Lets See Who: Has the Cheapest Costing Tank Per Gallon

Aurora D. · 05/10/2009, 02:45 PM

I just wanted to see how cheap some people were able to get their tanks, including everything you've bought so far. Educated estimates are welcome. Include livestock and dry goods. Now, lets see who has the cheapest tank!!!

KDDG · 05/10/2009, 03:04 PM

Not me..LOL. I don't want to know and we aren't even fully running yet. But, I'd like to see what others have pulled off.

DfOuUcGkE · 05/10/2009, 03:19 PM

120g
Equipment:
2x LumenBright 250w
2x Icecap Ballast
2x Phoenix 14k
2 K3s
2 K2s
200+ lbs of LR
100lbs LS
Vertex 180 Skimmer
Quietone 6000 Return
Oceans Motion 4 way
ACJR
Tunze ATO

Including equipment and tank about $2k, maybe a little less.
Coral and fish I have less than $1k.

So I would say I am at about $3,000 or $25 a gallon

Pictures:

With flash:

sassafrass · 05/10/2009, 03:21 PM

Just the or livestock included?

DfOuUcGkE · 05/10/2009, 03:32 PM

Livestock, coral, tank, stand, canopy, and all equipment.

SABOB · 05/10/2009, 03:53 PM

Can't participate unless the title of the thread changes to the most expensive!!!LOL

Aurora D. · 05/10/2009, 05:00 PM

Great tank, DfOuUcGkE. Looks like you set a pretty good goal.

cveverly · 05/10/2009, 06:17 PM

I have about $1000 in my 58 gallon. That is about $17.25 per gallon.

Used Oceanic 58 gallon tank with stand and canopy. Using an old 29 gallon as a sump.

Used Euro Reef RS135 skimmer

Two New 156 watt fixtures with ATI bulbs I got on clearance. Gives me 312 watts with 8 tubes.

Sand from Frag Swap

Used live rock from someone downsizing.

45-50 coral frags from Frag Swap.

Two used heaters.

Auction site Ocean Runner return pump.

DIY top off.

7 fish

Small clean up crew.

I did not add in 2-part additive, salt or food.

polyppetey · 05/10/2009, 06:48 PM

Mine is

Used 56 gallon tank, stand and custom MH actinic hood 300.00
sand 90.00
LR about 50.00
2 pumps - e-bay 110.00
plumbing 20.00

total 712.00 or about 10+.00 per gallon.
No fish yet only some livestock from my old tank.

plenum for DSB 20
Misc- 20
heaters 50.00
used 20 high sump/fuge 45.
Spongebob squarepants goby house 7.00

ande · 05/10/2009, 06:51 PM

$2.75 a gallon!!!

I purchased a fellow reefer's remaining misc. stuff (40 gallon breeders, live rock, stand, etc) when he moved. After selling some of the items and purchasing what I needed to set up this tank, the total cost for my 40 gallon was $110.00.

40 Gallon breeder
stand which I refinished
Aquatic Life T-5 set up purchased with money I made from left over live rock
Used Millenium 3000
live rock
live sand from another tank
misc soft and hard coral frags
3 damsels
magenta dottyback
gold stripe maroon clown
G platysoma mantis (actually paid $40 for her but didn't figure it into the overall price since I bought her two years before this tank came together)

Cost per gallon on our 125 gallon is a little more (about $20, and still climbing, per gallon before figuring in live stock).

asl4me76 · 05/10/2009, 07:07 PM

Ok, so just out of giggles I'll post what I was able to get mine up for.

Brand new Tank & Stand 100 gal - $350
Overflow made by Melev - $75
Sump/Fuge - $150
Koralia 3'sx2 - $75
QuietOne 3000 - $50
Skimmer - $100
100lbs of LR - $200
80lbs of LS - $80
Hamilton 2x250w MH Mogul & 2 VHO Super Actintic with ballast (used) - $150
Random plumbing - $40

Approximately $200 in fish
approximately $200 in corals thus far ...

So, I'm looking at approximately $1600

Shekki · 05/10/2009, 07:15 PM

Elos mini: $1500
Vortech: $350
Dosing pump: $250
RK2: $200
ATO: $150
Heater: $30
Livestock: $100
Corals: $150

Total: $2730
CPG: $136.50

Nano tanks are really expensive!!!!!!!

zlwags85 · 05/10/2009, 09:28 PM

Well - I have all drygoods bought basically and the tank is almost running.... no fish or coral yet.

