I need some purchase advice ASAP!

[forrestcook]

Here's my situation. I'm in the planning stages of a 40 breeder which will eventually be a reef for softies. I don't have much equipment yet and was planning on an octopus in sump skimmer. I found a person to person sale elsewhere with the following gear at their respective prices. I'm curious if any of the equipment would suit my needs since I'm very new to this.

Basically I want to know if these are good deals, if some combination of this equipment would play nice in a sump (29 gal tank DIY) and whether or not the equipment listed is just crap. Thing is, I need to decide today as I'm driving through the town where this stuff is tomorrow. I REALLY hope you all can help me out here!

Here is the equipment as described to me:

-Via Aqua 2300 (500 gph) - $20
-Mag 3 $25
-Seio M820 $30
-Berlin Skimmer (no top cap, can be replaced easily) $25
-Ocean Clear canister filter great condition $30
-Nautilus TE skimmer (great condition) $50
-Rio 2100 pump $30
or both TE skimmer and Rio for $60

 

[forrestcook]

I'm reading reviews etc and seeing that the skimmers listed are kinda crappy. What about the pumps? Would they work as returns from my sump opposite an octopus 110?

 

[cobbobby]

Re: I need some purchase advice ASAP!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15490729#post15490729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by forrestcook

-Via Aqua 2300 (500 gph) - $20 - No thanks
-Mag 3 $25 - Good price nice pump
-Seio M820 $30 - Pass- get a good powerhead, tunze, koralia
-Berlin Skimmer (no top cap, can be replaced easily) $25 -Definate pass
-Ocean Clear canister filter great condition $30- Pass
-Nautilus TE skimmer (great condition) $50 - Definate pass
-Rio 2100 pump $30 - Pass
or both TE skimmer and Rio for $60

- Pass

All my opinions ofcourse but i wouldn't use any of it besides the mag 3 on my tank.

 

[sedor]

I agree. What I would do is find the tank at a LFS, just the glass and silicone and then just build from the ground up with good quality equipment. You could spend the money on all that stuff but within a year you will replace it all.

 

[mfinn]

The seio for $30 isn't too bad if it's in good shape with all the parts.

 

[luther1200]

The only things I see that are OK are the MAG 3 and the RIO 2100. Some people don't like Rio's but my Rio 3100 has been awesome for me. But I wouldn't pay $30 for the RIO. A brand new 1 is only $45. I would pay $20 for it.

 

[Macimage]

The only thing I see that is worthwhile is the Mag 3.

Joyce

 

[forrestcook]

Thanks for all the last minute advice everyone! I sent a message back to the guy, I'm buying the mag3 and passing on the rest.

Ryan - FWIW I'm trying to do just that. I have my custom 40 breeder drilled and overflowed on order and have been shopping around for the rest. I'll probably end up buying the octopus 110 new in a week or two.

I'm correct in assuming the mag3 will be able to act as my in-sump return pump?

 

[Macimage]

A Mag 3 will not move a lot of water (350 gph).

I would figure out your equipment needs and water flow before purchasing any equipment.

As noted, the Mag 3 is the only worthwhile item, but it's a waste of money if it won't move enough water for your system.

Joyce

 

[cobbobby]

^^^ Yep, for 40g you may want to get a 500gph pump so its pushing round 300-350gph. If you have a mag 3 as a return its only going to push round 150gph, which imo isn't enough of a return.