Every time I turn around......

[bamf25]

I see something else cool, or a great idea i want to do that will cost me $$. Do not get me wrong, I want, and will be getting my first tank soon, but a number of things I have now seen that I want, or now know in the long run will make my life easier.

1. an RODI unit.
2. LED lighting looks cool
3. a semi automated rodi water storage and mixing station.
4. major alterations to my house (j/K, probably not yet).
5. possible psychiatrist bills.

Did I miss anything?

[leeit2me]

6. Keep the credit card bills (fish stuff purchases) away from the wife....... Use CASH!!!!

[Uncle Salty 05]

A nice skimmer is a must in my opinion.
Skip the psychiatrist and buy a ski mask so you can rob banks.

[chimmike]

agreed. A good skimmer will pay itself off.

[bamf25]

I already knew I would need a skimmer. At least one point for me, maybe 2 points since I did recieve a tank as a present, but returned it so I could get a larger one with overflows (really hope that guy I am hopefully buying from gets back to me today).

[Sitaga]

7. Educational Degrees - Ecology, zoology, electrician, plumbing, landscaping, photography, chemistry, biology

[pwwfish]

Try to look for use equipment on craigslist, eBay, reef central. You can buy high quality

equipment for a half the price. I did spend lot of money trying to safe money when I

started in this hobby. Right now I would never buy retail.

[Uncle Salty 05]

Just be careful when buying used submersible electrical equipment
Old pumps/heaters that have been mis-handled can give off stray voltage or worse.

[dublo8]

Best word of advice i ever recieved was to pay half cash and the rest on your credit card. That way the wife doesnt realize how $$ the hobby is lol. Just remember to plan for the future when buying equipment. Most people eventually either upgrade or get the wrong equipment the first time around. I dont care who you are, you will always want more/better products and always be planning for a tank upgrade. Its just the way this hobby works.


Sent from my overpriced phone using Tapatalk

[dzfish17]

I think the RO/DI filter would definitely be one of the first things that I would buy before setting up a marine aquarium.

Dave

[Green_Reefer]

+1 on the RO/DI and the LED lighting. Electricity costs are skyrocketing and MH/T5 bulb changes a few times a year can add up to a few hundred dollars annually; this is what makes the high up-front costs of LED worth it.

I built my system to be as automated and simple as possible (with a lot of overkill). I am just shy of $100.00 per DT gallon in my setup but everything I purchased will easily transfer to a much larger tank down the road. I went with a DIY turf scrubber instead of a protein skimmer (saved a couple hundred dollars), but I still need level switches for an ATO as well as some pumps for AWC and haven't even started to look at a calcium reactor or two part dosing.

All the little things needed to get started will put quite a dent into your wallet as well. Refractometer, test kits, nets, gloves, tweezers, tongs, cleaning magnets, measuring spoons/cups, buckets/pails/small containers, towels/rags, feeding utensils, syringes, basters, etc. Don't forget an extra heater and pump in case of equipment failures and to heat and mix your new SW batches.

You really need a QT as well, I managed to pick up a used 30g with a HOB filter, heater, thermometer and stand for $75. None of the QT gear can be used in your main system to prevent contamination. Once you are at that point you can start looking at livestock along with all the types of food available.

I researched everything I could for 7 years, knew every single item I wanted and it's cost before making a purchase and still managed to run about $2500 over budget. I did end up with a used Profilux 2 though, not necessary to start out with a controller, but I can say it has been worth every penny as a newb to the hobby.

Best of luck.

PS - I approached my wife the right way with this hobby and got total buy-in. She purchased an MP40 for me as my first item, now if I can just get her impulse buying behavior for livestock under control........

[charleneatkins]

When you think you have it all figured out and ready to roll, don't blink
it's a wonderful hobby especially when all is going right and fustrating when its not but I would not give it up!!! My husband got hooked via me because I can cook him the greatest foods so I am lucky. Don't have to hide the $ just dont tell
Most people on this forum will help to the ends of the world but be patient.
Welcome and good luck. Charlene

[jeff@zina.com]

Originally Posted by dublo8

Best word of advice i ever recieved was to pay half cash and the rest on your credit card. That way the wife doesnt realize how $$ the hobby is lol.

But... I have to beg my wife for the cash too...

Which is actually a good thing. Left to myself I'd have a tricked out Jeep, a bunch of reef tanks and equipment and no house to put them in after the bank kicked me out.

Jeff