Cade Aquarium Filter Sock Problem

[trevorhiller]

I recently purchased a Cade 600 from algae barn. Love the tank, but the manufacturer seems to have missed a spot on the filter sock holder. This causes the water to flow straight across the black filter sock plate and allows it to bypass being forced through the filter media. As a result the sump accumulates a lot of detritus.
I’m contemplating adding a bead of silicone to the front edge of the filter sock holder to contain the water and force it through the sock/floss.


I asked cade about this and they said it was the emergency overflow, but I don’t think they understood what I was talking about because there is a huge hole cut in the glass for the emergency overflow. This seems like it should have been siliconed from the factory and wasn’t.


Can you recommend an aquarium safe silicone that would dry quick enough to get my sump back in order in a reasonable amount of time?

 

[blaxsun]

Yeah, typically that gap shouldn't be there. I wonder if there's something you could wedge in that gap as an interim solution?

 

[trevorhiller]

Yeah, typically that gap shouldn't be there. I wonder if there's something you could wedge in that gap as an interim solution?

I actually contemplated making a log of epoxy and just sticking it in there, figured I’d wait and see if anyone had any better ideas though.

 

[trevorhiller]

Polyethylene backer rod was my other idea as it would be removable. PE is reef safe right? (I think that’s what RO tubing is made of)

 

[blaxsun]

Polyethylene backer rod was my other idea as it would be removable. PE is reef safe right? (I think that’s what RO tubing is made of)

I believe so, yes. That would probably work well.

 

[trevorhiller]

I believe so, yes. That would probably work well.

I had a little roll of backer rod that was a smidge too big, but I was able to slice it length wise to make it fit the tiny gap. It was probably 1/8” wide- it’s amazing how much water was flowing through that narrow space. I popped it in and immediately water began spilling over the actual emergency overflow. So it definitely worked. I’m sure there’s a little bit of spill over still, but this is way better I changed my floss at the same time and all seems well. Hopefully the material I have is reef safe, but I honestly had to do something. I completely tore apart my sump and cleaned it a week ago and it’s already full of detritus again.

I might try to turn off and drain the sump down the road so I can silicone it properly, but this seems like it’ll work for now.

thanks for your insight!

 

[trevorhiller]

Edit to add: now I’m sure my nutrients are going to be even lower since I’ll actually be exporting detritus! ‍

 

[blaxsun]

I know when I was running filter socks on my Red Sea setup that even water would drip (and occasionally leak) through the filter trays - even when they were set in tight. Since I switched to a ReefMat fleece roller the level of maintenance has been non-existent.

 

[trevorhiller]

I know when I was running filter socks on my Red Sea setup that even water would drip (and occasionally leak) through the filter trays - even when they were set in tight. Since I switched to a ReefMat fleece roller the level of maintenance has been non-existent.

I bet! I would honestly love to buy one of those, but there’s just no way my sump is large enough to accommodate one.

 

[blaxsun]

I bet! I would honestly love to buy one of those, but there’s just no way my sump is large enough to accommodate one.

The ReefMat hangs on the edge and with the flexible tubing you do have various mounting options available.

 

[Rovert]

I had the same problem with mine, which had about a 1/8" gap at the far side of the downflow. Turns out the four black filter sock frames are removable. They just 'clip' into place on the ridge of the glass panels If you carefully pull up on them, you can just shift them down a bit to close up that gap. No silicone necessary!

 

[trevorhiller]

I had the same problem with mine, which had about a 1/8" gap at the far side of the downflow. Turns out the four black filter sock frames are removable. They just 'clip' into place on the ridge of the glass panels If you carefully pull up on them, you can just shift them down a bit to close up that gap. No silicone necessary!

interesting, I had tried to pull mine out and couldn't get it to come out. On closer inspection, I can see some silicone between the glass the and the black piece. It seems like the assembly process of that portion of the tank isn't always consistent because you're the second person who told me they can be removed.

 

[Rovert]

interesting, I had tried to pull mine out and couldn't get it to come out. On closer inspection, I can see some silicone between the glass the and the black piece. It seems like the assembly process of that portion of the tank isn't always consistent because you're the second person who told me they can be removed.

I got nuthin.

I'm told that CADE is continually making incremental changes in design, materials and assembly, introducing them into production on the fly, so it's possible yours is either newer or older than mine.

For example, I have a backflow valve on my return line. That isn't included in any of the documentation, bit easy enough to figure out.

Anyway, depending on how you feel about modification, you can always cut the silicone and see how that works out.

Keep us posted!

 

[trevorhiller]

I got nuthin.

I'm told that CADE is continually making incremental changes in design, materials and assembly, introducing them into production on the fly, so it's possible yours is either newer or older than mine.

For example, I have a backflow valve on my return line. That isn't included in any of the documentation, bit easy enough to figure out.

Anyway, depending on how you feel about modification, you can always cut the silicone and see how that works out.

Keep us posted!

Really? I’d love to see the back flow valve. Mine definitely doesn’t have that. I just bought it in may. It’s something I wanted to add, but I couldn’t find one that would fit the plumbing. If you have pics I’d love to see it.

 

[trevorhiller]

The foam piece I added seems to be working well and it’ not noticeable so not really worth my time. But if it stops working that’s definitely an option.