Good deal?

[Maraschiello]

hey,

so it looks like I am getting a 150 tank for only 200 bucks. I believe it also includes an emperor 400 filter if that makes sense. It is not drilled so that would mean I have no Idea about the filtration system. No stand. Is that a good deal? Could someone explain how a filtration system would work if it is not a sump tank set up? I'm getting excited, this could be my summer project! If its not a great deal please let me know too!


Paul

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

If the tank looks good. no or very minimal scratches and all seams look good(no leaks), It should be a good deal.

There are several things you could do.

I still recommend Sump.

The tank does not have to be drilled. Drilled is good/the best. Find out if you can drill it.

But otherwise you don't have to have it drilled. The sump can be done with hang on "over flow" boxes. Everything else about it is pretty much the same.
Lines down to the sump, Return line(s) via a return pump back to the tank.

A sump is best for everything you can do with it. Hold skimmers, reactors other equipment, have enough room to grow macro algae as well. But you can do several HOB (hang on back) type equipment as well.

From HOB Skimmers, reactors, Canister filters, Power filters, etc...

Some people even do BOTH. A Sump with Skimmer and some HOB Filters & skimmers.

You are not limited at all.

Except you'll need to build or buy a stand and a canopy. Plus figure out your lights.

But you can definitely still do a sump.

 

[toddmh]

hey,

so it looks like I am getting a 150 tank for only 200 bucks. I believe it also includes an emperor 400 filter if that makes sense. It is not drilled so that would mean I have no Idea about the filtration system. No stand. Is that a good deal? Could someone explain how a filtration system would work if it is not a sump tank set up? I'm getting excited, this could be my summer project! If its not a great deal please let me know too!


Paul

I woulden't...wait...save and get something thats reef ready..That filter is garbage for a marine system anyway..The tank is not drilled and limits what you can do,thats not that great of a deal for just a tank that is not drilled imo..

remember the larger the tank the costs for coral equipment grows like crazy..If it is a 48" tank you are looking at 800.00+ just in lights,if it's a 72" well you get the idea..

cut your teeth on a smaller reef system,it will cut down on the cash you flush(and you will flush cash..we all have) in the school of hard knocks..

 

[Maraschiello]

Todd,

I actually want this for a FO Aggressive Tank, this will help me turn my 65 gal into a strictly reef tank with some good equipment. Don't tell my girlfriend the other tank is staying though!

 

[toddmh]

haha ok

 

[Maraschiello]

That's where you come in, I need help and advice on how to make my 65 a great reef tank. How can I find out if this new tank is drillable?

 

[EllieSuz]

To tell if this is a good deal or not, you should find out how much a new one would cost. I think $200 seems high for just a tank. Not long ago, I got a 60 gallon, like new tank, a cherry stand and canopy, a hundred pounds of rock, a heater and some critters for $250 on Craig's list. If I were you, I'd look around for a better deal than $200.00 for just a tank. Having said that, getting a reef ready tank is not essential. I put a LifeReef overflow box on mine and absolutely love it. You have to be careful when selecting an external overflow because some of them can be prone to losing their siphon after a power outage. Also, the canister filter is not appropriate for saltwater.

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

Actually,
$200 for the "used" tank your looking at IS cheaper than buying a new one in a store.

A retailer(LFS) near me sells 150's for $499.99 and that's JUST the Tank!
(remember, a 150 is a fairly big tank for a standard size. A lot of glass. Their not that cheap new)

Other places would be a little more or less. But close to the same and that is just for a standard 150 like your saying, not a reef ready. Reef readys would be a little more.

However, despite that being almost $300 cheaper than new,

Elliesuz is still right about whole or near whole set ups on Craigslist.

If you can search and wait for the right one to come along,
you "can" often get the best deal on a set up for a few hundred off craigslist.
Tank Stand and Canopy, possibly some equipment too.

Depending on how long you can wait and how much searching on craigs you want to do, you may want to consider that route and get possibly quite a good set up off there for cheap!

 

[pimpinitup6969]

I have a 150 reef ready tank with stand, canopy, 100 gal rubbermade sump, Mag 12 return, 2 x 175w metal halides with a hamilton ballast, 2 x 6ft vho actinics with ice cap ballast. If your interested send me a PM
Matt

 

[Maraschiello]

its the tank, that filter which I have basically heard its garbage. 40lbs of live rock, been in garbage bags for a month for $170 now

 

[daveverdo]

That Fish Place has their tank prices on line (pickup in Lancaster PA only). There are several different footprint 150g at different prices.

Dave

 

[briangsxr1000]

drill it yourself. Reef ready tanks have a huge box that take up a ton of room.
You can buy a kit from ARC that will make it reef ready in a matter of minutes. And does not take up much room at all. just my 2 cents...

 

[Henry Colf]

generally most used tanks sell 1.00 per gallon....

 

[Maraschiello]

drill it yourself. Reef ready tanks have a huge box that take up a ton of room.
You can buy a kit from ARC that will make it reef ready in a matter of minutes. And does not take up much room at all. just my 2 cents...

Brian,

are all tanks drillable? how can i be sure. He said the tank is 3yrs old

 

[Maraschiello]

I got the tank, I will be posting pictures, it came with a 36" light fixture that I would like an ID on what I can put in it, and I will take pics of the live rock. Looks like some good pieces

 

[superkat]

looking forward to pics...if you like it? That's the most important part!

 

[EllieSuz]

No, some tanks have tempered glass, at least on the bottom and that cannot be drilled. There is a way to tell whether glass is tempered or not that involves observing the tank in sunlight with sunglasses on. Maybe you could do a search for that, as I've seen several threads about it. The bottom of my tank was tempered and I didn't want to drill the back, which is why I purchased an external overflow box from LifeReef.com. The plumbing was easy and it takes up very little space inside the tank. A lot of RC members also recommend a company called Glass Holes. Their setup requires drilling, but I understand it's a great product.

 

[daveverdo]

are all tanks drillable? how can i be sure. He said the tank is 3yrs old

If it is Perfecto you can look at the specs here http://www.marineland.com/sites/Marineland/Documents/Standard Aquarium Specs.pdf

Dave

 

[reefman5511]

Here are the Aqueon/All Glass specs:
http://www.aqueonproducts.com/assets/011/19784.pdf

 

[Maraschiello]

Pictures Needing Feedback!

Pictures Needing Feedback!

Attached is the tank in my garage, I especially like the double brace so I can put 3 lights under each section. What type would be the best/ most practical?


Second is some "liverock" that was included. It was all in a garbage bag, I didn't even look at it until I got home but isnt this stuff the decorative pieces and not really live rock


Lastly it came with a 36" lighting fixture. The larger bulb works and says on it FR30T12 Actinic White. The smaller bulb is burnt out and says on it Perfecto F30T8 30 watt. Is this a garbage light or a decent one? I know next to nothing when it comes to lighting.

Thanks guys!

oh and all that came to $150, I'm a fast talker! :fish1: