So I was offered this aquarium...

zathris · 02/16/2010, 09:23 AM

Hey All.

I haven't had a tank in a few years (after my tank sitter left the rodi on into my system) and decided I wouldn't start another until I moved somewhere I'd be for awhile. In any case, we're in the last 6 weeks or so of closing on a house, ad I've been offered an aquarium. I'm undecided at the moment, but let me know what you all think.

250gal 60"x36"x25" with Starphire on 3 sides. Two corner overflows, 3 drilled returns in the back of the tank. Eurobracing.
Stand & Hood with (I think) 2x 400W MH.

For a grand.

Skimmer (Big, said it could handle 1000 gallons), CA reactor, plumbing, 90 gallon black plastic sump for an additional 2500 (so 3500 total).

Now, buying a home ain't cheap, as they say, however, I'm very tempted to get the tank, lights, and stand and put them in the basement until we're ready to set it up. Failing that, it would be the best fuge/sump ever if I wanted to get a rimless tank for my display (they look so awesome). I don't Think the skimmer and reactor and various pieces are worth the extra cash if I'm not going to set it up in the next 6-12 months- I can just find better for a similar price when I'm ready to go. And I don't think I'd want to set it up soon because of the additional cost of stocking it appropriately, etc.

Don't know any of the brands (finding out). Know it was set up and running week or three ago.

Anyway, what do you folks think? I mean a similar tank from glasscages would run like 1800 shipped, but a grand for the tank AND ballasts and a stand...?

Thanks.

Oh, do you get a skimmer rated for the volume of your display or the total volume of your system?

Chiefsurfer · 02/16/2010, 09:37 AM

To Reef Central

total volume of the system for the skimmer.

The tank, stand, hood sounds like a GREAT deal, and I would buy it in a heart-beat if I had the dough, or a place to put it. The other stuff, without knowing every piece of equipment by brand, would be hard to gauge, but SEEMS very pricy to me.

I would be all over the tank, stand, canopy, and let him sell the rest of the equip seperately. You could get yourself a 55-90 gallon glass tank pretty cheap, throw in some acrylic baffles, and you have a nice, custom to your liking, sump at 1/3rd the price of a "ready" sump.

thegrun · 02/16/2010, 09:41 AM

For a Starphire tank, it sounds like a great deal. There will still be plenty of additional costs (new bulbs, sand, rock...), but I think it is a grood start.

brascal1 · 02/16/2010, 09:43 AM

Agree - tank sounds like a great deal. Rest of equipment - something is wrong there that is WAY too much....

blindsider · 02/16/2010, 09:44 AM

tank stand canopy and ballast sounds like a great deal! but the addition of the other items sure did raise that price, i personally would skip out on the rest of the equipment until your ready to go. like said above, finding a 90g is not to difficult. and pretty easy to make it to your liking. good luck with the house and all!

Hal · 02/16/2010, 11:32 AM

+1 to what everyone else said.

If you like the dimensions of the tank then it's a good deal. Keep in mind that most people running large tanks prefer 6 ft long tanks to allow for longer swimmiing room (tangs), and a 36 inch wide tank will extend into the room fairly far. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but know what you want.

The rest seems a bit pricey unless we can get specifics on the equipment. If the skimmer is a BubbleKing 650 deluxe, then it's a good deal, but I'm guessing that it's a different skimmer. The plumbing and sump are cheap add-ons. I'd consider them tossed in for free. So $2500 for a skimmer and Ca reactor sounds overpriced. You can do a good Ca reactor new for $500, and get one of many new outstanding skimmers for a 250gal tank for under $1000. The SWC/MSX 300A is only $600, or an ATB1050 cone for $1000, for example.

zathris · 02/16/2010, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the replies all. That's pretty much what I was concluding after a few hours of getting caught up on the 'state of the hobby,' but it never hurts to ask for opinions of those who are so much more informed.

tkeracer619 · 02/16/2010, 06:39 PM

Found out what skimmer it has and report back.

I would jump on the tank if you like the size and it doesn't have many scratches.

Chiefsurfer · 02/16/2010, 07:16 PM

zathris, would love to hear how it goes. Let us know what you end up doing, and post some pics of your new tank.

goochesfish · 02/16/2010, 07:56 PM

Also good to know if copper was ever used in the tank in case you want to do a reef.

Hal · 02/16/2010, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goochesfish

Also good to know if copper was ever used in the tank in case you want to do a reef.

I wouldn't worry about it. Throw some polyfilter pads in to see if it detects copper. Regardless, just run carbon. Carbon removes copper.

Chiefsurfer · 02/17/2010, 09:05 AM

^I thought about this, but if the guy has a sump, a HUGE skimmer, MH and t5 lighting, likely it was a coral tank to begin with, and would not worry.

