Broke

[Capt_Cully]

good stuff ain't cheap, and cheap stuff ain't good

if you buy the cheap stuff, you end up replacing it. Should just buy the good stuff from the git-go. Saves you in the long run.

 

[tbittner]

And if you save your pennies now and buy the good stuff, in the long run, it will save you money.

And like I said, try to calculate out how much it's going to cost you monthly to run that piece of equipment.

Once you're up and running though, the bleeding does mostly stop. So there IS a light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[Joshsreef]

credit cards !!!!! by george - that is the answer to all our reefer problems

 

[tbittner]

:lol:

 

[Scuba_Steve]

My suggestion with a limited military budget..... Buy on the 14th and 29th after you have bought all the stuff you "need".... you know... to live

 

[mat167]

Heh my suggestion is to work part time at an LFS, wicked discounts

 

[footbagger311]

i was actually thinking about that but the places i would want to work conflict with my schedule because they have goofy hours.

 

[ShootMe]

I have my 40breeder priced at about $1700 right now. I’m not making the same mistakes again. Buying the best equipment right off the bat to save myself equipment failure and hassle down the road. ATI powermodular, vortech mk20, Aquacontroller JR, Tunze Osmolator ato plus melev’s RO/DI unit. Might have water in it by this time next year at the rate i'm going.

 

[pex]

<b>I am trying to sell my other tanks but nobody is biting.</b>

Good luck with trying to sell a tank for anything reasonable. After selling a 155, 150, and a 90 over the years I learned really fast that the re-sale value is in the crapper.

I am in the same boat that others have mentioned here. I have been buying since January and won't be set-up until August. I make a good living, but I am trying not to change my lifestyle too drastically just to set-up the system. I made mistakes in the past, and now know exactly what I need and will not settle for anything else.

Good things come to those who wait in this hobby!!!:smokin:

 

[david pinder]

Ya just think you have it bad, have not put a fish in my new tank yet and have spent about 50 grand. Just added live rock this week keep thinking I am almost there. 15x4x31"

 

[Capt_Cully]

50 G's!!!! you should charge admission! :eek2:

 

[downhillbiker]

I just got out of the "Red" last month. I had over $5000 in debt from this hobby and downhill mountain biking. It feels so good to finally be out of debt. Never again!!!

 

[reefdude04]

I agree with the capt.. Buy good stuff not crappy stuff. Buy second hand. many people get into the hobby and two months later selling off the stuff..

 

[footbagger311]

I should have gone big the first time around.

 

[BigJay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12488246#post12488246 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pex
I made mistakes in the past, and now know exactly what I need and will not settle for anything else.

Care to share some of the wisdom learned from these mistakes with a new reefkeeper?

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

You just gotta Prioritize, and have some self control.
That new pc of coral might not look too great when your stomach is yelling at you. hahaha

I've been there. like "hmmm, I wonder if I could make it thru the week on $50 for food...."

 

[Darth Wader]

Oh man, Ive been in the red since I started in this hobby. Then when I finally get some extra cash and should try and save it I'm always like "Hey, why dont I add this piece of equipment to the tank...." Then I decided to go back to school and instead of saving for school I was like "Hey, since I wont have income soon, why dont I just start another smaller tank..." It never ends I tell ya.

 

[pex]

<b>I had over $5000 in debt from this hobby and downhill mountain biking.</b>

I feel you. I use to race DH and it was actually more expensive than reefing. After a $5000 bike set-up, race fees, hotels, and spare parts it is ridiculous....but still the greatest adrenaline rush EVER!!!


<b>Care to share some of the wisdom learned from these mistakes with a new reefkeeper?</b>

Basically do not skimp on equipment. If you know that you need something do not try to get around it by taking the cheap way. It will only cost you more in the long run, and also lead to a lot of headaches. Read...read...read...and read somemore. Knowledge is your BEST friend in this hobby. Also if you think what you are about to do may be stupid...it probably is.

 

[maynardjames]

DONT WASTE MONEY ON ADDITIVES THAT DO NOT WORK. IF IT PROMISES ANYTHING THAT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT IS
VIST HERE OFTEN ENOUGH & YOU WILL FIND 90 PERCENT OF THEM DON`T. OR DO LIKE ME & WASTE LOTS OF MONEY & FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF.
BUY BEST EQUIPMENT YOU CAN EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE BIT LONGER. ALSO RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH

 

[downhillbiker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12491284#post12491284 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pex
<b>I had over $5000 in debt from this hobby and downhill mountain biking.</b>

I feel you. I use to race DH and it was actually more expensive than reefing. After a $5000 bike set-up, race fees, hotels, and spare parts it is ridiculous....but still the greatest adrenaline rush EVER!!!


<b>Care to share some of the wisdom learned from these mistakes with a new reefkeeper?</b>

Basically do not skimp on equipment. If you know that you need something do not try to get around it by taking the cheap way. It will only cost you more in the long run, and also lead to a lot of headaches. Read...read...read...and read somemore. Knowledge is your BEST friend in this hobby. Also if you think what you are about to do may be stupid...it probably is.

well i bought a new bike $1000 Haro x7 and a used Marzocchi 888 fork MSRP $1200 for $200. i wish i wouldve done the same with my reef stuff. now that i already bought everything new i get on local reef sites and they are selling halides for 1/4 of what i bought mine for and better brands too.