How much did you spend?

[PotatoPig]

For the hardware I’m a little over $1500 for my 75gallon setup all in, including stand and RODI. So approx $20-25/gallon.

I understand this is on the lower end, especially with no second hand parts, managed this by:

1. I like rimmed tanks.
2. Almost exclusively shop sales
3. Lots of DIY

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

For the hardware I’m a little over $1500 for my 75gallon setup all in, including stand and RODI. So approx $20-25/gallon.

I understand this is on the lower end, especially with no second hand parts, managed this by:

1. I like rimmed tanks.
2. Almost exclusively shop sales
3. Lots of DIY

This is about my total cost a year in for my 75G, mostly because hydros and getting most everything used.

Some DIY too, I built my own dosing pumps, and parted out my reactors and scrubbers

 

[Troylee]

8-10k on current build with stocking.

 

[jimfish98]

If you counted both systems before fish and coral, more than I care to admit. Sadly though, I have a 2000g koi pond that cleans itself and it was cheaper to put together than these two systems.

 

[Paul B]

I have no idea since it was 1971 but it was probably close to free. Except for the trip to Hawaii to SCUBA dive for my rock.

My tank was a 40 gallon which I probably found in a lot someplace.
This is it. (I look exactly the same)



There were no powerheads then so I probably used an air piston pump. I took the water under the Brooklyn Bridge.



The only fish available were Blue Devils and they were I think about $7.00 which was a lot of money 50+ years ago

This is one of them over his nest of eggs Circa 1972



That tank is now in a 125 gallon glass and it is still running.

 

[mattdg]

In my experience around $1000 / 10 gallons (excluding livestock), for a mixed reef setup capable of growing SPS coral. I have had 3G / 5G / 7.5G / 15G / 18G / 30G / 34G / 75G / 80G / 120G over 30 years and they have all adhered to this rule, adjusting for inflation. If considering the cost of electricity add about $140 / year / 10 gallons, at least true where I live.

 

[X-37B]

In my experience around $1000 / 10 gallons (excluding livestock), for a mixed reef setup capable of growing SPS coral. I have had 3G / 5G / 7.5G / 15G / 18G / 30G / 34G / 75G / 80G / 120G over 30 years and they have all adhered to this rule, adjusting for inflation. If considering the cost of electricity add about $140 / year / 10 gallons, at least true where I live.

Well said!

 

[Reefing102]

If you have to ask…you can’t afford.

Always wanted to say that. Anyway, first year I was in for about $1500 for my 65.

As of today, replacement retail value, eeesh probably around $10k.

 

[Rincon_Reefer]

If you have to ask…you can’t afford.

Always wanted to say that. Anyway, first year I was in for about $1500 for my 65.

As of today, replacement retail value, eeesh probably around $10k.

Same...I run a reefer 250 and a 40 cube I designed and put together myself....especially automation gear...but it helps keep corals alive so it 'pays for itself'

 

[SomeHappyFish]

4000$ CAD so roughly 3000$USD. I have a list of every item and their cost if someone wishes to see.

I have a 45G setup.

 

[rhitee93]

In my experience around $1000 / 10 gallons (excluding livestock), for a mixed reef setup capable of growing SPS coral. I have had 3G / 5G / 7.5G / 15G / 18G / 30G / 34G / 75G / 80G / 120G over 30 years and they have all adhered to this rule, adjusting for inflation. If considering the cost of electricity add about $140 / year / 10 gallons, at least true where I live.

I won't answer this question publicly for safety reasons, but I have to admit as much as I thought I would beat the $100/gal rule of thumb, that is about where I'm headding. I could have cut that back significantly if I were a bit less picky about aesthetics.

My tank is in my office in a public building so the fit and finish had to be a bit better than I would have accepted if it were in my den at home. It also meant that all of the infrastructure needed to be neatly hidden and I took some extra precautions to keep from causing damage to my employer's building.

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

You do not need to rack up that much money.

Jebaos and knockoff lights can grow difficult coral, dosing pumps can be easily made, reactors are easily made from just parting them out instead of buying name brand.

My $180 popbloom RL90s that I don't even need to run at 100% for my sps. If you by the high priced lights and pumps, it will end up running 1k per gallon.

However, I completely understand going with absurdly expensive tanks, while I've never had a cheapo one fail on me, the expensive ones are clearly something special when you see them. I thought it was silly to drop thousands on a glass box, but they truly are gorgeous. But at the moment I got the cheapest 75 gallon money can buy.