Reality check - do you think I'm biting off more than I chew

[PYRU]

Well I had a set back 2 quarantined fish died. Im out half the cost which is roughly $100 up in smoke at the moment.

I started adding up cost (never do that) and its pretty substantial on a 210. Doubts are starting to creep in my mind if I'll be able to maintain this long term. My fw tanks are pretty self sufficient with exception on feeding. I can't really do that on sw due to the mixing bottle neck that screws up my whole autochanging system.

I work in a pretty volatile industry things yo yo up and down throughout the year. I also have 3 little kids that are just starting to get to school age so dance, sports, kid fee crap is looming. I'm paid well but things can get tight depending on the industry.

I'm thinking with a good fuge I can get away with 10% weekly wc's & probably extend it further if need be IF I set it up big enough. I'm planning on a mixing station with switches to streamline the process, but it still requires a present body along with time.

The cost of salt constantly and general maintenance has me worried. During the previous presidency (don't want to go there) I was on 20s just to keep our new crappy insurance. If the economy keeps trucking like we are then it shouldn't be a problem, but if another leader gets in with the "instant green mentality" I will be in deep trouble. Again don't want to go there not looking for instant success, but long term sustainability.

Stocking was going to be an emp angel and porc puffer with a few smaller tag alongs. Coral I was going to try some dirty softy-ish types if they'll be allowed.

I don't remember my old 180 with porky being a big hassle, but I also didn't have this many people depending on me nor the job responsibility.

Aside from energy consumption how bad is maintenance cost on a tank this size and is it reasonably sustainable? (Sorry for long winded pity party)

 

[Robert_ellis]

I had a 240.... changed water once a month. It really wasnt expensive. You can set it up to dose with an a.t.s. and there are plenty of people who claim 0 water changes as long as you dose all the things needed. If you are worried about upkeep I'd suggest against "dirtier" fish.

 

[Greybeard]

Auto water changes work just fine in the marine world... I'm doing 1.5g per day. Mix up a new barrel of water once a month.

Cost? With a 200g system, you're going to need to do, what, 80 gallons a month, at the top end? BRS's video shows an average of what, 50 cents a gallon or so... $40 bucks a month in salt. RO/DI filter changes will add a bit to that... say another ten. Foods, which can be quite pricey, Calc/Alc dosing, if you do so... electricity... At a minimum, I'd say you're looking at a hundred a month to keep a tank that size up and running. Honestly, if you can't do a hundred a month, downsizing might be right move.

 

[BestMomEver]

I draw up 10 gallons (90 gallon tank) every two weeks. Dump in 4 cups of salt. Costs little. You can watch BRS (and others) for sales on salt. With BRS, shipping is free over $29.

 

[tbare89]

I would be more worried about your stocking plans breaking the bank on a 210. You're going to want to fill it up. The maintenance shouldn't be that much. Just control your spending with livestock and go slow.

 

[ZoWhat]

this is an expensive hobby....

if that doesn't settle well with you, taking the FUN out of the hobby.....then you may want to reconsider your involvement



.

 

[PYRU]

Auto water changes work just fine in the marine world... I'm doing 1.5g per day. Mix up a new barrel of water once a month.

Cost? With a 200g system, you're going to need to do, what, 80 gallons a month, at the top end? BRS's video shows an average of what, 50 cents a gallon or so... $40 bucks a month in salt. RO/DI filter changes will add a bit to that... say another ten. Foods, which can be quite pricey, Calc/Alc dosing, if you do so... electricity... At a minimum, I'd say you're looking at a hundred a month to keep a tank that size up and running. Honestly, if you can't do a hundred a month, downsizing might be right move.

Ask and you shall receive. Thank you.

I was hoping to stay out of the $100+zone. I can do it, but I gripe about ridiculous dance fees etc.

I don't want to dose. Food for puff isn't too bad the rest I was hoping for mainly pellets with some frozen/nori fill in. Electricity is pretty minimized. The Water changes and salt were my main issue.

 

[Devaji]

my 2 cents...

