reeffirstaid
Active Member
People love the idea of having a coral reef in their home, but they don’t realize the upfront cost, nor amount of labor, associated with creating a healthy one. I have what I call a designator number. A dollar figure, that I can relay to a potential new aquarist, that will separate a luke warm impulse, from the desire and passion that creates a true reef hobbyist. To cut through the muck, and get down to business, I’ve formulated the chart below, as a true to life pricing guide, of just what kind of financial investment will be required, to enter the reef aquarium hobby and create a sustainable coral reef ecosystem. This chart doesn’t take into account the amount that can be saved, by people with the tools and skillset, to build a variety of reef keeping equipment themselves. Those folks are out there, and over the years, I’ve saved thousands of dollars, simply doing things on my own. The rest of the information provided, will serve to help those with the passion, make positive choices, which can help facilitate a good long term relationship with marine aquariums.
The cost chart below is based off high end equipment. It has been my experience, when trying to cut costs, when it comes to reef aquarium products, eventually ends up costing more in the end. Many of the best manufacturers of reef aquarium products, (Red Sea, Ecotech Marine, AVAST Marine Works, Neptune Systems) only make products for marine aquariums. When you start looking at products from companies that make a whole host of pet products, I’ve found quality takes a nose dive, as often these products are based off some other technology, intended for something other than a reef system. I will toss in a quick disclaimer about LED lighting producer Kessil. Kessil also makes high end lighting systems for the horticulture industry. Since both horticulture and reef keeping share many similar requirements, Kessil’s LED lights rank among some of the best, backed by one of the best warranties in the industry.
This cost breakdown is based on a 100 gallon, starphire glass or acrylic, pre-drilled aquarium. I specify starphire glass or acrylic, because often new aquarists under-appreciate the choice of aquarium material, in an attempt to save money. One thing that is impossible to change, without entirely tearing your aquarium apart and moving it, is the material. While both acrylic and starphire glass are more costly than a standard glass tank, the benefits long term are substantial, leading to a far more appealing reef system. Both have their pros, and their cons, but those deserve a dedicated discussion. I can say, I’ve used both, and like both equally, for a variety of reasons.
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced acrylic aquarium, I recommend the folks at TruVu. They specialize in acrylic tanks, and have an entire line of customizable, reef ready options. While TruVu tanks used a thinner (.5”) acrylic then some builders, their costs are more reasonable, and the aquariums hold their shape for a number of years.
On the starphire glass side, check out Deep Blue Professional’s Edge aquarium series. While Deep Blue is a newbie in the aquarium building business, when compared to All Glass and Marine Land, their edge series tanks have a starphire glass front panel, and are available pre-drilled, with optical clarity, not a price, that will drop your jaw.
Cost breakdown:
· Reef ready, pre-drilled aquarium and stand: 48” x 24”
· $ 1,650.00 (w/out shipping if shipped freight to your home)
· Sump: $ 400.00
· Plumbing, etc: $ 105.00
· Return pump(s): $ 300.00
· Circulation pumps and web enabled controller: $ 800.00
· LED lighting, w/ web enabled controller: $ 1,950.00
· Reactors w/ media and pumps, (carbon, biopellets, phosban, etc): $ 700.00
· Protein skimmer: $ 500.00
· Dosing additives: $ 300.00
· Salt: $ 88.00
· Mixing/Water Change station: $ 240.00
· Controller/ web enabled: $ 600.00
· Live rock: $ 628.95
· RODI unit: $ 300.00
· Total initial investment: $ 8,561.95
· Likely investment with starting livestock: $ 10,000+
That is my designation number, shared with people who are considering their own first reef aquarium. At least one of any size. I used whole numbers, and there is probably some sway, up or down, in those figures. Clearly a nano-reef would be far cheaper, but even an all in one system, isn't easy on the wallet.
