Cade Classic Reef S-2 1200 / Red Sea Max Nano Build

[CasperOe]

That is a gorgeous tank. I've been eyeballing Cades for an upgrade once I have some space.

Even more than the tank, I love the whole room! The spacing of the tanks, they match, different themes. The 'control station' with the Apex is glorious. A wall full of reef accoutrements. And a fellow gin drinker (nice collection there too).

The whole room is goals. Following along!

Cheers mate!

We are quite happy with how it's moving along! As I work away offshore, not much but normal maintenance is happening when I am not home. I am away in Qatar just now- once I am home end October the Cade will have coral! We have picked out around 50 pcs. from a couple of different vendors in Scotland It will be mostly wiggly stuff- we need some life in there.

Missus is setting up her three Red Sea tanks- zoas are coming for the left tank at the same time and some rock flower nems for the right tank.

Glad you're following along, I appreciate your comments!

 

[1112-425XL]

Awesome set-up! From start to now... (because we never finish)
I'll definitely be following

 

[CasperOe]

Awesome set-up! From start to now... (because we never finish)
I'll definitely be following

Cheers mate! Definetly a work in progress! Lots of hours building this (.. and late nights shopping on eBay) has gone in to this so far. Luckily the missus and I are equally in to it, so it makes it much easier to justify time and money!

Once I am back from working away I am working on a couple of updates (such as actual coral in the Cade!)

 

[CasperOe]

Next step: My new custom triton sump. Can't wait to swap them around!

 

[CasperOe]

... and this is why we have redundancy!

One of my Inkbird controllers appear to be ****** Waiting for a replacement unit now! I still trust the Inkbird controllers over other alternatives, I am however considering sticking on the Reef Factory controller I have lying in storage.

 

[Jmp998]

Do you feel like you have good coverage with the 3 Radion XR15? I am looking at the same tank and really want a complete blanket of light; debating whether I should add some supplemental lighting like the AI Blades.

 

[CasperOe]

Do you feel like you have good coverage with the 3 Radion XR15? I am looking at the same tank and really want a complete blanket of light; debating whether I should add some supplemental lighting like the AI Blades.

So far, with the tank currently being FOWLR I am happy for sure! We have coral going in in December; prior to that I will take a set of PAR meters to determine if I am fully satisfied.

I do have the brackets already for the Blades- and I have agreed on a prize with my LFS on to 39" Grow just in case.

I was not planning on it from the start, but since the Blades came out I have been eyeing them up! I am already using a couple of the refugium model (used to have three until one fell in the water!) and they are great.

As for the Cade - just do it! Now! No regret..

 

[CasperOe]

I am extremely happy being considered for the Reef Tank 365 scene! Very chuffed indeed! Finally home after being away for most of last year (8.5 out of 12 months) and ready to crack on with the build!

Plumbing will be changed next week, new sump finally commissioned and corals coming mid-December!

On top of that, few wee fishies will go into quarantine next weed ready to be introduced as well!

Here's what's coming:

1 x Pearl Scale Butterfly Fish
1 x Molly Miller Blennie
1 x Aiptasia eating File Fish

 

[CasperOe]

So, today was a good day!! First of many upcoming visits to the LFS for coral for the Cade 1200.

Currently being held in a smaller tank for a couple of weeks..

 

[CasperOe]

[Deleted]

 

[CasperOe]

So; it has been quiet for a while- but things are happening for sure! We recently managed to get our sump changed with a (simple!) custom Triton-style sump made by the LFS. In the mean time, all the fish and coral are in storage across the three small Red Sea tanks.

Full re-plumbing as well as full sand cleaning was completed as well when the tank was drained for the sump change over. Hopefully in a couple of weeks everything will be back to normal again!

 

[CasperOe]

And here's a list of the inhabitants moving back in- and their names! Any suggestions for possible additions?

2 x Common Clown Fish Coral / Marlin
1 x Timor Wrasse (Halichoeres timorensis) - Tony
1 x One-spot Foxface Rabbit Fish (Siganus unimaculatus) - Finn
1 x Pink-spotted Watchman Goby - Candy
1 x Blue sided fairy wrasse - Winston
1 x Coral Beauty - Valentine
1 x Cherub Angle Fish - Clarence
1 x Anthias (unknown) - Merryl
1 x Long Nose Hawk Fish - Percy
1 x Scarlet Flame Hawk Fish - John
1 x Blue Regal Tang - Dory
1 x Yellow Tail Purple Tang - Violet
1 x Peal Scale Butterfly Fish - Pearl

 

[DarkReefer]

Great work, it looks good !
That skimmate looks so much more mustard brown than the stuff I pull out of my tank, so strange haha.
Yours is probably doing a better job too!

Do you ever use the 'cooling' on your inkbird ?
If not, ever considered getting the 306A I think it is that just has 2x heating connections instead?

