Super nice / Super budget LPS build! "hardware only"

[Garage1217]

Super nice / Super budget LPS build! "hardware only"

I decided to go big awhile back over my 25G total volume LPS system I am running so here is the start of the build log.

I see so many people spending insane amounts of cash on larger tank setups that it made my head spin. I would never want to drop $7K+ on a tank setup as I like to keep that cash for my car hobbies. So about a year ago my wife and I decided to go super budget and build a really nice setup and see how little we could spend. So far, here is the diary of what has been purchased and what I have paid for it If you have patience, great deals come along!

I still have quite a few more items to buy, but I am finally getting close!

MINT Oceanic Tech 90 stainless + Stand & tons of freebies $450!!
Sold off a lot of the freebies as they were not needed. Minus $90
Total for tank + stand $360!!!

48" Outer Orbit A stock refurb dual 150W + dual 130W actinics "new item / repaired shipping damage with warranty"
$424 shipped from current usa online a&b stock clearance center

MSX200 Skimmer purchased new
$309.99 shipped / free shipping coupon

2 QTY New koralia 4's
$81.35 shipped

Chauvet timer / poor mans perfect wavemaker
$39.95 shipped

2 QTY New 150W ebo jager heaters "will buy a ranco soon to control them"
$39.90 shipped with other items "free shipping"

Geb X GX6000 Return pump / partially diverted for a fuge pump which is why I went so big
$62.95 shipped with other items "free shipping"

New JBJ auto top off system
$79.99 shipped with other items "free shipping"

Small rio 680 pump "model number from memory, hope it is right"
Freebie!

2qty 20L tanks for sump & fuge
Freebies!

Mag 5 pump for mixing
Freebie!

Nice 2 door stand for 20L display fuge
$59.99 years ago from walmart

So far the build total is at
$1458.12!! I would have paid more than this for just the tank and stand new! WOOT!

[Garage1217]

Couple of teaser pics... Will snag a full shot of all the hardware so far when the light arrives next week.

[widmer]

Another person proving that you can be a reefer at any expense you wish. It's great to see people watching their finances, in most cases it means that they are being intelligent. I'm onboard too; cabinet, filtration, lighting it's all ADIYAP (as DIY as possible) for the purpose of saving cash and it looks/works like art to boot.

[Garage1217]

Right on man. Yeah I just wanted a really classy looking larger setup, just not willing to pay insane cash for it. I have no probs purchasing used items if I know they are in good shape. Or even refurbs like the outer orbit I purchased. It had been damaged in shipping to another customer, so when they get them back, they rebuild them / replace any damaged parts, test them, slap a warranty on them and send them out the door! Man what a deal on that light! I would have paid $700+ shipping for it from anyplace else!

[Garage1217]

Updated 8-10-08

Was refunded $10 today on the Chauvet poor mans super wavemaker as it has been delayed a week. So minus $10 off the bottom line woot!

Purchased a super nice silver with blue led switch panel as a master control unit! Similar to the american DJ units, but 10x nicer looking. Paid $37.85




Total I am up to $1485.97

[Brewman12er]

NICE!

[crvz]

Cool thread, you're a lot more brave than I, though. I never wanted to add up the expenses of my setup, even though I did a lot of it DIY. Add up the Tunze hardware and I'm quickly busting the bottom line. I really like those switches, got a link to them?

[Garage1217]

I bought it on ebay... they had one left. I think I will get my hand slapped if I post a link to it or I would.

[alpha0r]

I agree with you 100% you can really get some sweet deals on used equipment and if you have patience you can normally get whatever you want. I paid 50 bucks for my euroreef skimmer!

[Garage1217]

Update to my build... Some pics of the work completed this weekend LONG ways to go but it is being filled and ready to start mixing. Will update the $$$ spent in a day or so after I go through the recent receipts.

[jthao]

very nice start!!!!
just wondering..... if you didn't wanna spend a lot of money ($1400+) for that amount can't you can get a complete system from somebody leaving the hobby that includes tank, stand, canopy, lights, lr, skimmer, fish, corals, etc, etc.... Just a couple of weeks ago, there was a tank in my area that was $1k that has everything (metal halides, chiller, deltec skimmer, 140lbs lr, etc..) just a thought. anyways..... I like the whole putting it together yourself thing (like you're doing with your tank) it's always nicer to me. But imho, it's not the cheapest route to go.

[Garage1217]

I wanted class & a good setup, most of the "all included" setups.. well I am not a fan of the equipment, or the tank, or certain aspects they chose, or the pests they have... haha. Even if I was building a $400 setup, I do not want to take one someone elses issues big or small. This is a budget / nice classy setup with a lot of new or lot of mint used components.

I of course could have gone cheaper, but this is the way I want to go with my build.

And I have another tank running for about a year now, one prior for many years so it is not my first tank. Just the largest I have built, which is still pretty small.

[Mr. Brooks]

Originally posted by Garage1217
Updated 8-10-08

Was refunded $10 today on the Chauvet poor mans super wavemaker as it has been delayed a week. So minus $10 off the bottom line woot!

Purchased a super nice silver with blue led switch panel as a master control unit! Similar to the american DJ units, but 10x nicer looking. Paid $37.85




Total I am up to $1485.97

Bummer! I just ordered the black w/ orange switches version. The one you picked up looks sick! I want one! lol

[mario8402]

http://www.technicalhifi.com/cats.ph...73c2022ba24237