How do you manage......?

[Shane Hoffman]

Alot of money can be saved by staying out of the LFS as much as possible and by using everyday products when possible. Nori is one example. If you buy algae sheets at the pet store they cost 9 or 10 buck. I can go to wal mart or any other grocery store and by a pack of nori 3 times th size for literraly 2 dollars. Also you can make your own two part solution as opposed to buying it.

 

[210reefer]

What I do is to try to find used equipment when I need someting and I am only replacing items that fail instead of upgrading on a regular basis like I used to before tanking a 40% pay cut 1 1/2 yrs ago. I am getting back to "normal" income levels slowly but I still am finding myself saving more than spending these days, dont get me wrong, I am spending, we all need to in order to maintain our economy just on different things like a new roof for our house or appliances to reduce energy costs, but less on hobbies.... at least for now. Reg maint costs are what they are, salt, addidatives, food, etc. and I did not cut quality there because I do not want bigger issues down the road.

 

[MoonInTn]

shane...... You said it! And that is what I've meant to say, by using everyday products instead of buying name brand things right out of the LFS or even online. Even with additives, by using everyday products, you can cut your cost a little. I'd just have to do a little research and see what could be substituted.

210reefer... Sorry to hear about the pay cut. There's been alot of us that's had to take one to keep from getting laid off. Glad to hear things are starting to come back up for you, even if it is slowly. But you've made a couple very good points. To get used equipment to replace the ones that fail, as long as you know what you're needing. And obviously, if what you got was doing what you wanted, then if it breaks down, then just replace and not upgrade....at least for now. Another good point you made was not cutting cost, (or at least not the quality), of additives, food, etc. Because we all know if we have lower quality, then we may have some major issues down the road. And that could mean having a really nasty situation, and ALOT more cost than we ever intended.

We use to always say our tanks were spoiled. lol Along with any other pet we might have had. But everyone seemed happy and content, with no issues and never had any major problems. (knock on wood) It may be just a matter of finding some houshold products for additives, etc., that "can" be used, without sacraficing quality. Thanks for the replies gang,....any other opinions????

 

[Lightsluvr]

I'll go right to the question....how do you manage to stay in the hobby with the economy the way it is these days? I know we all use our tanks as a getaway, and I hate to be a rain storm on a sunny day, but I had to ask the question. And of course try to find the rainbow in all this.

I refuse to participate in a recession. :beachbum:

LL

 

[MoonInTn]

jtrasap.... Forgot to mention you earlier, but I do remember that mushrooms don't need the really strong light as others might. We had a few in the 75 gallon fish only, and they did really well. Of course if there is one, a mushroom, that needs a little stronger light, I can move it toward the top of some rocks to get it a little closer. Matter of fact, we had a hairy mushroom in ours as well, and it did awesome!

lightsluvr... I like your enthusiasm, but some folks don't have a choice when their pay gets cut in half and it's all they can do to afford the basic essentials to survive. It's sad when some of the elderly or somone on a fixed income, that has to make the decision whether to get their medication which they may desperately need, or to buy groceries. I do hope things are looking up!!!

Thanks again for the replies everybody.

 

[megatsea]

I too was going to give up the hobby after 8 years due to lack tank funds.....my tank was not a high end tank -like most here on the boards.......lack of time and no spare money.... and working 2 jobs took a toll on me...my upgrade never happened, the 29 gallon reef stayed 29, even though I bought the cabinet for a 75 g on sale....waiting to save for the upgrade.....never happened. Then I downsized to a 20 long about 8 months ago.....good move on my part....moved all the inhabitants over(less 10 lbs rock)I took the canopy from the 29 eclipse I was using and it fits perfectly on the 20 gallon.....
I figured when the last fish and star serpent passed away..I would sell off the corals and rock....well, funny thing after not having to feed the tank.....no more algae, water is pristine and I make water changes monthly instead of weekly.....the tank looks and feels great, a few corals and tons of pods, small cuc and thats it.....the hard part is not to want to add one more coral or fish....
The lights are the same- only 38 watts marine glo/actinic, but tank volume less, my corals are closer to the light.......win win for me,less money, less salt, less time spent cleaning....just one downsize, and I feel like I have saved hundreds of dollars to thousands if I had upgraded....
The challenge......went to the fish store three times in 2 weeks , and was able to say "no" to frags and fish urges to buy!.....that is very difficult
If you must feed the urge, go slow and watch it build itself....buy used, as mentioned above, keep it simple and keep posting.
PS Imagine how the LFS 's are feeling as they are being hit hard as well by the economic times.....they are cutting corners I am sure...both stores I went to last week had what seemed to be an outbreak of aptasia in their systems and on their rockwork...I cringe that I was ready to buy a frag...not sure this is common, but never saw so many before in 2 separate stores-
Is this common to see ?

