Hey guys, I'm so new to saltwater tanks, I don't even own one. I was at the local fish store on Sunday and there was a 45 gallon frag tank. Friends at school are telling me that it is ok to not use it as a frag tank and use it as a shallow reef tank. My parents said as long as I can pay for it I can get it. I was wondering if any of you can tell me the exact supplies needed for the plumbing and maybe (if you want) the cost for each item. I know there is a lot of stuff so if you cant post all of it I understand. I plan on having live rock, live sand, and coral in it.
Supplies and Cost
- Thread starter CrazyJ12345
- Start date
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I haven't bought it yet, I've just been in the store a couple of times. The area is not in direct sunlight in my room against a wall. I'm not sure of the dimensions if you want to look it up it is a Deep Blue 45g frag tank. t was a wooden stand with holes cut out on the inside for a refugium, which I plan on having.
Bad Company
Well-Known Member
That tank will weigh more than 500 pounds full, do you have a stand?
Stand: $200
Live rock is about $3-4 a pound shipped.
Sump tank: $30
Materials for sump baffles etc: $60
Your first bucket of salt is about $40 for 200 gallons.
Return pump? ~$100
2 powerheads - $80
Lighting $150-$800 depending on your desired solution
Corals $5-$500 each
Fish $5-$500 each
Plumbing can be very expensive, figure $100+ if you are using lots of unions and valves
Skimmer $150
Sand will run you roughly $2/pound shipped
Clean up crew? $100-$200 shipped
Food? $50 minimum
RODI - $150 Or - SeaChem Prime and algae scrubber $60 minimum
Heater - $30
Thermometer - $5 - $40
Refractometer - $35 or hygrometer - $10
MISC - $50
=$1,285 with no cleanup crew or livestock minimum. Craigslist might be your friend. There are complete systems for sale for less.
Plus you will need funds for regular maintenance and upkeep.
Stand: $200
Live rock is about $3-4 a pound shipped.
Sump tank: $30
Materials for sump baffles etc: $60
Your first bucket of salt is about $40 for 200 gallons.
Return pump? ~$100
2 powerheads - $80
Lighting $150-$800 depending on your desired solution
Corals $5-$500 each
Fish $5-$500 each
Plumbing can be very expensive, figure $100+ if you are using lots of unions and valves
Skimmer $150
Sand will run you roughly $2/pound shipped
Clean up crew? $100-$200 shipped
Food? $50 minimum
RODI - $150 Or - SeaChem Prime and algae scrubber $60 minimum
Heater - $30
Thermometer - $5 - $40
Refractometer - $35 or hygrometer - $10
MISC - $50
=$1,285 with no cleanup crew or livestock minimum. Craigslist might be your friend. There are complete systems for sale for less.
Plus you will need funds for regular maintenance and upkeep.
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That's a very fair estimate on the cost. It can be done with less than that with a simple setup (around $800 plus tank and stand) or you could very well spend over $3,000.
myownlife
Active Member
After paying full price for a set up and looking at my local forum and seeing so many full systems for less than half of what I paid. I would suggest looking there first. You may find what your looking for all in one and for half the price. Just my opinion.
Very true. Many times you can find someone selling a complete system (corals, fish and everything) for under a grand. many of these tanks cost well over 2 grand to set up
gemini9
Newb!
Keep in mind, too, that you don't necessarily have to purchase everything all at once. It will take about a month or more to get your tank to cycle anyway. So you can spread it out. Buy the tank and stand one week and sit it up where you want it. Next week, either get a ro di or buy some water at the store and start filling the tank. next week, buy your heater, powerheads, etc. And while you're tank cycles, you'll have about a MONTH to save up for your cuc and fish.
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PaulKreider
Valuable Member
I got my tank when I was in highschool and price was an issue as I had to pay for it all myself also. If you want a new vehicle, any other nice stuff in the near future DONT get into the Reef hobby, its very expensive and addicting.
That being said, I love my tank and am upgrading to a bigger one next fall in my new house.
With price being involved I found bargains and deals to be key, mostly get to know the hobby before you plunge into. I'll give my price feelings just to add to the list.
