Cost of a 75g Reef

PeteBoxez · 07/13/2011, 12:59 AM

Hello everybody, I plan on starting a 75g reef with LPS/SPS. I made an estimation, and I hope u guys could help me edit this? Some of the stuff I already have from my 30g. So please let me know what I am missing, if I over/under estimate the price, or if there's anything I will need in addition to the list, Thankyou!

My Estimate so far is going to be $1550-1800
-Glass Tank+Stand (75g) = $500
-Lights (4x54w T5) = 200$
-Live Rock (50lb) [I already got 50lb, total will be 100lb] = $200
-Live Sand (75lb) [I Already got 50lb] = $100
-Return Pump (Undecided on which brand) = $150?
-DIY ~50gal sump/refugium = $100?
-Protein Skimmer [I am going to use my old one for now to save money, its a AquaC Remora (it says Max 75g). I hope to upgrade this later]
-Heater (2x 200 Watt) = $50
-RO/DI unit = $250

Laurier · 07/13/2011, 01:02 AM

run a 6 bulb, way better investment over a 75 than a 4 bulb t5 fixture

Also you need to look into powerheads

PeteBoxez · 07/13/2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurier

run a 6 bulb, way better investment over a 75 than a 4 bulb t5 fixture

Also you need to look into powerheads

Well i guess noobs brings about noob questions =X... So here's my question... whats a 6 bulb? lol... I originally wanted to use T5s because i heard they save electricity, and they seemed to be the cheaper option.

and yea! i will need powerheads.. i guess that is another $100.

papagimp · 07/13/2011, 01:24 AM

6 bulb as in 6 x 54w vs the 4 x 54w fixture your mentioned.

I've got a 4 bulb and 6 bulb, both used over 75g and keeping LPS wasn't a big deal in either setup, provided proper coral placement.

Also like to add, Look into local fish clubs, you can often save a bit of money using buyer/seller forums or programs the clubs may offer, and whatnot. When I first got in the hobby, I joined COMAS here in oklahoma city, already had my tank setup but when I went to my first meeting, I received roughly 10 different coral frags from the clubs "donor program" for free!!! not to mention they taught me how to make my own sump which I went home and did the following day, spending around $20 to make it. I've also jumped in on some group buys for rock and gotten much cheaper options than if I had simply bought for myself. You list a 75g tank at roughly $500, can't really confirm since i've gotten most my setups as second hand but can tell you bout the 220g I purchased from a club auction for $675, complete with stand and canopy. Also, look through the DIY forum section, sooooo many awesome and cheaply made yet highly effective items you can make yourself. Anything from protein skimmers to refugiums to calcium reactors, ect ect ect. I even performed the maxijet mods on some cheap powerheads to massively increase their flowrates, saving me tons on more expensive options. Then you can get into so many different options to save on maintance costs. Homemade additives and cultures and whatnot. I'm dirt poor and never thought in a million years I could have a saltwater tank. I now have around 20 tanks in my garage varying from 150g down to 2.5g and then a 220g and 58g in the house and more equipment than I could possibly use. Keep in mind, 99.9% of all my DIY projects were done in my newbie phase and I'm not what you'd call a "handy" kinda person with those things but the help you can get here is almost ridiculous in it's usefulness. And if your one of those people that like to have new stuff... the misses won me a $400 calcium reactor from a reefer conference one year, brand spankin new.

M88A2 · 07/13/2011, 01:34 AM

might also want to add the cost of an overflow, unless the tank is already set up for that. some other things that come to mind are fuge light(cheap one will do fine)Auto top off and dosers arent a must persay but with that volume of water u might want to invest in some. A media reactor for carbon and the likes if u choose to run those (if you do decide to run a reactor, you could save some cash and space by plumbing your return to feed the reactors)

PeteBoxez · 07/13/2011, 01:39 AM

Cool thanks guys! Papagimp, thanks for your tip. There is a reef club in my area which i wish to join.

