Is this a fair breakdown of an aquarium cost? - Page 2

scaryperson27 · 11/12/2006, 11:55 AM

You could allways go with the Home Depot Natural sand and seed it live sand from a tank. Live sand from the bags usually dont accomplish much. A 50lb bag of sand at HD is around $5.

jeffgp · 11/12/2006, 12:04 PM

there are some meny ways to cut conners
like buying on line for fosters or aquatraders .
and becoming a good DO -it - your selfer . just read some of the posts on here and you can build anything for the tank all most cheaper then going to your lfs.
the stand and top you can build it your self and that way you can have the sump and all your parts the way you want it .
its such a good feeling when you build it your self .
just remember you can never over kill on the skimmer of filter you get all ways go bigger then what you need . it cant hurt you

Letmegrow · 11/12/2006, 01:23 PM

Don't let them pass off Power Compact bulbs on you.
If you do MH demand that you have T-5's or VHO's for suppliment.
Before you ask or they tell you, NO that should not raise the price of the fixture or DIY set up.

jerryz · 11/12/2006, 09:34 PM

Why would that have to be a "demand"? I'm part of the MH only crowd and quite happy actually.

Konadog · 11/12/2006, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sushi Roll
I live in Los Angeles so I'm sure there is. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to look into that.

Check out MASLAC , I bet you could find most of the stuff your looking for from club members looking to thin there garages out

. Another good thing about local clubs is to find the best places to purchase things locally, LFS that support the club, and group buys.

reefez · 11/12/2006, 10:49 PM

DIY is the way to go if you want to save a chunk of change! And don't rush any purchaces. Shop around. Their are many many online retailers to buy the equipment. I just built my stand and halide canopy for my new tank. So far on my new build I have built.

180gal. stand better and stronger then any in a LFS. Around 185.00
Halide canopy-I built for about 80.00 wood ,stain,screws,glue.
40 GAL. Sump bought used for 135.00
Aqua-C EV-240 Skimmer for new tank Free!
Buying a Sequence Dart and MRC-CR2 Ca reactor for 425.00 from local reefer.
Tank I'm building with the help from friend. Materials around 450.00
So for 1275.00 investment so far I think I'm doing pretty well. I still have a lot to get but most of the high priced items are out of the way. Shop around and DIY whatever you can and you will save!

Fiziksgeek · 11/13/2006, 11:31 AM

I have made this mistake before...I had a DIY 55 in grad school. When I graduated and got a job, I went to a LFS and asked for a package deal on a 135. I knew almost nothing, and walked away with a bill for $4500. Now, two years later, I just put together an in-wall 210 at my new place. Its bigger and better in every way, and was significantly cheaper than my 135...by thousands..!

I would read alot online. Maybe find a local reef club, go to a meeting, ask for suggestions and listen to experience. Many people will be willing to come over and help set things up.

Order stuff online, or ask the LFS to match the price (with shipping).

Dont buy a chiller until you know you need one.

Dont buy large quantities of live sand.

etc...

etc...

etc...

Liquid Hobby · 11/13/2006, 01:40 PM

Order online, order online, order online... people, what about shipping? There is a reason that online is cheaper, it has to be in order to compensate for shipping cost.

Also, the LFS will be able to offer advise. When you ask for and get lots of advice, then turn and buy that gizmo online, that advice will end...

Everything is a compromise...

RichConley · 11/13/2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Liquid Hobby
Order online, order online, order online... people, what about shipping? There is a reason that online is cheaper, it has to be in order to compensate for shipping cost.

Also, the LFS will be able to offer advise. When you ask for and get lots of advice, then turn and buy that gizmo online, that advice will end...

Everything is a compromise...

Generally, shipping isnt even close to the markup.

My LFS sells a mag5 for $129. Theyre $45 +$8 shipping online.

RichConley · 11/13/2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Liquid Hobby
Also, the LFS will be able to offer advise. When you ask for and get lots of advice, then turn and buy that gizmo online, that advice will end...

