How to create the Budget Man's Reef

revhtree · May 31, 2012

Let's discuss a topic that was suggested by one of our FB members.

How to keep a reef tank with low income, fixed income or you just don't want to shell out a lot of money.

What are some good tips and tricks to getting this done?

BarbH · May 31, 2012

Few of the things that I have done, considering that I am working on a fixed budget is that I have looked for some of my equipment and other things used. I got a decent skimmer that I got from a local reefer at a great price. My tank, stand, sand and rock I also got from another local reefer that was getting out for a great price also, cost me a fraction of the price that I would have paid getting things new. I have also taken advantage of buying my powerheads online, I shopped around looking for the best price on what I wanted, much cheaper than buying the same thing locally. My lighting I am waiting on upgrading researching what I want to do and have been keeping an eye out here on what is available and what may work. Would I like to have vortechs sure, but for now my Korlia powerheads are working and I can save up to upgrade those at a later time. I do agree with not buying cheap equipment, but at the same time I do believe that it doesn't mean that there isn't mid-priced equipment that will work and allow one to get started.

fsu1dolfan · May 31, 2012

I don't want this taken the wrong way but regardless the little money you try to spend, this hobby will drain money. Just the up keep for regular maintenance - 2 part for Alk & Ca or reactors, other Additives, RODI or distilled water, Testing equipment, food for corals and fish, Bulbs (if not LEDs), Filters, Salt or Salt water, ...these all have to be replenished. That doesn't take into the account of any issues like, algaes, diseases, temperature, aitapasias or other pests. These issues usually mean some kind of financial commitment to control or eradicate. Then after handling those things.....corals and/or fish.

I have a 29 biocube and i relatively spend very little on my tank. But every month or two easy $100-$200 on just things for upkeep alone. I also agree with Barb good equipment help reduce costs in the long run....You cut corners and then you have to fix them later. No matter what you do it is important to plan and budget accordingly. Just equipment to get you up and running will not be the only $$$ you spend but it will be your biggest chunk.

MyReefToYours · May 31, 2012

Craigslist is great for picking up used equipment cheap.

M@! · May 31, 2012

I agree with Barb above. Used equipment will definitely help stretch out your budget. Local reef clubs and craigslist are excellent resources for used equipment. As far as the cheap equipment you want to make sure and not buy anything twice. Always think about your final goal and make sure what you buy will work long term. Lights is one piece of equipment that is easy to cheap out on.

Also don't forget about all the supporting equipment when you are calculating cost. Test kits, RO/DI, Refractometer, Salt, etc... It all adds up quickly!

Loki · May 31, 2012

Look on craigslist and buy a complete system of someone that is getting out, but make sure it's a good deal and that they have decent stuff. I bought a 120g with tons of stuff including a reeflo pump for $500. I sold the stuff I didn't use/need and I made my money back and kept the tank and pump. So I was actually way ahead.

wysiwyg · May 31, 2012

i got lucky when i got my tank i bought a 180g aquarium lights ballasts sump skimmer pumps powerheads refugium stand/hood the whole shibbang with live rock and fish for 800 bucks from a friend who didnt have time for the hobby anymore so watch craigslist even watch ebay for killer deals

SmokeyCFH · May 31, 2012

I've gotten pretty lucky with craigslist, I have enough equipment to set up 5 saltwater tanks (which I will one day), giveaways help quite a bit and I usually only buy frags, that tends to keep the cost down a whole lot!

-Logzor · May 31, 2012

Well one trick is to cut things out of your budget that are unnecessary and think of everything you buy in reef-related terms. For example, eating out today just cost me a frag. Or 1/30th of a new powerhead. You get the idea.

Like the old saying goes, a penny saved is a penny sunk into your reef aquarium. Only that penny somehow turns into a dime and you just tell everyone is actually costs a penny...

dmatt88 · May 31, 2012

Honestly its just not a hobby for the penny pinched. Save for a few years n do it right IMO. Cheap usually means equipment that doesn't last which means ur left buying it again yet more expensive. Even water changes add up. Its a hobby where $50 gets u a 2" piece of the sea. It would be like buying a cubic zirconium ring for the wedding, eventually the bride finds out n ya end up getting a diamond. 2Â¢ worth.

....... I'm Matt n i love u pavona

gmoney243 · May 31, 2012

My budget system consists of...

Used 180g RR $300
LED bridgelux $350
Rock from reefers Free
Sump used 55g $40
Algae scrubber $50/+ $24/year bulb replacements.
Salt $60/year.
2x mp40 w/bat.backup $825
Tunze osmolator $100
Carbon/gfo brs reactor $20
$1500 gph return pump ecoplus model $40
300w heater $40 only new object in my tank lol

Could have saved money and used koralias and get them used for like $25/each but imo vortechs worth it. Even found some 1300gph powerheads on amazon for $25 for 2 shipped. They work good but have suction cups that kinda suck. All in all pretty cheap , minus the vortechs, getting items used from local reefers from club or Craigslist deals.

Sent from my Vortex using Tapatalk 2

Loki · May 31, 2012

gmoney243 said:
Used 180g RR $300
Salt $60/year.

what salt are you using? And why is it only $60 a year?

