Is This a Fair Price for a New System

steve888 · 04/11/2012, 10:42 AM

Hello:

I'm thinking about buying a new system (an upgrade to my current 14G BioCube). My LFS has provided me with two quotes below for a 50G and 75G (the 75G would have a sump). I priced out all of these components on the web and they came up to about $200 less than my LFS's quote but that's not counting taxes, shipping, etc. so it seems like a fair price to go with my LFS.

However, I always read threads on here about great deals people get on Craig's List and other sites buying used equipment.

Any thoughts? Should I go with my LFS or do the previously-owned route? I've only had my BioCube for 7 months so I'm still a newbie and don't really think I have the technical expertise to tell if the used equipment I might buy online is in good condition or not.

Thanks for any help or suggestions!!

50-Gallon system (36x18x19)
1x AGA Tank
1x AGA Stand Pine (black or oak)
1x CUSA Nova T5 light fixture
1x Remora Protein Skimmer
2x Vortech MP10 (possibly the MP40 will work too if you would ever want to upgrade your system)
1x Ehiem Heater
1x Thermometer
1x Carib Sea Aragonite substrate (40lbs)
2x light timers
1x grounding probe
1x GFCI adaptor
50lbs Live Rock (more or less depending on shapes/size of rock)
Total Estimate = $2000
============================================
75-Gallon reef-ready system (48x18x21)
1x AGA Tank (pre-drilled)
1x AGA Stand Pine (black or oak)
1x ADHI Sump/Refugium
1x Mag Drive return pump
1x CUSA Nova T5 light fixture
1x INS100 Protein Skimmer
1x Vortech MP40 (possibly x2)
1x Ehiem Heater
1x Thermometer
2x Carib Sea Aragonite substrate (40lbs)
2x light timers
1x grounding probe
1x GFCI adaptor
75lbs Live Rock (more or less depending on shapes/size of rock)
Miscellaneous Plumbing
Total Estimate = $3500

Donkeykong · 04/11/2012, 10:59 AM

New is great if you have the cash, but find a local club and search craigslist. You can usually find great deals, You will get much much more for your money. Even if you just find a tank and stand used you will be saving yourself some serious cash.

James77 · 04/11/2012, 11:24 AM

Check your local reef forums for better deals. I could set up a 75 gallon that is in great condition with similar equipment for about half that.

Search for equipment here on RC from members, if you are uneasy about it, shy towards members that have been here a long time with higher post counts. I have had several dozen transactions and never a problem. I have bought like new reflectors, pumps and ballasts for half the cost new. A brand new 75g tank and stand will cost $350-$450 new, but Im looking at my 90g tank and stand that cost me $100. This way its not a super expensive set up and will give you alot of livestock purchasign ability

solitude127 · 04/11/2012, 12:38 PM

IMO, you can go a lot cheaper.

steve888 · 04/12/2012, 09:57 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I live in the Washington, DC area and we have a pretty large fishkeeping population here so I'll start looking at used equipment to see how it compares.

DHyslop · 04/12/2012, 01:28 PM

If you go the used route just make sure you know about the equipment you're getting. There's a lot of junky light fixtures, skimmers, etc on Craigslist. I'd personally skip the Current USA fixture and find something a little nicer.

Also, if you're considering the smaller tank you might look at Cadlights. They have a 50 gallon tank, sump, skimmer combo. I think the Aqueon stands look a little dated and having a sump is a wonderful thing. Cadlights has its own downsides, too, though.

Also keep in mind you'll be spending money on other things. You'll want some sort of auto topoff and most likely calcium, alkalinity and vinegar dosing pumps, too. Don't forget rock!

madean · 04/12/2012, 04:26 PM

Either scenarios I believe there are better skimmers out there instead of the ones quoted for relatively the same amount of money. Give Mojo a pm and he will direct you in a better direction for skimmers of those tank sizes.

steve888 · 04/12/2012, 06:55 PM

Thanks for all of the advice. I've only been in the hobby for about 7 months so I wouldn't know a good used piece of equipment over a bad one...so, that makes me want to buy new stuff. I don't mind spending the extra money because I know I'll be getting good stuff with a warranty.

That being said, if you were going to spend $2,000 on a new set up, what would you buy? It sounds like some of the components in the setup from my LFS could be better (the CUSA lights and the skimmer).

I don't want a full reef system (just a FOWLR tank). I'm thinking something in the 55G range.

Thanks for any suggestions on specs!!