I had a 240 years ago I did WC once a month. depending on what fish you stock I think you can easily get a way with that along with a good fuge and or ATS.

i get it life can be uncertain I also work in a fluctuating industry it can be hard for sure and speeding $$ on reefing at time when things are tight might seen silly, and it is. just like a reef life is all about finding balance.

if you already have the tank system most of the spending is over. you can go slow and hopefully not to much more in equipment.
the real money will come if you plan to do wall to wall corals. there it is cheaper to have a smaller tank for sure. also you dont need to go all out with the plumbing it's amazing how much that adds up.

I personally think what ever you choose you must get 100% be hide it. big tank more fish to choose from and more room = a bit more $$
smaller tank tank less fish options but easier to fill wall to wall with corals = possibly less to run

I have seen tanks i loved and would enjoy from pico all the way up to monster tanks.
I think coast and involvement is what you make it.
some smaller systems are more to run than a big system. after electric and gear..

 

[Devaji]

another thought..

I have a fried with a daughter he puts her in so many actives it's crazy they both are over worked and stressed just trying to fit them in + it's expensive. you will spend more on that per month then reefing. might i suggest having them pick one activity and not 3-5 at a time that way everyone can enjoy life.

 

[PYRU]

I draw up 10 gallons (90 gallon tank) every two weeks. Dump in 4 cups of salt. Costs little. You can watch BRS (and others) for sales on salt. With BRS, shipping is free over $29.

That's not bad at all. Im basically trying to get a gauge of wc maintenance.

I would be more worried about your stocking plans breaking the bank on a 210. You're going to want to fill it up. The maintenance shouldn't be that much. Just control your spending with livestock and go slow.

The angel and puff are the main. I might do a tomato clown, flame, & may be 2 smaller fish. Locally are not all that expensive. Emporer costs the most at roughly $100, but still relatively cheap if I can get a healthy one. The coral I want are considered invasive by most so those are almost given away. That could get thrown out the window if it gets snacked on though.

this is an expensive hobby....

if that doesn't settle well with you, taking the FUN out of the hobby.....then you may want to reconsider your involvement
.

Most definitely and I appreciate the honesty. That's what worries me.

I just don't want to add another nagging power bill level monthly cost I have to pay in addition to the up front cost. Short term would be fine but in long term could be bad.

If I can swing 200g salt box every 2m then I consider that pretty manageable. Surely food can stay pretty cheap as well.

 

[PYRU]

my 2 cents...

I had a 240 years ago I did WC once a month. depending on what fish you stock I think you can easily get a way with that along with a good fuge and or ATS.

i get it life can be uncertain I also work in a fluctuating industry it can be hard for sure and speeding $$ on reefing at time when things are tight might seen silly, and it is. just like a reef life is all about finding balance.

if you already have the tank system most of the spending is over. you can go slow and hopefully not to much more in equipment.
the real money will come if you plan to do wall to wall corals. there it is cheaper to have a smaller tank for sure. also you dont need to go all out with the plumbing it's amazing how much that adds up.

I personally think what ever you choose you must get 100% be hide it. big tank more fish to choose from and more room = a bit more $$
smaller tank tank less fish options but easier to fill wall to wall with corals = possibly less to run

I have seen tanks i loved and would enjoy from pico all the way up to monster tanks.
I think coast and involvement is what you make it.
some smaller systems are more to run than a big system. after electric and gear..

I have everything but plumbing and pump for mixing station.

another thought..

I have a fried with a daughter he puts her in so many actives it's crazy they both are over worked and stressed just trying to fit them in + it's expensive. you will spend more on that per month then reefing. might i suggest having them pick one activity and not 3-5 at a time that way everyone can enjoy life.

That's the main concern tbh. Honestly if I can keep basically a fowlr for under $100 a month I'm good which seems doeable. I think talking to the local sps crew had me spooked.

 

[Eackone]

To me although there is an added cost to running a salt system in comparaison to FW systems, but it can still be pretty comparable. Everything is relative, I've seen many large FW planted system running more expensive than my 5foot Salt tank..

