Price on 240g complete setup?
- Thread starter ROB712
- Start date
Seriously.
spear reef
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13090977#post13090977 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ed Reef
Hi ROB712 - sorry I don't know how to do those funky 'Welcome Banner' but WELCOME anyway.
ill throw one in:
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
reefNchips
New member
good luck, and welcome to the forum!
Hope you get the idea from these inputs and price references to make your own judgment. Someone willing to pay $100 to have a dinner in nice restaurant while someone willing to have dinner in McD for $5, and guess what they both are happy with their meal. So someone would advice you to have dinner in restaurant while someone else would advice you to have dinner in McD, they both nice advices. All you need to do is checking your pocket to see how much you willing to pay for dinner.
kirkaz
Jade
Rob, I don't remember the exact breakdown, but I got an acrylic 8x2x2 240 in January from Tenecor. I spent $4450 for the following
Tank
Beutiful wooden stand and canopy
Corallife retro fit lights....I am FOWLR, that would be the big difference, I have 520 total watts which is just fine in my tank
Aqua C EV 240 with mag 12
Emperor Aquatics UV sterilizer (40 watt) with pump
Mag 18 for return
custom 50 gallon sump and refugium
From there, sand, LR, powerheads, fish and so on and on and on and on.
Tank
Beutiful wooden stand and canopy
Corallife retro fit lights....I am FOWLR, that would be the big difference, I have 520 total watts which is just fine in my tank
Aqua C EV 240 with mag 12
Emperor Aquatics UV sterilizer (40 watt) with pump
Mag 18 for return
custom 50 gallon sump and refugium
From there, sand, LR, powerheads, fish and so on and on and on and on.
corals b 4 bills
New member
For insurence porposes (or my wife incase I die 
)I made this tank price list to show what I have- so she doesn't just give everything away!
Mark’s Reef Tank â€"œPrice & Equipment.
1. Lee Mar 72â€ÂL x 30â€ÂW x 24â€ÂH, ½†thick star fire 225 gallon tank with Trapizoid center overflow, Euro braced with 4 - 2†holes, diamond cut edges and black silicone, 2 â€"œ 1 ½†drains and 2 â€"œ 1†returns………...……..$1,800.00
2. Custom Steel Stand 2x2 tube 72†x 33†x 38â€ÂH……….….$1,500.00
3. Socal Creations Sump â€"œ 48†x 24†x 20H ……… ……….$600.00
4. Deltec 1060S Skimmer……………………………………$1,950.00
5. Sequence “Snapper†return pump………………………….$210.00
6. 3- Luminarc III Reflectors…………………………………$400.00
7. 3- 250 watt Ice Cap electronic ballasts…………………….$468.00
8. 3- Reeflux 250 watt 12K metal halide bulbs……………....$200.00
10. Prime Current 1/3 HP inline chiller W/Pump…… ………..$800.00
11. Aquacontroller II w/PH, Temp and ORP probes………… $500.00
12. Tunze Osmolator auto top off………………………………$210.00
13. Tunze PF 601 Calcium Reactor…………………………….$900.00
14. 3- Tunze 6100 pumps W/7095 controller & HD Magnets…$1,500.00
15. Sea Swirls (3) osolating pumps W/Tunze attatchments……$597.00
16. Liter Meter III Doser W/Auto water changer module………$569.00
17. Korallin 1502d Denitrator W/Pump………………………...$420.00
18. 2- Two little fishes Phosban Reactors W/Pumps……………$100.00
19. Pinpoint PH Monitor W/Probe………………………………$110.00
20. Pinpoint Wireless Thermometer W/3 remote sensors………$140.00
21. GFCI electrical panel……………………………………….$500.00
22. Coralife 28 Watt PC fixture for the Refugium.…………….$250.00
23. RK2 dual moon lights………………………………………..$50.00
24. 7- Digital timers…………………………………………….$150.00
25. ViaAqua 250 Watt Titanium Heater………………………..$50.00
26. 36 Watt UV Sterilizer……………………………………….$100.00
27. 20 Lb. CO2 tank W/ Dual Guages…………………………..$260.00
28. 340 lbs. Fiji Live Rock @ $5 per pound…………………….$1,700.00
29. 340 lbs. aragalive live sand 17 bags @ $30 per bag…….…..$510.00
30. Salt Water- 300 gallons @ $1 per gallon……………………$300.00
31. Schedule 80 Unions, Valves, Elbows and pipe for plumbing.$380.00
32. Ice Cap 660 Electronic Ballast with T12 End Caps & Bulbs..$290.00
33. 250 Wt Reef Fanatic MH Ballast 10k bulb & PFO Hood……$300.00
34. Tunze Wave Box 6212 with Single Controller and Magnet….$620.00
35. Subtotal……………………………………About………….$ 18,684.00
NOT INCLUDING CORALS!
