Kevin's 125G Cadlights build

[kevindo123]

Glad I could help. I was also looking into CAdlight 125 but heard too many bad reviews about it. After looking at your tank I'm jealous . I ended up getting an ELOS 120XL, but now I'm thinking the CADlight would have been a better choice. Glad you made the purchase. It's actually a good system. Are the glass 1/2" thick?

I like the plumbing job you did. I'm trying to build the manifold for my tank and looking at yours for reference.

 

[Klaw2474]

Thanks. Yeah I'm happy with the tank, it's just everything else. I think once the plumbing is finished and I've got water in the tank I'll forget about all this headache.

 

[redtigrinus]

Would you recommend buying a cadlights tank based on your experience? I'm interested in this same tank but have heard to many bad things about their customer service.

 

[Klaw2474]

I would've still bought it - the tank is that nice. The customer experience is difficult, but once the tank is running you don't have to worry about it. My frustration came from the metric sized bulkheads. I wouldn't have had any issues whatsoever if they were standard sized (which, I was supposed to get).

 

[Klaw2474]

Finally got the bulkhead I've been waiting on. Did a water test with rodi water, filled it with saltwater, added live rock, added live sand and now I'm waiting on the cycle. Lights aren't up yet, photo is just with my cellphone.

 

[Klaw2474]

On day 3 of the cycle
Hanna
Phospate: .20
Alkalinity: 7.86

Red Sea Marine Care
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 2

Apex
ph: 8.11

Salinity: 1.027

 

[Klaw2474]

I've been researching the zeovit system -- decided to take the dive and got an Avast Marine Vibe. I plan on hooking it up to the apex this weekend.

 

[Klaw2474]

Shouldn't my readings be higher for day 3?

• 100lb of live rock (that I cycled for about 1.5 months)
  
• 4 bags arag pink live sand
• 4 plates of 4" MarinePure Ceramic BioMedia

 

[Klaw2474]

I've also been feeding the tank 1 cube frozen food a day during the cycle

 

[kevindo123]

I got similar reading in the first week with live rock only and feeding the tank. You can speed it up adding one or two of your favorite small fish in there. You should then get a diatom bloom in the second week onward. Once nitrates is up to 20ppm you will start to see diatom bloom on rocks and sand.

 

[hybridazn]

Looking good!

I run a similar manifold off my return with a dc pump and I am noticing big fluctuations in flow thru the reactors. This is making me run 2 seperate pumps (return, manifold) to eliminate this. Might be something to keep an eye on.

 

[Klaw2474]

Yeah I've wondered about that as well. I have my Ecotech Vectra L1 on full blast right now and nothing is hooked up to the manifold. I have an extra 4500gph dc pump laying around that I may use later on.

If I did then I would remove the plumbing on the return to make it as simple as possible. Then build a closed loop manifold to support the other reactors. We'll see how things go, but at least I have options.

 

[Salty1962]

Nice build. I love my 70G Artisan II.

 

[Klaw2474]

About a week and a half into the cycle (moved my fish from my biocube into the tank, since I stopped the maintenance on it and have had 0 ammonia for over a week).

Here's my ideal fish list... thoughts? Too much for a 5'x20"x2' tank? About 130sh gallons net water volume. 100lb live pukani rock, quite a bit of good hiding space. Will be starting up zeovit this weekend.

Yellow Eye Tang (1x)
Midas Blenny (1x)
Candy Cane Pistol Shrimp (1x)
Orange Spotted Goby (1x)
Blue green chromis (2x)
Chalk Bass (1x)
Lyretail Anthias (1x Male 2x Female)
Bartlett's Anthias (3x Female)
Ignitus Anthias (1x Female)
Red Saddled Anthias (1x)
Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse (1x Male)
Naoko's Fairy Wrasse (1x Male)
Red Head Solon Wrasse (1x Male)
Leopard Wrasse (1x)
Tobacco Bass (1x)
Lantern Bass (1x)
Occelaris Clowns (2x)

 

[Klaw2474]

Updated fish list (Chalk Bass and Tobacco Bass aren't compatible. I've already got a Chalk Bass, so the Tobacco Bass got cut from the list)

Yellow Eye Tang (1x)
Midas Blenny (1x)
Candy Cane Pistol Shrimp (1x)
Orange Spotted Goby (1x)
Blue green chromis (2x)
Chalk Bass (1x)
Lyretail Anthias (1x Male 2x Female)
Bartlett's Anthias (3x Female)
Ignitus Anthias (1x Female)
Red Saddled Anthias (1x)
Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse (1x Male)
Naoko's Fairy Wrasse (1x Male)
Red Head Solon Wrasse (1x Male)
Leopard Wrasse (1x)
Lantern Bass (1x)
Occelaris Clowns (2x)

 

[Klaw2474]

I've made a good start on my fish list. I'll post some photos tonight. I need to get some corals in there so I can get my calcium reactor setup!

All that's left is the following:
Bartlett's Anthias (3x Female)
Red Saddled Anthias (1x)
Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse (1x Male)
Naoko's Fairy Wrasse (1x Male)

I only kept the chalk bass, since they don't get along with other bass. This just means I can get another tang.

I just found out about sunburst anthias...amazing fish. I may sub it for the red saddled anthias, or maybe a barlett..I'm just not sure.

 

[moink]

Nice build. I just purchased the Cadlights 125G Artisan II looking forward to getting it. I was wondering what kind of lighting did you go with and did you get all the fish you wanted ?

 

[Klaw2474]

I need to update with some photos, been too busy recently.

I'm using 2 Radion pros. I don't have many corals right now, but I don't think I'll need a third since they have good coverage. I got a lot of the fish, I have about 5 or 6 that I will be waiting on since they were more expensive than I realized.

The only thing I'm still now too sure about is the flow through the sump. It seems pretty slow, but my return is pushing plenty of water.

One thing I would recommend if you're getting the tank is to have a decent storage cabinet nearby. There really isn't much room left in the stand, maybe about 15".

I've been saving up BRS points, and I got a Theiling Rollermat last month that I don't have room for in the stand..yet (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/automatic-roller-mat-theiling.html)

Now I'm in the middle of building a tank cabinet, that will house my zeovit reactor, calcium reactor, a dedicated 10g copepod tank, and all apex outlets. Once I've moved everything over I'll install the theiling rollermat (super excited about this, I hate swapping out filter socks and don't do it enough).

 

[moink]

The Radion Pros are really nice. I was looking at them or the Maxspect Razor. Thanks for the info on adding the storage cabinet extra space will really be helpful. I was looking at that automatic roller really great idea no Socks , I hear ya on them socks they can become a pain swapping out all the time and cleaning them is no fun

 

[meganias123]

Awesome scaping and thanks for all the details! As another who has been looking at the cadlight's artisan tanks, I'm looking forward to the update pics