To me, its the livestock in SW that can get ridiculous. People get wrapped up in paying crazy prices for a coral because of the name, color or exclusivity factor... (its hard not to.. it happens to me too)

Same can be said about some fish when you consider people will pay thousands of dollars for a Gem tang which essentially looks like a purple with white dots...

Its all a question of where people spend there money... I'm not trashing people who spend big money on their reefs, its none of my business... but there is definitely a way to make smart livestock choices and not break the bank.

 

[Devaji]

I have everything but plumbing and pump for mixing station.



That's the main concern tbh. Honestly if I can keep basically a fowlr for under $100 a month I'm good which seems doeable. I think talking to the local sps crew had me spooked.

I think a good FOWLR and be cool I might do that with my RS750. maybe a large angel tank?
yeah talking to the SPS folks can give a big scare for sure on that size of tank. but if you can find a good used CA RX might not be that bad.
or even a simple reef LPS and softies you dont even have to dose until it's full and then you may even get away with kalk.

many ways to reef. I think what ever way once chooses it must be do able both in wallet and time/energy nothing worse than when we see out reefs as a drag and money pit and it no longer brings us joy

 

[Devaji]

food and be pretty cheap. find a used food processor or get a hand powered one and whip up a DIY recipe should be no more that 10-20 per month.
watch that BRS video on salt cost it's pretty interesting. if going FOWLR use IO regular but if doing a reef use something with a bit more Ca/mag like reef crystals. I think a 200 gal box would last 2 month for sure. that'ss 25 gals every two weeks or 40-60 once a month.

ppl tend to get more messy eaters when doing FOWLR so make sure you stay on top of export a good fuge or ATS can go a long way.

good luck I know how hard it can be to make the "right" decision. fallow your heart and intuition you will be good to go!

 

[BestMomEver]

I have everything but plumbing and pump for mixing station.



That's the main concern tbh. Honestly if I can keep basically a fowlr for under $100 a month I'm good which seems doeable. I think talking to the local sps crew had me spooked.

Just a note.... I run 2 Radions, a skimmer, 4 power heads, a return pump, heater, ATO, doser, and two cabinet lights. I have an apex that controls is all. My apex tells me I use about $13.00 a month on electricity. Keep in mind that my tank is only 90 gallons and the total wattage price will vary from place to place. But still, you can get away with little electricity increase depending on what equipment you buy.

 

[PYRU]

Just a note.... I run 2 Radions, a skimmer, 4 power heads, a return pump, heater, ATO, doser, and two cabinet lights. I have an apex that controls is all. My apex tells me I use about $13.00 a month on electricity. Keep in mind that my tank is only 90 gallons and the total wattage price will vary from place to place. But still, you can get away with little electricity increase depending on what equipment you buy.

That's some handy info.

I'm probably right in that ballpark as well. I have viparspectra 165w's, 2 300w jager, and around 15-20 turnover volume with all pumps at around 50%. The skimmer is probably a energy hog with a sicce 1200 along with the 150w grow lights. However the tradeoff for less wc will be tremendous...I think

 

[ReeferReefer]

Why not downsize?

A 120 is a pretty manageable size and still leaves plenty of fish options and has plenty of lighting options. Lower running costs long term as well.

 

[PYRU]

Why not downsize?

A 120 is a pretty manageable size and still leaves plenty of fish options and has plenty of lighting options. Lower running costs long term as well.

The fish I like require bigger tanks.

 

[ReeferReefer]

The fish I like require bigger tanks.

Fair enough. I only suggest downsizing because I was in a similar situation. I had a larger tank that fell into disrepair due to high operating costs and maintenance. I ended up downsizing and don't regret it.

At the end of the day this is a hobby and we all need to figure out what our level of engagement can be over the years.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

The fish I like require bigger tanks.

Predator fish type? I think going all fish would be much cheaper. The moment you decide to go with corals ... your time and money will much greater.

I only have a 20 gallon tank but it’s well over 3.5k already spent . I do want corals myself as this is the primary reason I went in with the hobby . Most of that costs was all the test kits and additives , and equipment needed to keep them. My monthly maintenance costs tho should be minimal moving forward tho.