A Closer Look at the CADE Reef 1800

Aquatic habitats are home to millions of species of flora and fauna. In fact, they are the largest and most diverse ecosystems in the world. Our goal as aquarists is to recreate just a tiny slice of that diversity and beauty. And many reef keepers want their tanks to look natural and pristine. So, it is a tall order indeed for a manufacturer to design a system worthy of containing a coral reef ecosystem. This is why we are taking a closer look at the CADE Reef 1800 S2.

Thankfully, CADE Aquariums understands that, and they have built some of the most beautiful systems on the market. It is evident that with each system CADE releases, they are passionate about nature and passionate about building the highest quality tanks. The designers at CADE are so meticulous in what they do that every seam of silicone in their aquariums are flawless.

There are so many reasons why we love CADE Aquariums, and we are excited to share them all with our readers. So, for anyone on the fence with deciding on a system or thinking about upgrading, this article is for you! In this post we are talking all about the CADE REEF 1800 S2 and why this system truly is the perfect reef tank.

Why the CADE Reef 1800 S2 is every reef keeper’s dream come true

A larger tank allows the reef to have space to grow. Upgrading to a larger system is not a practical task so it’s better to have space for the reef to expand. What’s more, the total capacity of this system is 207 gallons between the display, sump and refugium.

The CADE REEF 1800 S2 has a volume of 171 gallons of inhabitable tank space. This is the perfect amount of water for most reef keepers who want a bigger tank but not too big. This size is not too difficult to maintain but has enough volume to retain stability.

One of the features of CADE systems is the use of space at the back of the tank for an ATO reservoir. This separates the rear and front halves by a glass panel roughly 4 inches from the back of the tank. This panel is made up of two 5mm laminated glass panels with the black color sandwiched between two sheets of glass. This assures there are no discolorations or distortions.

The 19mm thick Opti-Clear glass allows crystal clear visibility of the coral reef inside. The display tank is a rimless open top style. The Opti-Clear glass provides exceptional clarity. Flat polished edges on the low-iron glass panes add to the flawless style of the display system. The reef is displayed with stunning clarity through the highest quality glass on the market.

A Closer Look at CADE’s Rimless Tank

This gorgeous system has an open-top design, so there is no need for a canopy. It is easier to access and tank maintenance is much easier. The open top also allows for more creative aquascapes. For those who love a sleek, modern look, this construction is in line with a contemporary style. CADE applies the silicone on their tanks with robotic precision! This means perfectly spaced gaps and crisp, clean edges for a modern touch. This also results in fewer places for dirt and grime to accumulate. And you will never find water seeping from these seams.

CADE only uses the highest quality German Wacker silicone in all their aquariums. Ensuring that each CADE REEF 1800 S2 is built to last. These tanks absolutely withstand the test of time. And this silicone is designed to weather stressors like prolonged exposure to saltwater.

The CADE REEF 1800 S2 features a double laminated black glass rear panel. The use of space at the back of the tank for an ATO reservoir is one of the brilliant details we find in CADE systems. The glass panel sits about 4 inches from the back of the tank. The black color is sandwiched between two sheets of glass in this panel. It’s made up of two 5mm laminated glass panels. This ensures that there are no blemishes or distortions on this extremely durable back panel.

Built-In Overflow

The CADE REEF 1800 S2 has a built-in overflow system. This means there’s no fussing with leaky overflow boxes. The CADE REEF 1800 S2 uses a weir overflow which can be found on the left side of the system. A weir overflow is unique in that it provides both surface and low-level water intakes. This allows for superior removal of suspended wastes that would fail to reach regular surface intakes. Having the additional lower weir intake serves as an emergency backup. This is a critical safety aspect if one of the intakes becomes blocked.

A Closer Look at the Plumbing

Water is moved to the sump through two pipes: a primary down flow pipe and an emergency overflow. The emergency overflow facilitates flow to the sump if the main pipe becomes clogged. The water intake system has been engineered to run quietly and without need for further modification.

In addition, the fine adjustment gate valve allows the reef keeper to regulate the height of the water to the level of their choosing. This is a great option, especially for reef keepers who like to use a wave maker but need a lower water level.

CADE’s ATO System

The built-in ATO reservoir is an important feature that makes life easier for a reef keeper. The ATO reservoir holds 19 gallons of top off water and runs across the length of the tank. But it is completely concealed by the double laminated black glass panel. The ATO reservoir is plumbed to send top-off water straight to the sump. The float valve is in the sump’s return pump chamber. A plastic cover on the right-side corner allows simple access for refilling. And a water volume indicator on the side lets the reef keeper know when it is time to refill the reservoir.

Since the CADE REEF 1800 S2 was designed to be an open-top system, they include a jump net cover. The jump net comes completely assembled and will help to protect skittish fish and helps to keep unwanted things out. Any reef keeper with young children (or cats) will appreciate this feature!

100% Waterproof Cabinet

A closer look at this cabinet will reveal CADE’s true craftsmanship and attention to detail. The 100% waterproof cabinet is made of glass and aluminum, so it will never rust. So, there’s less worries over a little spill down the side. And the best part – the cabinet will never rust!

Most aquarists know that the chiller and other accessories can take up a lot of space. The CADE REEF 1800 S2 cabinet has a designated space for the chiller and other accessories.

The cabinet also has adjustable feet, so you can place the cabinet anywhere and have a perfectly level tank! The side of the cabinet holds a power board that can support up to 16 plugs. This means that the power can be easily controlled with a single switch. Just like the body of the cabinet, the door hinges are also rust-proof and adjustable.

Glass Sump

The 35.4-gallon glass sump is one of the best things about the CADE REEF 1800 S2! Everyone loves the fact that all the filtration components are easily visible. What’s even better is that it comes out of the box completely assembled! The sump has a removable macro algae chamber. Macro helps to filter nitrates and phosphates from the system.

The CADE REEF 1800 S2 also has a refugium and a protein skimmer chamber. There are also nine convenient media baskets in the sump to easily change out filter media. This is an excellent feature since it allows the flexibility to customize filtration media. All the plumbing is prefabricated and ready to go. This means there’s no dealing with messy silicone sealants. And these fittings are the highest quality so there’s no worrying about leaks.

Conclusion

The CADE REEF 1800 S2 might just be the perfect reef tank! This system has a volume of 171 gallons of inhabitable tank space. It is the perfect tank reef keepers who want a bigger tank that’s not as big as the CADE Reef 2100 S2. CADE’s Reef series systems are also one of the most beautifully designed tanks we’ve ever seen. Flat polished edges on the Opti-Clear glass panes allow for the most flawless views of any aquarium system.

The folks at CADE thought about everything when designing this system. The 100% waterproof cabinet is made of glass and aluminum, so it will never rust. Just like the body of the cabinet, the door hinges are also rust-proof. We love CADE Aquariums and these are just a few reasons why! So, if you’re on the fence about purchasing a system or thinking about upgrading, we hope this article has been helpful.