danrobberg
New member
Just did a total cleaning of my dreambox and both rd3 pumps. Looks brand new again. I hope the 200 micron socks I just got keep it clean.
Official Royal Exclusiv Dream Box Owners Thread.
- Thread starter slief
- Start date
I was the one that posted mine at 2200.00 US dollars. I started out with the 5C. Then I wanted a bigger return pump, but the controller brackets won't hold the big controllers, so I added a second RD 3 80 Watt. Then, the box wasn't big enough to hold both so we went up to the 7 series size to accommodate the two pumps (which required CNC changes for the top) Then, the 5C comes with the water top off box and I wanted to match the size of the new box, so, that was more. After all was said and done, shipping the sump, top off box, extra equipment, pumps etc, this thing while not only being the size of a coffin weighed a figurative ton. I am in OKC, so, it arrived in Houston and I paid door to door (high dollar), it was loaded on a truck and arrived at the trucking company about two miles from where I work. I couldn't wait for the delivery on Monday so my son and I drove over in his truck and picked it up. I am a body builder and my son is a big strong boy and the two of us loaded it but it was not easy. So, is 2200.00 that bad, wasn't my favorite expenditure but thinking about all that had to take place to get it from Germany to me. Also, keep in mind, that day i paid that, the dollar sucked against the Euro. It was 1.15. Doesn't seem like much but with that amount of money, its a big difference.
michaelrc51
Member
Sounds similar to mine. Originally I was going with a 7B with 2 RD3 80 watt pumps and then ended up going with 2 RD3 150 watt return pumps.
I am just thinking what all you got cause it sounds like we bought pretty similar stuff and mine was 275 lbs with the sumps, pumps , skimmer, 3 reactors, and all the extras. Sounds like the only difference is the ATO?
My shipping was under $1k and I think the exchange rate was 1.13 that day.
I will get pics up later this week. Picked it up last week.
slief
RC Sponsor
The door to door adds a huge amount to the transit. Domestic carriers charge a lot for shipping due to the crate size. Flying it across the ponds airport to airport is one thing but domestic transport adds substantial costs. Same can be said about domestic sump builders who ship high cost sumps and tanks in crates. Much of the cost isn't based on actual weight but dimensional weight due to space allotments in the trucks that transport them. Adding things like ATO tanks and stuff increases the height of the crate which also adds to the "DIM value/cost". Then you start adding the skimmers, pumps and other things and insurance drives the cost up substantially. Especially once it gets into domestic carriers hands.
On the flip side, if you look at the tanks of many Dreambox owners systems, these installs are virtually no expense spared installations. In fact, the cost of the Dreambox and shipping is only a fraction of what is being spent on the complete systems. If you have never seen one in person, you will never understand the design, craftsmanship and build quality of the Dreambox. These are not like ANY other sump on the market. Not even close. Nor are the Bubble King skimmers and the pumps and other components that go with them. Some would say that Kia will do the same thing as a Mercedes, Austin Martin or Bently but rest assured, you would be much more comfortable driving across the country in the Bently than a Kia. The Dreambox's ARE the Bently's or Austin Martins of the sump industr but from an craftsmanship and aesthetic point of view, there isn't another product out there that is remotely close. Some may look similar but they don't use the PVC that the Dreambox uses. Even the clear Windows and lids on the Dreambox are made from transparent PVC. Not acrylic. These will NEVER craze, crack, bow, deflect or have seams that seperate. They will never yellow either and can always been cleaned to look like new even after 10 years of abuse.
In most installations, they become the focal point beyond the display. In fact, very often, people fret when it comes to covering their stands or enclosing them because these sumps are as close to works of art as you can get when it comes to a filter box. Some have added Windows to their filter rooms and closets just so the Dreambox can be seen. Granted, these are certainly not for everybody. Most people can't afford them but those that can have a taste for unsurpassed quality and the "finer things in life".