Not to say impossible tho.

alovely · 02/17/2010, 09:18 AM

Sounds like an amazing deal... I would not deal w/ glasscages though or even get a price quote from them. Their prices are cheap but I have heard a lot of bad things about their tanks. That tank sounds like an amazing deal. I am not so sure about the skimmer plumbing and sump though. All those sounds kind of pricey in my opinion.

lordofthereef · 02/17/2010, 11:01 AM

What kinda of skimmer is it. Also reactor size? Does it come with all that is needed to run it? That really might not be overpriced...

zathris · 02/19/2010, 06:44 PM

So I confirmed with him today that I'll be doing the tank, stand, and lights (which I confirmed are 2x 400w MHs and 2x actinics of some sort).

It'll go in the basement for the next 6-12 months while we get settled in to our new house, then I may very well try my hand at a build thread- I know I like reading them, let's see if I can contribute a bit too.

I chose that particular combo instead of the whole system because I think I'd rather buy a known-quantity skimmer, Ca reactor, and pumps- which I think I can do for somewhere around the 2500 I'm not spending now- plus it'll be new equipment.

Thanks for the opinions all.

langtudatinh01 · 02/19/2010, 08:51 PM

Congrats to you. that is a killer deal for that tank, canopy, stand and lighting. keep us update. i think you made a very good decision.

luther1200 · 02/19/2010, 08:55 PM

The tank, stand, lights, sounds like a great deal. I'm not sure about the rest though. Probably good deal.

Kdocimo90 · 02/19/2010, 09:13 PM

Sounds like a great deal! Cant wait to see some pictures~!

AndrewG · 02/20/2010, 03:47 PM

You can always scan the drygoods section here when it comes time for the skimmer, Ca reactor and pumps. There are always deals if you keep your eyes open.

WhoDey64 · 02/20/2010, 11:59 PM

You made the right choice! Congrats on the purchase =)

02/16/2010, 09:23 AM	#1
zathris Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	So I was offered this aquarium... Hey All. I haven't had a tank in a few years (after my tank sitter left the rodi on into my system) and decided I wouldn't start another until I moved somewhere I'd be for awhile. In any case, we're in the last 6 weeks or so of closing on a house, ad I've been offered an aquarium. I'm undecided at the moment, but let me know what you all think. 250gal 60"x36"x25" with Starphire on 3 sides. Two corner overflows, 3 drilled returns in the back of the tank. Eurobracing. Stand & Hood with (I think) 2x 400W MH. For a grand. Skimmer (Big, said it could handle 1000 gallons), CA reactor, plumbing, 90 gallon black plastic sump for an additional 2500 (so 3500 total). Now, buying a home ain't cheap, as they say, however, I'm very tempted to get the tank, lights, and stand and put them in the basement until we're ready to set it up. Failing that, it would be the best fuge/sump ever if I wanted to get a rimless tank for my display (they look so awesome). I don't Think the skimmer and reactor and various pieces are worth the extra cash if I'm not going to set it up in the next 6-12 months- I can just find better for a similar price when I'm ready to go. And I don't think I'd want to set it up soon because of the additional cost of stocking it appropriately, etc. Don't know any of the brands (finding out). Know it was set up and running week or three ago. Anyway, what do you folks think? I mean a similar tank from glasscages would run like 1800 shipped, but a grand for the tank AND ballasts and a stand...? Thanks. Oh, do you get a skimmer rated for the volume of your display or the total volume of your system?

02/16/2010, 09:37 AM	#2
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	*To Reef Central* total volume of the system for the skimmer. The tank, stand, hood sounds like a GREAT deal, and I would buy it in a heart-beat if I had the dough, or a place to put it. The other stuff, without knowing every piece of equipment by brand, would be hard to gauge, but SEEMS very pricy to me. I would be all over the tank, stand, canopy, and let him sell the rest of the equip seperately. You could get yourself a 55-90 gallon glass tank pretty cheap, throw in some acrylic baffles, and you have a nice, custom to your liking, sump at 1/3rd the price of a "ready" sump. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/16/2010, 11:32 AM	#6
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	+1 to what everyone else said. If you like the dimensions of the tank then it's a good deal. Keep in mind that most people running large tanks prefer 6 ft long tanks to allow for longer swimmiing room (tangs), and a 36 inch wide tank will extend into the room fairly far. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but know what you want. The rest seems a bit pricey unless we can get specifics on the equipment. If the skimmer is a BubbleKing 650 deluxe, then it's a good deal, but I'm guessing that it's a different skimmer. The plumbing and sump are cheap add-ons. I'd consider them tossed in for free. So $2500 for a skimmer and Ca reactor sounds overpriced. You can do a good Ca reactor new for $500, and get one of many new outstanding skimmers for a 250gal tank for under $1000. The SWC/MSX 300A is only $600, or an ATB1050 cone for $1000, for example. __________________ Some days it's not even worth chewing through the restraints. Current Tank Info: 250g starphire: 72x28x30, BeanAnimal drain with an oversized non-durso emergency drain, 4 inch DSB, 3x Reefbreeders Value LED fixtures, SWC/MSX 300A skimmer, Geo kalk reactor, 3 Vortechs w/bb, carbon reactor, and a RKL Last edited by Hal; 02/16/2010 at 11:38 AM.

