Price on 240g complete setup?

[ROB712]

hey guys im about to order my 240g reef tank...complete setup stand canopy all the filters all the lighting everything ready for a serious reef setup which i have been wanting for some time....im curious how much a setup like this normally costs? it is a big investment for me and i dont want to be ripped off....my fish guy qouted me at around $5,000...is this about right? or is this too expensive i can post complete list of things im getting...sorry if this is in the wrong section hope you guys can help me out! thanks!

 

[Ed Reef]

Hi ROB712 - sorry I don't know how to do those funky 'Welcome Banner' but WELCOME anyway.

As for your question, it will all depends on the type of reef you intend to keep as the cost can varies quite a fair bit in equipments. Without knowing what your 'complete' package listing are, will be hard for anyone to offer any advice.

So, my 1st advice is: Type of Reef?? FWLR/ Soft Corals/ LPS/ SPS

Once this is determine, you can list down the equipment package that comes along and there will be plenty of guys here to advice you if it's worth the $$ or a waste of $$ cause for USD5,000 for a full blown reef honestly is dirt cheap and I would presume it's only very basic lights, skimmer and a simple pump and sump!!

 

[ROB712]

<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.

As for your question, it will all depends on the type of reef you intend to keep as the cost can varies quite a fair bit in equipments. Without knowing what your 'complete' package listing are, will be hard for anyone to offer any advice.

So, my 1st advice is: Type of Reef?? FWLR/ Soft Corals/ LPS/ SPS

Once this is determine, you can list down the equipment package that comes along and there will be plenty of guys here to advice you if it's worth the $$ or a waste of $$ cause for USD5,000 for a full blown reef honestly is dirt cheap and I would presume it's only very basic lights, skimmer and a simple pump and sump!!

hey thanks for the reply!
the lighting is set up for soft coral only.the filtration is simple nothing too extream at all just internal pump,skimmer..basic 30inch stand,10inch canopy,chiller...just something where i can have nice corals and a nice variety of fish. the tank lenths are 96x24x24 good size huh? so its all pretty much basic except for the lighting which is a little more than just simple basic lighting. good price? any ideas for me? thanks guys!

 

[Fiziksgeek]

IMHO if your "fish guy" is associated with a local store, your likely getting a system that is barely adequate and at the same time, dramatically overpriced.

To get better feedback, you'll need to list more specifics about the equipment.

Tank manufacturer?
Stand canopy material and finish?
Lighting type and quantities?
Sump type and size?
Brand and model of pumps?
Skimmer type?
Heater type and size? heater controller?
Chiller...you dont even know if heat will be a problem yet and they are already selling you a chiller..?

I could go on.

A god way to put together a new system would be to decide what you want to keep in the tank and ask for equipment recommendations here on Reef Central to fit your budget. Take a looks through the various forums and look at similar systems and what equipment is being used on those tanks. Purchasing online is almost always a cheaper way to go too.

 

[ROB712]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13091252#post13091252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fiziksgeek
IMHO if your "fish guy" is associated with a local store, your likely getting a system that is barely adequate and at the same time, dramatically overpriced.

To get better feedback, you'll need to list more specifics about the equipment.

Tank manufacturer?
Stand canopy material and finish?
Lighting type and quantities?
Sump type and size?
Brand and model of pumps?
Skimmer type?
Heater type and size? heater controller?
Chiller...you dont even know if heat will be a problem yet and they are already selling you a chiller..?

I could go on.

A god way to put together a new system would be to decide what you want to keep in the tank and ask for equipment recommendations here on Reef Central to fit your budget. Take a looks through the various forums and look at similar systems and what equipment is being used on those tanks. Purchasing online is almost always a cheaper way to go too.

thank you!
i will get a complete list of everything today...ive been going to the same store for a few years now and he has a $20K tank in the front window and another 300g reef tank in the store so hes legit...
i live in southern california and it gets hot so i will need a chiller
so far this is what i have going
-arctica 1/4 chiller
-250 stealth heater
-sodia 20000 internal pump
-stand and canopy is DT
-lighting so far is 5 halogen bulbs set up for soft coral.
thats all i have written down i will get the complete exact list today.
thanks for your help so far!

 

[crvz]

Well, first I wouldnt spend the $700 on a chiller until you know you need it. I have one that sits in the garage. I live in Houston, too, which is easily as warm as southern california. A couple of good fans can do wonders, you'd be surprised.

Second, halogen bulbs? Did you mean metal halide or fluorescent? I've never heard of halogen bulbs used for a reef. Why don't you write down the exact list of hardware, including broken out prices if you've got it, and we can give some recommendations from there. I'd bet you're better off getting at least some of the hardware online. I never buy anything at the LFS anymore.

 

[mike660r]

Well, 1/4 hp chillers are typically rated for 200 gal systems. You will be at your capacity with the water volume of your tank alone. You will need to bump up to a 1/3 HP to be at the border line and a 1/2 HP will put you in the right range. You will need 2 - 250 watt heaters and a third won't hurt as a back up.

It looks like you have a lot more research to do...

 

[ROB712]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13091782#post13091782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crvz
Well, first I wouldnt spend the $700 on a chiller until you know you need it. I have one that sits in the garage. I live in Houston, too, which is easily as warm as southern california. A couple of good fans can do wonders, you'd be surprised.

Second, halogen bulbs? Did you mean metal halide or fluorescent? I've never heard of halogen bulbs used for a reef. Why don't you write down the exact list of hardware, including broken out prices if you've got it, and we can give some recommendations from there. I'd bet you're better off getting at least some of the hardware online. I never buy anything at the LFS anymore.

whoops metal halide i mean.

