How Much?

[RyanMcLaughlin]

I dont have a big reef tank but was wondering how much you guys spend on setting the up. I would like to set up a 1000 gallon eventually. Also how much more is starfire when it comes to big tanks. Just wondering.
Ryan

 

[danskim]

Depends on how much starphire is used... size of panes, thickness...

 

[cbui2]

i need to be a student again , j/k. easy $25k plus.
starphire for that size display will need a forklift

 

[RyanMcLaughlin]

25k for the setup or the tank?

 

[mike660r]

I would have to say that would be a starting point for the setup.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

What would you like to keep in the 1000 gallon tank? Do you want an SPS heavy display, or would it be a FOWLR?? That will make a difference on the start up costs for sure! When estimating the cost of a system there is a lower limit, meaning it ain't gonna be cheap, but there is no upper limit on spending...!

I currently have a 210 mixed reef, and spent about 3.5K to get it up and running, I could of easily spent 2x that though. I've never priced a tank that large, but I would think that 15K might be a good estimate for an entry level 1000g mixed system (includes tank, sump, pumps, skimmer, lighting etc., not livestock). Its would easily grow to 25K if you you want/need things like a controller, chiller, CA reactor,etc.

Dont forget to include an estimate of operating costs in your budget also. Big tanks can beat you up every month on the electric bill..!!

 

[mflamb]

I have a 390 with lots of DIY...stand and hood skeleton, 5 reactors, skimmer, sump/fuge, lights, rock, water change system, auto top off...and shopped carefully for other stuff...3 Darts, 2 Pan World 150PS, 5 IceCap ballasts, AC3 with all the goodies, 8 other smaller pumps, completed 50 QT setup, and who knows what else. $11,000 before water, fish, coral.

 

[drjuice28]

Don't even think about it without a budget of at least 15k! Last thing you'd want on your hands is a stalled out 1000G project after the bills become too much!

 

[ricks]

You can achieve anything on a budget. You could buy the tank and stand, put a light bulb over it and call it good. Asking how much a 1,000 gallon tank will cost, is like asking what a 2 week vacation in Hawaii will cost. Motel Six, or some swank resort?

I have a 500 SPS with auto everything, high flow, high lighting, large chiller. and a very large electricity bill. I would say your maintenance cost alone would run around 1.00 per gallon a month. And the sky is the limit on equipment. I'm thinking I have somewhere around 50,000 into my system.

Happy Reefing

 

[Reefaquariumnut]

I second Ricks...It can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. I read a number one time to figure around $50-75/gallon for a full-blown reef fully stocked.

 

[cbui2]

here are average prices for most manufacture $4000 - $5500 tank, $200 - $1000 sump, $1000 - $4000 skimmer depend on what type and lights $500 - $2000. if its fish only then you will be under $10k, but mixed reefs will be totally different prices considering all the extra equipments needed.

 

[mtome]

Keep us posted either way. I love this forum....lots of great advice and setups.