I have spent about 4K on my system to date. But I bought all brand new equipment and did not look for deals. I just recently picked up HQI PC hood and saved myself $500.00 by looking for the best deal. All this takes time but with this hobby patience is a virtue. If you take your time, you can find some real good deals while building up your reef slowly. They say your tank matures in about a year so for a good 12 months you can take your time and watch your fishes while you dream about the beautiful coral you want to purchase.

Happy Reefing!!!

Will

I think $45-50 a gallon, before livestock and for average basic new equipment is usually a pretty close estimate.

Yes, this can be dangerous. Last time I went to an LFS was to check out a new shipment. Before I went I had a modest $40 budget in mind (for 1 item). While there, I found myself calculating in my head up to $160 (for 4 items). Then I started asking prices. Thankfully the minimum for each specimen of the new shipment was $125. I was out the door faster than I could say "I'll be back. I forgot my wallet". I suppose some people may have that kind of money, but not me.

For me its other people's tanks that do me in. People have the most amazing sps, and livestock in their tanks. I have spent more with other reefers on frags and livestock in the past 3 months then I have on equipment and livestock purchases from LFSs.

I'm happy to say though that when I sell off some of my frags or equipment I just recycle the money, and use it to purchase new frags for grow out and re-sale. I'm happy to say I've reached a point where my tank is mostly self-sustaining financially.

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Wanna help supliment my tank?:mrgreen:

I wasn't even considering buying anything new, including livestock, all used. Everytime I see someone selling two clowns for like $25 I wanna run and grab them. So I was going to spend like $300 on a used tank with everything in it and sloooowly fill it with "used" fish and corals. But when people say they spent $125 per month on salt and filters.... yeah, too much for me.
Quite a few people said I should get a 55-65 gal tank because it's easier to maintain.
Jenna

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, I want I nice one :) Willing to wait forever for a deal, but want corals, clams, anemones, shrimps and clowns :) Really wanted a powder tang, but won't have enough space for him to swim, so no tang for me.
Jenna

:lol:

agreed ;)

I've priced everything out in lists before and I came up with about $300 for the 25gal $2000 to setup my 50gal and $5000 for my 120gal it all depends on what you want to keep. For a full blown reef tank with skimmer, MH lights, and lots of flow I'd say $50 per gallon.