For something that big, I would definitely go with their recommendations. I was surprised that the shipping was so reasonable for somthing that size. All in all, not a shocking quote. I knew it was going to be over $4,000. You wanted something that will have that wow factor, this would definitely more than fit the bill, IMO anyway.
Price is right on target, although I would still like to get a used one cheaper to have more money to spend elsewhere. This is about as big as I could want.(or handle) I'm figuring about 3000 for livestock. Does that seem reasonable?
Well, in a 500 gallon tank, I don't $3,000 will go very far in regards to livestock. Think about it. That is really only about 60 pieces of coral - not even counting fish. That is not that much coral in a tank that size. Of course, your stocking should be done over a long period of time. It's not like you are going to go blow $3,000 as soon as you get the tank set up. Please, whatever you do, don't do that.
The other thing to consider is there are no guarantees that your tank won't crash and you will lose everything in it. It has happened to me and to DaveK and a whole lot of other people out there - even Eric Borneman and Steve Weast. A huge tank means potential huge financial losses if it goes south. Definitely something to consider if money is a concern.
Honestly, if it were me, I would go with a tank of about 200 gallons in size. You could still get Aquarium Obsessed or Miracles to build the tank and get Starphire glass - which I would highly recommend on a tank this size. The thing is, a tank of this size will do everything you want to accomplish and still not be insanely expensive to put together. It won't be cheap, but compared to something two or three times larger, a lot more reasonable. Maybe get a price on a 200 or 225.
The more I think about it the more I believe you are right. At 470gal+ it has become twice the system that I had anticipated. Money is not the object, the WOW factor and my own ability to maintain it is the object. I emailed them to find the price at 60x36x36. I still want a "tall" tank and plenty of width to scape. I think this would still be a WOW display and allow me to have a wide variety of inhabitants. Man, I really need to make up my mind, don't I?
My LFS has a 230 for their main display and although it is gorgeous, It looks very cramped inside and there is almost no room in front of LR for sand. Maybe it's the way they scaped it, I don't know. I'll post the other quotes when they arrive and then I'll give "my final answer" as to what size so that I can get back to planning.
I'm gonna send a pic of chucks 150 so they can see, if that's ok with chuck.
Not a bad price for the sizes. It's around what I expected. What do you think?
I got no copyrights on the photos. By all means - use them for whatever you wish.
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150 gal Custom. Born 5/7/07. 50gal, 29gal, 20gal Sumps. 30gal Frag Tank. ETSS 800 Skimmer, Deltec APF600 Skimmer. PFO Solaris Lighting on Display and Frag Tank
I'm still wondering what type of lighting is going to be sufficient to penetrate the 36" depth.
That depth will also be a PITA to do anything at the substrate level. I use a grabber to do most things in my 30" deep tank but every once in awhile, you just need to get your hand down there. I barely make it to the bottom standing on top of a ladder and darn near laying on top of the tank. I don't think I could it with a 36" depth.
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150 gal Custom. Born 5/7/07. 50gal, 29gal, 20gal Sumps. 30gal Frag Tank. ETSS 800 Skimmer, Deltec APF600 Skimmer. PFO Solaris Lighting on Display and Frag Tank
Hey, it's fun to dream. I do it all the time. But, as Clint Eastwood would say, "A mans got to know his limitations." This is one hobby that there is no end to how much money you can spend. I have never gone the cheap route, but I do try to maintain some sense of responsible spending. I try.
As far as the 200 at your LFS goes, aquascaping is everything. Could be that they have too much rock or corals or maybe they just threw a bunch of rock in there without giving it much thought. A tank of that size, if properly done, can be anyone's dream tank.
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