Reef on a Budget

[bad coffee]

I'm sorry, but I don't believe this is a hobby you want to get into if you don't have the money to spend on it. If you're not going to have the cash to buy salt for a water change 'till next paycheck,' you should stay away from actually having a tank. Spend the time saving your money for good equipment and DO THE RESEARCH FIRST. This will keep you 'in the hobby' and you'll learn what things are myth (seaclone) and what is real (good lighting)

That being said, I did keep a 10 gallon tank with 64watts of PC light, and a hang on fuge for over a year. Two maxijets and a heater were all the equipment I had. All the coral came as frags from trades.

But I did 5 gallon water changes every 2 weeks, and the tank looked great. I spent a LOT of time researching every purchase. I didn't have the cash to spend on 'needless' things. Every dollar I put aside for my reef (including a $50 catastrophe fund) went for something I needed. Salt, test kits, dosing.

I've found cheap ways to do things. Like buying a 5 pound bag of yard lime for $5 instead of Kalk. Sure, it's not close to pure (like Mrs. Wages), but it's cheap, and it worked.

Trading Frags for labor. "I'll come help move your tank for a couple of frags" much cheaper than buying them!


\Now that I have the cash to spend on my reef, I still research everything I can. I don't buy things just because 'I think I need it" I am purchasing the best equipment for the task at hand. I don't go overboard and buy 400watt mh's when 150s will work. It's about a making a budget and sticking to it.

B

 

[ScottK]

It's easy to tell people to read up, but in reality, they will most likely not.

This is something that we need to encourage people to do. It's why Deanos always posts links to answers for people's questions instead of just giving them answers. If people aren't willing to do research in this hobby, then they're not going to have a lot of success, no matter what equipment they buy.

 

[Dace]

We can't all be negative. Solutions arise from discussion.

It's easy to tell people to read up, but in reality, they will most likely not. They will do things based on what people say here. Hence the reason for this discussion.

it's not about being negative, it's about what people are going to buy no matter what we discuss, have you seen those threads where someone want advice on a product and no matter what you tell them even if a dozen ppl say the same thing they still buy the product against all advice. I love to help people out, but tend to be honest with my advice even if it's not what they want to hear. Like what i posted on this thread. It's just my 2cents.

 

[roncgizmo]

This is something that we need to encourage people to do. It's why Deanos always posts links to answers for people's questions instead of just giving them answers. If people aren't willing to do research in this hobby, then they're not going to have a lot of success, no matter what equipment they buy.

I agree 100%

 

[inkblue]

it's not about being negative, it's about what people are going to buy no matter what we discuss, have you seen those threads where someone want advice on a product and no matter what you tell them even if a dozen ppl say the same thing they still buy the product against all advice. I love to help people out, but tend to be honest with my advice even if it's not what they want to here. Like what i posted on this thread. It's just my 2cents.

Very true. People will do what they want to do, no matter what...

 

[drperetz]

...

Coffee is right, if u have no money to dedicate it to ur pets, dont have pets...

All u r doing is hurting them in the long run...

 

[inkblue]

The reason for this thread came from Jonathan's comment that MR had a sudden surge of beginner reefers. I just thought that since there will be a lot of questions, we could recommend on the side of practicality rather than what is the best out there.

 

[ellebelle]

For people who start reef tanks on a budget, I would recommend buying used from MR. For my first tank set up, I got:

PC light and ballast : $30.00
AquaC Skimmer and Mag 5: $150.00
Eheim 1260: $50.00
three powerheads, 2part, substrate, nets, pH and ammonia test kits, hydrometer: free
30 lbs LR: $90.00
1/10HP chiller: $150
-----
tanks: $60 (drilled for the cost of beer from another member)
PVC and parts: $70
wood for stand and hood: $75
coralife digital power strip: $30 (I think)

Those were basically all of my set up costs. The things above the line I got from people on MR. I have had nothing but good experiences purchasing things from other member. I've found all of the equipment to be extremely well maintained. The chiller and skimmer I bought looked like they had been run for maybe a week and the return pump was brand new. Since purchasing that stuff, I've upgraded some of my equipment, also from MR members. I got a MH 175w dual ballast ($120) and a blueline pump ($120), new subtrate ($20) from MR members. In fact, the only major upgrade that I had to drop a bunch of money on to buy new was my ACJr. I also bought my MaxiJets new and then bought the mods for flow which works really well for me.