Let’s move forward:
If you’re still reading, let me discuss why nearly everything I have chosen, for a first time reef aquarist, is high end. As I said before, many of the lower cost products sold for reef aquariums, are made by massive companies that produce a variety of products for the pet trade. I know some of their products are alright, and will likely perform well enough, they just aren’t really suited for reefs, like a reef product is. Let’s take Ecotech Marine, who’s lighting and circulation pump costs, I used to generate this cost estimate. Ecotech founder Tim Marks got interested in marine aquariums in eighth grade, around the same time I did. While in college, he used his education and applied it to marine aquariums, creating the first version of the insanely popular Vortech pump. Funding from the National Colligate Inventors and Innovators Alliance, and backing by Ice Cap inc, helped cement the foundation that has made Ecotech Marine, a household name among aquarists.
This story is similar to the founding legacies of other high end, reef aquarium product manufacturers. Since these aren’t large corporations, capable of mass producing tons of product at a very cheap rate, their offerings carry a significant cost. This rule of thumb, trickles right down to the additives you put in your aquarium water, or the media in your filter. Two Little Fishies, whose flagship product is Phos Ban, was founded by lifelong zoologist and aquarist Julian Sprung. Reef Frenzy frozen foods, which are quickly gaining the reputation as the best aquarium food on the market, was developed by Larry DuPont, a long time aquarist, and contributor to this forum.
The point is simple. You get what you pay for, and in the hobby, equipment developed with your aquarium’s long term health and success, is simply more expensive than mass produced products from large mainstream pet manufactures. This holds true for nearly any products in the industry, right into the realm of livestock.
Okay, I got that:
So you now know, that to be successful, you need good equipment, produced solely for the reef aquarium hobby. You’re probably wondering, are there areas where I can save money. Luckily, there are. First, opting for primarily dry rock, can save you a good chunk of change. The caveat, is that dry rock doesn't contain the beneficial bacteria and micro-organisms, found on live rock. When starting you tank, I don’t advise using all dry rock. You will still need at least 20 pounds or so (depending on tank size) of live rock, to aid in establishing a bio-filter. Since live rock retails anywhere between 5.99 to 9.99 a pound, and dry rock can be found for 1.99 to 2.99 a pound, you can easily see where using a small portion of live rock, and a large portion of dry rock, can save.
Several large pet supplies, such as Central Garden and Pet, have created dedicated “reef divisions” which are all respected in the industry. While the parent company produces products for a variety of pet trades, the specific divisions, i.e. Coral Life, Kent Marine, Reef Crystals, and others, have specially formulated reef salts, that do a good job, when paired with RODI filtered water, of creating synthetic saltwater. This can save a little bit of money, as these salts are less expensive than those produced by reef only suppliers. Even though they are cheaper, often they perform as well as their competition, making the perfect price-performance trade off. In addition to aquarium salts, the companies I just mentioned also make equipment, which costs less and will perform well, but doesn't carry the degree of functionality found in companies' products whose sole focus is reef specific gear.
Why a rodi, right out of the gate?:
Reef aquariums, like anything that takes time and effort to create, are built from the foundation up. If you start, by making synthetic saltwater with low quality freshwater, you’ve already kicked off a downward trend. I often say, in the reef aquarium hobby, we keep water. The water in your aquarium, will ultimately decide what you can, and cannot do, livestock wise. It’s crucial to start off with the highest quality freshwater, which can only be accomplished with a, you guessed it, high end RODI unit. Drinking water systems from Lowe’s or Home Depot, simply don’t cut it. You need a RODI unit, specifically designed for use in creating freshwater for the marine aquarium, with a TDS (total dissolved solid) value of 0.
No matter what RODI unit you choose, creating reverse osmosis water is a slow process, which wastes about 4 gallons of water, to every 1 gallon of pure water. That said, RODI filtration is commonplace for most reef keepers these days, as it assures perfect water, right from the get-go.
Do I need an expensive sump, or even a sump at all?
I’ve had several sump-less reef aquariums. In short, you need a sump. It doesn’t matter if you filter your aquarium with reactors, a refugium, or algae scrubber, a sump makes the whole process much easier, and adds to your aquarium’s overall water volume. Aesthetically, a reef aquarium with hang on filters, and pump/heater wires everywhere, simply looks outdated and ugly, by today’s standards.
