lowcost needs for a 180 reef tank?

zepplin48138

zepplin48138

Member
I am looking for low cost filtration, heating, and lighting for a 180 gallon reef setup and also the tank itself. I was wondering if anybody out there has any good ideas.
I have a lifeguard filter good for up to 300 gal as well as a large whisper filter, and a rio 800 powerhead, also I have a 20 gal and a 30 gal. glass tank.
 
007

007

Active Member
I hate to tell you . . . but there really is no such thing as "low cost" in keeping saltwater aquariums. Sure, there are ways that you can cut corners, but you will pay for it in the longrun.
If costs are an issue, try a smaller tank as a 180 is pretty large.
Have you kept SW fish before?
I have never kept a 180 before, but I am going to ballpark the whole set up, to do properly as a reef, at a minimum of 6-7 grand. I am pretty sure that more realisticly you are looking at about $10K to set up correctly.
Just as an idea, you are going to spend about a grand on your live rock alone, then at least another grand on your lighting. Then there are the heaters, the sumps, and the fuges.
I would start with the 30 if money is an issue.
 
aarone

aarone

Active Member
Low cost is not a very good way to start off. Make sure you do it right the first time or you will just end up paying even more. Im sure the majority of the members on this board have experienced this.
aaron
 
zepplin48138

zepplin48138

Member

Originally posted by aarone
Low cost is not a very good way to start off. Make sure you do it right the first time or you will just end up paying even more. Im sure the majority of the members on this board have experienced this.
aaron

Money really isn't an issue, but the lower the cost the better. I plan on doing this over time, starting off with fish only and the rock I already have, about 30lbs. After all this is a hobby and hobbies are something that one should span overtime and enjoy. Thats the way I feel anyways. But I was just hoping that someone would have some ideas about what type of equipment to run and if anybody knows any cost saving ways. ex. diy kits etc...
 
aarone

aarone

Active Member
go to ***** and buy their little starter set up. I guess that is what you are looking for. Power filter, crushed coral, UGF, powerhead heater and salt.
aaron
 
beaslbob

beaslbob

Well-Known Member
there are lower const alternatives. you might check out the garf site for making your own rocks from concrete. It does take effort and about 6 weeks to "cure" but is much less expensive than LR.
You could also use play sand from home depot. It is $3.00 for 50 pounds.
You could start off with just sand and plants. Well sure some circulation and simple filtering. Then as time progresses set up a refugium/sump. And for corals upgrade the lighting. But the initial plants will thrive off of normal cheapie utility type lights. bout all you need for a fish only tank. With home made rocks you could have a very nice system for very little money. And with plants doing the main filtering, it becomes very low maintenance.
 
tony detroit

tony detroit

Active Member
Let me put it this way for you. To properly light a standard 180 is going to cost you 900 dollars new. For rock 30lbs isn't going to cut it. You're probably going to want at least a hundred pounds. You will not in my opinion properly set up a 180 stocked reef for less than 4 grand. That is a final number with fish coral, light, etc.
 
tony detroit

tony detroit

Active Member
I tried doing the "budget" aquarium thing and trust me, in the long run you will be kicking yourself for not buying the best equipment.
 
zepplin48138

zepplin48138

Member
I'm in the downriver area (grosse ile), You have any equipment you are looking to get off your hands, I am looking to start a 180 within the year and I am looking to start buying now so I don't have to do it all at once. I have a Lifeguard bed filter and a powerhead (rio 800). Any suggestions?
 
tony detroit

tony detroit

Active Member

Originally posted by zepplin48138
I'm in the downriver area (grosse ile),
I grew up on Grosse Ile. I will tell you a few things to help you though. The fluidized bed filters are rather high maintenance and don't oxygenate your water near as well as a wet dry filter. Also rio pumps are usually no good for anymore than a year, sometimes less. If you need any help/advice lemme know. I go to GI once every few weeks to help my parents around the house, etc. Leopard_Babe is from GI too. Good luck.
 
tony detroit

tony detroit

Active Member
Also if you are going to go reef, you may want to seriously consider getting a good skimmer, and setting up a DSB/ refugium for the growth of macroalgae.
 
tony detroit

tony detroit

Active Member
DUH, I can't believe I missed the numbers in your screename, dead giveaway. LOL
Also if you are new to the hobby there is nothing I can recommend more than buying and reading thouroughly a new book preferably with a newer publishing date.
 
donjasper

donjasper

Member
Sure - fire up the 30 as a reef tank. Make all your mistakes on the smaller (cheaper) scale. That way you'll only nuke 30 gal worth of critters and not 180 gal. So it's what? 1/6 of the cost?
Then you can use the stuff (LS/LR) from the 30 gal to seed your 180, or just transfer it from the 30 into the 180 - whatever.
Maybe you'll find that you don't like reefkeeping!
 
phil1964

phil1964

Member
My 180 is going on 1 year.
It had been 10 years since I was last in the hobby and so much changed but I will agree with everything said above.
If I could do it again I would:
1. research everything more more more
2. buy everything possible online NOT a LF$
3. get ALL my LR and sand right off the bat and add it ALL at once
4. Add an second power receptical behind the tank on a seperate breaker BEFORE placing the tank!
5. Grow taller with longer arms
And many more
P.S. I would also get a bigger tank:D
 
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