6foot tank or larger owners I have questions

[fijiwigi]

I am curious. I would love a 6foot tank but most likely won't get one for a really long time but, if you don't mind I have a curious mind about the initial expenses

• What size tank do you have and how much did you pay for just the tank ?
• Where did you get your tank from ?
• Did you buy a stand or build one?
• How much was your lighting?
• Is it glass or acrylic?
• Did you have to re-inforce your flooring?

[melosu58]

1. I have a 125 gallon tank and paid 350.00 brand new
2. Bought it from the LFS
3. I bought the stand but did not get a canopy.
4. I got VHO retro fits and paid 250.00 for the LFS to build it.
5. Glass
6. Not yet but I am concerned and want to check it out.

And of course here is my tank. I just have a reflector dome over 2 50/50 and 2 super actinic bulbs. It also has a 40 gallon long tank under it as a refugium.

[neilanh]

Are you curious about SW or FW?

My 6 footer is FW, very different from a SW setup

[fijiwigi]

Just kinda curious about the tank in general anticipating a SW setup

[neilanh]

Well, I got a new tank second-hand for $200 from another member on here. It's a standard glass tank and I bought the stand locally. I'm only running 312W of light, so probably not relevant to your SW question, and I set it up in the basement so no concerns of reinforcing the floor.

[ccCapt]

1- 125 Perfecto CornerFlo Reef Ready - $269 brand new
2- That Fish Place
3- Built stand/canopy
4- Lights: 3 new Iwasaki MH bulbs $70 ea, 3 new reflectors $30 ea, 1 new ballast - I already had 2 ($25), VHO electronic ballast $50, 2 6' VHO bulbs $25 ea
5- Glass
6- Yes, probably didn't need to, but used a house jack under the tank in the basement

[Zagz]

I have a 125 gal tank used, came with stand, lights, 2 cannister filters and heaters, glass tops, substrate and rocks, paid $1000.00. Also have a 135 gal got a steal, came with stand, lights, substrate, glass tops, ornaments, 2 HOB's and 1 cannister filter for $500.00.

The 125 gal runs perpendicular to the joists so no reinforcement was required. The 135 runs parellel to the joists so I added 2x6 reinforcements as a precaution.

[roka64]

I have a 125 Glass. I got it from a LFS that was going out of business. I paid around $1000 for the tank and majestic stand. I also have it running along the center joist, so I didn't reinforce the floor.
Neilan, that was supposed to be a reef tank!

[ryshark]

I just bought a 180-gallon 6-footer

1. 72x24x24 $1200 with 2-overflows, black back and thicker acrylic
2. LFS ordered it from a well known acrylic tank company
3. Purchased from LFS stand and canopy $686
4. I think between 2-halide reflectors ballasts and bulbs it will cost around $600... I am going to try to utilize the VHOs I have now for supplemental actinic lighting.
5. Acrylic- only because I live in California. Otherwise I would get glass with a Starphire front panel
6. No reinforcement my house is on a concrete slab and the tank is on the first floor.

[amo]

Looking at starting a 55 to 75 gal. Unfortunately I have moved out of the burbs and into a condo in chicago. I wanted to put the tank in my office. The floor scares me. I hear people reinforcing their home floors. I wouldn't know where to start here. Figure it will be about 650 pounds to 800 pounds.... just an estimate. Any input from anyone in a condo? Thanks

[RogerMcAllen]

Originally Posted by Zagz

The 125 gal runs perpendicular to the joists so no reinforcement was required. The 135 runs parellel to the joists so I added 2x6 reinforcements as a precaution.

I did the same thing with reinforcement. If you place it right, a 6' tank can sit over 4 joists. As long as you sit the tank close to where the joists are supported (such as an outside wall) you shouldn't have a problem.

[intimatecple]

What size tank do you have and how much did you pay for just the tank ? 150 gal cost a case of beer (freecycle)

Where did you get your tank from ? internet search on craigslist and several freecycle sites

Did you buy a stand or build one? Built mine...roughly$250 still have canopy to build

How much was your lighting? Lighting is going to be MH and will be costing right around $650

Is it glass or acrylic? Glass

Did you have to re-inforce your flooring? no I have a 85 year old house and the joists are 4-6" X 12-18" ....extremely well built back then. I actually have 3 joists that are 10 inches wide and 16 inches high
Good luck with your build!!!

[LoriB]

Hi,
My 2 cents= I am in the process of putting in a 175 Gallon glass tank ($200 used). We had to put some lift jacks under the floor for added support (yes a must) we built our stand from 4x4 posts, drilled our own holes for return and overflows. Solaris LED lights were the most expensive. LifeReef custom Berlin Sump System w refugium. LR, LS and all the makings. My total bill for everything new has reached 5 figures (and no fish or coral yet) but almost half of that was in lights! I splurged a bit as I made the mistake with my FowlR tank of going cheap on a lot of stuff and paid the price for it not only with dead fish but with mechanicals constantly needing meintenance. : (
It will be sooooooooo worth it though!!
Lori