Cost to maintain the tank is $2,400 per year.
)I made this tank price list to show what I have- so she doesn't just give everything away!Mark’s Reef Tank â€"œPrice & Equipment.
1. Lee Mar 72â€ÂL x 30â€ÂW x 24â€ÂH, ½†thick star fire 225 gallon tank with Trapizoid center overflow, Euro braced with 4 - 2†holes, diamond cut edges and black silicone, 2 â€"œ 1 ½†drains and 2 â€"œ 1†returns………...……..$1,800.00
2. Custom Steel Stand 2x2 tube 72†x 33†x 38â€ÂH……….….$1,500.00
3. Socal Creations Sump â€"œ 48†x 24†x 20H ……… ……….$600.00
4. Deltec 1060S Skimmer……………………………………$1,950.00
5. Sequence “Snapper†return pump………………………….$210.00
6. 3- Luminarc III Reflectors…………………………………$400.00
7. 3- 250 watt Ice Cap electronic ballasts…………………….$468.00
8. 3- Reeflux 250 watt 12K metal halide bulbs……………....$200.00
10. Prime Current 1/3 HP inline chiller W/Pump…… ………..$800.00
11. Aquacontroller II w/PH, Temp and ORP probes………… $500.00
12. Tunze Osmolator auto top off………………………………$210.00
13. Tunze PF 601 Calcium Reactor…………………………….$900.00
14. 3- Tunze 6100 pumps W/7095 controller & HD Magnets…$1,500.00
15. Sea Swirls (3) osolating pumps W/Tunze attatchments……$597.00
16. Liter Meter III Doser W/Auto water changer module………$569.00
17. Korallin 1502d Denitrator W/Pump………………………...$420.00
18. 2- Two little fishes Phosban Reactors W/Pumps……………$100.00
19. Pinpoint PH Monitor W/Probe………………………………$110.00
20. Pinpoint Wireless Thermometer W/3 remote sensors………$140.00
21. GFCI electrical panel……………………………………….$500.00
22. Coralife 28 Watt PC fixture for the Refugium.…………….$250.00
23. RK2 dual moon lights………………………………………..$50.00
24. 7- Digital timers…………………………………………….$150.00
25. ViaAqua 250 Watt Titanium Heater………………………..$50.00
26. 36 Watt UV Sterilizer……………………………………….$100.00
27. 20 Lb. CO2 tank W/ Dual Guages…………………………..$260.00
28. 340 lbs. Fiji Live Rock @ $5 per pound…………………….$1,700.00
29. 340 lbs. aragalive live sand 17 bags @ $30 per bag…….…..$510.00
30. Salt Water- 300 gallons @ $1 per gallon……………………$300.00
31. Schedule 80 Unions, Valves, Elbows and pipe for plumbing.$380.00
32. Ice Cap 660 Electronic Ballast with T12 End Caps & Bulbs..$290.00
33. 250 Wt Reef Fanatic MH Ballast 10k bulb & PFO Hood……$300.00
34. Tunze Wave Box 6212 with Single Controller and Magnet….$620.00
35. Subtotal……………………………………About………….$ 18,684.00
NOT INCLUDING CORALS!
Cost to maintain the tank is $2,400 per year.
I'll admit that I have a lot of high end equipment going into my setup (Bubbleking, Profilux, Tunze, Red Dragon, etc.), but I'm in the process of setting up a 240 SPS in-wall reef (500 gal total system volume) in a dedicated fishroom and sans livestock, I expect to come out around $20K. Could I have done it cheaper, sure, but I've been down that path before and I want to ensure that I have a quality setup that's very efficient and reliable not to mention looks nice. I'm building it slowly so I don't see all the money fly out the window at once! This will be my dream reef tank and I don't plan to go bigger down the road - in fact, it's the largest setup that would fit through the basement door! I have dedicated electrical, water and drainage in the room. The room is sealed with it's own ventilation/humidity/temp control and with back-up power in the event of a power loss. The basement is setup as our entertainment/rec room with home theater system and the aquarium is designed to take center stage. My wife, son and I will be spending lots of cold Michigan winters in this area together so I had do it right. It's all about the end result you're looking for. I remember when I used to have a 90 saltwater tank with hang on the back counter current skimmer and VHO lighting sitting on an iron stand. My few corals, anemones and fish did well, but I was in my late teens and money wasn't as plentiful. The hobby sure has advanced a lot since then so the possibilities are endless. Just do your research and keep your goals in mind. No matter what, know that you'll spend more than you initially planned. It's inevitable with this hobby!
