Opinion: What's the financial "breakpoint" for reef setups? - Page 4

hahnmeister · #76 12/20/2007, 12:50 AM

I think the current pricing is about $1000 for every 120 watts you want to produce (GE units).

ricks · #77 12/20/2007, 12:55 AM

Hahn.. thanks for the link but all drab colors nothing bright. Maybe it not the light tubes but the persons tank itself... The second one looks intense but still little color

corals b 4 bills · #78 12/20/2007, 12:56 AM

Yea a friend was telling me that I can run solar on my pumps but my halides......Forget it. I would have to put solar panels on mine and my neighbors houses.

ricks · #79 12/20/2007, 12:57 AM

you ever go look at my tank???

wabio · #80 12/20/2007, 01:25 AM

I think solar panels cost around $25K for a 5-7 MW system (grid-tied).

twiggyman · #81 12/20/2007, 01:28 AM

Well from the research that I have done I have looked at the SolarWorld Power Max cells I would need 3 panels to run my tank completly. Granted each panel is about 950.00 and then you have the price of the off gride inverter and power bank. The inital investment of about 5500.00 I dont know is it worth it???? I have had a tank of some sort up for the past 6 years and I am sick of the raising energy cost...

corals b 4 bills · #82 12/20/2007, 01:38 AM

O.k. Group buy, lets see 50,000 Rc members X .......Does anyone have a calculator?!!!!!

twiggyman · #83 12/20/2007, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sherm71tank
CAR TOYS? I hope not on the audio install team. Then again with my experience with them anything is possible.

And what is that supposed to mean?

corals b 4 bills · #84 12/20/2007, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by twiggyman
And what is that supposed to mean?

I know I couldn't figure that one out either

twiggyman · #85 12/20/2007, 01:53 AM

So when are we starting that group buy??

sundancer · #86 12/20/2007, 02:20 AM

Anthony,actually our fish have higher standards than us. Our food does not cost $7.99 per oz. I don't get up at 3 am to check on my kid...

corals b 4 bills · #87 12/20/2007, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sundancer
Anthony,actually our fish have higher standards than us. Our food does not cost $7.99 per oz. I don't get up at 3 am to check on my kid...

Whoa!

wabio · #88 12/20/2007, 02:36 AM

I'll definitely be looking into hanging solartubes on my next setup. Around here, the cost of running one 400w MH 12 hours daily for 1 year = the cost of 1 solartube.

carlso63 · #89 12/20/2007, 03:58 PM

I think that one detail on the cost of the hobby that gets (somewhat) overlooked is there can be a huge cost difference between 2 identical sized setups... and that difference depends on several factors, including:

- The amount of "DIY" work involved on things like lighting, a stand / canopy, filtration / plumbing / sumps, etc.

- Equipment cost related to price differences between brands / models

- Aquascaping costs on LR and sand; do you use all "store bought" LR (maybe $7 - 10/ lb, a mix of LR and base rock, do you collect your own rock - out here in Utah we have access to genuine calcareous base rock free, right out of the ground) and similar for your sandbed

- The overall amount of "gadgetry" you include in your system...'Coralsb4bills' is a good example (don't get me wrong, his setup looks awesome but all that equipment raised his total cost per gallon considerably, I'm sure...)

- Of course, whether or not you purchase any equipment "used" vs. "new" can have a considerable impact on total cost

- Finally, stocking costs related to types of fishes, corals and inverts you keep

In conclusion, I'm not knocking anyone who chooses to go the high-dollar route - just stating that you can have a decent looking, decent sized setup without breaking the bank, if you choose carefully...

Something "newbies" might not always realize when they skim over the RC board and read how you "need" that $400 skimmer or $1300 lights - because anything less is "crap" - on that 120g tank you are thinking of setting up...and the $60 test kit instead of the $15 one; the $500 Ca reactor instead of $20 worth of 'homemade 2-part'; etc. ad infinitum...

sherm71tank · #90 12/20/2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by twiggyman
And what is that supposed to mean?

Please forgive. Lack of sleep, working two jobs, dealing with the family and trying to maintain sanity.

mollymonticello · #91 12/25/2007, 09:20 PM

Wow, those tubes on Richard's tank look like modern art. It doesn't even look like lights, almost. I talked to someone the other day who said his wife let him get these because they sat down and did the math comparing MH and these solar tube things...they are cheaper in the long run. He said just over the course of a year, he'd be saving a lot of money.

hahnmeister · #92 12/26/2007, 12:40 AM

The cost of a Sola-Tube (or equal by some other mfg) is usually less than the cost of a single halide bulb, ballast, and reflector.

twiggyman · #93 12/27/2007, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hahnmeister
The cost of a Sola-Tube (or equal by some other mfg) is usually less than the cost of a single halide bulb, ballast, and reflector.

I am have seen other manufactures, but which ones do you know of that are working well?

corals b 4 bills · #94 12/27/2007, 01:17 AM

Nemo's father would say; I think he's trying to tell us something - I just know it!

hahnmeister · #95 12/28/2007, 03:40 AM

Here's another 'skylight lit' tank some of you might want to follow...
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...5&pagenumber=1

reptilemanmark · #96 12/28/2007, 06:47 AM

The Used verses New could be a huge price break. I paid $2000 for my 144 half circle (Used) with Sump, Skimmer, 200lbs. Live Rock, Stand, Hood, Pumps. This tank new was around $2600-2800 without any equipment. I`ve bought another $1000 worth of equipment and about about the same worth in live stock. So I`m into it for around $4000 right now. I have not fiqured out what the electric costs are a month? I`m doing home brew 2 part solution to keep costs down on chemicals.