• Skip to main content
AlgaeBarn

AlgaeBarn

Marine Aquariums Made Easy!

  • Sign In
  • Cart
    • Shop See All
      • Ultimate Packs See All
      • Ultimate Refugium Starter
      • Clam Keeper Kits
      • Ultimate Ecopack
      • Mandarin Feeder Kit
      • Hair Algae Killer Kit
      • See All Ultimate Packs
      • Live Foods See All
      • Copepods
        • Ecopods
        • 5280 Pods
        • Galaxy Pods
        • Poseidon's Feast
        • Tisbe Pods
        • Tig Pods
      • Food Combos
        • Ecopods & Phyto
        • Galaxy Pods & Phyto
        • Poseidon's & Phyto
        • Tig Pods & Phyto
        • Tisbe Pods & Phyto
      • Phytoplankton
        • Oceanmagik
      • Brine Shrimp
        • Simple Brine
        • Nano Brine Shrimp
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Galaxy Pods 5 Species Copepod Blend

          Galaxy Pods

          $66 – $139
          Shop Now
        • Ecopods 4 Pack Special

          $99
          Shop Now
        • Galaxy Pods & Phyto Combo

          $80
          Shop Now
        • 5280 Pods

          $45
          Shop Now
      • Macroalgae See All
      • Clean Macro Series
        • Clean Chaeto
        • Clean Sea Lettuce
        • Clean Green Ogo
        • Clean Mocha Ogo
        • Clean Mocha Spike Sphere
        • Pom Pom
        • Red Ogo
        • Red Spike Sphere
        • Red Spaghetti
        • Red Mangrove
      • Premium Rare Macro
        • Leafy Ogo
        • Blue Hypnea
        • Dragon's Tongue
        • Thick Ogo
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Clean Chaeto

          $40 – $125
          Shop Now
        • Clean Sea Lettuce

          $30 – $95
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • Red Ogo

          $30 – $80
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • Red Mangrove

          $13
          Shop Now
      • Captive Bred Fish See All
      • Gobies
        • Green Mandarin
        • Court Jester Goby
        • Watchman Goby
        • White Spotted Goby
      • AngelFish
        • Biota Coral Beauty
        • Maculosus Angel
        • Majestic Angel
        • Swallowtail Angel
      • Tangs
        • Yellow Tang
        • Blue Tang
      • More Species
        • Grammas
        • FileFish
        • Blennies
        • Damsel
        • ClownFish
        • RabbitFish
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Blue Mandarin

          BIOTA Green Mandarin

          $99
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • ORA Neon Goby

          $35
          Shop Now
        • Captive Bred Yellow Tangs by BIOTA

          BIOTA Yellow Tang

          $239
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • ORA Premium Picasso

          $145 – $300
          Shop Now
      • Captive Bred Invertebrates See All
      • Clams
        • Ora Derasa Clam
        • Squamosa Clam
        • Ora Gigas Clam
        • Ora Maxima Clam
        • Ora Hippopus Clam
      • Shrimp
        • Ora Peppermint Shrimp
        • Harlequin Shrimp
      • Snails
        • Cerith Snails
        • Trochus Snail
        • Nassarius Snails
      • Urchins
        • Ora Tuxedo Urchin
        • Ora Pincushion Urchin
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Animated gif of peppermint shrimp

          Peppermint Shrimp

          $49 – $119
          Shop Now
        • 10 Cerith Snails

          Cerith Snail

          $25 – $39
          Shop Now
        • pincushion urchin lytechinus variegatus reef safe and captive bred by ora for sale at algaebarn

          Pincushion Urchin

          $29 – $55
          Shop Now
        • Gold Maxima Clam Bed

          ORA Maxima Clam

          $80 – $150
          Shop Now
      • Corals See All
      • LPS Corals
        • Biota Pearl Bubble
        • ORA Pearl Bubble
        • ORA Marshall Island Goniopora
        • ORA Marshall Island Hammer
      • SPS Corals
        • ORA Pearlberry Acropora
        • ORA Micronesian Imperial Acropora
        • ORA Turquoise Acropora
        • ORA Micronesian Yellow Porites
      • Soft Corals
        • BIOTA White Polyp Toadstool
        • ORA Long Polyp Leather Coral
        • ORA Silver Xenia
        • ORA Pulsing Xenia
      • Frag Packs
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Biota Pearl Bubble Coral

          $65
          Shop Now
        • ORA Pearlberry Acropora

          $290
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • BIOTA White Polyp Toadstool

          $65
          Notify Me When in Stock
      • Additives & Bacteria See All
      • Live Cultures & Bacteria
        • Turbostart 900 Saltwater
        • Aquarium Cycle Kit
        • Coralline Algae
        • PNS Yellosno
        • PNS Probio™
      • Additives & Chemicals
        • Nitrocycle
        • Clarifier
        • Fritz A.C.C.R
        • Fritz RPM Salt
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Mandarin Feeder Kit by Algaebarn

          Mandarin Feeder Kit

          $66
          Shop Now
        • MarinePure 10 Cubes

          2″ Cubes

          $5 – $99
          Shop Now
        • Coralline Algae in a Bottle, In Pink or Purple!