04/11/2012, 10:42 AM	#1
steve888 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 241	Is This a Fair Price for a New System Hello: I'm thinking about buying a new system (an upgrade to my current 14G BioCube). My LFS has provided me with two quotes below for a 50G and 75G (the 75G would have a sump). I priced out all of these components on the web and they came up to about $200 less than my LFS's quote but that's not counting taxes, shipping, etc. so it seems like a fair price to go with my LFS. However, I always read threads on here about great deals people get on Craig's List and other sites buying used equipment. Any thoughts? Should I go with my LFS or do the previously-owned route? I've only had my BioCube for 7 months so I'm still a newbie and don't really think I have the technical expertise to tell if the used equipment I might buy online is in good condition or not. Thanks for any help or suggestions!! 50-Gallon system (36x18x19) 1x AGA Tank 1x AGA Stand Pine (black or oak) 1x CUSA Nova T5 light fixture 1x Remora Protein Skimmer 2x Vortech MP10 (possibly the MP40 will work too if you would ever want to upgrade your system) 1x Ehiem Heater 1x Thermometer 1x Carib Sea Aragonite substrate (40lbs) 2x light timers 1x grounding probe 1x GFCI adaptor 50lbs Live Rock (more or less depending on shapes/size of rock) Total Estimate = $2000 ============================================ 75-Gallon reef-ready system (48x18x21) 1x AGA Tank (pre-drilled) 1x AGA Stand Pine (black or oak) 1x ADHI Sump/Refugium 1x Mag Drive return pump 1x CUSA Nova T5 light fixture 1x INS100 Protein Skimmer 1x Vortech MP40 (possibly x2) 1x Ehiem Heater 1x Thermometer 2x Carib Sea Aragonite substrate (40lbs) 2x light timers 1x grounding probe 1x GFCI adaptor 75lbs Live Rock (more or less depending on shapes/size of rock) Miscellaneous Plumbing Total Estimate = $3500 __________________ 30G Long, Aqua-C Remora HOB Skimmer, Cobalt Aquatics MJ1200, Vortech MP-10, Koralia 240 GPH, Talbot's Damsel, Forktail Blenny, 2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimps, 2 Snails, 2 Hermits

04/11/2012, 11:24 AM	#3
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Check your local reef forums for better deals. I could set up a 75 gallon that is in great condition with similar equipment for about half that. Search for equipment here on RC from members, if you are uneasy about it, shy towards members that have been here a long time with higher post counts. I have had several dozen transactions and never a problem. I have bought like new reflectors, pumps and ballasts for half the cost new. A brand new 75g tank and stand will cost $350-$450 new, but Im looking at my 90g tank and stand that cost me $100. This way its not a super expensive set up and will give you alot of livestock purchasign ability __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

04/11/2012, 12:38 PM	#4
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	IMO, you can go a lot cheaper. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

04/12/2012, 09:57 AM	#5
steve888 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 241	Thanks for the suggestions. I live in the Washington, DC area and we have a pretty large fishkeeping population here so I'll start looking at used equipment to see how it compares. __________________ 30G Long, Aqua-C Remora HOB Skimmer, Cobalt Aquatics MJ1200, Vortech MP-10, Koralia 240 GPH, Talbot's Damsel, Forktail Blenny, 2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimps, 2 Snails, 2 Hermits

04/12/2012, 06:55 PM	#8
steve888 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 241	Thanks Again Thanks for all of the advice. I've only been in the hobby for about 7 months so I wouldn't know a good used piece of equipment over a bad one...so, that makes me want to buy new stuff. I don't mind spending the extra money because I know I'll be getting good stuff with a warranty. That being said, if you were going to spend $2,000 on a new set up, what would you buy? It sounds like some of the components in the setup from my LFS could be better (the CUSA lights and the skimmer). I don't want a full reef system (just a FOWLR tank). I'm thinking something in the 55G range. Thanks for any suggestions on specs!! __________________ 30G Long, Aqua-C Remora HOB Skimmer, Cobalt Aquatics MJ1200, Vortech MP-10, Koralia 240 GPH, Talbot's Damsel, Forktail Blenny, 2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimps, 2 Snails, 2 Hermits

04/11/2012, 10:59 AM	#2
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	New is great if you have the cash, but find a local club and search craigslist. You can usually find great deals, You will get much much more for your money. Even if you just find a tank and stand used you will be saving yourself some serious cash.

04/12/2012, 01:28 PM	#6
DHyslop Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,085	If you go the used route just make sure you know about the equipment you're getting. There's a lot of junky light fixtures, skimmers, etc on Craigslist. I'd personally skip the Current USA fixture and find something a little nicer. Also, if you're considering the smaller tank you might look at Cadlights. They have a 50 gallon tank, sump, skimmer combo. I think the Aqueon stands look a little dated and having a sump is a wonderful thing. Cadlights has its own downsides, too, though. Also keep in mind you'll be spending money on other things. You'll want some sort of auto topoff and most likely calcium, alkalinity and vinegar dosing pumps, too. Don't forget rock!

04/12/2012, 04:26 PM	#7
madean Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 994	Either scenarios I believe there are better skimmers out there instead of the ones quoted for relatively the same amount of money. Give Mojo a pm and he will direct you in a better direction for skimmers of those tank sizes.