Isaac's Cadlight 70 Gallon Artisan II Build

[Isaac Alves]

following along. i have had a cadlights 70 and then a cadlights 100 gallon and no problems.
usually if you have any problems they will replace it for you. My skimmer pump had an issue a year out and I they gave me a new pump and got it fixed.
looks like a fantastic build.

That's great to hear. Because I've been less than impressed with the purchasing process and ordering. They (CADlights) have some major customer service issues that need to really get figured out. The product quality is amazing. They could be so much more prominent in the hobby.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I spent the latter part of today dry plumbing the saltwater station.

First I brought out all the pieces so I don't lose track of things.

Unions and ball valves. Only regret is that I didn't buy more Hayward pro ball valve unions. The valve turn is smooth.

To get myself started I installed the float valve for those days I forget the RO is running.

I used a 3/4 diamond bit on the Brut. Clean cut. I position the intake inside the handle area. Has a good flat surface and it's protected by the plastic handle.

Gave myself a bigger hole for flex and adjustability.

Inside of the saltwater Brut has the heater, an Aqueon AQ800 for circulation and blowing the floor to suspend particles.

I used some Teflon and Vaseline to make it easy to slip in the uniseals.i used 1" uniseals the gravity feed the RO/DI Brut to the Saltwater Brut.

The Vaseline made the threaded pieces go in tight and snug.

I'll see if I can start cementing tomorrow.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Diamond tip hole blade cuts through Brutes like butter.

 

[revhtree]

Nice documentation!

 

[Isaac Alves]

So I picked a 10 month old NYOS Quantum skimmer. The previous owner gave me a great deal. It's gone through a vinegar bath before I got it and I want to give it a citric acid soak this weekend.

 

[Salty1962]

Looking good!

 

[Isaac Alves]

NYOS skimmer getting a citric acid bath.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Adding some final touches to the installation - thermometer mount and DJ strip for heater, main water change pump, internal saltwater circulation pump and drain pump.

So, the first test of my plumbing failed. The uniseal between saltwater container to the circulation pump manifold leaked. I since siliconed it (since I'm really going to remove this piping) and will test out later this week. Need to let it cure.

Next steps:

Plumb the aquarium. And fill with RO water to leak test. And begin the rock build outside of the tank. I have some 1/2 and 1/4 acrylic dowels arriving tomorrow to begin the aquascaping this weekend.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I felt I need to showcase this CADLights experience with everyone.

 

[Isaac Alves]

So I decided to purchase an Ecotech Vectra M1 for my return. It will replace the cheap off brand return provided by CADLights. Of course I'll keep the off brand as a backup.

I also picked up the newly released Hanna Checker for alkalinity -- this one provides readings in dkH values.

 

[revhtree]

I felt I need to showcase this CADLights experience with everyone.

Thanks for the documentation. Hope it goes more smoothly from here on out!

 

[Isaac Alves]

AI Hydra FiftyTwo HD White

Got home from work and wanted to open this box to see what's inside. Figured I'd use video.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Got 2 @EcoTechMarine Vortech MP10wQD pumps from @BulkReefSupply & got 2 free control stands w/just my BRS points. Nice!!

Should be good for a 70g. Do i need a reeflink to control these?

 

[Isaac Alves]

Finalized my order from @ArtFully Acrylic for their polycarbonate screen top. I'm this turns out nice. I've attached the dimensions here in case others have a Cadlights Artisan II 70g with the trapezoidal shape overflow. I also requested a feeding door be built in.

If anyone else has more accurate drawings than what I've attached for the @Cadlights Aquariums Artisan II please let me know.

...cause here's my hand sketch:

 

[Isaac Alves]

Finally finished the saltwater mixing station. Will post pics and a video on how I set it up.

Big notes:
• got the metric to u.s. Schedule 80 union that will go to 1 1/25" schedule 80 piping to a Spears gate valve. Really trying to rid myself of the poor quality metric plumbing from CADlights.

Also picked up a Smart ATO from Amazon. It's only $99 from them as opposed to $130 elsewhere.


So now it's off to rock scaping.

 

[Sabellafella]

Cant wait to see how your tank turns out!!

 

[Isaac Alves]

Got one of a couple of orders from BRS. My dual MP10wQD flow pumps and some plumbing.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Starting to think about livestock that I've always wanted. I want to stock lightly, but with interesting fish, invertebrates and coral. I have a 70Gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump, along with a NYOS 160 and two MP10s.

For the fish:

• Lemonpeel Angelfish
  
• Pair of Snowflake Clownfish
  
• Pair of Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasses
• (Possibly) Six Line Wrasse
• Orchid Dottyback
  
• And a Dragonette

This would be the limit I think. Any opinions or advice would be welcome.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I need to add a Mandarin - rather than a dragonette. That is a must. I'm planning on cycling then straight into refugium, macro algae and building copepod population.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I want to note that I really think the Davinci Designer is more what I'm looking for, but seems hard to find. I just love the strong, distinctive markings on these clowns.
Here's a pic via http://www.lireefs.com/

Gorgeous animal.