CAD Lights Review

[mill10]

After finally coming back into the hobby, I have decided to upgrade my tank into the new 178G Artisan II. This will be my third tank but my first CAD Lights.

Like most people, I started with a nano tank. My first tank was the 10G JBJ. Although it was a very nice tank, I realized I needed something bigger and quickly upgraded into their 20G IM. Using the 20G IM experience and the amazing R2R community I have decided that I was ready for a sump system.

I have decided to upgrade into the CAD Lights Aquarium because the quality that I saw as a whole system was very high. I was looking for something modern and CAD was perfect for me. The sales rep sent me some instructions prior to the purchase as I've read horrible reviews about the instructions but he assured me that they have been upgraded with pictures to make it simpler so I was happy to see that.

I can't wait to set this tank up and have it up and running. Anybody own any CAD Lights tank? would like to see how you set up your Artisan Series. This new Artisan comes with the Mode Aquariums skimmer as an upgrade as well, do any of you have any experience with that new skimmer? Would love to hear about it as I can't seem to find any reviews online.

Happy Reefing!!

 

[GoVols]

@mill10
Welcome to Reef 2 Reef

Thanks for sharing your new setup

 

[Mal11224]

Welcome to R2R. I have a Cadlights tank. The Artisan II 70g. In my opinion, it is a good quality tank. The stand and setup is of good quality as well. I got the tank without the skimmer as I wanted to use one of my choosing as well as the return pump. I love the tank and have no complaints. Im sure you will enjoy the tank as well. Good luck!

 

[Kzguns]

No experience with cad lights but there is a thread on here with issues people have had an the lack of help from manufacturer. Just an FYI to help aid your research and decision

 

[Kzguns]

oddly the same name as your thread.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cad-lights-review.338653/

 

[HB AL]

I've had a 92cad a little over two years. It's been my favorite in over 30 years. Have had no issues with it.

 

[Phil Corless]

Hello New to R2R , I have been at this hobby for 30 +years I started with a fresh water 40 gal tank with my mom at age 8 lol! From that I migrated into cichlids because of the bright colours and finally the enevitable salt water because of the challenges as it takes a ton of trial and error lots of reading . I have had many tanks the last has been my Red Sea max 130d and 250 d . With great success I was running out of room and wanted to incorporate the 2 into 1 dream build . I did my research and after about a month I stumbled upon CAD lights web page. For me there systems had it all stunning displays clean lines -starfire rimless glass and a awesome sump set up . Yup I was hooked and wanted the white 92 gal set up ! Only problem the great folks at CAD where sold out .... dam.. it would be a few weeks before I could get my dream tank . OR DO I ..... Eric P a costumer care rep got back to me VIA a phone call !!!! Yes a phone call in this day and age !!! And he really wanted to help me ... SO he couldn't get me the 92 gal and offered me the artiesian 2 100 gal with 7 oil layer maple stand a huge upgrade. I know they wouldn't do this for everyone but they were sold out of the product I wanted so they wanted to help! This tank absolutely stunning and works flawlessly . Loads of room in the sump area the display is clean and was very easy to set up . CAD has amazing products and would recommend them to any fellow reefer! Best bang for you buck ! Thanks Eric love my tank

 

[Arron209]

I have the Artisan II 100g. I love it. Only issue I had was finding an adapter for the plumbing it came with. (Metric to standard)

 

[iwhati88]

I was out of the hobby for several years and decided to get a Cadlights tank for my new reef tank. It’s been a great tank so far and the customer support has been excellent. The low iron glass tank is superior and flawless. I’ve been very happy with the tank and sump setup. I would highly recommend one for anyone.

 

[gopher951]

Here’s my 42g versa this tank is solidly built 0 complaints so far I would recommend it

 

[gopher951]

 

[gopher951]

 

[gopher951]

 

[Ento-Reefer]

I have a 180g made by Cadlights. I love the quality of the tank and the stand, but I did not like the metric plumbing. I switched mine out for standard US sizes. I did not get their skimmer. I have not had any issues with customer service at all. They have been very responsive to any questions I have had, though I know some people have said they had problems.

 

[gopher951]

I have a 180g made by Cadlights. I love the quality of the tank and the stand, but I did not like the metric plumbing. I switched mine out for standard US sizes. I did not get their skimmer. I have not had any issues with customer service at all. They have been very responsive to any questions I have had, though I know some people have said they had problems.

Ya here in California the customer service is great.

 

[CMO]

I would highly recommend inspecting the tank prior to purchase if possible, and better yet, get out now if you can. I purchased the cad lights Artisan II 165 recently and am far from impressed with it. I refused to fill the first tank due to large bubbles in the bottom seam and the some of the euro bracing having issues. After waiting months and with lapses in communication spanning over a month at times, I finally got a replacement tank (only after practically harassing the company since that's the only way they will respond to you, oh and at my cost of delivery of $300+). Seam work on the second tank is consistent with the first, very poor. The back glass wall bows quite significantly, the front nor back glass panels sit flush with the glass side walls, the pre-drilled door hinge holes are in the wrong spot, the internal stand support beams are too short, the "bulkheads" are a joke, I could go on. As for the Mode skimmer, I have the 1800 series on my tank (build thread link below). Seems to skim well and is easy to tune but releases a fair amount of micro bubbles.

Unfortunately I have no faith in the quality of my cad lights tank and see it as a matter of when a problem will arise, not if. Hope you have better results than I. Here are just a few glimpses of what you may receive.

First Tank


Second Tank

Cad says this bow is nothing to worry about but I just can't get myself to not...


Front panel - UGLY


Front and rear glass panels don't sit flush to base.


Lumpy silicon on front glass panel - UGLY


Ugly silicon work again


Poor silicon work in a critical spot


Lots of bubbles in euro brace


No silicon between euro brace - just a thin bead on top

 

[CMO]

I have the Artisan II 100g. I love it. Only issue I had was finding an adapter for the plumbing it came with. (Metric to standard)

Flex PVC has metric to US unions that work great. I used them on my tank with no problems. The plumbing takes the DIN adpators, not JIS.

https://flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?product=PVC-Fittings-Metric-Adapters

 

[cmcoker]

the internal stand support beams are too short,

Ha, mine was too tall, since they sent me a 30in stand instead of 36in tall stand. I
Ended up eating the purchase due to other problems, and lack of response from the company. Was not confident at all in putting water in that thing.
I ended up with a Red Sea Reefer series. Customer support has been awesome and build quality blew the junk CAD lights sent me out of the water

 

[Addie_Coral]

Hello R2R, new to this forum but I wanted to share my experience with CAD lights. I have received great costumer service from this company and their products are of great quality. I recently received my 1656 Artisan reef system from them. I upgrade from 40G and so far everything has been running smoothly. I love my new system from CAD lights.

 

[Hbendaqua]

Hello guys, new to Reef2Reef . I gotta say that i love my CADlights tank. I have a 250g custom artisan series. I am running a mode filtration system as well as a mode skimmer and i have to say i have had no problems. Just running live rock and fish atm no reef yet. The setup was pretty straight forward no issues for me there and i have been able to also help a few friends setup cadlight tanks of their own.