Nano=Expensive!?

[Shy_Koi]

Nice to have found you folks

I was going to go with a 30 g reef, but I like the 45 g dimensions better: 36 x 12 x 24 (the tank-to-be can't be longer than 36" as I'm running out of room in this little house).

I was surprised to see the price difference between a 30 g long (~ $65) and the 45 g (~ $215) at the same store. Unless I can find a less expensive supplier, I may have to go with my original plan for a 30 g...

I'm a reef newbie and still in the slow process of accumulating supplies - hope to be able to start the tank cycling by Christmas (Santa, are ya listening?)

Here's what I have so far:
175 MH/E-ballast/Spider reflector (no bulb) - $127.00 (eBay)
Base rock - $0.00 (made it)
Substrate - $10.00
Oyster shell - $6.00
Powerhead (AC 802) - $41.99
AC 500 - $59.99 (PetsnPonds)
Hagen glo-mat e-ballast (2x40W) - $47.99
30W Phillips actinic - $13.69
30W Powerglo lamp - $17.19
Kent sea salt - $79.00
Stand (built own) - $50.00

Spent so far: $452.85

And here's what I still need:
Aquarium - $200.00?
175W MH bulb - $80.00?
Electronic Thermometer - $25.00?
Powerbars & timer - $30.00?
Heater - $35.00?
8# Live sand (seed) - $32.00?
8# Live rock (seed) - $48.00?
Salifert tests - ~ $100.00
Canopy (build own) - $25.00
RO/DI water (local store) $0.40/gal - $20.00

Still need to spend: ~ $595.00
Sheesh, that 's about $1050 all totalled and and *no* animals accounted for!
I plan on only having 1 or 2 fish and prob won't add them until the tank has been established for 3-4 months. Hopefully I'll be ready for a few shrooms and zoo's by springtime.

oops - didn't mean to be so long winded with my first post...
Cheers!
~Tamara