Do Budget friendly aquariums exist?

[reefingBeAmazin22]

So I’m looking into getting a 150 gallon aquarium in the future and I’m kind of lost as what to get. I mean I look at water box and red sea’s All in one tanks, And the price just makes me do a double take, so I’m only 16, but how many 16 year olds do you know just carrying around 3 grand, I’m debating making a diy plywood tank, I’m also fine without an AIO, just a tank with maybe some pre drilled holes, I can make a stand and the sump, I think the best prices I’ve found so far are on glasscages.com, don’t know if any of you guys have shopped their, anyway any help is greatly appreciated

 

[Reef.]

Could end up costing you as much for a not very good tank, going diy.

I would either take your time and look for a used tank, you will find amazing deals or if you really want a new tank, reduce the size to say 60g, which is still a reasonable size and if you are not worrying about the costs as much you will enjoy the hobby more, and have the money to spend on the extra things that pop up and emergencies etc 150g tank is big, the runnings costs and setup costs will probably be more than you have guessed at, the tank is normally not that expensive compared to the other equipment you need.

 

[Hugh Mann]

+1 to shop used. In my area can regularly find 75 gallon tanks for >$200. Small enough you can run all HOB equipment and save yourself having to run a sump too.

Big tanks are ludicrously expensive to set up. I'm working on a 265 and my sand alone is going to cost $250.

 

[reefingBeAmazin22]

Could end up costing you as much for a not very good tank, going diy.

I would either take your time and look for a used tank, you will find amazing deals or if you really want a new tank, reduce the size to say 60g, which is still a reasonable size and if you are not worrying about the costs as much you will enjoy the hobby more, and have the money to spend on the extra things that pop up and emergencies etc 150g tank is big, the runnings costs and setup costs will probably be more than you have guessed at, the tank is normally not that expensive compared to the other equipment you need.

Yeah that’s probably true, I mainly want a 150 because I’m planning on the long term, it isn’t so big that it would be impossible to move it around but is big enough for me to have flexibility in stocking options, like I can’t put a tang in a 60, i recently saw the king of diy make a plywood aquarium and I thought he made it look really good fairly cheaply, I’m not saying I would be able to replicate that but would be cool

 

[Oscar Rivera]

Of course. Hang on the back filter with poly filter pad and chemi pure blue !!

 

[reefingBeAmazin22]

What about sc 150 gallon aquarium, seems pretty nice honestly

 

[vabben]

Start small, tangs are cool but you can still get some awesome fish in a cube. The tank will defiantly be expensive but dont forget about all the additional equipment and on going maintenance costs of keeping a successful reef tank.

 

[ApoIsland]

So I’m looking into getting a 150 gallon aquarium in the future and I’m kind of lost as what to get. I mean I look at water box and red sea’s All in one tanks, And the price just makes me do a double take, so I’m only 16, but how many 16 year olds do you know just carrying around 3 grand, I’m debating making a diy plywood tank, I’m also fine without an AIO, just a tank with maybe some pre drilled holes, I can make a stand and the sump, I think the best prices I’ve found so far are on glasscages.com, don’t know if any of you guys have shopped their, anyway any help is greatly appreciated

I got a used 120g drilled with 40g sump with stand for $600.

Plenty of good deals on local forums or clubs. All in including lights and supplies I had less than $1300 spent until I upgraded the lights after about 5 years.

 

[firmefatboy799]

check offer up and facebook marketplace there's used set ups all over for cheap and complete

 

[Paulie069]

So I’m looking into getting a 150 gallon aquarium in the future and I’m kind of lost as what to get. I mean I look at water box and red sea’s All in one tanks, And the price just makes me do a double take, so I’m only 16, but how many 16 year olds do you know just carrying around 3 grand, I’m debating making a diy plywood tank, I’m also fine without an AIO, just a tank with maybe some pre drilled holes, I can make a stand and the sump, I think the best prices I’ve found so far are on glasscages.com, don’t know if any of you guys have shopped their, anyway any help is greatly appreciated

Yes they do,, my whole system of 65gal tank with a 30gal sump only cost me 150 dollars total including all coral

 

[reefingBeAmazin22]

Yes they do,, my whole system of 65gal tank with a 30gal sump only cost me 150 dollars total including all coral

Wow that’s amazing

 

[ApoIsland]

Wow that’s amazing

Plenty of good deals out there. Just be very patient.

