Polyp Addict's 45g Cadlights Shallow Build

Polyp Addict · Dec 20, 2015

I wanted to start a build thread so that I may look back on the progression of this tank. I finally was able to get rid of my 57g Oceanic Illuminata tank. A buddy of mine wanted to go smaller and gave me a great price on this 45g shallow. I was always interested in going with a smaller footprint aquarium and the Cadlights offered that. I've always been interested in a shallow tank and couldn't be any happier with this tank.

For the most part I'll be keeping all the plumbing, skimmer and return pump stock from Cadlights. I'll definitely be removing the two middle baffles from the sump to make it a bigger area for a refugium.

Like so many others with the same build, the middle baffles are useless and by removing them it will allow for a nice decent refugium. This was really a PIA to remove, but glad I was able to remove the two baffles without damaging the sump.

Busa1340 · Dec 20, 2015

Nice setup!

Polyp Addict · Dec 20, 2015

I bought 45 lbs of my favorite sand, Tropic Eden Tonga Reef Flakes, it'll give me about an inch and a half of sand bed. Love this sand, always stays clean and white, it also doesn't keep my water cloudy for that long as well.

Polyp Addict · Dec 22, 2015

I received my LeRusso Design mount which will be holding up my Kessil A360W to power the tank. It's really a sleek and clean look for the Kessil, it also allows you to hide the wirings within the pipe itself unlike the gooseneck where you have to wrap around it. It sits about 14" from the water line. Spread is great with the single Kessil.

Polyp Addict · Dec 22, 2015

Polyp Addict · Dec 22, 2015

Added the sand and made saltwater. I'll be letting the tank settle down from being cloudy, will turn on my pump and mp10 to help with the flow. So far so good!

Polyp Addict · Dec 23, 2015

Here is an updated pic of the tank after all the cloudiness went away

Polyp Addict · Dec 23, 2015

Excited to get my spectral controller in the mail. Looking forward to being able to have moonlights, acclimation mode and 6 built in timer settings. Can't wait to see what the functionality of this controller has to offer!

Polyp Addict · Dec 27, 2015

Finally ordered some Florida rock from reefcleaners.org hopefully I'll have some nice rocks to build a great scape with my limited height of the tank. I also got my freshwater reservoir in.

jujuman16 · Dec 27, 2015

Sweet tank, I like it how its coming along.

Cadlights makes that tank? I was looking at the site and they have a similar one but the overflow is on the side. I like yours better.

Polyp Addict · Dec 28, 2015

jujuman16 said:
Sweet tank, I like it how its coming along.

Cadlights makes that tank? I was looking at the site and they have a similar one but the overflow is on the side. I like yours better.

Yes this is an older model of their shallow tank. Their newer shallow tank which is under the artisan models has the overflow box off to the left side now.

Polyp Addict · Dec 28, 2015

Finally received my fuge light. Bought a par38 with holder, looking to add some nice macro and make a display fuge. Any other suggestions besides chaeto?

Anthony christian · Dec 28, 2015

looks great let us know how that controller works i got a 8'x3'x12'' frag tank and i'm thinking instead of going with echotechs over it im checking out the kessil.

Polyp Addict · Dec 28, 2015

Anthony christian said:
looks great let us know how that controller works i got a 8'x3'x12'' frag tank and i'm thinking instead of going with echotechs over it im checking out the kessil.

Thanks Anthony, the controller is great. It allows me to put the Kessil in a "moonlight" mode with only 5% intensity. The apex would only go as low as 13%. It's still brighter than a traditional moonlight type but it will do. Also the acclimation mode is great as well!

Polyp Addict · Jan 6, 2016

Finally got my order of Florida rock from reef cleaners. I got 15lbs worth, not sure if how my rock set up will be, but going for the minimum rock look for more open space for the fish to swim.

Polyp Addict · Jan 8, 2016

Picked up a reef octopus 110 int. Couldn't pass it up got it for a great price, won't be turning it on for a few months though.

Polyp Addict · Jan 9, 2016

So I really want to add a blue spotted jawfish or a yasha goby, I decided to make a burrow for it and will dig it into the sand and then stack the macro rocks on top of it. I will be going for the open lagoon concept, basically a U shape formation of the rocks.