Newbie needs to know if this is a DEAL???

T

TDufrene

Hello All,

I am new to the saltwater hobby and have been filling by brain with all the information possible BEFORE I go out and spend big money, but mainly I dont want to kill or harm fish or coral. I am a firm believer in preserving these beautiful creatures so that our future generations can experience the wonder of this majestic world. Anyway, like I said before I am a newbie and was wondering if someone could tell me if I am getting a good deal. Here is the setup:

175G Oceanic w/ canopy and stand
Megaflow Sump 4
Vertex In-180 Protein Skimmer
Mag Drive 7 & 9.5
Aqua UV 40W w/wiper
Aqueon Overflow Kit (2)
Hydor Koralia 4 (3)
Aqualight Advance 150W 72"
PM Substrate Reactor SM
Aqualight Power Center
MagFloat 350 Glass Cleaner
JBJ True Temp 300W Heater
TLF Phosban150G
Maxijet 600 160GPH
250lbs of Live Rock
120lbs of live sand
175G of Saltwater

I have agreed to a price of 7,700 with install. Could someone tell me if I am getting a fair deal.

Thanks
 
For what you have posted, $7,700 seems way to much !! BUT this is just one opinion. Think about different options and you might be pleasantly surprised.So will your wallet ! [smilie=surprised.gif] !!
 
If you are paying that for a NEW retail install, then that is probably close to right. However, that is retail. 90-95% of that you get used for well under half that price. It all depends on if you are really wanting all new and delivered and installed.
 
Thank You All,

None of the equipment is new, used about 2 years old I figure. But all has been maintained at a LFS. All the LR has beautiful corraline alge all over it and has a few mushroom coral on it already. Plus the LFS is throwing in a 400 dollar fish credit. Does this change anyones opinion on what they previously posted???

Thank you all again for your opinions.
 
A large part of what your paying is for the delivery and install I am sure. So, yeah... Not a BAD deal, but it aint great either.
 
You must have a money tree growing in your backyard. $7,700 sound outrageous. I hope that come with a mermaid. [smilie=lol.gif]
 
I couldnt bring myself to shell out that much for a tank with used equipment. I have always bought used when I could and put it together myself.
 
@btieu wrote:
You must have a money tree growing in your backyard. $7 said:
I do have a money tree out back but it only produces singles, its still a juvenile. Later it will begin to sprout 10's then 100's. ohhhh la la. I already have a mermaid, I keep her in a tank outside next to my unicorn!!!!! LOL
Click to expand...
 
Just looking through the Sell/Trade section, these 2 setups can be had for just over a third the price of the one you're looking at.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=76419

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=77027

You could then get probably any LFS to do the move and install for $500-1000 and that's including transporting all the livestock in these systems. I think the livestock already got parted out on MBZ's but if you had jumped in when he first posted it for sale, you could have gotten a full system with REALLY nice livestock for still quite a bit less than the one you described. The sad fact of this hobby is it is expensive as can be but there is very little resale value for a complete system. If you have that much cash to spend at one time, you could end up with an awesome turnkey reef if you're willing to wait it out and browse the forum. It seems like every several days there's someone getting out of the hobby or moving who wants to sell their entire system for a relative bargain but ends up having to part out because so few people are willing or able to spend more than $2000 at one time no matter how good a deal. $400 livestock credit at an LFS really won't get you much, but if you're willing to buy a package you can get a ton of fish and corals which you can easily post for sale or trade if you want since you're having to break down the tank and transport all the livestock anyway.
 
i see 1000 just for the delivery and setup. with the equipment your getting i cant say thats a good deal. i know plenty of other setups that run cheaper and have better equipment. look in the sale section of the forum there's a few complete setups you just need to add water and maybe rock
 
Thanks alot to everyone who weighed in on their opinion.. I will let the community know what I decide and post pics of whatever I do purchase. Thanks again.
 
I'll second ReefGod's link to Mark"s (aka MBZ) tank setup. It is a proven setup at a more than fair price IMHO.
 
@TDufrene wrote:
Thanks alot to everyone who weighed in on their opinion.. I will let the community know what I decide and post pics of whatever I do purchase. Thanks again. said:
It all depends on what its worth to you. I think its a bit too high for what your getting. Example...the lights seem weak for a tank that size as well as the powerheads and the skimmer. Let me know im always available for shopping [smilie=wink.gif]
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How about a "new to the forum" tank tour. That way folks could go see what others have setup, at various levels of experience in the hobby and get a crash course on equipment used, why that equipment is being used and which brands are good marginal or best. At the same time you could begin to see what type of tank, equipment, livestock, etc. interests you before spending several thousands on something that you might not want in the long run or find out was not the right equipment for what you want. I would be willing to bet at the same time you would end up finding that many of the people have stuff for sale at a really good price at the same time. Not to mention how many great people in the hobby you would end up meeting!

By the way, I have a 175 gallon oceanic with lots of equipment, coral, and fish that I would sell for 7k and then be happy to start over with that in my pocket. That way I could get MBZ's tank!
 
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