200 gal. tank set-up

[L.BelcherII]

So I'm thinking upgrade, and I'm thinking 200 gallon.

I've found a tank, that needs a little rehab work for a reasonable price, but it's just the tank. no stand, nothing.

what will be the approx. price tag to get this thing going, and what should I be looking at for equipment. It's going to house 2 Oscars, 1 pleco, and a four-line catfish.

 

[santoury]

Figure about $300 for a nice stand - or use a sturdy supporting device of your own making - A table? Concrete blocks - be creative.
Filtration will be the biggest purchase, as weill as heating units. (plural) Probably be looking at $500 to do the job right by the tank for filtration / heating.

2 oscars and a couple other fish isn't a heavy load. You could get away with two AquaClear 500's or something like that. In that case, figure $200 total for filters/heaters.

Oh, and don't forget gravel - The 25 pound natural gravel bags are the inexpensive way to go. $14.99 or so, About 4 or 5 of those.

Depending on your budget - you have many possibilities.

 

[L.BelcherII]

Oh I forgot to mention this is going to be a Low Budget project.

 

[chico3611]

2x4s are an inexpensive way to make your own stand, I just made a stand for my 150...i'd say I used less than 10 2x4s and there only $2.20 each by me. Throw in a box of pressure treated screws and you are on you way. The stand gets expensive in the finishing but if your ok leaving the 2x4 frame structure up your good to go. Another great way to cover it up is geting some black cloth from a rag shop and have it cover up the framed stand. Ive seen the cloth drapped over concrete blocks and it looked great.

I almost forgot, the cheapest filtration is probably a home made wet/dry and the most expensive part will be the pump depending on how many gph you want to push. That the stage im currently in making the wet dry. Plenty of examples here on how to.

 

[Dr Joe]

What's your skill level? ( if given a screwdriver would you hurt yourself before you figured out how to use it )

Are you a good scrounger? Ask freinds & family for stuff (pieces of pvc pipe, 2x4s, cement blocks, even a couple is just that much less you have to buy), I mentioned doing this once to a guy I'd just met and he gave me 2 pond & 1 pool pump(s) and a big filter (he was glad to get rid of them) . Ask at construction / remodeling sites if you can scrounge their dumpsters, just don't make a mess.

Also look up http://www.freecycle.org/ for your area and ask if anyone has the stuff you need, good place to get rid of things too!

with chico3611 follow his lead. You can do this thing for cheap if you really try.

Good Luck and keep us posted...

Dr Joe

.

 

[soulFish]

Check this link out: http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/75g_stand/index.shtml

I made this one for my 90. The measurments could be modified to accomodate a 200.

 

[chico3611]

So did you decide on getting the 200?

 

[eman b115]

Check this link out: http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/75g_stand/index.shtml

I made this one for my 90. The measurments could be modified to accomodate a 200.

That's a nice stand.