Is this a good deal?

mickeym · 10/19/2007, 08:01 PM

I will be setting up a 75 gallon Reef ready tank in the next couple months. Is this a good deal for a starter sump?? (I know it doesnt have everything..but is it a good place to start, for the money?

sump kit

Thanks!

Roger928 · 10/19/2007, 08:08 PM

Seems a bit much for a 10 gal tank / sump even with the goodies. I think you could do better with at least a 20 gal and DYI. IMO

poppin_fresh · 10/19/2007, 08:25 PM

Pass on it. If you are buying a reef ready, you dont need the surface skimmer box. Also, the bioballs are waste as is the return bulkhead and PC hood. What is that return pump?? Near as I can tell, one of the most important components is missing... a skimmer!

If you are even remotely skilled in the use of some basic tools you can build a much better set up for that kind of money. I would check out www.melevsreef.com and look for the info on sumps. You might not need to get as fancy as Marcs designs, but it will help you grasp the concepts.

moze229 · 10/19/2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mickeym
I will be setting up a 75 gallon Reef ready tank in the next couple months. Is this a good deal for a starter sump?? (I know it doesnt have everything..but is it a good place to start, for the money?

sump kit

Thanks!

There really isn't such a thing as a "starter sump".

You either have one that works for your system or not. To me, that Ebay deal is WAYYYYY too much. Roger928 is correct - you need at least a 20 gallon anyway for a 75 I would think. 10 gallon is not going to give you much room for equipment. Most of the other items with the tank look like junk to me. Save your money for a skimmer. Buy a 20 gallon long and build the sump yourself. If you can cut plastic and use silicone you can do it.

Matt

cd77 · 10/19/2007, 08:32 PM

I agree. Also, a 10G for a 75G tank seems a bit small. One of my big regrets still is starting with a cheap sump. IME, the bigger the better with respect to sumps/refugiums.

You may also be advised here against using bioballs in favor of using a macroalgae refuge.

That seller only has a feedback of 5 btw -- something I'm frequently leery of.

If you have some skills with acrylic, or you're willing to learn, check out http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

cd77 · 10/19/2007, 08:35 PM

Heh -- two people got a reply in within the time it took for RC to process my post -- and they said more or less the same thing -- go figure.

reefergeorge · 10/19/2007, 08:39 PM

I would just buy a 20L and use a filter sock. I got away without useing baffels and don't have any micro bubbles with a mag 9.5 return.

blcard · 10/19/2007, 08:39 PM

I would atleast check around more and stick with more reputable sellers if possible.

If you must go cheap, used is typically the way to go. JMO

moze229 · 10/19/2007, 08:39 PM

Type faster software engineer

LOL

Just kidding with you.

Matt

moze229 · 10/19/2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cd77
Heh -- two people got a reply in within the time it took for RC to process my post -- and they said more or less the same thing -- go figure.

And as you can see, the same thing happened to me

Matt

Avi · 10/19/2007, 08:41 PM

I think that a 10-gallon sump is just a wee bit too small for a 75-gallon tank, though if that's all you'd have room for, it's not so much of a problem. The thing is, that if you intend to have a highly effective skimmer in the sump, you'd be really lacking for space in there. On the other hand, you could plumb a good skimmer outside of the sump if you were intent on getting that one. The price, I guess is about right for a ready-made kit....superficially high if anything, and, if you aren't handy, it'll save you the trouble of hassling to build one.

cd77 · 10/19/2007, 08:46 PM

Rush hour at RC -- all of us fish geeks with nothing better to do on a Friday night!

Quote:

Originally posted by moze229
And as you can see, the same thing happened to me

Matt

poppin_fresh · 10/19/2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cd77
Rush hour at RC -- all of us fish geeks with nothing better to do on a Saturday night!

Ummmm...its Friday. We still have one more night to get our geek on this weekend.

cd77 · 10/19/2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by poppin_fresh
Ummmm...its Friday. We still have one more night to get our geek on this weekend.

Edited!! I guess Fridays and Saturdays don't hold as much meaning for me anymore.. it's like one 48 hour day.. seems to have started about the time I got married.. causation, or just correlation?

mickeym · 10/20/2007, 06:03 AM

Perfect!!!

Thanks for all the replies.... Now I know to avoid the smaller... Thanks for the links, I will do the myself..

Thanks everyone!!

loosecannon · 10/20/2007, 11:03 AM

I set up a 75 gal. I put a 50 gal. rubber maid ben in it from lowes. 12.00$. I put two , one I side each other, so it would not bow-out!

gfxslayer · 10/20/2007, 11:12 AM

I think 75 gal is too big, try 50 gal. Find cheap stuff first, as its your first tank. go with damsels, its the best beginner fish

good luck.

cd77 · 10/20/2007, 11:17 AM

Hmm.. I'd say the bigger the better with respect to tank size, and many people I know regret getting damsels as 'starter fish'. They're tank bullies.