Does it have to cost a ton, no it really doesn’t, but you don’t want to skimp on it either. If a custom acrylic sump, with smoked sides and colorful baffles doesn’t interest you, aquarium product maker Eshopps has several sump models, that are well built, and won’t break the bank. Buying a cheap sump leads to bowing. As Yoda would say, “Bowing leads to unstable water level, unstable water level leads to leaks, and leaks lead to suffering.”
Can I at least save on my skimmer?:
It’s my humble opinion that your protein skimmer, is the backbone of reef aquarium filtration. The good news, they have come a long way, in the past 5 years. Skimmers started as glass tubes, powered by a water and air pump, along with a lime wood air stone. Today they are sleek, coming in a variety of designs and shapes. To put it simply, you should buy the best skimmer you can afford, making sure it’s at least rated to a few gallons more than the aquarium’s overall water volume.
When exploring the seemingly never-ending supply of skimmer manufactures, take a look at Skimz. This Singapore based company has pioneered the oval shaped skimmer, allowing for higher performance and contact area, while still maintaining the low profile of cone shaped skimmers. Don’t let the Singapore origin lead you to believe these units are cheaply made. Singapore is a highly developed nation, with a strong economy and cutting edge scientific sectors. These skimmers are high quality and perform well, not to mention that they are competitively priced.
Final Considerations:
When starting in the reef aquarium hobby, it’s important to find a methodology and stick with it. This will save you money, in the long run, but also gurantee that you can hone your skills, at one specific way of keeping a coral reef aquarium. For example, if you opt for a large refugium with miracle mud and macro algae, don’t run it for a few months, quickly switching over to bio pellets and GFO reactors. If you opt for zeovit, don’t shift within a year to something else. Any system for keeping a reef aquarium healthy takes time, research and patience.
To find a few places where you can be guaranteed good deals, check out Bulk Reef Supply (BRS). BRS was started, and is run, by passionate reef hobbyists, and they offer a lot of equipment, made by them, at very competitive prices. Also, their host of “mix it yourself” additives, are not only cost effective, but outperform many of the pre-mixed, expensive products.
Another valuable bookmark for your web browser, is Marine Depot. Not only does Marine Depot carry nearly every reef product on Earth, they price match as well. Even better, nearly all orders ship the same day.
There is a quick breakdown, and introduction to the hobby. It’s not cheap, it’s not quick, it’s not Lindsay Lohan. With time, a couple of bucks, some patience and elbow grease, a coral reef can be yours, right in the comfort of your own home.
The cost chart below is based off high end equipment. It has been my experience, when trying to cut costs, when it comes to reef aquarium products, eventually ends up costing more in the end. Many of the best manufacturers of reef aquarium products, (Red Sea, Ecotech Marine, AVAST Marine Works, Neptune Systems) only make products for marine aquariums. When you start looking at products from companies that make a whole host of pet products, I’ve found quality takes a nose dive, as often these products are based off some other technology, intended for something other than a reef system. I will toss in a quick disclaimer about LED lighting producer Kessil. Kessil also makes high end lighting systems for the horticulture industry. Since both horticulture and reef keeping share many similar requirements, Kessil’s LED lights rank among some of the best, backed by one of the best warranties in the industry.
This cost breakdown is based on a 100 gallon, starphire glass or acrylic, pre-drilled aquarium. I specify starphire glass or acrylic, because often new aquarists under-appreciate the choice of aquarium material, in an attempt to save money. One thing that is impossible to change, without entirely tearing your aquarium apart and moving it, is the material. While both acrylic and starphire glass are more costly than a standard glass tank, the benefits long term are substantial, leading to a far more appealing reef system. Both have their pros, and their cons, but those deserve a dedicated discussion. I can say, I’ve used both, and like both equally, for a variety of reasons.
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced acrylic aquarium, I recommend the folks at TruVu. They specialize in acrylic tanks, and have an entire line of customizable, reef ready options. While TruVu tanks used a thinner (.5”) acrylic then some builders, their costs are more reasonable, and the aquariums hold their shape for a number of years.
