Share your opinion!

[lemon drop]

I have a line on 125 gallong tank with the 4'x2'x2' dimensions, all the equipment, live rock and sand, corals, anemones and some fish. He is asking $900.
I am interested in opinions on the price.
Also on the pros and cons of a tank with those dimensions. I want to avoid having a tank that is too high, too wide, etc....
Please share your opinions.
Thanks!

 

[stone]

IMO its a good deal. I dont think 24 is to high. . For a 48"l I think that is the best dimensions IMO. You can get the same footprint but 6 inches higher and get a 150 gallon but most people dont like the 30"H tanks there hard to clean.

 

[lemon drop]

Thanks for your reply. I am purchasing used, so I don't have much say on the dimensions. I would prefer not to have to tall of a tank, I think it would be a hassle.

 

[clammer]

The tank is a 120 not a 125 by those measurements. That is a really nice size for a reef. The taller tanks you cant reach the bottom very easy and the width makes it easy to place
your LR. The price may be alittle bit high but depends on how much LR and condition.
otherwise sounds like a good deal!!!
Just my 2c worth!!! Keep us posted
Dave

 

[lemon drop]

Would you consider this a taller tank? Or are you refering to those tanks that are taller than 2'?
Here is a copy of the add. I am driving to Salem (1hr) tomorrow to see the tank in person. I will keep you posted.
over 150lbs of live rock, 125lbs of live sand, 1 15inch rose and tons of corals and some fish. It is a glass show tank 4ft wide, 2 mh lamps and a aqua medic needle wheel protien skimmer, sump, dual internal waterfalls, digital temp control, furniture grade oak stand and hood and all.

 

[stone]

How much do 2 mh lamps alone sell for? 150lb llive rock even if it was 2dollars a pound thats $300 seems like a good deal
Originally Posted by Lemon Drop
Would you consider this a taller tank? Or are you refering to those tanks that are taller than 2'? You will be all set
Here is a copy of the add. I am driving to Salem (1hr) tomorrow to see the tank in person. I will keep you posted.
over 150lbs of live rock, 125lbs of live sand, 1 15inch rose and tons of corals and some fish. It is a glass show tank 4ft wide, 2 mh lamps and a aqua medic needle wheel protien skimmer, sump, dual internal waterfalls, digital temp control, furniture grade oak stand and hood and all.

 

[lemon drop]

I have never priced MH lights before. I only have compacts on my current 37 gal. Wow, they are spendy. It looks like the bulbs are really spendy to replace as well. How often do they burn out? Is there a big range in quality of MH units and what would you recommend for a 120 gal reef?

 

[bronco300]

sounds like a great deal considering MH lamps can cost up to 600 or so, how many watts are the ones he is selling?...might depend on how old they are if they are worth that much anymore...but still 150lbs rock with corals and fish, tnak, as long as everything is in good condition and running...id say go for it...or give it to me

 

[lemon drop]

I imagine the shipping would kill you all the way from Oregon.
I will check on the wattage when I see the tank tomorrow. I am planning on taking the cash with me, so if it is in good condition I can pay him on the spot. If there really isn't anything wrong with it, it won't last long.
Thanks for the input.
Christy

 

[slim]

Christy,
Plan..Plan..Plan...Plan..the move
Have you thought about the move??? How many trips is it going to take? What will it cost in gas? Can you keep all the rock underwater? Will you keep all of the water? What about the SB? All these questions need more thought than if the tank is to big or the price. What good is the deal if you lose everything while you are setting up the tank at the new location. Check with friends to see if they can house some livestock. Make sure you leave about 2" of water over your SB.
Good luck!!!

 

[lemon drop]

Thank you for the reminder. I did talk to the current owner about the move. He was sharing how he had moved it when he moved last year.
I do have a vehicle large enough to move the tank, stand and many accessories (buckets, etc.) Or we could take two vehicles.
How long do you anticipate that I would have to disassemble and reassemble?
I have an established tank that I could house items if necessary, but would hate to move them twice.
It is at least an hour drive between the current location and mine.
Any other suggestions or thoughts?

 

[slim]

