What will a new tank cost?

[Josh]

I'm looking for people to ballpark the cost of this new tank I am thinking about:

100-125g glass normal dimensions reef ready (dual overflows), black stand (starfire or equivalent glass)
2 250w MH + 2 VHO actinics (or should I go with 400s?)
20g sump
Massive skimmer
Chiller
powerheads
wavemaker/sqwd
heater
return pump
RO/DI unit

Just looking to get some idea of what the initial spend would be to get up and running.

Thanks,
Josh

[ February 11, 2005, 04:17 PM: Message edited by: JoshSaul ]

 

[jackson6745]

3-4G

 

[StephenEvans]

that should be too much.. wait till u get the sand and rocks... if u get everything from a person closing their tank it'll be ALOT cheaper... sometimes u can get a GREAT setup for 500-1000.

I just got 2 seahorses... in my 30g... how long u had yours? they breeding?

 

[ShaunW]

Originally posted by jackson6745:
3-4G

Ditto,

.

I just hate to think how much I have spent, would have been one great trip around the world,

. But my clownfish are happy.

 

[Josh]

We don't have the seahorses anymore. We had two males so we never got them to breed.

They are tough to feed, we were constantly buying live brine as it was the only thing they would eat a lot of.

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm trying to figure out how to do this. I want to get a new setup, but would be open to picking up the entire setup used if the timing was right.

 

[House of Laughter]

Josh,

I would say if you were buying everything new, would be what jackson said, give or take. One thing I have noticed since I am pricing my 180 is that from 120-180 is a world of difference in terms of pricing.

Tanks about $400-450 if cutsom made at glass cages with starphire glass
Lights about the same brand new $460
Skimmer you can get used for 200 ish or new for $400
chiller you can get for about $400 new

Misc heaters, ro/DI etc will probably be about $500

So, somewhere in the region of $3300 once you factor in rock and sand etc.

House

 

[pecan2phat]

You can get an idea from what I spent on a 120g that I just or in the process of setting up:

120g euro-braced tank from Glass Cages with 3 panel starphire glass, center overflow & four 1.5" drains with HD bulkheads - $580

Unfinished 30" stand & 12" canopy - $420

PFO 24" parallel reflectors x 2 - $64

Mogul socket assembly x 2 - $46

250w IceCap MH ballast x 2 - $230

PFO/IceCap converter plug x 2 - $24

250w XM MH bulbs x 2 - $130

IceCap heatsink x 2 - $40

IceCap 660 VHO ballast w/harness & heatsink - $160

Endcaps for VHO bulbs x 2 pairs - $20

46.5" URI VHO actinic lamps x 2 - $42

IceCap 120mm cans - $86

3/4" Sea-Swirls x 2 - $318

Dolphin Ampmaster 2100 for sump return - $218

30g long AGA tank for sump - $40

1/4" acrylic sheet for baffles - $15

Acrylic berlin sock holders w/100 micron socks x 2 - $48

AquaC EV-120 skimmer without pump - $299

Sequence ReeFlo Dart for closed loop - $185

Ocean Motions 4-way for closed loop - $309

24"x24" blue starboard x 2 - $57

Plumbing consisting of PVC piping, fittings, union ball valves, spa-flex, solvents - $350

Miscellaneous stainless screws, stain, urethane, sandpaper, tape, wirenuts, wire looms etc. - $100

Shipping cost for some of the above & pick up fee for the tank, stand & canopy - $200

120 lbs of Marshall & Fiji live rock @ $3.50 lb - $420

So far the total is around $4400 and I still need to spend another $500 to $600 for a chiller.
In summary, Rich was a few dollars short but pretty darn close!

[ February 13, 2005, 02:01 AM: Message edited by: pecan2phat ]

 

[jackson6745]

Warren your setup sounds sweet! I have to come and see it when you get it running. I decided to order the tank from Glasscages.com. Since they will be trucking an order to White Plains the shipping was a flat rate of $80. So the 120 with 3 sides starfire cost me $520.

I "saved" money because I will use my current IC ballast, PFO HQI 250's, GEO reactor, and Liter meter topoff.
I do/did have to shell out some cash for the Tunze streams controller + magnets, MR-2 Skimmer, return pump, new VHO's, new halides, bulkheads + PVC for a DIY sump, extra heater, temp controller, canopy fans, eductors, 40 extra lbs of rock, paint/stain for the stand and canopy finish, acrylic micron bag brackets, starboard, and umm I think thats about it.
I have been taking my time and looking for deals on some used equipment to save a few extra bucks.
I think its worth every penny though

 

[jackson6745]

Oh and I almost forgot. I will be getting a generator for this tank

I dont want to loose years of growth for a shortage of power.

 

[LiquidBlues]

hey
"Sequence ReeFlo Dart for closed loop - $185"
If you read the other thread that i posted...

I was asking about if the one pump can be used as the return pump and the skimmer pump...
i was told about the dart... 3500GPH for less than 200 bucks...
whats your input on this ?

 

[pecan2phat]

Hi Rich,
You were suppose to come over and see the GC tank before ordering!
Nah, it's cool. GC is the only game in town without a $400 shipping price tag for starphire glass tanks.
My $580 was probably for the $40 acrylic back glass cover and either the extra holes or overflow cover.
What are you doing for a stand and canopy?

LiquidBlues,
Depends on the skimmer you are using. I am doing what you are refering to but with an Ampmaster 2100. The ReeFlo Dart is pushing my Oceans Motions 4-way on a closed loop. The Dart actually is a better pressure pump for a larger skimmer/return application but I'm only running an AquaC EV-120 so the Ampmaster has plenty of flow for my application. The 1.5" outlet is plumbed in this order:
single ended union 1.5" ball valve
1.5" tee with a reducing bushing to 3/4" for the skimmer line
1.5" check valve (you want the check valve here so that the tank does not drain into your sump via the skimmer)
a couple of 1.5" 45 degree elbow to move the line a bit
1.5" tee with 3/4" reducing bushings on two ends for my two 3/4" Sea-Swirls.
With this configuration, the manifold is about 4ft in vertical height so you need to plan on space. My pumps are outside of the stand, in the back.
The Ampmaster 2100 is rated for 3000 gph @ 0' & 2100 gph @ 7'
Visually, I estimate that about 700-800 gph is going through the skimmer & from placing my hand against the Sea-Swirls, probably about 600 gph each.
The Dart will give you 3500 gph @ 0' and 2100 gph @ 7 ft but with a bit more pressure than the Amp2100.

 

[pecan2phat]

Rich,
Make sure that you have two guys. That freakin tank was heavy. I almost didn't make it from my driveway to the front door. I'd say over 200 lbs easy.
The tank PU fee should only be $60 unless your also getting the stand and canopy. The stand has a full plywood back so you might need a jigsaw like I did. Also had to widen their center overflow cutout cause the dummies didn't take in consideration the room needed for the sched 80 bulkhead fittings.

 

[cali_reef]

Warren,

Wow!! that is a load of $$ for a "small" tank.. Can't wait to see it in person soon.

Rich,

I can build the stand for you if you are ordering the tank from GC, I don't see a need to pay them more $$ for their work. Do you have a truck, I don't deliver? Check with me before you buy some of the stuff on your list, I have lots of stuff left I need to get rid of. A MR-2 with dual injector and quick release neck option to start with, 48" and 46.5 inch VHO bulbs, end caps, acrylic filter bag holder(since Warren forgot about it), 4" AC and DC fans, 1.5 in sch 80 bulkheads, and lots of other stuff.. You seen my basement and garage. LOL

JoshSaul, I just put together a 150 low iron glass tank, I got the tank used with some equipment. I imagine I spent over 3K already if I had to buy everything for the tank, but sine I had most of the stuff from my other tanks I think I only outlay $1500 so far.

The key to all of this is to plan ahead and get as much equipment used as possible. A $400 brand spanking new skimmer skims the same as a $200 used one, the only part that wears out is the pump if you go with a needle wheel, and that takes some time to do. Have fun planning!!