On the starphire glass side, check out Deep Blue Professional’s Edge aquarium series. While Deep Blue is a newbie in the aquarium building business, when compared to All Glass and Marine Land, their edge series tanks have a starphire glass front panel, and are available pre-drilled, with optical clarity, not a price, that will drop your jaw.
Cost breakdown:
· Reef ready, pre-drilled aquarium and stand: 48” x 24”
· $ 1,650.00 (w/out shipping if shipped freight to your home)
· Sump: $ 400.00
· Plumbing, etc: $ 105.00
· Return pump(s): $ 300.00
· Circulation pumps and web enabled controller: $ 800.00
· LED lighting, w/ web enabled controller: $ 1,950.00
· Reactors w/ media and pumps, (carbon, biopellets, phosban, etc): $ 700.00
· Protein skimmer: $ 500.00
· Dosing additives: $ 300.00
· Salt: $ 88.00
· Mixing/Water Change station: $ 240.00
· Controller/ web enabled: $ 600.00
· Live rock: $ 628.95
· RODI unit: $ 300.00
· Total initial investment: $ 8,561.95
· Likely investment with starting livestock: $ 10,000+
That is my designation number, shared with people who are considering their own first reef aquarium. At least one of any size. I used whole numbers, and there is probably some sway, up or down, in those figures. Clearly a nano-reef would be far cheaper, but even an all in one system, isn't easy on the wallet.
Let’s move forward:
If you’re still reading, let me discuss why nearly everything I have chosen, for a first time reef aquarist, is high end. As I said before, many of the lower cost products sold for reef aquariums, are made by massive companies that produce a variety of products for the pet trade. I know some of their products are alright, and will likely perform well enough, they just aren’t really suited for reefs, like a reef product is. Let’s take Ecotech Marine, who’s lighting and circulation pump costs, I used to generate this cost estimate. Ecotech founder Tim Marks got interested in marine aquariums in eighth grade, around the same time I did. While in college, he used his education and applied it to marine aquariums, creating the first version of the insanely popular Vortech pump. Funding from the National Colligate Inventors and Innovators Alliance, and backing by Ice Cap inc, helped cement the foundation that has made Ecotech Marine, a household name among aquarists.
This story is similar to the founding legacies of other high end, reef aquarium product manufacturers. Since these aren’t large corporations, capable of mass producing tons of product at a very cheap rate, their offerings carry a significant cost. This rule of thumb, trickles right down to the additives you put in your aquarium water, or the media in your filter. Two Little Fishies, whose flagship product is Phos Ban, was founded by lifelong zoologist and aquarist Julian Sprung. Reef Frenzy frozen foods, which are quickly gaining the reputation as the best aquarium food on the market, was developed by Larry DuPont, a long time aquarist, and contributor to this forum.
The point is simple. You get what you pay for, and in the hobby, equipment developed with your aquarium’s long term health and success, is simply more expensive than mass produced products from large mainstream pet manufactures. This holds true for nearly any products in the industry, right into the realm of livestock.
Okay, I got that:
So you now know, that to be successful, you need good equipment, produced solely for the reef aquarium hobby. You’re probably wondering, are there areas where I can save money. Luckily, there are. First, opting for primarily dry rock, can save you a good chunk of change. The caveat, is that dry rock doesn't contain the beneficial bacteria and micro-organisms, found on live rock. When starting you tank, I don’t advise using all dry rock. You will still need at least 20 pounds or so (depending on tank size) of live rock, to aid in establishing a bio-filter. Since live rock retails anywhere between 5.99 to 9.99 a pound, and dry rock can be found for 1.99 to 2.99 a pound, you can easily see where using a small portion of live rock, and a large portion of dry rock, can save.
Several large pet supplies, such as Central Garden and Pet, have created dedicated “reef divisions” which are all respected in the industry. While the parent company produces products for a variety of pet trades, the specific divisions, i.e. Coral Life, Kent Marine, Reef Crystals, and others, have specially formulated reef salts, that do a good job, when paired with RODI filtered water, of creating synthetic saltwater. This can save a little bit of money, as these salts are less expensive than those produced by reef only suppliers. Even though they are cheaper, often they perform as well as their competition, making the perfect price-performance trade off. In addition to aquarium salts, the companies I just mentioned also make equipment, which costs less and will perform well, but doesn't carry the degree of functionality found in companies' products whose sole focus is reef specific gear.
