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Unread 02/13/2009, 08:36 PM   #1
romanr
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Breaking down the cost to a newbie

I had a friend come over to my house and he was enthralled with my 65G reef. He asked me a curious questions, "how much would I have to spend to get into this?". I really didn't have an immediate answer for him. It has all been done over many years, a lot of money (equipment/livestock) mistakes, etc. So I sat down this evening and broke it down and I figured around $3G's ballpark. Wow! And I have what I would consider to be a very modest reef. So the question to ask all of you is how much do you have in your own "modest" reef. I say anything under 100gallons could qualify for this. Now I know some of you spend really big bucks on automation, etc. so those people need not apply to this survey. This will give me some idea of some numbers to give someone looking to get into this on the cheap. Please exclude the nano's (under 20) just for the sake of this discussion. Also figure out a monthly operating expense (food, electric, water, salt, media, etc.)
Below is my breakdown:

Tank (65g) $175
Stand $150
Skimmer $300
Overflow $70
Sump (10g AGA) $20
Return Pump $75
Powerheads $90
Lighting $240
Timers, plumbing, misc $150
Top off system $80
RO system $140
UPS backup $150
Live Rock(100lbs) $500
Corals $500
Fish $80
Saltwater (75 gal) $100
TOTAL $2820

Operating expenses $50 per month


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Current Tank Info: 150 DD cube mixed reef, 30G sump, Eshopps S-150 cone skimmer, 400W Radium MH, 156W Wavepoint T5, Internet accessible ACIII controller , Vortech MP10 w/ Icecap battery backup, Mini-Arctica chiller, Katalyst fueled reactor fed to Octopus BH800S skimmer
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Unread 02/13/2009, 08:45 PM   #2
str8salt
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This should be interesting. Tank cost more(75 gallon). Most of the equipment similar. Lots of money in bulbs. $500 would be a start and could work if you bought wisely. I spent that amount pretty quick. I didn't see live sand. or sump. refugium? Other than that I think your estimate would be close.


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Unread 02/13/2009, 08:47 PM   #3
str8salt
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sorry, found the sump listed. Must have missed it. You got a deal on that. 10 gallons?


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Unread 02/13/2009, 08:50 PM   #4
romanr
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Plain old 10G aquarium being used for a sump.


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Current Tank Info: 150 DD cube mixed reef, 30G sump, Eshopps S-150 cone skimmer, 400W Radium MH, 156W Wavepoint T5, Internet accessible ACIII controller , Vortech MP10 w/ Icecap battery backup, Mini-Arctica chiller, Katalyst fueled reactor fed to Octopus BH800S skimmer
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Unread 02/13/2009, 08:58 PM   #5
dwd5813
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i have about 1200-1300 into my 40 breeder thus far with only one fish and one frag. thanks for making me add THAT up.


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Unread 02/13/2009, 09:15 PM   #6
MrRyanT
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I think your numbers are pretty good. You are being extremely modest with the budget for corals and fish, but maybe that shouldbn't be included as start up cost anyway as they'll be a month or so down the road and ongoing. If your friend is really interested though, my advice to them is do a ton of research before getting started. I just jumped right in not knowing any better and made countless mistakes because of it.


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Unread 02/13/2009, 09:15 PM   #7
romanr
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I was actually thinking you need to have about $500 to $1000 to start depending on the size tank you want (say 30 vs 75) that's for tank, saltwater, skimmer, lights, pumps and RO (the bare essentials). And slowly add /spend another $500 to $1000 on livestock and some of the non-necessities (UPS, Top-off, Timers, etc.). And that you'll need between $20 and $50 per month to keep it going.


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Current Tank Info: 150 DD cube mixed reef, 30G sump, Eshopps S-150 cone skimmer, 400W Radium MH, 156W Wavepoint T5, Internet accessible ACIII controller , Vortech MP10 w/ Icecap battery backup, Mini-Arctica chiller, Katalyst fueled reactor fed to Octopus BH800S skimmer
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Unread 02/13/2009, 09:17 PM   #8
fishoutawater
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Buy used! I got a 40gal breeder with stand, mag 12 return pump, dual 175w mh ballast with moguls, another ballast for pc's, 20 gal. sump, 50lbs live rock, sand, several lps, some sps, zoa's and xenia for a whopping 200 bucks. Also about 1000 fine specimens of bubble algae, lol. My Sweetie was a little unhappy about the purchase, she thought it was too much!


