Reefing on a Budget? Don't gatekeep!

[sohal tang]

It's no secret that this hobby can eat away at your wallet (and savings account... @Gumbies R Us), so stop gatekeeping!

What is your favorite reef inhabitant that is less than $150 (on average)! Fish, coral, fun inverts, doesn't matter. Share so we can all feel a little bit better about buying more!

Blue Spotted Jawfish.

 

[Ocean BLou]

I love those fish!

I’m lookin to get this type of hawk fish too!

 

[i cant think]

It's no secret that this hobby can eat away at your wallet (and savings account... @Gumbies R Us), so stop gatekeeping!

What is your favorite reef inhabitant that is less than $150 (on average)! Fish, coral, fun inverts, doesn't matter. Share so we can all feel a little bit better about buying more!

This is where knowing pricing in America helps a ton - we get so many gorgeous fish for cheaper amounts over here.
All these guys were under the equivalent of $150.

Okay I guess what I’m trying to say is… I can’t pick a favourite anymore! It’s impossible to look at my tank and say which my 100% favourite fish is.
Colour coded stock list -
Green = Generally under $150
Yellow/Orange = Generally under £150

 

[MoshJosh]

$150 is way over my usual budget!!! The only time I really spend that much on a single live inhabitant (not equipment) is when I order from Battle Corals. . . oh and my longfin clowns

So I guess my answer in that price range would be: Nice acro, elegance coral, carpet nem (got one for $80 at my LFS). Also, plenty of nice fancy clowns in that price range.

 

[i cant think]

thats funny because $150 is my cap. i refuse to pay more than $150 just because if it dies, that sucks as a loss. I would consider paying more for a real special coral if i could pick it up in person, but shipping a $300 coral scares me, even if the site says guarntee live delivery.

But IMO the best looking corals that are cheap are zoas. I love the rasta zoas and you can find them cheap.

There are some great looking mushrooms and hammer corals that are under $150. Also if you wait for sales you could even get torch corals for under $120 that are usually like $300. just gotta shop around and wait for sales.

also every girl that comes to my place comments on the firework cloves and they are so cheap.

I used to say that… then I fell in love with wrasses.
I’ve yet to walk out of an LFS without wrasses that don’t cost around 300 for 2 after going in for wrasse.
I mean, I walked in for a laboutei once and came home with both a Laboute’s and a Kuiter’s. The Laboute’s got essentially murdered by a cleaner but the Kuiter’s is one I’ve yet to regret.
Another time I walked out with a Kaleidos Pencil and Edwardi Pencil, and then the next time I walked out with yet another Kaleidos Pencil and a Severnsi Pencil. I lost the Severnsi and a Kaleidos to the cleaner though.

And yes, that cleaner wrasse had its last chance yesterday but broke it - I was not chancing my second Kaleidos.

 

[Shnetts]

A nice designer clownfish pair is my favorite by far!

 

[rhitee93]

I'm in line with the group. My tank isn't quote a year old yet, but I don't think I've spent over $100 on any of the livestock. Here is the tank this afternoon:

I know the least expensive critter was this little goofball at $12.99:

I think this clam is the most expensive at $95: (about 3 scutes ago)

 

[victoria casella]

I don’t do high end. My comfort level is under $100. But they do add up collectively after a few years as a collector.

Me too! The more money it is the hard it is to keep and then you’re brokenhearted and empty wallet at the same time!

 

[College_Reefer]

The only three things that I have spent over $100 on in this pic are the Helfrichi fire fish and my two Christmas tree worm rocks. Other than that, I attribute my "budget" success on a local guy who hooks me up huge and a friend that owns a LFS near-by. They've been massively helpful in helping fill out this tank!

 

[CincyReefer07]

My favorites in my 310 gallon mixed reef that are under $150….

Orangeshoulder Tang
Copperband Butterfly
Hippo Tang
M/F pair blue throat triggers
Stylopora
Seriatopora
Green toadstool leather
Green smooth skin acro
Red plating montipora
Duncan
Green slimer acro
Acans
Candelabra Gorgonian

 

[aminals]

$150!? I love my chalice and acro frags but I shy away around $20 on the live sales. Got a scopas with hlle for $40 yesterday. Serious answer hawkfish.

 

[i cant think]

$150!? I love my chalice and acro frags but I shy away around $20 on the live sales. Got a scopas with hlle for $40 yesterday. Serious answer hawfish.

I love the Lyretail Hawkfish (well, most Hawks) but I love my wrasses more and I’ve not had both successfully.