$2500 budget - from scratch - Page 2

EvenFurther · 03/27/2015, 01:48 PM

I'm slowly working on a 75 build with a total budget goal of 3k. I've bought everything new so far. I've purchased thing as cheap as I can find, or on sale. Saved a few hundred buying 2, MP-40W-ES on a closeout sale. Bought a new standard 75 for 175.

It really adds up. Tons of small little parts really add up if you keep track. Water mixing / RODI station is not cheap either, QT set up, etc.

BlackTip · 03/27/2015, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KafudaFish

Could you list your system please?

There are several tank, canopy, and stand for sale threads here. Sizes ranged 90 to 300. I think the 300 was $900 for the tank only though.

I guess it would be a better question to answer what is the op wanting to keep vs how big can I go.

325g GLA glass tank
100g GLA glass sump
2x 320W Maxspect razor
2x 150 Gyre
Super Reef 5000 SSS
2x Water Blaster HY-5000
3x Sicce pumps (for reactors, UV, water change, etc)
2x 800W Titanium heater and 2 individual controllers
80W Emperor Aquatic UV
Tunze ATO
25g ATO container
50g water mixing container
Hanna Checkers for Phosphorus and Alkalinity
Red Sea test kit
Apex Gold package + extra power bar + 2x leak detection module
180 lbs Arag Alive sand
300 lbs Dry Fiji live Rock
6 boxes of IO salt
BRS 2 parts kit
BRS 6 stage RODI
Plumping valves (the good ones)

Yet to be purchased:
Carbon and GFO reactors
Some plumping supplies
QT tank
Tupperware
IP camera for remote monitoring
Leak alarm
Food, nets, etc

KafudaFish · 03/27/2015, 07:20 PM

Thanks for posting and good luck.

smoothlarryhughes · 03/27/2015, 08:35 PM

thoughts on this tank deal? What led lights would work well with something like this?

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/for/4943572087.html

moondoggy4 · 03/27/2015, 09:11 PM

The stand is a little scary no cross support, kinda like a stork on ice, easy to remedy.

Wider the tank more the lighting will cost you.

Cube tanks the sumps are a PITA better to make a modify stand rectangle stand with a cube on top. Lighting can be cheaper, single source is possible.

kenpau · 03/27/2015, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothlarryhughes

I was thinking maybe going with a 93 gallon cube - I'm shooting for a mixed reef and I will want to keep some sps corals.

If you want to keep SPS you will need a good skimmer, good lighting and good flow.
The 4ft tank you saw on gumtree would need 3 good quality LED lights, probably $1500 new, so you'd either need to go used or buy a T5/MH unit which are cheaper. Personally I have 4 MP40's on my 5ft SPS tank to get the flow I need, so you'd probably need at least 2 on a 4ft, about $1000 so buy used or a cheaper pump.
If I were you I'd be more tempted to go 3ft max so you can spend the extra money on the equipment you'll need for SPS.

CStrickland · 03/28/2015, 10:39 AM

I think the best way to grow a mixed reef is to start with more tolerant corals and work your way up. So: mushrooms, softies, Lps, sps. Since im prolly a year from sps, I spent $30 on 2400 gph in power heads. That cost was so low that I can just swap those out for fancier ones if they turn out to be insufficient, and use them for mixing water or whatev. There's some things that it pays to buy well in the beginning, but I don't think power heads is one. I got a solid, new, return pump though, Im paranoid about floods.

Lights are really confusing, but at their price I'd get the ones you want forever

I think with a lot of stuff there's a psychological thing where once you buy the expensive thing you want to confirm that this was a could call. Like, last week a poster was talking about lights on their softie tank and I was tempted to tell them they needed to buy full spectrum led's, but they prolly don't, I just wanted to confirm that I didn't waste my money lol

mussel and hate · 03/29/2015, 02:50 PM

You should probably start with a list of animals you wish to keep. Then you can figure out what equipment you require. You may have to reduce tank volume if High light/flow corals are your priority. That's not really a bad thing though, less water volume generally equates to less maintenance and expense.