papagimp · 07/13/2011, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M88A2

might also want to add the cost of an overflow, unless the tank is already set up for that. some other things that come to mind are fuge light(cheap one will do fine)Auto top off and dosers arent a must persay but with that volume of water u might want to invest in some. A media reactor for carbon and the likes if u choose to run those (if you do decide to run a reactor, you could save some cash and space by plumbing your return to feed the reactors)

I bought my first overflow box, after that I learned how to drill my tanks and make em reef ready on my own, although I already had some of the equipment needed. I had also made my own phosban type reactors for both phosban and carbon, using just pvc pipe and some cheap maxijets. Looking back now, I wish I had plumbed them using the return ^^ isn't hindsight great?

marti224 · 07/13/2011, 06:21 AM

Save a lot of money and the enivorment by making your own live rocks. There are some great videos on youtube to follow and its pretty easy and cheap. Then you can spend that money on a reef controller...

Catastrophi · 07/13/2011, 07:36 AM

I would look into getting a refractometer.

PCFisher66 · 07/13/2011, 07:37 AM

You'll also need salt, you'll be maiking quite a bit with that first fill up 100+ gals. Test kits, thermometer, refractometer/salinity gauge, net, buckets, food and a bunch of other stuff that seems to find it's way into our homes.

myfrostymember · 07/13/2011, 07:44 AM

Return pump can be a mag 5-7 they work great and are under 100$ I believe--- you can get a maxijet with The mod kit from bulkreefsupply for under 30$ a pump- skip live sand- and If your gonna use a canopy look into getting a 4x54 t5 retro and then adding 2x54 later if ya need it -

myfrostymember · 07/13/2011, 07:47 AM

Also if your gonna use tour current live rock consider getting base/dead rock from bulkreefsupply or marco and it will be alive before ya know it from your live rock-- should save more money that way

And I agree 100% about buying used stuff you can save a killing-- if you are setting this up over a few months just keep an eye out and when you see something you need jump on it - you can save alot doing that

tbettis · 07/13/2011, 07:49 AM

i have a 60 gallon tank and after the last round of equipment i plan on buying...ill be around 10k so its all in what u want.

tlo25 · 07/13/2011, 07:51 AM

My advice is when you are done estimating your cost, double it. You will get nickel and dimed on a lot of stuff.

PeteBoxez · 07/13/2011, 08:13 AM

I plan on doing this over months, so I will try to find as much 2nd hand stuff as I can. Luckily there are a lot of reefers in my area since i live in Northern California!!! (Get the joke? =P....)

drunkfish3 · 07/13/2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myfrostymember

Also if your gonna use tour current live rock consider getting base/dead rock from bulkreefsupply or marco and it will be alive before ya know it from your live rock-- should save more money that way

And I agree 100% about buying used stuff you can save a killing-- if you are setting this up over a few months just keep an eye out and when you see something you need jump on it - you can save alot doing that

According to his cost for live rock he is getting live rock for $2 a pound which is cheaper then dry rock from BRS. I would like to know were he is getting live rock that cheap though.

tnias · 07/13/2011, 08:55 AM

I spent about 5k on my 75 gallon but I didn't do any DIY components and had to have a custom tank and stand because of the location of the tank.

I probably spent an additional 1k-2k on non-equipment purchases, ie salt, live rock, sand, test kits, etc.

IMHO the better equipment and more automated the tank the more time you can sit back and enjoy it. Because of the automation I spend very little time doing maintenance.

Good luck and enjoy!

My equipment list is in my build.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2026420

PeteBoxez · 07/13/2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drunkfish3

According to his cost for live rock he is getting live rock for $2 a pound which is cheaper then dry rock from BRS. I would like to know were he is getting live rock that cheap though.

Its actually $4 a pound ($200/50lb = 4$/lb). I actually dont know if this is the price I will get from my LFS. I got these numbers from saltwaterfish.com. I'm currently in Thailand atm for vacation so won't know the exact price till i return home.

drunkfish3 · 07/13/2011, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteBoxez

Its actually $4 a pound ($200/50lb = 4$/lb). I actually dont know if this is the price I will get from my LFS. I got these numbers from saltwaterfish.com. I'm currently in Thailand atm for vacation so won't know the exact price till i return home.

sorry my bad, live rock by me it $8-10.

mjwz06 · 07/13/2011, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteBoxez

Hello everybody, I plan on starting a 75g reef with LPS/SPS. I made an estimation, and I hope u guys could help me edit this? Some of the stuff I already have from my 30g. So please let me know what I am missing, if I over/under estimate the price, or if there's anything I will need in addition to the list, Thankyou!

