Isaac's CADE 1500s2/ Peninsula Reef Build

[Isaac Alves]

Taking the Iwaki MD-40RXT pump capacitor housing apart:

Reading the pump label:

My old Pan World pump doesn’t have this much data. I appreciate the detail. Ok, so 8 uF capacitor should be inside.

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And testing the capacitor…

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I think the meter should have read 8 uF or close to it.

some pictures of the wiring for my own reference:

Sheesh…

Any physical size:

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Disconnect the capacitor from the motor before testing. I believe I have a couple spares if you need one.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Disconnect the capacitor from the motor before testing. I believe I have a couple spares if you need one.

Good to know. I’ll do that when I get home.

There are 8uF capacitors of similar form factor on Amazon and ebay but none in the dimensions that will fit in the 40RXT bump’ compartment.
Do you have some that are smaller or close to the size that’ll fit? That would be awesome.

I’ve sent some emails to several distributors, iwaki and the seller of the pump I bought

 

[Reefer Reboot]

I have two at my business, heading over there later today. I'll measure them for you.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I have two at my business, heading over there later today. I'll measure them for you.

Thank you

 

[Isaac Alves]

In the meantime…aquascaping is part of this hobby.


I got my 40lbs of CaribSea Life Rock Belize Branches. I just unpacked them and starting the JB Water Welding broken branches.

I got these from @SaltwaterAq and they came in nice. They did a great job packing. I got two 20 lb boxes.

I expected some breakage and I got what I’d expected.

I used some of the broken particles and crumbs to hide the weld spots. I had my kids help with this so some spots are more noticeable than others —- doesn’t matter though in the end.

first box…

on to the next.

 

[Isaac Alves]

@Reefer Reboot Don't bother on the capacitor look up. I might as well return the pump since I'm able to. It would be easier and the option is available. The replacement will be here Thursday.

Thank you again for being so helpful. Cheers.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

But, but, but I found the perfect replacement.......

Well, the third time has got to be the charm for your pump situation. Good luck, and nice setup by the way.

 

[Isaac Alves]

The New Iwaki pump I purchased from Premium Aquatics just arrived.

Quick unboxing:

And for good measure I went one model up this time. The 40RXT probably could have been stronger. This one is the MD-55RLT:

Hopefully no issues.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Wired the plug on the Iwaki MD-55RLT. And plugged in dry (for a couple seconds) to see if it starts up…and it did!

Taking no chances with leaking at these joints so they are threaded all the way in with thread paste. And greased up the o-rings after cleaning them.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I need to change the position of the output so here’s some pictures of the internal.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Yup. Typical of me. Not double checking.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Now trimming to address the one dripping leak I had with the original hooked up Iwaki.

The downside of thread paste is cleaning it/removing it.

Tooth brush and towels seem to work well for me.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Leak testing the mixing station:

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[Isaac Alves]

Electronics mounting:

The front panel on the components compartment is wood, simple to mount.

Question: what are other CADE owners using to mount electronics into the PVC/Starboard-like interior walls?

 

[Isaac Alves]

Being reminded of the quality issues with the stand assembly. The CADE stand’s magnetic door stop in the electronics compartment was loose and not attached completely.

Looking at the loose screw I can clearly see that one screw was self tapping and one screw is not. The one that didn’t bite is not self tapping and is probably better suited for wood applications. Ugh.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Mounting controllers

First controller mounted on the wood panel. The L2 controller. This one was easy. The wood panel is thick enough to use the mounting screws provided by Ecotech. Hopefully the door has clearance. Will test that now…

 

[Isaac Alves]

Nope. The Vectra L2 controller is too thick for front mounting.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I noticed the door closes fine with the Vortech Mount only…so I could use this to see what other controllers will fit…

At least the Maxspect Gyre controller will fit…

The UltraReef Sicce pump controller will fit:

And a standard FMM Apex Module will fit:

 

[Isaac Alves]

The question I have is: how do I mount things to the thin plastic walls without pointy screw ends jutting out on the opposite side?

I can’t find anything on R2R from other CADE owners regarding mounting techniques….