Reef Discussion

[DavidS]

I hate working with glass.. a lot!

 

[DavidS]

First quote is $1260 for tank + overflow & drilling, and the sump. $50 delivery. Is a ballpark figure at the moment.

 

[rosechaser]

IMO get the glass edges polished....makes a huge difference in looks...bonus is, no cuts!!

 

[Dynamic]

I hate working with glass.. a lot!

Awww poor baby. Come on dude, lets do it :D

 

[DavidS]

Any thoughts on whether this is a reasonable price considering it includes drilling for overflow, etc?

 

[MTG]

what was the quote for exactly? what size sounds abit pricy,
ill give you an example. my 3x2x2 was 600 with weir 3 holes, overflow comb, black acrilic on weir. supposibly polished edges. in standard glass.

 

[DavidS]

what was the quote for exactly? what size sounds abit pricy,
ill give you an example. my 3x2x2 was 600 with weir 3 holes, overflow comb, black acrilic on weir. supposibly polished edges. in standard glass.

4x2x2 tank, 10mm glass all round $660 Drilling overflow $250-00 (for calfo ) Custom sump $350inc DSD, refuge etc

 

[marineclass]

Awww poor baby. Come on dude, lets do it :D

Id be interested to see the cost of the glass - it really cant be too hard to build, just need a few hands.

 

[MTG]

bump it up to 12mm, sounds expensive for the sump. just buy a old tank and get glass cut and make the sump yourself. my sump only cost around 150 for a brand new one. but that was only two chambers i dont like lots of sections.

 

[DavidS]

i did want a 4 section sump. Had thought about some DIY, but I don't have a usable shed, and tend to lack space to work on things like that. Not sure a sump is super difficult to build though.

 

[MTG]

i failed at making one once haha, just plan it out and take your time. i prefer the simple aproach

 

[DavidS]

I was going on the idea that I wanted to really not mess around with the glass too much (same reason I want the overflow built for me). I foresee plenty of DIY coming up already - but the glass work I really just want done. Put it this way, DIY on anything large is a pain in the ass enough in this place, that the cabinet for it will be built in SA most likely and brought back here once it's together.

Still curious to see some suggestions of other places that might worth asking for pricing to get a comparison. Obviously I want to chase a sharp price, but I'm not trying to shave the price down enough to DIY on this bit. The sump maybe, depends on what other options come up with pricing for the display tank.

 

[MagicJ]

$350 sounds a lot for a sump - you should make up your own. Just buy a standard tank, even a second hand one off e-bay would do, and some glass and silicon and a few hours of your time.

 

[DavidS]

Yeah.. starting to think the sump is pricy... what's your thoughts on cost of the display tank Shane?

 

[MagicJ]

Sorry David, can't help much with the tank. It's been many years since I bought mine - I can't afford to buy a new tank every year like these young, single guys :D.

Just to get an idea give Dave or Ernie at Reeflections in Moorabbin a call - they are pretty good to deal with.

Matt Green - why are you suggesting 12mm glass. This will add to the price, and the weight, and 10mm has been fine for my tank.

 

[DavidS]

Just sent an email to Reeflections to see what they can come up. I'll keep asking quotes for the sump as well in case someone makes it appealing.

 

[MagicJ]

Let us know how you get on David. Have you thought about second hand setup?

 

[DavidS]

Let us know how you get on David. Have you thought about second hand setup?

I figure right now is a good time to buy a good display tank - at least if it's new, the seals should last for longer, and I shouldn't have the usual marks that come with age. If I cut corners on that, I'm gonna find more things that irritate me later. Cost doesn't bother me on the display tank as long as it's competitive.

Probably not much else will be new initially. Really only wanted to consider new glass work, then go secondhand for the rest of the setup, then start replacing stuff with new over time as I can afford them.

 

[MagicJ]

Good plan - I bought my first 4x2x2 second hand and replaced it with a new one after 2 years.
Take the time now to plan the tank like you want it - put up some diagrams if you want some input. It is amazing sometimes what other people see that you have completely overlooked :D

 

[DavidS]

Heh - i'm likely to be impatient, and I can't aquascape worth a damn. My theory is get the tank and sump.. build a nice simple cabinet for it, get a decent return pump, a secondhand skimmer, get a bit of live rock, a heap of base rock, and get the tank wet. Then while it cycles and does its thing I'll worry about tweaking things.