Was I ripped off and any suggestions for stocking my tank?

[iwun1]

About 2 years ago I bought a 55 gallon glass fish tank along with a sump, protein skimmer, heater, live rock and a couple other accessories. I was very interested in getting an octopus and this was an ideal setup. For the past 2 years it has been empty because I ran out of time for another fish tank to take care but I think I'm ready to stock it up with some fish. I paid $1500 for the tank which included as I stated before, a 20 gallon plexi-glass sump, a 125g coralife protein skimmer, and the basics like a 200 watt heater and return pumps and tubing. Then I paid about $400 for about 80-100 pounds of super premium fuji live rock. Basically I want to know if I was ripped off badly since I bought this at my lfs. They're a pretty fair store but of course, worse then the prices online. I just have alot of regret knowing how naive I was since many of these things (not the live rock) could have been bought so much cheaper online. Also, since I have this and want to stock it, what fish would you recommend putting in since it doesn't have a strong light (octopuses dislike strong light so I put in a 30 watt)? Meaning, they could be fish-only.
And I forgot to mention that I also had a 10-gallon feeder tank included in the $1500 which accounted for about $130.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by iwun1 http:///forum/thread/384517/was-i-ripped-off-and-any-suggestions-for-stocking-my-tank#post_3368506
About 2 years ago I bought a 55 gallon glass fish tank along with a sump, protein skimmer, heater, live rock and a couple other accessories. I was very interested in getting an octopus and this was an ideal setup. For the past 2 years it has been empty because I ran out of time for another fish tank to take care but I think I'm ready to stock it up with some fish. I paid $1500 for the tank which included as I stated before, a 20 gallon plexi-glass sump, a 125g coralife protein skimmer, and the basics like a 200 watt heater and return pumps and tubing. Then I paid about $400 for about 80-100 pounds of super premium fuji live rock. Basically I want to know if I was ripped off badly since I bought this at my lfs. They're a pretty fair store but of course, worse then the prices online. I just have alot of regret knowing how naive I was since many of these things (not the live rock) could have been bought so much cheaper online. Also, since I have this and want to stock it, what fish would you recommend putting in since it doesn't have a strong light (octopuses dislike strong light so I put in a 30 watt)? Meaning, they could be fish-only.
And I forgot to mention that I also had a 10-gallon feeder tank included in the $1500 which accounted for about $130.
It won't do a bit of good to have regrets now. You paid a fair price. Most people only get a fraction of what they paid for their system when they sell. So don't look at it as ripped off, you purchased your system and thats what it cost you.
I have spent over $3000.00 on my 90g over the years as I added skimmers, sumps, power heads and lighting and if I sold it today I wouln't get a $1000.00 including my 90 pounds of rock I bought at $10.00 a pound.
Could you have gotten it cheaper ?..sure. If the seller was happy and you were happy, it was a good deal. It was 2 years ago..so let it go.
As for fish...stay away from tangs and large angel fish. Go for wrasses, maybe a dwarf angel and maybe a couple of clowns and some kind of goby.
A fantastic book to have when you go to stock your tank..
I added a page so you can see the info it has in it..