Why is it so expensive :(

[nanoreefer15]

I just finished counting up all the equipment I'd need to start up a 20 or 25g tank, and well, DAMN. Is there any cheaper way I can do it or any suggestions? Here's the list:

 

Innovative Marine 20g or 25g tank ($200-$250)

1lb Live Rock ($10)

30lbs dry rock ($61)

20lbs live sand ($20)

Kessil a160we ($280)

Hydor Nano Wavemaker 425 ($25)

Reef crystals ($50)

RODI System ($150)

Refractometer ($40)

Test kits for calcium, magnesium, alkalinity ($70)

InTank media basket with media ($70)

Coral dip, foods ($50)

 

Grand total: $1,026-1,076

 

I don't have that kind of money as a teenager. Is there ANYTHING that I can do to lower the cost, change equipment? Would going with the 10g cost significantly less money? Thanks everyone for any advice. I love the ocean and aquatic life but can't afford this list I have right now. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

 

Edit: forgot the stand, that's another $100!

[Spiderguardnano]

Search day and night for used equipment

[StrainedSky]

Keep an eye out for used equipment, good way to save some money!

[CrazyEyes]

Well for starters you're going with a $250 tank, if you want to save money go with a standard 10g, that'll save you a heap of money. You could also pickup a reefbreeders nano light, which would save a decent amount of money.

[braaap]

I just finished counting up all the equipment I'd need to start up a 20 or 25g tank, and well, DAMN. Is there any cheaper way I can do it or any suggestions? Here's the list:

 

Innovative Marine 20g or 25g tank ($200-$250)

1lb Live Rock ($10)

30lbs dry rock ($61)

20lbs live sand ($20)

Kessil a160we ($280)

Hydor Nano Wavemaker 425 ($25)

Reef crystals ($50)

RODI System ($150)

Refractometer ($40)

Test kits for calcium, magnesium, alkalinity ($70)

InTank media basket with media ($70)

Coral dip, foods ($50)

 

Grand total: $1,026-1,076

 

I don't have that kind of money as a teenager. Is there ANYTHING that I can do to lower the cost, change equipment? Would going with the 10g cost significantly less money? Thanks everyone for any advice. I love the ocean and aquatic life but can't afford this list I have right now. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

 

Edit: forgot the stand, that's another $100!

 

Well you won't need 30lbs dry rock. 15 will be fine. Kessils come up used for $150-180 all the time. Coral dip is $13 for some bayer. Food is $5-8 for fish. Coral food is another $15. This isn't a cheap hobby. Try and buy used gear. You can even find test kits for $15-20 each used.

[ninjamyst]

Stalk your local forum for tank breakdowns. People break down their tanks all the time. Or do a simple $10 10 gallon tank with a HOB filter.

[Mirya]

Like others have said, look for used equipment -- either here, on other reef forums, local reef clubs or Craigslist. When you are buying new equipment, do a lot of price comparisons -- compare prices for example at Marine Depot, Bulk Reef Supply, Saltwateraquarium.com, and even Amazon. (Amazon has amazing prices on Cobalt NeoTherm heaters! Speaking of which I didn't see a heater on your list.) Also be aware that around major holidays, a lot of businesses have sales. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some Labor Day sales coming up. (Otherwise Black Friday/Cyber Monday is pretty amazing.)

 

FYI you don't have to worry about buying a pound of live rock. Microfauna is going to com in on frags, Chaeto, etc. You can always use bacteria in a bottle (eg Dr. Tim's) to cycle a tank with completely dead rock and sand.

[Murphs_Reef]

250 for a tank? I got my glass and sealer for £25 (bout $40)

[Jsheffield85]

Petco $1 gallon sale brochachos, keep and eye out. Majority of your money will go into a decent light or you can always go Chinese led, lots of success. You can have a tank and a light for what you would pay for a IM tank...

[CrazyEyes]

I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with me on this but, I honestly feel like flow is quite a bit more important than light. Not to say corals can grow without light I just feel that water flow is much more crucial than light. Corals can survive 1-2 weeks without light, even my SPS lived just under 2 weeks without light, they were pissed but they pulled through, whereas I definitely don't think they'd last that long without flow. I guess my point is, you can definitely save some money and go with a cheaper light for now which will more than likely be perfect for what you're trying to. My first reef tank was a 20h high with about 15lbs of LR, a cheap Petsmart HOB, 2 par bulbs and it was an awesome little tank.

