I need some objective opinions!

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JMaffei

Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Joined
Jun 17, 2003
Messages
13
Location
Stockton, CA
Ok, here's the situation. Money is tight but I have found what I think is an awesome freaking deal! I am wanting to start a SW tank and have found the following items for sale. I would like an outside opinion as to whether or not this is a good buy. I don't want to be blinded by the fact that this is something that I really want! Here is the list that the owner gave me:

AQUARIUM

180 GALLON GLASS FISH TANK
4 DOOR BLACK STAND

THE DEFLECTOR BY BOWDOIN PRODUCTS
JBJ AQUALIGHTING FIXTURE

FILTERS
1 GIANT RECTANGLE FILTER
3 HAGEN FLUVAL 303 CANISTER FILTERS
1 HAGEN FLUVAL 403 FILTER
1 BOX FLUVAL 403 FOAM

HEATERS

PUMPS
2 RIO 2100 PUMPS 692g.p.h.
1 BERLIN PUMP BY RED SEA FISH PHARM

3 NETS

BIG CORAL ROCKS

CHEMICALS

RED SEA FISH PHARM CALCIUM PRO MINI LAB TEST
DRY TAB PHOSPHATE PO 3 4 TEST KIT
SALTWATER MASTER LIQUID TEST KIT
KH TEST BY AQUARIUM PHARMACEUTICALS
MARDEL AQUA LAB TOXIC AMMONIA TEST STRIPS

8oz. KENT ZOE MARINE VITAMIN & MINERAL SUPPLEMENT
8oz. KENT MARINE STRONIUM & MOLYBDENUM MINERAL SUPPLEMENT
8oz. KENT MARINE CONCENTRATED LIQUID CALCIUM
8oz. KENT MARINE PHYTOPLEX
8oz. KENT MARINE RX P
8oz. KENT MARINE PRO CLEAR MARINE CLARIFIER
250ml. KENT MARINE REGENERABLE TOXIC METAL SPONGE

4oz.. ALGATE DETROYER LIQUID
PROPER PH 6.5 BY AQUARIUM PHARMACEUTICALS
4oz. BRITE N' CLEAR WATER CLARIFIER
8 2.25oz. PACKAGES OF AQUARIUM ENZYMES
2 15lb. BAGS OF INSTANT OCEAN
20oz. AMMO-CARB FOR FRESH WATER
1 GALLON KONDON AMQUEL WATER CONDITIONER
AQUATRONICS WOUND CONTROL
4oz. CYCLE BIOLOGICAL AQUARIUM SUPPLEMENT BY ROLF C. HAGEN

Sorry that this post is sooo long but I need the opinion of the experts here at the forum. I have been bargaining with the owner and I can get everything for $600.00US. Any thoughts or opinions? I think this is the best deal I could ever hope to find! Can anyone give me an idea of what I would be looking at retail cost? Any/all info/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
James
 
I think retail cost you'd be looking at way over 2000.00, although it's been awile since I've looked at the cost of any of this stuff. FWIW, when pricing a used system, the only thing I look at are tank, stand, pumps and filters, only the hardware.
 
so far i have:
75 gal tank and stand 400.00
30 gal long to turn into sump 51.00
3 maxijet pumps for circulation 65.00
light being made 494.00 with out bulbs
VELOCITY PUMP T4 165.00
LCD DIGITAL 250W TITANIUM HEATER 52.00
PRO-HEAT IC HEATER 200W 24.95
4 bags southdown playsand 15.00
1266.95 with more yet to buy ie bulbs for light probably around 250.
 
Although I see a lot of pieces you won't need, that's a good deal. I would jump on it. I'm sure you realize that you'll have to put a lot of money in this setup to get it going though. You can always sell off the extra canisters and stuff.
 
Thanks for the opinions. I agree that the hardware is the most important part when buying used goods RR. Logan, I agree that there are a lot of "extra's" with this deal. I just wanted to show those of you who responded what I was seeing when looking at this investment. I was thinking along the same lines as you Logan as far as selling of the "extra's" that aren't needed to recoup some of my money. Then I can purchase exactley what I want for my new aqaurium. This way I will be at a minimal investment with what will hopefully be a pretty sweet setup!
 
The 180 Gal buildup in the DIY section might be of some help to you...it's not really well documented because I have a junky camera.
 
Just for comparison I've been shopping for a 180gal tank recently and my LFS quoted me $650.00 for an AGA 180 gal, drilled with 2 overflows installed. I didn't check on the price of a stand because I plan on installing this tank in a wall.

Brian
 
I took time to read the DIY post you started on building up a 180. I found it to be very informative as to what issues I might run into when setting up what will hopefully be my 180 today! have to find a time that works for the owner and myself to make the transaction. I am sure that I will be asking a whole lot of questions when my build process begins as I have never took on a challenge larger than a 55!

James
 
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