Insta reef tank on a budget

[JWD57NH]

So my regular tank is a waterbox 100.3 with reefbreeder lights and various live stock. I wanted to build a tank with the budget of $500 or less just to see if I could and how it would turn out. Everything that I bought for this tank (even live stock) was one of three things 1.on sale at 50% off or more 2. Bought on Amazon 3. Bought second hand off FB market place. If anyone has questions on how I did it or what I used I’d be glad to answer also just a reminder this was a insta tank and has been up and running for two months not a single fish death or coral loss (knock on wood) I do use a two part calcium and alk to dose for corals. ( the hang on back filter is just supplemental)

 

[Sean Clark]

For $500 I have to say good job. Not a showstopper, but that wasn't the point. HOB is supplementation to your canister?

 

[JWD57NH]

Yea had to go with canister on a budget. I also have the HOB a protein skimmer and a UV filter

 

[JWD57NH]

The dry rock I got from petco they change their live rock every few weeks I guess!! So it was sitting in a barrel dry for them to throw away, so they sold it to me 10 cents a pound which I just ended up donating $30 to the petco foundation for it. I took it home cleaned it got all the bad stuff off.

 

[Sean Clark]

Yea had to go with canister on a budget. I also have the HOB a protein skimmer and a UV filter

Yeah I found all of those goodies hiding in there.

The dry rock I got from petco they change their live rock every few weeks I guess!! So it was sitting in a barrel dry for them to throw away, so they sold it to me 10 cents a pound which I just ended up donating $30 to the petco foundation for it. I took it home cleaned it got all the bad stuff off.

I did not know that about Petco. That was a great find/deal.

Now turn it into an amazing reef just to say you did it.