Noahp · May 31, 2012

Being one of those rare kids (16) in the hobby money has been an obvious issue since I started. Lucky for me I have a very strong local club which is no doubt the best way to save money in this hobby, almost all of my equipment is used from member taking tanks down or slowly hoarding equipment as the addiction grows. I have never bought a coral from a store and most of my fish are second hand as well, this has saved a ton overtime. Another thing I do is growing and selling/ trading frags, especially with trading you get to expand the diversity while holding onto the peices you already own.

gmoney243 · May 31, 2012

Loki2902 said:
what salt are you using? And why is it only $60 a year?

Red sea regular. Only do like 15-20g/ month no need for more only replacing some elements and providing fresh water.

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REEFKEEPER10 · Jun 1, 2012

My budget system consist of:

75g marine land tank $200 on clearance because it didn't have the glass hoods or four foot light.
Corallifer 125 super skimmer. $150 with free shipper
Mag 18 $200
TLF 150 reactor $50
2" bulkhead $5
2 3/4" bulkheads $6 for both
Swcd wave maker $40
3" hole saw $35
Supplies to build stand and canopy $125
Bulk reef supply double reactor $60
1/8 thick plexiglas from lowes x2 $80
Plumbing $30
Two bulb light hood for a reptile cage $20
Bucket of reef crystal $60 last me 6 month.
BRS 75 gpd 6 stage deluxe RO/DI unit $280
2 quad T5 fixtures from aquatraders.com with bulbs $200
50 pounds of Marco rock $130
25 pounds live rock $250
5 bags of Caribsea 40 pound dry sand $100
BRS two part recipe 1 $60 so far has lasted six months and could last almost a year.
BRS hc gfo $60
Walmart carbon $5
2 koralia powerhead $80 for both.
High velocity blower fan from Walmart $60
Petco 75 watt heater $30
filter sock $200
30 long aquarium for sump $2.50 got at a discount store.
Silicone $10
python 50' water change hose $60 at petco
55 gallon brute can $65
Quite one 250 gph pump $30 for pumping new saltwater water from can in garage to tank.

Not needed but wanted. Profilux 3 controller that controls heater, fan, lights, and powerheads.
Well that's everything for my system

Ace25 · Jun 1, 2012

How to keep a reef tank with low income, fixed income or you just don't want to shell out a lot of money.

1. Go small. No bigger than 40G. Even if that FREE 180G setup sounds enticing, the electricity costs alone just for a few pumps, heaters, and lighting is not for people looking to save money.

2. As stated, local clubs are #1, craigslist is #2 as far as finding great deals. I have given away so many fish and corals, and received so many in return over the years I have lost count. I got a lot of my corals at frag shows for much cheaper than LFS prices, but I am lucky to live in a place where there are big frag shows every few months.

3. DIY skills will save a ton of $. I understand not everyone can do that, but it is a huge cost saver. I have built LED fixtures for fellow local reefers for free, they just provide parts. There is usually 1 expert of every trade in a local reef club, someone good at woodwork, plumbing, electrical.. and something as simple as a plate of home made cookies is usually enough enticement to get a fellow local reefer to come and help you when needed.

frugner · Jun 1, 2012

im on a very tight budget. i do a lot of trading and find my equipment used. i DIY anything i can. the only thing that ever hurts is the bucket of tropic marin bio salt every 6 weeks. other than that i have 3 beautiful tanks that i run for a couple hundred bucks a month. i dont let anyone tell me i have to spend tons of cash to have a reef. living in SD doesnt hurt though, sdreefs.com is a huge help.

REEFKEEPER10 · Jun 1, 2012

Yeah DIY is the best way to save on a tank. Yes I have a lot of money in my tank but I believe this tank has been running for four years alone. Can't quite remember. I saved probably $400 by making my on stand if not more. To get a stand made of lumber not that press board for a 75g tank would be about $500 I would say. Getting a RR tank can added about a $100 so that is another $100. A 36" sump would run about $600 so I saved around $450. I could have went with a better fixture but get good results with cheaper fixture. Yeah I need better bulbs but you work with what you have when on a budget. Light cost $200 and for a 8 bulbs tek fixture your looking at $400 without bulbs so I saved $200. If I went all live rock it would have cost as much as setting up my tank. So take all the money I have listed above and divide it by six years because I started this build 2 years before setting it up and anyone could do it. Yes some stuff isn't a must and some stuff needs to be upgraded but it works. Just require a little more of my time.

gmoney243 · Jun 1, 2012

My electric bill is maybe a few $ more than it was before I had tanks. But yea for most people a big tank can run high electricity bills. My return pump also runs my carbon reactor and my algae scrubber is fed by my overflows. Also I'm skimmerless and with LEDs it seriously doesn't cost me hardly anything monthly.

And if your going through a bucket of salt every 6 weeks you should look up Ace thread on waterchange discussion. I don't know your system details but that's a lot of water.

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REEFKEEPER10 · Jun 1, 2012

yeah i could cut back own water changes. i dont 20g a week on 85g total water volume. but this last month i only did one 20g change. my colt coral did not like that at all.