How Much Did You Spend On Your Tank?

[Teahupoo]

New tank is probably at 5-6k right now and thats excluding the costs of getting it wet. It is probably my most expensive tank to date, but I dont consider this hobby expensive depending on life style. I'm in my late 20s and have friends who easily spend a couple hundred a week on alcohol or other extracuriculars. "Going out" can easily add up to a nice reef tank over a year. That includes bars, restaurants, fast food, etc. If you can sacrifice expensive social events, and have a like minded spouse, you'd be surprised what you can afford.

I know this is an old post. But couldn't agree more....

 

[ca1ore]

Even modest expenditures, over long periods of time, end up being big numbers. I've been reefing for 30 years - if I averaged $100 per month over that time it's over $150,000. Spent more than that on restaurants over the same period ….. much more on stereo gear.

 

[lpsouth1978]

This is a VERY loaded question, as it will vary A LOT with every setup. That being said, I will play:

I am probably into my 40B about $2k, not counting maintenance costs (just setup and livestock). It is nothing fancy, just a DIY drilled 40B on a garage shelf stand, Eclipse S overflow, 20L sump, Jebao return pump, MP40 and jebao powerheads, and 2 x AI Hydra 26HD's. It has been set up for almost 2 years and is FULLY stocked.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is my Waterbox 230.6 that I am closer to $6k into and I am no where near done. At this point it has just rock and fish in it. The sump has 3 x marinepure blocks, RO skimmer, Jebao return pump, and a DIY Algae scrubber. I have 4 x Jebao CP-150's in the tank ans about $1200 in fish. I still need to get the lights (this is why there are only fish right now) so that will be another $2k. Then come the corals, so lets say roughly $3-4k more for them. I don't even use controllers and such, and I will still be into this tank $12K+ by the time it is done.

The trouble with these estimates is that things can be done for much more or less.