Newbie needs your help.

I am new to salt water setups and have just started assmebling my parts.. My goal is so to have some coral and a few fish.

I bought a 125 ga (1/2 inch thick glass with custom stand. It was a bit expensive for a used tank but the tank looks amazing with the custom stand. It included the tank and stand 100lbs of crushed rock, 3 containers of salt, testing materials and chemicals, a used Eheim 2217 and Eheim 2229 and some other misc for $750 CND delivered.

The stand I bought looks very unique but does not have any cabinets, though it is open on the backside. The seller suggested casters, but I've read mixed reviews on them. I've found some low profile high weight (600+lbs/each) casters. What are your thoughts on this (I'd prefere to keep everything under the stand which is empty)?

I have read a lot about having the largest volume possible and using a seperate tank as a sump seems like a good way to do this but do you guys think I could manage without this?

I know I need a lot of other equipment including live rock, lights,etc so I was considering buying another used set and selling off the parts I don't use. What do you guys think (since it will likely be cheaper than buying seperately)?
Here is the other used system: $1650 CND
150 gallon tank w/starfire glass (24x24x5') - Sell this later
90 gallon tank (sump) (24x24x48") - sell b/c too big to fit?
Ocean Runner Skimmer (aquamedic ocean runner OR3500)
Calcium Reactor (good for 500 gallon tank) - needs new calcium
Coral View Metal Hal-Lights (2-250's) -needs new bulbs
T 5's (2) w/deflector
Live Rock (approx. 200 pounds)
Crushed coral substrate
Power Heads; pumps; heaters; test kit; salt; mixing tank w/float and pump; extra skimmer; plus more

Is this a smart way to go? Or would you guys suggest buying only what I need seperately? I just got scared away when I saw that MH that are similar seem to sell for about $1000.

 

i would by what you need as you need it... unless you have a money tree in the back yard...

 

you can get halides for cheaper than 1000... I would say that it is not worth it to buy that set up. Just go and buy your own new stuff.

 

Thanks for reply guys!

Which of those parts would be worth buying then?

 

maybe the skimmer if its priced nicely... you can go with the live rock a while if your getting water put in the tank soon, it will cut down on your cycle

 

unless there is something wrong with that used set up your looking at, I'd consider using it instead of your new 125, especially if it's up and running and looks cool, although it seems like a lot of money. How does Canadian currency compare? if it's close to US $ then 1650's probably a bit high.

 

What about just trying to get the

Skimmer, Calcium reactore, Lights, live Rock (approx. 200 pounds),Crushed coral substrate
Power Heads; pumps; heaters; test kit; salt; mixing tank w/float and pump; extra skimmer.

Essentially everything except the tanks.

I still have the problem of how to hide everything given that my tank does not have any doors. I dont' think it can be altered either without doing damage to the structure:

 

Actually, his tank is not set up anymore. He seems to have everything stored well since his loss 2 months ago. He left someone to look after his tank and it did not go well.

 

physics dictate doors. You will spend a great deal of time meddling in your fuge. You just have to. It's un-avoidable. Putting it on casters and rolling it around will be a never ending pain....if it's even possible. This set up will weigh about 2000lbs all said and done, so even if your floors are smooth and very hard, rolling it will be dangerous and difficult. If they are not even smooth and hard???!!! I wouldn't even try.

 

Crap, that is bad news for me. I should have known better than to go for the look of the stand!