Buying a new aquarium!!!!!!!

jtmaclain

jtmaclain

Member
I currently have a 20 gallon tank (about a year old)with a coralife 130 PC light,an extra 36 coralife PC light, a CPR medium hang on refugium, seaclone 100 skimmer, whisper 40 filter, 2 power heads, 30lbs life rock, 40lbs live sand.
I am planning on upgrading my tank to a 75 gallon or bigger(want yellow tang). I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on kinds of tanks to get and an estimate of a good price? I was also thinking of upgrading to MH and using my 2 PCs as ancitics. Also I would replace any equipment that may need to be upgraded for my bigger system. Will also buy more live rock and sand. Basically I want a list of what else would be needed to have a nice 75 gallon setup and an estimate of price. I was thinking of spending between $600-1000.
thanks
 
ninjamini

ninjamini

Active Member
Originally Posted by JTMaclain
also, any advice on an ro unit????
I buy RO/DI water at .50 cents a gallon. It would take years of top offs to make up the difference as to buying my own unit.
I currently have a 12 gallon and I am in the planning stages of a 65 gallon. Here is my shopping list:
List a:
Tank $99
Filter $35
Heater $20
Light either $200 for 36" PC or $400 for MH/Actinic.
$100 extra stuff
List b(with sump):
Tank $180
Sump kit $40
Sump tank $20
Pump $50
Light either $200 for 36" PC or $400 for MH/Actinic.
$100 extra stuff
Decisions decisions. Either setup does not include the stand, which I will make or about $300 for live rock.
$1000 yea you are right on target...not including fish and all.
 
lilcreep

lilcreep

Member
the big question is what kind of tank do you want. If its a FOWLR then your estimate is about right. But if you want a reef tank, I would say expect to spend more. You will definately need more live rock, plus MH's if you want to keep all kinds of corals and clams. I'm currently planning a 125 and will be buying everything. Here is what I have for that. Hopefully it will help you a little.
125 gallon reef ready tank$350.00
stand $300.00
lights $1,000.00
sump $50.00 (I already have most of the stuff for this)
protein skimmer $300.00
200 lbs live rock $800.00
200 lbs sand live/dead $150.00
2 power heads $100.00
2 heaters $100.00
Total $3150
I took the high prices on everything so when i go to buy it, i know i will have enough. I was planning for a reef tank. If it was just a FOWLR it could be cheaper.
 
ninjamini

ninjamini

Active Member
Originally Posted by lilcreep
I took the high prices on everything so when i go to buy it, i know i will have enough. I was planning for a reef tank. If it was just a FOWLR it could be cheaper.
Yes a 125 would coust more. A 75 would be closer to the cost of my 65 I am planning. Yes you are right if you are silly enough to shop Retail. The only thing I look at retail is the tank. That cant be shipped. I make my own stand, I dont like the ones in the store anyway. You need alot more for your 125. JTMaclain needs about 110 lbs or rock. $3 per pound delivered. Your light is alot bigger. I know the 36" light is $400 and thats a MH/combo. JTMaclain Onl;y needs to add MH and the actinic bulbs.
I think your just silly high.
JTMaclain, If you care about $$$ and I guess that you do you will need to shop online. I always do and I am always happy.
 
lilcreep

lilcreep

Member
Ohh i know a 75 won't cost that as much as a 125, but he said that he might want to go bigger. Also with the 65 i believe it is 46" long. If he only has one MH then he will end up with not alot of light on the sides. It will make it hard to keep corals over there. As for my prices they aren't too high compared to what i want in the tank. Most of those prices are from online vendors. THe only thing that is fairly high are the lights because i want to leave my options open so if i change my mind. I'm either thinking going with 8 t-5's or 3 metal halides with PC acitnics. Also the powerheads were a little over priced. I might end up with 3 of htem. BUt i definately agree about builing your own stand. The ones in the store are way too expensive, and don't look that great.
 
jtmaclain

jtmaclain

Member
Thanks for the responses! The problem I am having is pricing a tank. I want to make sure that I am not getting ripped off. I can check prices for all of the other stuff, but it is hard to find prices of tanks that are not custom online. I am thinking that for a nice 75 gallon tank or possibly higher and was thinkingI should spend about $300-400. Basically I want to go as big as I can for about 400 dollars for the tank. I think I will build a stand for it myself as it does not seem that difficult. Does anyone know of an online vendor or a local place that carries decently priced tanks around the Houston area. I think I am going to upgrade to metal halide too.
thanks
 
lilcreep

lilcreep

Member
Yeah definately shop locally for a tank. I'm not sure about the cost of a 75, but a non drilled 60 at a store near me is only $70. The 125 i was looking at is i think $350 for one that is drilled and has the overflows already put in. So you should be able to find a 75 for no more than say $150.
 
jtmaclain

jtmaclain

Member
Has anyone ever had an aquarium from glasscages? I was considering getting there 95 gallon acrylic tank.
thanks
 
ninjamini

ninjamini

Active Member
I like glass tanks. I have a non glass nano tank and after 1 yr it looks like crap. The 65 gallon that I want is $99 not drilled & no overflow or $179 drilled w/overflow. I woild expect similar pricing for a 75.
 
maeistero

maeistero

Active Member
$100 75tank stand and lid new around here. look for a local fish club and it's even cheaper used. it's easy to land a 150 or so for under $200 if you're patient and diligent at looking. stands are usually free with a used tank as they're worthless, bargain for just the tank and the stand will be thrown in.
 
tom31cm

tom31cm

New Member
Originally Posted by JTMaclain
also, any advice on an ro unit????
I bought a 110 gallon a dayReverse Osmosis/Deionization unit on E Bay. It is a 6 stage unit that I paid $143.00 Delivered to my front door. I have it hooked up in the laundry room under the sink. I am very happy with it. It comes with a 4 Gallon storage tank. I only wish the storage tank was bigger. I use to buy the RO water in the store but it got to be a real hassel with 120 gallon and 55 gallon tanks.
Regards Tom C. :happyfish
 
wangotango

wangotango

Active Member
my 55 with all equipment (heater, skimmer, powerheads, pump etc), sump, lighting (VHO), drilled tank, stand and canopy came to about $1650.00. plus all the little things i added to the sump.
 
ridomart

ridomart

Member
Go on your computer under glasscages , in tenn. I think. They build a greate tank. Have it drilled, get as big as you have room fore. I got a 120 gal, 60 in long , 18 in wide ( wish it was 24 in wide).not enough swimming room, room for corals, after the live rock is added. Build your stand high enough for a good skimmer, ( 30 in). mh lighting (250 w ) along with vho's. Save & do it right then you won't want. I've bought items only to find out I needed better.Research this sight
 
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