          Coralline Algae

          $22 – $44
          Shop Now
        • Ultimate Refugium Starter Pack

          $120 – $450
          Shop Now
      • Aquarium Supplies See All
      • Fuge Lighting
        • AI Fuge 16HD Light
        • Kessil A360X Fuge Light
        • Kessil H160
        • Kessil H80
        • Chaetomax
      • Biomedia
        • Marinepure Gems
        • Marinepure Rocks
        • Marinepure Plate
        • Marinepure Cubes
        • Marinepure Spheres
      • Foods
        • Dragon Roe
        • Simple Brine
        • Can'O Cyclops
        • Benereef™
        • Fresco Cyclops
      • Rock & Sand
        • Dry Rock
        • Clam Rocks
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • Mandarin Feeder Kit by Algaebarn

          Mandarin Feeder Kit

          $66
          Shop Now
        • MarinePure 10 Cubes

          2″ Cubes

          $5 – $99
          Shop Now
        • Coralline Algae in a Bottle, In Pink or Purple!

          Coralline Algae

          $22 – $44
          Shop Now
        • Ultimate Refugium Starter Pack

          $120 – $450
          Shop Now
      • CADE Aquariums See All
      • Reef Series
        • CADE REEF 500 S2
        • CADE REEF 600 S2
        • CADE REEF 900 S2
        • CADE REEF 1200 S2
        • CADE REEF 1500 S2
        • CADE REEF 1800 S2
        • CADE REEF 2100 S2
      • Frag Series
        • CADE Frag 600 S2/F
        • CADE Frag 900 S2/F
        • CADE Frag 1200 S2/F
        • CADE Frag 1500 S2/F
      • Peninsula Series
        • CADE Peninsula 1200 S2/P
        • CADE Peninsula 1500 S2/P
        • CADE Peninsula 1800 S2/P
      • Most Popular Products See All
        • CADE REEF 2100 S2

          $7,225
          Shop Now
        • CADE Peninsula 1500 S2/P

          $5,525
          Shop Now
        • CADE REEF 1200 S2

          $4,125
          Shop Now
        • CADE Frag 900 S2/F

          $3,275
          Shop Now
    • Contests Win Free Aquarium Supplies!
      No Purchase Necessary*
    • Top Deals Huge Savings!
    • AlgaeBarn Heroes Discount for Military,
      First Responders and more!
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shipping
You are here: Home / CADE Aquariums / CADE Keeper Profile: Todd H.

CADE Keeper Profile: Todd H.

by greg.chernoff

Todd got into the saltwater aquarium hobby after some encouragement from a coworker. “I had a freshwater tank at the time, and he talked me into giving saltwater a go as well. My first tank was a 30-gallon FOWLR (fish only with live rock). Nine years later, I had an Oceanic 200-gallon.” 

But then, as he progressed as an aquarist and had a better idea of what he wanted in an aquarium system, he started looking for a more expertly constructed product. “I first learned about CADE tanks by simply doing internet searching. When I found the first ads for the S2 line, my first thought was ‘that is exactly what I had in mind’ as far as features for a reef tank set up. I thought ‘wow, they really thought this through.’ Beautiful glass, huge sump, controller section.” 

Built CADE tough

Todd’s high standard for durability led him to choose the 2100 S2. “The materials used in construction was my selling point. The fact there are no parts to corrode is fantastic. I was in the process of placing my order with Samantha for the 1800 S2 when I saw the ad for the 2100.” He goes on to say that “I immediately contacted her and changed my order for the 2100. I had to wait an additional 6 months for it to arrive. I was the first in the US to receive one and it was worth the wait!”

He had the typically BIG reaction upon his tank’s delivery to his home. “My first thought was these crates are huge!! When I opened the crate with the tank in it I could not believe how beautiful it was. The glass was crystal clear. The seals were flawless.” Better yet, “It was a breeze to set up and get level. The only difficulty was the sheer weight of this thing and getting it inside (self-inflicted for choosing a massive tank). But he adds, “Piping was super easy. Once level, we had it plumbed and filling with water in 30 minutes.”

According to Todd, the system runs beautifully. “I love the huge ATO reservoir tucked behind the tank and out of the stand area, giving more room for equipment.” He also appreciates the larger sump. “It is totally compatible with the equipment I use on my tank. I use the chiller area in the stand for my Apex units and dosing pump and reservoirs along with food storage. The two level wier over flows are awesome–allows for great debris removal from the tank, not just surface skimming.”