People always bring this up, but IME, even the good LFS give worse advice than you can get with 5 minutes of googling. How many noobies come in here, and we have to help them out with stuff that the LFS misinformed them about?

krikor · 11/13/2006, 02:19 PM

I totally agree about the fact that comming here, or googling is way better than most of the help that LFS give out.

maliboost · 11/13/2006, 02:48 PM

don't know if you live by a large population center but keep your eye on craigslist.org I bought my 75 oceanic reef ready on there for 350 bucks

tank
stand
sump
4 small powerheads
2 cap 2200 pumps, one which i'm using for a return onther on the included skimmer

blueline 875 gph external pump which i'm going to use closed loop eventually

teco chiller, unsure on the size but it uses like 275 watts i think

4x65 pc lighting

and a 20 gallon tall tank

blueline wave maker

blueline auto topoff controller

heater

so just keep an eye out, you can come across some good deals if you are patient

RichConley · 11/13/2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by maliboost
don't know if you live by a large population center but keep your eye on craigslist.org I bought my 75 oceanic reef ready on there for 350 bucks

Yeah, I got my Oceanic 58 off of CL, for $75. It came with tank, stand, and a HOB overflow for that price. I sold the stand for $50, and the overflow for $50.

Triggerfish · 11/13/2006, 03:25 PM

LMAO!!.. I suspect you didn't inquire about their "multi-item" discount did you?

scaryperson27 · 11/13/2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
People always bring this up, but IME, even the good LFS give worse advice than you can get with 5 minutes of googling. How many noobies come in here, and we have to help them out with stuff that the LFS misinformed them about?

Yeah really, I am one of them. The LFS stores opinions are usually Biased toward selling you stuff. Don't trust them unless your a long time customer or a friend.

BLockamon · 11/13/2006, 09:37 PM

If you order $175, Marine Depot will ship for free, unless it's a bucket of salt or bag of sand.

The LFS prices don't sound too horrible, but doing it yourself will probably save 30--40%. Since my LFS marks stuff up 100%, that ain't too shabby.

If it were me, the first thing I'd nix is the chiller. With proper ventillation and fans, it shouldn't be needed unless the canopy is really short and the bulbs are right on the water (and if so, you need a lower price on the canopy).

As an alternative, consider a 6x80W T5 HO retrofit kit from IceCap for lighting (www.reefgeek.com). Add some fans to the canopy, which only has to be ~6" now, and you can keep hard corals and clams easily. You'll loose the shimmer lines, but the electricity and bulb replacement costs will be less. (I'm partial...to me 60" tanks were specifically made for 80W T5 lighting.)

I'd also pass on the skimmer and get a better one on-line for the same price. An Octopus NW-200 would work nicely. An ASM would also work.

BTW, does the calcium reactor price include reactor, pH controller (not monitor), CO2 regulator and CO2 bottle. If not, you can get all of the above on a nice reactor from ReefTek for the same price. Of course, you can get by with 2-part for a while (check out the Reef Chemistry forum for a good, simple DIY that will save you tons of $$$) until you save up.

I'd also recommend not getting the Tunze powerheads. If you're going to pay for Tunze, get the streams. If not, get a maxi-jet mod.

The return pump can also be downsized, although the Iwaki is a nice pump.

For everything else, make sure you get the brand and model numbers. You want to make sure to get GOOD equipment from the start or you WILL be replacing it. You budget sound like it's enough to do it right with a little judgement.

Good luck.

horkn · 11/13/2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
IMO, less is better in the Live Rock department. Unless you're buying TBS, or something along that line, thats very dense, anything more than 1lb per gallon is way too much. More liverock means poorer flow patterns, and more places for detritus to settle.

i agree. 100 pounds is more than adequate for a 150..

i made the mistake of putting 65-70 pounds in my 35g, and its just too much rock...

horkn · 11/13/2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
Generally, shipping isnt even close to the markup.

My LFS sells a mag5 for $129. Theyre $45 +$8 shipping online.

yep, for example the rio 800 rvt pump i neeed was 38 dollars at the LFS,a nd i got it for like 12 bux form premium aquatics

my reef clubs 10% discount didnt cut the cost enough

jamesdawson · 11/13/2006, 11:33 PM

Not trying to scare you off, but IME--once you become throughly addicted you will continue to spend money at an exponentially increasing rate

Its still worth it!

