BRS TV 52wks - Real Cost

[butrflynlambie]

So I have been watching the 52wks of reefing by Bulk Reef Supply. I think this is an excellent series on being successful in the hobby.

Watching the series though, I keep wondering how much there running cost is. I am guessing they are somewhere in the low 10k range, (the lighting alone is 1800 for 2 of the kessil units) but curious what others think.

It would be great to see what full setup and cost trade off decisions you could make to do a highly successful system within a budget. Of the system I doubt most people would get the fancy paper roller thing (though I am sure it does a wonderful job) just due to cost.

So how much does this gorgeous tank really add up to be?
If budgeted 10k what would you keep, downsize too or change up, but have a really successful sps tank?
If budgeted 5k?

Perhaps there is someone out there with a skilter and 20gal with a small led light that is doing great..

I hope they share a spreadsheet of retail cost and itemized equipment, because this truly is a limiting factor in what hobbyists are able to do.

Great series BRS....

 

[dvbrien]

I think they were going to in one of the last couple of episodes. I vaugly remember hearing that on one of the videos.

 

[glb]

I'd be interested too. He said they had an unlimited budget, so let's see what the numbers actually are!

 

[butrflynlambie]

someone needs to do a series where they show the discussion with the wife and what budget you actually get. Use some average reefer budget, and make the decisions of best products that are needed to have a sustainable system with adequate par, flow etc.

My guess is there in somewhere around 15k for the tank and equipment (without the cost of the coral fags).

 

[glb]

someone needs to do a series where they show the discussion with the wife and what budget you actually get. Use some average reefer budget, and make the decisions of best products that are needed to have a sustainable system with adequate par, flow etc.

My guess is there in somewhere around 15k for the tank and equipment (without the cost of the coral fags).

My guess is it's more than that. Can you imagine how much that custom-made stand cost?

 

[Bpb]

They also get stuff at wholesale. Granted some items are MAP priced, not all are

 

[LE0]

sometimes ordering at wholesale adds up just as equally as ordering retail since shipping isn't always free.

 

[butrflynlambie]

I imagine they are writing the whole thing off and get alot of the stuff free just for product placement. Really what matters is budget/benefit to the hobbyist that totals up all of the equipment that they need to make a system from.

Myself.. I am trolling craigslist for a complete system for my next tank and will make decisions on equipment based on what I believe inadequate or not. Actual tank and stand are the lesser concern of equipment as I expect to replace in a few years. Can't swing a 15k setup, budget is my major limitation. Though I have been considering the zeovit now because of the series... but otherwise it's not compelling enough for me to buy new all of the recommended equipment.

 

[marine2463]

someone needs to do a series where they show the discussion with the wife and what budget you actually get. Use some average reefer budget, and make the decisions of best products that are needed to have a sustainable system with adequate par, flow etc.

My guess is there in somewhere around 15k for the tank and equipment (without the cost of the coral fags).

Yes I agree, I always say the same thing. I wish they would make one on the average reefers budget it would be more realistic... And this would also help us more in making wise decisions on a budget. Of coarse if I had 20 grand to blow on a tank I would get the best equipment, but all in all very good videos I watched all of them and lived them

 

[fragit]

I watch it too. I bet they are upward of 20k. As a former custom cabinet/furniture maker that stand was probably 5k alone. 160gal ReefSavvy tank w/Starphire glass I bet over 3k. So your at 8k, add in the 1500 bucks for just the kessils $9500. That's my guess.

 

[Porkchopz]

I think they are kind of doing what people want. Sure they are picking some higher end equipment to put on the 160, but at the same time for instance, when they did the skimmer video they did show a bunch of them and talk about all of them. They did testing and gave their best info on which worked best and which they thought had better features etc. At that point they made the decision from that information what was best "for them", but at the same time they gave you good information about skimmers in general and what options you have if you wanted one for your system/budget.

I would not focus so much on what they picked, but the information provided along the way so that you can make a good decision on what you want/need and what would be best in your tank. I mean I think that's the point of whey they have not put an Apex on it yet... to show you what options you might pick if you could not afford/do not have an Apex... but they plan to change it up once they put the Apex on.

For instance, you might not be able to get a $600+ skimmer... but you might think that recirculating is the best and find an option that works for you.

Just my 2 cents.

-Porkchopz