 

[j4mypets]

May I PLEASE find out where you are buying IO reef crystals for $39 a box for the 200 gallon size?? If you tell me and I can buy it online at that price I'll be your best friend haha

Our lfs sells the 200 gallon box of io at a sale price of 39.99. When they have that sale I obviously jump!!!

I also would recommend a FOWLR tank. We used to have a reef but couldn't keep us with the water quality demands ( additives) and lighting. We switched to a FOWLR and upgraded from a 55 to a 180 and are saving more money. Fish to me are the main thing and I get so much enjoyment from their "personalities". Reef tanks are defintely gorgeous and I would love to have another some day.

 

[MoonInTn]

megatsea... I'm sure the LFS's are feeling the crunch as much as most any other business. Or at least on the saltwater end of things. I had seen some aptasia in the ones here, back when I had my tanks and was in there regularly, but not very often. So I don't really know if it's common or not. And going into one after being out of the hobby for a while feels like a junkie itching to get a fix. lol I'm glad you were able to say "no". lol Imagine if you had gotten something, the hitchhiker that might have come along with it. With the option of getting the right size and shape of tank, you can move some corals up higher on rocks to get a little more light. Although, it isn't that simple to figure out exactly what kind of tank you'd want, or how big, when you love both types. lol I'll also admit you're right, along with a few others here, to go slow and watch it grow. Start out small, with frags, and watch nature run it's course.

j4mypets... Ya can't pass up a deal like that when you can catch it on sale. Even if you're not quite ready for some, if you have the extra cash, then jump on it. You know you'll be needing it, and it should keep for quite a while before you need to open it. I'd be doing the very same thing. As for the suggestion on what kind of tank.....you upgraded from a 55 to a 180, and STILL saved money??? Really??? I'm sure from the electric bill and not having to buy the additives, but are there any other ways you've saved? Especially by going that much bigger? We've also thought about going to a 180 ourselves, just to have the extra room for fish to swim, and, because of some of the fish that we like need a larger tank. Of course we'd also be interested in fish with alot of personality for the enjoyment and entertainment since it wouldn't be a reef. (If we were to go that route.)

 

[dawaterboy]

I got into this hobby to keep me busy while I was laid off and I am still laid off! I learned to sit back and wait for the sweet deals on equipment and coral. I also try to buy coral that grows fast and is easy to frag so if money gets real tight I can always sell off a few frags.
I just bought a 200gal box of reef crystals for $55 so besides for carbon and phosban I've basicly got nothing to worry about for a few months. I also keep my eye on craigs list because people are always giving away old tanks for free. I've made a few extra bucks by resealing free tanks and selling them. There are a ton of things you can do to make money or trade for things to keep your tank running, while learning and having fun in the hobby. I'll never let it stand in the way of my bills but I also will do a little extra here and there to keep things running. Getting your tank to pay for itself is easier than you think!

 

[MoonInTn]

dawaterboy.... Hate to hear you're laid off, but you serve as proven motivation that it can be done. I've been watching ebay and craigslist lately, and have made a few contacts about tanks, but have come up empty handed. Odd thing is, I've contactec a couple of them, that were listed the very same day, and it had already been sold. I guess we all know by now, that the best thing we can do is sit back and be patient with this hobby. We still don't know what kind of tank we're going to do, but we do have a general idea of how big we want. And the tank will be the first purchase since it would determine what kiind and sizes of equipment we'd have to have, once we decide on what kind of tank. Anyway, thanks for the reply!