How do people afford this hobby!!!

[Whiskeyboy84]

I bought all new and built my own stand so for my 250g setup for sps with all Kessil lighting even Kessil H380’s a pair over my Fuge I am just under 9,000 dollars

 

[Seanb1]

Depends on what equipment you purchase.
For instance you can buy 60 dollar powerheads or 500 dollar powerheads.
300 dollar lights or 1000 dollar lights.
A skimmer for 400 that does as good a job as a 1200 dollar skimmer.
Up to you.

 

[PeterG]

I got a “free” 90 gal tank last summer complete with sump, pump, skimmer etc. No automation or lights. Between paying someone to move it, set it up, do several WC to get crazy NO3 in order, new sand, rocks, LEDs etc. etc. I’m now into this “free" setup for somewhere in the $4-5k range. Then throw in a new QT for fish and another for corals and, and, and and…. You all know the drill. I’ve got all my receipts but so far have resisted the urge to add them up.

But I’m retired and reasonably comfortable and now have a new hobby that makes me exercise my brain. My Nikon equipment will be good for years and it’s been months since I’ve had a craving for a Leica M 240 and associated lenses. As a big plus my wife loves the tank and is cool with the expense.

As so many have stated, every hobby has a price. At least reef-keeping is relatively safe and keeps us out of trouble.

 

[Dream54ing]

Ever since I ended my bad habits of doing hardcore drugs, various adult entertainment and extreme vegas gambling, I'm having plenty of money to drop into this hobby. This hobby is much more addicting as everything combined! Not to mention, its keeping me out of prison, in which save me a pretty penny on lawyer fees!! Well that's how i afford this hobby.

Dont count how much your spending, I stopped counting after my first $500. If i had to guess, in the 25+ year in this hobby, I've probably spend $20K. which isnt bad Set a budget and slowly pieces things together. do your research and purchase equipment once.

 

[Bob2bob Verified Admin]

I recently set up a 75g and am currently cycling (i.e. no livestock purchases yet) I have most of my equipment though and I'm at $3750. I've done some things DIY and cheap (stand and used tank) and other things I've spent money on that I might not needed to do (water station and high-end plumbing pieces). I'd say my equipment is middle of the line. The biggest individual expenses are in lighting and other high-end equipment but there is certainly a large spectrum of prices here with success (and failures) at all price points. More detail (every cost and where it comes from) in my build thread but here's the current breakdown

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

@WVNed lol wow those are just lol (can I say sxxy if not soooooooo sorry) well how about Urgh no other word works but hopefully you get the idea. At least if yours fall in the water lol they float. Why does your wife smack you, that’s soooo mean lol. Maybe she could take away your crocs instead lol. Not to be off topic (Sorry @mike werner please don’t tape my mouth closed lol and make me write stay on topic 2,000 times on a chalk board, you know I so respect you), but that’s not a truck lol this is a truck see pic below, and if you read my thread Urgh seriously you will understand why.

@cracker lol good grief you make me feel like my niece who is five lol. Your truck is almost as old as I am, sheesh couldn’t you just buy a new one or say it’s only five years old. You still won’t have a truck as neat as mine as soon as I figure out how I’m the heck I can get one, and drive it back and forth to the lfs. The good thing is it can carry anything in need included your truck, my Jeep, and lol @WVNed truck and car and have room to spare

This will be my truck a real one jk[/QUOTE]

 

[WVNed]

I like small vehicles.
Economy sized.

 

[rbarr110]

I would estimate I am over $4k in and I haven't finished the hood on my stand and not one piece of livestock yet. However, I decided to go all in for my first setup so I wouldn't go through the "start cheap and add on over the years" with nicer and bigger stuff syndrome people often regret...
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/seattle-75-scratch-that-120-gallon-build.334283/

 

[Sarah24!]

I like small vehicles.
Economy sized.

Hello,

First huge huge apology but I have to ask and since this was posted I need to ask. My older brother left these rc cars to me along with I think 7 more than are not even built yet. But I don’t know anything about them, and should I even keep them? They have never been ran, they brand brand new. He told me they all run from one controller now that I have somewhere. Just not sure what I should do with them. I can provide more pics also. Thanks and sorry I just went off topic Urgh I’m so bad at this.

@rbarr110 sounds like a nice tank but what did you buy for 4K? Meaning what equipment did you go with?

 

[Bacon505]

Expensive or not is depends on you. The way i see it, reef tank is like cell phone. You have multiple carriers to choose from with a good range of prices. Then there are options with smart phones and data plans, and bunch of other necessities. Some chose to stick with a simple plan and a cheap phone and still fullfil it’s purpose of calling snd recieving calls. While others will get the most popular trend phone like iphone8 or 10( i believe they’re $1200 now?)and continue to upgrade each year as they come out.
I think corals apply the same when you buy from local reefer or named corals. You mostly pay for the name. You can pay a $10 red planet from a local reefer or $100 for the same specie from a know vendor with a unique name.

 

[Haggisman14]

I think it all depends. I'd say right now I"ve got close to 2k into the tank.