Why a rodi, right out of the gate?:
Reef aquariums, like anything that takes time and effort to create, are built from the foundation up. If you start, by making synthetic saltwater with low quality freshwater, you’ve already kicked off a downward trend. I often say, in the reef aquarium hobby, we keep water. The water in your aquarium, will ultimately decide what you can, and cannot do, livestock wise. It’s crucial to start off with the highest quality freshwater, which can only be accomplished with a, you guessed it, high end RODI unit. Drinking water systems from Lowe’s or Home Depot, simply don’t cut it. You need a RODI unit, specifically designed for use in creating freshwater for the marine aquarium, with a TDS (total dissolved solid) value of 0.
No matter what RODI unit you choose, creating reverse osmosis water is a slow process, which wastes about 4 gallons of water, to every 1 gallon of pure water. That said, RODI filtration is commonplace for most reef keepers these days, as it assures perfect water, right from the get-go.
Do I need an expensive sump, or even a sump at all?
I’ve had several sump-less reef aquariums. In short, you need a sump. It doesn’t matter if you filter your aquarium with reactors, a refugium, or algae scrubber, a sump makes the whole process much easier, and adds to your aquarium’s overall water volume. Aesthetically, a reef aquarium with hang on filters, and pump/heater wires everywhere, simply looks outdated and ugly, by today’s standards.
Does it have to cost a ton, no it really doesn’t, but you don’t want to skimp on it either. If a custom acrylic sump, with smoked sides and colorful baffles doesn’t interest you, aquarium product maker Eshopps has several sump models, that are well built, and won’t break the bank. Buying a cheap sump leads to bowing. As Yoda would say, “Bowing leads to unstable water level, unstable water level leads to leaks, and leaks lead to suffering.”
Can I at least save on my skimmer?:
It’s my humble opinion that your protein skimmer, is the backbone of reef aquarium filtration. The good news, they have come a long way, in the past 5 years. Skimmers started as glass tubes, powered by a water and air pump, along with a lime wood air stone. Today they are sleek, coming in a variety of designs and shapes. To put it simply, you should buy the best skimmer you can afford, making sure it’s at least rated to a few gallons more than the aquarium’s overall water volume.
When exploring the seemingly never-ending supply of skimmer manufactures, take a look at Skimz. This Singapore based company has pioneered the oval shaped skimmer, allowing for higher performance and contact area, while still maintaining the low profile of cone shaped skimmers. Don’t let the Singapore origin lead you to believe these units are cheaply made. Singapore is a highly developed nation, with a strong economy and cutting edge scientific sectors. These skimmers are high quality and perform well, not to mention that they are competitively priced.
Final Considerations:
When starting in the reef aquarium hobby, it’s important to find a methodology and stick with it. This will save you money, in the long run, but also gurantee that you can hone your skills, at one specific way of keeping a coral reef aquarium. For example, if you opt for a large refugium with miracle mud and macro algae, don’t run it for a few months, quickly switching over to bio pellets and GFO reactors. If you opt for zeovit, don’t shift within a year to something else. Any system for keeping a reef aquarium healthy takes time, research and patience.
To find a few places where you can be guaranteed good deals, check out Bulk Reef Supply (BRS). BRS was started, and is run, by passionate reef hobbyists, and they offer a lot of equipment, made by them, at very competitive prices. Also, their host of “mix it yourself” additives, are not only cost effective, but outperform many of the pre-mixed, expensive products.
Another valuable bookmark for your web browser, is Marine Depot. Not only does Marine Depot carry nearly every reef product on Earth, they price match as well. Even better, nearly all orders ship the same day.
There is a quick breakdown, and introduction to the hobby. It’s not cheap, it’s not quick, it’s not Lindsay Lohan. With time, a couple of bucks, some patience and elbow grease, a coral reef can be yours, right in the comfort of your own home.
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