[nanoreefer15]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

My parents don't feel comfortable buying used equipment and would rather buy it new, so I can't really do that. Also, I really love the clarity and sleekness of IM tanks and dislike the poor quality of the dollar per gallon tanks. I like kessils because they give that shimmering blue effect in the reef, but the price is too high. So all these restraints don't give me much wiggle room. Are there any equipment that I can remove/swap/hold off on until later?

 

Thanks again, I really love reef tanks but am struggling with the costs.

[jolee0722]

10 lbs of pukani would do you just fine and you could probably ditch the live rock. You could always start with a par38 bulb and save up some money to upgrade later. And don't want to add to the money issue you're going to need some test kits for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and phosphates as well. Also I think refractometers go for around $30 usually.

[Psychosis]

20 Long ($20)

Overflow kit from glassholes ($40)

10 sump ($10)

Glass baffles ($5-10)

Plumbing ($20-30)

Jebao DC1200 ($50)

Jebao RW-4 ($50)

150w heater ($25-30)

Lightly used RO/DI ($100)

Reef Breeders Value fixture ($180)

Ebay Refractometer ($25)

15 lbs Dry rock ($34)

SCA 301 Skimmer ($94.99)

 

Roughly $660 or so. You could put the extra money in to a better light fixture or a media reactor, maybe grab a few test kits. Better overall system though IMO.

[HarryPotter]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

My parents don't feel comfortable buying used equipment and would rather buy it new, so I can't really do that. Also, I really love the clarity and sleekness of IM tanks and dislike the poor quality of the dollar per gallon tanks. I like kessils because they give that shimmering blue effect in the reef, but the price is too high. So all these restraints don't give me much wiggle room. Are there any equipment that I can remove/swap/hold off on until later?

 

Thanks again, I really love reef tanks but am struggling with the costs.

So I started my tank at 16 with a $50 NanoCube 28 from Craigslist. Eventually I upgraded to a $100 Ocean Revive and stuck it into the hood.

 

Cost was $50 tank&stand, $30 heater, $10 power head, $50 rocks & sand, and later $100 for an upgraded light. It's doable for sure!

 

Keep your eyes on Craigslist!

[dragonxflare]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

My parents don't feel comfortable buying used equipment and would rather buy it new, so I can't really do that. Also, I really love the clarity and sleekness of IM tanks and dislike the poor quality of the dollar per gallon tanks. I like kessils because they give that shimmering blue effect in the reef, but the price is too high. So all these restraints don't give me much wiggle room. Are there any equipment that I can remove/swap/hold off on until later?

 

Thanks again, I really love reef tanks but am struggling with the costs.

 

In my opinion, save your money and get what you really want. No point in getting cheaper stuff... and having regrets few weeks / months down the road. Like everyone said, it's a expensive hobby, but also rewarding.

[tibbsy07]

You can save a BIT of money switching to instant ocean. There really is no reason to go with another salt. There is no real data out there that suggests any are better than IO - the only real publication was from 1998 and found that IO is the closest to natural seawater. None are really THAT close, but IO has a long track record in the hobby and works really well.

[pntbll687]

I just finished counting up all the equipment I'd need to start up a 20 or 25g tank, and well, DAMN. Is there any cheaper way I can do it or any suggestions? Here's the list:

 

Innovative Marine 20g or 25g tank ($200-$250)

1lb Live Rock ($10)

30lbs dry rock ($61)

20lbs live sand ($20)

Kessil a160we ($280)

Hydor Nano Wavemaker 425 ($25)

Reef crystals ($50)

RODI System ($150)

Refractometer ($40)

Test kits for calcium, magnesium, alkalinity ($70)

InTank media basket with media ($70)

Coral dip, foods ($50)

 

Grand total: $1,026-1,076

 

I don't have that kind of money as a teenager. Is there ANYTHING that I can do to lower the cost, change equipment? Would going with the 10g cost significantly less money? Thanks everyone for any advice. I love the ocean and aquatic life but can't afford this list I have right now. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

 

Edit: forgot the stand, that's another $100!

 

Petco usually runs a gallon per dollar deal every so often, so 20g tank is $20 bucks. Just starting out you can get a simple hang on filter for around 40-75 depending on what you choose. Refractometer? Just start out with a simple float to test salinity until you need something more advanced.

 

Not much you can do for rock and sand, look for coupons for reefcleaners

 

RODI isn't a requirement for having a reef. I've been treating tap water with seachem prime for three years, and no problems.

 

Check the classifieds for a used kessil, or look around for some different lighting options.

 

If you are handy or able, build a stand, or check out some yard sales for old furniture, no need to drop 100 on a stand.

 

Marry someone who gets a discount on stuff. <---- That's what I did

[HarryPotter]

 

Marry someone who gets a discount on stuff. <---- That's what I did

Encouraging teenagers to get married for reef discounts?

