Please Stop Stating This Is An Expensive Hobby.

[pdiehm]

I've gotten started at about $1,100.

My Tank was $255 at That Pet Place (120 XH 60x18x26). I built my stand for $150. My Skimmer was $270 (Aquamaxx EM200). Dry Pukani Rock was $200. PVC parts is at about $100 (including the gate valve). My overflow box was $60. Me Return pump (Sicce 4.0) was $120. The Sand will be in the $120 range, and my light will be $500.

I got my QT tank, and 2 10's for Tank Transfer for $40 combined.

I was told when I started that I couldn't skimp out a return pump, and a skimmer. Everything else, I could look for cheap sales on.

Yes, I haven't gotten any fish yet (rock still curing), but the plan is to get 1-2 fish every 4-6 weeks after I obtain a cleaning crew.

You can do it without taking out a home equity loan.

 

[beaslbob]

using supplies from your local building supply store, and very nice saltwater tank with some easy corals and definitely a fish tank, can be set up very inexpensively. In fact for little more than the cost of a FW tank plus the cost of salts.
But then my FW tanks (excluding the plant costs) are very inexpensive also.:xd:

 

[Phishy McGee]

Most guys end up with some sort of hobby. Fixing a clasic car - more expensive than my reef. Motorcycle - more expensive. Model trains, yup more expensive. Coin collection - more expensive....

So while my tank may cost thousands, I do not own a 1969 mustang or a Harley soft tail.

 

[GoReef165]

I don't mind spending lots of money on this hobby because I LOVE IT...I think we all do. BUT.. this is NOT like most hobbies just because it's expensive. The difference to me is that you can loose everything "$$$$".... years of hard work overnight. That's a bad day.

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

IMO it is an expensive hobby. It's not expensive compared to some other hobbies out there but very much so next to its closest counterpart: freshwater fish keeping. I'm not talking about planted freshwater tanks of course but your standard community fish tank.
Even on the basic level of a simple water change there is a big difference between being able to do a water change with tap water and dechlor at home versus driving to the LFS and buying saltwater for x amount per gallon.

 

[Chetrod]

Awesome way to explain it to a potential hobbyist.

Thanks Reef Guy. I helped a friend set up a 55G set up and he is doing very well now. Saving for the 300G he wants LOL

 

[that Reef Guy]

Thanks Reef Guy. I helped a friend set up a 55G set up and he is doing very well now. Saving for the 300G he wants LOL

You are indeed a Great Friend.

He is lucky to have you as a Friend.

 

[Congaken]

It's important noobs understand they will be spending some money. Inadequate systems equals suffering animals.

Yeah...some of these guys are comparing it to flying helicopters and dragsters...dah...I got a Fusion 10 for that reason...have mostly frags and little fish...but it still adds up especially when your on a fixed income...R2R helps a lot when it comes to avoiding costly mistakes...

Also buying a used tank and good used equipment helps a lot...

 

[pondman]

Hey it's not the money it's the adventure. Lol my wife's always saying why I pick the expensive hobbies.reef tanks, I have a big koi pond in my yard hence the name pondman.this hobby has nothing on that try losing a a few thousand dollar fish in one week wow that's a kick in the teeth .I also build and fly rc helicopters and drones and planes.this hobby like all is as expensive as you make it.

 

[glb]

It is not a cheap hobby, but research can save you a ton of money. So can DIY. You can get good equipment that's not top of the line but has great reviews. You can build your own stand (not necessarily cheaper but you know it won't fail). You can build a sump, do your own plumbing, and do without a controller. You can have a great reef using Instant Ocean salt. RODI units aren't all super-expensive. You have to study a lot to learn where you can buy for less and what is worth spending more on. I spend more for good test kits. And lights. But I've cut costs right and left without sacrificing quality. For instance, I'm having fowlr until I can save up for good lights. Having patience helps. If you do a build over time, you can spread out the costs. Also, I don't buy high-end corals. To each their own. You can spend a fortune, and you can economize if you're very careful about where to do it and when you shouldn't. Just my 0.02.

 

[ngvu1]

You tell me what is a cheap hobby first then we continue ; the word hobby and cheap don't seem to be getting along very well!

