$350 Reef Contest!!

thefuture · 02/15/2006, 11:53 PM

who can make a reef (drygoods) for 350$ or less including all the bare essententials to keep corals and fish. you can explain your method of filtration & lighting and why you choose that method and why its effective. if you think you can make a cheap but yet effective reef, show us what you have. at the end, reef-central readers will decide on the best reef. may the best win!!!

ps. experienced reefers show your skill and beat these newbs

brad23 · 02/15/2006, 11:55 PM

Newb

thefuture · 02/15/2006, 11:57 PM

what?

Petie · 02/15/2006, 11:58 PM

No tank size restrictions?

Dubbin1 · 02/16/2006, 12:01 AM

37g cube all done for under $350 including the 250w Hamilton MH pendent. Finding quality used equipment is the trick. Just need to finish the stand

acroporid23 · 02/16/2006, 12:22 AM

nicely done i think i spent around 350 for just my 65 gallon tank LOL

thefuture · 02/16/2006, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Petie
No tank size restrictions?

yes no tank restriction

tkeracer619 · 02/16/2006, 12:29 AM

my powerbill for my tank over a 3 month period is 350 bucks.

thefuture · 02/16/2006, 12:30 AM

Dubbin1 nice tank.
can u list your drygoods please?

thefuture · 02/16/2006, 12:51 AM

i forgot to mention that all equipment have to be brand new at retail price. it wouldnt be a chalenge now would it if you cna just use old stuff

Fmellish · 02/16/2006, 12:54 AM

I'm over $7,000 after 3 months into project.

Dubbin1 · 02/16/2006, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thefuture
i forgot to mention that all equipment have to be brand new at retail price. it wouldnt be a chalenge now would it if you cna just use old stuff

Oh so now you're changing the rules

gfk · 02/16/2006, 12:55 AM

unpossible....... if it has to be new... i mean i could have a fish only with live rock for under 350 bucks.

2 powerheads, a heater, a hob filter, 100 bucks worth of live rock, and a crappy light, thatd be way under, but the tank would suck

Dubbin1 · 02/16/2006, 01:03 AM

It is very possible. Just grab a 12g nano cube ($100), Some rock ($50) and a heater ($20). Add a few corals and you have a reef tank for under $350.

JmLee · 02/16/2006, 03:20 AM

i could do with even less! a 2 gallon fish bowl, Sand, like 2 small / medium pieces of cured LR, air pump, natural sunlight and 1- 1/4 cup water change every 2-3 days. oh yeah.. maybe a heater.

Andrew · 02/16/2006, 06:02 AM

My may be able to do a 29 gallon tank for under $350. Just find used equipment, liverock from someones who breaking down their tank, used lights, ect and you'll be good.

thefuture · 02/17/2006, 09:56 PM

anyone else?

Martin's Reef · 02/17/2006, 10:05 PM

Has to be all NEW equipment?

The Reefer91 · 02/17/2006, 10:12 PM

are they suppost to be our tanks? or just ideas?

minimalist · 02/17/2006, 10:13 PM

I'm under $350.00 before shipping. All brand new equipment...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=779447

The Reefer91 · 02/17/2006, 11:01 PM

here's under 300$: 20g tank 30$. Visi-therm heater 15$. coralife 24"PC 2 36watt light 60$. coralife superskimmer 88$ 10lbs live rock from LFS 50$. instant ocean salt 20$. Top fin powerfilter for mechnical filtration 12$. sand 20$

NCreefwannabe · 02/18/2006, 12:10 AM

Its very possible, but with used products lol.

JmLee · 02/18/2006, 12:53 AM

you definitley arent gona get a SPS reef tank outa that.

thefuture · 02/18/2006, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Reefer91
are they suppost to be our tanks? or just ideas?

doesnt matter, aslong as its under 350$ and its all new stuff. lol

jeffbrig · 02/18/2006, 01:19 AM

Feel free to pick this apart:

55g tank $75 (LFS)
2 ARO VHO ballasts w/4 48" bulbs - $170 (hellolights)
Sequence Cimarron for closed loop over the back - $100 (recent sale at azponds)
Bucket & hose- $5
Siphon and water change daily using nsw - $0
------------------------------------------
Total: $350

Assumptions:
- climate controlled house, no need to heat/cool tank
- tank placed on a piece of sturdy furniture
- near enough to ocean to get nsw

That's 440watts of light and 55x turnover, should be good enough for some SPS. The ARO AS-220 is an absolute steal for VHOs on tanks up to 48". The Sequence Cimarron is sold as a fw pump, but I spoke with someone at sequence who said the seal isn't their best but CAN be used in sw (In fact, they sent me a Cimarron loaner right now while my normal pump is in for repair, it's working great).

Another option would be to drop one of the VHO ballasts, and use the extra $85 to pick up a small skimmer.

02/15/2006, 11:53 PM	#1
thefuture Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 323	$350 Reef Contest!! who can make a reef (drygoods) for 350$ or less including all the bare essententials to keep corals and fish. you can explain your method of filtration & lighting and why you choose that method and why its effective. if you think you can make a cheap but yet effective reef, show us what you have. at the end, reef-central readers will decide on the best reef. may the best win!!! ps. experienced reefers show your skill and beat these newbs

02/15/2006, 11:55 PM	#2
brad23 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bloomington IL Posts: 2,959	Newb __________________ Ye old English Current Tank Info: 75g reef

02/15/2006, 11:57 PM	#3
thefuture Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 323	what? __________________ PS3 20GB 4 sale - 570$ Highland, Ca 92346! (909) 725-6055.

