CADE S2 2100 Build

[hikebikebrew]

Had a little bit of time to clean all the debris, metal shavings (?) and other random dust. Put about 40 gal of water in and checked all the seams. So far looking good.

Also took the time to look through, clean and organize all the included plumbing. Spotted in the return pumps too. Funny I was concerned there wasn't going to be enough room... Ha! Not to worry!

 

[Longatto]

looks awesome. hopefully AB get those issues worked out for you.

white looks nice!

 

[hikebikebrew]

So far it seems like AB is working to take care of me. Communication has been prompt, so I've really appreciated that.

Not much time to work during the week, but I sure can buy things from the internet...

Ordered LED light strips to go inside the stand. Those came quick, thanks Amazon

Had a back and forth Convo with Unique Corals, they have plenty of Marco Rock in stock - I've decided to go that way. I really like the shapes and aquascaping people do with that stuff. Going to start with about 130 lbs and add if needed. I'm still trying to decide what kind of scape I want.

 

[Longatto]

Spent a few hours yesterday going through the stand and taking inventory of it's condition.

Looks like the freight company did a number on it while shipping as the top of the shipping box has a large hole. Upon looking inside, almost all the sump shipping clips are snapped, and there's a bunch of rubbing and missing paint from the doors jostling. One of them was totally off it's hinges and resting on the bottom of the crate (vertically) and another has a chip missing from it's top corner.

Documented everything with photos and sent an email to AB. Hopefully they take care of me - definitely a little disappointed so far. Not able to look at the aquarium yet, hopefully that's in better shape.

is the middle door the chipped one? It's also sitting on the frame. no gap below it like the other 2. hopefully hinges on the frame are still ok.

 

[Longatto]

Moved the stand inside and levelled it. Since it's sitting on vinyl laminate (directly over concrete slab) I wanted something else under the 10 x 1" diameter feet. I found clear plastic 4" piano coasters on Amazon. Each is rated to 800 pounds allegedly, so giving those a try to help spread the load out. Anyone used something like this before?

I really like this idea to more evenly spread the weight across the floor. I had originally thought to put a longer custom board across the bottom legs, but this looks better.

 

[Longatto]

The stand looks pretty level now. I like your idea of checking it again with the tank and a bit of water.

I got the aquarium unboxed this morning too. The silicone holding the rear covers all let go, so I took photos of that and sent off with a follow up email.

The tank looks ok overall, but definitely some things that need to be taken care of and some overall disappointment in the quality I'm seeing so far.

any specifics on your aquarium quality concerns?

 

[hikebikebrew]

Yes, it's the right middle door that is chipped. It is missing a sliver and has quite the sharp edge. This is of course not the hinged corner, so it's right where you'd be trying to open it. No bueno.

Good news from AB - they're working to send my replacement pieces, including a door and replacement cross member. Might take a bit since this was the first run of the white 2100's and AB doesn't have any spare parts. They're going to call me on Monday to go over everything. Sounds like they're taking care of me. Happy to report.

 

[hikebikebrew]

Quality concerns are mostly focused on the small details and finish. It might seem really nit picky, but for a "premium" aquarium with this kind of price tag, I think that's what I'm paying for.

The accessory shelf is appalling. They should be replacing that .

Multiple places where the silicone cleanup is really not very good - lots of little bits hanging off, not trimmed, or general sloppy initial application.

There's a few places where the glass cutting isn't clean and wasn't sanded smooth.

 

[hikebikebrew]

I picked up 150 pounds of Marco Rock today. Never really got to look at this stuff before... It's pretty cool! Excited to aquascape with it.

Got a good mix of foundation, reef saver, shelf and a bag of frag mounts. Should get me started!

Aquarium gets moved tomorrow - as long as the weather doesn't cancel plans.

 

[hikebikebrew]

Sadly didn't get the tank move this weekend with the crazy weather here in LA. Got enough rain to fill it though!

Been working on some details in the cabinet, I'll get some pics up this week. Slow and steady progress.

In the meantime, anyone with large tanks that can share their scaping for inspiration?

 

[hikebikebrew]

Talked with the folks at AB yesterday. They're going to ship me some replacement parts, and since there was quite a few issues are going to kick in a few extras. Feel like they did right with everything. Hopefully most will ship today and should be good to go soon.

In the meantime, stuck at home for a few days... So might as well start aquascaping! Got a table set up and marked out. Now to find my inner artist. Hopefully..

 

[bnord]

Any thoughts on return pumps? Anyone with a strong opinion on dual pumps?

I have run a Cade 180 with a versa M for 2.5 years - went from 40 to 80% over time - 2 would be nice though

 

[bnord]

How are you getting the tank inside and set up. I just set up a Cade 1800 and it took 6 of us (all tradies accustomed to heavy lifting) get it up the stairs and we struggled. The tank in the box was 250 kg alone. Be prepared.

Pro (old guy tip) - I hired a piano moving crew for my 180 Cade - I think it was 250 - bonded- no stairs involved - smartest move I ever made

 

[bnord]

So far it seems like AB is working to take care of me. Communication has been prompt, so I've really appreciated that.

Not much time to work during the week, but I sure can buy things from the internet...

Ordered LED light strips to go inside the stand. Those came quick, thanks Amazon

Had a back and forth Convo with Unique Corals, they have plenty of Marco Rock in stock - I've decided to go that way. I really like the shapes and aquascaping people do with that stuff. Going to start with about 130 lbs and add if needed. I'm still trying to decide what kind of scape I want.

echo the Aqua Barn Customer service attention to details

 

[bnord]

Talked with the folks at AB yesterday. They're going to ship me some replacement parts, and since there was quite a few issues are going to kick in a few extras. Feel like they did right with everything. Hopefully most will ship today and should be good to go soon.

In the meantime, stuck at home for a few days... So might as well start aquascaping! Got a table set up and marked out. Now to find my inner artist. Hopefully..

swim lanes, hidey holes and coral placements in range of PARS !! The obvious!

 

[hikebikebrew]

Been playing with rocks for a few days. It's amazing how it doesn't seem like a lot of rock, and then it does. Still have a bunch left and will need to fill in once everything's in the aquarium.

Left pieces not glued yet. Right side is about 5 large pieces resting until they get final glue in place.

Thoughts?

 

[squidarcher]

Looks good!

 

[hikebikebrew]

Still haven't been able to get the tank moved. Waiting on a possible lead that may be able to help Tuesday.

In the meantime, I got my UV sterilizer installed. Went with a Jebao 55W stainless. Going to use a dedicated cheap ac pump on its own circuit for flow (~800gph).

Also got a new crossbar from AB and got that installed. They only had black in stock, and since it will be under the tank and basically no one would ever see it... Good enough.

 

[salty150]

Quality concerns are mostly focused on the small details and finish. It might seem really nit picky, but for a "premium" aquarium with this kind of price tag, I think that's what I'm paying for.

The accessory shelf is appalling. They should be replacing that .

Multiple places where the silicone cleanup is really not very good - lots of little bits hanging off, not trimmed, or general sloppy initial application.

There's a few places where the glass cutting isn't clean and wasn't sanded smooth.

Thanks for posting this...

And, I totally agree.

 

[hikebikebrew]

Still in a holding pattern waiting to get the tank moved. Ugh! The wait is killing me, but I know it's worth it for the right people to do a job like this. Hopefully soon...