Well I don't sell products, I recommend them on behalf of what someone is looking for. Needless to say, I don't make any money off recommending products, but do it in the best interest of a client. Yes, we could all make a 40 dollar sump, with an empty aquarium. The article I wrote was based on face value, someone with little to no experience, looking at entering the hobby and buying gear that would offer some versatility for future changes. To that end, what I have there is spot on, and a vessel of information for folks with those needs.
As for Rpujol's slew of comments, all I can say is, it's my humble opinion that knowledge of your livestock, the nitrogen cycle and good husbandry aren't all it takes to get a good reef tank, and are certainly apart of a bigger picture. How about understanding the relationship between Alkalinity and Calcium, what animals benefit from iodine dosing, how about iron and the role it plays in coral coloration, even though some species are intolerant of it? The formation of anaerobic bacteria in your aquarium, to aid in nutrient removal? How about keeping deep water fish species (who are sensitive to bright light) with shallow water corals. That list can go on forever.
Going off understanding the nitrogen cycle, good husbandry and knowledge of your livestock alone, you would have a very limited experience with reef aquariums. And no, I never suggested that any beginner has any business with a Moorish Idol, or Achilles Tang, simply that if, in the future, they do have the skills necessary and desire, it would be better to have equipment that can perform the functionality to keep them, rather than have to go out and buy new equipment, on top of what has already been spent.
My guess, is that some of the folks who have replied, are reading the posts and not the actual article, even though they claim to disagree with everything it said. Much of what I recommended, is far from the most expensive. Skimz skimmers, are a far cry price wise, from Deltec's models, and a variety of other manufacturers. TruVu acrylic tanks cost a fraction of many other manufactures. Eshopps sumps cost way, way less than many other brands. Using mass produced salt, like Instant Ocean, costs far less than using the likes of Korallin Zucht, and others.
I do disagree that less than 10% of reef aquarists systems cost less than $10,000, especially if perished livestock was factored in. While I am sure many are running systems with no skimmer, similar to your own Rpujol, you have to admit, that type of system has severe limitations.
