Does this hobby have to be expensive?

[Prestigereef]

Here is the story about how I got my first tank:


You can see how I got the tank, the sand and dry live rock were poor quality and given to me by someone who was shutting down, the system was run on Natural sea water, and most of the fish were presents or unwanted leftovers for other peoples breakdowns.

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

I think the term “expensive” or what is cheap in this hobby differs from person to person. For one reefer a $200 frag is something that they don’t even need to think twice about while for others $200 is crazy expensive for a frag. Although it is possible on rare occasions I do thinj this hobby has to be expensive, with every reefer trying to move forward with their tank and that usually requires more money. I personally don’t know or heard of a reefer who is “finished” with their tank and is completely satisfied with what their system is at. There is always one more gadget or fish or frag that they are still after. So Although it may be possible, I think long term it will be and get expensive.

 

[Prestigereef]

I think the term “expensive” or what is cheap in this hobby differs from person to person. For one reefer a $200 frag is something that they don’t even need to think twice about while for others $200 is crazy expensive for a frag. Although it is possible on rare occasions I do thinj this hobby has to be expensive, with every reefer trying to move forward with their tank and that usually requires more money. I personally don’t know or heard of a reefer who is “finished” with their tank and is completely satisfied with what their system is at. There is always one more gadget or fish or frag that they are still after. So Although it may be possible, I think long term it will be and get expensive.

I'm not sure this hobby can be finished

 

[landlubber]

it doesn't have to be but its case specific. if you intend on firing up a 200g acropora specific system you're going to have to spend. a person could easily set up a beautiful rock flower anemone system in a 10g all-in-one nano for less than $300 completely stocked.

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

I'm not sure this hobby can be finished

Agreed! Its what makes it so expensive.

 

[Greybeard]

Finished? It's a hobby, not a project. There is no 'finished' for a hobby. Any hobby. If it's 'finished'... it's not a hobby.

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

Finished? It's a hobby, not a project. There is no 'finished' for a hobby. Any hobby. If it's 'finished'... it's not a hobby.

Could not have set it better I guess thats what I was trying to say. Someone could set up a tank for $300 add some fish and not add anything else just do weekly water changes but no one does that

 

[hart24601]

I think the 1st answer is the key. What is expensive? It's a subjective term. I am sure there are people out there who think just the amount most of us spend on electricity a year is expensive when it's just for a box of stuff to look at. There are still people in this country that go to bed hungry (not by choice) so I am sure to them this is a very expensive hobby if it costs anything at all.

Is $200 a year to you cheap? How about $200 a month? $200 a week? $200 a year to people who think the hobby is silly is no doubt expensive.

Then we get into the whole avenue of what your goals are. A jaw dropping acro only tank? Soft coral with fish? $1000 might be seen by some as an inexpensive acro fully stocked tank while $1000 might also seem and a very expensive softie tank.

 

[icejam]

I spent around $150 for 30g so far. Add some fish and coral - shouldn't be more than $250. Running cost should be around $15~$20/month.
So yes it can absolutely be done for cheap

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

I think the 1st answer is the key. What is expensive? It's a subjective term. I am sure there are people out there who think just the amount most of us spend on electricity a year is expensive when it's just for a box of stuff to look at. There are still people in this country that go to bed hungry (not by choice) so I am sure to them this is a very expensive hobby if it costs anything at all.

Is $200 a year to you cheap? How about $200 a month? $200 a week? $200 a year to people who think the hobby is silly is no doubt expensive.

Then we get into the whole avenue of what your goals are. A jaw dropping acro only tank? Soft coral with fish? $1000 might be seen by some as an inexpensive acro fully stocked tank while $1000 might also seem and a very expensive softie tank.

I completely agree. I personally see 1k for an acro tank very inexpensive if its even doable. It really depends on the hobbyist

 

[Tautog]

Nothing is ever finished! But in all honesty, and of course it’s jmo, hobbies can get as expensive as the hobbyist wants.........it just takes money. Buying a boat is easy, maintaining a boat is another story. There will always be start up costs with any hobby, but size and quality, a budget, all have a limit to most. Running a larger system has many advantages, but smaller systems can be difficult, and will eventually grow beyond its space.
So your answer is NO, systems don’t have to be expensive.
And you don’t need to have a $800.00 frag? Do you?
I have tried my best to run a inexpensive system, and have two different systems running now, both at minimum costs. My local tank cost per year is less than $200.00.

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

I spent around $150 for 30g so far. Add some fish and coral - shouldn't be more than $250. Running cost should be around $15~$20/month.
So yes it can absolutely be done for cheap

Im guessing your tank must be new then? It won’t stay cheap for long.

 

[Norman's_Tank]

Cheap is such a relative term, but I just don't think it is feasible to go "super budget" for a reef system. I am also a photography hobbyist and there are some similar principles...I could get away with a cheaper camera and lenses that aren't as high quality, but if I want the best results I'm likely going to be spending a fair amount of money on gear and equipment.

However, I do think you can get into the hobby for cheaper by taking the routes that have been mentioned here; buying used, finding people who are getting out of the hobby, trading, and just being a part of a reefing community.

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

I think a big thing here if not THE thing is how much a reefer has to spend or their income. Someone in Sacramento that I like to get frags from managed to spent 100k on his tank in 2 years time stocked with the most sought after acros. Thats absolutley insane to me but for him its not a big deal.

 

[Neo Jeo]

It's expensive to start and costs money for up keep. Electric bill, food, fish, corals, I feel like i keep buying frags lol... Almost $100 or more per month.

 

[Vahanyos]

Either we spend money on new toy airplanes to build and piece together week after week, or spend money on more coral, water, salt, supplements for dosing, etc...

Like Mr. Greybeard said, it's a hobby. There is no finished. If you're finished, time to move on to another hobby lol.

But, yes it IS expensive. It doesn't have to be - but if you want to make your system automated, and achieve the best growth and a tank you're truly satisfied with - then it comes with a cost

 

[icejam]

Im guessing your tank must be new then? It won’t stay cheap for long.

Yes, it's new (to me) but I had tropical fish all my life and pretty much same principles apply. I got this AIO setup and 60lbs of LR for $120. I am sure I can keep it running forever @ $20/month.
If I decide to upgrade to larger size 180gal is around $100-$150 locally. Buy smart and you don't have to spend a lot.

 

[Phelipe's Ocean]

Yes, it's new (to me) but I had tropical fish all my life and pretty much same principles apply. I got this AIO setup and 60lbs of LR for $120. I am sure I can keep it running forever @ $20/month.
If I decide to upgrade to larger size 180gal is around $100-$150 locally. Buy smart and you don't have to spend a lot.

Yeah see this is what I was talking about when I meant “finished” your not adding anything else just maintaining it. Whoever goes this route it is definetly possible.

 

[icejam]

Yeah see this is what I was talking about when I meant “finished” your not adding anything else just maintaining it. Whoever goes this route it is definetly possible.

It's a hobby and as such never will be finished. But I do not need $5K in frags and fish to enjoy it (would be nice though I must admit). Buy a cheap(ish) fish and frag every couple of months. Upgrade a piece of hardware once, twice a year and you really do not need six figure salary.

 

[icejam]

It's expensive to start and costs money for up keep. Electric bill, food, fish, corals, I feel like i keep buying frags lol... Almost $100 or more per month.

My electric bill for aquarium is around $3/month.