Zack ... it ain't cheap but can be done if you have the financial resources.......my 55 reef is just under a year old and is over 3 grand....includes tank/stand/equipment/LR/LS/fish/corals..........take your time...develope a plan....and build at your own pace.....and good luck
Zack,
I did my assembled my 29 very slowly. Started with rock -30 pds at once and then I would add a couple more pieces every week.
Upgraded the the lights after 6 months. After that would add corals every couple of months.
Sump came after a year.
You can get started for a couple hundred. I would suggest starting with FOWL.
Later
Tom
I would say that $1000-$1200 will be your cost to convert to a reef. That will include a small collection of livestock, lighting, protein skimmer, LS and LR. I have a 125 gallon and I have spent nearly $5000 since the first item was purchased 3 months ago. I have at least another $500 to go in livestock.
I think about $40 per gallon is a good average for budget calculation purposes.
i agree to look in the paper or on line, i bought a 150 gallon reef with 300lbs of lr,1/4horse chiller, 3 175w mh, for $1500, the reef was 5 years old, i paid $200 to move the tank, and it is awesome, i had a 55 gallon reef tank that was 5 years old and combined the two in the 150 and i just love how it looks, just be patient, you can find deals out there.
depending on what you allready have and who you know!!! can make a big differance,,,, Watch the paper for people who are selling because they are fed up with it !!!! for what ever the reason!!! it all takes time,& $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I helped a guy set up a 75 and he wanted everything NEW,,,, and so far he has over $7000 in it.... corals, shrooms, over 100 lbs of live rock...leathers, ect...