Where are y'all getting your money from?

[X-37B]

My current tank and system took a whole year to build. A year! Budget and buy a little at a time.

Same here.
I spent 1 year getting all the equipment I needed for my 120.
Its also nice to start up with everything at once.
I did have a 25 nano to hold me over.
I also have no debt except a mortgage.
Just got around to hanging my MH's I have had since startup, lol.
Went with a used ATI unit that was very cheap.
It worked very well for 15 months.
It now sits in the closet.
Dosed 2 part for 6 months while putting together my carx.
Could have put everything on credit but it is not my way.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

I’ve often suggested people volunteer at their local public aquarium to get their “fish fix” without having to buy big tanks on their own. Covid has messed that up though. When I was younger, I worked PT at area LFS, got discounts plus dibs on the best fish.
Then, remember that bigger isn’t always better. I only have one tank at home, a 16 gallon biocube (grin).
Jay

One tank at home and how many at work?

 

[Mark_C]

Join a local club and express interest in starting. You should find plenty of people statewide willing to offer advice and discount, if not free, equipment. Drop in, say hi, chat, learn, and ask.
I know in the New Jersey Reef Club we're exchanging equipment and livestock often, and we all jump on board to help a newbie. Assuming (hoping) other reef clubs are similar.

 

[DungSl1nger]

i saved money by drinking at bars less, thanks to COVID.

 

[Alaeriel]

I'm a broke reefer! Honestly, its all about budgeting. Where it seems most people on here just buy giant tanks on a whim, its all about careful planning on our end! I'm a funeral director, which isn't a particularly well-paid job despite what many think XD my husband and I just got married a year ago and we set up a 20 gallon nano tank last month for only $250 ish, minus stock. We also have a 200 gallon tank that we can't set up until after we close on a house since the landlord may kill us if we cave the floors in. We set aside a "tank stipend" each month and gradually pick out a new piece of equipment for the large build or some coral to put in the nano setup, etc. Some months we just save it and rollover so the next month we could make a large purchase like the lights. Secondhand is awesome for some things but not ideal for others, but basically just comes down to marking a piece of cash for tank-use only and letting that grow enough to become exactly what you dream about!

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Do you have to live in a high cost of living area? Yeah, living in NYC, DC, LA or SF would be awesome but unless you're in a very niche industry those same jobs exist in every other top-50 market.

I afford this hobby by living in a city at .85 on the cost of living index.

 

[ichthyogeek]

Grew up in Arkansas....but certainly feel like I fit in better in Cali, Texas, or Florida. Buuuuut let’s keep politics outta this please!

 

[lefkonj]

Planning is key, whether you have the 6 figures or not. I upgraded my lights but not after careful planning and saving the money. It isn't how much you earn but how you use it.

Cheaper house, cheaper cars, cheaper vacations, no kids.... more money for tanks.

 

[Hydrored]

My wife and I do well together with no kids, We save for the things we want to buy. I could go finance a pool but we are saving for it instead. I would rather save and buy the best once then cheap many times over. This is a hobby after all, so I wouldn’t do it unless I had the disposable income to take care of our pets. Now that I think of it most on here probably do better than average when it come to income simply for the fact it’s not a necessity.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

One tank at home and how many at work?

IDK, about 25 or so, 250,000 gallons (grin)

 

[SebastianReefer]

I make 6 figures but I also have 3 daughters two just within two years moved out on their own so I have one daughter at home and will be 17 in two weeks but I work a separate job and own a business that my wife and two daughters run the oldest 22 and youngest 16 at the moment I have 6 tanks 5 which are saltwater biocubes 14 and a 32,a 40 gallon 75, and a 125 gallon most all my stuff is second hand except my lights and pumps and my stuff was bought far between what I want to know is who can afford 500,1200,1600 dollar acro frags cause I sure can’t, but to anwser your question patenice is the key I wait and check all the different websites for good used equipment

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

Get a frag tank. Sell and support you hobby

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Buy as much as possible 2nd/3rd hand.

I concur, hopefully you concur


1 of 43 carnation corals aka dendronephthya sp

 

[a4edwin]

I’ve seen people on here ordering apex, radion’s, expensive tanks, hi end pumps, skimmers. Plus all the other supporting mods one shot. I’m jealous because they got everything at once and can basically set up everything one shot.only thing I’ve bought new for my set up is the tank everything else second hand. And patiently collecting stuff. Even though life and this pandemic affecting life and finances has me feeling like throwing in the towel.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Job + overtime. It also helps, I dont drink or smoke and I buy when the time is right.

 

[Alaeriel]

I’ve seen people on here ordering apex, radion’s, expensive tanks, hi end pumps, skimmers. Plus all the other supporting mods one shot. I’m jealous because they got everything at once and can basically set up everything one shot.only thing I’ve bought new for my set up is the tank everything else second hand. And patiently collecting stuff. Even though life and this pandemic affecting life and finances has me feeling like throwing in the towel.

Many of those people are older and have had their lifetimes to save up to make their dream tank a reality. Budgeting and patience :3

 

[Atomicus]

I get 90% of stuff used and find best deals on the app called "offer up"

 

[Pistondog]

I’ve seen people on here ordering apex, radion’s, expensive tanks, hi end pumps, skimmers. Plus all the other supporting mods one shot. I’m jealous because they got everything at once and can basically set up everything one shot.only thing I’ve bought new for my set up is the tank everything else second hand. And patiently collecting stuff. Even though life and this pandemic affecting life and finances has me feeling like throwing in the towel.

Nothing is easy right now. You're doing the right things saving to build your tank.

 

[Scdell]

It's all about wants and needs.
The wants oversee the needs.
Look at what I have.
That's why some corals go for thousands of $$$$
Pathetic!

 

[Crabby48]

Overtime and side jobs