Wanting to get back into the hobby

[purplegorilla]

So it has been years since I have been in the hobby. Lately the urges seem to be itching and next thing I know I am here searching. Anyways, where is the best place (which equates to cheap most of the time) to buy a 130-150 gallon tank with stand and canopy. I am interested in starfire glass if possible or custom build. Any input would be greatly appreciated..I know many years ago when I was into the hobby, I use to shop at the Fish Store a lot down near Lenox mall. It was great back then, kind of pricey but haven't been back since. Probably will make a trip down there sometime this week.

 

[vettesarebest]

Welcome back!, As far as tanks go I would definitely recommend Marine Fish in Mariette. They are a sponsor and they also have great prices.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

Welcome back, I took 6 years off from the hobby and have loved every min of things since I have been back. ALOT has changed in the hobby in th epast 6 years. I do not know how long you have been out, but there is most likely ALOT of reading in your future. IMHO the best place to buy a cheap tank is used on the boards. If you wanted new, there are a few places who do custom work like glasscages.com and others. It depends on how much you want to spend and what you are looking for.

 

[cameron]

Best deal is to hold out and buy used. There are usually one that size coming through each month or so. If you want new, Marine Fish has a great discount for ARC members and Cap Bay has some of the prettiest custom tanks around. Might also check out Petland Alph. I don't know what they have left and I don't think it is custom, but you can probably talk a good deal on a good sized tank there.

 

[purplegorilla]

Cameron;41661 wrote: Best deal is to hold out and buy used. There are usually one that size coming through each month or so. If you want new, Marine Fish has a great discount for ARC members and Cap Bay has some of the prettiest custom tanks around. Might also check out Petland Alph. I don't know what they have left and I don't think it is custom, but you can probably talk a good deal on a good sized tank there.

I have thought about that..In fact thats why last nite I called up my brother who lives in Texas and still has a couple of tanks that he maintains. He recommended to get custom with the Starfire glass. As for used tank and equipment, here are my thoughts:

1. MOst of the time people sell it as a package (pump, sump, etc..) so I might be buying something I don't need and end up buying something elses. Of course some will part out so I guess I just have to sit patiently and wait.

2. A used tank could be someone's problem or a quick repair to sell..I am not experience enough to recognize future problems. Unless there is something I can look for.

P.S. Last time I was in the hobby was like 8 yrs ago.

 

[cameron]

Most of the big systems are well maintained and you will know a quality system the minute you step in the door of the place it is kept. If it has been established for 6 months plus you really can't go too wrong. Also the price on a used tank with equipment is usually less than a new tank. You can part out what you don't want or just keep it for backup. Patience and jumping quick is the key. Somebody had a monster system that had some of the finest equipment around for 4k on the boards. Normally that is way too much of an asking price, but his system had quality components every step of the way.

 

[matttvi]

Well, I may have a brand new, never used Sequence Snapper that I could sell you for your closed loop...

 

[ejorg2]

As far as stands go, Cappuccino Bay has the best looking ones around that I've seen. They look like custom builds. Price is pretty good too.

 

[nishant3789]

we have an 120 tank and stand and canopy we are just aching to get rid of....

 

[kappaknight]

GlassCages.com can also build custom starphire glass tanks.

 

[petrasb]

I have been thinking of selling my 175 bow front set up, I am moving soon & cannot take it with me. No expense was spared, I have well over 12k invested. It has been set up for about 8 months now. All corals, inverts, fish are doing great! Sps has realy started to take off the last 3 months.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

purpleGORILLA;41670 wrote:
P.S. Last time I was in the hobby was like 8 yrs ago.

Hey Purple, I feel your pain, I was in the hobby back when skimmers were just reaching the mass public and a CPR was the best thing since sliced bread. Man, ALOT has changed.

Cameron is right, for getting back in, you can not beat a used system. There are some REALLY nice ones that come on here from time to time. Befriend a "mentor", become a member, and I am sure someone will help you pickout something that will work for you and save you ALOT of money in the long run. That is to say, if money is an option. Seriously, I know for some members it is not. For others, like me, I am ALWAYS looking for the best deal I can afford at that very moment.

In hind sight, if I had to give one piece of advice, as someone that was out of the hobby for a long while while things really changed. Make sure you read before you even think about what system you want to go with or start planning things out. Some things we used to use 8 years ago (wet/drys, PC lights, Etc) are a thing of the past IMHO, things we never could keep because the technology was not there (SPS, Some types of fish and inverts) are now common. There is alot to know and setting it all up right the first (or second time for some of us) goes along way.

Just my advice.

 

[purplegorilla]

Thanks everyone for the inputs..Yesterday was my day off so after getting the replies, I decided to visit Marine Fish in Marietta. They sure do have some nice tanks, I didn't have a chance to go to Capucinno Bay but will probably do it this weekend. I tried to see if being a ARC will get a discount on the tanks the guy that works there said no. However he was willing to cut me a good deal if I get the set up.

 

[cameron]

You don't get a discount for being ARC, but they will give you a gift card for a percentage of the tank. I bought my tank and stand there. I got 20% off the stand and 50% off the tank plus a 20% of purchase gift card. It was still way more expensive than a used setup, but a good deal nonetheless. If you stretch into the 2k market, Cap Bay has some wickedly beautiful stands. If you want something less expenisve seriously check out PetLand Alph. They are trying to create room so some tanks have to go. I am sure they will work you out a sweet deal for some corals as well.