too much money

[11fishes]

Okay, so what is the average amount of loot you have invested on your system and what is the everyday average guy/gal who works paycheck to paycheck supposed to do to keep or start a reef??? just asking because most of the threads I read everyone is trying to announce how much they have to spend on equipment etc. Does anyone here have budgets? Is this a really bad topic of discussion? does anyone even care? btw all the tanks and systems look really good.

 

[Anemone]

[moved]

Kevin

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

There are numerous threads and polls about this subject. Depending on the situation, the general average is about $35/gallon. This isn't necessarily the norm. It is possible to do it drastically less. I aim for my tanks to be made at less than $10/gallon. Most of mine are near $5/gallon.

 

[aznlmpulse]

$35/gallon? That seems a bit low. I guess you Can budget right from the start and buy used equipment, but everybody runs out and gets new toys after getting some more experience under their belt. so..wouldn't you consider that as an added initial cost?

I've gone the cheap route before. Lot's of DIY's, buying cheap equipment, and holding out on other things. In the long run, you end up spending about the same, or even more when you realize that your seaclone that you payed $100 for just ain't cuttin it. (from personal experience)

I'd have to say about double that, at $70/ gallon. and that's doing things the right way the first time around.

For a more experienced reefer, that has the materials laying around, $35/gal seems more feasible....no?

 

[IslandCrow]

I think you have to decide early on how much you're willing to invest in the system. Of course, the first problem is, how do you estimate that cost before you start. Initial setup actually isn't too tough if you do some research on what you need to get started, but don't forget upkeep. Changing out filter media, lights, salt and water for water changes, electricity. It all adds up, and I really wish I had a good rule of thumb.

Anyway, the simplest setup is probably going to be your fish only aquarium. You save a lot of money on lights and electricity. If you opt for going fish only without live rock, it's definitely the cheapest, but not such a popular choice for successful aquarium owners. So, maybe start off fish only with live rock (FOWLR) and lightly stocked with fish. That way, you can get away with a little less rock and save some money. Then, as you go, you can add more rock and more fish.

But let's say, you really want corals and you're willing to make the investment. If you stick with soft corals like mushrooms, leathers and xenia, you can get away with a very similar setup to the FOWLR, but you'll need to invest a little more on lights. Truthfully, you may have wanted the brighter lights anyway, because they'll really make the aquarium look better. You're not spending a ton of money yet, don't need a top of the line protein skimmer, and it's still very viable to run without a sump.

The tanks you hear about people really dropping large amounts of cash are the full reef tanks with super bright lighting, the biggest and best protein skimmers that will fit in a sump and hundreds of dollars a year spent in additives and test kits. Even this can be done in moderation, though. I started with the softy tank, eventually upgrading my skimmer and lights, adding a sump and starting to dose calcium and alkalinity supplements. In other words, I grew into it, and will probably never have one of those insane tanks with thousands of dollars in ultra-rare corals that I'm paranoid about ever leaving home for fear that catastrophe may strike while I'm away.

OK, so I didn't answer your first question on how much I've sent. It's been literally thousands of dollars, but it's spread over a couple of years or so. In other words, this is an expensive hobby, but if you start off slow and are smart about it, you can certainly find your niche.

 

[NeveSSL]

I think the last part that IslandCrow mentioned is important... start slow... or, in other words, have patience and take your time.

It seems like so many times people rush things and end up spending twice the money. If you want to do things right and well but cheaply, you're going to spend a lot of time researching and developing your tank. If you want it right and well but quickly, you're going to spend mega bucks on some of the best stuff. If you try to do with cheaply and quickly, its probably not going to work very well.

Personally, I really want at least a 90 gallon tank. BUT, the more gallons, the more money per month in upkeep because the more lights, pumps, electricity, salt for water changes, etc. you need... so a 45g tall will just have to do me until I'm out of college... however, at that point, things will hopefully be different.

I've personally spent around $25 per gallon I think. Some stuff I've gone cheap on and DIYed, other stuff I've bought new, some more stuff I'm trying to get used.

I think one of the best things to do as far as "used" equipment goes is buying live rock from fellow reefers who are getting out, and maybe all of their stuff. You can usually get it for 1/3 of what they paid is what seems to be average.

At the same time, this point solidifies a reason behind researching this hobby before you start. You need to make absolutely sure you're wanting to do it, stick with it, and take care of your tanks or pay someone else to do it or you will loose quite a bit of money.

Ok, I'm getting off my soapbox now. Just my $0.02. Next!

Brandon

 

[Shagsbeard]

I find a $20/gal budget pretty managable... but that's set up costs. Some people consider the running costs seperately, and that can be on the order of $100-$300/month easily. Power, water, salt, tests... that stuff adds up pretty quickly. Larger tanks are cheaper per gallon than smaller tanks to set up, to a point.... that point is where you need stuff custom made... then there's a huge spike... costs tripple at least.

But $20/gal wont do you if you buy everything off the shelf. That's a lot more expensive than you need to spend.

Here's a break down for what I'd plan on spending if I was going to start a 75 gal.

