My Budget 20Gal Long

[pallidamors]

My 20 gallon long has been up and running for 2 months now and its finally beginning to take shape. This is a budget build (impossible for salt water) and its also my frist salt water aquarium.

Equipment Costs:

tank- $18.99 on sale !!!
filter- free
live sand- free
13 lbs live rock @ $6.99 a lb =$90.87
aqualight 65w 50/50 light- $79.99
instant ocean salt mix 7.5 lbs- $14.99

total: $204.84

Livestock

clownfish- $13.99
lawnmower blenny- $4.99
colt coral- $49.99
cleaner shrimp- $8.99

total: $77.96

Total: $282.80


I still need to get atleast 1 powerhead and a protein skimmer (ideas) and I am also very new at this so any criticism/ help is fine by me. I also realize that the light isnt the best, but it was cheap and should suffice for my needs. I also need more live rock.


Anyways heres a few pics...let me know what you think.

 

[jonathanws]

cool start. definitely get some movement in there. mj900?

 

[pallidamors]

what does that usually run cost wise?

 

[Slakker]

You don't need a skimmer. Just keep up with your water changes.

 

[gsusfreak]

that only non-budget item that i see is your live rock.....for the same price, you could have gotten 45 lbs

 

[Rosseau]

mj900? About $15. It is worth it.

Though, maybe even less for you... I wish I could pay 13.99 for a clownfish or $8.99 for a cleaner shrimp.


Is that all 13lbs of rock in your picture there?

 

[pallidamors]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11010177#post11010177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gsusfreak
that only non-budget item that i see is your live rock.....for the same price, you could have gotten 45 lbs

I dont know where you can get live rock for 3 bucks a pound.

 

[pallidamors]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11010192#post11010192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rosseau
mj900? About $15. It is worth it.

Though, maybe even less for you... I wish I could pay 13.99 for a clownfish or $8.99 for a cleaner shrimp.


Is that all 13lbs of rock in your picture there?

Yes, its all 13 lbs. And about the livestock prices. Here in Miami if you shop around you can find pretty good deals.

 

[gsusfreak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11011164#post11011164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pallidamors
I dont know where you can get live rock for 3 bucks a pound.

online ..... liveaquaria has 45 lb package for $79.99...but then shipping is like $50.....so you'll be looking at paying an extra $40 bucks for 32 more lbs....which isnt bad at all

 

[FIJI Reefing]

the lr wasnt too bad so i wouldnt sweat it because you have to sure the mailed lr

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

i would get at least 1 seio 620 or 820, or a tunze 6025 or 6045 or a koralia2 for movement in there..

and yeah you got hosed on the price of the rock...i have seen it in my LFS for 4.99 pound and 3.99 ig you get more then 30 pounds...and then they have sales too..

i get Vanuatu, Tonga or Marshal for 6.99

but you have a good start none-the-less