I may have found my first tank but want input

Saleenfan · 01-02-2008, 01:35 PM

A guy in my area just posted up on Craigslist a decent deal on a 125 gallon tank with all the fixins.... I think it sounds like a good deal but I want your guys expert take on it.

FROM HIS AD BELOW
"""125 gallon all-glass brand acquarium with twin overflows

Tank measuring 72x20x18
twin 36" light hoods
Matching stained pine 2 door cabinet
2 250 watt heaters
29 gallon all-glass sump
acrylic wet/dry filter with 2 gallons bio balls
powered by rio 2500 pump
6 stage reverse osmosis system (55 gallon/day!!!)
65 lbs live sand
Stanley surge protector/power strip
aqua clear 50 power head (can use for water changes)
Grounding pin with suction cup
2 timers
all necessary plumbing

All you need to do it plumb the RO system and start filling while you plumb the tank. Add salt and the live sand. You could have fish in it in 5 days!!
"""
Is there anything critical that is missing (I would probably eventually get a protien skimmer) That im not thinking of?
Sorry no pictures yet hes emailing em tomorow.
And finally the big question how much do you think this would go for(i have his price but i want to get an independent number first)?
O and he said he might through in a UV sterilizer as well.
Thanks for the help.
Danny

Hop · 01-02-2008, 01:42 PM

Price and condition are important! How do the seams look? Ever had any medication in it?

Unless you are going FO or FOWLR, the lights will need replaced, don't use the bioballs, I wouldn't use the rio pump, if the RO unit sat very long, you will need all new filters (not cheap), Live sand will likely need to be thrown out and there is no skimmer.... So if the tank is n good shape and the price is OK, then it may be a good deal. But if he is asking for anything over $600 I would pass.

crvz · 01-02-2008, 01:48 PM

I agree with Hop. Sounds like a very basic and a bit antiquated of a setup. If the glass is scratch free, it could be a great place to start from, but a lot of the hardware would not be recommended.

Loverotties · 01-02-2008, 01:53 PM

What type of lights?you just say 36".It's really hard to say without looking at it.If it's in A+ conditionmaybe $800 tops.If the stand or anyting is in poor shape,then $200.

Saleenfan · 01-02-2008, 01:55 PM

Thats kind of what I had thought.... no one else on here uses bio balls so that was going to be thrown out and use a protien skimmer and a refugium set up. I knew I would replace the lights with T5's so thats a given. And as for the Rio, is it just too small for that tank or whats the reasoning for not using it?

Hes asking $700

O and as for asking specifics about the Tank Im waiting on an email back from teh current owner for more specifics (I have posted all I know as of right now)

Hop · 01-02-2008, 02:03 PM

The Rios used to overheat and melt the silicone the motor is sealed in and would release oils into the tank, nuking it. They reportedly fixed the problem, but I still hear about pumps doing this along with other issues. It's just for my piece of mind.

Saleenfan · 01-02-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hop

The Rios used to overheat and melt the silicone the motor is sealed in and would release oils into the tank, nuking it. They reportedly fixed the problem, but I still hear about pumps doing this along with other issues. It's just for my piece of mind.

Thats the bonus feature

YLChik · 01-02-2008, 03:41 PM

pictures would help if you can get them...

$700 for tank and stand plus a 29 gallon sump.... eh
could be a great deal if it's a nice looking stand... could be an aweful one if you would end up rebuilding the stand ect.

T5 lights for that tank from reefgeek - $600.00 for 2 times 4- 36 inch t5 retrofit kit
there may be a better light set up for that I am simply guestimating for you.

plus wood to build a canopy.

skimmer - lets say you go with an octopus nw200 - say 250.00

so you are looking at at least another 1,200+ to get this tank running.....

not to mention power heads or something for flow in the tank

return pump?

new sand
rock ect

I am not trying to be discouraging, mearly informative

hope this helps you!

bjmd22 · 01-02-2008, 03:59 PM

I think for 700 is high, unless the stand is very nice looking. There is a used 72 bow with stand canopy and lights in the lfs I just came from for 450. I would say to keep lookng. You could buy that set up for 700 any day of the week.

Saleenfan · 01-02-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YLChik

pictures would help if you can get them...

IM getting them tomorow so check back then

Quote:

Originally Posted by YLChik

$700 for tank and stand plus a 29 gallon sump.... eh
could be a great deal if it's a nice looking stand... could be an aweful one if you would end up rebuilding the stand ect.

T5 lights for that tank from reefgeek - $600.00 for 2 times 4- 36 inch t5 retrofit kit
there may be a better light set up for that I am simply guestimating for you.

plus wood to build a canopy.

skimmer - lets say you go with an octopus nw200 - say 250.00

so you are looking at at least another 1,200+ to get this tank running.....

not to mention power heads or something for flow in the tank

return pump?

new sand
rock ect

I am not trying to be discouraging, mearly informative

hope this helps you!

Not discouraging at all actually very informative so thank you!

YLChik · 01-02-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saleenfan

IM getting them tomorow so check back then

Not discouraging at all actually very informative so thank you!

PHEW I am glad!

I did a quick google search on 125 aga tank

and the first 4 entries were tank, stand and a few various supplies - heater, maybe a pump ect all were between 250 - 350.00

I think If you could find a 125 with stand, sump, return pump, lights YOU want, and GOOD skimmer, and possibly rock then I would shell out 700.00

Truth about the rodi is that you will need one, but you will also spend almost as much as a new one to replace all the filters and the membrane...

This is a truely wonderful hobby but the set up costs can be daunting.

Keep your eye out - TRUE good deals come buy all the time, sometimes you have to drive for them though

.

tdwyatt · 01-02-2008, 04:46 PM

I agree with Amy, but I don't know that I would go over $500 for a NICE stand with the tank and the sump (so long as the tank is in great shape, never seen copper, and the silicone is all firm and the RO/DI can turn out 0 TDS right off the bat).

YLChik · 01-02-2008, 05:06 PM

[quote=tdwyatt;1228752]I agree with Amy, quote]

WOW big day for me here! Tom agrees with me

tashier · 01-02-2008, 05:12 PM

Ya, not all that impressive to me. That's a strange size tank for me personally, long and small. None of the other equipment seems really anything useable in a serious reeftank except for maybe the heaters and sump. Everything else is not of any real value or use.

Saleenfan · 01-02-2008, 05:16 PM

Thanks for the boad of confidence YLchick
I read your whole Seahorse tank thread yesterday and was really impressed.

My dream tank set up is a 125 ish tank with a stand set up like below (a little unique I know) the stand painted piano lacquer black. With a 40ish gallon sump with refugium and a good protien skimmer.

So I guess I really wouldnt even want a stand now that i think about it I would build my own, and yes I would know how to make that stand.