55 Gallon "Snap Together" Reeftank for Under $1000

[Anonymous]

Being new to this hoby, and having only a 10g FOWLR tank for about 2 months, I am already starting to itch for more. I am working on trying to come up with a tank system that is basic, simple to assemble, and presentable in my livingroom. It is still going to be a while before I can set anything up so I started this little exercise to see if I could drop the initial tank setup below $1000.00. To be snap together I have stuck with one manufacturer at thsi point. MarineLand

Mfg       : Product                            : SubTtl  :Qty : 
------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
MarineLand: Instant Ocean Marine Kit 55 Gallon : $368.99 : 1  : $368.99 
MarineLand: Tidepool I Sump/3 Stage Filter     : $129.99 : 1  : $129.99 
MarineLand: Tidepool S.O.S. Skimmer            : $68.99  : 1  : $68.99 
MarineLand: Seaclone Protein Skimmer           : $59.99  : 1  : $59.99 
MarineLand: Penguin PowerHead 1440             : $21.99  : 2  : $43.98 
MarineLand: Sedona Tank Stand and Hood         : $229.99 : 1  : $229.99 
N/A       : Fully Cured Live Rock              : $5.00   : 50 : $250.00 
N/A       : Live Sand                          : $20.00  : 4  : $40.00 
N/A       : Argonite or Crushed Coral Substrate: $15.00  : 1  : $15.00 
N/A       : Salt Mix/Water (Carters Pre-Mixed) : $1.00   : 55 : $55.00 
N/A       : Uncalculated Costs (misc parts)    : $100.00 : 1  : $100.00 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total : $1,401.93

I looked these prices up online from numerouse different vendors, and I am not married to any MFG in particular. I know that this can be dropped below $1000 and be prety much snap-together. Rock and Sand are priced based on LFS prices in my area (Live Sand $20/10lb bag, Live Rock $5.00/Lb for Fiji Fully Cured) etc.

I thought This might be fun to try to get others involved in, and maybe come up with a newbie reef system sans critters.

 

[Anonymous]

A few things I would recommend (having done/doing them) myself...

First is the skimmer.. - Pass on the Seaclone (aka: "suckclone") and go with something better.. Remora Pros are in a similar class and have MUCH better reviews. (I started with one and quickly switched to a Euroreef but in retrospect a Remora would have done the job just as well probably..)

Second is the Tidepool SOS.. Get the tank drilled and turned into reef-ready if at all possible. Hang-on overflows are a wet floor waiting to happen. Don't take the stance that it can't happen to you... - It WILL.. However, if you can't get it drilled for some outrageous reason then the Tidepool is a fairly decent overflow.. I've been using one for a couple years and except for one spill its been.... "ok" :| -- Its quiet and does the job, but like all hangons, prone to breaking siphon every now and then..

I'd also swap out the Penguins for Maxi-Jets (or forego them altogether) but that's pretty minor... (If nothing else though, you can use them as mixing pumps...)

Whats the return pump rated at and how tall are the return lines going to be? If it works out I would probably look into a SCWD on the return to give a little alternating water movement. Try to go with a return at the upper limit of the SCWD so you can maximize flow.

How about RO/DI?? - Are you going to go that route or continue to haul water? Test kits? -- Just some thoughts...

Norm

 

[jandree22]

okay, start from scratch :lol:

seems you want a 55gal. tank... ever consider a 75gal? much more room front to back.

you don't need a filter... put in at least 1lb. of quality LR per gallon, prefferably 1.5lb./gal. this brings with all the bacterial filtration you need.

get a Remora Pro skimmer, MUCH more efficient than the SeaClone

get Maxi Jet 1200's for powerheads for circulation.... quality powerheads, 2-3 should do fine

......not to be a jerk, but I could seriously go on for another 15 min easy with individual components but I don't have the much time right now. All I can say is while sometimes people like to go all out with one manufacturer, it's not always the best. Especially with the skimmer, SeaClone is one of the worst, for example. I'm sure others will chime in with their own advise.

Personally, since you're still in the beginner stage, I'd suggest going without a sump. I know some here will strongly disagree, but in my opinion, it lessens a lot of confusion as far as plumbing is concerned. My tank has the heaters and crap right in it, and so far I've noticed no ill effects :wink:

Bottom line, trust me, before it's all over, you'll get a 55gal. system running for a lot less than $1000.


EDIT: I second GratefulDiver's comment about a RO/DI unit. I thought they were expensive and not worth the price.....until I started using one! They will seriously seriously cut back on nuisance algae and make your fish and inverts a lot happier. Are they still expensive? yes.... but one thing you must remember, this is key..... Skimping and going cheap in the beginning, will cause frustration and more $$$ in the end Even if you're spending a few more bux, pay attention to tips and reviews of products when you're deciding.

 

[Anonymous]

:lol:

jinx!



Edit: And you can still drill the tank and go sumpless too.. With FOWLR its true, you can forego the sump. Its just easier if it's already drilled to then open the lines up and start using them..

 

[ChrisRD]

My advice would be to get a few good books and start researching. Decide on what creatures you want to keep first and then build the system with that in mind.

What you're going to put in the tank will have a lot to do with what equipment you'll want to buy.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok,

the return pump is only 400 gph, thought that should suffice for circulation
The water is pre-mixed from RO-DI at the LFS I go to (Spec Grav 1.021, I let it evaporate for a day to get it up to 1.022 - 1.023)

Good Suggestions all, here is where I was going with this. I want the system to be as self-contained as possible, and really don't like HOB stuff anyway (that's why the sump, even though the overflow is HOB) I can see having the tank drilled and plumbed (don't know how much it costs) The stand and hood were made for the tank (a plus). I figured (by reading the spec) the skimmer may be sub-par. so that said, here is what I would like to keep out of that setup

The tank
Stand/hood
Sump (does anyone else make economical pre-built sumps)

all other parts are replacable.

I am just trying to come up with a simple "Snap Together" basic setup that will work for most applications for most beginners (we proly wont be keeping hard sps to start with, and most beginners will want to see fish and critters mostly).

I took this from a standpoint of a FOWLR that could maybe grow into a reef.

As fer inhabitants. I am interested in keeping a few fish (still researching), sand critters (crabs, snails, maybe a starfish etc.) and soft/leather corals mostly.

I am also hoping that this post will help more newbs beside me. Ya know maybe give-em some more concrete idea of a good way to start (too many "It depends on what you want" options can make ones head spin even after reading about 4 books).

That said, no-one is considered a jerk for giving well meaning advice. As more info rolls in, I wll put together another pricelist, and see where this evolves.

I also need to find out how much the LFS would charge to drill and plumb. if it is too exorbitant, I will stick with the HOB.


BTW (I am actually going to get an Oceanac Reef-ready system )