Pulled the trigger on Cadlight 125 Artisan II

djray77 · 09/26/2017, 08:53 AM

Well after tons of reading forums and researching I went with the Cadlight 125, even after reading all the negative feedback about customer service. I spoke with them on the phone yesterday evening and they seem really nice and knowledgeable. I will be updating this thread as I go. They told me it will be shipping out Wednesday and will take about 1 week to arrive on my driveway. I really hope this all goes smoothly and I can give some good feedback.

JTL · 09/26/2017, 09:25 AM

It will likely be fine but if it isn't don't expect any help from them. I have a 100 and it had imperfections in the black back. They acted like it was not a problem, I guess for them it wasn't. I believe Ron Reefman has the 125 and he has been satisfied.

djray77 · 09/26/2017, 10:19 AM

Well, I never got my receipt last night after I paid like they said they would. I also emailed them last night after the phone call and no reply yet. So how long is too long to wait?

JTL · 09/26/2017, 10:23 AM

I would not worry, they are just sloppy. I think they get the actual tank, stand and other equipment from China. They are probably just a couple of people operating out of a storage unit. I built my own stand and sump so I only bought the tank from them but it will be the last time.

djray77 · 09/26/2017, 10:25 AM

I just purchased the tank and stand as I want to go with the trigger sump. Love the look of those sumps.

JTL · 09/26/2017, 10:26 AM

The triggers are very nice, a little pricey though.

djray77 · 09/26/2017, 10:29 AM

You are not kidding! $525 bucks for the 39 which is the one I need I'm pretty sure. Do you know of any other sumps for a little cheaper but still decent?

djray77 · 09/26/2017, 11:43 AM

I also ordered the plumbing converter kit as I want to do colorful plumbing, I figured it would be easier to deal with US sizes.

djray77 · 09/26/2017, 07:14 PM

If anyone has some ideas of what to run as in pump, powerheads, skimmer, lights etc. Please let me know I would appreciate it.

djray77 · 09/27/2017, 05:33 AM

I was thinking this sump http://www.triggersys.com/ts/ruby36s/ would this work?

homer1475 · 09/27/2017, 05:40 AM

you could build your own sump for about 100$. Just saying.

Cheap 40 breeder tank(1$ a gallon sale at petco), couple pieces of glass from local glass shop 20$, aquarium safe silicone 10$, and time. I would never ever pay someone that kind of money for something so simple to make as a sump.

djray77 · 09/27/2017, 06:03 AM

I hear ya, but my DIY skills would make it look terrible. I spent alot on this tank and stand and want to keep it looking nice.

JTL · 09/27/2017, 07:30 AM

I built my own stand and sump. I wanted the sump to maximize the interior space so that was the only way to go. It still cost me almost $400, the actual sump glass was about $300 but I went back and ordered the glass for the baffles and partitions and did not ask the price. To my surprise it was $100 for a minimum order. I was ****ed but what could I do.

It is a good idea to convert the metric to inches for the plumbing.

I am using a Reefbreeders Photon V2 and so far I am very satisfied. I also have one of their lights for the refugium. Kind of a knockoff Kessil H380. For my main pump I use a Jebao DC pump, it works fine but the who knows what the long term reliability will be. For powerheads I use a pair of Tunze 6095's. My skimmer is a RO 150-INT. I also have canisters for carbon and GFO, but only run carbon at the moment.

So many choices but so far I would not change anything. It has only been a couple of months with this tank so time will tell.

djray77 · 09/27/2017, 07:49 AM

Very nice setup!! Thank you for the help and the pics. I think I'm sold on a trigger sump I just don't really know what size/model yet still doing some research.

djray77 · 09/27/2017, 05:33 PM

One more question, the trigger 36s or 36e???

djray77 · 09/28/2017, 05:31 AM

Well I ordered my first piece of hardware, Reef Octopus VarioS-8. wohoo! lol so much more to get its kinda overwhelming.

djray77 · 09/28/2017, 07:00 AM

For lighting, I was thinking Kessil A360W? I just can't justify the Radions price.

