The Cost of Reefing

[tang daddy]

I feel like laughing and crying at the same time when viewing this thread!

When I first got into the hobby it was about $1000 on the 24g nanocube since then well lets put it this way if I didn't have a fulltime job I wouldn't be here today, anyhow the amount spent is not relevant to the joy it brings at this point in my life. But if we had to put it into comparison on allinclusive trips to Mexico then I would say it's about a years worth of trips.

[BC Mosaic]

Way too much. Just starting and waiting for the dam tank to cycle (2 1/2 weeks and waiting)and already close to $2000.00 and I'm definitely not done yet. Probably looking at another $2,000.00 (upgrading lights and skimmer). No fish or corals yet either!! Sheesh

[bassman]

Whoops, wrong spot, sorry.

[skylord]

I set my initial budget (not including any livestock) at 10k. I was at untamed's house and we were talking about my budget goal and he just smiled. I know now what his smile meant. I wasn't even close and I got a few good deals.

Scott

[dsaundry]

I haven't had the pleasure of seeing Brads tank yet in person, but after seeing Superfudge's and Tom R's tanks and set ups, When you say you are doing a budget I am amazed they don't just start laughing their heads off. I started these polls not to discourage anybody but to show people the costs of a hobby. Any hobby can be expensive but I really enjoy this one. I race cars as well and I have well over the price of my tanks in my engine alone. Not to forget the money my wife and I have spent on our children{yes I know they aren't a hobby} and the money I spend on my business equipment. After I post my next poll I will be doing some number crunching and post the results that I come up with.
I am still very new to this and if someone had said that I would get addicted to it the way that I have I probably would have laughed at them too.

[banditpowdercoat]

MAN, Being an electrician doesn't pay enough any more....

[mildcustom2]

All this cost me about 8,000$

210 gallon reef ready all glass tank
Cherry oak stand ( Very nice )
72" coralife aqualight pro 250 watt HQI x 3 + 4 power compacts + moon lights
75 gallon custom sump (glass)
3600 gph Dart return pump
ATI bubble master 200
2 phosban 150 reactors ( one for phosban, one for chemi pure/carbon )
2 Life guard FB900 fluidized bed filters
10 gallon refugium
20" 96 watt coralife power compact ( refugium )
500 watt titanium heater
1 hp coralife aquachill
Red Sea wave master pro + 4 maxijet 1200 (one upgraded to 1600 gph)
2 Koralia 3 850 gph powerheads
Lots of fittings for plumbing
90 lbs of Caribsea sugar sized oolite
20 lbs Caribsea arag alive sugar sized oolite
10 lbs Caribsea refugium mud

plus my frag tank that was about 1000$.

and then rock, fish and corals 3000$

All setup for about 4 months

The few that did see my tank in its glory know what I had

Then sold due to getting a divorce.

Oh well.

I'll be back soon and with one of those legal things that keeps the future woman's hands off my tank

I'm thinking a plywood tank next time. Say 500 Gallons.

Oh yeah I'll be back and even bigger.

[PoonTang]

I got a near new 90G with all most of the hardware and all of the Fish . rock etc for $1000. Built an Oak stand for about $150. Lots of upgrades since then tho.
I have heard that the average start up costs run around $50/Gallon.