The following is from another board. I followed this and had very little die off.
Live Sand and Live Rock have living organisms on and in them. It is just as important to keep those components alive as to keep the fish and coral alive. LS and LR is more than 80% of the tanks filtration. If the LS must be moved in buckets do not allow it to stay in buckets for more than 2 hours. Removing the sand but discarding the leftover crud/detritus is recommended. Use a colander or screen.
I've moved an established tank with very little die off (both coral and fish). It was a MAJOR chore. I've also moved tanks that were basically just holding water. What I want to know...why is it always RAINING when I move tanks.
What I did:
1. LOTS of buckets for transporting the water. I also, put the fish, corals, and inverts in the buckets.
2. I used 46g rubbermaid "garbage" cans to hold the live rock. I put enough water in to cover the rocks completley. with a 55g tank, I needed two rubbermaid cans to hold the live rock. three would have been better. You can't fill them very full or you won't be able to move them. You also don't want them to "blow out" the bottom when lifting.
3. Tried not to disturb the sand bed. We left just enough water in the tank (55g) to cover the sand bed. then we kept the tank as level as possible durring transport. If the tank is much bigger, this might be a problem area due to the weight of the sand.
4. We used a pump to pump the water into the buckets.
5. We loaded the truck so that we could unload it in order. For example, you want to unload the stand before you unload the tank. Generally this order is also the order you tear down the tank. For example, you drain and load the tank before you load the stand. However, the water and livestock was loaded last, so it could be unloaded first. You don't want you livestock to be outside while you are unloading the dry goods. You need to get them inside as soon as possible so they don't get to cold (too hot durring the summer).
Another Post.......
I successfully moved my tank a couple months ago. It's only an 18G but it was more work than I had planned on. I didn't lose anything but I would do a couple things differently if I did it again.
1. I would only fill the 5G buckets I used to transport water/corals/rock 1/2 full. This is because there was considerable sloshing on the drive to the new location and I got water all over the floor of the van I was using.
2. I would also use more buckets and have premixed SW ready to go at the new location in case some water spilled (which it did and I had nothing to replace it with at hand).
3. If I was to move a bigger tank I would have premixed SW at the new location ready to go so I don't have to move as much old water. Consider it a large water change. It would cut down on so much of the work. Just move enough water to submerse your LR and livestock.
Another One.....
I moved my 70 gallon twice the way described. It took me at least 6-8 hours each time. Just make sure to try and keep everything underwater as much as possible. Don't leave things in buckets too long (such as overnight).
Both of my moves went great and had no dieoff. It is a major task though.
YES It is a major task.
Good Luck!!

 

[lemon drop]

Thank you so much for the reply. I will print this page and keep it for future reference. Are there any other moving tips anyone would like to share.

 

[tat2d]

I Just did the same exact thing about two months ago from Woodburn to Eugene. Same size tank too.That's an excellent size/shape for a reef. Mine looks awesome with the rock stacked in it. And none touches the front, sides, or back. Lots of room for circulation even with 250lbs of rock.
Take plenty of jugs to bring back all the water you can. I have a few I could let you use if you need em. Also, stop at advanced aquarium or saltwater fantasy in salem before you move the tank and get a couple of the fish shipping containers and bags to place fish and corals in. That should buy you a little extra time in this heat. About 4 or 5 20 gal rubbermaid totes for LR with enough tank water to cover it. Extra buckets or tubs won't hurt, you can always return the ones you don't use. It took about six hours, 3 people, and two trucks to get it here(then the real work started). I paid a grand for mine, so that's not a bad price. If you need a hand or some local advice over the phone, PM me with your number, and I'll give ya a call. Also, check the temp with the halides on, I just upgraded to dual 400s, and Now I need a chiller

Just a thought. I'm sure I'll think of some other stuff later.
Good luck!
Bobby

 

[tat2d]

Hey lemon, if you see this before you go to salem, get ahold of me. I just got some very bad news and have to sell my tank. I'm gonna post it in the classifieds at all the reef boards. So if you want a kickin deal on a plug and play setup, lemme know, and you can come see it.
Peace,
Bobby

 

[astro1962]

Hey Lemon, Thats a good deal. I just bought a simalar set-up and drove over an hour to pick everything up. Bring buckets!! I took all the water, live rock and fish and corals from the person I bought the tank and equipment from. TAKE the water and keep everything in some of it and put it b ack in the tank. Mine has been back up and running for a week and I lost nothing. Oh bye the way my tank is an oceanic 110 tall! That is the 30 i nch high one and I have no problems with it....Tx, Russ

 

[lemon drop]

Thanks for the posts since I last checked. I have been to Salem and back. The tank was beautiful, lots and lots of corals and green algae. Lots of coraline growth as well. It was blazing hot in the house and the digital thermometer read 84 degrees. The man said the thermometer didn't work that well? Thought that was odd. The metal halides were on for my benefit, but got the impression he hasn't been running them due to the heat. It had been close to 90 all week (very unusual for Oregon this time of year).
I left the tank where it sat. I was concerned about the quantity and difficulty of all the corals (hardest probably being the brain) and I was concerned about the temp. I didn't know enough about that kind of set up to know if I should really be worried or not. My current tank is much smaller 37 gallon with a heater, canister filter, no metal halides and I have only been at it for 10 months this time around.
I would be very interested in opinions on this, as the man is willing to sell of the corals before selling to me. So that only leaves the temp as a concern.
Also, I am interested in chatting/meeting with local aquarist, is there a local group, meeting or chat board?
One more thing, the man in Salem that posted he was selling, send me more details www.bairdchristy30@yahoo.com. I get to Salem fairly often.

 

[lemon drop]

Oh, I miss spoke, I meant I would be interested in more details on Tat2d's tank in Eugene. That would be a much shorter move and I could stop by any time. I work in Eugene.

 

[tat2d]

I figured out a way to keep the tank for now, sorry. The corals all went today, and I'm scaling back the lights for a while. 400s on a 120 gal are just too much heat without a chiller. I'll finish building my dream SPS/clam tank someday. For now it's gonna be a really cool fish only. If you need any help with anything, let me know. E-mail is tat2d-dude@hotmail.com
You could consider doing the same thing I am with less light (less heat), and keep soft corals and some LPS, Just no SPS or clams. Did you take pics of the tank in Salem by chance? It really is a great deal if everything is in good condition. Even if you had to buy a chiller. Just yell if you need anything, local reef buddies are good to have. As far as local clubs- Portland area, not Eugene. I can Email you a web addy, but I don't want to post it here(not sure if i'm supposed to).
Peace,
Bobby