02/16/2010, 06:39 PM	#8
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Found out what skimmer it has and report back. I would jump on the tank if you like the size and it doesn't have many scratches. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/16/2010, 07:16 PM	#9
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	zathris, would love to hear how it goes. Let us know what you end up doing, and post some pics of your new tank. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/16/2010, 09:41 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	For a Starphire tank, it sounds like a great deal. There will still be plenty of additional costs (new bulbs, sand, rock...), but I think it is a grood start.

02/16/2010, 09:43 AM	#4
brascal1 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central MI Posts: 83	Agree - tank sounds like a great deal. Rest of equipment - something is wrong there that is WAY too much....

02/16/2010, 09:44 AM	#5
blindsider 5150 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 167	tank stand canopy and ballast sounds like a great deal! but the addition of the other items sure did raise that price, i personally would skip out on the rest of the equipment until your ready to go. like said above, finding a 90g is not to difficult. and pretty easy to make it to your liking. good luck with the house and all!

02/16/2010, 02:50 PM	#7
zathris Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	Thanks for the replies all. That's pretty much what I was concluding after a few hours of getting caught up on the 'state of the hobby,' but it never hurts to ask for opinions of those who are so much more informed.

02/16/2010, 07:56 PM	#10
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	Also good to know if copper was ever used in the tank in case you want to do a reef. __________________ The Gooch, my Beagle, may she RIP 1995-2011 Current Tank Info: 150 gallon Starfire set up July 22,09, 30g QT

02/17/2010, 09:05 AM	#12
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	^I thought about this, but if the guy has a sump, a HUGE skimmer, MH and t5 lighting, likely it was a coral tank to begin with, and would not worry. Not to say impossible tho. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/17/2010, 09:18 AM	#13
alovely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 230	Sounds like an amazing deal... I would not deal w/ glasscages though or even get a price quote from them. Their prices are cheap but I have heard a lot of bad things about their tanks. That tank sounds like an amazing deal. I am not so sure about the skimmer plumbing and sump though. All those sounds kind of pricey in my opinion.

02/17/2010, 11:01 AM	#14
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	What kinda of skimmer is it. Also reactor size? Does it come with all that is needed to run it? That really might not be overpriced... __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

02/19/2010, 06:44 PM	#15
zathris Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	So I confirmed with him today that I'll be doing the tank, stand, and lights (which I confirmed are 2x 400w MHs and 2x actinics of some sort). It'll go in the basement for the next 6-12 months while we get settled in to our new house, then I may very well try my hand at a build thread- I know I like reading them, let's see if I can contribute a bit too. I chose that particular combo instead of the whole system because I think I'd rather buy a known-quantity skimmer, Ca reactor, and pumps- which I think I can do for somewhere around the 2500 I'm not spending now- plus it'll be new equipment. Thanks for the opinions all.

02/19/2010, 08:51 PM	#16
langtudatinh01 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 399	Congrats to you. that is a killer deal for that tank, canopy, stand and lighting. keep us update. i think you made a very good decision. __________________ Tuanito Tranito Current Tank Info: my little heaven: 40 Breeder nano reeftank (1 year old-refugium/sump 20 gallons)

02/19/2010, 08:55 PM	#17
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	The tank, stand, lights, sounds like a great deal. I'm not sure about the rest though. Probably good deal. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

02/19/2010, 09:13 PM	#18
Kdocimo90 Superior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 6,175	Sounds like a great deal! Cant wait to see some pictures~! __________________ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) VISIT MY HOME PAGE (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ ¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯)¸.•´¯) TO SEE MY 210G TANK (¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸(¯´•.¸ -Kevin Current Tank Info: 210 Gallon Softy/LPS Reef Tank

02/20/2010, 03:47 PM	#19
AndrewG Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brownsburg IN Posts: 97	You can always scan the drygoods section here when it comes time for the skimmer, Ca reactor and pumps. There are always deals if you keep your eyes open.

02/20/2010, 11:59 PM	#20
WhoDey64 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ft Lauderdale Florida Posts: 1,311	You made the right choice! Congrats on the purchase =)