Jon0807 · 09/28/2017, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djray77

For lighting, I was thinking Kessil A360W? I just can't justify the Radions price.

If you go with the Kessil, you will need at least 2 of them. 3 definitely if you plan on having sps

Ron Reefman · 09/29/2017, 05:02 AM

djray, I have a Cadlight 125 as well. You can see the tear down of my old 180g tank and the build so far (1 year) of my new tank.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2593017

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I did do some 'unusual' things in my build you may find interesting. I've been very satisfied with the quality of the tank and stand. I'm replacing the sump with a DIY unit that I will be building over the next few weeks.

djray77 · 09/29/2017, 06:25 AM

Jon0807, I was thinking 3 of them.
Ron Roofman, Thanks a lot for the link I will check your build out for sure. I bought the Trigger Ruby 36S sump. Hopefully, that will work well.

djray77 · 09/30/2017, 06:32 AM

Well, guys, I have a lot of equipment on the way already, the tank should be here Tuesday.
Getting pretty excited now, I still need my lighting and a doser setup. I think I pretty much have everything to atleast start the build though.

reefteaser · 09/30/2017, 07:46 AM

As far as homemade vs Trigger, I've done both. My homemade worked great, built for around $100 with a aqueon 29 gal, I was very happy.
Upgraded to a custom built 115 gal mixed reef, and it still worked great. Then I got a Trigger Emerald 39 and it not only works great but LOOKS great. My wife loves to have the front cover off sometimes as we both find entertainment on top and below our mixed reef.
Also, Trigger cut me a custom sock holder insert (2 socks instead of three) for FREE, I just paid a few buck to ship it. Awesome service.
And so, in the end, I'm happy with my sump purchase. Some would save the money but I'm sure they'd spend it elsewhere where I might not.
Still have the old sump, you never know...

djray77 · 09/30/2017, 07:55 AM

I totally agree I want wants inside the cabinet to look great also. I ended up with the Ruby 36S I hope this is big enough for 125 gallons? The emerald 39 is badass!!

reefteaser · 09/30/2017, 08:01 AM

It'll be fine. I could have gone smaller, but I love all the room. In 2 the 1/2 years this tank has been up I've made changes and tried a few things.
Remember, good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions.

djray77 · 09/30/2017, 08:07 AM

I found this build that looked pretty sweet, I think I want to do something similar

09/26/2017, 08:53 AM	#1
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	Pulled the trigger on Cadlight 125 Artisan II Well after tons of reading forums and researching I went with the Cadlight 125, even after reading all the negative feedback about customer service. I spoke with them on the phone yesterday evening and they seem really nice and knowledgeable. I will be updating this thread as I go. They told me it will be shipping out Wednesday and will take about 1 week to arrive on my driveway. I really hope this all goes smoothly and I can give some good feedback.

09/26/2017, 09:25 AM	#2
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	It will likely be fine but if it isn't don't expect any help from them. I have a 100 and it had imperfections in the black back. They acted like it was not a problem, I guess for them it wasn't. I believe Ron Reefman has the 125 and he has been satisfied. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

09/26/2017, 10:23 AM	#4
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	I would not worry, they are just sloppy. I think they get the actual tank, stand and other equipment from China. They are probably just a couple of people operating out of a storage unit. I built my own stand and sump so I only bought the tank from them but it will be the last time. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

09/26/2017, 10:26 AM	#6
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	The triggers are very nice, a little pricey though. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

09/27/2017, 05:40 AM	#11
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	you could build your own sump for about 100$. Just saying. Cheap 40 breeder tank(1$ a gallon sale at petco), couple pieces of glass from local glass shop 20$, aquarium safe silicone 10$, and time. I would never ever pay someone that kind of money for something so simple to make as a sump. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

09/26/2017, 10:19 AM	#3
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	Well, I never got my receipt last night after I paid like they said they would. I also emailed them last night after the phone call and no reply yet. So how long is too long to wait?

