CADE S2 2100 Build

hikebikebrew · Mar 9, 2023

In the meantime, beet trying to decide how to hang lights...

I currently have 4x Hydra 32s. I've decided I'm going to build a floating style hood. Planning to build the frame from 80/20 aluminum extrusion. For the wall mount, I found these collapsible shelf hinges on Amazon that lock in place when horizontal, and can release to fold down. I figured I could invert them, so I bought a pair and I'm pretty sure they'll work great. Rated for 130lbs so should be fine.

Folding Shelf Brackets Heavy Duty Floating Shelves Hardware x2, Floating Shelf Bracket 12 Inch, L Brackets for Shelves, Folding Table Hinge Folding Shelf Bracket Folding Table Bracket Folding Bracket https://a.co/d/9zb7hcz

hikebikebrew · Mar 12, 2023

Quick post:

Tank has been moved!!! Now comes the fun.

hikebikebrew · Mar 14, 2023

Two (more) home Depot trips, and a few additional Amazon purchases and I've almost got the plumbing figured out.

Cade sends a really nice drop in plumbing kit, which if you're installing a single pump would be fine. Since I'm doing a double return situation ... I'm basically rebuilding from the bulkhead fitting to the pump. Tricky bit is that despite the description of 1" lines on the website... They are decidedly not. They're not even 3/4... It seems they're metric.

So I started with a compressing coupling, but I really wasn't 100% confident that would seal for the lifetime of the tank. After some googling I found a 25mm slip to 3/4 npt coupler that should do the trick. That should come tomorrow. I'll get pics up once i get it all together.

In the meantime RODI has been pumping out water. Have about 150gal staged. Looking to get wet this weekend once plumbing is set and I finish the aquascape.

Longatto · Mar 14, 2023

i heard Cade is all metric.

Looking forward to seeing the aqua scape soon!

hikebikebrew · Mar 15, 2023

Longatto said:
i heard Cade is all metric.

Looking forward to seeing the aqua scape soon!

Yep - got the 25mm couplers yesterday. Perfect fit.

Most of the scape is in. Just a little finessing left. Should have time tonight to finish up and post a pic!

Blondie Fragz · Mar 15, 2023

Following! We just had a tough experience with our Red Sea 750xxl. We’re looking at replacing it with the Cade. Really curious about the dual returns because right now I have one return and then a separate pump for the manifold. I would love to see pictures and get more info about how you plumbed the dual.

hikebikebrew · Mar 15, 2023

Blondie Frags said:
Following! We just had a tough experience with our Red Sea 750xxl. We’re looking at replacing it with the Cade. Really curious about the dual returns because right now I have one return and then a separate pump for the manifold. I would love to see pictures and get more info about how you plumbed the dual.

Great timing! I literally just finished and was about to post! Ha!

Well here it is. I really did have to essentially plumb from the pumps to the bulkhead all over. I scabbed on a few Tees so that I can use the ball valves it came with. Both are with threaded connections so I can remove them. I'll leave the chiller tap on for now, but since I'm not immediately planning reactors, I'll remove the other two as shown. In the end I think I really like this set up. Hopefully it's all welded properly and doesn't leak.

I was able to put in my Apex flow sensor. I ended up not having enough room for a ball valve inline for the return, but there is a check valve (CADE plumbing) inside the ATO after the bulkhead before the in tank return port. Hopefully that works well enough if I need to service.

For the dual return, I bought a wye and two check valves off amazon. Had the sand the 45 couplers to get them to fit, but I think this was the best solution from what I saw.

Comments welcome!

Blondie Fragz · Mar 15, 2023

hikebikebrew said:
Great timing! I literally just finished and was about to post! Ha!

Well here it is. I really did have to essentially plumb from the pumps to the bulkhead all over. I scabbed on a few Tees so that I can use the ball valves it came with. Both are with threaded connections so I can remove them. I'll leave the chiller tap on for now, but since I'm not immediately planning reactors, I'll remove the other two as shown. In the end I think I really like this set up. Hopefully it's all welded properly and doesn't leak.

