260g CDA

[Arron209]

Hi all, I finally got around to posting a build thread of my new 260g Crystal Dynamics aquarium. The Dimensions are 84"x30"x24". I ordered the tank in October 2022 and received it in January 2023. I decided to skin their steel stand with the help of a friend. My other aquarium (Cadlights 100G), will be transferred into this tank. The Final leak test was done yesterday and also this morning after I tightened a couple bulkheads, but so far so good .

The equipment list so far is as follows. (This will be updated as new equipment is added and/or swapped out):

Filtration

• Tigger Platinum 39 sump with roller mat
• 57w Aqua Ultraviolet UV sterilizer
• Red Sea RSK 600 skimmer (will swap this to the newer DC model 900 when they are available)

Flow

• 6 x MP40QD
• 2 x Vectra M1

Lighting

• 8 x Radion XR15 G6 Blue

Dosing

• Avast Marine K2 Kalkwasser Stirrer
• GEO 624 CaRx

Delivery Day

Working on the stand

Leak test done

 

[Larry isaak]

Looks awesome

 

[Typhon]

Looking great so far.. Wondering what kind of feet are you using to level your tank?

 

[Arron209]

Looking great so far.. Wondering what kind of feet are you using to level your tank?

The feet were welded to the steel stand by Crystal Dynamics. They are 3” and there’s 6 of them.

 

[Arron209]

Got the tank transferred over. Still working on the equipment part of the cabinet and adjusting one door. Also organizing and managing cables. Here is a FTS as the tank sits now. don't mind the heaters in the display, they will get moved to the sump soon lol.

 

[Arron209]

I got most of the equipment cabinet done and installed the Avast Marine K2 kalkwasser reactor last week. I only use 4 of the 6 MP40s so far but I will add the other 2 later if I feel like there isn't enough flow.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Got the tank transferred over. Still working on the equipment part of the cabinet and adjusting one door. Also organizing and managing cables. Here is a FTS as the tank sits now. don't mind the heaters in the display, they will get moved to the sump soon lol.

Tank is looking really good!!!

 

[Ks4726]

Bumping this thread, I've got the same size tank from them delivered in September. I had them finish the stand though. How many gallons is your sump? I went with the triton 44 and kept having problems with it overflow when the pumps were off. Ended up caulking the return loc line hole gaps in the overflow. They sat below the weir by like a half inch.

 

[Arron209]

Bumping this thread, I've got the same size tank from them delivered in September. I had them finish the stand though. How many gallons is your sump? I went with the triton 44 and kept having problems with it overflow when the pumps were off. Ended up caulking the return loc line hole gaps in the overflow. They sat below the weir by like a half inch.

I have the trigger platinum 39. I have check valves on each return line so the water level in the sump rises maybe an inch.

 

[Arron209]

The tank has been running for 1 month now and I've added a ton of acros. Still have a little bit of uglies but they are going away. Also got a GEO 624 calcium reactor which I haven't set up yet since the kalkwasser stirrer is keeping up with alk and calcium demands so far.
Here is a 1 month FTS:

 

[Rotknee]

Congrats on the new CDA tank. I really like that stand. I just reached out to CDA today regarding a new 78x36x22 build. Thanks for the post regarding the check valves.

I was unsure as to what size return lines I should use. Did you decide on two .75” return lines?

 

[Arron209]

Congrats on the new CDA tank. I really like that stand. I just reached out to CDA today regarding a new 78x36x22 build. Thanks for the post regarding the check valves.

I was unsure as to what size return lines I should use. Did you decide on two .75” return lines?

Thanks. Yes I use two 3/4” returns. Each one is plumbed to a Vectra pump. One of the return lines has a manifold for future reactors and my uv sterilizer.

 

[Ks4726]

Congrats on the new CDA tank. I really like that stand. I just reached out to CDA today regarding a new 78x36x22 build. Thanks for the post regarding the check valves.

I was unsure as to what size return lines I should use. Did you decide on two .75” return lines?

I use one inch from my return pump, in the overflow I convert it to a 3/4 inch and tee it off at the top where my 2 loc lines connect.

 

[SPS_]

Yeah, it’s nice having two separate holes drilled for 3/4 bulkheads. I like the redundancy of two return pumps.

 

[Ks4726]

More money, more plumbing, less space to me. But I can't imagine all that flow you have. I run two maxspect xf 350 gyres and the jump return and that has some flow. You have the ocean in there.

​

 

[SPS_]

More money, more plumbing, less space to me. But I can't imagine all that flow you have. I run two maxspect xf 350 gyres and the jump return and that has some flow. You have the ocean in there.

​

If you really want to save money, have less plumbing, and more space...this is not the hobby for you.

 

[Ks4726]

I've been doing this for over 30 years. Thanks for your insight though junior.

 

[SPS_]

I've been doing this for over 30 years. Thanks for your insight though junior.

30 years! I guess it's time to start a build thread brother. Your sump looks nice by the way.

 

[Ks4726]

30 years! I guess it's time to start a build thread brother. Your sump looks nice by the way.

Thank you. Its roomy. I like it. Well built too. I have a thread on humblefish for it actually. 30 is freshwater and saltwater combined though, so maybe I exaggerated a bit. Started freshwater in early 90s though when I was a kid. Saltwater since about 2000. And I've learned money and space are the two most important aspects in the hobby unfortunately. This was my dream tank. Besides the lights, I didn't skimp on it.

 

[SPS_]

Beautiful