The Cost of Reefing

[dsaundry]

So after visiting several members houses the question that always springs to mind is "Nice looking system, wonder what that would cost" So without trying to pry too much, just trying to gauge what people spend on this hobby{obsession}.

Just to clear it up..Just what you spent to get up and running for the most part. There will be another poll to follow.
Muhahahahaha.

$1000.00 or less.
$1000.00-$5000.00
$5000.00-$10,000.00
$10,000 up

[Zoaelite]

Are we considering this for 1 month, 1 year, 5 years? Or is it what you have OVERALL spent?
Levi

[VFX]

Hey Darryl

Are we talking the initial cost to get set up & running?

ie. tank, stand, lights, reactors, skimmers, live rock, power bars, power heads, plumbing, etc.

Or are we including live stock, additives, salt & overall running cost?

.

[sharuq1]

It always costs much more than you originally thought it would....:razz:

[Aquattro]

My last large tank (155g) cost me about 10k total to get it where it was, including all stocking, equipment and associated costs. I then broke down the annual costs of all maintenance items (salt, bulbs, RO membranes, etc) with a cost of $137/mo to run.

So ya, these things can get pricey!!

[Parker]

Please, PLEASE don't make me add it all up!

With my 265 I'm pushing $14,000 and there isn't a drop of water in it. But most of the costs are tied up in cabinetry that goes along with the tank for astetic purposes but wasn't nessacary. I have no idea what the final number will be and I don't wan't to think about it, but I have been thrifty when if comes to equipment, buying used when I can etc.

[Haloreef]

I'm not telling... my wife may read this!

[VFX]

Here's the set up cost of my 60g mixed reef with approx UK prices in CAD.


Deltec Micro Reef (http://www.deltecaquariumsolutions.com/aquariums_1.php) - $9000
Tunze 6080 x 2 - $250
Tunze Controller - $320
Upgrade lights to 2 x 150 MH with T5 actinics - $1200


Over $10k for a 60g set up before you even got it wet!

Cost me at least another $6k on top of that once it was stocked & all the 'miscellaneous' items were bought.

Reefers have it good in Canada in terms of bang for buck.

My current Solana 34g set up owes me around $1300 so far not including live stock & corals...


Tank, Stand & Light - $800
Sand & Live Rock - $140
2 x Korallia 1 - $60
3 x Heaters - $60
Power bars & cables - $60
Thermometer - $20
Miscellaneous - $150


A relative bargain in comparison!

VFX.

.

[mark]

Cost me a new house (wife got the house, I got the tank to go in it).

[Chowder]

It all depends on what your adding up. I have had my 65 Gallon for about 2 1/2 years now. If I add up all it took to get where I am now it would easily be over $10,000. This is mostly because I like to change my mind on what I like to keep. The tank itself has gone from no overflow to new tank with overflow, Softie to SPS, have had a hugh zoo collection that I got ride of about 8 months ago for 1/3 of what it cost me. Alot of the equipment has been upgraded as well.

[christyf5]

I bought mostly used stuff and think I got away well under what it would have cost new thats for sure. Plus I ended up doing various upgrades (tanks, skimmers mostly) so I didn't feel the pinch all at once, it was over many years. The last few years I've added some more pricey items to my system (chiller, aquatronica, wavebox) but I'd hate to add it up. I used to speak of it in "trips to mexico". I don't do that anymore :wink:

[Jason McK]

I don't even like to think about it. Thanks!



;)

[Tom R]

Lets put it this way:

I could have retired a few years ago.

or

What my wife doesn't know will not hurt here.

Have you ever noticed that people new to the hobby pay with VISA, however once into the hobby they pay with CASH. No record of the use of cash.

Tom R

[Jason McK]

Have you ever noticed that people new to the hobby pay with VISA, however once into the hobby they pay with CASH. No record of the use of cash.

Tom R

I think it's because the Visa is maxed out LOL

J

[Lance]

Sorry, I'm not adding up the cost of the 90 gal because I'm planning on a 150 gal (in-wall) as well. If I see how much the first one cost it might scare me off.:lol:

[dsaundry]

Just the overall costs..You know, tank set-up and all that good stuff.:biggrin:

[marie]

Just the overall costs..You know, tank set-up and all that good stuff.:biggrin:

Which one, I have 2 of them under $1000 and the other one I refuse to say in case any of my family happen to lurk on here (which they do on occasion):lol:

[michika]

I built my 28g for under $600, and I'm building my 180 for under $1500. Its seriously all about who you know and where you go to get your equipment/supplies.

[dsaundry]

This poll shouldn't show how you voted, just the percentage in each catagory....

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Where's the "Downpayment on a nice house in Vancouver" category:cry::redface::lol:

I've spent lots (more than I'm willing to post on here in case Irene peeks in), but I've also saved lots by buying almost everything used or going DIY (ie. stands, sumps).

The way I see it, we all need something to keep us out of trouble & though expensive, reefing is generally a good way to spend your time, build something beautiful & meet great people.

(In terms of costs, let's just say most serious reefers I know spend about $1000+ just on Boxing day sales every year).

Anthony

[dsaundry]

Keep the replies coming...Its very interesting so far. Remember this is just your initial set-up costs including your corals and livestock. Yes I know you add but for now just keep it to when you were initially set up..There is a method to my poll, you will see in part 2.:biggrin:

[banditpowdercoat]

About $2k for me, BUT, like the wife just said, in a couple years,Ill be clicking the Over $10K button LOL.

[Keri]

So far I think we might still just skim in under the 5k mark but it's been less than a year lol...


I like to say it's about as expensive as a coke habit with less of the social/health repercussions ;)

[jasond]

I am at about $2500. Like others, I dont see that going anywhere but up :biggrin:

[danny zubot]

I chose $5000-$10000 because that is what I've spent in the past 6 year to get to where I'm at right now. By no means is my current system worth that much money, maybe $3000 to $4000 all inclusive.

[bv_reefer]

about a 1000'ish by next week when i get the euro-reef and start Zeovit, but by the time i'm satisfied with the amount of sps i don't wanna know

[EmilyB]

I went for 5-10k for one large tank, since I don't know if this poll was meant to incorporate multiple tanks.....if so, put me to $20k over the ten years and multiple tanks...:lol:

[niloc16]

the guys at work just asked me this and i said 'ah about $500!' they said wow thats expensive for fish. i didnt say that was just the last time i was at the LFS. :lol: how much have i spent? i'm taking the 5th and going with keith, jason and toms comments. i'm lucky the wife doesnt come on here but i'm not going to risk it. i can guess in my head but i dont like to think about it. i look at it as i love the hobby, my kids are amazed at it and learning a ton from it, the wife loves the livestock aspect of it so to me its worth it. there is WAY worse things to do with the money and eventually if youre lucky the tank will start to make some money for you.

[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:redface:

[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. :biggrin:
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....:sad:

[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.:cry:

Oh well.:neutral:

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

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

Oh yeah I'll be back and even bigger. :mrgreen:

[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.

[cprowler]

I voted for 5 to 10K, I think I'm around 8K spent on my 120g in the last two years or so. Fairly cheap as far as addictions go.