I'm not capable, Help me decide!

[Ospreys48]

I have been out of the hobby for a solid four years now since breaking down my 1000 gallon system (344 gallon DT) in Pennsylvania and moving to Washington. I started the hobby in 1985 and think I have experimented with every tank ever produced. I just recently discovered my closest SW only LFS one hour away and got bit by the reef bug big time. I have always wanted a 24x24x24 and recently learned of d2mini's "Mixed Reefalicious" Cade 600 Build. Absolutely beautiful (23.6x23.6x27.5) tank and think I can get over it not being a perfect cube with external overflow. I believe I would need to go custom to get the 24"cube. For how much I love the Cube, I am also a big fan of Innovative Marine EXT 50 or 75. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

 

[landlubber]

the answer is to your non-question is yes. lol

 

[B&CinB.C.]

I have been out of the hobby for a solid four years now since breaking down my 1000 gallon system (344 gallon DT) in Pennsylvania and moving to Washington. I started the hobby in 1985 and think I have experimented with every tank ever produced. I just recently discovered my closest SW only LFS one hour away and got bit by the reef bug big time. I have always wanted a 24x24x24 and recently learned of d2mini's "Mixed Reefalicious" Cade 600 Build. Absolutely beautiful (23.6x23.6x27.5) tank and think I can get over it not being a perfect cube with external overflow. I believe I would need to go custom to get the 24"cube. For how much I love the Cube, I am also a big fan of Innovative Marine EXT 50 or 75. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

 

[landlubber]

agreed!

 

[Extremeengineer]

That “cube” looks neat, would be neat to have sort of 3 display faces with a tank like that. Be fun to aquascape.

 

[B&CinB.C.]

We bought the IM75EXT in March. It got wet the beginning of May. Its been a good experience. Very glad we went for the pre-assembled plumbing as this is my first sump . Had freshwater tanks most of my life and got out about ten years ago.
The only complaint about it is the sump takes up pretty much all the cabinet space except for a shelf there isn't much room for. Other than that I really like the aluminum stand. I tried to go with cade but trying to get one into Canada is a real pain and really expensive

 

[Ospreys48]

We bought the IM75EXT in March. It got wet the beginning of May. Its been a good experience. Very glad we went for the pre-assembled plumbing as this is my first sump . Had freshwater tanks most of my life and got out about ten years ago.
The only complaint about it is the sump takes up pretty much all the cabinet space except for a shelf there isn't much room for. Other than that I really like the aluminum stand. I tried to go with cade but trying to get one into Canada is a real pain and really expensive

Will be checking your build thread. Looks awesome

 

[B&CinB.C.]

Will be checking your build thread. Looks awesome

Thanks , we're trying to go slow . Two firefish a bicolor blenny and a fiji puffer so far. Some brown algae has been growing but its been fairly easy to control . lightly gravel vacuuming the sand and two snails and the blenny have been doing a good job on the rocks. I'm sure it'll get worse lol

 

[2Plus2]

Just like you, I wanted a perfect cube. I Settled with a red sea 200 that i gutted, since I don’t like glass sumps i might over killed my cabinet. I know you didn’t mention a red sea but just thought i toss that in.

I was just looking at D2s build lolz

 

[Ospreys48]

Just like you, I wanted a perfect cube lol. Settled with a red sea 200 that i gutted, I know you didn’t mention a red sea but just thought i toss that in.

I was just looking at D2s build lolz

Can u post pic?

 

[2Plus2]

 

[2Plus2]

 

[2Plus2]

Don’t mind the light, I’m testing out prints for a mini shade.

 

[B&CinB.C.]

When I was researching buying a tank , due mostly to reasonably easy availability , it came down to Innovative Marine or Red Sea. Due to all the posts about problems with Red Sea tanks I decided to go with the IM75ext even though it was a little more expensive. ( I also liked the dimensions of the IM better ). Even today I'm glad I didn't buy a Red Sea tank

 

[2Plus2]

When I was researching buying a tank , due mostly to reasonably easy availability , it came down to Innovative Marine or Red Sea. Due to all the posts about problems with Red Sea tanks I decided to go with the IM75ext even though it was a little more expensive. ( I also liked the dimensions of the IM better ). Even today I'm glad I didn't buy a Red Sea tank

I agree they have built up such a bad rep with all their large tanks springing leaks.

But his tank desires won't fall into Red Seas known issues, thus making Red Sea an open option based on statistics.

I honestly wouldn't ever buy a big Red Sea, I also looked into their issues before purchasing mine.

I yet to see one post about a Red Sea Reef 200 G2 leak or crack, If an when I go bigger Ill for sure go custom since I would want a long shallow lagoon.

If I can do it all over again, Id just buy a custom 24x24x22 since I gutted the Red Sea anyways.

 

[Ospreys48]

Over the past couple of weeks I have eliminated several tanks off the list. I keep going back to the Cade Reef 600 S2(57 gallon) Which is nearly a 24” cube. BUT then I also find myself leaning towards the Innovative Marine 112 EXT 36x36x20 primary because the dimensions are sweet But even more so because of the sale. All of IM MTO ( made to order) tanks 112-240 gallons are 50% off. Price of these two tanks are very close after sale. Cade is made in Australia, IM in China. I’m still leaning towards the Cade but it bothers me I can get a tank of similar quality? Twice the size for same price.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Another "Almost" a cube guy here... I have seen the IM 112 EXT in person and it is sweet. (Visually). My cubes footprints are all based off of the 24 x 19.
Excuse the mess...

The center tank is an Red Sea. I dislike the internal overflow, it just messes things up IMO. The two on the outside are IM's that I have customized. The 30L was supposed to be in my my wife’s office and that never happened. It's an AIO, maybe I will make it an EXT one day.

 

[B&CinB.C.]

Over the past couple of weeks I have eliminated several tanks off the list. I keep going back to the Cade Reef 600 S2(57 gallon) Which is nearly a 24” cube. BUT then I also find myself leaning towards the Innovative Marine 112 EXT 36x36x20 primary because the dimensions are sweet But even more so because of the sale. All of IM MTO ( made to order) tanks 112-240 gallons are 50% off. Price of these two tanks are very close after sale. Cade is made in Australia, IM in China. I’m still leaning towards the Cade but it bothers me I can get a tank of similar quality? Twice the size for same price.

I tried to go with Cade as well but the cost and problems with delivery of bringing one into Canada made it not worth while. IMHO if you have the room and want the bigger tank you'll regret getting the smaller one and probably end up upgrading anyway.

 

[Ospreys48]

Well how about that? I decided. It will be a Cade Reef 600 S2.