James

jmchzn · 11/16/2006, 08:20 PM

much good advice. Here is sum more. ADD 2000.00 to what ever your max is to spend. No matter what you have to spend. I have new 90gal and my limit was 5000.00 and I'm at 8000.00 but I'm a PIG!!Still not done!!!hahhahaha keep going no tank is big enough.EVER!!! ALSO NEVER skimp on the super important things you'll pay later. Skimmer/pumps/lights/flow!!!

theatrus · 11/16/2006, 09:40 PM

BTW, the powerheads listed are the Tunze Turbelle, not the Tunze Turbelle Streams which are the ones everyone is interested in.

11/12/2006, 12:04 PM	#27
jeffgp Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: milwaukee Posts: 625	there are some meny ways to cut conners like buying on line for fosters or aquatraders . and becoming a good DO -it - your selfer . just read some of the posts on here and you can build anything for the tank all most cheaper then going to your lfs. the stand and top you can build it your self and that way you can have the sump and all your parts the way you want it . its such a good feeling when you build it your self . just remember you can never over kill on the skimmer of filter you get all ways go bigger then what you need . it cant hurt you __________________ (Member of the Gem Tang Rider Posse) check my red house Current Tank Info: reef tank

11/12/2006, 01:23 PM	#28
Letmegrow Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Hill Posts: 4,740	Don't let them pass off Power Compact bulbs on you. If you do MH demand that you have T-5's or VHO's for suppliment. Before you ask or they tell you, NO that should not raise the price of the fixture or DIY set up. __________________ I'll be just fine pretending I'm not. Understand, Contempt born of clear perception is a birthright to those who channel it toward progression.

11/12/2006, 10:49 PM	#31
reefez Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 845	DIY is the way to go if you want to save a chunk of change! And don't rush any purchaces. Shop around. Their are many many online retailers to buy the equipment. I just built my stand and halide canopy for my new tank. So far on my new build I have built. 180gal. stand better and stronger then any in a LFS. Around 185.00 Halide canopy-I built for about 80.00 wood ,stain,screws,glue. 40 GAL. Sump bought used for 135.00 Aqua-C EV-240 Skimmer for new tank Free! Buying a Sequence Dart and MRC-CR2 Ca reactor for 425.00 from local reefer. Tank I'm building with the help from friend. Materials around 450.00 So for 1275.00 investment so far I think I'm doing pretty well. I still have a lot to get but most of the high priced items are out of the way. Shop around and DIY whatever you can and you will save! __________________ So many hobbies..So little time.. Current Tank Info: 125gal. 30gal. sump Octopus 3000 skimmer. Monster sailfin tang, purple Tang, yellow tang, Copperband Butterfly, Coral Beauty, Marine Beta, Pair of Vanuatu Tomato Clowns BB With 170lbs. LR

11/13/2006, 01:40 PM	#33
Liquid Hobby Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 810	Order online, order online, order online... people, what about shipping? There is a reason that online is cheaper, it has to be in order to compensate for shipping cost. Also, the LFS will be able to offer advise. When you ask for and get lots of advice, then turn and buy that gizmo online, that advice will end... Everything is a compromise... __________________ 120 DT/200 G mixed reef: birthed on Dec 1, 2010 * Neptune Systems controller * 40G Sump + 40G Fuge which gravity feeds into DT * Huge Reef Octopus Skimmer * Calc, GFO and Carbon RXs * 2x250W 20K Radium MH with VHO supplement * 3600 GPH closed loop with OM 4 way * 1700 GPH return

11/13/2006, 02:19 PM	#36
krikor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southern Philly Burbs Posts: 452	I totally agree about the fact that comming here, or googling is way better than most of the help that LFS give out. __________________ Yes, Krikor is my real name... DVRC Respect _____________________________ Current Tank Info: Taking it Slow

11/12/2006, 11:55 AM	#26
scaryperson27 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cape Coral, F.L. Posts: 2,106	You could allways go with the Home Depot Natural sand and seed it live sand from a tank. Live sand from the bags usually dont accomplish much. A 50lb bag of sand at HD is around $5.

11/12/2006, 09:34 PM	#29
jerryz Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phoenix Posts: 953	Why would that have to be a "demand"? I'm part of the MH only crowd and quite happy actually.