IMO lights are the component easiest to change. Plumbing/tank the most difficult. Prioritize your circulation and plumbing. Do you want closed loop/s? Do you want Ecotech pumps($)? Are you ok with submerging high voltage conducters(shudder)? Do you require a sump or is an all in one type system acceptable. Which overflow design do you want? Figuring this out will help narrow the scope of your question.

sean obergfell · 03/29/2015, 06:01 PM

If you are patient and willing to drive a little.....
You can find a very nice full reef system for that amount.

Be patient

nchin3 · 03/31/2015, 03:13 PM

I've got a 60 gallon, which I'm trying to keep under a tight budget. I have an live rock, apex, radion pro gen 3, aquamaxx cone 1, cube sump, and dosing pump for under $2k. I purchased everything used except the radions and aquamaxx, it can be done but you gotta really be thrifty. Good luck.

smoothlarryhughes · 04/02/2015, 05:15 AM

anyone wanna take a stab at a build list for a 93 gallon cube for approx $2500?

baonguyen0207 · 04/02/2015, 10:24 AM

Just buy new tank and Stand.. The rest you can buy used equipment and dry rock, sand
You never know when u buy used tank ( leak, scratches ..etc. ) The rest should be fine.. That is what I am thinking..

baonguyen0207 · 04/02/2015, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothlarryhughes

thoughts on this tank deal? What led lights would work well with something like this?

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/for/4943572087.html

that is way too much for it.. bc there is no coral and fish in there..

jbvdhp · 04/02/2015, 02:22 PM

Too bad you're not in San Diego, someone is selling a COMPLETE 375 gallon DT with all cabinetry, all equipment, 500 LBS LR, Sohal Tang, other tangs, CHILLER... I mean everything for $800. I could show you the link too, but I am not sure if we are allowed too. It's crazy cheap for a 375 gallon DT with ALL.

moondoggy4 · 04/02/2015, 09:14 PM

^^^^ Deals like that usually happen on the other side of the country.

smoothlarryhughes · 04/09/2015, 05:54 AM

what are you're thoughts on a system like this one?

comes with stand, sump, pump, skimmer and tank

http://www.scaquariums.com/product-p/sca-80gpnp.htm

mordibv · 04/09/2015, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothlarryhughes

I was thinking maybe going with a 93 gallon cube - I'm shooting for a mixed reef and I will want to keep some sps corals.

Problem is Marineland tanks aren't fairing too well in the craftsmanship dept . Way too many threads with Poor seam joints n bubbles and crooked seams. I have personally seen 3 tanks with this issue . Truly needs to be a recall by them . Last tank manu date was 9/2014 and my buddies tank after inspection got sent back to the vendor by the LFS .
The tank is the cheapest part (always ) .!!! The rest is what kills the budget . FWIW I have never been able to build a stand under 100.00 it's more like 200 to 250 if you want it to look decent .
I would avoid buying used controllers unless it was fitted in a dry side of a cabinet . U run the risk of buying a used product with moisture or corrosion damge . The same applies to used ATI SP fixtures . The light may look great on the outside but if you took it apart it then the unknown damage is apparent . Not knocking the boat on any seller's but just because someone says purchased EG: in March 2014 with new bulbs doesn't mean it wasn't a second hand buy from someone else . I apologize for the run on sentences .

Good luck and happy shopping

CStrickland · 04/09/2015, 09:40 AM

I agree about the used stuff. I only buy used gear that I would feel ok trying to fix. So for me that's pumps, skimmers, mechanical things; and stuff that I feel comfy assessing the condition of. If I were comfortable opening up and repairing a controller, and I could tell by inspecting it if there were a problem, I'd get one. But since I'm not, it would be a total crapshoot. I think of it as a gamble, and I don't bet unless I have an advantage.

03/27/2015, 01:48 PM	#26
EvenFurther Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 352	I'm slowly working on a 75 build with a total budget goal of 3k. I've bought everything new so far. I've purchased thing as cheap as I can find, or on sale. Saved a few hundred buying 2, MP-40W-ES on a closeout sale. Bought a new standard 75 for 175. It really adds up. Tons of small little parts really add up if you keep track. Water mixing / RODI station is not cheap either, QT set up, etc. __________________ Slowly Building: 38 Gal. DT Cube \| DIY Sump \| DIY Stand

03/29/2015, 06:01 PM	#34
sean obergfell Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Olean, ny Posts: 852	If you are patient and willing to drive a little..... You can find a very nice full reef system for that amount. Be patient __________________ Live Out Truth

04/02/2015, 02:22 PM	#39
jbvdhp Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,131	Too bad you're not in San Diego, someone is selling a COMPLETE 375 gallon DT with all cabinetry, all equipment, 500 LBS LR, Sohal Tang, other tangs, CHILLER... I mean everything for $800. I could show you the link too, but I am not sure if we are allowed too. It's crazy cheap for a 375 gallon DT with ALL. __________________ This hobby = no more money Current Tank Info: 8' 240 gallons of headache

03/27/2015, 07:20 PM	#28
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	Thanks for posting and good luck.