The only improvements he would make have already been implemented in the newer models. “Sump baffles slightly changed for roller mat installation. Check valve in return line etc.”

Easy aquascape

Todd built his aquascape in three sections for easy transport into the tank as well as removal when necessary. “I built it with more of the fish habitat in mind. Lots of caves and pass-throughs yet lots of water flow. I made sure I left the back of the tank open–the full width for flow as well as the sides for flow and cleaning.” He uses live sand as a substrate.      

He doesn’t mess around when it comes to water circulation. “I use two Maxspect Gyre 350s (one at the top at each end) set on 10 second alternating flow. I also have one MP40 on the end at the back blowing across the entire back of my scape.”  

He decided to add a nice custom touch by topping the tank with a custom lid made by ReefinAintEZY. “I light it with five Ecotech Radion G5 Blues. 

Filtration is pretty straightforward. “In the sump, I use filter socks. I know people don’t like them much any more but it forces me to get up close and personal with my sump every 3 days. I use the refugium and it’s full of Chaeto topped with an Apex Grow light. I use two 300-watt BRS titanium heaters controlled by an InkBird wireless controller backed up by the Apex. I use a 40 watt AquaUltraviolet sterilizer fed from a dedicated Jabao pump. I use a Reef Octopus Elite 220 skimmer coupled with an Icecap CO2 set up as recirculating with a moisture trap. My return is a Reef Octopus Varios 8 pump. Monitoring everything is an Apex. I use the Apex Trident and Apex Dos with DDR reservoir for my dosing needs. I have flow meters on the return line and UV feed line.” 

As far as livestock, Todd currently keeps four yellow tangs, three purple tangs, two hippo tangs, one powder blue tang, five (that’s right, FIVE) ocellaris clowns, four Kupang damsels, two green chromis, some fire shrimp, a few peppermint shrimp and of course a hermit and snail cleanup crew. His coral stock consists mainly of hammers, mushrooms and zoas. “Plan is to continue the coral stocking with more LPS, zoas, and some SPS.”

Conclusion

He definitely believes his CADE purchase was a good value. “Don’t get me wrong, it is a high end tank,  but it is packed with high end features.” Moreover, “customer support has been stellar since Day 1. If I ever need to replace this tank or add another, I will definitely buy another CADE without hesitation.” He goes on to say that “to anyone looking at or considering a CADE, you will not be disappointed. Build quality is top notch. Materials used are top notch. Design is top notch.” 

Well, we think his whole set-up, naturalistic aquascape and all, is top-notch! He explains that he doesn’t post a lot of pictures of his tank on Facebook, but we do hope that all changes some time in the future. Thanks, Todd, and happy reefing!

If you’re a CADE owner and would like to share your CADE experiences with the aquarium community in an article such as this, please reach out to [email protected]. We’d all love to hear from you!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

CADE Keeper Profile: Brad R.

Brad Ramsdell, a Novi, Michigan-based hobbyist, recalls that he first came to become an aquarium hobbyist when his girlfriend (now wife) bought him a

Read More about CADE Keeper Profile: Brad R.

CADE Keeper Profile: Ali B.

For many couples, the unique trials and triumphs of marine aquarium keeping can truly be a bonding experience. In some of these cases, as relationships

Read More about CADE Keeper Profile: Ali B.

CADE Keeper Profile: Todd H.

Todd got into the saltwater aquarium hobby after some encouragement from a coworker. “I had a freshwater tank at the time, and he talked me into giving

Read More about CADE Keeper Profile: Todd H.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Browse the AlgaeLab by Category

  • Advanced Education
  • Beginners Education
  • CADE Aquariums
  • Captive Bred Fish
  • Clean Up Crew
  • Company News
  • Copepods
  • Corals
  • Freshwater
  • Freshwater Aquariums
  • Intermediate Education
  • Invertebrates
  • Live foods
  • Macroalgae
  • Our Oceans
  • Phytoplankton
  • Product Info
  • Refugium Education
  • Rock and Substrate
  • Saltwater Aquariums
  • Wholesale

Company

  • About Us
  • The AlgaeLab Blog
  • Our Team
  • Careers
  • FAQ

Get in Touch

  • Contact Us
  • AOA Claim Form
  • Press Inquiries
  • Call Us: 772-444-7637

Policies

  • Legendary AOA Guarantee
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Other

  • Store Locator
  • Wholesale & B2B inquired
  • Business Location

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our mission to build a more sustainable aquarium hobby, one tank at a time!

Copyright 2023, AlgaeBarn LLC - Live Copepods and Phytoplankton

0

Your Cart is Empty

adroll_adv_id = "RWFLKG57L5GR7KGYSOEUOK"; adroll_pix_id = "CH2QRUFHXZELLLCMHAB5GI"; adroll_version = "2.0"; adroll_current_page = "other"; adroll_currency = "USD"; adroll_language = "en_US";