So! It IS possible to do this on a budget.

 

[ScottK]

One of the issues, though, is not just to recommend cheaper alternatives. We need to encourage newbies to do research before they decide to get into the hobby, and before they start buying equipment. They need to be able to understand the differences between different kinds of equipment and the pros and cons are to each. Why are certain options so much cheaper? What are they giving up when not getting higher end products?

 

[ellebelle]

People are more likely to spend money on livestock than equipment. In reality, you should be willing to spend on equipment in a proportional amount to the livestock you're trying to keep.

 

[inkblue]

True. I spent more on livestock than I did on proper lighting that Phil recommended. But then again, I could not afford the electricity of what he was recommending, even though I knew he was right.

So what is a reefer to do?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

:grouphug:

 

[Dace]

True.

So what is a reefer to do?

Go Boating.........lol

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Go Boating.........lol

:funnypost :lol2:

 

[ellebelle]

True. I spent more on livestock than I did on proper lighting that Phil recommended. But then again, I could not afford the electricity of what he was recommending, even though I knew he was right.

So what is a reefer to do?

You couldn't AFFORD it, or you couldn't have it?

I waited a long time to switch my lights because the electric in my old apartment was so decrepit. I cringed whenever my chiller flipped on. The tank was a huge burden on the electric, so that can be a factor. However, if you can't afford the electric bill for proper lighting, then you can't really afford to have an SPS tank.

 

[roncgizmo]

Go Boating.........lol

Oh boy! Talk about doing something cheap...lol

 

[inkblue]

:shhh: I'm a wannabe reefer during the colder months....

 

[inkblue]

You couldn't AFFORD it, or you couldn't have it?

I waited a long time to switch my lights because the electric in my old apartment was so decrepit. I cringed whenever my chiller flipped on. The tank was a huge burden on the electric, so that can be a factor. However, if you can't afford the electric bill for proper lighting, then you can't really afford to have an SPS tank.

Couldn't afford to have it.

In regards to a chiller, for my place at least, it was more economical to cool my place rather than cool my tank leaving the room hot.

So would you recommend an AC or a chiller...:scratch:

 

[fritz]

Eeek reefing on a budget, that's an oxymoron.
The only thing worse than spending the money once is spending the money twice. As a person that has upgraded most of my upgrades I second Jhale's recommendation. Spend the money once, don't skimp or try and save. In the long run you'll spend $3 by trying to save one initially. Just buy right the first time.

Garf.org has a lot of info on reefing on a budget although not well organized. They use cheap lights, maxijets and lots of water changes. Reefkeeping on the cheap can definitely be done but it requires far more work and time from the hobbyist.

 

[lhkorn99]

As a beginner in this hobby I have to agree with buying the 'right' quality product upfront. I started with a 55Gallon tank my dad gave me (and ofcourse did not know about this site at the time). I got a seaclone, which I quickly upgraded to Euroreef. I got Koralias which I am now upgrading to Tunze in my 90Gallon upgrade. I started with a fluval canister, which I upgraded to a wet/dry, then removed the bio balls...now upgrading to a 40BR sump. I bought T-5 lighting which I then upgraded to MH. Started the tank with tapwater, then got a tapwater filter, then upgraded to a RO/DI system....so many mistakes so many upgrades. I didn't buy things because they were cheaper, I just didnt know any better. Had I found this site (and thanks to Davidl919 who told me about the site at Petco, and Jim who has helped me with getting the right products and the new upgrade) earlier and done more research I would have bought quality upfront and ended up saving alot of money. I guess in the end experience and research are the best lessons.