I'm right around 6,500 I think. Which I think $21 a gallon for a 300 gallon display isn't too bad is pretty good for a large display.

TROYREEFER · 05/10/2009, 10:04 PM

Wow. Thats a big leather.lol

faze07hd · 05/11/2009, 08:00 AM

Lets see...

Used 90 Gall with stand and canopy that came with Acrylic sump and pump - 400
New Euro reef skimmer - 200
Used Magnet MH ballats & reflectors - 120
new ushio 10k MH bulbs - 80 (online special)
2x new koralia 3's - 80
Used 1/5 hp jbj arctica chiller - 250

With no live stock im at $12.55/gallon

My livestock is my passion and ive spent about $400 from other reefers and it probably retails all for $2000. Theres about 120lbs of live rock in there!!! So with the additional livestock... its about $17/gallon

mm949 · 05/11/2009, 08:28 AM

ive got 10g's invested in my 1350gl reef......$7.50pgl
and 1g in my 750gl floor pond.....$1.43pgl

Diatome · 05/11/2009, 08:48 AM

That's the trick. Go big to save money. LOL I have lost track of what I spent. I have found going local is the way to go.

ande-It's nice to see another Millenium 3000. Mine has sand and live rock and I encourage nuisance algea on the overflows.

runningstix · 05/11/2009, 11:35 AM

this is kind of pointless thread with livestock included. I could have a 10 gallon with a pair of $3500 clowns, and 10-$250 chalices. My taste in coral and fish are hugely going to impact that price per gallon.

Cheapest tank get a 10 gallon with hob, and keep it fowlr. Winner.

gabbagabbawill · 05/11/2009, 12:12 PM

what is a $3500 clownfish?

screwsloose · 05/11/2009, 01:59 PM

900 gl system with current stocking $11.74

runningstix · 05/11/2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gabbagabbawill
what is a $3500 clownfish?

Mccullochi Clowns, thats for a pair

Dustint21 · 05/11/2009, 06:10 PM

^^^^^^wow lets see a pic^^^^^^

20L,stand, canopy $200
Lights $200
skimmer $200
Sump $100
fuge light $25

Total= $775 or $36.25 PG!! WOW more than I though! LOL!

Aurora D. · 05/11/2009, 06:28 PM

Wow, this is defintely more popular than what I thought it was going to be!! I must say, some of these costs have surprised me. I planned $1,400 for my 40g breeder, I guess I overestimated. Maybe I can get that 60 gallon cube I've been wanting!!!

BTW: Why don't you show us a $3,500 pair of these "clownfish." They sound more like animated diamonds. How much does a clownfish weigh, I want to see what that makes them comparable to ounce by ounce or gram by gram. Who has a guess, diamond, gold, silver, topaz?

Stanley-Reefer · 05/11/2009, 07:14 PM

Just in case my wife is lurking, I have about $3500 in the two tanks

[IMG]http://i42.*******.com/eqnmh5.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i39.*******.com/2j2jiuc.jpg[/IMG]

In live rock/sand that is

dudley moray · 05/11/2009, 07:45 PM

ha my hawkfish has killed more than that ...
65gal with stand -200
filters +powerheads 300
lr 350
ls80
corals and live stock 1200 probably low ..very low
ouch 2130
for a grand total of 33$ per gallon
not including food and supplements

05/10/2009, 02:45 PM	#1
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Lets See Who: Has the Cheapest Costing Tank Per Gallon I just wanted to see how cheap some people were able to get their tanks, including everything you've bought so far. Educated estimates are welcome. Include livestock and dry goods. Now, lets see who has the cheapest tank!!! __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

05/10/2009, 03:04 PM	#2
KDDG Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 208	Not me..LOL. I don't want to know and we aren't even fully running yet. But, I'd like to see what others have pulled off. __________________ Kelly Current Tank Info: In wall, bar: Approx. 310 Gal

05/10/2009, 03:53 PM	#6
SABOB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Antonio,TX Posts: 207	Can't participate unless the title of the thread changes to the most expensive!!!LOL __________________ To all Military...Thanks for Serving Current Tank Info: 12gl NanoCube,55gl softies,fish

