A good deal or not?

[ravenmore]

Hi guys - wanted to see if you thought this was a good deal or not.

100 gal OceanView tank (not drilled & no overflows)
Natures View (ie. oceanic) stand

For $400.

Good deal or not? If there are better deals out there it'd be cool to be pointed in the right direction.

Thanks,
-Mike

[golfish]

Mike,
Sounds ok, New right? what are the dimensions

[ravenmore]

Only thing I remember is the tank is 5' long. I believe it's oceanview's standard 100 size. Not sure of the depth or height. Cheap standard flourecent lights are included but would only use 'em for my sump - at best.

I'm also a little concerned about putting this in my 2nd story apartment.... - I guestimate the weight at about ~1500 to 1600lbs with using my current 60gallon tank as a sump....

-Mike

[ravenmore]

oh yeah - it's also all new...

[golfish]

Mike,
I'm not a big fan of long skinny tanks for reefs. IME, get a tank you like over one that's cheap. The tank is really not the most expensive thing.

Mark

[ravenmore]

Hi Mark -

It didn't really strike me as skinny, but of course I've got a 55+ now which is ridiculously skinny. I've got to go to this lfs tomorrow to pick up a tiger tail cuke - I'll try to get some exact measurements.

Oceanview also makes a 115 gallon cube that I saw once and really liked the looks of. This 100 gallon is quite a bit less though. The cube tank + stand would probably be closer to ~$600....

[ravenmore]

the tanks about 19" or 20" wide....

[golfish]

That would make it about 60x20x20 = 103.8 gals Or somthing like that.... IME, I would shoot for a 48x24x24=120 or a 60x24x24=150. OOOORRR you could get one like I have 48x24x30=150. The 30" wide really make s good reef tank. Your going to spend tons on this tank so make sure its what YOU want.

[ravenmore]

Thanks Mark. Yeah, I like the deeper tanks BUT I live on the 2nd story of an apartment complex....all the weight concerns me. I'm not sure I'm even comfortable with the 100 gal.

I already have everything set up on a 60 gal - I should be able to transfer to the other tank without too much expense. I've got 2x250watt halides for lights - with the length of that 100 I might need one more for coverage. Maybe upgrade my skimmer or simply add another. That should do it really, except for additional live stock down the road!

[Reinhold]

I used to worry about the weight from my set-up until I looked at the three fat people sitting on my couch during a family reunion. Probably close to 900 pounds distributed over the tiny four legs of the couch, and they didn't fall into the crawl space....(although the thought of it is hilarious.)

[ravenmore]

Yeah - I talked to my landlord yesterday and told him what I was thinking about. He said it should be ok as long as I put it against one of the walls that seperates the apartments. Those are load bearing walls.

He was actually kind of excited about it and wants to see it once I have it done.....cool landlord, eh?

[scubadude]

Yeah i think thats a Fair Deal! I payed $499 for my 90g brand new w/out drilled overflows, and that came with stand, canopy, and NO lights....of course i live in a fairly small town and payed LFS price. I would also call a local aquarium manufacterer and see what kind of tank you can get for $400 if they are small enough they will deal 1 on 1.....you might be surprised.

[ravenmore]

Oceanic is actually local for me, but they won't deal with me direct. Good idea though. Anyone have any contacts for aquarium manufacturers?

gracias!
-Mike

[Ironreef]

apartment? whats the floor made of? alot of apt have concrete floors =no problems probally up to 250+ easily if its concrete

[ravenmore]

Allrighty then. Hope I didn't just make a mistake.

I just went my LFS at lunch and they had a 135 gallon they said they were selling at cost with the stand. It was only $549. They said it had been a special order for a customer who backed out on the deal.

The dimensions are 48 x 30 1/2 x 24 1/2 - that's right, it's 30" wide! Took your advice, Mark.

It's an Ocean View tank and stand, brand new. Not drilled and no overflows. I was a little concerned on the way back to work because I realized it didn't have a center brace.....what do you guys think of that?

I was also thinking of using my current 60 gallon as a sump, but am worried about the total weight. If I added the 60 gal the total weight would be ~1 ton.

I'll probably have to add another light, a bigger skimmer, and buy a lot more sand.....anyone know of any good deals in the DFW area? I also need to get an RO/DI unit (damn, my wallet hates me). What models do you guys recommend?

Anyway, it's on layaway until I pick it up Jan. 15th. Might start working on the canopy now though.....

-Mike

[Ninong]

Mike,

Congrats on your new tank! Those are excellent dimensions but it's not a 135-gallon... it's a 150-gallon!!!

I assume that it's 1/2" glass, right? Since you say that it has no center brace, does it have some sort of perimeter bracing around the top edges of the tank?

Ninong

[ravenmore]

Thanks Ninong. Wow - sounds like the lfs totally mismarked it! The lfs kid measured it and wrote the dimensions on the layaway receipt. I'm assuming they're accurate. It certainly sounds right looking at the tank. I thought it looked hudge for a 135......

It did have perimiter bracing around the top. Kinda thick wood trim - like the oceanic tanks. The glass looked like 1/2", but I didn't measure - I was kind of busy trying not to act overly excited..... From what I've heard, Ocean View has a good reputation for their tanks so hopefully this one is pretty decent quality.

Crap - it was an impulse buy. Now I'm thinking of all the stuff I'll have to get for it........ Was also thinking of building some kind of nice pallet(broader than the stand) to set the stand on to distribute the weight a little more. I'm paranoid about meeting the neigbors downstairs the wrong way...... At least it'll be against a load bearing wall.

Let's see:

-New skimmer(maybe one of those Remora pro's in addition to my existing remora)
-More rock. Will probably go the tufa rock route.
-At least one more 250watt metal halide (have 2 already)
-A LOT more sand at $20/bag

yep, my wallet hates me!

[stang69]

yep, my wallet hates me!

Dont all of our wallet's?


Jeff