56 gal Marineland column

So I've been working to set up a 45 gal column and come to find out its actually a 37 gal (and badly scratched) so I have decided to look for something else. This is to replace a 25 gal I have set up currently. I checked out a LFS yesterday and found a 56 gal marineland tank w/overflow (30LX18DX24H). They are asking $450 for the tank and stand but I'm thinking they may work on the price for me since it's collected about an inch of dust. My question to you guys, is this a decent tank? What is a fair price for the set up?

I'm planning to use a 4X24 T5ho light(its a month old), would that be sufficient?
I also have an SWC 120 for the skimmer and dual BRS reactor.
I have already put together a sump out of a 10 gal, would this be too small for this tank?

I'm trying to maximize the available space I have to work with, which is 36"L X 18"D and still use the lighting, skimmer etc. Does anyone have any other tank suggestions?

 

If you plan on keeping coral, that light will not work at all unless you only want low light softies and sponges. I would recommend a 250w metal halide for that tank IMO. If I were you I would get a 40g breeder its 36x18x16 tall

 

I definatly think that if you want to go bigger i would go bigger I also like the look of the cube. You have suficant lighting for it but I would think you would only be able to keep select SPS if any IME but you could also supplemnt with leds and keep virtually whatever if that became a problem. the tank new online is 230.00 and you could build the stand for it retively easy. just my thoughts on it

 

I want clarification on why that would be insuficant lighting?

 

4x24w on a 24in deep tank?? I was saying that it was insufficient for any coral besides softies and maybe some LPS near the top of the tank. That amount of light limits the coral selection greatly.

 

I would thinnk it would depend on which type of corals and the bulbs that were place into the fixture. But you are correct on the halides they would work better but he can keep the fixture and supplement with more t5s late ror even leds and be fine with the current fixture.

 

He would probaly have to go with LED because he doesn't have that much space to work with on top of that tank. Maybe 2-3 of boostleds PAR30's?

 

I have the boosts and am planning on using 8 over a 75 gallon so i would think 3 wold be plenty but he could just as easily add 2 more and just run the leds and be fine.

Back to the topic at hand I would try and talk them down definatly as much as there willing to go 400 sounds about right for a new tank and stand but like I said you can build a stand for 100.00 and save you soma money right there. Keep the light and yes it will work for what you have now but be prepared to supplement later if need be.

 

yeah i would upgrade the lighting, to OP may be able to put single reflectors and better bulbs and get better par, but all in all i would go halides, only cuz that is my experience and they have alot of back up..leds are getting great but are sooo expensive..i like the idea of the par38 or 30s

and if it were me i would get the tank for $230 online and then build a stand for around 75$ depending on how nice you want it..they arent hard to build and people have tons of diy threads with pics and everything..

 

i would offer the guy 325 for the whole setup..especially if it is collecting dust..maybe 300 and then work up..