05/10/2009, 05:00 PM	#7
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Great tank, DfOuUcGkE. Looks like you set a pretty good goal. __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

05/10/2009, 07:15 PM	#12
Shekki Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 651	Elos mini: $1500 Vortech: $350 Dosing pump: $250 RK2: $200 ATO: $150 Heater: $30 Livestock: $100 Corals: $150 Total: $2730 CPG: $136.50 Nano tanks are really expensive!!!!!!! __________________ Elos mini reef Current Tank Info: Elos mini, reefkeeper 2, Vortech MP20, ice cap moonlight, Reef Fanatic ATO

05/10/2009, 03:19 PM	#3
DfOuUcGkE Moved On Join Date: May 2009 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 17	120g Equipment: 2x LumenBright 250w 2x Icecap Ballast 2x Phoenix 14k 2 K3s 2 K2s 200+ lbs of LR 100lbs LS Vertex 180 Skimmer Quietone 6000 Return Oceans Motion 4 way ACJR Tunze ATO Including equipment and tank about $2k, maybe a little less. Coral and fish I have less than $1k. So I would say I am at about $3,000 or $25 a gallon Pictures: With flash:

05/10/2009, 03:21 PM	#4
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	Just the or livestock included?

05/10/2009, 03:32 PM	#5
DfOuUcGkE Moved On Join Date: May 2009 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 17	Livestock, coral, tank, stand, canopy, and all equipment.

05/10/2009, 06:17 PM	#8
cveverly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Port Clinton, Oh Posts: 1,470	I have about $1000 in my 58 gallon. That is about $17.25 per gallon. Used Oceanic 58 gallon tank with stand and canopy. Using an old 29 gallon as a sump. Used Euro Reef RS135 skimmer Two New 156 watt fixtures with ATI bulbs I got on clearance. Gives me 312 watts with 8 tubes. Sand from Frag Swap Used live rock from someone downsizing. 45-50 coral frags from Frag Swap. Two used heaters. Auction site Ocean Runner return pump. DIY top off. 7 fish Small clean up crew. I did not add in 2-part additive, salt or food.

05/10/2009, 06:48 PM	#9
polyppetey Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: richboro Posts: 313	Mine is Used 56 gallon tank, stand and custom MH actinic hood 300.00 sand 90.00 LR about 50.00 2 pumps - e-bay 110.00 plumbing 20.00 total 712.00 or about 10+.00 per gallon. No fish yet only some livestock from my old tank. plenum for DSB 20 Misc- 20 heaters 50.00 used 20 high sump/fuge 45. Spongebob squarepants goby house 7.00

05/10/2009, 06:51 PM	#10
ande Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 20	$2.75 a gallon!!! I purchased a fellow reefer's remaining misc. stuff (40 gallon breeders, live rock, stand, etc) when he moved. After selling some of the items and purchasing what I needed to set up this tank, the total cost for my 40 gallon was $110.00. 40 Gallon breeder stand which I refinished Aquatic Life T-5 set up purchased with money I made from left over live rock Used Millenium 3000 live rock live sand from another tank misc soft and hard coral frags 3 damsels magenta dottyback gold stripe maroon clown G platysoma mantis (actually paid $40 for her but didn't figure it into the overall price since I bought her two years before this tank came together) Cost per gallon on our 125 gallon is a little more (about $20, and still climbing, per gallon before figuring in live stock).

05/10/2009, 07:07 PM	#11
asl4me76 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Southeast Oklahoma Posts: 575	Ok, so just out of giggles I'll post what I was able to get mine up for. Brand new Tank & Stand 100 gal - $350 Overflow made by Melev - $75 Sump/Fuge - $150 Koralia 3'sx2 - $75 QuietOne 3000 - $50 Skimmer - $100 100lbs of LR - $200 80lbs of LS - $80 Hamilton 2x250w MH Mogul & 2 VHO Super Actintic with ballast (used) - $150 Random plumbing - $40 Approximately $200 in fish approximately $200 in corals thus far ... So, I'm looking at approximately $1600

05/10/2009, 09:28 PM	#13
zlwags85 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Metamora, Il Posts: 378	Well - I have all drygoods bought basically and the tank is almost running.... no fish or coral yet. I'm right around 6,500 I think. Which I think $21 a gallon for a 300 gallon display isn't too bad is pretty good for a large display.