 

[afishbestservedcold]

check craiglist for tanks and other stuff, aquabid.com even. if you're 16 maybe it isnt worth doing too crazy of a tank if you are planning on going away for college....then again , go for the 150 - I somehow made it through high school with only a 40g breeder

Two things I would consider are (1) although a bigger tank doesn't necessarily mean your costs are astronomically higher (obviously you'll need bigger hardware, which is more expensive) the general upkeep costs will be higher on a bigger tank and (2) you WILL end up spending more on a bigger tank, filling it with cool stuff, ATO, skimmer, this that etc

 

[mindme]

So I’m looking into getting a 150 gallon aquarium in the future and I’m kind of lost as what to get. I mean I look at water box and red sea’s All in one tanks, And the price just makes me do a double take, so I’m only 16, but how many 16 year olds do you know just carrying around 3 grand, I’m debating making a diy plywood tank, I’m also fine without an AIO, just a tank with maybe some pre drilled holes, I can make a stand and the sump, I think the best prices I’ve found so far are on glasscages.com, don’t know if any of you guys have shopped their, anyway any help is greatly appreciated

You are not going to get a new aquarium of that size and quality for cheap. There is prostar, they have a 160g 5 foot tank for $2100. That includes stand and sump, but it doesn't include lighting, return pumps, etc. That is the cheapest I know of for the type of tanks you are mentioning.

So that leaves 2 options AFAIK. You can look at your local fish stores and get cheaper quality stand and tank. Marineland, Aqueon tanks. My LFS for example recently had a 150g tank and stand + canopy on sale for $1300. It was an aquaeon tank. Nothing wrong with them really, but they aren't as nice looking(IMO) as the rimless tanks you mention above. But the reef is the star, and they still make awesome tanks.

And if that's still too expensive, then the next option is a used tank. Price can vary obviously, but you can get some really good deals if you be patient about it.

If my budget was that tight, I would look at getting a smaller tank.

 

[hotdrop]

Unless your parents are loaded skip the reef tank and buy a car. Seriously the tank is the cheap part even a wb tank was only 1/3 to 1/4 of my total setup and my tank is basically empty at the moment.

 

[afishbestservedcold]

Unless your parents are loaded skip the reef tank and buy a car. Seriously the tank is the cheap part even a wb tank was only 1/3 to 1/4 of my total setup and my tank is basically empty at the moment.

If OP's parents are loaded then he will be going off to college and they will be smart enough to know they'll be the ones taking care of it for 4 years so doubtful even then haha.

@reefingBeAmazin22 what tanks do you have now?

 

[reefingBeAmazin22]

Unless your parents are loaded skip the reef tank and buy a car. Seriously the tank is the cheap part even a wb tank was only 1/3 to 1/4 of my total setup and my tank is basically empty at the moment.

Yeah that’s the thing, I actually do have the money for a water box aquarium, but that is all my money, I’m trying to go cheap so I can afford a car, I have close to 5 grand in my savings but I’m mainly investing it for my future, I’m not trying to sound like it impossible for me to afford everything but I don’t want to come out broke

 

[reefingBeAmazin22]

If OP's parents are loaded then he will be going off to college and they will be smart enough to know they'll be the ones taking care of it for 4 years so doubtful even then haha.

@reefingBeAmazin22 what tanks do you have now?

I just have a 20 gallon right now, which ik the gallon difference is insane but again, I plan on having this tank for the long haul

 

[Devaji]

lots of good info here.

my 2 cents... get a used but nice set up. depending on where you live should be lots.
your young life is going to change for you, dont be tied to your a big reef.
enjoy it while mon and dad are paying the bills.
if you cant get a good used 40BR and amazing budget tanks!

after high school go TRAVEL no really DO IT. see the world ,fall in love with an foreign human of your liking. so many beautiful places and people on this earth. find your self, decide what you want to do.
trust me this year or 5 will be so much personal growth you will be a better human for it.

 

[92Miata]

If you're worried about money, and going off to college, a 150g tank is a terrible idea. A plywood tank is even worse. Plywood tanks make sense once you get to huge, or weird shapes. For tank sizes that are commercially produced - they're a lot of work and end up not being any cheaper.

And reef tanks run MUCH better when they're well stocked. Can you fill a 150g tank with live rock and corals and fish? Thats going to cost you more than the $5k you've got.

Go buy a used 75 or 90. Its a much more manageable size - and you can probably find one with rock for <$500. They show up all the time on craigslist