How much did your Tank Setup Cost??

[Roatan Reef]

Lol...I don't really want to know how much your Tank Setup Cost...I am finding it comedy gold at this point

Since setting up my 1st ever Mixed Reef Tank it goes as follows:

Oh Wow...that is Awesome, Your Tank is Amazing, Oh Wow...look at that fish..Oh wow...what is this coral? Would you look at That!! Plus at least 5 other pleasantries ....always followed up with...


HOW MUCH DID IT COST??

I always tell them...if you really want to know, don't Ask, and if you are interested, Toss your Budget into the Abyss!

Never Fails!

I end with how much does it cost to view the Magnificence of God's Creation? We severely underpaid!

 

[blaxsun]

What did it cost? You mean the initial cost, how much I went over budget or the ongoing cost?

 

[jsker]

I almost need a NDA on this one

$1500 for the basic setup of a 72 gal bow front with sump. Then the upgrades

 

[sfin52]

90gal tank. The first day I dropped 1.2k. That doesn't include the upgrades over the years. I'm prob close 2.5k total for set up. That includes rock and sand.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Too much.

 

[albano]

Been doing SW since 1973… well into 6 figures!

 

[WVNed]

My answer now is
"I don't remember"

 

[Jerrym21]

For my 180. With everything I’m probably in the area of 6000 - 6500.

 

[Rmckoy]

20+ years reefing .
with multiple tanks come and gone through upgrades .

this current 230 gal … I bought it used with stand and sump for $1600
Plus everything I put in to it .

the actual dollar value of what was spent over the years . I could never imagine

my biggest fear …
When I die my family will sell everything for what I said it cost .

 

[Gtinnel]

I just started trying to add everything up and I made it to $3,000 in just apex gear so I got scared and quit adding it up.

My official answer is I don’t know and I don’t want to know.

 

[SaltyPotato]

Waterbox 65 - $2,000
Custom Tempered Glass Eurobrace - $500
2 x MP10s - $700
Vortech Battery Backup - $200
2 x AIs - $560
IM Heater - $250
Syncra SDC 3.0 - $250
Rock/Sand/Additives - $500
Salt - $100
Fish - $500
Miscellaneous pumps/gear/RODI - $500

Total - $6,000 (Haven’t even got into corals yet)

Estimated Budget - $3,000

Coming from freshwater, it’s a hilarious difference. You could have a custom 5k 500+ gallon tank with 1k in filters and call it a day. You just don’t know till you know.

 

[Wasabiroot]

More than I care to admit and less than I wish I could

 

[Miami Reef]

These questions cause me to go through the fight/flight response. Is there a way to block future threads that involve money?

lol

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

Once I make a few more purchases like the lid and Nero 5's. I'll be looking at about 4500 total. Then additional stocking cost.
I know it seems high and it definitely is but I went premium on just about everything. I also bought everything brand new.
Setup:
Waterbox Marine X 90.3
2 AI prime 16
Curve 5 Elite Protein Skimmer
Bulk reef supply Media reactor and sicce pump
Sicce 4.0 return
Bulk Reef supply RODI
Top Lids/Kraken Reef *Undecided lid
2 nero 5's
Bulk Reef Titanium heater and ink bird

Key point here is I slowly bought the equipment. This is a hobby of patience so take your time and save for what you want.

 

[reefiniteasy]

I never thought to add it all up but now I’m intrigued.

 

[Miami Reef]

I never thought to add it all up but now I’m intrigued.

 

[Roatan Reef]

What did it cost? You mean the initial cost, how much I went over budget or the ongoing cost?

A Budget is Laughable in this hobby, other than a guesstimate parameter!

 

[Roatan Reef]

My answer now is
"I don't remember"

I like that one...I think I'll roll with that response.."Well, I had a budget, but at this point I don't Remember really "

 

[Labridaedicted]

All in all I would say it's around *Redacted*.

Nice try wifey. Won't fall for that one!

 

[zheka757]

its a hobby, and should be approached not in dollar value but in fun/entertainment/relaxation value. that's why most of us don't add up that next trip to LFS buy corals/fish