How far can I go with $1000? (Reef Tank)
- Thread starter leggomyeggow
- Start date
lion_crazz
Active Member
Originally Posted by premilove
http:///forum/post/3024612
your best bet is to buy a used system locally..check craigslist. LOOK OUT FOR THE CRAIGSLIST KILLER!!!!
no but seriously..look into buying a used system..before you buy it, ask around to see if the tank you are looking at is worth it..
Bingo!
Used systems are DEFINITELY the way to go on a budget. A guy I know in my area is selling a 90 gallon tank, canopy, stand, icepcap VHO lights, sump, refugium, equipments, pumps for $300! That is an insane deal. The lights alone are worth double his price.
http:///forum/post/3024612
your best bet is to buy a used system locally..check craigslist. LOOK OUT FOR THE CRAIGSLIST KILLER!!!!
no but seriously..look into buying a used system..before you buy it, ask around to see if the tank you are looking at is worth it..
Bingo!
Used systems are DEFINITELY the way to go on a budget. A guy I know in my area is selling a 90 gallon tank, canopy, stand, icepcap VHO lights, sump, refugium, equipments, pumps for $300! That is an insane deal. The lights alone are worth double his price.
debbie
Active Member
You are in the right place to start off your hobby. I live in Canada so that amount of money goes no where here, we pay double for everything just about.
What you should do is tell us what you are thinking of having for a setup:
Tank size, equipment, fish, corals, rock etc and these kind folks there can tell you what approx price you would be looking at.
I think you could to a neat nano for that price but then again you should do what you want in the first place for size etc as this hobby is so expensive to be hopping around in.
Nano tanks really limit you to what you can keep that is for sure. I started out with a 10 gal nano 5 years ago, love it but you can only keep a few fish. Due to the high cost here and I wanted to keep a few of my favorite corals I now have a 3 gal pico which is alot of fun but so limited.
I love it, its perfect for me but not for others. So make sure you do what you want the first time.
Also keep in mind that you might want to start off with a FOWLR (fish only with live rock) and as money permits you can add a few corals at a time. Keeping in mind the kind of fish you want some are not reef/coral compatible so you need to do some homework there too.
Post lots of questions regarding what you want and you will be pointed in the right direction.
Again welcome..
bryce.martin23
Member
you might be able to find some used equipment and tank for about that but very little rocks and only one or two fish. Not to switch the topic but i have about 6,000 in my tank and only have about 2/3 of what i want. But dont let the price fool you, once you get the tank it becomes very addicting and droping money into it isnt that bad. you could blow it on so many other things that wont show for anything. I would jump in head strong.
pezenfuego
Active Member
The best way to save money is to research. The amount saved is proportional to the research done imo.
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by PEZenfuego
http:///forum/post/3025153
The best way to save money is to research. The amount saved is proportional to the research done imo.
I hate to do this...BUT I agree 100% with what PEZ said...I have said this before too....BUT I learned the hard way....bought subpar equipment only to have to replace it.....
ASK first...no one here minds...
http:///forum/post/3025153
The best way to save money is to research. The amount saved is proportional to the research done imo.
I hate to do this...BUT I agree 100% with what PEZ said...I have said this before too....BUT I learned the hard way....bought subpar equipment only to have to replace it.....
ASK first...no one here minds...
deejeff442
Active Member
+1 to pez
alot of us learned a long time ago on our own before these forums were around maybe even the internet.
we have spent tens of thousands over the years and learned from it.
this forum will save you alot of cash.
i have over $8000 in fish stuff in the basement but it has been added up over the last 20+ yrs.i still have the 45 gallon tank i bought 25 yrs ago with my paper route money.
c-list is great for used tanks .
i got my 225 gallon for $300
light is what going to kill you.
give yourself a month for research, advice and classifides.
you could have a nice set up for $1000
alot of us learned a long time ago on our own before these forums were around maybe even the internet.
we have spent tens of thousands over the years and learned from it.
this forum will save you alot of cash.
i have over $8000 in fish stuff in the basement but it has been added up over the last 20+ yrs.i still have the 45 gallon tank i bought 25 yrs ago with my paper route money.
