small budget reef :(

[ReeferRookie]

My newish tank 6 months. 36 g bow front I let it cycle for 3 with just 1 fish.
What ive done. Im a budget reefer so i wanted a keep it stupid simple its simple stupid tank
Ive got a aquatec backhang filter rated for a 55 g tank
Two ecotec 300 gph power heads
Heater of course
And a uv sterilizer (added after i had a green hair agae problem that has calmed down alot !!!!
And a aquatec 120 watt led. No moon light or blue leds
1 green chromis
2 regular clown oscies. (With the most defined colors ive seen on clown i believe )
1 purple tip anem recently added
A branch of xena recently added

My ultimate goal is a beautiful nano reef which will hopefully upgrade with a sump skimmer refug the whole 9 yards

Till then heres some shots of my piece of the ocean nothing special and i know i got some algae like i said its way better !!
The good thing is that the algae gave me lots of copepods ! Yay

 

[ReeferRookie]

Should.have also stated all my stuff came from used locations.
Back filter used in my fresh tank
Aqua tech light 30 bucks in a forum
Heater previous tank
36 g tank. Free from friend
2 power heads 20 bucks. Buy 1 get one free at blow out sale The Arc pet shop
Uv sterilizer 20 bucks friend
Dead rock .99 c lbs from closing sale
1 live rock 3.99 $ lbs. From the arc pet shop
10 hermits 5 $ the arc pet shop. (Merrillville IN)
2 clowns 15 $each. The arc petshop
1 chromis 5 bucks the arc pet shop.

 

[Carlson Moncrief]

I remember when I first started a small budget reef... now im up in the thousands..

 

[ReeferRookie]

I wish i had that kind of money so far all money invested is under 300 i hope it to be an inspiration to other rookies it can be expensive but u can survive and thrive on a small budget

 

[tyler1503]

I wish i had that kind of money so far all money invested is under 300 i hope it to be an inspiration to other rookies it can be expensive but u can survive and thrive on a small budget

Agreed nothing in my 5gal cost more than $30. Fish, coral, hardware, the whole lot. The most expensive thing is the light tube which cost $29.
My tank isn't the most beautiful one out there, but for the money invested in it, I think it's nice

 

[Carlson Moncrief]

Yeah I didnt want to spend that much on it at first but now its like a drug addiction. All extra money goes to the tank lol. Untill I leave to go to college and have to pay bills..

 

[clownfitch]

I wish i had that kind of money so far all money invested is under 300 i hope it to be an inspiration to other rookies it can be expensive but u can survive and thrive on a small budget

Nice set up! You can absolutely put together a nice reef on a small budget. Local reef clubs help with this tremendously as folks are constantly buying and selling.

 

[Carlson Moncrief]

Dont get me wrong though you can have a beautiful tank for less espicially when its smaller. I used to spend a lot less untill I went from the 29 to the 75.

 

[ReeferRookie]

I plan on jumping to a 160. So when that happens. After a house and engagement ring im saving for lol. Ill have to put.a little here and there. I think imma mostly do an anemone and z and p tank

 

[ReeferRookie]

a little night time reef action. Ive straid from the blue light and i use a combo of low spectrum red green and blue for a more distinct look.

 

[ReeferRookie]

New addition. Hes a bit upset right now hopefully he will open up a bit more in a few hours clowns are showing great !! Interest in him already

 

[ReeferRookie]

 

[Carlson Moncrief]

Nice rbta! How much was the damage?

 

[ReeferRookie]

My lfs had a misorder of rbta so 20 bucks ! Due to them having ordered 100 lol

 

[ReeferRookie]

Cant wait to show u all when it opens all the way. Hes a monster !

 

[Carlson Moncrief]

Wow thats amazing! I woulf buy that no matter what the case! My lfs charges 70 to 100

 

[ReeferRookie]

Ouch ! Yeah he had a huge misorder there were maybe 50 people there to buy some. He saved this one for me tho. Its from his display tank he put a new one in its place.

 

[ReeferRookie]

So i cracked i got a moonlight from true lumen it was small but holy cow is this sucker bright my phone had to adjust ALOT just to get a crappy pic but if u could see it at night wow !!!!!!!

 

[tyler1503]

Nice pick up on the nem!
The light looks crazy bright lol.

 

[ReeferRookie]

The nem was literally a steal and the light is crazy bright. But i like it.