(I don't know the price of that tank or stand so add that)
Sand- $50
Dry rock- $2/lb, shallow tank so you probably wont need much I'd say $50 total
Skimmer- ~$90 since small tank
Sump- $40 DIY or $100+ if premade
Plumbing- $40-100
Lighting- I'd go LED so $300-500
Clean up crew- $50 tops
Powerheads- $50-100
Heater-$30
Salt-$40(200gallons worth lasts a while)
Misc additives-$35
Test kits- $100
Food- $25 (will last 4+ months)
Fish(On a budget)- $150
Coral- $$$$$$$
Return Pump- $50-75
In the whole thing id say expect to spend around $1500+ but it can be done cheaper if buying used equipment ect.
That being said, I love my tank and am upgrading to a bigger one next fall in my new house.
With price being involved I found bargains and deals to be key, mostly get to know the hobby before you plunge into. I'll give my price feelings just to add to the list.
(I don't know the price of that tank or stand so add that)
Sand- $50
Dry rock- $2/lb, shallow tank so you probably wont need much I'd say $50 total
Skimmer- ~$90 since small tank
Sump- $40 DIY or $100+ if premade
Plumbing- $40-100
Lighting- I'd go LED so $300-500
Clean up crew- $50 tops
Powerheads- $50-100
Heater-$30
Salt-$40(200gallons worth lasts a while)
Misc additives-$35
Test kits- $100
Food- $25 (will last 4+ months)
Fish(On a budget)- $150
Coral- $$$$$$$
Return Pump- $50-75
In the whole thing id say expect to spend around $1500+ but it can be done cheaper if buying used equipment ect.
If affordability is your concern you could go for a smaller tank, like a 29 with a simple setup
catch $1 per gallon sale=30
Stand =50
Hob filter =30
Heater =30
4 bulb t5 bulbs included, timer, moonlights =80
Sand =75
Live rock =150
jebao wp25=60
Grand total =475
This is practically my setup with my 29 in a nutshell. I upgraded the lights to a 6 bulb t5 fixture (129) and swapped out the bulbs for ati.
Here's what it looks like
That price does not include salt, testing supplies or water. For the longest I just went to Walmart and bought distilled water (0.68 per gallon) there will be the expense if upkeep as well... I would say 25 dollars per month. And then you have livestock.... the sky is the limit when it comes to livestock. You can have a few corals, a few fish and a clean up crew and get away with a few hundred dollars. My 29 has far far more than a few hundred dollars in livestock though. But seriously, you could buy a few zoa frags, a frogspawn, and an acan and be under 100 there. Cleanup crew will probably set you back 75, fish could be 40 with nothing too extravagant.
catch $1 per gallon sale=30
Stand =50
Hob filter =30
Heater =30
4 bulb t5 bulbs included, timer, moonlights =80
Sand =75
Live rock =150
jebao wp25=60
Grand total =475
This is practically my setup with my 29 in a nutshell. I upgraded the lights to a 6 bulb t5 fixture (129) and swapped out the bulbs for ati.
Here's what it looks like
That price does not include salt, testing supplies or water. For the longest I just went to Walmart and bought distilled water (0.68 per gallon) there will be the expense if upkeep as well... I would say 25 dollars per month. And then you have livestock.... the sky is the limit when it comes to livestock. You can have a few corals, a few fish and a clean up crew and get away with a few hundred dollars. My 29 has far far more than a few hundred dollars in livestock though. But seriously, you could buy a few zoa frags, a frogspawn, and an acan and be under 100 there. Cleanup crew will probably set you back 75, fish could be 40 with nothing too extravagant.
Mike in CT
Valuable Member
Being your first tank , and most likely limited funds, I would suggest like someone else said, a HOB filter. This will save on plumbing and a sump .
If you can swing it , a RODI unit would be worth it so you can utilize water changes more often if your not running a protein skimmer at first.
I would say the key would be to STOCK LIGHTLY!! I would still say allow a $1000 after all is said and done. Good luck!!
If you can swing it , a RODI unit would be worth it so you can utilize water changes more often if your not running a protein skimmer at first.
I would say the key would be to STOCK LIGHTLY!! I would still say allow a $1000 after all is said and done. Good luck!!
