Poll: TOTAL MONEY SPENT on Reefing

[Sam22]

Uk here so far around £8,000 since may 2020

 

[Billldg]

Is this a yearly vote, or overall? Because I would go over $10,000 on both, LOL!!!

 

[Kfactor]

On some online stores it keeps track of how much you spend its kind of depressing lol

 

[Corgigirl]

New tank started in September. I figure I’m $5k into it at this point. And I’m already looking at it going “This just isn’t big enough...should have gotten a 5’ tank” (I have a 70 gallon at the moment).

 

[Yates273]

Ignorance is bliss. I would rather not know this way it doesn’t hurt as much. But I’m in the thousands for both my tanks which are not that big.

 

[kelp47]

I'd like to pose a counter question...
Why do you need to tell anyone how much you're spending?

Maybe it's easy for me because my husband has his own money pit. We don't share every purchase as long as it doesn't change the other's lifestyle.

As far as friends go, we never talk money. If any ever asks how much I've spent to put mine together, I just say something like, "more than I wanted, but I built it to last." If they're actually curious about what it takes to see if they want to set one up, I tell them it's like anything else in the world -- you can do it for a few hundred dollars or tens of thousands. Mine falls somewhere in the middle. Then I advise them to set a budget and expect to spend at least double that by the time they put the first fish in.

 

[Lightspeed]

Looking at the poll, its easy to see why manufacturers charge ridiculous prices for gear, a great deal of us are willing to spend a considerable amount.

 

[Mical]

On some online stores it keeps track of how much you spend its kind of depressing lol

Shop & check out as a "guest"

 

[DC Reefer]

Somewhere between a loaded Honda and a base model Porsche 911

 

[DED65]

Just a decent tank and lights is an easy $5000. I live in a gambling area and I have had employees that needed a paycheck draw every week just to cover the rent after a night out. Over the years, they could've paid cash for a house. I would rather invest my money in something that gives back. I enjoy taking care of the animals that I took on the responsibility for and it is really a relaxing hobby. Now, if my three dogs didn't need that new Jeep Rubicon sitting in the driveway, I would have started a fourth aquarium!

 

[tautog83]

Lol that's what I always tell people when they ask wow how much does something like this cost? I always answer well what kind of car do you drive ? I try not to add it up anymore .

 

[FLReefer101]

I not going to estimate or guess, my wife may see this.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

So I was working on my budget and it blew me away as to how much money I spent in my first year of this hobby. I was curious as to whether this was normal or if I could gather some data to back myself up to my fiance and friends to justify this LOL

Just to get the conversation started, I spent around $12,000 Canadian, which I think is about $9,000 USD.

Ran my hobby as a business, big tax write off. Yes, daddy's getting a brand new bag.....

 

[zalick]

I agree, initial upfront/build costs are usually the biggies. One thing not mentioned or addressed (going to spin this thread further) Yearly costs - fish/coral food, dosing additives, electricity, household water costs, maintenance goods - reagents, kalk etc...

I'll stick to my original thought(s) - I'd rather enjoy the hobby (affordably) but not evaluate every penny invested.

Yup, the yearly costs on a large tank add up....

 

[don_chuwish]

I refuse to do an actual tally, but I know it's easily over 10K since starting in 2012.

 

[Nick Steele]

Even my 3gal freshwater shrimp tank is almost $1k.

I know it’s not a reef tank but I have to see this!!!! I have a 15g and 55g planted tanks and don’t have close to half of that in to both of them lol.

 

[Nick Steele]

On my 20G Nuvo I’m probably at around $1500-2000. That is somewhat depressing as I could have went bigger.

 

[Corgigirl]

I'd like to pose a counter question...
Why do you need to tell anyone how much you're spending?

Maybe it's easy for me because my husband has his own money pit. We don't share every purchase as long as it doesn't change the other's lifestyle.

As far as friends go, we never talk money. If any ever asks how much I've spent to put mine together, I just say something like, "more than I wanted, but I built it to last." If they're actually curious about what it takes to see if they want to set one up, I tell them it's like anything else in the world -- you can do it for a few hundred dollars or tens of thousands. Mine falls somewhere in the middle. Then I advise them to set a budget and expect to spend at least double that by the time they put the first fish in.

I don’t share what I’m spending with friends or even with my husband. But I will admit, it’s fun to share it here where everyone is in the same boat, so to speak .

 

[ReefPig]

Current tank is just over a year old, and easily spent in excess of $15k.

When you throw in a full GHL setup, Royal Exclusiv pump and skimmer, vortech, radion's, orphek bars and a custom tank/stand it soon becomes a big number.
Then fish, corals, and "stuff".

 

[Lizbeli]

I know it’s not a reef tank but I have to see this!!!! I have a 15g and 55g planted tanks and don’t have close to half of that in to both of them lol.

It was more of the equipment that was expensive. Now its cheap as heck to keep.

Nothing spectacular- its still very young. Also my first freshwater planted tank. So be nice