD once again, and they said it was my fault and caused by me putting side pressure on the pump outlet when hooking up the return tubing. This wasn't a stress crack from putting too much pressure on it while connecting the hose, it had a piece broken completely off the pump! I was basically blown off by customer support again, so I had to order a new pump. I opted for a Rio 8HF, til I can save up for my pump of choice, the Eheim 1260.



Sump is well built, but could use some refinements on the design. The middle chamber is designated as the refugium but is so narrow with little room. Does accommodate a decent size ball of chaeto which is all I really care about, but think they could have widened the refugium area and narrowed the return area just a bit. All in all I'm happy with it though.



I upgraded from the stock pipeless skimmer that the package deal comes with to the TIA-1150 cone skimmer rated at 150 gallons. Took a couple days to break in and stop spewing TONS of micro bubbles, but is working great and even pulling out skimate with a nearly non-existent bioload. (No fish have been added to system yet.)

Looking good !

Added my fish that I picked up from Aquatic Dreams yesterday.

ORA Smiths Blenny


Was also able to use the old bottle trap to get my Pom Pom crab outta the bucket with my extra LR.

That is cool. Is it a type of Fang Blenny?

Is it venomous ? I have a small golden midas and he bites