09/26/2017, 10:25 AM	#5
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	I just purchased the tank and stand as I want to go with the trigger sump. Love the look of those sumps.

09/26/2017, 10:29 AM	#7
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	You are not kidding! $525 bucks for the 39 which is the one I need I'm pretty sure. Do you know of any other sumps for a little cheaper but still decent?

09/26/2017, 11:43 AM	#8
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	I also ordered the plumbing converter kit as I want to do colorful plumbing, I figured it would be easier to deal with US sizes.

09/26/2017, 07:14 PM	#9
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	If anyone has some ideas of what to run as in pump, powerheads, skimmer, lights etc. Please let me know I would appreciate it.

09/27/2017, 05:33 AM	#10
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	I was thinking this sump http://www.triggersys.com/ts/ruby36s/ would this work?

09/27/2017, 06:03 AM	#12
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	I hear ya, but my DIY skills would make it look terrible. I spent alot on this tank and stand and want to keep it looking nice.

09/27/2017, 07:49 AM	#14
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	Very nice setup!! Thank you for the help and the pics. I think I'm sold on a trigger sump I just don't really know what size/model yet still doing some research.

09/27/2017, 05:33 PM	#15
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	One more question, the trigger 36s or 36e???

09/28/2017, 05:31 AM	#16
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	Well I ordered my first piece of hardware, Reef Octopus VarioS-8. wohoo! lol so much more to get its kinda overwhelming.

09/28/2017, 07:00 AM	#17
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	For lighting, I was thinking Kessil A360W? I just can't justify the Radions price.

09/29/2017, 05:02 AM	#19
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	djray, I have a Cadlight 125 as well. You can see the tear down of my old 180g tank and the build so far (1 year) of my new tank. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2593017 Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I did do some 'unusual' things in my build you may find interesting. I've been very satisfied with the quality of the tank and stand. I'm replacing the sump with a DIY unit that I will be building over the next few weeks. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

09/29/2017, 06:25 AM	#20
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	Jon0807, I was thinking 3 of them. Ron Roofman, Thanks a lot for the link I will check your build out for sure. I bought the Trigger Ruby 36S sump. Hopefully, that will work well.

09/30/2017, 06:32 AM	#21
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	Well, guys, I have a lot of equipment on the way already, the tank should be here Tuesday. Getting pretty excited now, I still need my lighting and a doser setup. I think I pretty much have everything to atleast start the build though.

09/30/2017, 07:46 AM	#22
reefteaser Convince'em or confuse'em Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S FL Posts: 341	As far as homemade vs Trigger, I've done both. My homemade worked great, built for around $100 with a aqueon 29 gal, I was very happy. Upgraded to a custom built 115 gal mixed reef, and it still worked great. Then I got a Trigger Emerald 39 and it not only works great but LOOKS great. My wife loves to have the front cover off sometimes as we both find entertainment on top and below our mixed reef. Also, Trigger cut me a custom sock holder insert (2 socks instead of three) for FREE, I just paid a few buck to ship it. Awesome service. And so, in the end, I'm happy with my sump purchase. Some would save the money but I'm sure they'd spend it elsewhere where I might not. Still have the old sump, you never know...

09/30/2017, 07:55 AM	#23
djray77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Holly,Michigan Posts: 43	I totally agree I want wants inside the cabinet to look great also. I ended up with the Ruby 36S I hope this is big enough for 125 gallons? The emerald 39 is badass!!

09/30/2017, 08:01 AM	#24
reefteaser Convince'em or confuse'em Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S FL Posts: 341	It'll be fine. I could have gone smaller, but I love all the room. In 2 the 1/2 years this tank has been up I've made changes and tried a few things. Remember, good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions.