Average cost to maintain reef tank

[Jerine]

Hi Everyone,

I am setting up a new reef tank and I'm always hearing that I should go as big as I can afford and accommodate. But, I as we all know the cost of having a reef aquarium doesn't stop at the initial setup so my question to all you experienced reefers is how much money are you spending each month to maintain your tanks?

I currently have a 90 Gallon but I have an opportunity to go as large as 150 Gallons. This tank will eventually be an SPS dominant tank with a large bioload, just to give you a gauge as to what I'm thinking with this setup.

Any input you all could give would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[this is me]

On my 200gallon with 2x250W DE MH running 7 hours a day, 4x39W T5s running for 9 hours a day, 2x250W heater, pumps, and everything else, the electricity alone is about $50 a month. This is without the electricity price hike that supposed to go up 37% this Winter.
I do 10% water change every week with IO salt. ~$35 per 200gallon box when on sale. Dosing with BRS salts, carbon, and GFO that I usually spend ~$200 a year.
All in all, I think an average of $70-$100 a month for the tank not accounting the livestock you put in is a safe number to go with.

 

[hlaalu]

My 120 gal costs about $12 a month in electricity. I have an ehiem pump, reef octopus skimmer, two kessill 360s, powerheads, auto top offs, etc. The killer for me was the summer months here in Vegas, had to keep the ac on for the tank. But my energy bill for my whole house this month is only $45.

For salt, I buy reef crystals off amazon. Always buy in bulk.
For water I use an ro/di system that I use for my drinking water so I don't count that as a fish expense

I think the biggest cost in a tank are the lights, so get some nice LEDs

 

[trueblackpercula]

http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php/tank-electrical here is a good start

 

[ghbrewer]

Very subjective conversation, it all comes down to what you plan to run on the tank and your maintenance routine.

 

[toothman]

Try to shoot for less than one months pay.

 

[trueblackpercula]

Try to shoot for less than one months pay.

lol

 

[ghbrewer]

try to shoot for less than one months pay.

lmao...

 

[GrindingNemo]

Try to shoot for less than one months pay.

Well said

 

[Reefvet]

Try to shoot for less than one months pay.

Nah, half your annual income.

You don't need anything else besides a great reef tank do you ? :crazy1:

 

[Stevenliu9]

Reef tank isn't cheap. And honestly from my experience, if I can start over, I'd go with the BEST equipment possible from the get go (unfortunately this often translates to most expensive). The point is, with sub-par equipment you'll end up wasting more money dealing with livestock health issues, and subsequent upgrades that will only cost you more. And everyone here is right, the monthly light bill is what's scary. As a data geek, I actually have a spreadsheet put together for all the electrical costs. I tried to put it into layman's term here: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4677836083591887822#editor/target=post;postID=7716815908458682128;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=58;src=postname

 

[hlaalu]

Reef tank isn't cheap. And honestly from my experience, if I can start over, I'd go with the BEST equipment possible from the get go (unfortunately this often translates to most expensive). The point is, with sub-par equipment you'll end up wasting more money dealing with livestock health issues, and subsequent upgrades that will only cost you more. And everyone here is right, the monthly light bill is what's scary. As a data geek, I actually have a spreadsheet put together for all the electrical costs. I tried to put it into layman's term here: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?b...onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=58;src=postname

Agree 100%. Decide what equipment you want, save up and buy it from the start. I've wasted hundreds on sub par equipment just to get the tank going only to replace it months later.

And start turning off the lights in your house when you're not in the room! Lol

 

[MrSandman]

Also depends on where you live and the electrical rates. I'm in socal and I'm guessing it's around $75 a month just in electrical costs.