200 gallon for 100$!!!

[jackwkahn]

Hello, I have an opportunity to purchase a 200 gallon, pre-drilled (dual overflow) for only $100! I have been told it is 6 feet long by 2 or 3 feet wide; it seems perfect for a bamboo shark and a few tangs. It comes with a very "worn" stand and some metal box in the stand that the guy calls a "cleaning system." He obviously doesn't know much about tanks, 1. he's selling a 200 gal for $100, 2. he didn't even know what an overflow was. My question is, should i just take the plunge knowing at the very least I'm getting a sick deal on a huge tank (after I determine that it is leak-free of course)? I'll post a picture. Thanks in advance.

[Reefing Madness]

Only comes around once in a life time. GREAT DEAL!!! YOU HAVE TO!!!

[jackwkahn]

Only comes around once in a life time. GREAT DEAL!!! YOU HAVE TO!!!

Haha, thats what I thought. But don't the overflows look a little weird to you? or is that a non-issue? also- Could I pull off using a Reef Octopus Extreme Skimmer rated for 200 gallons? (total water volume will be greater, as if you didn't already guess, haha) I have an opportunity to buy that for $200 . What else would I need? I'm fairly new to the hobby, I just have a 40 br FO with a HOB aquaclear, and I want moreeeee. Could i get away with 100 pounds of base rock seeded with 10 lbs of live rock as far as biological filtration goes? My ultimate, long- term goal for this tank is a bamboo shark, a pacific sailfin tang, a regal tang, and a pair of ocellaris clowns. On the subject of fish, I go diving a lot, and fequently come across the $350 queen angel. Would i be able to put it in my tank? how would i go about "sterilizing" it?

[Reefing Madness]

Haha, thats what I thought. But don't the overflows look a little weird to you? or is that a non-issue? also- Could I pull off using a Reef Octopus Extreme Skimmer rated for 200 gallons? (total water volume will be greater, as if you didn't already guess, haha) I have an opportunity to buy that for $200 . What else would I need? I'm fairly new to the hobby, I just have a 40 br FO with a HOB aquaclear, and I want moreeeee. Could i get away with 100 pounds of base rock seeded with 10 lbs of live rock as far as biological filtration goes? My ultimate, long- term goal for this tank is a bamboo shark, a pacific sailfin tang, a regal tang, and a pair of ocellaris clowns. On the subject of fish, I go diving a lot, and fequently come across the $350 queen angel. Would i be able to put it in my tank? how would i go about "sterilizing" it?

The Reef Octopus would be pulling right at its range, but I don't see why you couldn't use it. The overflows seem fine to me, they are inthe corners and not in the middle. You would still need 200lbs of LR and or Base Rock, this acts as your filter. If you use only 100lbs I'd suggest a much larger skimmer. Don't let anyone see you pulling the Queen out and you sure could. Sterilizing? Na, some will tell you to put it into a quarantine tank for a few weeks. $350 Angel?? Thats a fully grown fish. Get Rays also, Bamboo Sharks don't do much, I think you'll be disappointed.

[jackwkahn]

The Reef Octopus would be pulling right at its range, but I don't see why you couldn't use it. The overflows seem fine to me, they are inthe corners and not in the middle. You would still need 200lbs of LR and or Base Rock, this acts as your filter. If you use only 100lbs I'd suggest a much larger skimmer. Don't let anyone see you pulling the Queen out and you sure could. Sterilizing? Na, some will tell you to put it into a quarantine tank for a few weeks. $350 Angel?? Thats a fully grown fish. Get Rays also, Bamboo Sharks don't do much, I think you'll be disappointed.

Haha, I know, but sharks are relatively cheap at the LFS, and I've always wanted one. And don't worry, My uncle has the right license to keep a certain amount of tropicals per day. The biggest problem I have right now Is the live rock. Its **very** expensive. Is there anyway I could supplement it with a wet dry or something? Or is there just no way around it? Also, how would I go about water in such large quantities? could I use water from the ocean? Sorry for all the questions, I'm a little overwhelmed (and excited) by the possibility of such a large system.

[Reefing Madness]

Haha, I know, but sharks are relatively cheap at the LFS, and I've always wanted one. And don't worry, My uncle has the right license to keep a certain amount of tropicals per day. The biggest problem I have right now Is the live rock. Its **very** expensive. Is there anyway I could supplement it with a wet dry or something? Or is there just no way around it? Also, how would I go about water in such large quantities? could I use water from the ocean? Sorry for all the questions, I'm a little overwhelmed (and excited) by the possibility of such a large system.

Yea, just use like 20lbs of Live Rock and the rest Base Rock. Or just go all Base Rock. BR just does not come with any ocean critters. Some people like it that way, they don't get any Aiptasia or unwanted hitchhickers.

[Marinefish]

Shark+fish=fat shark! I'd leave out the fish. I would get rays instead if it was me. They typically leave fish and coral alone, and are more active.

[reeferbill]

I use Natural Sea water from Boynton Beach inlet . You have to collect it at an Inlet about 1 hour before the tide starts coming out of the inlet and going back out to sea. If you get their and the tide has already changed to outgoing wait for another incoming high tide because the run off water in the inlets are poluted and you don't want that in your tank..+1 on scratching the shark idea. Their are so many more interesting things to put in that tank. I would think about using a couple of seaswirls and some Vortec's for water movement!!1 Good Luck and keep us posted !Great Find!