Can you run a reef tank on a budget?

[lee]

Big question I know and many different options and types of tank you may want to keep.

But IMO the answer is no.

You can have a tank and keep it, but is it successful? Does it look stunning ?

It's an VERY expensive and time demanding hobby and over the years I have seen a hundred people start then shut down through not understanding what they are getting into.

There are reefers who run tanks on a budget after many years experience, but for a new starter in the hobby I don't think it can be done. I maybe wrong, but most fail and give up.


Thoughts....

yes you can look at me i got told when i first started it would be to much money for a fam of 4 with just one wage coming in. i'd like to say a big ........... and look at me now 3 year's later.

[Elkaa]

yes you can look at me i got told when i first started it would be to much money for a fam of 4 with just one wage coming in. i'd like to say a big ........... and look at me now 3 year's later.

Good to see someone who's stuck with it!

[powerz]

it is all down to the budget. that we set. like one month for me it was £100 on filters rowa phos and salt. and this month is 239 but that is a new led lighting.
and over time at work to get it lol.

[Elkaa]

it is all down to the budget. that we set. like one month for me it was £100 on filters rowa phos and salt. and this month is 239 but that is a new led lighting.
and over time at work to get it lol.

hehe well my initial setup costs come from a tax rebate (£550) so thats alot of things sorted + we are saving money on our rent now so that will pay the extra stuff I might need

[powerz]

hehe for got to say that is number two led at that so will have two off them.

[bonsaisuper]

I think ( in my opinion ) it is possible, let's be honest as said before, you don't need these fangdangle light units, cheat haloes but with good bulbs, it's not the light the gives the results it's the bulbs, take this for instance, my skimmer is home made by a friend and it probably cost £15 maximum, but it's one of the best skimmers I have ever used ! I honestly wouldn't buy another one. I also think that you can go way to over kill with all the equipment/adertives etc, i don't really think even over stocking would affect cost because it's a balance in aquatics live stock, algea eaters/shifters/crap eaters/minerals ( Beeing taken out and added ) if you get the stock right the balance should be right and each have there own job to do helping with the over all invironment, even things do need to be added it doesent have to be over kill,
My friend also made his own calcium reactor witch had been on his tank for years feeding his sps/Los dominated reef, so I think with alot of research and understanding of how things work and what's needed you don't have to spend £300 on a reactor/skimmer/lights/sump etc etc it can be cheaper and look good and do the right job for 1/5 of the price haveing the same affect.

[PaulTys]

Yes you can run a reef tank on a budget, a big budget!!

[kevinda]

keep it simple as previously said!
you don't have to go with the latest fads,these are usually costly and of late i have noticed don't always achieve the manufacturers claims!
water,water,water....the lifeblood of any system as long as your putting in good r.o,good salt(sore point)and are keeping parram's in check which can be done the eco way(turf scrubbers,cheato,miracle mud) good husbandry there is no need to spend a fortune but this hobby isn't cheap and even when we kid ourself's we don't spend a lot when you take all factors into account we could feed a 3rd world country on it!!!

[Lincsflier]

As others have said previously I think you can run it on a budget. It all comes down to patience for frags etc and waiting for them to grow on etc.

My budget isn't huge but by buying used equipment and getting advice and bits and bobs from fellow reefers then costs can be dramatically cut, just by buying good quality used equipment I have saved over £700 already . I think the biggest outlay you have when running a tank is the electric, water and salt. However I think again this can be controlled to a point by buying a tank within your budget to run and not underestimating costs.

Just my tuppence worth

[PaulTys]

Depends on what you consider a tight budget. My freshwater tropical tank has cost around £50 total. If you have saved £700, then you must of spent a fair bit too! And there are some things that are totally inescapable, good lighting, heating/cooling etc and the electricity they cost, marine fish are expensive