Is this a good cost for first reef tank?

[Reef keeper 103]

I’m setting up my first reef tank and this is what it will cost currently $1,984.11 for a 120 gallon tank. Is that good?

 

[dakoop]

What all is included for that price. Equipment brands vary in price quite a bit

 

[Sophie"s mom]

What dakoop said! What all comes with it? Lights? Skimmer? Sump? Refugium? UV sterilizer? Heater? There are quite a few variables before any one can say it is a good deal.

 

[VintageReefer]

Can you let us know what’s included at that price?

 

[Reef keeper 103]

Just the set up cost

 

[VintageReefer]

That’s the labor charge to set it up? It doesn’t come with equipment or a tank?

 

[Reef keeper 103]

It’s a Tank return pump rock salt mix (200 gallons) refractometer test kit for phosphate. I already have a Test for nitrate and the heater. (I forgot about the skimmer honestly) no labor charge I’m setting it up myself.

 

[Reef keeper 103]

$150 for the skimmer looks like I’m not gonna spend $3000 on the initial setup cost

 

[Reef keeper 103]

return pump is 1300 gph.

 

[Borat]

For this kind of money you can buy 10 square kilometers of ocean in Kazakistan..

 

[Reef keeper 103]

You’re kidding

 

[Sophie"s mom]

It’s a Tank return pump rock salt mix (200 gallons) refractometer test kit for phosphate. I already have a Test for nitrate and the heater. (I forgot about the skimmer honestly) no labor charge I’m setting it up myself.

How about a stand? Does that come with it?

 

[Reef keeper 103]

Are you saying I’m spending too much on a bare-bones set up?

 

[Reef keeper 103]

No, it doesn’t come with a stand

 

[Sophie"s mom]

No, it doesn’t come with a stand

Yeah, in my opinion that is too much money. What brand of tank is it?

 

[Reef keeper 103]

Tenecor.

 

[Borat]

You’re kidding

Everything is possible in a landlocked glorious country of Kazakistan.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

No, it doesn’t come with a stand

It depends on the tank. IS it already drilled for a sump set up. 120 gallon tanks, new can be anywhere from $750. to about $1400.

 

[MattPLaw]

When calculating the total price to have it up and running Also remember the cost of sand and live rock, I think the price to buy enough live rock for a 120gal tank is going to be anywhere from $500 -$1200

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Tenecor.

Ahh, okay, well that is acrylic and that makes a huge difference. So maybe the price is not so bad after all.