Polishing edges - Rimless tank help

[phi delt reefer]

cancel the starphire - it isnt going to make a "MASSIVE OMG YOU CANT SEE THE ANYTHING IN THE TANK" difference, lol.

if you're on a budget cut the luxury items out. FYI you WILL NOT be able to build a setup for $1500 unless you buy someone else's setup used. A custom tank is the WORST thing you can buy when trying to save money.

I built a 45 gallon setup - hoping to only spend $1500... came close - $2500 LOL. But everything was new.

custom tank $350
eheim 1250 (used) - $60
two koralia 1050's - $100
ATI Sunpower (8x39) - $500 (you can buy a generic t5 unit for half that price though)
T5 bulbs - $160
Stand - $500 (you can build a crappy unfinished one for $100)
Sump with baffles (bought a generic tank and had baffles custom tank and diyed it) $100
plumbing - $100 (larger diameter = more expensive)
eco reefer rock (45lbs)and sand (80lbs) - $200
SWC Skimmer - $170
BRS DUAL REACTOR - $60
TUNZE ATO - $160 (luxury item - you can build your own for $50)
RKL with extra PC4 - $200 (optional but you will need a few timers so this may be a better option)
MAxijets 1200 for reactor + mixing = $50
2x Jager heaters (150w) - $60


doubt you will spend less than what i did. I live by the border so i didnt have to pay tax on half this stuff and everything is cheaper in the States. I probably have another $200 in misc crap lying around as well.

remember you still havent bought CARBON, GFO, pellets spare reactor, auto feeder for when you are away.

i just stocked my tank with fish - $600 - includes a few coral frags as well. Food is another $50.

if you buy crappy quality stuff you will end up replacing it with the good stuff - then you will have paid more than you initially though you would. Its an expensive hobby. If you wanna go cheap get a Biocube 14 and you will be in under a $1000 after you are done modding it

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by ReefOcean

hehe, I am just being cheap i suppose.

Yup, and once the tank is done, and you've gone over budget anyway, you're gonna look at the tank and think "shite, I shoulda spent the money"!! But then it's too late, and every time you work on the tank, you're going to be ticked off.

[ReefOcean]

I hear yah Aquattro. I as seeing the guy today, I will take a look at the difference between finished and unfinished. Tell ya what, if I decide not to go with it, and I start a tank journal and start to complain a little, I will leave a big spot for you to say I told you so.

As for cost:

so far, if i go with basic tank = 340 inc taxes

24 inch Hamilton T5 fixture 6x24w = 432.32 inc tax

stand-
56 for 2x4s
40 for finished plywood
about 40 for molding
25 for 2x6packs of import beer for me and my friend

Reactor = about 80 with taxes

plumbing is about 50

2x mag drive 7 pumps about 220 inc taxes

sump tank = 25

bag o' sugar sand 35

1298.32 or so

It is important to note, I have all stand hardware, stain, clear coating, sanding/power equipment at my disposal.
I also have a protein skimmer, heaters, a chiller and up to 3 Koralia powerheads and other various powerheads.

I also have SPS, LR, softies and fish
I have a 120watt led light for sump lighting (if needed)


So My budget is a bit skewed, but that is what my fiancee has agreed to so luckily I have donor equipment lying around hehe.


I will use the rest to buy the initial neozeo dosing sups and supplies.

I don't consider salt and future dosing sups part of the budget, just part of continuous maintenance