[tibbsy07]

If OP has time and is old enough in their state, a local fish store might need some volunteer help or part-time help.

[ninjamyst]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

My parents don't feel comfortable buying used equipment and would rather buy it new, so I can't really do that. Also, I really love the clarity and sleekness of IM tanks and dislike the poor quality of the dollar per gallon tanks. I like kessils because they give that shimmering blue effect in the reef, but the price is too high. So all these restraints don't give me much wiggle room. Are there any equipment that I can remove/swap/hold off on until later?

 

Thanks again, I really love reef tanks but am struggling with the costs.

It seems like you are asking for the impossible. The tank and the light makes up almost 50% of your total cost, but you dont want to budge on that. Whatever you hold off buying now, you will have to buy later. Keep in mind that reefing is usually an expensive hobby. But there are ways to do things on the cheap side if you have a good local community to help you.

 

Non-discretionary Items

Innovative Marine 20g or 25g tank ($200-$250)

Kessil a160we ($280, $250 Seen this online for $250 with gooseneck. Look around, buy used, TBAquatics has 10% coupon for signing up for newsletter.)

Hydor Nano Wavemaker 425 ($25)

Reef crystals ($50)

Refractometer ($40, $20 on amazon)

RODI System ($150, $100 get a slightly used one or wait for deals. Labor day is coming up)

 

Items to get for free from your local forum / craigslist / etc

1lb Live Rock ($10) - look below

30lbs dry rock ($61) - you do not need 30lbs dry rock, maybe 15-20lbs. Find someone with a 210 gallon tank and a sump. They can spare a few lbs of rock for you

20lbs live sand ($20) - look for tank breakdowns. no one sells sand; they just give it away. rinse it well and it's good as new. I just picked up 30 lbs of CaribSea Special Grade over the weekend from a tank breakdown.

 

Items to hold off buying

Test kits for calcium, magnesium, alkalinity ($70) - regular water change and stay away from SPS. You will eventually need this but not at the beginning

InTank media basket with media ($70) - get it later. Use the stock ones. Yes they suck but beggars can't be choosers.

Coral dip, foods ($50) - regular water change is all you need in the beginning.

 

 

New Total = $645 - $695.

 

But you are forgetting about misc things like heater, filter floss, mechanical filtration (carbon, purigen, etc), and I am sure some other stuff.

[fishestate]

I can tell you that I nano-reef on a budget and it is annoying. My tank is an abortion of parts and while what's inside the tank looks good the everything else about it is insane and hideous. I make things extremely inexpensive by building/repurposing things myself. I think you could get down to about $500, but as everyone says-- you'll regret every one of these compromises later. I haven't gotten to 'later' yet because my budget has not grown.

 

I would give you a breakdown, I set mine up for ~$400. But you don't want the shitty equipment I've had/made/dealt with. :-)

[xCry0x]

IMO look through some of the tank of the month threads.

 

Plenty of very minimalistic tanks, the current tank of the month only runs an AQ110 for filtration.

 

You price out an expensive tank and an expensive light right off the bat, yea it will be an expensive setup.

 

Im 28 with a good paying full time job and I don't have a $250 tank or a $300 light... I am contemplating the light now.. but I have had my tank going since 2011 with a $130 LED fixture from China and a cube I bought from a co-worker.

 

Do you have a LFS near you that sells water? You could cut the cost of salt & ro/di with that. I bought a ro/di, I use it for top off water.. but I buy my salt water at a LFS now just because it is a whole lot easier to go buy 5G of water for $5 than it is to sit and make it. Owning your own ro/di is a nice to have, not a need to have unless you have no source of water locally.

 

I can also say from experience, I have spent 4 years thinking the problems with my tank were the result of not fancy enough equipment. The truth is, tank problems usually are user error not lack of fancy "stuff".

[braaap]

Also, I really love the clarity and sleekness of IM tanks and dislike the poor quality of the dollar per gallon tanks

 

You dislike the quality of the Petco tanks yet you are buying an IM tank?

[pntbll687]

Encouraging teenagers to get married for reef discounts?

 

Yes I am! sometimes you do what you gotta do for what you want.

[tibbsy07]

OP you really have 2 options - either save up and hold out to buy everything you want OR stick to a tight budget and get used parts and basically assemble your tank and livestock as you go. Either way works.

 

FWIW - I've found that sticking to a budget and buying things as you go tends to lead to more and more upgrades over time and it's cost me more money in the long run than it would have had I saved up and been patient and purchased everything I wanted from the beginning.