Creative Ways You Have Paid For Reef Supplies

[Salty Lemon]

Aside from finding out information, I think my favorite part of this forum is the stories. Frequently they make me laugh. I thought this might me a fun one because reefing can be expensive. I'll start with my story...

When I was 25 I had an entry level professional job, and barely had enough money for rent. But because I had worked in pet stores in college, I loved tanks. So I got a weekend job at a fish distributor (with a small pet store attached to it) and they gave me a 50% discount on dry goods and live stock. I still didn't have any money. So I bought a male and female African pygmy hedgehog (Elmer and Aggie). Now, hedgehogs were all the rage in the 90's as far as exotic/unique pets go. They would sell in my pet store for $150 a piece. So I would breed Elmer and Aggie and sell the pet store owner the babies for $75 a piece in store credit. They would also choose to breed at night and scream -- yes scream in the process. I would put my head under my pillow and know that money was coming in in a few weeks. Aggie would have anywhere between five and ten babies. And I had a constant state of income. So between a second part-time job, my discount, and hedgehog trafficking, I had a beautiful 75 gallon reef tank.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I used to donate plasma at Biolife to pay for my equipment. Bought my Kessils, skimmer, two MP10's, RO/DI unit, and a bunch of miscellaneous stuff for my tank that way. It takes time, but it's worth it

 

[Salty Lemon]

I used to donate plasma at Biolife to pay for my equipment. Bought my Kessils, skimmer, two MP10's, RO/DI unit, and a bunch of miscellaneous stuff for my tank that way. It takes time, but it's worth it

When my husband was laid off years ago, the first thing he did was sign up to donate plasma. I thought he was crazy, but I never realized how well it paid. Heck...If you could get some Kessils out of the deal, it sounds like a lucrative way to make some cash.

 

[Gareth elliott]

I used to donate plasma at Biolife to pay for my equipment. Bought my Kessils, skimmer, two MP10's, RO/DI unit, and a bunch of miscellaneous stuff for my tank that way. It takes time, but it's worth it

We had a blood drive while in high school, filled out the form and was told I was not allowed to donate because of 6 months in UK in the 80’s as a baby and the remotest possibility i had dormant mad cow disease. Must have been all that cow meat i ate as an infant raised by wolves [emoji23]

 

[EmdeReef]

Back in college I set up quarantine systems for fish and corals for a professional aquarium design/installation company. I had no idea aquariums were big business in NY nor how much this company made and got paid $200 for weeks of work On the bright side they allowed me to order equipment using their wholesale account, which fueled my aquarium gadget addiction.

 

[Salty Lemon]

We had a blood drive while in high school, filled out the form and was told I was not allowed to donate because of 6 months in UK in the 80’s as a baby and the remotest possibility i had dormant mad cow disease. Must have been all that cow meat i ate as an infant raised by wolves [emoji23]

I hear that T-bones are great for teething on. LOL!

 

[Salty Lemon]

Back in college I set up quarantine systems for fish and corals for a professional aquarium design/installation company. I had no idea aquariums were big business in NY nor how much this company made and got paid $200 for weeks of work On the bright side they allowed me to order equipment using their wholesale account, which fueled my aquarium gadget addiction.

Wholesale costs was worth it alone.

 

[Crabs McJones]

When my husband was laid off years ago, the first thing he did was sign up to donate plasma. I thought he was crazy, but I never realized how well it paid. Heck...If you could get some Kessils out of the deal, it sounds like a lucrative way to make some cash.

Only 70$ a week, so it took some time to save up, but it was worth it

 

[Salty Lemon]

Only 70$ a week, so it took some time to save up, but it was worth it

Oh definitely. $70 is better than nothing. And you saved up to get some awesome stuff.

 

[Nburg's Reef]

I have an agreement with my wife that when I travel for work, I get to keep whatever per diem money I don't spend. So, when I drive, I bring a cooler of food, no money spent, when I fly, I pack as many snacks as I can, and eat cheaply. I just got back from a week long trip, and have $195 towards an Apex. That and selling some frag should net me an apex and trident or alkatronics by the end of the year.

 

[Salty Lemon]

I have an agreement with my wife that when I travel for work, I get to keep whatever per diem money I don't spend. So, when I drive, I bring a cooler of food, no money spent, when I fly, I pack as many snacks as I can, and eat cheaply. I just got back from a week long trip, and have $195 towards an Apex. That and selling some frag should net me an apex and trident or alkatronics by the end of the year.

That is a fantastic idea!

 

[Midrats]

I confiscate pirate's booty. BRS accepts pieces of eight.

 

[Salty Lemon]

I confiscate pirate's booty. BRS accepts pieces of eight.

LOLOLOLOLOL! ;Hilarious

 

[ianryd]

I'm a professional tattoo artist. I tattoo my LFS owner and his family for store credit! Honestly I probably wouldnt even have a saltwater tank if it werent for that.

 

[AdamNC]

How I started back into this was when my son was born and my wife asked to sell off the snake collection. 37 snakes in total but the one that started my venture back into reefing was my female Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boa. I purchased her for $2,850.00 and she 3 years matured and sold for $4,000.00. Half that went to baby stuff and the rest went into starting my tank.

My first venture I was single living with a friend and only paying $325.00/month in rent. Had a good job so I had a lot of disposable income.

 

[Indiana Reefin]

I bought a full tank setup from a business that just to get rid of everything. I bout a 300 gallon system for $100 and sold everything for around $2000. I offered way more than $100 but they just wanted the tank out of there as soon as possible. So they said can you do it this weekend for $100? lol.

They had some beautiful fish that I sold. I parted everything out and sold everything for very reasonable prices within 4 weeks.

 

[Salty Lemon]

I'm a professional tattoo artist. I tattoo my LFS owner and his family for store credit! Honestly I probably wouldnt even have a saltwater tank if it werent for that.

Oh, I wish I had a skill like that. I'm a librarian... I can't exactly give out books for store credit when he can already check them out for free.

 

[Salty Lemon]

How I started back into this was when my son was born and my wife asked to sell off the snake collection. 37 snakes in total but the one that started my venture back into reefing was my female Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boa. I purchased her for $2,850.00 and she 3 years matured and sold for $4,000.00. Half that went to baby stuff and the rest went into starting my tank.

My first venture I was single living with a friend and only paying $325.00/month in rent. Had a good job so I had a lot of disposable income.

I looked up "Amazon Basin Emerald Tree Boa". Wow! She must have been a beauty. When I saw the photos, I wasn't expecting to see a green snake.

 

[Salty Lemon]

I bought a full tank setup from a business that just to get rid of everything. I bout a 300 gallon system for $100 and sold everything for around $2000. I offered way more than $100 but they just wanted the tank out of there as soon as possible. So they said can you do it this weekend for $100? lol.

They had some beautiful fish that I sold. I parted everything out and sold everything for very reasonable prices within 4 weeks.

Is this what they would call, "flipping aquariums"?

 

[Converted to Saltwater]

I have a flyer hanging up at the local BP station. I offer to install appliances for free if i can haul the old one for free.
Straight to the scrap yard most of the time. That about covers utilities though. I'm getting some good ideas here.