My Estimate so far is going to be $1550-1800
-Glass Tank+Stand (75g) = $500
-Lights (4x54w T5) = 200$
-Live Rock (50lb) [I already got 50lb, total will be 100lb] = $200
-Live Sand (75lb) [I Already got 50lb] = $100
-Return Pump (Undecided on which brand) = $150?
-DIY ~50gal sump/refugium = $100?
-Protein Skimmer [I am going to use my old one for now to save money, its a AquaC Remora (it says Max 75g). I hope to upgrade this later]
-Heater (2x 200 Watt) = $50
-RO/DI unit = $250

I would almost double that estimate!

You're missing things like:
new skimmer (you'll upgrade that one quickly)
ATO system
controllers
powerheads
media reactors (carbon, GFO, etc)
test kits, refractometer
salt
Mag, CA, Kalk, other supplements
food
random pumps and tubing
extra buckets
filters

And all of this will get you an empty tank! It'll probably be another few hundred to stock it.

It's definitely worth it though! I wish you the best. Good luck!

Lynnmw1208 · 07/13/2011, 09:52 AM

imo I wouldn't go with 100lbs of rock. I'd go with less than that. that's just me though

07/13/2011, 12:59 AM	#1
PeteBoxez Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 8	Cost of a 75g Reef Hello everybody, I plan on starting a 75g reef with LPS/SPS. I made an estimation, and I hope u guys could help me edit this? Some of the stuff I already have from my 30g. So please let me know what I am missing, if I over/under estimate the price, or if there's anything I will need in addition to the list, Thankyou! My Estimate so far is going to be $1550-1800 -Glass Tank+Stand (75g) = $500 -Lights (4x54w T5) = 200$ -Live Rock (50lb) [I already got 50lb, total will be 100lb] = $200 -Live Sand (75lb) [I Already got 50lb] = $100 -Return Pump (Undecided on which brand) = $150? -DIY ~50gal sump/refugium = $100? -Protein Skimmer [I am going to use my old one for now to save money, its a AquaC Remora (it says Max 75g). I hope to upgrade this later] -Heater (2x 200 Watt) = $50 -RO/DI unit = $250

07/13/2011, 01:24 AM	#4
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	6 bulb as in 6 x 54w vs the 4 x 54w fixture your mentioned. I've got a 4 bulb and 6 bulb, both used over 75g and keeping LPS wasn't a big deal in either setup, provided proper coral placement. Also like to add, Look into local fish clubs, you can often save a bit of money using buyer/seller forums or programs the clubs may offer, and whatnot. When I first got in the hobby, I joined COMAS here in oklahoma city, already had my tank setup but when I went to my first meeting, I received roughly 10 different coral frags from the clubs "donor program" for free!!! not to mention they taught me how to make my own sump which I went home and did the following day, spending around $20 to make it. I've also jumped in on some group buys for rock and gotten much cheaper options than if I had simply bought for myself. You list a 75g tank at roughly $500, can't really confirm since i've gotten most my setups as second hand but can tell you bout the 220g I purchased from a club auction for $675, complete with stand and canopy. Also, look through the DIY forum section, sooooo many awesome and cheaply made yet highly effective items you can make yourself. Anything from protein skimmers to refugiums to calcium reactors, ect ect ect. I even performed the maxijet mods on some cheap powerheads to massively increase their flowrates, saving me tons on more expensive options. Then you can get into so many different options to save on maintance costs. Homemade additives and cultures and whatnot. I'm dirt poor and never thought in a million years I could have a saltwater tank. I now have around 20 tanks in my garage varying from 150g down to 2.5g and then a 220g and 58g in the house and more equipment than I could possibly use. Keep in mind, 99.9% of all my DIY projects were done in my newbie phase and I'm not what you'd call a "handy" kinda person with those things but the help you can get here is almost ridiculous in it's usefulness. And if your one of those people that like to have new stuff... the misses won me a $400 calcium reactor from a reefer conference one year, brand spankin new. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

