My possible custom tank

[Fishfish0001]

So I got a quote back about as custom tank, and I was wondering what you guys though about the total price?

I didn't like the stand, so its price can be deducted from the price for right now, as can some live rock and sand prices.

I thought it seemed pretty fair, and the guy couldn't have been more helpful. He's getting back to me with another quote for a tank which might be a little cheaper.

 

[5380]

Seems "retail" i'd skimp on the skimmer and the sump. A DIY sump is very easy to make at the cost of a standard aquarium, plus glass baffles will run you approximately 70 dollars total. I'd take the money from the sump and put it into a better skimmer.

 

[hvacman250]

I actually think the pricing is somewhat fair. I'm assuming its glass, and a stocked size.

 

[James404]

doesnt look bad, I would ditch the skimmer for something better, you could get a bubble magus or octopus skimmer for that price and be much happier.

 

[Fishfish0001]

Seems "retail" i'd skimp on the skimmer and the sump.

Its not really retail at all. They make each tank by hand, they don't juust buy a tank and sell it to you.

I actually think the pricing is somewhat fair. I'm assuming its glass, and a stocked size.

Yeah its glass, I thought the pricing was pretty good, especially since they come over and set it all up for you and such. I would have no idea how to do that anyways

doesnt look bad, I would ditch the skimmer for something better, you could get a bubble magus or octopus skimmer for that price and be much happier.

Do you have any links to those?

 

[jeff@zina.com]

For a delivered and installed price, that's pretty good. Not sure I'd worry about changing out parts just to save a few bucks.

Jeff

 

[Fishfish0001]

Edit: Mis-wrote my last message. The tanks are purchased, but they do modify them quite a bit

For a skimmer, which of these would be my best option, in terms of price and quality:

http://www.bubble-magus.com/en/productShow.asp?id=969
http://www.bubble-magus.com/en/productShow.asp?id=971
http://www.saltysupply.com/Reef-Octopus-Hang-on-Back-Protein-Skimmer-BH-1000-p/oc6117.htm
http://www.saltysupply.com/Reef-Octopus-NWB-110-4-Internal-Protein-Skimmers-p/oc3524.htm
http://www.proteinskimmer.com/Product Pages/Remora.htm
http://www.proteinskimmer.com/Product Pages/Urchin.htm

I'm pretty new to all of this stuff, so any help is greatly appreciated

 

[boogaman]

Price seems fair to me.

 

[5380]

Out of those the reef octopus internal would be my pick.

 

[sirreal63]

Edit: Mis-wrote my last message. The tanks are purchased, but they do modify them quite a bit

You may want to find out how they actually modify a Perfecto tank?

 

[scubasteve06]

FWIW I got 6 glass baffles cut for my 29g for 35 bucks 1/4" glass. This glass made for a skimmer section that is 14x12, a return pump section that is 6x12, and a refugium section that is 9x12 with a 14 height. This made 3 pieces of glass and then the other 3 pieces of glass were for bubble traps that were 16x12 and 2 inches off the bottom on a 29g sump that I got for 29 bucks during petco's dollar per gallon sale. My sump cost me a total of say 70 bucks after tax half the price of what he would charge you for a pre-made one. If the other 70 bucks your spending for labor is worth it in your eyes then by all means do it, but 70 dollars an hour is kinda steep, that's car labor prices FWIW IMHO.

 

[James404]

I would go with the internal octopus as well. Second choice would be either of the Bubble Magus'. Those coralife super skimmers are pure garbage.

 

[Fishfish0001]

You may want to find out how they actually modify a Perfecto tank?

Im having a bad typing day, can't think of what to say correctly. I ment that they buy the tank, but they do all of the plumbing and such for it. I probably should have clarified that better. Sorry 'bout that.

My sump cost me a total of say 70 bucks after tax half the price of what he would charge you for a pre-made one. If the other 70 bucks your spending for labor is worth it in your eyes then by all means do it, but 70 dollars an hour is kinda steep, that's car labor prices FWIW IMHO.

They are charging $200 ($50 for delivery) to order everything for me, come to my house to deliver it, and then to set it up and get it running for me. Not bad IMHO.

I would go with the internal octopus as well. Second choice would be either of the Bubble Magus'. Those coralife super skimmers are pure garbage.

Awesome. I assume that the internal skimmer can go into the sump?

 

[PurpleMonster]

internal octo, if you go bubble magus get the cone

 

[scubasteve06]

They are charging $200 ($50 for delivery) to order everything for me, come to my house to deliver it, and then to set it up and get it running for me. Not bad IMHO.

What are the dimensions of the sump? I figured since you were going to an outside source other than the tank builder for the stand and skimmer why not save 100 dollars or so in this case for the sump? Siliconing baffles isn't that hard IMO, but if its worth it to you then go for it:thumbsup:

Awesome. I assume that the internal skimmer can go into the sump?

Yes siree, hence the term internal skimmer. Internal skimmers are set inside the skimmer section of a sump, an external skimmer 9/10 will go outside the sump. Now the other 1/10 do place it inside the sump, but in this case it would really be proper to use the word re-circulating skimmer as they would 9/10 use a feed pump to control the amount of water entering the skimmer, there is also the other 1/10 that will plumb the skimmer off their overflow to receive the protein rich water from the surface of the tank. This is all based on opinon and which way the user wants to set it up.

 

[Fishfish0001]

What are the dimensions of the sump? I figured since you were going to an outside source other than the tank builder for the stand and skimmer why not save 100 dollars or so in this case for the sump? Siliconing baffles isn't that hard IMO, but if its worth it to you then go for it

I haven't found a good sump yet. Im making a new invoice for the tank with everything I would like ti to have, and I've asked them to help me find one that will work with the equipment that I would lie. The one originally on there was $140 (Reef Sump 75). No idea what it looks like, can't find a picture.

Ill post up my new idea in a few minuets. Im liking it a lot

 

[Fishfish0001]

Well here is my stuff that I want to get for the tank. Any suggestions? Additions, removals? Cheaper products that are just as good, etc. are always welcome. Im new to this and I don't want to blow out all of my money on things that I don't really need.

 

[NCSUsalt]

you've got a pm, the sump they were quoting you btw would most likely have been an eshopps rs-75, its a tight fit for most sumps in those 24" stands but the eshopps fits perfectly

 

[Fishfish0001]

Ok thanks Replied to your PM. Also, would the skimmer fit well inside that sump? Or no?

I'm still looking for a different stand, might get one built custom for me just because I'm so OCD about what I want it to look like

 

[NCSUsalt]

the 4" octopus fits fine inside the eshopps sump, but it's usually a little tight getting the return pump in there