How to create the Budget Man's Reef

[Dowtish]

I would think the less you changed your water the better the colt coral would like it. I had a few pieces of that hitch hike in on something, and they wont even stand up in my tank. Water is too clean I guess?...

I am all about saving money in this hobby, and being in a club, using craig's list, and DIY is the way to go for sure. If I had known what was around locally through my local reef club when I first started back into the hobby, I would have saved quite a bit of money. Buying cheap only to replace later has been my experience as well. So try and find GOOD used equipment for a good deal, instead of buying the really cheap stuff, and hoping to get by for awhile with it. just my 2 cents

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

I would think the less you changed your water the better the colt coral would like it. I had a few pieces of that hitch hike in on something, and they wont even stand up in my tank. Water is too clean I guess?...

I am all about saving money in this hobby, and being in a club, using craig's list, and DIY is the way to go for sure. If I had known what was around locally through my local reef club when I first started back into the hobby, I would have saved quite a bit of money. Buying cheap only to replace later has been my experience as well. So try and find GOOD used equipment for a good deal, instead of buying the really cheap stuff, and hoping to get by for awhile with it. just my 2 cents

yeah nothing has been right with my tank so far. that pink birdnest frag has not grown a inch but the green has at least twenty branches. my duncan has about 30 heads but want branch out so it looks like a big flower. since i did that water change my colt is back to normal. so my tank didnt read any of the books and dont know how to act.

 

[e.litvin]

Initially what I did was spent a lot of money on some high end stuff as far as corals. I let the frags grow out and then I sell them and that money is considered my "coral money". After getting my initial investment back I put the money I get and use that to buy new stuff I want so there is no money out of my pocket. Trading high ends for high ends also helps when it comes to selling because you have a greater selection. It is a slower process because you have to wait for the corals to grow but to be honest in the last year out of the $1000+ i spent on coral probably around $200 was out of pocket. Like i said be patient and make sure parameters are stable and starting building up funds in your "coral money bank!!!"

Gentlemen no more lying to your GFs and wifes about how much you spent because they can't get mad when they know its money made from the coral anyways. Been working for me so I'm not stoping anytime soon. lol

 

[cdness]

budget reef... Used equipment and find a local reef club... There is no cookie cutter way to be on a tight budget with this hobby...

 

[blackx-runner]

Barter and trade. Offer up items, or services to your local club members in exchange for frags or equipment. Doesn't even always have to be hobby related.
I work at a machine shop and helped a club member mill down some aluminum heatsinks for his LED project. In return he gave me his Hippo tang that was getting too big for his 120g tank. We were both very happy with the trade and no money needed to be exchanged. :clap2:

 

[Cyber-Burn]

Well, like my wife always tells me, everytime I try to save money I end up spending more. For example for flow I went from my return with a SCWD, to a closed loop, to Korallia's to Vortech's. If I had just spent the money and bought the Vortech's in the begining like I wanted I would have saved about 5-600 dollars in wasted parts. I think the best thing to do is to plan. Plan out what you want and make sure you are getting what you will be happy with, or you will end up spending twice as much trying to keep coming up with other solutions.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Any more comments on the BMR!

 

[Seasonedreefer]

My suggestion join a Local club or forum before setting up a tank. Master the skills necessary to identify what you need equipment wise before buying anything. This can also be applied to buying live stock as well. What makes this hobby more expensive then most is making mistakes. The mistakes in this hobby typically cost you more upfront and in the long run vs. other hobbies. With the right equipment new or used and the right knowledge you can make a really nice reef aquarium with very little money.