07/13/2011, 07:37 AM	#10
PCFisher66 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 138	You'll also need salt, you'll be maiking quite a bit with that first fill up 100+ gals. Test kits, thermometer, refractometer/salinity gauge, net, buckets, food and a bunch of other stuff that seems to find it's way into our homes. __________________ Tod Florida, where we skip the crappy seasons!! Current Tank Info: 75gal w/29gal sump

07/13/2011, 07:49 AM	#13
tbettis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 281	i have a 60 gallon tank and after the last round of equipment i plan on buying...ill be around 10k so its all in what u want. __________________ 180 My Reef Creations Hybrid Stapphire. MRC 36 bio sump and Reactors. Neptune Apex. Prized Crosshatch and Black Tang. 4 AI Vega LED Current Tank Info: 180 new build. My Reef Creations

07/13/2011, 09:52 AM	#21
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	imo I wouldn't go with 100lbs of rock. I'd go with less than that. that's just me though __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

07/13/2011, 01:02 AM	#2
Laurier Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Calgary/ Canada Posts: 191	run a 6 bulb, way better investment over a 75 than a 4 bulb t5 fixture Also you need to look into powerheads

07/13/2011, 01:34 AM	#5
M88A2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 682	might also want to add the cost of an overflow, unless the tank is already set up for that. some other things that come to mind are fuge light(cheap one will do fine)Auto top off and dosers arent a must persay but with that volume of water u might want to invest in some. A media reactor for carbon and the likes if u choose to run those (if you do decide to run a reactor, you could save some cash and space by plumbing your return to feed the reactors)

07/13/2011, 01:39 AM	#6
PeteBoxez Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 8	Cool thanks guys! Papagimp, thanks for your tip. There is a reef club in my area which i wish to join.

07/13/2011, 06:21 AM	#8
marti224 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bluffton,SC Posts: 57	Save a lot of money and the enivorment by making your own live rocks. There are some great videos on youtube to follow and its pretty easy and cheap. Then you can spend that money on a reef controller...

07/13/2011, 07:36 AM	#9
Catastrophi Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 326	I would look into getting a refractometer.

07/13/2011, 07:44 AM	#11
myfrostymember Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 503	Return pump can be a mag 5-7 they work great and are under 100$ I believe--- you can get a maxijet with The mod kit from bulkreefsupply for under 30$ a pump- skip live sand- and If your gonna use a canopy look into getting a 4x54 t5 retro and then adding 2x54 later if ya need it -

07/13/2011, 07:47 AM	#12
myfrostymember Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 503	Also if your gonna use tour current live rock consider getting base/dead rock from bulkreefsupply or marco and it will be alive before ya know it from your live rock-- should save more money that way And I agree 100% about buying used stuff you can save a killing-- if you are setting this up over a few months just keep an eye out and when you see something you need jump on it - you can save alot doing that

07/13/2011, 07:51 AM	#14
tlo25 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 124	My advice is when you are done estimating your cost, double it. You will get nickel and dimed on a lot of stuff.

07/13/2011, 08:13 AM	#15
PeteBoxez Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 8	I plan on doing this over months, so I will try to find as much 2nd hand stuff as I can. Luckily there are a lot of reefers in my area since i live in Northern California!!! (Get the joke? =P....)

07/13/2011, 08:55 AM	#17
tnias Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 200	I spent about 5k on my 75 gallon but I didn't do any DIY components and had to have a custom tank and stand because of the location of the tank. I probably spent an additional 1k-2k on non-equipment purchases, ie salt, live rock, sand, test kits, etc. IMHO the better equipment and more automated the tank the more time you can sit back and enjoy it. Because of the automation I spend very little time doing maintenance. Good luck and enjoy! My equipment list is in my build. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2026420

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