Buying First Aquarium

[ReefNewbie]

Hi All,

I'm getting ready to buy my first aquarium. Thinking of starting with FOWLR then eventually going to a reef. My LFS gave me this quote. Any feedback would be really helpful. Especially if I can get better pricing online...

80 gal. glass 48.5x18.3x25.5 w/built in center overflow
w/hole drilled 325.00
Moore Cabinet, drilled 290.00
Canopy, 10" tall w/fan holes 260.00
Coralife Flourescent Lighting
2x96 watt retrofit in 36" reflector 230.00
(2) 4" fans mounted in canopy 100.00
40 gal tank for sump 50.00
(2) 9000P Sedra pumps 240.00
Bulkheads,connector,tubing,returns 140.00
Timers (2) and Power Strips (2) 40.00
Via Aqua in-sump protein skimmer 180.00
(4) 20lb bags of live sand 120.00
100 lbs Fiji live Rock 500.00
(2) 11x17 200 micron filter socks 16.00
Nylon bag & Carbon 11.00
300 watt Visitherm heater 43.00
Thermometer and net 9.00
Hydrometer 19.00
(2) 50gal bags Carolife SaltMix 38.00
water conditioner, net, algae pad 15.00
All-in-One/Bugger/sea-lab blocks 50.00


Also, I'd like to get opinions on wavemakers vs. powerheads or both in your tanks...

Thanks,
Jenn

I would look to buy your live rock online becuase of cheaper prices, you can check out some of our sponsers and maybe get a discount and ask other members on experences with that website.

Another thing is the salt, I have had no problems with the one you are going to buy but you might want to look into Oceanic Sea Salt Mix, that is what I use and recommend to my customers.

Powerheads are probably going to be cheaper and a lot simplier than a wavemaker.

Instead of an algea pad you can get a Mag-Float which cleans algea but its hard to get the back of the tank.

I will respond more later because I have to go to work... One more thing you should try to haggle with the LFS on the tank price and stand and say you checked in petco or petland and they were SoAndSo cheaper. See if they go down. Happens all the time in my Fish Store

[c1ownfish]

Just a couple of comments I noticed!

(2) 4" fans mounted in canopy 100.00
Look at computer fans! They are almost the same thing and much cheaper! Take a look at radio shack!

Timers (2) and Power Strips (2) 40.00
Take a look at Home depot/Lowes! That is where I got all my timers and power strips! Just make sure you get the 3 prong ones with the grounding wire! Also look at the tubing/plumbing there! We have done all our own with stuff from there.

(4) 20lb bags of live sand 120.00
There is no reason to buy all live sand, I am sure a fellow reefer in your area has some live sand and would be willing to donate a cup to help you get started! It will seed itself pretty fast!

100 lbs Fiji live Rock 500.00
Live Rock is expensive but check around on the net! I get mine from Reefscience.com but there are alot of places that ship it for alot less than most LFS.

300 watt Visitherm heater 43.00, Thermometer and net 9.00, Hydrometer 19.00
Take a look at Petsmart if you have one! They have pretty good prices, they are larger than most lfs so they get better deals on general aquarium items. Also I get alot of my dry goods from Dr. Fosters and Smith, haven't had any problems with them and when you order enough the shipping isn't to bad!

HTH
Let me know if you have another other questions!

[Angelscrx]

Sounds like they are giving you everything except the best prices. I have found most of this stuff cheaper on line. Now that you have the list of stuff you need shop around. Petsmart, Home Depot, and Lowes are great places to shop.

[MikeS]

Hi there

Welcome to the forum!

The more DIY stuff you can do (like the stand) the less expensive the overall cost will be.

Tank...I have not priced tanks in awhile, but that seems a little steep...

Lights...IMO, I'd skip the PC's and go with a MH/VHO or MH/T5 combo...with this setup you won't be nearly as limited by light in what you can keep compared to PC's alone. If you don't want MH's, and want to stick with PC's...I'd definately suppliment them with VHO's or T5's. Again, if you can build your own canopy, you'll save a lot of money!

As for the rest of the items.....I bet you can save a lot of money by shopping around a bit....timers and powerstrips for example...go to Walmart or Home Depot. Price the rest of your equipment on the net, I bet you'll find them cheaper...

We have a good article section here.....when you get a chance, take a peek, lots of stuff on setting up your first tank...


Mike