 

[CasperOe]

Great work, it looks good !
That skimmate looks so much more mustard brown than the stuff I pull out of my tank, so strange haha.
Yours is probably doing a better job too!

Do you ever use the 'cooling' on your inkbird ?
If not, ever considered getting the 306A I think it is that just has 2x heating connections instead?

I have actually changed my Inkbird controllers with D&D- the ones I had broke after about six months with one breaking on a different tank as well! Lost trust in them completely sadly..

As for the cooling, I do actually use it yeah the room where the tanks are have a large window facing west so we're getting the full afternoon sun in that room.. It's particularly bad in the summer months, even in Scotland

 

[CasperOe]

Progressing well with relocating the mixing station to under the stairs! Need to tidy up and get the plumbing sorted out..

I would like some bigger water containers, but they are more expensive that I am willing to pay just now..

 

[DarkReefer]

I have actually changed my Inkbird controllers with D&D- the ones I had broke after about six months with one breaking on a different tank as well! Lost trust in them completely sadly..

As for the cooling, I do actually use it yeah the room where the tanks are have a large window facing west so we're getting the full afternoon sun in that room.. It's particularly bad in the summer months, even in Scotland

Ah wow, okay that sucks.
I've got the dual heating one I mentioned previously and I think it's been about 2 years I've had it now and it's been pretty solid. I'm considering what I should get for the new build, whether I just utilize the existing one or look at something new that I can incorporate with some fans for cooling which I think I'll need ! Might have to check out those D-D ones.

 

[CasperOe]

Ah wow, okay that sucks.
I've got the dual heating one I mentioned previously and I think it's been about 2 years I've had it now and it's been pretty solid. I'm considering what I should get for the new build, whether I just utilize the existing one or look at something new that I can incorporate with some fans for cooling which I think I'll need ! Might have to check out those D-D ones.

You would be needing a chiller maybe though wouldn't you? You have a more fortunate climate than we have I gather The D&D ones support up to 1200 w on the heater side and 600 w on the chiller side.

 

[DarkReefer]

You would be needing a chiller maybe though wouldn't you? You have a more fortunate climate than we have I gather The D&D ones support up to 1200 w on the heater side and 600 w on the chiller side.

Chillers are very costly to run from what I understand so I'm trying to avoid that as much as possible!
Would certainly do a better job though of keeping things stable.

 

[CasperOe]

All right, that's the mixing station more or less done! What used to be a wee cupboard under the stairs has been transformed into something a bit more useful after months of consideration!

Here's what I came up with! Not as refined as some of the other ones you see on R2R- but functional and it did fit the budget fairly well as the equipment was scattered around the house already!

RODI unit - It's a 4-stage system from UK based Osmotics. Water supply comes through a hole in the wall into the kitchen and waste water is led the same way.

Water buckets - 2 x 120 liter Brute trash cans. They are a bit small for my needs but I am considering an upgrade once money allows. The RO bucket is fitted with a float so it is always full.

Automation:
- Neptune DOS for manual weekly water change on my 135 gallon reef tank
- 2 x Ecotech Versa for manual weekly water change on 3 x Red Sea Max Nano tanks (in progress! will involve many RO fittings, valves and more planning!)
- RO bucket fitted with a float gauge as to always keep it full
- Neptune ATK system fitted as ATO for the 135 gallon reef tank. Let through the wall.
- Neptune PMUP to transfer water from RO to SW bucket weekly.

Sensors / Security:
- RO bucket fitted with one float, 2 x optical sensors (Neptune ATK module) and a Neptune 39" LLS.
- SW bucket fitted with 2 x optical sensors (high / low) and a Neptune 39" LLS.
- Neptune ALD module with leak detectors in place
- Eve leak detector fitted with connection to home automation and mobile app
- 2 x solenoid (one on FW supply to RODI, one on ATO for the 135 gallon reef tank)
- Reef Factory TDS meter

Maybe it can act as inspiration! As with always, it's a work in progress so if anyone has any suggestions for improvements please share!

Happy reefing!

 

[CasperOe]

So, here's the next project!

I am looking at a way to "semi-automate" my water changes on my 3 x Red Sea Max Nano tanks. My tanks are positioned through the wall in a separate room.

I will be using 2 x Ecotech Versa dosing pumps and a number of RO-valves to direct the water flow to and from where I want it to go.

I have done a fair bit of research as well as testing with different lengths of RO tubing and come to the results that the length don't seem to matter as long as the tube is primed and the dosing pump is calibrated.

Here's what I am planning to do:

1. Prime all lines (only initially; one time!)
2. Mix saltwater and make sure there's sufficient water in the reservoir.
3. Verify line-up (correct filling / suction valve open)
4. Initiate water change on one tank.
5. Change line-up to next tank
6. Repeat step 4/5
7. Close all valves until next time

Fingers crossed it will all go as per plan!