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Unread 02/13/2009, 09:24 PM   #9
romanr
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Buying used is definetly an option but it does have it pitfalls and you better do your homework. I actually got started with a used tank myself. From experience my concern would be a tank that leaked or was soon to start. I say you could shave off 50% if you went the used route. As you would still have to buy some stuff new in all likelyhood.


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Current Tank Info: 150 DD cube mixed reef, 30G sump, Eshopps S-150 cone skimmer, 400W Radium MH, 156W Wavepoint T5, Internet accessible ACIII controller , Vortech MP10 w/ Icecap battery backup, Mini-Arctica chiller, Katalyst fueled reactor fed to Octopus BH800S skimmer
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Unread 02/13/2009, 09:30 PM   #10
Shekki
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I'd venture to say I had $10,000 between my two tanks (75 and 56). I recently broke them down and bought an Elos Mini system. It was about $1500 complete.


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Unread 02/13/2009, 09:40 PM   #11
romanr
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complete but not including water, salt, livestock, powerheads, UPS, RO, etc.


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Raul Roman
Marion Ocala Reef Enthusiasts (MORE) member
Check us out on FB and RC.

Current Tank Info: 150 DD cube mixed reef, 30G sump, Eshopps S-150 cone skimmer, 400W Radium MH, 156W Wavepoint T5, Internet accessible ACIII controller , Vortech MP10 w/ Icecap battery backup, Mini-Arctica chiller, Katalyst fueled reactor fed to Octopus BH800S skimmer
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Unread 02/13/2009, 10:26 PM   #12
Ehaze
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Tank (65g) $175
Stand $150
Skimmer $300
Overflow $70
Sump (10g AGA) $20
Return Pump $75
Powerheads $90
Lighting $240
Timers, plumbing, misc $150
Top off system $80
RO system $140
UPS backup $150
Live Rock(100lbs) $500
Corals $500
Fish $80
Saltwater (75 gal) $100
TOTAL $2820

fish food $20-40
coral food $40
Heaters $80
Lighting will be well over 280, about 600
fish, you can get a pair of clowns for 80, you will need atleast 300$ worth.
calc reactor setup 700+
testing equip 40 - 200
sump lighting (lots of diy stuff so 20$)
with 500 bux you will only get common corals.
fans 60$
PVC 20-100$.


that is just the tip. just the tip.


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75g SPS tank, 30gal sump/refuge. Melev RO/DI, Coravue duel calc reactor, MSP 200 skimmer, 2 Vortech MP40, Mag drive 9.5 return, autotopoff.com ATO, 2 CoralVue 250W SE finished pendants(with 20k Radium bulbs), powered by 2x Icecap ballasts, controlled by a ACJR.
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Unread 02/13/2009, 10:29 PM   #13
DaveG99
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I try not to think about this.


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Unread 02/13/2009, 11:48 PM   #14
sanababit
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^ what he said

sana


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Current Tank Info: 90RR inwall, Octopuss Skimmer, 2 MP40 wQD, 1 MP10 WQD, 2 Radions G4 Pro, Apex Doser, Apex Controller, 400w heater, 30 Gal Sump, Biopellets, Carbon, Gfo, Macroalgae
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Unread 02/14/2009, 12:13 AM   #15
polyppetey
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Again I would also say to buy used, there are so many deals on Craigslist and E-bay if you are patient. I just bought a 56 gallon custom column tank and stand for 350 bucks. This also included 2 Koralia powerheads, all the plumbing, a corner overflow, 40 lbs sand and the best yet a custom light fixture with 2x175 watt MH 4x24 watt actinics and dimmable moonlights. The lights alone were close to 800 bucks new. I alos got a box of misc thigs like thermometers, nets and various goodies. I just need a sump, skimmer and return pump and I am ready for water.


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Unread 02/14/2009, 01:09 AM   #16
somedude
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I think some people might still be overestimating. this is supposed to be a beginner tank right? my first tank [still running] was a 40 BR. I can give you the numbers i started with.

Tank $95 [NEW 40BR PETCO]
Stand $100 [CUSTOM BUILT IT]
Skimmer $125 [USED REEF OCTOPUS LFS]
Sump $10 [USED AGA CRAIGSLIST]
Return Pump $40 [USED MAG 5 EBAY]
Flow $100 [USED WAVE2K EBAY]
Lighting $280 [USED 2x150W MH EBAY]
Plumbing $50 [NEW LOWE'S]
Live Rock $200 [50 LBS. LFS]
Sand $50 [50 LBS. LFS]
Corals $250 [NON-NAMED LFS]
Fish $150 [VARIOUS LFS]
Saltwater $30 [INSTANT OCEAN PETCO]
TOTAL $1480

Operating expenses $50 per month

i started relatively cheap, and have since started a second tank, a 95g brick. now that tank put a dent on my check card. lol.