11/13/2006, 11:31 AM	#32
Fiziksgeek Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxford, CT Posts: 1,565	I have made this mistake before...I had a DIY 55 in grad school. When I graduated and got a job, I went to a LFS and asked for a package deal on a 135. I knew almost nothing, and walked away with a bill for $4500. Now, two years later, I just put together an in-wall 210 at my new place. Its bigger and better in every way, and was significantly cheaper than my 135...by thousands..! I would read alot online. Maybe find a local reef club, go to a meeting, ask for suggestions and listen to experience. Many people will be willing to come over and help set things up. Order stuff online, or ask the LFS to match the price (with shipping). Dont buy a chiller until you know you need one. Dont buy large quantities of live sand. etc... etc... etc...

11/13/2006, 02:48 PM	#37
maliboost Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: nw indiana Posts: 77	don't know if you live by a large population center but keep your eye on craigslist.org I bought my 75 oceanic reef ready on there for 350 bucks tank stand sump 4 small powerheads 2 cap 2200 pumps, one which i'm using for a return onther on the included skimmer blueline 875 gph external pump which i'm going to use closed loop eventually teco chiller, unsure on the size but it uses like 275 watts i think 4x65 pc lighting and a 20 gallon tall tank blueline wave maker blueline auto topoff controller heater so just keep an eye out, you can come across some good deals if you are patient

11/13/2006, 03:25 PM	#39
Triggerfish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 3,391	LMAO!!.. I suspect you didn't inquire about their "multi-item" discount did you? __________________ 150g Bow: YWG,Flurry clowns, LMB, yellow tail, chalk bass, Bangaii ,powder brown. Current Tank Info: 110g mixed reef

11/13/2006, 09:37 PM	#41
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	If you order $175, Marine Depot will ship for free, unless it's a bucket of salt or bag of sand. The LFS prices don't sound too horrible, but doing it yourself will probably save 30--40%. Since my LFS marks stuff up 100%, that ain't too shabby. If it were me, the first thing I'd nix is the chiller. With proper ventillation and fans, it shouldn't be needed unless the canopy is really short and the bulbs are right on the water (and if so, you need a lower price on the canopy). As an alternative, consider a 6x80W T5 HO retrofit kit from IceCap for lighting (www.reefgeek.com). Add some fans to the canopy, which only has to be ~6" now, and you can keep hard corals and clams easily. You'll loose the shimmer lines, but the electricity and bulb replacement costs will be less. (I'm partial...to me 60" tanks were specifically made for 80W T5 lighting.) I'd also pass on the skimmer and get a better one on-line for the same price. An Octopus NW-200 would work nicely. An ASM would also work. BTW, does the calcium reactor price include reactor, pH controller (not monitor), CO2 regulator and CO2 bottle. If not, you can get all of the above on a nice reactor from ReefTek for the same price. Of course, you can get by with 2-part for a while (check out the Reef Chemistry forum for a good, simple DIY that will save you tons of $$$) until you save up. I'd also recommend not getting the Tunze powerheads. If you're going to pay for Tunze, get the streams. If not, get a maxi-jet mod. The return pump can also be downsized, although the Iwaki is a nice pump. For everything else, make sure you get the brand and model numbers. You want to make sure to get GOOD equipment from the start or you WILL be replacing it. You budget sound like it's enough to do it right with a little judgement. Good luck.

11/13/2006, 11:33 PM	#44
jamesdawson Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I AM THE SEA Posts: 1,303	Not trying to scare you off, but IME--once you become throughly addicted you will continue to spend money at an exponentially increasing rate Its still worth it! James __________________ Old Reefers Never Die, they just...join the crew! Current Tank Info: I'm expanding my reach

11/16/2006, 08:20 PM	#45
jmchzn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: nyc/ct Posts: 147	much good advice. Here is sum more. ADD 2000.00 to what ever your max is to spend. No matter what you have to spend. I have new 90gal and my limit was 5000.00 and I'm at 8000.00 but I'm a PIG!!Still not done!!!hahhahaha keep going no tank is big enough.EVER!!! ALSO NEVER skimp on the super important things you'll pay later. Skimmer/pumps/lights/flow!!! __________________ JMCHZN This reef insures my kids get nothing! Current Tank Info: 90gal/starfire/oceanicTechTank/BubbleKing180 /30gal sump/48"Solaris LED light system/3.5-5" DSB/150 lbs live rock/tunze wave box/aqua 25w uv/PhosReactor THATS IT!

11/16/2006, 09:40 PM	#46
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	BTW, the powerheads listed are the Tunze Turbelle, not the Tunze Turbelle Streams which are the ones everyone is interested in. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics