Does this quote sound right?

[NBZAK]

Hi I'm new to SW, but not to fish. I'm building a new house with a room divider tank that is 72 x 24 x 30 225 gal. The tank is bought & paid for. (Acrylic) Since I am a newbie I asked my SW guy for a quote on setting me up. Well, the first quote he gave me stated a list of products with total and he said this was at his cost as a relative of mine works for him:
1- Acrylic sump 36 x 24 x 24
2- (2) custom filter plates
3- 200 lbs tide line sand
4- (1) 200 watt heater
5- 200 lbs grotto rock
6- (2) Gen-x pumps
7- (1) Ocean Clear canister filter
8- (1) 25 watt UV sterilizer
9- (1) 40 watt 50/50 lighting
10- All plumbing, parts, valuves, hose, clamps, etc
11- Power strips, xtension cords, light timers, etc
12- Skimmer/pump
13- Salt mix--225 gallons
14- (2) Bio-core filters
15- Liquid supplements- vitamins, de-clor, clarifer, etc

Total $2,300.00 Tax and installation not included

I asked him for an itemized list with brands and prices. Weeks later I have finally recv'd another quote as follows:

1. Acrylic sump $200.00
2. (2) filter plates 70.00
3. 200 lbs tide-line sand 165.00
4. (1) 200 watt heater 35.00
5. 200 lbs grotto rock 175.00
6. (2)Gen -x pumps 320.00
7. (1) ocean Clear canister filter 155.00
8. (1) 25 watt UV sterilizer 145.00
9. (1) 40 watt 50/50 lighting 125.00
10. All plumbing......etc 200.00
11. Power strips..........etc 150.00
12. Skimmer/pump 300.00
13. Salt mix - 225 gallons 60.00
14. (2) Bio-core filters 100.00
15. Liquid..................etx 100.00

Total of Project not including install or taxes $2,300.00

Does any one have any comments on this? As I am new to SW but not dumb. My questions are still what is the brand for the skimmer, UV, and (1) 40 watt 50/50 lighting does this lighting even sound correct for a 225gal fish w/ some corals to start. I don't think so. He doesn't tell me what kind of Salt he'd be using or heater. Plus I told him that I would supply my own Live rock and that my tank is custom with 12 elec outlets in place so no need for extension cords.

Thanks for listening to me vent, any advise? And what is a 40 watt 50/50 lighting used for. I've always been planning on using 250-400 MH or entertaining the idea of a Solaris.

[Toddrtrex]

It is getting late, so can't answer all of them, but will try to touch on a few.

First, I think that extra lights are for the fuge.

2. (2) filter plates 70.00 ---- what for ?
4. (1) 200 watt heater 35.00 --- maybe go for 2, 100 watt ones.
7. (1) ocean Clear canister filter 155.00 ---- I personally am not a fan of canister filters.
8. (1) 25 watt UV sterilizer 145.00 --- Indifferent about -- I don't use one -- others like them.
11. Power strips..........etc 150.00 --- maybe skip, spend a little more and get a controller.
14. (2) Bio-core filters 100.00 --- IMO, not needed.
15. Liquid..................etx 100.00 --- use that money on an RO/DI unit won't need them if you go with RO/DI.

[USC-fan]

I would just buy my own equipment. You might end up spending a little bit more but you will have a lot better equipment.

[hahnmeister]

(1) ocean Clear canister filter 155.00

whats that for? you usually dont want this on a reef.

[luke33]

Here's my thoughts

[I asked him for an itemized list with brands and prices. Weeks later I have finally recv'd another quote as follows:

1. Acrylic sump $200.00(ok I guess)
2. (2) filter plates 70.00(What are these for?)
3. 200 lbs tide-line sand 165.00(ok i guess)
4. (1) 200 watt heater 35.00(your going to need more than 200w for that size tank)
5. 200 lbs grotto rock 175.00
6. (2)Gen -x pumps 320.00(hopefully not the submergable kind)
7. (1) ocean Clear canister filter 155.00(Waste)
8. (1) 25 watt UV sterilizer 145.00(I don't use them)
9. (1) 40 watt 50/50 lighting 125.00(For fuge?.......waste)
10. All plumbing......etc 200.00(for pvc and bulkheads? no way)
11. Power strips..........etc 150.00(Holy crap, what kind of power strips are you using)
12. Skimmer/pump 300.00(Pretty cheap! what skimmer is this)
13. Salt mix - 225 gallons 60.00
14. (2) Bio-core filters 100.00(What are these)
15. Liquid..................etx 100.00(Hmmmmm)

Total of Project not including install or taxes $2,300.00

Does any one have any comments on this? As I am new to SW but not dumb. My questions are still what is the brand for the skimmer, UV, and (1) 40 watt 50/50 lighting does this lighting even sound correct for a 225gal fish w/ some corals to start. I don't think so. He doesn't tell me what kind of Salt he'd be using or heater. Plus I told him that I would supply my own Live rock and that my tank is custom with 12 elec outlets in place so no need for extension cords.

Thanks for listening to me vent, any advise? And what is a 40 watt 50/50 lighting used for. I've always been planning on using 250-400 MH or entertaining the idea of a Solaris. [/B][/QUOTE]

I think he may be taking you for a ride like most lfs do. I'd suggest 200lbs of lr or 100lbs of lr and 100lbs of base rock. You'll need some good powerheads, the MJmods are great, one good return pump, a nice fuge with chaeto and a very nice skimmer. I'd spend more money on a nice skimmer and less on alot of the stuff he recomends.

[HBtank]

I agree with the above.

Most of that is way overpriced, uneeded, or both.