Let's do this again, Purchasing.

Okay you guys I had another thread asking for help on finding a good deal in Arizona for a tank with a footprint under 48" long. WELL! I decided to move some stuff around and can now accommodate a 48" long tank/stand.

I am asking for your guys' help to see what's a good deal and what isn't, and maybe what I should try talking the person down to on some ads.

One of the only requirements is that it has a built in overflow box or is at least drilled so that I can make or add an internal overflow box myself. (or at least acrylic so i can drill myself easily) ((Also want to keep it 100gallons or below)

Here are some ad's im looking at, if anyone else can help poke around at something I'd be thankful. I'm on a REALLY tight budget.

55 Gal Acrylic PRICE CUT Stand Included

Acrylic aquarium / Terrarium

120 Gallon Acrylic Aquarium, Stand & Plumbing $295

75 gallon drilled aquarium stand and canopy (pricey but comes with sump?)

100 gallon Fish Tank Aquarium

 

Personally I wouldn't go acrylic. They scratch way to easy. Gotta buy special algae scrapers. God forbid ya get a teeny tiny piece of sand stuck under the scraper!! Oh and lets not forget about possibly having to move your LR around. Be afraid, be very afraid! By time ya notice it's to late resale value is low. Nope I would go acrylic at all of course this is all just IME lol

 

I wouldn't do a 55 for a reef - too skinny for good rockscape.

The side overflow would be a turn off for me and it's acrylic - looks in good shape, though.

A 120 is one of my favorite tank sizes, but this one is acrylic.

This one is the best of this bunch, but I'm not a fan of the sump or protein skimmer. The sump is too small and why have a hang on skimmer when you've got a sump? Both are effectively worthless and you'd be paying for them.

Doesn't look drilled and the stand doesn't look like it would allow for it.

My recommendation would be to talk down the 75 quite a bit or keep looking.

 

Make a 75 your minimum size due to its 18" front to back depth, the 55 just doesn't cut it for a reef. A 90 is the same footprint as a 75 and gets you a little extra depth which is also a plus for a saltwater system. I had a 90 for 13 years and it was a good system.

I now have a Lee Mar 60" long 100G and that extra foot length makes a world of difference if you can fit it in. For a reef I would not do acrylic because it scratches so easily.

Take a look at out local AZ forum if you haven't already, there are always systems and corals for sale AZReefs.com . Its just a bunch of local reefers with no sponsorship and no support from commercial vendors of LFS so no ads and no pressure.