Plan a budget reef aquarium! 20g or more.

revhtree · Feb 27, 2012

This hobby is expensive, but it CAN be started on a smaller budget. Let's have a little fun and plan a 20g or bigger reef aquarium starter setup. Must include everything to keep coral and fish alive long term. No used equipment!

Let's see who can create the best system design on the smallest budget!

revhtree · Feb 27, 2012

If you can include links to products you would use.

Russellaqua · Feb 27, 2012

Should we include livestock as well?

jarred1 · Feb 27, 2012

Haha, I think I have mastered this!!!

I currently have a 20 long with a fishneedit t5h0 light, HOB filter, heater, and koralia 1. All the equipment was under $300.

Here are some pics.
About a year ago:

A few days ago:

FishBeard · Feb 27, 2012

Does it have to be all new equipment? I set up a full 20L reef tank under $150 in my garage.

20L - $26 (new)
Fishneedit 175 MH w/ Phoenix 14k - $40
CPR Bakpak & pump - $20
Penguin biowheel - $15 (new)
MJ900 pump - $18 (new)
2 100w heaters - $8 each (new)
Repurposed liverock - $free

Total cost = $135

Steven R · Feb 27, 2012

Petco.com : Configure your own aquarium Tank 46 gallon bow front $169.99

Petco.com : Configure your own aquarium Stand $249.99

Tunze Nano Reef Pack 200 Tunze nano reef pack Including skimmer $287

The Successful Reef Aquarium A how to book $37

Reef Crystals 20.3Kg Reef crystals $97

Aqua One Thermosafe 150W Heater $23

Octopus Horizon S 3Ft Light $ 166

Hydor Koralia 2 12v Controllable (264-686 GPH) - English Power heads x3 $147

Red Sea Marine Multi Lab Marine Lab test kit [Red Sea MarineLab] test kit Red sea test lab $66

Grand total of $1,251 I tried it is hard to throw a whole system together on the fly but I gave it a shot I am sure it will be beat shortly though I tried to combine a nice size tank and basic but not poor gear to go with it. You should be able to support all kinds of softies/basic lps (frogspawn, torch) and all kinds of shrooms. This should be fun to watch defiantly tagging along.