How much money am I in for ? 180 Gallon

[191185]

Hey everyone .. I have the opportunity to by a 180 Gallon tank for relativly cheap. It measures 72X24X24 .. It is the tank only ..

I know I need to buy a stand, and I would try to use my 55G as a sump tank for it if possible,

But how much money am I looking at total ? the tank would cost $120, which seems like a fair price, but am I going to be in way over my head ?

I would eventually want to have Tang's and corals and reefs ..

Would the SETUP cost, not the fish and coral, exceed say an additional $1200 ? I already have a 55G tank .. but I would need a skimmer, sump, overflow ? etc etc ?

[chrisfont23]

Hey everyone .. I have the opportunity to by a 180 Gallon tank for relativly cheap. It measures 72X24X24 .. It is the tank only ..

I know I need to buy a stand, and I would try to use my 55G as a sump tank for it if possible,

But how much money am I looking at total ? the tank would cost $120, which seems like a fair price, but am I going to be in way over my head ?

I would eventually want to have Tang's and corals and reefs ..

Would the SETUP cost, not the fish and coral, exceed say an additional $1200 ? I already have a 55G tank .. but I would need a skimmer, sump, overflow ? etc etc ?

My 29 gallon - done right - is near $2500. Coral and fish included. The only thing I do not run is a sump, but everything else was either modded or accommodated DIY-style to fit my needs. Since a lot of people know the deal w/ this tank (it's my ongoing gift to my 3 year old and in his room) I am limited on space and time. Setting the example for him, I chose to do it "right the first time." It's also a precursor to a 90 gallon OriginalFin is going to help me spec out (haha - he doesn't know it yet though).

Here goes...this is based on the following equipment (I'll be generic):

PowerHead: $250
Light: $250
Rock: $240 (figure $4-$8 lb at 1.5 lbs per g)
RO/DI + TDS Meter: $175
Phosban Reactor / MaxiJet 1200 / Phosban / Inline Tube: $100 for everything?
Tank: $100
ATO: $100
Sand: $50/$75
Skimmer: $59 (yep...and a warhorse too!)
HOB Fuge: $50
Misc Electric (timers, surge protectors etc.): $50
Test Kits: $30
Supplements: various (I use C-Balance 2 Part Additive) estimate between like $20 and $30 depending on your idea and Kent Coral Vite
"Chiller": $6

There's a load of crap I am not counting that my wife does, especially when she want's something new. Food, salt, etc add up but that was the bulk of the purchases. I have a few $100+ corals too, so that's definitely why I went the way I did on the equipment. The PH is an MP10, so discount that from the top if you choose - two MJ1200s worked for me but I found a sweet deal on the MP10 over 6 mos, so jumped on it.

All of this was spread out over 6+ months. Doing it all at once would have ended in two things: bankruptcy and divorce.

HTH.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

$1200 would get you some ok lighting and maybe a decent skimmer. Not much else. You're going to need over 250 lbs of rock. You can usually find live rock on craigslist for around $2.00-$3.00 a pound. The rock alone could be $500-$750. If you're on a budget, craigslist will be your best friend but it's going to take a long time to get everything you'll need and cost much more than $1200 IMO. The tank itself is actually not that big of a purchase when it comes to a reef tank. I bought my tank new, from a retailer and it cost $150 less than my light fixture ( not including bulbs) and almost the same as my skimmer. Hate to be a buzz kill but I hope this helps shed some light on the cost.

[191185]

Thanks, I'm still on the fence of what to do ... I'm pretty much going to set a budget, maybe $100 a week, that would fund the reef tank, and I'll buy everything as slowly as it takes to get it done right ..

The only question, is to keep going with my 55G that I just started, or throw it out and go with the 180G, either way, it'll take time to get everything, and I'm fine with that ...

Since I'm basically starting from scratch still, is there a MAJOR price difference with building up a 55G, vs 180G . .. or is it pretty much going to be a few thousand dollars either way ... a horse a piece ?

[chrisfont23]

That's your call. You know the rule though: the bigger the toy, the more money.