03/27/2015, 08:35 PM	#29
smoothlarryhughes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Perkiomenville, PA Posts: 134	thoughts on this tank deal? What led lights would work well with something like this? http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/for/4943572087.html

03/27/2015, 09:11 PM	#30
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	The stand is a little scary no cross support, kinda like a stork on ice, easy to remedy. Wider the tank more the lighting will cost you. Cube tanks the sumps are a PITA better to make a modify stand rectangle stand with a cube on top. Lighting can be cheaper, single source is possible.

03/28/2015, 10:39 AM	#32
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	I think the best way to grow a mixed reef is to start with more tolerant corals and work your way up. So: mushrooms, softies, Lps, sps. Since im prolly a year from sps, I spent $30 on 2400 gph in power heads. That cost was so low that I can just swap those out for fancier ones if they turn out to be insufficient, and use them for mixing water or whatev. There's some things that it pays to buy well in the beginning, but I don't think power heads is one. I got a solid, new, return pump though, Im paranoid about floods. Lights are really confusing, but at their price I'd get the ones you want forever I think with a lot of stuff there's a psychological thing where once you buy the expensive thing you want to confirm that this was a could call. Like, last week a poster was talking about lights on their softie tank and I was tempted to tell them they needed to buy full spectrum led's, but they prolly don't, I just wanted to confirm that I didn't waste my money lol

03/29/2015, 02:50 PM	#33
mussel and hate Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: location location Posts: 701	You should probably start with a list of animals you wish to keep. Then you can figure out what equipment you require. You may have to reduce tank volume if High light/flow corals are your priority. That's not really a bad thing though, less water volume generally equates to less maintenance and expense. IMO lights are the component easiest to change. Plumbing/tank the most difficult. Prioritize your circulation and plumbing. Do you want closed loop/s? Do you want Ecotech pumps($)? Are you ok with submerging high voltage conducters(shudder)? Do you require a sump or is an all in one type system acceptable. Which overflow design do you want? Figuring this out will help narrow the scope of your question.

03/31/2015, 03:13 PM	#35
nchin3 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 106	I've got a 60 gallon, which I'm trying to keep under a tight budget. I have an live rock, apex, radion pro gen 3, aquamaxx cone 1, cube sump, and dosing pump for under $2k. I purchased everything used except the radions and aquamaxx, it can be done but you gotta really be thrifty. Good luck.

04/02/2015, 05:15 AM	#36
smoothlarryhughes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Perkiomenville, PA Posts: 134	anyone wanna take a stab at a build list for a 93 gallon cube for approx $2500?

04/02/2015, 10:24 AM	#37
baonguyen0207 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 24	Just buy new tank and Stand.. The rest you can buy used equipment and dry rock, sand You never know when u buy used tank ( leak, scratches ..etc. ) The rest should be fine.. That is what I am thinking..

04/02/2015, 09:14 PM	#40
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	^^^^ Deals like that usually happen on the other side of the country.

04/09/2015, 05:54 AM	#41
smoothlarryhughes Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Perkiomenville, PA Posts: 134	what are you're thoughts on a system like this one? comes with stand, sump, pump, skimmer and tank http://www.scaquariums.com/product-p/sca-80gpnp.htm

04/09/2015, 09:40 AM	#43
CStrickland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New England, U.S. Posts: 4,595	I agree about the used stuff. I only buy used gear that I would feel ok trying to fix. So for me that's pumps, skimmers, mechanical things; and stuff that I feel comfy assessing the condition of. If I were comfortable opening up and repairing a controller, and I could tell by inspecting it if there were a problem, I'd get one. But since I'm not, it would be a total crapshoot. I think of it as a gamble, and I don't bet unless I have an advantage.