 

[TUSI]

Every hobby is expensive, but once it's established its just an ordinary expense. At least it's a feel good hobby with no damage to your health

 

[gcrawford]

It's expensive. Take a moment and list all your equipment and the time you put into maintenance. But..... Buying groceries is also expensive. I think both food and reef tanks are necessary to live a happy life. : )

 

[TUSI]

How can I live with out it

 

[ruth howard]

I honestly don't think it's that bad contrasting to other hobbies I've had. Pratical example.. I used to fly rc helicopters and gas (unleaded engine) airplanes. Now just like this hobby, it's what you spend and what options you decide to go, but 2 helicopters(airframe, engine, electronics, exhaust) were 10 grand, then my radio was 3 grand. One airplane airframe complete was 4 grand, and I had 2 of them. So sitting on the ground, your looking at 21,000 easy. That's not considering fuel(30.00 a gallon and 9 flights on a gallon in the heli, 30.00 quart of oil(am soil Saber or redline) and 5.00 for 3 gallons of 93 octane for the airplane) , yearly membership dues, etc. Now these were nicely optioned models on the higher end, but that's the reality. I also did hydroponics and back then, it wasn't cheap.

My take after a few decades with hobbies, is that they are all expensive and honestly, in a way, money pits. But, and the thing that keeps me going, is that I can look back at how these things expanded my mind tremendously. You can't put a dollar sign on that. Just like love, friendship, and other things, money really, it's just money. It ebbs and flows for most people, and some sort of hobby for me, is constructive.

Once your at a certain level though with anything, the most dangerous thing, is that knowledge. You want to share and save others from making the same mistakes. Giving back.. Which is great, but in this and most things , doing something right isn't always cost effective. Every now and then you can save pennies, but even doing so, things just cost or add up. Yes it is truly as expensive as you want to make it, lol, but sooner or later, most are going to learn that themselves anyhow, and it is completely subjective.. To me, it's one of the cheapest hobbies I have ever had..

Hi Damon, I can appreciate what you say about the RC hobby. I don't have any RC planes or helicopters, but I am fortunate that I only live about a half mile from the AMA headquarters in Muncie, Indiana. I go there frequently in the summer to watch the events. I see a lot of people from other states and countries. It is amazing! My other expensive hobby is Harley Davidsons.

 

[cdare99]

I agree with every hobby is exspensive. When i was young me and my dad did rc cars and that is also expensive. $600 cars, $150 batteries and buying one is one thing but when your buying 5, $250 charger for the batteries. Upgrades which run hundreds of dollars, and replacement parts alone aren't cheap either.

 

[Damon]

Hi Damon, I can appreciate what you say about the RC hobby. I don't have any RC planes or helicopters, but I am fortunate that I only live about a half mile from the AMA headquarters in Muncie, Indiana. I go there frequently in the summer to watch the events. I see a lot of people from other states and countries. It is amazing! My other expensive hobby is Harley Davidsons.

Hi Ruth!

Cool! So you see the jamboree, hear the engines and deal with the smoke.. Awesome! I haven't been in a few years, but it was always a ball to go.. I actually am envious of you! And yes, as you know, now, with the big planes, and helis have always been costly.. This hobby isn't that bad considering that..

Lol, I always say to myself "well, it's not 5 to 7 grand I'm putting in the ground flip flopping around and learning like I did with the helicopters". And I don't have to have 3 to 4 airframes full of electronics worth between 15 and 20 grand, so it's reasonable to me.. But it's all relative, and I think it is just like life in general: "what's worth it to you, you simply can't put a price tag on"...

And Harleys are another awesome and costly hobby.. Well, bikes in general.. Just like cars..

But that's honestly how I think about it..

 

[tcarter1936]

It's expensive when you go without Nessesary things to fuel your hobby.
It's also work when you don't enjoy maintaining it.
I feel I've waisted no money or time as I truly enjoy what I do.
But my kids and home come first.
Just tell people to choose responsibly.
Just my 2 cents happy spending

 

[adestafi]

There are lots of ways to be spend thrifty, frugal, whatever you want to call it. But my reef tank inhabitants are my pets. They are what I look after and take care of.. They calm me down after a hard day at work. Because I truly enjoy taking care of them - I'll spend whatever is necessary to make sure they're in good health.

 

[Salt Creep]

Anyone know where I can get a loan?