Is $2,300 reasonable?

[bigb]

One of the most important things to have in this hobby is patience. Half the fun is taking it step by step and watching your tank mature. When buying a tank you should get the largest tank you can afford in both dollars and space. Almost everyone wants a bigger tank after they set up their first one. If you have the money package deals can be okay, but IMO they tend to rush the tank, you'll end up with a fully stocked tank in 5 months time and when it crashes you'll be back posting questions asking what happened. If you go with this store and their package see if you can swap some things out for upgrades. The standard wood canopy will end up being useless when you want more lighting for corals. The lighting they are giving you isn't enough for corals. Most people tend to custom build these or go without.
Sinner's girl, I wasn't knocking wal-mart, by all means if you can get a deal get a deal. Just saying this isn't the only place where you can go to save money.

 

[ophiura]

IMO, it is high but it often depends on area, etc...and without getting a price breakdown per item it is hard to know specifically....but what you should also get before buying anything is their proposed schedule for getting the tank running, etc. IMO, if they are also selling you damsels on day 1, or saying "yeah, in a week you'll be ready for fish" then I would be wary of them overall.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by ophiura
IMO, it is high but it often depends on area, etc...and without getting a price breakdown per item it is hard to know specifically....but what you should also get before buying anything is their proposed schedule for getting the tank running, etc. IMO, if they are also selling you damsels on day 1, or saying "yeah, in a week you'll be ready for fish" then I would be wary of them overall.
She is definitely right on this issue. I can tell you that prices on equipment differ through regions of the country, so without seeing how much you are paying for some of that stuff, it is hard to say if you are being overcharged. I agree with her though in that you can definitely tell how trustworthy an lfs is if you play stupid with them. Ask them to explain to you how you should go about setting up the tank, cycling it, and what type of fish would be the right choics for that type of tank. If they tell you that live rock is not needed, that damsels should be used to cycle a tank and that you can put 10 medium to large fish in a 65 (tangs, triggers, etc.), then you know that they are probably going to just try and get your money with little to no regard of helping you save a buck and do what is right for your tank. It's always good to get to know the lfs before you jump right in and do serious business with them. If they try to rip you off right from the start, then you know that they are probably not worth doing business with anyways.

 

[fish fever]

Thanks for the responses. Can I have a list of the best/useful equipment brand and models for the 65g tank? This is not really a brand new hobby to me. I had a 80g saltwater tank for almost 6 years when I was a child with my parents' help. I also had a 25g saltwater FOWLR tank about three years ago (it started to leak and I knew the tank and equipment were insufficent). I learnt from my mistakes made 3 years ago and want to start right this time. I understand most of the requirements (I already read 3 books recommended by various aquarists in this forum but I am not very handy. I worry that if I put the tank and the equipment together myself, the whole thing will leak due to poor plumbing connections. I will take the advises given by all of you to take it slow and do as much reseach as I can before diving into getting the tank.
Please give me a list of the equipment with brands and models that is suitable for a 65 FOWLR tank with potential to convert to a reef tank in the future.

 

[fish fever]

Originally Posted by lion_crazz
She is definitely right on this issue. I can tell you that prices on equipment differ through regions of the country, so without seeing how much you are paying for some of that stuff, it is hard to say if you are being overcharged. I agree with her though in that you can definitely tell how trustworthy an lfs is if you play stupid with them. Ask them to explain to you how you should go about setting up the tank, cycling it, and what type of fish would be the right choics for that type of tank. If they tell you that live rock is not needed, that damsels should be used to cycle a tank and that you can put 10 medium to large fish in a 65 (tangs, triggers, etc.), then you know that they are probably going to just try and get your money with little to no regard of helping you save a buck and do what is right for your tank. It's always good to get to know the lfs before you jump right in and do serious business with them. If they try to rip you off right from the start, then you know that they are probably not worth doing business with anyways.
I did have a conversation with the guy at LFS about the fish I can potentially have in my tank. He seems honest. He told me if I want to keep triggers, I have very limited choices for other fish in the tank as triggers are generally agressive. I saw a small baby lionfish in his store and inquired, he said it is not super agressive but it will eat anything that can fit into its mouth, also it is likely grow out of the 65g tank too quickly. He seems like a good guy, agree?

 

[ophiura]

I wouldn't even be thinking of triggers in that tank, in all honesty. At least get a 75g minimum there. And I wouldn't put a lion in with a trigger personally either. IMO, if you want to do an aggressive FOWLR, it isn't a good set up at all.
His advice seems pretty good, all in all....