~alex


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Unread 02/14/2009, 01:16 AM   #17
Tswifty
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Smaller doesn't mean cheaper... I still have a hard time stomaching how much I've spent bringing my 40g rimless online.

However... what you're keeping, the quality of equipment, how crazy you want to get with automation, filtration, flow, lighting... etc... all are BIG factors.


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Unread 02/14/2009, 01:24 AM   #18
Ehaze
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Quote:
Originally posted by Tswifty
Smaller doesn't mean cheaper... I still have a hard time stomaching how much I've spent bringing my 40g rimless online.

However... what you're keeping, the quality of equipment, how crazy you want to get with automation, filtration, flow, lighting... etc... all are BIG factors.
^

my tank runs its self, the only thing I really do is feed frozen food.


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Unread 02/14/2009, 01:35 AM   #19
pwoller
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I think the most of my money is in the corals I have. I wouldn't even want to guess how much I've spent on them. Thankfully most of my purchases have been fairly spread out.

I bought a used tank once on ebay, that was a mistake. It had scratches all over it.


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Unread 02/14/2009, 02:19 AM   #20
Jova
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I figure one could buy into the system that I'm staring at right now for 3 or 4 grand, but I'm sure I've spent closer to 10-15 over the years in upgrades, changes and mistakes


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Unread 02/14/2009, 06:36 AM   #21
Nereaga
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I have a sumpless 50g breeder....

50g breeder( New $150)
Stand(Free material from work)
Lights(New $289, NEP)
Skimmer($150 used Octopus 800S)
Heater(New $40)
2 Koralia #3(New $80)
Grounding Probe(New $25)
20lbs pink sand($25)
VorTech MP20(New $250, just ordered)
Coralife Salt bucket($35)

Stuff I had from my previous setup

50lbs of LR
ATO.com
Bins to mix salt($20)
Bins to hold ato water($10)
heater/powerhead for salt($30)

Total I bought- $960

Buyin new- about $1500

SHHHH! Don't tell me girlfriend!


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Unread 02/14/2009, 06:42 AM   #22
macreefster
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pleading the fifth here.... cause if i actually totaled what i've put into my reef i'd have to drink a fifth! it's all good, sure beats spending it on drugs...... thats my justification anyways..lol.


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Current Tank Info: 70gal sps reef (36x24x20), 50g sump, 25g refugium, vertex alpha cone 170, 2 x 250w 14k phoenix w/ lumenmax 3's, 2 vortech mp40w's, eheim 1262 return pump
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Unread 02/14/2009, 07:09 AM   #23
reefscape15
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You can set up a very budget concious system if you need to. Stay smaller so you can save on sand and rock, or just don't have masses of rock in a large tank. In my 20gal. i had almost fully stocked (pics in my gallery) it was about :
40lbs LR - $250
30lbs Live Sand - $40
Tank and Stand - $90ish (bought it new)
24" Nova Extreme fixture - $160 (got new)
Red Sea Prism Deluxe Skimmer - $100 (got new)
CPR 2.5gal. HOB Fuge - $135 (got new)
Koralia 1 and 3 - $80 (got new)
Corals - $200-300 (all bought as frags except Bubble Gum Echno - $55)
Fish - At Most $150

I guess this isn't exactly cheap, but i bought all equiptment new. I feel i saved lots of money on corals, but if i found things used it would have been 1/2 - 2/3 price of my setup. Now i have 54gal. corner bowfront and that was NOT cheap. About $450 for tank and stand and another almost $200 in LR. I did get about 30lbs from my friends 75gal. that he broke down. It's nothing for a real penny pincher to get into, but as with any hobby, you will spend money. This hobby is just more expensive than some others. But i look at it this way; If i was a golfer, i would have to get a membership to a course every year, buy clubs and all the crap you need, and would eventually exceed the price of my tank! This keep it justified in my mind (and my wifes mind!) to spend money on a box of water


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Unread 02/14/2009, 07:17 AM   #24
TheDogFather
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Don't ask, don't tell...


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112G 48x30x18 Starphire Rimless / 40G Sump / 20G Fuge / Basement Sump Room / Bubble King Mini 180 / Vertex Illumina SR 1200 LED / 2 x Vortech MP40W ES / ReefKeeper Elite / LiterMeterIII / Auto Water Change

Current Tank Info: 112G Shallow Rimless
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