Got the tank used from my LFS already with a Kessil light for it. Some add ons for heaters, pumps, ATO res, custom lid, some more rock etc etc, it adds up, but honestly after the initial expense of the tank, it really is incremental. I don't have an Apex, or any crazy automation other than an ATO.

I keep it simple, and it works for me, at least on the smaller tank. I have my dreams of a Red Sea Reefer 450 or 525XL in the future, and I'm sure I'd have more automation copme into play with that one.

Until then, all my money goes to corals salt and water

 

[this is me]

This hobby is way cheaper than a car's depreciation. That's how I see it.
There are way worst things you can spend your money on.

 

[DMan]

In the beginning yes it was expensive. But that was muted by the excitement. A lot of my expenses were because of mistakes. Because I wasn't patient enough, and rushed. Some were because I read an article about a piece of equipment and had to go out and buy it.
These days I don't spend much. I don't buy livestock like I used to. I don't need the latest gadget. If my skimmer craps out. I know I don't have to get one immediately.
If I were to start from scratch today with thr knowledge I have gained through sites like this and experience. I would probably spend half as much as I did way back when.

 

[Todvod]

The cost certainly kept me out for decades. Couldn't pull the trigger supporting a wife and 5 kids. There's only 2 left in the house now, so the build has begun(not wet yet). It's a 66g system and I've got about $1,300 into it so far. Still need to buy lights. I saved for a while for the tank and then have been buying equipment slowly to not take a big hit to the account. The wife appreciates that!

 

[Dan Snyder]

Cheaper than meth.

Haha, I feel like I’m on it! Spent 20k in my set up RED SEA XXL 750 and don’t even have fish or coral in it, not including the nano, and 3 QT systems. Of course every bell and whistle top end equipment, def not needed. I seen the most basic systems thrive sps threw the top of the water. Really comes down to how much you are willing and can afford to spend. Any hobby is expensive if you go extreme. Have a boat as well, I see some people post and this will 10 fold a reef system, going extreme. Everything is relative. Have to live within your means.

 

[rbarr110]

Hello,

@rbarr110 sounds like a nice tank but what did you buy for 4K? Meaning what equipment did you go with?

Apex 2016, (2) COR 20 pumps, Neptune Modules (ATK, WXM, FMM Flow meters, 2 WAV powerheads).
Ecotech Radion XR15's (have 2 but need 4), Emperor 40 UV, FC-180 skimmer, misc. plumbing, 125 gallon Aqueon Tank, home made sump ($250 materials), homemade stand ($300-$400 in 2x framing and solid birch)

 

[Doclight]

No seriously, I’m getting back in after 8 years and I can actually hear the sudden disturbance in the force. I’m sure lots of opinions.
Well I sold it all and actually did quite well on all parts and livestock but now I’m starting at zero.
I don’t see many threads about cost except to say that “it’s expensive” .
How expensive? Some real numbers would be good. No judges here! We are all in this hobby together!
Why the interest? Like I said, starting again and just tryna feel better about this endeavor. Love to hear some positive feedback!!
Thanks so much

LOTS OF LAYWAY!! LOL.. So I have a little over 4k in my 180g build. However, 20 years ago, I had that much in a basic 75 gallon. So with the luck of the internet and good sales, I've got a WAY BETTER setup , cheaper.

 

[Oberst Oswald]

I don't drink, don't smoke, don't chew and don't go out with girls that do. Wife & I worked our entire adult lives, at times more than 1 job each, and only borrowed money for a house and cars. Made sure we each put 10%+ in our 401K's or profit sharing plans starting at marriage. Our hard working son, a commercial diver, didn't need to go to college to be successful. Now that we are both retired we can afford a reef tank and a couple of dogs from the shelter. I have spent over $10,000+ total on the reef when you add in the cost of coral/fish that I lost learning, bad luck or mistakes I've made. Now... no more fish or corals at $150/$300 each. Nothing gets spent on the tank that is living that will cost a little above $100. Just as happy now with a Green Slimer as I am with a Bleeding Apple Scoly. Good equipment cost plenty, and is a must have, but you can still have a beautiful reef by keeping your fish/coral within reason and budget. The reefing hobby is cheap if you think and consider all the stupid stuff you spend money on.

 

[stevieduk]

chinese selling sites and ebay help a lot , i have a 5 foot fish only tank and a 4ftx4ftx 2ft deep coral only tank , each has its own 3ft tank as a sump and to set them both up including fish and coral I dont think ive paid out more than $400

 

[ReefWithCare]

Hello,

First huge huge apology but I have to ask and since this was posted I need to ask. My older brother left these rc cars to me along with I think 7 more than are not even built yet. But I don’t know anything about them, and should I even keep them? They have never been ran, they brand brand new. He told me they all run from one controller now that I have somewhere. Just not sure what I should do with them. I can provide more pics also. Thanks and sorry I just went off topic Urgh I’m so bad at this.

@rbarr110 sounds like a nice tank but what did you buy for 4K? Meaning what equipment did you go with?

Those new brushless and LIPO powered cars are pretty pricey - you can spend around $2K for a full setup and the car will easily go 70+ MPH .

Still a discount to my reef tank [emoji848]