Tank and Stand (used off craigslist): $100
Lighting: $500 (could skimp here, but I've learned not to)
Water: $75 (a dollar gallon is "reasonable", though slightly high)
Sand: $100
Rock: $500 (mix of live and base totalling 150lbs)
Sump/plumbing: $250 (includes drilling tank if necessary)
Skimmer: $200 (can save buying used)
Heaters: $50
Power heads/return pump: $250
QT tank $100
Test kits $100.
Other stuff I forget or break or what have you: $250

There's lots of other things you might need, like a chiller and stuff depending on your area... but that would be my shopping list. Grand total: $2500 or so.

 

[Cozzmolot]

Just a quick response. I spent $2,500 on my entire setup for my 75gal, before Livestock. Prices are similar to what Shagsbeard just responded. Cheaper on some, more expensive on some.

Best way is to do research and to just buy 1 part at a time. Atleast that is what I did. Skimmer one week, Tank another, Rock another and so on and so forth.

Good luck to you, my tank has been up and running now for about a week and I am enjoying every minute of it so far.

 

[3n1]

I've got about $2400 in my 110gal wide so far. Inluding the LR, but no fish or corals yet. I bought my skimmer cheap used, and bought lower cost lighting ( PC ). I also spread the cost out over a year. My cost's include test kits and other smaller items also.

 

[AmosUSA]

tank coast set up

tank coast set up

well I only went for the top quality equipment that I believe is. I spent about $5000 and have no regrets. In the future I will move up to a 350 gallon tank and place it into by living room wall framed. Having the back end accessed from a den room . I think when you get into such a awesome hobby like reef tanks they become an attachment to your home, and not something you get into for a couple of years and get bored and get out. Theres no way I wuold do that myself . On the other hand to get into one keeping the price down my freind was able to buy a 60 gallon tank all used equipment and get his tank going for about $800 dollars not bad since all the equipment is top quilty just used . so it can be done if you shop around.

 

[saturn tech]

here is a breakdown of my spending on my tank

55G glass tank- $10 bucks, craigslist. re sealed it.
skimmer- $100- corolife super skimmer, new
lights $250ish- corolife lunar PC set up 4X65 Watts
12 Lbs live rock- $60, cured.
50 lbs base rock- $50
aragonite sand 50Lbs- $3.00
power heads X3 - $60
Heater- $15
Salt- $15

total set up cost $563.

i spread out the cost over a few months. not that bad for a reef tank.

here is my cheap endeavor

 

[AmosUSA]

vary good! save money and got into the hobby way to go !

 

[MegsB]

i coulda bought a 135 gall set up for the price i spend putting together my 65gallon, but it was just so much fun doing it all myself (plus i couldnt have afforded it all in one go, took me a few months to get the equipt before i set up) i think im into my 65gal for about...

$1k equpt (metal halide, tank, skimmer, powerheads, heater, salt chemicals, would be more like $2k if i didnt ebay shop! still new stuff though)
$1100 corals/live rock (would be more like $2100 if i didnt find a local guy with frags, and also travel off the island to buy at a much cheaper with better selection store)

so ~value $4100, actual cost ~$2100. so its a 65 gallon, thats $32/gallon actual cost and $63/gallon replacement cost

keep in mind to that this is my area of BC, everything reef related is SO expensive beause of import costs etc i guess, and the lfs really rip you off, thats why i found a local frag guy and traveled to vancouver for a MUCH cheaper store with a MUCH better selection!

 

[t11t5]

Im just going to say I have a small car invested. No regrets though...

 

[Snook65]

When I first set my 120 up I think I came close to $50 per gallon. Now I will be the first one to admit that I am not a great DIYer so I bought quality products that I wouldn't be upgrading after six months.

 

[newmanki]

Hi there 11fishes,

Similar to everyone else, I think that you have to realise that the complete and established tanks you see and drool over are the result of planning and maybe a bit (ok a lot!) of hardwork. You need to plan to succeed, and that will involve research. Research may even include a nano that allows you to 'play' with your ideas in miniture before commiting to a larger system.

In my experience, it really helped to decide on a tank size and purchase my all my dry equipment, skimmer etc first while at the same time I had my LFS guy (my guru) gradually working on my custom build while I paid him some cash from my pay every week. Be up front about your need to work around your cashflow, in my case I saved money because my LFS guy had no deadline to finish my tank- he could work on it just a bit at a time over a few months. I was also able to laybuy (perhaps called lay away in the US?) the equipment that cost more than I could afford in one go.

I also found that online retailers can offer significant discounts to your retail LFS so it does definately pay to shop around. This especially applies to the top of the line stuff.

As for an ongoing budget, my tanks get what they need first and forefost (ie. maintainance) Then it's bills and groceries, then it's new additions if i can afford it. I justify putting maintainence first because the cost of a crashed tank would be significantly more than my weekly bills!!

And lastly, because I invest other peoples money for a living and am always preaching to my clients about spending money wisely and investing for the future, I try to match every dollar I spend on my wet pets with a dollar invested in the sharemarket. It makes the electricity bills easier to bear knowing there are dividend cheques coming in the mail!

Good luck on your plan and tank progress!!

 

[jeeperrs]

I think the best way is to think of what you want and then take a few months to get everything you need. It will take awhile but it is easier on your wallet. I know on our clubs website there is ALWAYS tanks coming up for sale that are very well priced. Also, if your a DIY kind of person you could save a lot of money that way. If you are willing to take your time you can get you a reef, even living paycheck to paycheck

 

[11fishes]

thanks alot everyone your advice and info is very much appreciated.