Just a thought?

[Mikeman]

My mom was kinda hinting that she would like a tank in our living room(a big one maybe 120 to 200g) Would you guys give me an estimate on what I'll need and how much they would cost so I can get back to my mom on prices. This would be an sps/clam reef tank

how about this for a fish list

mated pair of sunrise dottybacks
5 green chromis
1 yellow tang
1 hippo tang
1 powder blue tang
2 percs
2 banggia cardinals


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Mikeman

Heros are like muffins when things get hot, they rise to the top.

[Aragorn]

For an SPS/Clam tank your lighting alone will cost you a minimum of $1000 dollars depending upon the capacity of your proposed tank. For example, we're in the process of getting our 110g SPS/Clam tank together. I'm going to be running 4 250watt MH's over it. Each ballast will set me back $150 dollars. The bulbs will set me back about $280 dollars. This doesn't include the reflector for the pendant system I'll be building.

I'd recommend some type of wavemaking device. Perhaps 2-3 SeaSwirls. These cost about $160 to $190 depending upon the model. You'd want a good return pump that'll set ya back a couple of C notes too. AmpMaster seems to be popular and reliable(I personally don't have any experience w/ this one). It runs about 3 bills.
For filtration, I'd a big proponent for a good DSB/LR/macroalgae refugium perhaps 40 to 60 gallons. Once again depending upon what size the main tank will be. Of course this doesn't include the cost of the main tank and stand. For clams you'll want a shallow tank so the light can reach them. JMO...HTH

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One Ring to rule them all. One Ring to find them. One Ring to bring them all, and in The Darkness bind them.

Tahoereefs.com

[golfish]

I would say 5 grand easy if you already have all the good test kits and meters your going to need. I spent about 5 grand on my 150 and thats not including live stock....

[PerryinCA]

Here's a ballpark on the 150 I am working on. Granted, I already have the lights equipment that I am gonna use, but I'll include pricing here anyways just to give an idea.

Tank - Oceanic 150 (5'x2'x2') - $400
Oak Stand, Canopy(custom) - $250
Icecap 660 package - $340
(3) Icecap ballasts (MH) - $380
(2) HQI lamps - $160
(1) EYE 6500k - $55
(1)Reeflector/mogul - $40
(2) PFO Mini-Pendants - $180
(1) Dolphin Ampmaster 3000 - $300
(2) 1" Sea Swirls - $360
(6) Bags of sand - $150 (estimated $25ea.)
(100) lb of live rock - $500 (at $5 lb.)
Ca Reactor - $130 (bought from board member)
Reactor reg, solenoid..ect kit- $150
Reactor Media - $34 (2 Carib Sea A.R.M.)
Protien Skimmer + Pump - $400-500 (estimated)
Sump - $70
Powerstrips - $20 (est)
Salt - $30 (at $10 a bag)
Misc Plumbing valves BH's ect - $75
SUB-TOTAL = $4074
+ 15% Project overshoot (always it will cost AT LEAST 15% more than you expect. Often, its more like 25-30[img]/ubb/spineyes.gif[/img]
= $4800 without even putting livestock in it. That will run a few grand as well to fully stock it. Of course you could trim here and there. Take away 200 for using PFO instead of IC, use a cheap skimmer, Iwasaki instead of HQI...ect. Plus, I am sure that I missed plenty, those are just the main things, at good pricing.

AT THE CHEAPEST, you are looking at about 3500 to setup something in the 90-120 area starting from near scratch. Luckily I already have most of my stuff on my current tanks.

I think Marks estimated was right about on.

-Perry

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Some call it evolution,
And others call it God.
Each In His Own Tongue (190[img]/ubb/uhoh3.gif[/img]
William Herbert Carruth 1859-1924

[This message has been edited by PerryinCA (edited 05-20-2001).]

[Ironreef]

If you skimp to much it may cost more buying it all over. i would get all quality stuff. Theres some stuff you can diy but don't buy under rated equipment that say its good.FWIW my 120g cost $4k+ and I had some of the lighting ,LS, LS probes, The only thing I need to do is replace 2 pumps with better ones. Don't skimp on pumps. They are one of the main pieces of equipment no matter what lighting you use or if you use a skimmer. If you use a skimmer don't skimp on that either.


[This message has been edited by Ironreef (edited 05-21-2001).]