Start up cost
- Thread starter Salty168
- Start date
NE Ohio
I'm at roughly 1300 for my 60 gallon and I still need a skimmer. I'll send you a message with the breakdown when the website let's me. If I were you I'd go a bit smaller as it should help cut down maintenance costs/yr.
I keep thinking about it. I tell myself a 40b is nice, then with only 15 more gallons i could get a 55 and have a flame angle, but why not bump on 20 more gallons on for a 75 and i could have a yellow tang, but i dont want it be at the bare min. so i add another 15 for a 90 and i could have the tang a little more comfortable. I always stop at the 90 and would not go any higher than that.
I know I should pick a size and stick with it but it is hard.
I'm at roughly 1300 for my 60 gallon and I still need a skimmer. I'll send you a message with the breakdown when the website let's me. If I were you I'd go a bit smaller as it should help cut down maintenance costs/yr.
I keep thinking about it. I tell myself a 40b is nice, then with only 15 more gallons i could get a 55 and have a flame angle, but why not bump on 20 more gallons on for a 75 and i could have a yellow tang, but i dont want it be at the bare min. so i add another 15 for a 90 and i could have the tang a little more comfortable. I always stop at the 90 and would not go any higher than that.
I know I should pick a size and stick with it but it is hard.
Salty150
Active member
newbie2014
New member
I'm a newbie also. But, isn't a 90G the same as a 75G except a couple inches taller? From what I've heard, tangs need swimming room.
Anyways, I have a 40G breeder which I had converted from FW tank. Even with used equipments, I have already put in about 1 grand into it. And I don't even have corals. Powerheads, skimmer and light are the most expensive pieces in my setup.
CStrickland
New member
These are good for inspiration http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/totm-list when someone wins the "tank of the month" award they do an article with pics and an interview where they describe their whole set up. You can browse to see what kind of coral / fish you like, and diff set ups that appeal to you, and we can help you scale those preferences to your budget and time commitments.
Have you checked if any of your LFS have used inventory? Several of mine do, and the discount is usually >50%. Less than $2000 is doable- I just personally don't want used equipment since I have no idea how old it is or how it was treated by the previous owner. That cheap used tank could have been sitting in a hot attic for 5 years and the seals are shot- you just don't know. I was cheap on a few things at first (Heaters, Powerheads, Lights) and ended up wasting 300-400 right away. Just remember, you get what you pay for.
What exactly do you mean?
Used equipment such as powerheads, filters, sumps, lights, tanks etc. A Lot of small LFS in my area will buy equipment back from their customers when they buy something better at the store. They also sell equipment they used in the store on their own tanks/ displays. Same kind of stuff you would find on craigslist.
C_Everett95
New member
Jesus, and I thought I was spending A lot at $1000 for my 65 gal reef tank... More power to ya
:lolspin:
zeroalpha
New member
I got everything I need to setup a starter reef tank for just under $1000. All purchased on Craigslist. See my setup below. My biggest purchase were 2 eBay LEDs which work fine for my corals so far and Just ordered a new skimmer. I guess depends on where you are and what others want to sell at the right time.
toothybugs
New member
I put about 1500 in to my 40B and THEN decided to get good equipment a year in. However, after that first year in, 900 in lights and 300 for an adult skimmer later didn't hurt nearly as much as I expected and I realized I'd just started to scratch an itch that should have been done from the beginning. I still am running Jebao RWs but am hunting for a Tunze 6105/7096 setup for my BB 75.
Moral of the story: If you go cheap to set up, and are not generally a cheap person, expect to sink 2-3X of your total investment back in if/when you decide you want to do this long-term. Upgraded hybrid lighting, durable powerheads and returns, a really effective skimmer, etc will add up quick.
Moral of the story: If you go cheap to set up, and are not generally a cheap person, expect to sink 2-3X of your total investment back in if/when you decide you want to do this long-term. Upgraded hybrid lighting, durable powerheads and returns, a really effective skimmer, etc will add up quick.
I am in the process of starting my first SW tank in 30 years. I've been doing tons of reading and research on what equipment to buy. I'm going with a Deep Blue rimless reef tank (75 gallon), metal stand (that I will skin in wood) with a 40 gallon sump. I'm going to use an algae turf scrubber (home built for around $70 including two red LED lamps) so I will not need a skimmer. With heaters, heater controller, two submersible pumps (one to run the scrubber and one to recirculate the DT), 2 740 GPH Power Heads, an RODI system and mid priced LED lighting I am at about $1100. That doesn't include dead/live rock, sand, test equipment and salt which will probably be another $400.
My problem is I bought and replaced my original equipment as I grew into the hobby, my lights, skimmer, power heads, overflow box, and return pump, because I didn't have any idea of the quality and reliability of what I bought the first time. I'd replace my sump but I can't get the current one out and I'm sure I won't be able to get another in the stand unless I take the tank down. So, I've spent some money on this. My plan is to add a major upgrade a year to the tank.
ClownFishGuy6
Member
Once you buy all he equipment it isn't that much depending on what fish your looking for. If you have the right equipment then you should be able to keep your fish alive
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