c-list is great for used tanks .
i got my 225 gallon for $300
light is what going to kill you.
give yourself a month for research, advice and classifides.
you could have a nice set up for $1000
deejeff442
Active Member
man $7-$10 a pound for lr?
whew i get from a guy with connections (i guess) premium big pieces 12-16 inch with a ton of life on them for $4.50 lb.
better keep in good grace with him.
whew i get from a guy with connections (i guess) premium big pieces 12-16 inch with a ton of life on them for $4.50 lb.
better keep in good grace with him.
woody189
Member
Originally Posted by deejeff442
http:///forum/post/3025168
man $7-$10 a pound for lr?
whew i get from a guy with connections (i guess) premium big pieces 12-16 inch with a ton of life on them for $4.50 lb.
better keep in good grace with him.
I think that's pretty damn good. LR is the same price for me, 7-10 bucks a lb.
http:///forum/post/3025168
man $7-$10 a pound for lr?
whew i get from a guy with connections (i guess) premium big pieces 12-16 inch with a ton of life on them for $4.50 lb.
better keep in good grace with him.
I think that's pretty damn good. LR is the same price for me, 7-10 bucks a lb.
pezenfuego
Active Member
I can get rock for 4.50 here. It is really good rock too. It's in a 0 ammonia environment. Full of life. And the selection is excellent. I would never spend 6-10 bucks on rock. The rock at an lfs around here is 7 bucks a pound and it is as good as base rock. You have to know where to go
crypt keeper
Active Member
I pay $5.
gooch
Member
1000 can go far if you buy smart.
First you'll need to research your purchases. You'll also want to join up with a local reef club and any others nearby.
For instance with me there is a connecticut fish club, plus websites for manhattan reefers, and Boston Reefers. All 3 of those have members looking to sell old gear. You can get tanks/lights/skimmers etc for very reasonable prices from guys who are trying to either get out of the hobby or they are upgrading. This is also the best way to obtain coral frags.
People will tell you this isnt a cheap hobby, but there are ways to make things cheaper.
First you'll need to research your purchases. You'll also want to join up with a local reef club and any others nearby.
For instance with me there is a connecticut fish club, plus websites for manhattan reefers, and Boston Reefers. All 3 of those have members looking to sell old gear. You can get tanks/lights/skimmers etc for very reasonable prices from guys who are trying to either get out of the hobby or they are upgrading. This is also the best way to obtain coral frags.
People will tell you this isnt a cheap hobby, but there are ways to make things cheaper.
lil.guppy
Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3024609
LOL...2 things...tank =$800 Lights =$1200 There's $2000
Don't need receipts for that
I think those are backwards
http:///forum/post/3024609
LOL...2 things...tank =$800 Lights =$1200 There's $2000
Don't need receipts for that
I think those are backwards
dankbardy31
Member
Definitely agree with gooch. Yea it is going to be expensive but if you shop around craigs and forums you can significantly cut your costs on tanks, stands, filters, lights, etc. I got a killer deal from someone who wasn't in the hobby anymore. It was like tank, stand, light, filters, skimmer, plus tons of miscellaneous stuff for like 150. Haven't had any problems except for a few scratches on the tank (acrylic). IF you buy live rock off someone though make sure it has been in a heated tank with the filter running. You may even want to test the water to make sure the levels are appropriate. Good Luck!
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by lil.guppy
http:///forum/post/3025883
I think those are backwards
NOPE...Got the tank, stand, 4 filters, many many FW decorations, used for $800
The Lights I just bought in December...72" MH W/T5..etc $1200
http:///forum/post/3025883
I think those are backwards
NOPE...Got the tank, stand, 4 filters, many many FW decorations, used for $800
The Lights I just bought in December...72" MH W/T5..etc $1200
lil.guppy
Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3025918
NOPE...Got the tank, stand, 4 filters, many many FW decorations, used for $800
The Lights I just bought in December...72" MH W/T5..etc $1200
I want MH
http:///forum/post/3025918
NOPE...Got the tank, stand, 4 filters, many many FW decorations, used for $800
The Lights I just bought in December...72" MH W/T5..etc $1200
I want MH