I did it for

[vito525]

Hello,
I've been on this board FOR A BIT and read every thread I could. Most were telling me it would be >$1000 to set up and succeed w/a 30 gallon tank. Well I got mine set up for <$500. I don't get alot of the elitist on this board who insist on buying Ferrari's when a Honda will do the job. I am a School Teacher w/limited funds. So what?? I got a Seaclone Skimmer and I am man enough to admit it!!! A used filter, tank and stand. I got my lights off ----, live sand from a freind, . Assorted Chems, sand, salt and test kit at LFS. So far, I'm at $350 with $150 left for LR etc. Like my Dad (rest his soul) always said, "If you can't afford Steak, eat Hamburger!!!" I will post pics when the LR arrives. Sorry, had to vent a bit.

 

[jacksdad]

I don't think anyone said that you HAVE to spend alot to start up a tank, just that it usually takes that much.
Personally I have a little over 800. invested in my 24 gal nanocube( that's without any livestock!) So I am jealous.
It's great that you were able to save so much money - startup. Now you have more to spend on livestock!

 

[oceana]

I Don’t think anyone here will say there is not a discounted way to do thinks but I also don’t think ANYONE would give advice to someone saying to get a product that is less then sub par.
Getting things like free sand if great as long as you know what’s in it.
A used tank great, but if you ask for advice people are going to give you info on what we know you can get. There is no way for us to know if an item is in your local paper for a great price.
So yes you can put together a tank set up for around 500 bucks but you can put together a great one for 1000.
You cant expect people to give advice other then what would be BEST for your tank. This way people can feel confident that your reef experience will be a good one.
With that said good for your great finds. I hope everything does great!!

 

[woodymdt]

You'll be hearing from my lawyer later this week........

Sounds great that you were able to get some pretty good deals and freebies while setting up your tank.
I did sort of the same. Scavanged what extra equipment we had on hand to setup the SWA, and have bought only what so far has been necessary.
We're not going overboard because we too are on a limited budget like some others are. I'm sure it's nice to have unlimited resources for this hobby, maybe one of these days some of us others will be in that boat too...or at least in that part of the lagoon!! heheh

 

[snipe]

It usually dose I have around $1000 to $1500 in my 55 gallon. I am still saving for lights and for bulbs and then I am going to start buying a few corals. My bulbs are gonna run around $175 by the time I get the bulbs and everything.

 

[thomas712]

Originally posted by Snipe
My bulbs are gonna run around $175 by the time I get the bulbs and everything.
Snipe what bulbs are you looking at?

 

[snipe]

I ment to add my retro and bulbs. I was gonna get the bulbs off a famouse auction site but I dont see any except one set with a reserve.

 

[willie_6]

Originally posted by vito525
Hello,
I've been on this board FOR A BIT and read every thread I could. Most were telling me it would be >$1000 to set up and succeed w/a 30 gallon tank. Well I got mine set up for <$500. I don't get alot of the elitist on this board who insist on buying Ferrari's when a Honda will do the job. I am a School Teacher w/limited funds. So what?? I got a Seaclone Skimmer and I am man enough to admit it!!! A used filter, tank and stand. I got my lights off ----, live sand from a freind, . Assorted Chems, sand, salt and test kit at LFS. So far, I'm at $350 with $150 left for LR etc. Like my Dad (rest his soul) always said, "If you can't afford Steak, eat Hamburger!!!" I will post pics when the LR arrives. Sorry, had to vent a bit.
You go boy!! You're right, sometimes the advice given here is a bit pricey. It should be assumed that start up tanks are working with a tight budget. I don't know too man people with a extra 1000-1500 for a tank. Maybe minimums should stressed more here with this being a beginner thread. DON"T GET ME WRONG...the information here is AWESOME. It's just sometimes getting a new balast and upgraded lighting isn't in the budget. Just my humble rookie opinion.

 

[evilss]

i too got some deals on my tank. i have a 135 gallon that i got tank, stand, lights, and filtration for $600. then went and traded hte lights for better lights and $100. i have spent about $150 on live rock. i got a almost new berlin skimmer coming to me for $125. so needless to say i have spent around $1000 not counting livestock. and i think thats good for a 135 gallon. you got to remember new isnt always better. and in this hobby us on a budget will get what we have to. there are good deals out there. we are the ones that find them. just my 2 cents.

 

[vito525]

Well again, searching paid off, I just found a site that will ship 44lbs. of live rock for $150 Shipping included. It is 75% cured and perfect for my tank (1.5 lbs).

 

[ophiura]

:notsure: I am not sure how to take this thread...
It has this possible interpretation like people here are handing out BS.
I would rather be told that something is going to cost around $1000, and research, barter, etc to get it for $500 than the other way around. More power to you, but why the venting? Most people are happy and want to share something like that in a positive light - cost cutting measures (why there is a DIY forum and a classifieds forum), etc. Many people get used equipment and stuff....and by the way, this board hands out lots of free advice, too. But it doesn't always happen that way. Sometimes it just costs money. There is no real way to get around it...it is not a cheap weekend hobby, regardless of how much it cost for the tank, etc.
Congrats on getting a good deal....I know I have lots of great friends that gave me a wet/dry, pump and skimmer. Couldn't do it without them Be happy and hand out "how you did it for <$500" advice!

