Shopping for new complete set-up ... Ideas wanted...

VFX · #1 12-14-2007, 11:08 PM

Hi!

Ok, you have a $3000-ish budget (including LR but not including inverts or fish etc.) to set up a new marine display (preferably a reef setup but interesting FOWLR's ok).

What would kinda set-up you guys create?

What kinda kit? Lights? Fish? Corals? etc.

After having a 12 gallon nano & a 60 gallon reef I'm looking to go for something bigger (90 or 120 gallon?).

I've moved to the Vancouver area from the UK so I'm not sure what $3000 will get me over here but that's the ball park I have to play with.

Any ideas?

Myka · #2 12-15-2007, 02:00 AM

Don't forget the cost of a properly set-up QT tank as well eh?

Go talk to Mike, Jeff, or Jack at J&L Aquatics. They'll set you up proper.

90 or 120 would be roughly the same cost. Not much difference. Maybe a few hundred...

As far as the main equipment for a REEF, I would buy:

~ Euro-Reef RS-180 skimmer (don't like the 135 for various reasons, and the 100 would be too small)
~ 2 x PFO 250W HQI Mini MH Pendants w/ Giesemann 13,000K bulbs
~ PFO Dual 250W HQI ballast
~ PFO Dual 48" VHO retrofit kit w/ URI Super Actinic bulbs

This total would be about $1700 from J&L including bulbs and tax. About $700 for Tonga live rock and sand. If you buy an entire setup and talk real nice they'll prob give you a deal. So that leaves you with about $600 for a tank and QT to choose from, which won't be enough. I wouldn't consider any other equipment, haha! Might want to consider buying a used tank...preferably one with all the plumbing. You'll also spend another $3-400 on return pumps, and about $50-100 on plumbing depending what you want to do. I think $3000 isn't enough for a tank this size...you need $4000 to do it comfortably. Maybe try a 75 gallon? Or just buy an entire set up used...? More fun to build it I know!!!

You could just go all VHO lighting and do FOWLR. You could do that for $3000.

Tom R · #3 12-15-2007, 03:08 AM

Have a look into this set up. It is in your general area and the pricing looks like a great bargain.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=37850

Tom R

CLINT · #4 12-15-2007, 04:40 AM

I have personally seen the tank and it is awsome.Very good deal in my opinion and if I can convince my wife maybe I can get it.NOT.You might want to just take a look at this setup if you are seriously looking.Clint

skylord · #5 12-15-2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom R

Have a look into this set up. It is in your general area and the pricing looks like a great bargain.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=37850

Tom R

I was trying to figure out how to work that into my system but Im sure the wife would notice. I agree with Tom on this looking like a great deal.

Scott

Van-rookie · #6 12-15-2007, 08:18 AM

If only I have the space to put it in my apartment

VFX · #7 12-15-2007, 10:15 PM

Thanks for your replies & pm's

It's a rare thing, that I'll get to build something like this from scratch.

The aim of my post was to get some ideas of what you guys would do with a $3k starting budget.

Bills tanks does look amazing & at $2k it's an absolute steal!

However, I really want to build & design something from scratch this time (my old 60 gallon reef was bought from another hobbyist).

Part of the fun for me is the process of agonising what to buy, browsing websites & forums absorbing information, speaking to friendly LFS's on what they recommend, planning, designing & building, etc. etc.

Let's put it this way...

I could go buy a showcar 60's Mustang for around $75k, drive it away today & have an amazing vehicle. Or, I could spend $100k + over a period of time & build what would be perfect for me.

I'd still love to hear what you guys would build with around $3k... ($3k is a ballpark figure not a limit)

Many thanks,

VFX
.

danny zubot · #8 12-16-2007, 04:11 AM

If it were my 3 grand, I'd go custom with everything and just build everything yourself. If you go with retro fit kits and DIY stand, plumbing etc, you will be left with more money for livestock. Plus you get the added satisfaction of telling everyone you build it youself. Thats just my thinking though.

VFX · #9 12-17-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny zubot

If it were my 3 grand, I'd go custom with everything and just build everything yourself. If you go with retro fit kits and DIY stand, plumbing etc, you will be left with more money for livestock. Plus you get the added satisfaction of telling everyone you build it youself. Thats just my thinking though.

Exactly what I was thinking.

The only thing I don't think I can do is drilling the tank so I'll probably have to have a tank made up.

Building the stands, the plumbing etc. I'd want to do myself.

I'd love to try out those Solaris lights but that will eat up most of my $3k in one fell swoop.

fishmaster · #10 12-17-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VFX

Exactly what I was thinking.

The only thing I don't think I can do is drilling the tank so I'll probably have to have a tank made up.

Building the stands, the plumbing etc. I'd want to do myself.

I'd love to try out those Solaris lights but that will eat up most of my $3k in one fell swoop.

If you can build the rest, you can drill the tank. It's not hard at all. You just need to make sure you don't buy a tank made from tempered glass as it can't be drilled.