CAD Lights Artisan II 125 Build

[fishkeeper2]

I own a 42 gallon Versa series, piano white cabinet, and a Hydra 26 HD (you got the white one to match, right?). I'm very impressed with the setup. The finish on the stand is flawless, tank looks amazing. I expect you'll be pleased with it.

I personally chose the black hydras because I like the contrast, but I may switch them out if it does not work out.

 

[Scubafrog]

CAD Lights apologized for any inconvenience and are build another tank for me at the moment. They said they will ship it with a different shipping company as they work things out with the first one. Waiting...

Just seems like an odd situation. Doesn't seem like CAD Lights is revealing the whole story.

 

[DipSpit]

Plan seems solid. Looking forward to updates!

 

[MaiReef]

Like it so far.

 

[baktabiznis]

yea... I keep trying to buy a cad lights system and everytime I search there's another no so good post. idk

 

[Michael Montgomery]

A Red Sea Reefer 450 Deluxe is 116 gallon and also uses 2 Hydra 26 HDs. I went with the same setup.

Maybe if I was doing an all coral reef I would consider the 52s.

FYI- The 450 uses THREE Hydra 26's... the 350 uses 2 lights.

 

[Water Dog]

Curious if CADlights ever remedied this situation... any tank show up yet?

 

[Scubafrog]

Yeah, seems that CAD Lights has a lot of "shipping" issues with their freight companies.

 

[Berlibee]

How is the tank did you receive it?

 

[Berlibee]

yea... I keep trying to buy a cad lights system and everytime I search there's another no so good post. idk

I was also thinking about them and after this case will look at Red Sea again ...

 

[Water Dog]

Yeah, I'm very curious to see if the OP's decision to give CADlights a chance despite their poor CS reputation was worth it or not.

 

[baktabiznis]

Yeah, I'm very curious to see if the OP's decision to give CADlights a chance despite their poor CS reputation was worth it or not.

I almost went with CAD Lights on my recent build. I would have ben able to get a bigger tank for the $$ but decided to go with a reefer 250 and I'm very happy with my decision. Red Sea make a great tank and stand. Can not recommend it enough.

 

[Cherub]

Curious if CADlights ever remedied this situation... any tank show up yet?

+1!

 

[fishkeeper2]

+1!

Yes indeed. I received the tank with no cracks or issues. The quality is alright. I personally would prefer a Red Sea S lone tank, but it’s thousands more. Saved a bunch.

 

[fishkeeper2]

Loving my hydras. 2 Hydra HD 26 work beautifully on a 125G tank.

I enjoy having full control over spectrum, the automated dimming at dusk and dawn, and that they just work without issue.

 

[James Weir]

Don't go with the Versa or Zen unless you're willing to paint all unpainted surfaces. It's built out of terribly cheap MDF and will be destroyed fast by water. Also check for bowing on critical structural support pieces. Artisan II is way better.