CadLights 39G Signature

[Oscar]

Ok, here we go.

Now that I think I know how to post photos I thought it was time to get back to the journal.

On February 4th I placed an order for the CadLights 39G all-in-one tank plus the cherry cabinet. Since February 5th was the start of shipping for this new tank I had to wait another week for the shipment to leave Brooklyn NY.

After reading all of the notes regarding shipping horror stories I was keeping all of my fingers and toes crossed.

The tank and cabinet were shipped in 2 separate packages via UPS. I tracked them on their website which was indicated that the cabinet was on the way but the tank never left (I think that according to the website it still has not yet left NY).

First to arrive was the cabinet


Then a few days later the tank and lights arrived.





But even though it looked like the lights had a rough trip it was actually the earlier arrival of the cabinet that was a problem.

[fencer]

You might want to put some support clips on the back to prevent the glass top from falling into the tank

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by fencer

You might want to put some support clips on the back to prevent the glass top from falling into the tank

Actually the glass top comes with 4 clips that hang off of the lip of the tank. The glass then sits on the clips. Problem is that if you mount the lights on their legs which in turn also sit on the lip of the tank it is very awkward to install the glass lid.

But the glass lid will come in handy if I hang the lights from the ceiling, which I think I will eventually do. The hanging of the lights will give more room for tank maintenance.

[Oscar]

Although the box looked great on the outside somehow UPS damaged two of the cabinet panels. The only way to do that was to have bent the box on a sharp object or is was elevated at both ends during transport.

[Oscar]

So I called Eddie at Cadlights to request replacement panels for the cabinet. I had thought about fiberglassing the cabinet panels but since they are wieght bearing I figured I should at least start with the right components.

So I opened up the box with the aquarium. The signature series comes with the following:
- pin wheel skimmer
- pump
- UV sterilizer
- bio balls
- 2 filter pads
- refugium light
- cooling fan
- lockline
- Hydor 360 degree wavemaker
- glass tank top
- lights with HQI, actinics and LEDs in one box
- (no heater included)

But does not come with installation instructions. For a newbie this is a bit of a problem but it all worked out.

I had never handled a skimmer before so I was perplexed when I opened the box and discovered the air line and a little piece of black plastic in the skimmer cup. After scratching my head for a couple of days I realized that the black piece of plastic was actually the nipple leading from the pump to which the rubber hose is to be attached.

The nipple is that little black thing on the styrofoam.




So I got out the fiberglass epoxy and glued the nipple to the faceplate on the skimmer pump.

[mseepman]

I'm a little dissapointed that "instructions" are not included. You'd think that with all the time they've been doing tanks that they would include something.

Glad to see that your build thread is coming along though. You can bet you'll see me next time I'm in Summerland.

[Oscar]

While I was waiting for the cabinet panels to arrive I decided to set the tank up on my work bench. This gave me a chance to test out all of the equipment and since it is my first SW gave me a chance to figure out how the full package works.

You will see in this photo, although not very well, that there are 4 chambers. First has bioballs, 2nd has the pin wheel skimmer, the 3rd is the refugium and the final has the pump and heater. The UV sterilizer will also fit in here if necessary.

The red tape is my water reference line for top up.

The large foam pads I installed to reduce the microbubbles from the skimmer. I do not have the lights installed at this stage.





This photo shows the chamber layout a little better.