If you don't believe me, just ask Dreambox owners. I have nothing to gain from Dreambox sales other than knowing that once they arrive with customers, I always hear how happy they are and how worth the cost it wait it was. Royal Exclsuiv USA gains absolutely nothing from the sale of these., While I don't own a Dreambox because one wouldn't fit below my tank through the doors, I would in a heartbeat if they made them in custom sizes so I get a pair of them through my openings. When you compare the costs of making custom sumps like I had to, the reality is that the cost of the Dreambox even with shipping isn't all that bad. Especially for the larger ones. If you have it shipped direct to a major airport, the price is actually pretty good when compared with a larger custom designed sump. In fact, the custom sumps I designed for my 480 gallon display cost me a small fortune to have made and more than a Dreambox would have. They aren't anywhere near as nice though they work great for my needs and those of my system.
If you are going to attend MACNA this year, we should have at least 1 on display there and you can see them first hand.
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michaelrc51
Member
Here is my Dreambox 7B with 3 reactors and dual RD3 150watt return pumps.
Salty150
New member
michaelrc51
Member
If they had a emoji for my left nut.....LOL.
You gotta think about whats included. These are prices of just the various parts.
BK SuperMarin 200 w/RD3 50watt--$1580.08
2, RD3 150watt pumps-- $1178.82ea = $2357.64
3.5l pellet reactor-- $266.99
3.5l media rector-- $388.99
5l media reactor-- $333.99
Totally just those parts-- $4927.69
Now that is retail and they give you a bit of a discount to order all together.
But this is one of the reasons why it is worth it. The actual sump with everything plumbed and all really isn't much money when you take the rest into account. And the quality is just like Slief says.
I don't want to say exactly what the costs were in this post, but I can guaranty it's probably much less than you think after these parts that I listed. Also, I did this a bit different and added some things like 2 return pumps so....
Scott and Marco are definitely a big asset to Royal Exclusiv and are very helpful.
Salty150
New member
michaelrc51
Member
Now Scott and Marco need to convince them to make Calc Reactors!
ReefClownMIA
.Registered Member
Hi Mike; all socks are listed on the website to purchase:
http://royalexclusiv.com/Dreamboxen/Dreambox-Filter-bag-filter-socks:::58_93.html
Let us know if you have any questions.
slief
RC Sponsor
I find the mesh socks don't trap as much sediment as their felt counterparts when I did testing in my sump. The larger Dreamboxes are unique though in that they have different stages of socks that the water is filtered through so it's a bit different than my sump which is singe stage. It's my understanding that a 100 micron mesh is equivalent to a 200 micro felt. How true that is, I am not sure. On the other hand, the mesh socks don't back up nearly as fast so that may be advantageous to some. If I were running a Dreambox, I would likely use all 200 micron socks instead of the multiple grades of socks that they use. I say probably because I don't run one myself and unless I did, I couldn't be certain. The fact that they use different micron socks at different levels of the sock section is unique and more effective than a single stage sock arrangement that is typical of most sumps. As such, I would run it as designed before I could formulate an honest opinion.
Funny you say that because that is what I want to do. Run all 200 micron socks so no sediment or anything for that matter gets through. The sock compartment looks like a tight squeeze and would probably be a pita to clean.
I ordered my dreambox with the 200 micron mesh filters. As Slief has said, they don't trap as much as a 200 micron felt filter so I tried the 100 micron mesh filters. I still wasn't really 100% happy with those either so resorted to using 200 micron felt filters. I obtained these from china via ebay as they were only £1 (approx $1.20 US) including shipping.
slief
RC Sponsor
We one fully loaded Dreambox Nano system in stock in our Ft. Myers office. We had one at MACNA this year under the demo tank. It was beautiful. They are just like their larger Dreambox big brothers only more comapact for smaller systems.
ClownsRCoo
New member
Official Royal Exclusiv Dream Box Owners Thread.
Mine is just slightly bigger than the nano size and so far I love it. I think I've had it almost a year now.
Mine is just slightly bigger than the nano size and so far I love it. I think I've had it almost a year now.
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