I was able to put in my Apex flow sensor. I ended up not having enough room for a ball valve inline for the return, but there is a check valve (CADE plumbing) inside the ATO after the bulkhead before the in tank return port. Hopefully that works well enough if I need to service.

For the dual return, I bought a wye and two check valves off amazon. Had the sand the 45 couplers to get them to fit, but I think this was the best solution from what I saw.

Comments welcome!

Thanks for the context!! I’m going through the options but I may ask for links if this is the route Im going to go. Nice job!!

hikebikebrew · Mar 15, 2023

Blondie Frags said:
Thanks for the context!! I’m going through the options but I may ask for links if this is the route Im going to go. Nice job!!

Sure no problem. Just send me a pm and I can help out!

hikebikebrew · Mar 15, 2023

Had more time than expected today, and in addition to the plumbing I finish up the aquascape.

Lots, and lots of little holes, different PAR fields and a lot of really unique structures. Pretty happy with it. What does everyone think?

907_Reefer · Mar 16, 2023

hikebikebrew said:
Had more time than expected today, and in addition to the plumbing I finish up the aquascape.

Lots, and lots of little holes, different PAR fields and a lot of really unique structures. Pretty happy with it. What does everyone think?

I think it looks awesome, nice work!

Matthew Bonnell · Mar 17, 2023

Nice looking aquascape! I'm following along, I'm at a similar stage in my build. Good luck with the adding water phase!

hikebikebrew · Mar 17, 2023

Matthew Bonnell said:
Nice looking aquascape! I'm following along, I'm at a similar stage in my build. Good luck with the adding water phase!

Thanks!

Finished adding water and sand today. After it clears up, I'll post pics. Looking good so far!

hikebikebrew · Mar 18, 2023

Cleared up pretty quickly and seemed to be fine over night. Yesterday, found a small leak in the return line going into the ATO and a small drip from the wye. Think it's running stable now.

Blondie Fragz · Mar 18, 2023

hikebikebrew said:
Special delivery!!!

Hello!!! We ordered our tank and our working out the logistics. By any chance did you take measurements of the crates?? Im tying to figure out if I can fit it through my front door, if I open both of them. Any help is appreciated!

hikebikebrew · Mar 19, 2023

Blondie Frags said:
Hello!!! We ordered our tank and our working out the logistics. By any chance did you take measurements of the crates?? Im tying to figure out if I can fit it through my front door, if I open both of them. Any help is appreciated!

I did not measure them, but I have the panels in my garage still. I can measure them and give you width and length measurements no problem. I'll try to ballpark the height too.

Congrats on your purchase!!! Which one did you decide on?

Blondie Fragz · Mar 21, 2023

hikebikebrew said:
I did not measure them, but I have the panels in my garage still. I can measure them and give you width and length measurements no problem. I'll try to ballpark the height too.

Congrats on your purchase!!! Which one did you decide on?

Got the 2100 in white!! Just had our floors fixed today from a seam burst on our Red Sea (still salty about this one lol). The tank should be here in the next 4-7 days.

hikebikebrew · Mar 21, 2023

Blondie Frags said:
Got the 2100 in white!! Just had our floors fixed today from a seam burst on our Red Sea (still salty about this one lol). The tank should be here in the next 4-7 days.

Oh noooooo! Good luck with the new tank! Happy to help if you have questions.

hikebikebrew · Mar 21, 2023

Added a 4 damsels and two fire gobies on Sunday along with Fritz turbo start and another bacterial supplement from AB. So far all are doing ok, nitrogen cycle seems to be well underway with the readings.

I also added the doors back on, including the chipped one while I wait for the replacement. With indoor lights, you can really see the blue tint from the glass doors. The color a little off from the stand - jury's still out.

Blondie Fragz · Mar 25, 2023

hikebikebrew said:
Oh noooooo! Good luck with the new tank! Happy to help if you have questions.

Thanks so much! Im excited about the new build but aquascaping with live rock is taking all my brain power. Trying to make sure we don’t have to cycle the tank again.