[Reefing Madness]

Hmm
$65 for 2 3200gph powerheads
DIY Metal Halide Lighting 2 175w set-up. $200
Skimmer, of your choice, of course, not to exceed $400
Umm, pvc overflow and return lines....Shouldn't be alot on this one at all
Return pump- Depending on your flow rate. $100-$200. Quiet One Pump
Anything else I miss?
Stand and Canopy= DYI. Google
Your numbers sound about right to me. $1200 if you Cadillac everything.
My bad, Test Kits up around $60 to start with.
RO/DI Set-up $120 4 stage

[Original Fin]

I won't argue that some of the low end estimates given already are possible, but I think you'd better plan on a lot of time shopping and hunting for deep discount sales and/or used equipment in order to realistically stick to such a small budget.
Those estimates are pretty far off from full blown retail, even at the entry level. And by entry level, I'm not talking about off shore eBay knockoffs that everyone should stay away from.
It is possible, however; to find some really good deals on complete established (read used) reef systems. Classified sites are full of people needing to get out of the hobby in a hurry, and I routinely see people selling fully stocked systems for 1/2 to 1/6th of what they've invested. It's buyer beware though. You never really know what type of problems you could be inheriting. This option may better suit someone that already has some reefing experience that knows some of the dangers to look for and steer clear of.

The biggest differences in cost between the two would be the items listed below. All the other stuff is more or less the same cost either way...RODI, test kits, dosers, reactors, reef controllers, etc...you will have to decide what level of automation you want and can afford, because these items can easily pile on additional thousands to to your build, above and beyond the basic must have items I'm going to estimate below.
Firsthand experience speaking here...Fooling yourself into thinking this isn't an expensive hobby from the onset causes one to cut corners and ignore problems that could be fixed with the proper investments, and that leads to an unhealthy system, unnecessary and costly loss of livestock, and a sense of failure for the hobbyist. Don't go there if you can help it.

Here are my estimates, I've done a lot of recent window shopping in these size ranges.

55g

80 lb Rock-$200 if you find a deal, up to $480 full retail.
66 lb sand for a 2"ssb-$60
Lighting-$200 entry level, $500 mid range, $800+ for high end
Skimmer-$150 entry level, $300 mid range, $600+high end
30x circulation $90 entry level, $250 mid range, $500+ high end ( can get pretty fancy with wavemakers, closed loops, etc...)
Return pump-$60-$180

180g

270lb rock-$675 for a CL type deal, to $1620 full retail
148lb sand for a 2"ssb-$110
Lighting-$400 entry level, $900 mid range, $1500+ high end
Skimmer-$400 entry level, $700 mid range, $1000+ high end
30x circulation-$200 entry level, $400 mid range, $900+ high end
return pump-$100-$400

So, my guesstimated low/mid/high range for 55g specific needs is $760/$1570/$2620 and up

My guesstimated low/mid/high range for 180g specific needs is $1885/$3460/$5530 and up

Mine is just another opinion, but I hope it helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Original Fin]

It's also a precursor to a 90 gallon OriginalFin is going to help me spec out (haha - he doesn't know it yet though).

What what what?!!



"You see Gentlemen, A pimps love is very different than a square's..."

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I missed that in the origional post too. I sense another build thread! There's a disturbance in the force...

[Reefing Madness]

[chrisfont23]

I missed that in the origional post too. I sense another build thread! There's a disturbance in the force...

I blamed it on someone that put Dory in a 29 gallon tank... impressive was the 4 hour drip, but the problem remains (until the upgrade of course). My LFS has been put on notice

[Reefing Madness]

I blamed it on someone that put Dory in a 29 gallon tank... impressive was the 4 hour drip, but the problem remains (until the upgrade of course). My LFS has been put on notice

[191185]

OK, I've taken a very close look at prices, and for what I in particular would by, I figured $2,000 more including rock..

And I already have the 55g, with stand, and filter, up and running just past the first cycle ..

So I'm for sure going to stick with the 55g..

Next step: What size sump should I use ? like a 30g ? that's about the biggest I think I can fit ..

does anyone sell a, ALL IN ONE sump tank, with the dividers already in it and everything ?

[Reefing Madness]

OK, I've taken a very close look at prices, and for what I in particular would by, I figured $2,000 more including rock..