 

[calkulon]

The first consideration should be what do you want to keep. If sps corals then you will need the best of everything from the start which = $. 5,000 for a 240 gallon setup sold to you as a package for sps corals, i daresay would be a disappointment to you and even more so to the corals. You have made a great decision in asking for advice here.

 

[calkulon]

edit

 

[wnutz]

i am in the middle of designing a 250-300 gallon system and i think when its all said and done its around 12-$15,000

 

[ROB712]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13092293#post13092293 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mike660r
Well, 1/4 hp chillers are typically rated for 200 gal systems. You will be at your capacity with the water volume of your tank alone. You will need to bump up to a 1/3 HP to be at the border line and a 1/2 HP will put you in the right range. You will need 2 - 250 watt heaters and a third won't hurt as a back up.

It looks like you have a lot more research to do...

no ive done my reaserch..im just asking if this package the guy set me up with is legit otherwise id go one by one and get exactly what i want...the 1/4 chiller is rated at 260G tanks...i will have around 200g or less after i add all the rock to it so that i should be fine...i have 3 250 stealth heaters written down also ill be fine on that.

 

[ROB712]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13093606#post13093606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by calkulon
The first consideration should be what do you want to keep. If sps corals then you will need the best of everything from the start which = $. 5,000 for a 240 gallon setup sold to you as a package for sps corals, i daresay would be a disappointment to you and even more so to the corals. You have made a great decision in asking for advice here.

$5000 for just the lighting for a 240g? or 5K all together? the lighting is gonna be set up for soft coral only and it includes 5 metal halide lights for i think a little over $1K.

 

[Nanook]

I would be very leary of buying this setup.

 

[ROB712]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13096415#post13096415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanook
I would be very leary of buying this setup.

why is this?

 

[DesertBandits]

Everyone is trying to tell you you're about to buy under performing equipment, that wont handle the size of this tank. You're gonna then end up spending twice as much when you buy all the right stuff you should got in the first place.

 

[Nanook]

Let's just assume the tank is great by itself....is it worth $5000.00?

If not, then you have to determine what components it comes with that make it add up to that price. If we just take the lighting for example, what type of reflectors are they, are the reflectors high quality with good light spread? What brand bulbs are they? What kelvin are they? What wattage are they? How old are the bulbs? If you have to replace these reflectors because they are inadequate, new ones cost about $100-150/each. New metal halide bulbs will cost $50-90 each. What type ballasts are they, electronic, hqi, pulse start, basic tar/coil? Do the bulbs match the ballasts? Is the wattage of the bulbs something you can afford to run with the high cost of electricity? Are you going to keep soft corals or stony corals? Different wattages will work better for different corals.

Do this for each component and you can see that there is reason for skepticism. Researching each piece of equipment based on the type of tank/corals you have is needed so you get what you "need" and what works. There is a huge wealth of knowledge here on RC. Seeing that you have 8 posts and just joined a couple months ago is all the more reason to listen to this bunch of scrutinizing scrutinizers

 

[ROB712]

the list and prices of everything will come tommorrow. and then you guys can tell me if its right...thanks!

 

[serpentman]

I am leary of turnkey systems as you may want to source the components yourself. There are so many varying degrees of everything that its really hard to say what budget works.

Could you set up a successful reef tank for less than $5K. IMO, absolutely. Especially if you are willing to go with used equipment. The key, like everyone has mentioned is to know what you're buying so you don't have to buy it twice.

One thing is absolute in this hobby: The sky is the limit

 

[LOTUS50GOD]

Figure out what you want to keep then build your system around it.

5k for a turn key system is CHEAP..
I'm sure at that price its the bottom of the barrell equipment.

Here is a run down of the costs to set up my 340.
I know its a little bigger but should put you in the ballpark
These are rounded prices of what I paid. I'm sure I can nickel and dime these prices if I bought everything online.

Acrylic 340 7L'x3W'x2H'..... $3000.00
Metal Stand for above tank...... $1000.00
Custom Acrylic sump/fuge 4L'x2'x2...... $400.00
AquaController III with ORP probe, lunar module,PH probe, 3 DC8's..... $1000.00
3x PFO 400w MH with Ballasts and bulbs ..... 1400
Octopus 250 skimmer... $600.00
Red sea OZone (50mg)... $150.00
Sequence Dart for closed loop... $275.00
Oceans motion 4 way for closed loop... $400.00
CoralLife open loop pump..... $190.00
2x litermeter III with 4 parastalic pumps... $1000.00
1/2 HP Chiller.... $900.00
Misc plumbling and other BS that you need to put it all together .... $300.00

We havent put salt (2 buckets of Tropic Marin Pro.. $160.00)
rock.... 300# at $4.00/ lb... $1200.00
RO/DI unit with filters.... $400.00


My next mod is 2 tunze wave boxes .... $1100.00

You can see how the money flys out of your pocket fast.
My system is over 12k.

Now.. I can keep anything in mine... soft, lps, sps, and have a ton of fish ... I know it can be done cheaper, but I feel that cutting corners is why people leave this hobby. Its not for the faint of wallet. LOL...

Most people will spend 200 for a great angel... but wont invest in the support system to keep it alive... Then get mad when the angel dies....

Obviously the more money you toss into your box of water the less maintenance you will have to do....

Here is my schedule...

Daily-
Feed
Scrape the glass
Change filter sock (every 3rd day)

Weekly-
Fill automatic water change bucket with fresh salt
Clean skimmer cup
Check RO filters
Check water quality.
Add B-ionic A&B to their holding containers
Add kent zooplex to its holding container

Monthly
Change lightbulbs as needed
General inspection of systems.