QuinnLee512
Active Member
For those who have Cades, do you feel that they're worth the price? I'm looking at an IM 75 and a Cade S2 900. The IM is 1500 and the Cade is 3500. Is the Cade really worth over 2X the IM?
Cade aquariums worth the price?
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I would say it depends on your skill set aNd needs. The plumbing is ideal for somebody like me who does not have a lot of experience with custom work. However at the end of the day the stand with electric panel and the sump made it all worthwhile for me. I have a 180 and it went so well I acquired a 90 lagoon. They are both flawless and I’ve never had a single issue or regret
jayoman
Community Member
It depends on what you value. I bought cade peninsula 1500 sp with a deal from algaebarn that included live rock, sand, bacteria. It came with plumbing and a sump to house a refugium, a skimmer, and three reactors of a single return pump. It also comes with a built in power station and board as well as a mesh cover. It was more expensive than other systems I looked at but it included so many more things that are prebuilt. If you are a DIY person who wants a system a certain way you can probably save money on other systems, but for me it was a complete system that made sense and saved me what I valued most, time.
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QuinnLee512
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I'm no plumber but I know how to fix my sprinkler PVC pipes. 
I could get a Fiji sump, APEX, and the plumbing and still not spend that 2k difference. I guess it then comes down to do I want to spend the time? I guess I'm curious if the build quality is any better than an Innovative Marine 75 EXT? The Cade 900 is a little bigger so there's some of that price difference.
I could get a Fiji sump, APEX, and the plumbing and still not spend that 2k difference. I guess it then comes down to do I want to spend the time? I guess I'm curious if the build quality is any better than an Innovative Marine 75 EXT? The Cade 900 is a little bigger so there's some of that price difference.
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QuinnLee512
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In my research and talking with other folks, I think the Waterbox is overpriced. They should be priced closer to the Red Sea Reefers IMO.
MmeAssoc
Community Member
I have a Cade 900, and think it was worth the price. I have no experience with plumbing, but it was very easy to put together and I love how quiet the overflow is.
I think the built-in ATO and the powerboard in the side door are very useful, and I like the construction of the stand. It's also a really lovely looking tank.
I think the built-in ATO and the powerboard in the side door are very useful, and I like the construction of the stand. It's also a really lovely looking tank.
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QuinnLee512
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Thanks. I might do a little more research. I'm also wondering if Algaebarn would do a Black Friday or Christmas sale on the Cades. That's the other dilemma that I'm having. I would kick myself if there was a killer deal on Black Friday on whatever I end up getting. Spend the time researching I guess.
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QuinnLee512
Active Member
No idea. Oh just remembered that Cade does not offer the stand in white. That might be the deciding factor for me.
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QuinnLee512
Active Member
What exactly about the stand?
zanthian
Community Member
I have a cade aquarium and I definitely think they are worth it. The stands are taller for easier viewing, made of glass and aluminum so they won't rust, they have built in sump, power bar, all sides open.
The glass is very clear and the overall design is well thought out.
The glass is very clear and the overall design is well thought out.
zanthian
Community Member
I will also say that @AlgaeBarn has been amazing with support. I can always reach them if I have a question.
Manny D. Mandarin
Community Member
like @zanthian mentioned the stands are made using 100% waterproof materials with the stand being anodized aluminum and the doors being glass- so no swelling
BeltedCoyote
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Pretty sure cade is based in Australia hence algae barn being the one vendor.
I’m not going with anything like the all in one systems (all in one as in sump, plumbing, etc included) but I can definitely understand the appeal of cade. Their stands are amazing, and there’s excellent build quality. I find myself wanting to emulate the power station when I finally graduate to the leviathan.
that said, personally, if my 120 ends up kicking the bucket, I’d go with a mode 130g. Less money, and the stand isn’t anything close to the cade stands. I just love the footprint of the tank lol
I’m not going with anything like the all in one systems (all in one as in sump, plumbing, etc included) but I can definitely understand the appeal of cade. Their stands are amazing, and there’s excellent build quality. I find myself wanting to emulate the power station when I finally graduate to the leviathan.
that said, personally, if my 120 ends up kicking the bucket, I’d go with a mode 130g. Less money, and the stand isn’t anything close to the cade stands. I just love the footprint of the tank lol
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QuinnLee512
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I ended up buying a IM nuvo 75 ext which also has an anodized aluminum stand. Even though I've never plumbed a tank before I'm glad that I didn't go the Cade route. Being able to pick the sump, plumb in whatever I want like a UV, manifold, dual pump returns, etc.. is priceless.
BeltedCoyote
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i feel that. I’m currently working on a 120g oceanic, with a tote sump. First tank ever (well, reef tank) and I already know what I want to do differently with my next tank LOL
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QuinnLee512
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I'm going all out with the colored PVC.
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