This will be my dream reef tank and I don't plan to go bigger down the road - in fact, it's the largest setup that would fit through the basement door! I have dedicated electrical, water and drainage in the room. The room is sealed with it's own ventilation/humidity/temp control and with back-up power in the event of a power loss. The basement is setup as our entertainment/rec room with home theater system and the aquarium is designed to take center stage. My wife, son and I will be spending lots of cold Michigan winters in this area together so I had do it right. It's all about the end result you're looking for. I remember when I used to have a 90 saltwater tank with hang on the back counter current skimmer and VHO lighting sitting on an iron stand. My few corals, anemones and fish did well, but I was in my late teens and money wasn't as plentiful. The hobby sure has advanced a lot since then so the possibilities are endless. Just do your research and keep your goals in mind. No matter what, know that you'll spend more than you initially planned. It's inevitable with this hobby!
8BALL_99
New member
Price doesn't tell you anything.. I've seen great systems setup for a couple thousand.. I've also seen some bad setups that cost 30K.. Tossing cash at a tank doesn't mean you will have a better tank.. Just means you will have more cash listed in your equipment list and less money in your pocket lol. Match your equipment to your tank and you will be good. For a 300 gallon 5-6k is a pretty good setup IMO
I wouldn't just start buying a ton of crap right off either.. Figure out what you need.. You might not need a chiller. You might not need 6 Tunze streams.. A lot of people on here get caught up on equipment and end up with pumps they run a 50% and a skimmer that only needs the cup dumped once a month if that.. Set it up and see what you Need not what you want or what you thing looks cool.. With that sized tank I'd keep an eye out on wattage! Since your just getting started now is the time to pay attention to it.. When your looking and equipment consider the running cost.
I wouldn't just start buying a ton of crap right off either.. Figure out what you need.. You might not need a chiller. You might not need 6 Tunze streams.. A lot of people on here get caught up on equipment and end up with pumps they run a 50% and a skimmer that only needs the cup dumped once a month if that.. Set it up and see what you Need not what you want or what you thing looks cool.. With that sized tank I'd keep an eye out on wattage! Since your just getting started now is the time to pay attention to it.. When your looking and equipment consider the running cost.
By no means do I intend to imply that you need to spend $20k on a 240g tank to make it nice, but let's not forget that you get what you pay for. I agree that equipment can get out of hand, but often efficiency/reliability comes at a price. Take a Red Dragon pump for example. At $600-800, it's a pricey pump, but it's extremely low on energy consumption and has proven to last with very little attention required. Tunzes are very much the same. Tank build quality cannot be overlooked either. Sure, not everyone wants or needs a BubbleKing, Profilux controller or Starfire glass and doesn't need 30X turnover inside the tank so would be just fine with a couple Sea Swirls on the sump return instead of Tunzes and waveboxes. It really just depends on your goals. Research is key while keeping the goals in mind. Aside from the equipment, a lot of money can be spent on just laying the proper foundation. Building a fish room is not cheap especially when you consider the cost of running proper electrical to the room, installing outlets, lights, water supply, utility sink, drainage, ventilation, A/C, etc. I'd estimate those items require $5k of the $20k I mentioned. I'd estimate a nice 240 gal setup with average equipment without all the extras would come in closer to $10k if you want to keep SPS and perhaps a couple thousand less with a basic Fish Only Live Rock and some softies. Used equipment could certainly drive the investment down considerably.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
I'm begining to find that higher end equipment keeps it's value. Especially on this sight. Unless you're picking up a whole system, you usually only save around 20% on quality used equipment in good condition. Unless it's an item that can't be shipped or that not a lot of people want. Then you can start haggling a bit.
8BALL_99
New member
I agree with thechad, You can find good deals. But most of the time the stuff sells for almost what it cost new.. If your only going to save 30 bucks on a used 400 dollar pump.. Just buy a new one lol. A lot of the venders run specials. Sign up for emails when you buy stuff.. I've gotten 10% off several orders just cause I got mailed a coupon code..10% isn't huge but when you get 10% off and free shipping on a set of vortechs or Tunze its adds up quick. I paid less for my Brand new vortech then what most people buy used ones for on the used equipment forum lol
It cost me about 1500 to build my Equipment room. I had to build walls and all though. A large chunk of that was the FRP I used to cover the entire room! Try to do as much of the work your self if you can..It will save you tons.
It cost me about 1500 to build my Equipment room. I had to build walls and all though. A large chunk of that was the FRP I used to cover the entire room! Try to do as much of the work your self if you can..It will save you tons.
