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RRocky's CADlights shallow build


rrocky

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So I'm starting new again from my ecosystem mini 14G AIO to a new CADlights shallow tank. I learned a lot from my first tank and from reading on the forums. I've been collecting pieces for months and am now finally just about ready to get the tank wet and start this new adventure...it's my first time runnin a sump, having my own rodi, and mixing my own salt so I'm still a super noob and I'm hopin y'all can help me with this build! So far I think I'm right on track to havin a tank I'm really gonna enjoy.

 

List:

CADlights 3 sided starfire tank 36x24x12 with stand and 20G sump

AI hydra with controller and ext rail kit

Vortech MP10 x2

Caribsea arag alive Fiji pink x2 and special grade x1

Reefcleaners rock 30lbs

CADlights pls-100 skimmer and return pump

JBJ ATO

Eheim heater

Redsea coral pro salt mix

Spectra pure rodi rated for 90G

Two speed 6" Clip on fan

Other stuff I forgot to mention lol

 

On to a couple pics...

 

Here's the tank as it sits in my 9month old sons "room" (storage room for now lol)

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Stand and equipment. Doors are not on yet due to wrong hinges given by CADlights....should get the right ones soon. I might just not put em on....

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AI hyrdra

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Sump. I was able to leak test it today with no probs!!! First chamber is skimmer, second chamber is undecided...floss and chemipure bags? Thoughts? 3rd chamber is sand, live rock, and chaeto...possibly mangroves. 4th chamber, return pump and feed RO from ATO. Also, I rinsed and leaked tested it with hose water and plan to do the same with the tank...do i have to wipe em down or rinse with RO water before fillin it up??? Or should drying them with paper towels and letting em dry be ok???

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Skimmer. I got to play around with it at CADlights...pretty cool how to adjust the flow with jut a twist of the body.

 

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Life of da party. Sucks I can't hook it up in the apartment...it makes a loud noise in the apartment piping when in use, but my parents live close by so imma hook it up there.

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I'm not transferring anything from the 14G since I have a lotta vermetid snails and an apistasia problem for a lil bit which went away but I don't wanna risk gettin em again. I wanna start fresh and new. I have some corals and dunno what to do with em? I'd like to give em away but I don't wanna seed anyone else's tank with vermetids and possibly apistasia...what to do??? That's it for now. Advice, suggestions, and comments are greatly appreciated!!!

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Thanks mang! I can't wait either! All this reading and lookin around makes me wanna add so much right away but I gotta take it slow again with this new start...plannin on a mixed reef, pair of clowns (maybe just transfer my maroon clown?), chromis, leopard wrasse, and not sure what else yet...

 

Leak test done. No leaks! The ground was uneven...http://s74.photobucket.com/user/hugmenuts/media/image-19.jpg.html'>image-19.jpghttp://s74.photobucket.com/user/hugmenuts/media/image-14.jpg.html'>image-14.jpgStarfire is nice! http://s74.photobucket.com/user/hugmenuts/media/image-15.jpg.html'>image-15.jpgWasn't leveled...so I just hedged it with some leftover styrofoam packaging from the tank. Once filled it should be leveled...http://s74.photobucket.com/user/hugmenuts/media/image-17.jpg.html'>image-17.jpghttp://s74.photobucket.com/user/hugmenuts/media/image-16.jpg.html'>image-16.jpghttp://s74.photobucket.com/user/hugmenuts/media/image-18.jpg.html'>image-18.jpgGonna hopefully start makin rodi water at my folks place tonight!

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CharlesHend25

Beautiful tank! i love the shallow reefing dimensions. i was reading up on this tank after your thread. does it come with glass covers too? i didnt see it on your pics up there. cant wait to see it running.

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Thanks mang! Yeah it comes with the glass cover but useless IMO unless I wanna cover a specific side...I wouldn't cover the whole tank with the covers it'll mess with evaporation and lighting...the glass cover is nice too tho. Might just throw it on for some pics, stay tuned!

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really like that Starfire glass in the picture above. my 180G now is regular glass and seeing starfire tanks in stores really blows mine out of the water.

 

i was planning a 30 x 18 x 20 tank and build it all myself, but i might just get this one instead. seeing that it already comes with a sump, skimmer and fittings.

 

im kinda lost on the light i should get though. there are so many different spectrums and colors etc. Hows the spectrum for the AI Hydra that you got? is 1 unit enough being that the tank is 36"? reading up on the spread for the LEDs, they all seem to hover around 24-30" spread. i was also looking at the Maxspect razor.

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The tank is a complete package minus the light...according to AI's site the hydra will cover a 36x36 area...they also have a diagram of par ranges but I dunno how accurate that is but I'm just takin their word for it. I should have the tank filled and running by tonight ill post pics!

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So I added insulation styrofoam...I think it kills the look. I tried to paint it black but it wasn't sticking. Painted or not I'd rather run the tank without it but is it safe??? Or is it a must and should I just cover it later on with molding??? Help! Imma fill the tank tonight!

 

http://s74.photobucket.com/user/hugmenuts/media/image-28.jpg.html'>image-28.jpg

 

Makin saltwater

 

http://s74.photobucket.com/user/hugmenuts/media/image-26.jpg.html'>image-26.jpg

 

Final scape....I think! Fack!

 

http://s74.photobucket.com/user/hugmenuts/media/image-27.jpg.html'>image-27.jpg

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Thanks! The display is 45g and the sump is about a 20g. I got the herbie adjusted as best I could...it's trickling down the emergency drain a lil more then I'd like but that's the best I could get with the ball valve...I think the main drain is just too high since I've been reading that it should be about 5 inches lower then the overflow teeth??? I'm satisfied tho! On to some pics!!!

 

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Skimmers too wet??? I thought there wouldn't be anything to skim but I guess it works!

 

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The only thing that sucks about the Hydra is that the controller needs to stay plugged in...but other than that the lights are awesome! I'm still tryin to dial in a color I like...

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Thanks guys! My dream tank would be bigger maybe 48x24x14 or 36x36x12! I like the light and shadows around the edges...but you know what's funny, AI had a diagram of par readings showing a 36x36 spread for the hydra...now that the hydra52 is up on their site they shrunk it to a 30x30 and the hydra52 shows the 36x36 spread lol! Anyway, chromis are swimming around, eating and doin fine so far. Trite, trate, and ammonia are still zero'd out. Fingers crossed! Lookin to add a pair of black ice clowns next next weekend!

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  • 2 months later...
  • 1 month later...

Don't know if anyone ever told you this, but that smaller black piece of wood that you have sitting under the tank is actually the shelf for the inside of the stand.

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  • 3 weeks later...
qualitycontrol

Should really get longer screws and turn that light 90 degrees to get better coverage. But if you like the shadows, carry on! :)

 

Great build so far!

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  • 3 months later...

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