 

[rjmang]

I'll admit that I did not read the entire post, but I have found the best deals in the classified section of the newspaper. Last week I bought $1200 worth of stuff for $300. People are always getting out of the hobby or are moving. Take advantage of the opportunity.

 

[ophiura]

Yeah, this is very true...I've seen some recent set ups...FAR larger tanks...for less money. Now they may not have EVERYTHING needed, but it is always worth looking into. That also means look into whether there are local reef clubs. They often sell of things WAY cheap because they are selling to other hobbyists who want a deal

I've seen plenty tell a poster "no way, that's too much."

 

[lion_crazz]

Yeah, he seems like a decent guy, but I am very against putting lions with triggers as well. Also, if you are looking to keep larger fish like triggers, a 65 is not the right type of tank. A 65 is more suitable for a reef tank, or a tank to house small fish. Most large fish will outgrow a 65 very quickly.

 

[fishy7]

Fish Fever,
I was in your situation about 3 months ago, being new and looking at all the different options. It is quite confusing and can be difficult to know if you really got that great deal or not. Like the post's say--- Do your homework and price things out. Have to be a smart consumer after hearing some of the horror stories.
To give you and idea, I was looking to do a 150 gal reef and by the time I finished researching I eneded up with something a little different. Many of the decisions I made along the way came from suggestions from people on this site. There is a wealth of knowledge here so take advantage of it.
Started out wanting a 150 gal reef.
Ended up with:
215 RR oceaninc tank $1000
2 glas lids $28
72" Coralife Aqualight Pro HQI $900
Reeflo-Dart Sequence pump $222
Set up/install $300
Sump 200 $150
Plum $75
Aqu C EV180 Skimmer $290
Florida keys Live Sand 200lbs $180
Fiji cured Live Rock 200lbs $900
42'" stand $175
Canopy $300
2 250W Ebo Jager heaters $30
Total $4550

I priced all the items out and I could have saved a few bucks but overall feel good about the price I'm about to pay.

I also see paying a "little" extra like insurance-I have a real good relationship with my LFS as I am sure they will be set up on speed dial.
Good luck with your adventure.

 

[ophiura]

The "meat" of the deal is here:
36x18x24 glass tank with overflow holes (ASIDE: Manufacturer?)
30" wood stand (IS it pine or a nice finish?)
Standard wood canopy (DITTO WITH ABOVE)
Aqualite fluorescent lighting system 2x96watt
29g glass sump tank
Via-Aqua SK-200 sump protein skimmer
Sedra 9000P sump pump
Plumbing for overflow+ pump (bulkhead, clamps, tubing,etc.)
This isn't worth all that much, IMO:
200-micron filter sock+nylon bag+carbon (IMO: OK, run it for carbon)
800 Rio Powerhead+conversion kit (DO NOT, IMO, TAKE A RIO POWERHEAD)
150watt submersible hearter+thermometer (IMO, the heater is too small for this tank size which should be 3-5 W per gallon...is it a digital thermometer at least?)
Timer + 2 power strips (Off the shelf timer and power strips or new fancier aquarium specific one's?)
Net, aglae pad, water conditioner (OK, but only about $5 of product)
Hydrometer (Probably will want to replace it, in time, with a refractometer though if it is FO then maybe it is not a big deal)
Salt mix - 50-gal bag (I am assuming 2 bags?)
20 lbs live sand (It depends, but you may want more)
70 lbs Fiji live rock
Elements for live rock: All-in-One, buffer, Sea-lab blocks (I am not sure here - are any of these test kits or something??? Maybe get them to replace some of this with GOOD quality test kits - eg not the "Master Test Kit" IMO)

[hr]
Test kits are very important. What about other things, such as a siphon?
I used to work at an LFS and selling set ups was bread and butter of the place. So I understand that...but I would really encourage you to think about specifically what you want to keep before buying this tank. I really like the 65g as a reef tank, but not real fond of it as an aggressive FO.

 

[salty tank]

i have a 65 gallon and that is about what i have paid so far. I still have to get stuff for my refugium and more fish and corals

 

[yupi1982]

First of all , do more research about how to maintain a saltwater fish tank, seconf of all...mannnnnnnnn are you crazy , thats way too much moiney; i could do that with 1000 or less .....do more shopping around...

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by yupi1982
First of all , do more research about how to maintain a saltwater fish tank, seconf of all...mannnnnnnnn are you crazy , thats way too much moiney; i could do that with 1000 or less .....do more shopping around...

But your also in FL!!! But I do agree that he can do it cheaper then that though by finding a good deal in the paper. :happyfish