Nano=Expensive!?

[butters88]

Don't you think nanos run more $ per a gallon than larger systems? I just started SW and I'm running a 10 gallon nano. It seems like the possibilities to spend $ on such a little tank are limitless

[Canadian Man]

NO.

I set up my 230g tank and system and I can say foresure that my 230g tank costs more per gallon than a 10 gallon Nano.

Other than waterchanges Nano's are cheep. Even then a 200g bucket, 1 5g waterchange a week. That's 40 weeks for $75.00 if my match is correct. My salt for my 230 alone is 200g bucket for 4 months if not more.

Good try though

[butters88]

haha
well at least I tried

[Bob I]

In my opinion, and experience, even someone with modest funds to spend on the hobby can have a real nice nano setup. Whereas as Jonathan says for the large setups you had better have a lot of disposable income, and/or an understanding wife/husband, or all of the above.

[Canadian Man]

Originally Posted by rcipema

In my opinion, and experience, even someone with modest funds to spend on the hobby can have a real nice nano setup. Whereas as Jonathan says for the large setups you had better have a lot of disposable income, and/or an understanding wife/husband, or all of the above.

Or the DIY nack to Do It all Yourself

[AJ_77]

Originally Posted by Canadian Man

Or the DIY nack to Do It all Yourself

OR, the DIY knack to almost kill oneself...




(I have a decent little 20g "ghetto reef" that most people would want to upgrade the equipment on, but it's working fine. Occupants are OK with ~5 watts per gallon, and the tank is what, 16" deep? No biggie...)

[Canadian Man]

Originally Posted by AJ_77

OR, the DIY knack to almost kill oneself...

[Bartman]

Originally Posted by Canadian Man

NO.

I set up my 230g tank and system and I can say foresure that my 230g tank costs more per gallon than a 10 gallon Nano.

Other than waterchanges Nano's are cheep. Even then a 200g bucket, 1 5g waterchange a week. That's 40 weeks for $75.00 if my match is correct. My salt for my 230 alone is 200g bucket for 4 months if not more.

Good try though

Au contraire! I have a 10G nano and I agree that a 200G bucket of salt will last me a long time, but..........

I would estimate that the basic setup of my nano (tank, substrate, PC lights, small skimmer, powerheads, live rock, etc.) exclusive of livestock has, conservatively , cost over $500. This equates to a cost per gallon of $50. There is no sump, refugium, MH lighting, calc reactors, automated top-ups, RO/DI system, etc. Could I not build a 230G system for less than $11,500, without any of the above?

Personally, I think my nano is better than a TV anyday, but cheap......NO.

[Bob I]

I think you might be comparing apples and oranges Scott. I don't think a direct gallon for gallon comparison works. For one thing you have not factored in a very important component, which is the operating cost of the two systems. I would also think $500.00 for a basic nano setup is high. I only came to about $300.00 for my 15 gallon setup, but I may have missed something.

[AJ_77]

20g tank - $5
substrate - $25
rock - free
PC retro lighting kit - $50
DIY hood - $15
heater - $5
powerheads - free
filter - free
total livestock - $35
powerbars - $6

Total setup costs - approx. $141.00 (unless I missed something)