 

[willie_6]

Originally posted by ophiura
:notsure: I am not sure how to take this thread...
It has this possible interpretation like people here are handing out BS.
I would rather be told that something is going to cost around $1000, and research, barter, etc to get it for $500 than the other way around. More power to you, but why the venting? Most people are happy and want to share something like that in a positive light - cost cutting measures (why there is a DIY forum and a classifieds forum), etc. Many people get used equipment and stuff....and by the way, this board hands out lots of free advice, too. But it doesn't always happen that way. Sometimes it just costs money. There is no real way to get around it...it is not a cheap weekend hobby, regardless of how much it cost for the tank, etc.
Congrats on getting a good deal....I know I have lots of great friends that gave me a wet/dry, pump and skimmer. Couldn't do it without them Be happy and hand out "how you did it for <$500" advice!
I don't think anyone here is trying any disrespect, I know I trulydon't. It's just hard for a beginner to sort through some of the unnecessary upgrades, or premium equipment. In five years I might have $1000 in live stock alone, but that's in 5 years. Right now I want to get up and running and see what this amazing hobby is all about.

 

[ophiura]

I hear ya on that. We all started out there...and some of us (me) are still "there." Granted I have a bigger tank, but it is still put together with duct tape, donations and stuff.
I, too, am not a big fan of the "oh you need a $200 skimmer or don't bother" or the 250MH set to keep that condylactus anemone...it is the same as the quick "no tang in a 55g ever" standard answer. It happens. You definitely have to sort through things, and research.
But then I also understand where people are basically saying, "look, you have to understand that with the basic equipment, there are limitations in the animals you can keep." Often the problem starts when there is no research into the animals, then people buy them, and then they learn what is needed to keep them. In some cases, expensive or not, that equipment is needed...it is not elitists talking, it is experience talking. I don't think people really push unecessary equipment all that much. If you've seen a coral tank with PCs, vs VHOs, vs Halides, it is clear why halides are "pushed." Ditto with many skimmers...seeing a seaclone versus a precision marine or RK2 or something. So many people say "hey, save your money and buy something better" or "buy LR over lighting right now," etc.
So I understand, I really do. Most of us are scraping by on a budget. I just hope I am misunderstanding the tone of the original post. :notsure: I think the vibes on this board are pretty positive and many are willing to give cost saving advice. I was just struck by the tone of it.

 

[rubberduck]

i spent 550 so far on mine and you can see it on the fish potograph threads under "my 30 gallon finaly"

 

[pyro]

I spent about $800 on my 30 overall - 300 over what I planned.
The main thing that killed me was the live rock. I didn't expect that to be $150 for my 45#.
The other killer was when my dad told me to go buy a nice stand instead of building my own and gave me $200 towards one of the old style modern series black pine stand that we got on clearance from a warehouse sale for $250 including canopy. Lights were a pain to mount, but other than that, it looks sharp.
Used my dads old 30g because he was going to throw it away.
Got an emperor 400 off the same warehouse sale only used on display (not even running or in water, just dry on a shelf) for $30.
Had a 10g I bought for $6 on sale earlier for use with sump
Tank was like $40 to get drilled.
About $50 on plumbing odds and ends by the end.
Got 2 X 96W PC retrofit lights for about $100 off an LFS because my dad has been friends with the owner since high school. (gotta love those "connections")
Rio 2100 - $20 on sale
The leftover $150 or so was spent on fish and corals and other odds and ends such as powerheads and heaters.
Totals about $800 that I was quite happy with.
Only thing I wish I would have done was bought a new tank with a predrilled overflow that I could have put a standpipe in to quiet it down with.
And made a larger return pump chamber in my sump (darn 2x daily topoffs)
It's possible - nobodys against it, but it's always nice to have an extra $200 to play with
One thing on the whole elitest thing (sorry to beat a dead horse), but my tank would have been a LOT more $$$, and a LOT LESS of a saltwater reef without those elitests. I know me, I'm a cheap little bugger. I would have bought a seaclone, tried my like with normal flourescent lights, and not even have thought of a sump wihtout them.
I'm an 11th grader who funded it with his lifegaurding job (minus the old 30g and the money my dad put forth because he didnt want me making my own stand), I know about just wanting to get things running... I also know one of my friends just got a car running he repaired himself because it was cheaper; it broke down on the turnpike. Towing was more than it would have been to have a shop fix it.

 

[vito525]

No disrespect to anyone intended. What I was trying to do was prove a point...You do not need mega bucks for a successful tank. It may not be a 3000 gallon mega cruiser with all the bells and whistles...but it is mine, it holds a place of prestige in my apartment...and a definite conversation starter for all the single guys out there :thinking: !!!!

 

[ophiura]

Yup, I reckon that is true for many or most of us.

 

[mbrands]

Originally posted by vito525
It is 75% cured and perfect for my tank (1.5 lbs).
Vito, what do they mean by 75% cured? Regardless of what that means, you should cure it before adding it to a tank with any inhabitants. There will be die-off from shipping and adding the LR may start another cycle.
I think I know the site you are talking about. I ordered LR from them twice and was happy with both orders.
Good luck and congrats on your new setup!

 

[mudplayerx]

Originally posted by vito525
Hello,
I've been on this board FOR A BIT and read every thread I could. Most were telling me it would be >$1000 to set up and succeed w/a 30 gallon tank. Well I got mine set up for <$500. I don't get alot of the elitist on this board who insist on buying Ferrari's when a Honda will do the job. I am a School Teacher w/limited funds. So what?? I got a Seaclone Skimmer and I am man enough to admit it!!! A used filter, tank and stand. I got my lights off ----, live sand from a freind, . Assorted Chems, sand, salt and test kit at LFS. So far, I'm at $350 with $150 left for LR etc. Like my Dad (rest his soul) always said, "If you can't afford Steak, eat Hamburger!!!" I will post pics when the LR arrives. Sorry, had to vent a bit.
The posters here mainly have either extensive experience or vast reasearch under their belt. Estimates given were just to spare you from buying cheap equipment that may or may not perform up to par.
The marine hobby is one where cutting corners leads to disaster.

 

[snipe]

mudplayerx is kinda right but you can cut some corners if you research it enough and understand how.