LFS gone mad

[gnorman]

We ordered a 150 gallon lee-mar 60x24x24 tank. We have 8 holes pre drilled for return/water flow/and sump line ect... this is my first tank so i do not know how to plumb this beast. Before, the LFS said it would be around 3-4 hrs to plumb the tank at $85 dollars an hr ( this was before we gave the ok on the tank). Now, that we gave the approval on the building of the tank, the LFS said that it would take around 10 or so hrs to plumb it at $85 an hr so it would be about $850...
Is it just me or does this price seem ridiculous for just plumbing? And if anyone knows anyone or has some input on how to plumb this tank that would help this nOObie out a lot.
thanks for taking the time to read this.
eric-

 

[bobtail107]

That seems way more than ridiculous. The only wat that may seem ok at all is if they are using 3 guys to to the work and they are saying that ot will take those 3 guys 3 hours or so. I feel that it should take no longer than 3 hours or so for 1 guy at the most.
Good luck
jeremy

 

[phixer]

If its not too late Id bring the tank home undrilled/plumbed, if you have a garage keep it there and then start looking for somewhere else to have the work done. Check the older posts on this board, some glass shops will do it. Most MFGs will drop the warranty once the tank has been modified though. Or school up and give it a try yourself, its glass so there is a greater potential for cracking when drilling. This may be why they are asking so much more to perfom the work. Still too much to pay IMO.

 

[fish-man-t]

would not pay more then $200-$250 to get it plumbed

 

[turningtim]

Check around for a local Reef Club. Maybe soemone there could help you out. Or with a bit of patience I'm sure the floks here could get you through it.
I would not even think of having the LFS do it! thats just nuts.....
HTH
Tim

 

[gnorman]

yeah i think the price they asked for is insane. its too late to call back the tank, it should be in on the 20th with the holes drilled and such. my next-door neighbor is a good friend of our family's and is in construction. i talked to him about it and he said he might be able to work his magic on this plumbing dilemma. there wont be any drilling, just 2 retards trying to get this thing up and running. mi also going to go check at some other LFS and see if anyone can help us out. if there's no success in that... i will turn to the board. i know there's always good info on how to plumb sumps,skimmer, and such. you guys are always a great help

 

[hot883]

Contact Squidd when you are ready to figure out plumbing. There are several very skilled tank plumbers on here, just Squidd stands out in my mind. Good luck. I would not pay the peeps at the LFS a dime to plumb it.

 

[gnorman]

ok thank you for your help. im very nervous about plumbing this thing tho... a lot of money at risk

 

[lion_crazz]

I would not pay anyone to plumb it. That is what we are here for. There are a ton of knowledgable people on here that will do it for nothing! :happyfish

 

[sum1famous]

GNorman where in cali are you located I'm in Manteca

 

[gnorman]

Originally Posted by sum1famous
GNorman where in cali are you located I'm in Manteca

i don't know where you live but i live in southern california. in a little town called San Juan Capistrano. its about halfway between SD and LA

 

[joncat24]

i sure hope you dont pay those guys to do that for ya...Hell I bought a 180 gallon built the stand and plumbed it for less than $850
I tell ya what for $850 I wikll fly out from Ohio and do it for ya...lol
Seriously, when u getready to do it, take some pics and post em and these guys will help ya out. there are some plumbing magicians lurking around on here. And when you go to lowes or Hd, make sure and buy extra elbows valves and pvc, cause I always seem to end up one 45 degree elbow short or something like that...Good luck :cheer:

 

[jrthomas40]

i would get a book and learn as i go and just do it myself....

 

[gnorman]

i thank all of you guys for your kind hospitality. im going to work on this project with my next door neighbor. the day i get the tank i will post pictures of everything and start the big project. im hoping to get it on in less than a week... do you guys think thats possible or am i way over my head with my thoughts on time

 

[phixer]

It really depends on your skill level. Many mistakes are made when the job is rushed. If you can take your time and think through each step the results will usually turn out better.

 

[gnorman]

then i will def take my time then. looks like i wont be enjoying this tank for long since i leave for college next year. ( and it was basically for me) i hope my family loves it just as much as i do

 

[theappe]

you should do it urself. u should be fine

 

[gnorman]

8 more days until the plumbing fiasco starts!!! get ready to help me out. hehe thanks to all of you. i will post pictures right when i get the tank in my house. is there anything i need to go get right now or do i have to wait to see the tank. i allready know the layout we are going to plumb it, but dont know any of the exact lengths

 

[gnorman]

My LFS customer service SUCKS. i wish there was another place by me...anyone know of one please let me know!

 

[maelv]

Did you end up having those crooks plumb your tank? I am not a carpenter or a plumber....and I managed to build my own stand/wall and plumb my tank. And it is running like a champ....Spent around 70 bucks....(even though you many more holes in your tank than I do)....reading through these threads, asking questions, and planning....you should be squared away...I didn't think it was rocket science....