Cost comparison: 40B vs 75RR

[carb850]

I'm narrowing down my tank selections. Right now, I'm looking at 3 options. All of which will use a black pine stand and T5 lighting. I'm still not certain what I will stock it with but I will say I'm more interested in fish selection than corals at this time. I will do live rock for sure, and maybe some soft corals. Also, I plan on a refugium.

Below are the 3 options I'm considering and approx prices for tank stand combo that I pulled off of some web price list. I will buy local so the price could vary a little.

40Breeder ~ $222 (plus cost to drill and plumb)
50Breeder ~ $246 (plus cost to drill and plumb)
75 Reef Ready ~ $441 (this includes cost of accessory kit for overflow)

I'm guess the dollar amount for parts to make the 40/50 reef ready will be about $50. This equates to the larger reef ready tank costing me about $150 more.

The dollar difference for the tank and stand is relatively small and if that was the only difference I would do the 75 in a heart beat. Not only would it be less work being reef ready, but it would also give me a more stable system and allow me to use more fish. However, I keep price in mind and I'm wondering how much more that tank will cost both initially and over the long run. Will my skimmer, lights, return pump, and power heads run much more? I know the live rock can cost a good bit more.

What it boils down to is that I would rather have a nice smaller tank than a half a$$'d bigger tank. However, if the bigger tank will end up costing not much more than the initial cost than I would want to spring for the larger tank.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[LtPiper]

You can cut some of your expense on live rock by using mainly base rock. It only runs about $1 a pound verse $8-9 for live rock then just seed the tank with a few pounds of live rock. It will take longer yes but will save a lot of money when you are looking at 40-75 pounds of rock.

 

[carb850]

I was already thinking about some mixture of premium live rock along with either shelf rock or man made. Roughly hoping for about 1.25lbs per gallon and I think I can get some of the nice stuff for under $6lbs shipped. If I were to do 50/50 mixture I guess it would only cost me $100 more for the larger tank.

I have not looked into the base rock yet however. I know it is cheaper, just not sure how much so.

 

[coralreefer]

I'm more interested in fish selection than corals at this time.

What are some of the fish you like? The reason I'm asking is some will do better in or need a larger tank.

If your worried about live rock cost you can add it over time instead of all at once. Just make sure the new rock is fully cured.

 

[carb850]

Well, don't get me wrong I think corals are beautiful, especially the really colorful stony corals. However, I know they are very particular about water quality and lighting. So, instead of letting coral dictating my fish selection I think I will have my fish/equipment selection dictate any corals.

75G
Dwarf Flame Angel
Dwarf Coral Beauty
Couple of Clowns
3 Chromis
Suggestions?
Clean up crew with some crabs and shrimp

 

[mcox33]

Go with the 75 gallon, difference in equipment cost will not vary enough to notice. By the time you get a good skimmer for the 40 or 50 it will be close to the cost of one for the 75. Also the same for pumps and filters.

Also check the price on the 90 gal RR as the price won't differ much from the 75RR. The price takes a big jump between the 90 and 120 however.

 

[LtPiper]

50 50 will work on the rock but on all of my tanks i've gone probably 80-90 percent bones with only 10-20 on live rock. about a month or so and it's all live.

 

[carb850]

I was thinking in some instances that the skimmer and powerheads might be the exact same model that I would use in either the 50 or the 75. Seems like a lot of equipment is rated up to 120G's or so.

I didn't realize the life would spread so quickly. I figured it would take 6 months of more to see much difference. It seems that a lot of rock is packaged in 40lb boxes. That could be the way to go then fill in the rest. Does 100lb total in a 75 sound about right? Also, what is an do you folks recommend for the budget base rock that is very pourous?

 

[mcox33]

I used at least 160 pounds of reef bones in my 90 a few years back. (before the reef bones had their problems) I don't think they are available anymore. I am sure if you ask around someone will tell you where they get cheap base rock now.

Maybe someone who knows will chime in here.

 

[LtPiper]

There's a couple places that can still get the old school dry reef bones in the area.

 

[firefish2020]

The only RB left is overstock from what I have heard from reps, Caribsea is working on the problem and you should see it showing up again in all the shops that used to carry it. RB is a great base Rock IMO. I used Fiji and tonga when we set up our tank here at home but that can run into $$$. There are many options for dry rock, ask around. Lace rock, tuffa, etc will work fine IMO and will cover like any other rock eventually.

 

[MattG]

I would go with the 75. The extra foot in length is nice.
Also trying to light a 3 foot tank can be a bit of a hassle depending on the type of lights you plan on using.

As far as cost is concerned there really isnt all that much of a difference besides the live rock. If you shop around you can get walt smith live rock very reasonably. Also keep an eye out for other people selling off there rock when they break down a tank.

 

[coralreefer]

75G
Dwarf Flame Angel
Dwarf Coral Beauty
Couple of Clowns
3 Chromis
Suggestions?
Clean up crew with some crabs and shrimp

Definitely go with the 75.
Think about some type of blenny and or goby. They're both small fish with tons of personality, especially blennies.

100 pounds of rock should be fine. Remember though rock varies a lot in weight. I've got a medium size piece of Marshall island that weighs about 2 pounds and a slightly larger piece of Florida aquaculture that weighs 21 pounds.

 

[Mariner]

I happen to have both a 75g and a 40g breeder and I enjoy both. IMO, the main difference in cost is in the initial outlay -- everything being equal, you'll pay a little more for the tank and lights for a 75g. And you're right, some equipment that works on one will work pretty well on the other -- pumps, skimmer, heater, etc. Otherwise, the cost of running both tanks once they're up and going is about the same. If I had to choose between them, I'd pick the 75g; you've got a lot more options with what you can keep and especially with your aquascaping.
FWIW,
Mariner