And I already have the 55g, with stand, and filter, up and running just past the first cycle ..

So I'm for sure going to stick with the 55g..

Next step: What size sump should I use ? like a 30g ? that's about the biggest I think I can fit ..

does anyone sell a, ALL IN ONE sump tank, with the dividers already in it and everything ?

Not gonna use your 55g as a sump I take it?
ADHI Aquarium Refugiums and Sumps (all sizes) | eBay
Aquarium Reef Sump For Protein Skimmers | eBay
Proclear Reef Aquarium Sump 125 Wet Dry + Prefilter NEW | eBay

[191185]

Not gonna use your 55g as a sump I take it?
ADHI Aquarium Refugiums and Sumps (all sizes) | eBay
Aquarium Reef Sump For Protein Skimmers | eBay
Proclear Reef Aquarium Sump 125 Wet Dry + Prefilter NEW | eBay

I'm more confused now than I was before .. I don't need all three do I ?

I was thinking this one : ADHI Aquarium Refugiums and Sumps (all sizes) | eBay

Then I can grow retugiums... I can put a skimmer in that tank too right ? Or is it too small ?

[Reefing Madness]

I'm more confused now than I was before .. I don't need all three do I ?

I was thinking this one : ADHI Aquarium Refugiums and Sumps (all sizes) | eBay

Then I can grow retugiums... I can put a skimmer in that tank too right ? Or is it too small ?

I was just giving you ideas on what you can get in a sump style. No you don't need all 3. The one you have chosen will work nicely. The skimmer would go in the first chamber where the water comes in. the middle section is for your lil refugium, Live Rock, Sand bed, Cheato, and whatnot. Third chamber is your return.

[muttley000]

Have you thought about the difference in the monthly upkeep of the tank? Unless you are dropping big bucks on LEDs and going ultra efficient on everything (expensive) I would guess it will cost you upwards of $150 per month in electricity, salt, food and additives (if this is a reef) and misc expenses.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Have you thought about the difference in the monthly upkeep of the tank? Unless you are dropping big bucks on LEDs and going ultra efficient on everything (expensive) I would guess it will cost you upwards of $150 per month in electricity, salt, food and additives (if this is a reef) and misc expenses.

That's a good point that's often overlooked until that first bill shows up.Maintenance cost can be surprising, especially on larger reef systems. Gotta pay to play though. That's how I see it .

[reefMe1]

You can pretty much take whatever you plan on and double it. Here is where I am at.

54gRR with stand $400 for LFS new.
used sump $100
Cheap Ebay LED that I regret to this day- $65
Replacement Orphek LED- $500
GFO/GAC reactors $100
Skimmer- $160
Return pump $129
various pumps/powerheads for circulation and reactors- $100
heater- $50
Salt- in three years I have used 3 of the big buckets at $75 each....so $225
Reefkeeper used from a guy in my club $300
ATO- $50
Various plumbing parts $25
Light fixture to take apart and DIY to hang the Orpheks- $30
Dinner and drinks for the wife.....$125

Grand Total: 2359...

This does not include anything that goes inside the tank, you know fish and stuff......I have a lot more on that list....Too much....

It is a great hobby but this just depresses me to add up....

Don't add it up. Do it cause you want to or don't do it..... If your worried about the money then scale down. There are lots for killer deals out there for tanks used....

I got a 54RR I can sell ya!!!! hahahahahaha

[191185]

Thanks for the insight everyone ..

I am dead set on keeping my 55G that I just bought a month ago and sticking with it. . Monthly up keep was a very good point ..

I am not in this hobby to save money, but I have many hobbies. ( ATV, Motorcycle, Firearms, snow shoeing, ) So I need to spread my money out a little ..

I'm going to order one of the sump system on ebay that was mentioned earlier, I'll just wait a week or two to do it though ..

Then in another few weeks I'll order a protein skimmer, slowly but surly I'll get there .. The most important thing to me right now is, still putting money in my savings accound every week and still contributing money to my 401k everyweek .. So this build will take time. .

Although it is very tempting to just pull out 2K and blow through and buy everything all in one day !