10/19/2007, 08:01 PM	#1
mickeym Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fairport Posts: 98	Is this a good deal? I will be setting up a 75 gallon Reef ready tank in the next couple months. Is this a good deal for a starter sump?? (I know it doesnt have everything..but is it a good place to start, for the money? sump kit Thanks!

10/19/2007, 08:08 PM	#2
Roger928 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 296	Seems a bit much for a 10 gal tank / sump even with the goodies. I think you could do better with at least a 20 gal and DYI. IMO __________________ Always quarantine. You never know where that fish has been. Current Tank Info: 90 and 120 mixed reef

10/19/2007, 08:25 PM	#3
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	Pass on it. If you are buying a reef ready, you dont need the surface skimmer box. Also, the bioballs are waste as is the return bulkhead and PC hood. What is that return pump?? Near as I can tell, one of the most important components is missing... a skimmer! If you are even remotely skilled in the use of some basic tools you can build a much better set up for that kind of money. I would check out www.melevsreef.com and look for the info on sumps. You might not need to get as fancy as Marcs designs, but it will help you grasp the concepts. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze

10/19/2007, 08:32 PM	#5
cd77 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fishers, IN, USA Posts: 1,169	I agree. Also, a 10G for a 75G tank seems a bit small. One of my big regrets still is starting with a cheap sump. IME, the bigger the better with respect to sumps/refugiums. You may also be advised here against using bioballs in favor of using a macroalgae refuge. That seller only has a feedback of 5 btw -- something I'm frequently leery of. If you have some skills with acrylic, or you're willing to learn, check out http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html __________________ -Chris Current Tank Info: 70G Reef (Aug 2007), 45G Reef (Dec 2007)

10/19/2007, 08:35 PM	#6
cd77 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fishers, IN, USA Posts: 1,169	Heh -- two people got a reply in within the time it took for RC to process my post -- and they said more or less the same thing -- go figure. __________________ -Chris Current Tank Info: 70G Reef (Aug 2007), 45G Reef (Dec 2007)

10/19/2007, 08:39 PM	#7
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	I would just buy a 20L and use a filter sock. I got away without useing baffels and don't have any micro bubbles with a mag 9.5 return. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

10/19/2007, 08:39 PM	#8
blcard Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 147	I would atleast check around more and stick with more reputable sellers if possible. If you must go cheap, used is typically the way to go. JMO

10/19/2007, 08:39 PM	#9
moze229 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Triangle Area, NC Posts: 678	Type faster software engineer LOL Just kidding with you. Matt __________________ The best things in life are free....except for reef tanks :( "What don't kill you - make you more strong." - James Hetfield Current Tank Info: 24 Aquapod w/120w LED Bridgelux 55 X 3 - Softies and LPS

10/19/2007, 08:41 PM	#11
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	I think that a 10-gallon sump is just a wee bit too small for a 75-gallon tank, though if that's all you'd have room for, it's not so much of a problem. The thing is, that if you intend to have a highly effective skimmer in the sump, you'd be really lacking for space in there. On the other hand, you could plumb a good skimmer outside of the sump if you were intent on getting that one. The price, I guess is about right for a ready-made kit....superficially high if anything, and, if you aren't handy, it'll save you the trouble of hassling to build one. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

10/20/2007, 06:03 AM	#15
mickeym Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fairport Posts: 98	Perfect!!! Thanks for all the replies.... Now I know to avoid the smaller... Thanks for the links, I will do the myself.. Thanks everyone!!

10/20/2007, 11:03 AM	#16
loosecannon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: port kent Posts: 1,292	I set up a 75 gal. I put a 50 gal. rubber maid ben in it from lowes. 12.00$. I put two , one I side each other, so it would not bow-out! __________________ I like getting WET! Current Tank Info: 44gal. 40 gal. 75 gal. 30gal. and working on a 75gal. rigt

10/20/2007, 11:12 AM	#17
gfxslayer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8	I think 75 gal is too big, try 50 gal. Find cheap stuff first, as its your first tank. go with damsels, its the best beginner fish good luck. __________________ Saltwater Aquarium Guide for Beginner http://www.saltwaterfishtips.com/

10/20/2007, 11:17 AM	#18
cd77 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fishers, IN, USA Posts: 1,169	Hmm.. I'd say the bigger the better with respect to tank size, and many people I know regret getting damsels as 'starter fish'. They're tank bullies. __________________ -Chris Current Tank Info: 70G Reef (Aug 2007), 45G Reef (Dec 2007)