Reefing costs

[vetteguy53081]

Other than the Tank and Lights itself, what is the one thing with a reef tank that has cost you the most over time?

For me - The electrical bill followed by controller system

 

[VintageReefer]

A lot of stuff is more money now than it used to be. Like salt and live rock

Over time is a good point. These other things have drastically increased start up costs too

I would say over time - corals

 

[crazyfishmom]

Other than the Tank and Lights itself, what is the one thing with a reef tank that has cost you the most over time?

For me - The electrical bill followed by controller system

Whole house generator. We get a lot of blackouts in my area.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Whole house generator. We get a lot of blackouts in my area.

I am seriously considering one myself.

 

[crazyfishmom]

I am seriously considering one myself.

It’s been a life saver for us. We’d been talking about it for years but didn’t feel a pressing need until I had to spend 3 days going crazy to keep the tanks going and even then lost a lot of Coral to a blackout.

 

[DED65]

I bought two Honda generators and the cost was almost as much as the tank. I have had the power go out for 48 hours at a time, so it has been a good investment. At least, there is circulation and heat for the fish and hot coffee for me!

 

[crazyfishmom]

I bought two Honda generators and the cost was almost as much as the tank. I have had the power go out for 48 hours at a time, so it has been a good investment. At least, there is circulation and heat for the fish and hot coffee for me!

I read that as hot coffee for the fish and started to think about all the potential benefits and detriments of caffeine for a tank and then I realized I misread. Early morning brains are funny.

 

[Waters]

Probably trident reagents and salt.

 

[Gtinnel]

The most expensive hardware that I’ve bought for my tank is my apex and all of the other stuff that goes along with it.

 

[DED65]

I read that as hot coffee for the fish and started to think about all the potential benefits and detriments of caffeine for a tank and then I realized I misread. Early morning brains are funny.

I wonder if coffee would be a good source of carbon? Instead of getting them drunk off of vodka, we could just get them wired. The Starbuck’s are going to be busy this morning!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Whole house generator. We get a lot of blackouts in my area.

With the storms we get around here, I really should consider one as well

 

[darrick001]

Not understanding how important a Qt tank is when I started this hobby.

 

[SkinnyMcGinny]

My tank is up and stable for over a decade, and I haven't added any livestock coral in over 5 years, so my biggest expense is SALT!

 

[SPS2020]

Time itself.

 

[darrick001]

My generator has saved me more. My last house we lost power for 3-5 days every few months. 2 winters ago it was out for 11 day with single digit temps. That was a stressful time.

 

[merkmerk73]

Salt, dosing additives, misc. supplies, corals...all of it

 

[X-37B]

Well starting over is a big cost.
With that tank and lights were half the cost of the full system setup.
Sea sweeps, Tunze powerheads, carx, skimmers, ozone reactor, live rock, temp controller, ect, all add up but once purchased can last a long time.
Getting backups for everything adds up quick too.
After that the ongoing cost of elecricity, salt, food, testing equipment, media all add up fast.
Oh not to mention the cost of adding coral and fish to the system over time.

 

[Jimbo327]

Corals. Fishes. Sticks. Automation. Controllers. Filtration. Pumps. Powerheads. Additives. Salt. Tests. Chiller. UV.

Basically, everything in the hobby. LOL.

But the #1 most expensive thing that you pay for....mistakes.

 

[JayM]

If I kept track of expenses, I'd probably get out out of the hobby.
Between my tank, my Jeep and my boat, I've certainly spent a small fortune.

 

[randomfishdude]

Coral and fish. I'm really feeling it now however. I don't have a job and
Before February reefing was the only thing I had to spend my money.
Then I got a classic truck. I'm broke 24/7