Isaac's CADE 1500s2/ Peninsula Reef Build

[Isaac Alves]

The aquarium is definitely recovering (cycling) .

Tonight’s ammonia (API and Salifert) measurements look like .5-.2 ppm

 

[Isaac Alves]

Glad to see things are getting back to normal.
Im currently putting my 1200 S2/P together and I’m in need of some cabinet lighting. Nothing I’ve found seems to be bright enough. Can you link the lights you’re using?

It was the LPHumex bright white LED:

LPHUMEX Flexible Under Cabinet Lighting, 10FT Ultra Bright White LED Closet Lights, with Dimmer Switch & Power Adapter, 60 LEDs for Kitchen Cabinets Cupboard Bookshelf Kids Bathroom https://a.co/d/6qrvwxM
​

 

[Reefer911]

Thanks I appreciate that!

 

[lubeck]

The aquarium is definitely recovering (cycling) .

Tonight’s ammonia (API and Salifert) measurements look like .5-.2 ppm

should be ready by the weekend. Maybe not for all your livestock, But some.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Looks like the cade aquarium system is now at zero ammonia tonight:

API:

Salifert:

 

[ScubaShane]

This is Awesome!!

 

[Widdlyscudds]

 

[Isaac Alves]

Seems the cade is cycled now.

API NH3 test:

Salifert NH3 test:

I will probably move my rabbit fish and my yellow tang, who’s been in quarantine, in tomorrow.

but first I’ll check other parameters…

 

[Widdlyscudds]

 

[Isaac Alves]

Seems salinity is above the 1.026 that I like. Alk is where the salt mixes at. And I think nitrates and phosphates are where they “probably” should be at this point…

 

[Isaac Alves]

Slowly have been moving fish into the Cade, sans any sps coral colonies. Here’s the aquarium with the big rabbit fish and my blind yellow tang enjoying the extra space.

A six line is in the acclimation box so I can fatten him up some more.

 

[Widdlyscudds]

That foxface is a unit.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Quick update:

Got the ATO tank hooked up and lines run under the Cade through to the other end of the tank.

Also got the PMUP hooked up to one of the 24v connectors on the EB32. I had to order a 10ft extension which worked out great.

This 15 gallon container feeds both the Kalk mixer and the ATO line.

sealed the opening where the lines come out of with some silicone to keep ants out. We have ant issues in our area.

I think it’s hidden nicely…

 

[Widdlyscudds]

Quick update:

Got the ATO tank hooked up and lines run under the Cade through to the other end of the tank.

Also got the PMUP hooked up to one of the 24v connectors on the EB32. I had to order a 10ft extension which worked out great.

This 15 gallon container feeds both the Kalk mixer and the ATO line.

sealed the opening where the lines come out of with some silicone to keep ants out. We have ant issues in our area.

I think it’s hidden nicely…

pretty slick, Have you thought about getting a cowl for the light at all to prevent so much light spill into the room?

 

[Isaac Alves]

pretty slick, Have you thought about getting a cowl for the light at all to prevent so much light spill into the room?

Yes. I’ve been toying with ideas.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I went ahead and put in a small order from @LiverockRocks (Tampa Bay Saltwater) for an 8lb Treasure Chest of Premium live rock.

Should ship out the first week of January. The cade will be way beyond settled and ready. Hoping it helps "age" the aquarium for some starter SPS.

Link to package here: https://tbsaltwater.com/product/box-of-rox/

 

[Widdlyscudds]

I went ahead and put in a small order from @LiverockRocks (Tampa Bay Saltwater) for an 8lb Treasure Chest of Premium live rock.

Should ship out the first week of January. The cade will be way beyond settled and ready. Hoping it helps "age" the aquarium for some starter SPS.

Link to package here: https://tbsaltwater.com/product/box-of-rox/

Took a piece of live rock to jumpstart my system, was basically stalled for the first 6 months I had it set up. Looks like some primo rock sir can't wait to see it in the tank

 

[Isaac Alves]

I received “Live Rocks” from
Tampa Bay Saltwater (@LiverockRocks ) yesterday.


Unfortunately I’m bummed that the images of “Premium Live Rock” from their website do not resemble the rock I received yesterday. And as of this morning, still appear gray.

Just for reference I ordered what Tampa Bay refers to as:
TAMPA BAY SALTWATER Treasure Chest – Box of Rox – 8 pounds premium live rock


I know it’s my first time ordering live rock and I probably should be patient with it. Maybe in a week the sponges, feather worms, and any critters will color up and start crawling around. But as I was looking at the pair of gray rocks this morning I’m still feeling disappointed. It’s likely that it’s bad luck that I got a bad batch, even more likely they had to address import issues into California. Of course, it’s not like this build has been smooth sailing. I’ve had issues with everything since the start. The more recent – before this order – have been issues with Ecotech’s MP60s (I’m on my 3rd replacement).


Here are some pics:

A nicely laminated guide sheet. I have to say that they do seem to be working with a very smart marketing-minded person. They’re ‘Customer Experience’ is good and they’re marketing story and visuals are well done.

I was very excited about opening up the box.

Seemed to be packaged well. But note that there was moisture all around the inside of the styro box.

They included a couple of freebie snails…(?)

The 8lbs consisted of only 2 round’ish rocks:

I did get a pack of Pop Rocks.

There was a slight smell…but nothing overwhelming. I was expecting more water in the bag since the rocks were not completely submerged.

Smaller of the two rocks in the display:

There’s just nothing on this rock.

Second rock is a bit larger and has some growth and what looks like an aiptasia…but I’ve been told on my instagram feed by Tampa Bay that it’s actually a “Light Bulb” anemone common to the Gulf region. I did some searching here on R2R and this does seem to be a common confusion with individuals receiving live rock. I'm not sure...

I’ll keep an eye on it and see how it goes…

Overall I’m ‘meh’ too unsatisfied with the order. These pieces resemble the “Base rock” package which is a bit cheaper on their site. Admittedly I didn’t know what to expect and my enthusiasm was influenced by those gorgeous pictures on their site as well as their instagram feed — so, again, great marketing. I should have tampered my own expectations.


For due diligence I checked ammonia levels last night, and this morning, and it remains at zero. So any die off, if there was any during shipment, is being handled by the display.

 

[Fasthandsslowmind]

I'm currently on the fence about ordering the Cade 1500 Peninsula. It looks like you were successful in reconfiguring for the addition of the Reefmat 1200....

If you had to do it again, would you do the plumbing any different?

I read how you moved the outflow valve, but I'm a little unclear - Did you have to purchase additional parts?


Thanks!

 

[Isaac Alves]

I'm currently on the fence about ordering the Cade 1500 Peninsula. It looks like you were successful in reconfiguring for the addition of the Reefmat 1200....

If you had to do it again, would you do the plumbing any different?

I read how you moved the outflow valve, but I'm a little unclear - Did you have to purchase additional parts?


Thanks!

Honestly, the plumbing is working out well and I’m finding it easy to use. Maybe I wouldn’t have heat flexed the piping and just bought joints— but it’s working fine.

Only thing I would do is, nothing to do with the Cade, is that I would have made the piping that pushes water to my outside drain connected to a secondary pump and not just to my return pump —-doing this would make super easy to immediately drain down my sump volume.

And finally, no, I did not purchase new plumbing. The tubing included with the ReefMat allowed easy connection with the return pipe.