05/10/2009, 10:04 PM	#14
TROYREEFER Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 69	Wow. Thats a big leather.lol

05/11/2009, 08:00 AM	#15
faze07hd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Utica, Ny Posts: 914	Lets see... Used 90 Gall with stand and canopy that came with Acrylic sump and pump - 400 New Euro reef skimmer - 200 Used Magnet MH ballats & reflectors - 120 new ushio 10k MH bulbs - 80 (online special) 2x new koralia 3's - 80 Used 1/5 hp jbj arctica chiller - 250 With no live stock im at $12.55/gallon My livestock is my passion and ive spent about $400 from other reefers and it probably retails all for $2000. Theres about 120lbs of live rock in there!!! So with the additional livestock... its about $17/gallon __________________ Harry Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef tank

05/11/2009, 08:28 AM	#16
mm949 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 1,843	ive got 10g's invested in my 1350gl reef......$7.50pgl and 1g in my 750gl floor pond.....$1.43pgl __________________ 219"x30"x48" - 1350gl reef Current Tank Info: ...18ft of double sided goodness

05/11/2009, 08:48 AM	#17
Diatome Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 215	That's the trick. Go big to save money. LOL I have lost track of what I spent. I have found going local is the way to go. ande-It's nice to see another Millenium 3000. Mine has sand and live rock and I encourage nuisance algea on the overflows.

05/11/2009, 11:35 AM	#18
runningstix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,544	this is kind of pointless thread with livestock included. I could have a 10 gallon with a pair of $3500 clowns, and 10-$250 chalices. My taste in coral and fish are hugely going to impact that price per gallon. Cheapest tank get a 10 gallon with hob, and keep it fowlr. Winner. __________________ Go Buckeyes! Current Tank Info: tankless

05/11/2009, 12:12 PM	#19
gabbagabbawill Moved On Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 251	what is a $3500 clownfish?

05/11/2009, 01:59 PM	#20
screwsloose Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: searcy, arkansas Posts: 496	900 gl system with current stocking $11.74

05/11/2009, 06:10 PM	#22
Dustint21 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ft Hood, TX/ Peoria, IL Posts: 330	^^^^^^wow lets see a pic^^^^^^ 20L,stand, canopy $200 Lights $200 skimmer $200 Sump $100 fuge light $25 Total= $775 or $36.25 PG!! WOW more than I though! LOL! __________________ DIY 72''x24''x18'' , 75g sump/ fuge, DAS EX3 skimmer, Tunze PH's, 400w MH's with DIY Lumenarc reflectors Current Tank Info: 200+ gallons

05/11/2009, 06:28 PM	#23
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Wow, this is defintely more popular than what I thought it was going to be!! I must say, some of these costs have surprised me. I planned $1,400 for my 40g breeder, I guess I overestimated. Maybe I can get that 60 gallon cube I've been wanting!!! BTW: Why don't you show us a $3,500 pair of these "clownfish." They sound more like animated diamonds. How much does a clownfish weigh, I want to see what that makes them comparable to ounce by ounce or gram by gram. Who has a guess, diamond, gold, silver, topaz? __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!! Last edited by Aurora D.; 05/11/2009 at 06:33 PM.

05/11/2009, 07:14 PM	#24
Stanley-Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stanley, NC Posts: 1,933	Just in case my wife is lurking, I have about $3500 in the two tanks [IMG]http://i42.*****.com/eqnmh5.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i39.*****.com/2j2jiuc.jpg[/IMG] In live rock/sand that is

05/11/2009, 07:45 PM	#25
dudley moray sisternofuselessknowledge Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: orillia ontario Posts: 795	ha my hawkfish has killed more than that ... 65gal with stand -200 filters +powerheads 300 lr 350 ls80 corals and live stock 1200 probably low ..very low ouch 2130 for a grand total of 33$ per gallon not including food and supplements __________________ We urge hobbyists to develop a good 'BS' detector that will allow you to question information presented to you without any experimental evidence to support it. chris Current Tank Info: 90 gal south pacific biotope 40 gal sump/fuge ,65 gal rebuilding