$350 Reef Contest!!

[JmLee]

what about filtration? no skimmer?.

[reefshadow]

What's the deal with this anyhoo?

Does the winner get $350.00 or just the eternal fame and undying devotion of legions of adoring fans?

The rules seem kinda shakey

(scratches head)



Edit- Weird, this is my 350th post. I think I should win by default.

[ratherbediving]

I would try for a low light reef-- you would keep xenia, mushrooms, other low light stuff that can tolerate relatively high nitrates. Live rock will be a big part of the filtration...

55 gallon tank --$60 at LFS

48" dual bulb flourescent fixture -- $83
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...d1=1843;pcid2=

Seaclone protein skimmer ($65)
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...;pcid1=;pcid2=

(no idea if this thing works... maybe better off with just a HOB filter)

2 Seio 820 power heads ($100)
http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...d1=2181;pcid2=

Heater 200 watt visi therm ($16)

6$ Hydrometer...
$330.. leaves $20 for test kits...

[Pineapple House]

Yes, it would be possible to setup a reeftank for under $350.00. This, as you already meantioned, would get you the bare essentials but nothing else. Here's a quick list below:
12 gallon Eclipse Aquarium :$150.00
---Includes some Filtration (Carbon, Sponge and Pad) and Lighting

15lbs Livesand: $15.00

15lbs Liverock: $30.00

Extra Maxi-Jet Powerhead: $15.00

Test Kits:
Nitrate: $10.00
Nitrite: $10.00
Ammonia: $10.00
pH: 10.00
Hydrometer: $7.00

Heater: $15.00

Thermometer: $2.00

Salt Mix: $20.00

Having all of the above add up to only $284...Priceless!

The total cost for the above would be $284 which would give you some extra money to upgrade the lighting system on the tank to some power compacts. You should be under $350.00 when the lighting is completed.

But my question is why would you want to be so cheap with an aquarium? Sure, it can be done, but why? What I explained above was merely just the items that needed to be listed. I'm not even going to go into the cost of water changes, cooling, fans, a sump, a skimmer, additives, the monthly cost of electricity, fish, corals, fish food, etc. If you're serious about getting into a reef aquarium, save up enough to be able to purchase quality equipment which will last you for years.

On a side note, my electricity bill alone is around $220.00 per month not including the water bill for the RO/DI...I'm almost afraid to look at that

Graham

[know-it-all]

does it need to be sustained for any period of time?

10 gal ($10)
20"pc lights ($80)
Maxijet pH ($17)
Hydro-flow ($17)
10 gal saltwater from LFS ($15)
live-rock 10-15 pounds of good size
1-2 pounds rubble ($100)
your total so far is $239

that leaves $111 for corals and fish

[jeffbrig]

Originally posted by JmLee
what about filtration? no skimmer?.

If you keep a low bioload, i.e. just corals, you can keep a tank without skimming or filtration. LR will process ammonia, and frequent water changes would keep nitrates in check. Yes, it would be a TON of work keeping up with the water changes, but it could be done.

Keep in mind, I didn't set the ridiculous price requirement, I'm just throwing out possibilities. Personally, I would never choose to run my own tank without a skimmer. I'm just playing the game.

[ACBlinky]

Prices are rounded, but here you go:

5.5g tank - $15
80W PC fixture - $100
small PH - free with salt
small HOB filter - $15
sand - $15
bucket - free with LFS purchase
mini siphon - $5
live rock (8lbs) - $50
Mag-Float - $5
salt - $30 (Boxing Day special on IO)
heater - $20
frags
- zoas - $5
- leather - $30
- Xenia - free (from my other tank)
- torch $10
- bleached brain - $10
GSP - free
candycane - free
fish
- Ocellaris clown $10
- clown goby $20
macroalgae - free
snails - $5
hermits - $5

Total: $350

[thefuture]

Originally posted by reefshadow
What's the deal with this anyhoo?

Does the winner get $350.00 or just the eternal fame and undying devotion of legions of adoring fans?

The rules seem kinda shakey

(scratches head)



Edit- Weird, this is my 350th post. I think I should win by default.

No the winner doesnt get 350$, they just get the eternal fame and undying devotion of legions of adoring fans. congratulations on youur 350th post!

[thefuture]

if you were given only 350$ to initiate your DREAM REEF in a 20g seaclear tank measuring 24" x 13" x 16" and you had to have the following items in your reef. what would they be?

-protein skimmer (effective for tank size)
-test kits (hydrometer, nitrate, nitrite, amonia, thermometer & etc)
-salt
-lighting (sustain corals)
-live rock
-sand
-heater
-means of circulation (powerhead, etc)

there is no need for a stand. you will attain some sand and frags from your friends tank to seed you aquarium. you can add others as your budget permits you. all items must be brand new and labeld correctly as thier name appears.

ps. experienced reefers show your skill and beat these newbs

[thefuture]

ACBlinky nice tank!!

[know-it-all]

Originally posted by thefuture
if you were given only 350$ to initiate your DREAM REEF in a 20g seaclear tank measuring 24" x 13" x 16" and you had to have the following items in your reef. what would they be?

-protein skimmer (effective for tank size)
-test kits (hydrometer, nitrate, nitrite, amonia, thermometer & etc)
-salt
-lighting (sustain corals)
-live rock
-sand
-heater
-means of circulation (powerhead, etc)

there is no need for a stand. you will attain some sand and frags from your friends tank to seed you aquarium. you can add others as your budget permits you. all items must be brand new and labeld correctly as thier name appears.

ps. experienced reefers show your skill and beat these newbs

Can it be submerged in my bigger tank?
Do i need to buy the tank?
can we use DIY items?
I would also think that if your on a budget, you'd be surfing on E-bay
to pick-up used equipment, like your skimmer/power heads/heater

[ACBlinky]

Originally posted by thefuture
ACBlinky nice tank!!

Thanks so much. It started with some rescued corals that needed a quiet place to recover and ended up becoming this fun little pico. In reality the numbers I posted aren't what I paid; much of the equipment, including the lights, was already here (left over from other tanks). All I had to do was buy some more LR, some sand and the fish to add to what was already there so it felt pretty inexpensive to set up
Honestly, I think when you're setting up a tank it's good to have a budget in mind but I wouldn't want to limit myself to a specific number - $350 is nothing when it comes to this hobby

[chvojka]

Looks like we have some potential contestants here if they put their reef where their mouth is haha.

[thefuture]

Originally posted by chvojka
Looks like we have some potential contestants here if they put their reef where their mouth is haha.

haha funny. people here on RC are so nice, i enjoy being on here

[gflat65]

Not sure what the rules have changed to now, but initially, they were just dry goods...

20L-$25 at Petco (free to me-used)
VHO setup-$100 hellolights
Magnum 250 HOB-$55 online (free to me from friend used)
Visitherm heater-$12 when I bought it
MJ600-$15
Surface Skimmer-$10
Substrate-$20
Salt-$10 for 50 gallon bag (LFS when buying 200 gallon box)
CPR Bakpak-$120 (free to me from friend-used and old style)
Total-$368... Actual cost-$167 (this tank would not have been built if I had to buy things new...).

All live rock was surplus from the other four tanks I have (averaged about $2.50/# for most of it-but not drygoods, so doesn't total in price). Nearly all corals from one of my other displays (once again, not dry goods, so...).

I can't seem to get the color right with the lighting. All pics I take are a little fuzzy...

[Reefjunkee]

thats about what i have in my nano

[thefuture]

thanks for all teh help and input. i have decided to setup my own tank and i am spending more than 350$ on it. haha http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=787452 check it out and give me some input