Buying a new fish tank. Is this a reasonable price?

Dustin83

AC Members
Nov 17, 2005
370
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0
Orange County, CA
Hi all.

I am considering setting up another SW/Reef tank. I'm thinking somewhere between 100-125 gallon. So far, after researching few wholesale warehouses and LFS, this was the best deal I was able to come across...

Glass tank - 60" X 18" X 24"
One center overflow with two holes on the bottom
Standard Stand - 30" high
Sump - 36" X 15" X 20"(? not sure about height) with 2 built-in filters.. Not exactly sure what these types of filters are called. It's those 6 inches in diameter circle openings with cloth bags hanging down. (I've never used one of these before, so I'm not sure how they will work, but I will probably use another canister filter that I'm currently using.)

I can get all these for $950.

I live in Southern CA.

Unfortunately, I'm not very handy enough to attempt those DIY equipments.

I have no experience of buying a large tank from scratch. So I wasn't sure how reasonable this price sounds to you guys out there. At first it sure sounded ridiculously a lot, but after going around few places, I have found that this is actually the best deal available thus far. Is there another place you guys recommend I look into? I'm in no rush. I can look around as long as it takes to find a good deal.

Thanks everyone!
 
it's about average..
 
Hmm I see... I guess I could be doing better.

Thanks for that.

Actually I forgot that it includes all the pipings and pump as well.. I'm not sure that would make it any better than how I made it sound before...

Anyways. Thank you again.
 
I would look for a used tank.

eBay, craigslist, newspaper, and friends and family. Just keeping an eye out will work.

My first two tanks were bought new, since then, everything has been used.

Leaves more money to spend on fish.
 
That's a pretty good deal. I'm only saying that because I've seen similar set ups at more costly pricetags. You're from SoCal right? Well, I'm from NorCal and I'm not a retailer so I can say this without fear of reprisal: I would definitely disuade you from considering any USED tank for a number of reasons. This is a "Marine" forum and if you intend to build a reef aquarium (with corals/inverts) and you wish to be thrifty and ONLY buy things used, YOU better be absolutely sure that the previous owner has never treated his tank with any form of copper solution which I'm sure you understand is bad.

When it comes to the setup (tanks, filtrations, hardware, etc.); I recommend you DO NOT cut corners. My setup is not quite as nice and yet I paid a similar price tag. However, my house doesn't have quite that vast of space to give me that degree of freedom so I have to be extremely careful not to overstep my limitations. So, to be honest with you if it were me: I'd get it. In my opinion, the only acquisition on anything used would be light fixtures and live rock or sand since they have served a prior purpose.
 
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