I ordered that same skimmer a couple days before Black Friday. It shipped within a couple days. As far as the skimmer, I really like it. Took awhile to break in but it’s been running great since then.
I have the same skimmer and really love the design. However, the pump is pure crap. I've had to replace it 2x in less than a year. I don't know what other pumps a can use with this skimmer -- so, I keep going back to CAD for a new pump. I'm beginning to get frustrated and perhaps forced to toss this skimmer and find another option. Sadly, most of the options I considered before purchasing this skimmer were not to my liking. We'll see.
I had a not so great transaction with CAD Lights also that I figured I pass on to maybe save someone the time/frustration...
June 2019 - Visited the CAD Lights showroom and Eric offered a good (cash) price for an Artisan 96 Gallon reef aquarium package (with a stand, sump, glass cover solution, heater, return pump, filter sock w/mount, and even threw in a refugium LED light). He also promised a protein skimmer that was currently out of stock, stating that he would ship it to my door when it comes back in stock (in the next few days). When I got home I noticed that the CADLights site also advertised that an automatic top off (ATO) reservoir was supposed to be part of the package that I purchased. I emailed Eric a couple days later with my delivery address and asked for an update as to when I could expect the skimmer and also asked if he would include the ATO in the shipment. He responded within a couple days stating that the skimmer was not available to be sent out but would be in the next few days. A few weeks passed and I did not receive the skimmer or ATO so I sent another email to Eric requesting an update, I even offered to make the hour+ drive to pick the items up so he could save the cost of shipping them to me. He did not respond. A few more weeks passed and I still did not receive the skimmer, ATO or any response from Eric so I send another few emails politely following up and requesting an estimated delivery date. I receive no more responses from Eric or anyone else at CAD Lights. At that point I called and left voice mails that also went unanswered. Here we are three moths later (September 2019) and this beautiful aquarium is still sitting empty in my living room because I never received the parts that were promised. It is a shame because I really like the tank but Eric/CADLights did not follow through with what was promised.
I monkeyed around with the skimmer pump and got it to working without sounding like a buzz saw. My major concern is when it finally breaks beyond repair -- where can I get a replacement. CADLights is just terrible when it comes to customer service. How they stay in business is beyond me.