Getting back into the hobby...is this a good deal?

appleton71 · Jul 10, 2016

Twenty years ago I sold my 75 gallon saltwater setup due to lack of space. It was pretty simple: hob biowheel filter, undergravel filter with two powerheads, a couple chunks of live rock for decoration and a few fish. I see things have evolved quite a bit since then.

I'm looking to do a 125 gallon FOWLR tank and the prices are kinda scary. Then I ran across this:

125 Gallon overflow glass aquarium. complete set up with:
Black cabinet stand
Canopy
Glass tops
Led lights
72" florescent and halide fixture with 3 ballasts (needs bulbs)
Reef Octopus Skimmer
Pump
Oceanic 150 trickle filter
heaters
UV Sterilizer
Powerheads
Lots of live rock(large rubbermaid bin and 5 gal bucket full)
Many other accessories such as extra canister and hang on back filters , water testers, additives/suppliments, hydrometer, extra power heads, plumbing parts, and much more, too much to list.

They're asking $800. Is this a good deal? It sure would make it easier to get back into the hobby.

Thanks for any input.

Leslie Tabor · Jul 10, 2016

I would say yes just in the tank and stand! I tried to get a "free" tank from a friend and it was a joke...so take the condition into account very seriously. Might be overkill for FOWLR but for that price, if it is in good shape, I would!!

twilliard · Jul 10, 2016

If the aquarium is in good shape and well taken care of yes!

4FordFamily · Jul 10, 2016

Agree if in good shape that's not a bad deal

mcarroll · Jul 10, 2016

Not terrible, not great.

You'll want LED lighting. A simple replacement isn't too expensive - around the cost of a new set of bulbs for the old fixture.

Some of that gear is not very ideal - like trickle filter. Often those have odd shapes or features to support the trickle function that limit their volume (and usefulness) when converted to a modern sump.

Id try to find a used tank and skimmer separately and add an ordinary tank like a 50 gallon (36x18x18) underneath for the sump.

You may or may not spend more, but I think you'll be happier with the gear.

jsker · Jul 10, 2016

Welcome to R2R, and welcome back to reefing. Yes things are very expensive and progress a lot since you left. I took a break for 10 years and after wanting to get back in, put together a budget setting a system like I would have 10 years ago. After all the reading and advances in lighting, pumps, controllers I blew that budget out of the water

I always had Fowlrs and tried a couple of corals and they did not make it in the past. This system I wanted to grow corals and I have had success with all the new toys that are out.

$800 is a great deal with all the equipment for you needs and if you want to do different like throw a couple of corals in

you can. I would look at a use sump though, it is so much easier to maintain the filtration for a clean look of you DT

Frop · Jul 10, 2016

Just do a quick search on the sump/protein skimmer/lighting on eBay. Usually those things are expensive. I got my dry rock $3/lb and i think live rock was $5/lb at the LFS.

appleton71 · Jul 10, 2016

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to look at it tomorrow evening and the seller is going to be sending me some pictures tonight. Here's a picture from when it was set up:

appleton71 · Jul 10, 2016

Okay, got some pictures. The ad did say it needs to be scrubbed up but from what I've read, that shouldn't be too hard. Any input on the pics? Since my original setup was much simpler, I don't even know what some of the stuff is.

Humblefish · Jul 10, 2016

Gonna need some cleanup. The sump and how he did the plumbing is a little weird.

ngvu1 · Jul 10, 2016

What state or area is this? I think you should post on your local forum to get a better idea. The fair price is all relative basically....

reef_junkie · Jul 10, 2016

appleton71 said:
Okay, got some pictures. The ad did say it needs to be scrubbed up but from what I've read, that shouldn't be too hard. Any input on the pics? Since my original setup was much simpler, I don't even know what some of the stuff is.

Its modern, so that's a plus. The buildup is algae, a mild vinegar soak will do all the hard work for you.
I agree with the sump being wierd. If it were me I'd dump that and use a 45 gallon long as a sump.

ReeferBob · Jul 11, 2016

I paid $375 for a brand new RR 125g. $800 is the top end of what all that is worth. It would cost you more to get it all new, but not much more. Everything but the tank, stand, *maybe* the lights and a BIG *maybe* the skimmer and heaters is all that is really useful. That trickle filter is worthless for reasons others have stated. Heaters are usually iffy unless they are tier one brands like eheim they are trash (like Cobalt). Skimmer is great if it works. Often in the condition of the other stuff listed the skimmer pumps are dead. Pumps cost most than 1/2 a new skimmer. Same with the sterilizer - bulbs can cost half the price of a new unit. Tread with caution! I'd offer $500 and see where it goes.

appleton71 · Jul 11, 2016

I checked it out this evening and decided to go for it. I got it for a decent price because the seller wanted it gone. It turns out that they had been neglecting it (hence the algae growth) and one day their cat decided to knock the UV sterilizer off the back and drain 2/3 of the tank onto the floor.

I'm going to redo the sump/refugium and get a new protien skimmer since the one he had is a hob. Picking it up Friday. Let the fun begin!

Frop · Jul 12, 2016

appleton71 said:
I checked it out this evening and decided to go for it. I got it for a decent price because the seller wanted it gone. It turns out that they had been neglecting it (hence the algae growth) and one day their cat decided to knock the UV sterilizer off the back and drain 2/3 of the tank onto the floor.

I'm going to redo the sump/refugium and get a new protien skimmer since the one he had is a hob. Picking it up Friday. Let the fun begin!

Post the photos when it is setup pleaseeee :>