02/15/2006, 11:58 PM	#4
Petie Home for the unusual! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 146	No tank size restrictions? __________________ Cherish (Yes it is the name on my birth certificate and NO i'm not a stripper!) Abnormality is the Normality for this Locality. :) Boycott Shampoo! Demand real Poo! Current Tank Info: Gone since the second flood 8-07

02/16/2006, 12:29 AM	#8
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	my powerbill for my tank over a 3 month period is 350 bucks. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/16/2006, 12:01 AM	#5
Dubbin1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 11,540	37g cube all done for under $350 including the 250w Hamilton MH pendent. Finding quality used equipment is the trick. Just need to finish the stand

02/16/2006, 12:22 AM	#6
acroporid23 Moved On Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: lafayette Posts: 88	nicely done i think i spent around 350 for just my 65 gallon tank LOL

02/16/2006, 12:30 AM	#9
thefuture Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 323	Dubbin1 nice tank. can u list your drygoods please? __________________ PS3 20GB 4 sale - 570$ Highland, Ca 92346! (909) 725-6055.

02/16/2006, 12:51 AM	#10
thefuture Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 323	i forgot to mention that all equipment have to be brand new at retail price. it wouldnt be a chalenge now would it if you cna just use old stuff __________________ PS3 20GB 4 sale - 570$ Highland, Ca 92346! (909) 725-6055.

02/16/2006, 12:54 AM	#11
Fmellish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,111	I'm over $7,000 after 3 months into project.

02/16/2006, 12:55 AM	#13
gfk Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Benicia, CA Posts: 1,601	unpossible....... if it has to be new... i mean i could have a fish only with live rock for under 350 bucks. 2 powerheads, a heater, a hob filter, 100 bucks worth of live rock, and a crappy light, thatd be way under, but the tank would suck

02/16/2006, 01:03 AM	#14
Dubbin1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 11,540	It is very possible. Just grab a 12g nano cube ($100), Some rock ($50) and a heater ($20). Add a few corals and you have a reef tank for under $350.

02/16/2006, 03:20 AM	#15
JmLee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hohensfels, Germany Posts: 1,545	i could do with even less! a 2 gallon fish bowl, Sand, like 2 small / medium pieces of cured LR, air pump, natural sunlight and 1- 1/4 cup water change every 2-3 days. oh yeah.. maybe a heater.

02/16/2006, 06:02 AM	#16
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	My may be able to do a 29 gallon tank for under $350. Just find used equipment, liverock from someones who breaking down their tank, used lights, ect and you'll be good.

02/17/2006, 09:56 PM	#17
thefuture Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 323	anyone else? __________________ PS3 20GB 4 sale - 570$ Highland, Ca 92346! (909) 725-6055.

02/17/2006, 10:05 PM	#18
Martin's Reef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brighton, Colorado Posts: 531	Has to be all NEW equipment?

02/17/2006, 10:12 PM	#19
The Reefer91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,250	are they suppost to be our tanks? or just ideas? __________________ Dan "Every day we fade little by little, 'till there's nothing left of us but the lies we've sown." Current Tank Info: 20g L display: 2x65watt Coralife light, Octopus 150 needle wheel protein skimmer, 1 Koralia 2 and 2 powersweeps, and a DIY sump/fuge.....120G in the works!!!

02/17/2006, 10:13 PM	#20
minimalist Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 506	I'm under $350.00 before shipping. All brand new equipment... http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=779447

02/17/2006, 11:01 PM	#21
The Reefer91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,250	here's under 300$: 20g tank 30$. Visi-therm heater 15$. coralife 24"PC 2 36watt light 60$. coralife superskimmer 88$ 10lbs live rock from LFS 50$. instant ocean salt 20$. Top fin powerfilter for mechnical filtration 12$. sand 20$ __________________ Dan "Every day we fade little by little, 'till there's nothing left of us but the lies we've sown." Current Tank Info: 20g L display: 2x65watt Coralife light, Octopus 150 needle wheel protein skimmer, 1 Koralia 2 and 2 powersweeps, and a DIY sump/fuge.....120G in the works!!!

02/18/2006, 12:10 AM	#22
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	Its very possible, but with used products lol.

02/18/2006, 12:53 AM	#23
JmLee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hohensfels, Germany Posts: 1,545	you definitley arent gona get a SPS reef tank outa that.

02/18/2006, 01:19 AM	#25
jeffbrig Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 5,548	Feel free to pick this apart: 55g tank $75 (LFS) 2 ARO VHO ballasts w/4 48" bulbs - $170 (hellolights) Sequence Cimarron for closed loop over the back - $100 (recent sale at azponds) Bucket & hose- $5 Siphon and water change daily using nsw - $0 ------------------------------------------ Total: $350 Assumptions: - climate controlled house, no need to heat/cool tank - tank placed on a piece of sturdy furniture - near enough to ocean to get nsw That's 440watts of light and 55x turnover, should be good enough for some SPS. The ARO AS-220 is an absolute steal for VHOs on tanks up to 48". The Sequence Cimarron is sold as a fw pump, but I spoke with someone at sequence who said the seal isn't their best but CAN be used in sw (In fact, they sent me a Cimarron loaner right now while my normal pump is in for repair, it's working great). Another option would be to drop one of the VHO ballasts, and use the extra $85 to pick up a small skimmer. __________________ Beware the power of stupid people in large groups..... Current Tank Info: formerly 250g room divider