What des the average 300 Reef tank setup cost?

[rykna]

I need to start saving for my upgrade this spring. I have a 90 gallon reef tank with:
2 clowns
1 blue mandrine I want too upgrade to a 300 gallon.

1 yellow tang
1 sailfin tang
1 brittle star
1 sand tiger star
lots of mushrooms
star polyps
button pollys
3 cupcorals
1 sebae anemone
2 gonapora
3 crabs
2 inches of LS
aprox 100lbs of LR

 

[scsinet]

Uhh... it totally depends on what you put in it and the equipment you use. Assuming that you are placing all of your current stuff in the new tank, I'd figure at least several thousand in equipment plus maybe one thousand in live rock (less if you order online maybe), plus probably several thousand for a reef-ready tank and the associated furniture.

 

[phixer]

Would agree and there is the revolving cost of salt and electricity.

 

[cool99bomb]

for 300 a minimal of $2500
For the tank stand filter and skimmers lights ECT costed my friend $3600 not includeing any sand, fish, live rock

 

[fishy7]

It cost me about $6k for the tank,stand and equip, LR & sand. This is for a 215 with good equip. There is not much room for taking short cuts with large tanks. You may save a few bucks here and there but it will cost you in the long run. :thinking:
Good luck

 

[f14peter]

Certainly no expert myself, but research into this hobby has indicated an almost geometric progression in costs as tank size increases. As in, if it costs X to start a 100g tank, a 200g tank won't cost 2X, it will probably be closer to 4X.
Once we decided on an AGA 90g, we found one in a not-so LFS and then we looked at a 120g sitting right next to it, and it was nearly twice as much, just for the tank/stand/cover.

 

[debdeb]

I read somewhere that to get a ball park figure you can count on $30 to $50 per gallon to set up a new tank depending on the size of course. The $30/gallon would be close for a smaller tank like my 37 gallon. I've probably spent close to $900 and I don't have MH lights or the best skimmer. So for a 300 gallon you'll be in the ball park with $12,000 to $15,000. It's beyond my budget right now and I'm so happy for anyone who can make that big of a tank happen. Baby steps for me. I'm trying to "grow up" to something bigger than my 37gallon, probably the 90 to 125 gallon range. Congrats & enjoy! :cheer:

 

[1journeyman]

It's fairly easy to figure out... just price stuff online.
Price the tank, stand, canopy
Take the dimensions of the tank you are getting and figure out what lights you'll need (this is going to be a big ticket)
Filtration?
Skimmer
Water
Rock (figure 2Lbs per gallon so you'll have the high number)
sand
etc.

 

[emeralcrab]

Do you watch the ad's in your paper? I found my 150G in our trader paper, had stand, lights and and ton of stuff with it, I got it for $350.00 , then I upgraded on the filters etc. so saved a ton on just the tank. I had a glass top cut for it to help keep fish in and help with evaporation, and just the glass cut for the top of it cost 150.00.
Since I got my tank I have seen quite a few in the paper.
If your not in a hurry watch your paper

 

[rykna]

thanks all!

 

[t11t5]

I have a 150 gallon reef tank. I have about $8000.00 in it so far. That will give you an idea. I started it in December 2005. My electric bill went from $65 a month to 175.00 a month. I dont even have my Pacific Coast 1/2hp chiller hooked up yet. I go through salt, RO/DI water, food, and money like crazy. It seems like there is always something to purchase. Just thought I would give my 2 cents. After you get it running it is worth it.

 

[mopardwh]

I've thought about this as well, for the far future. This is what I've considered so far. I've seen 300g tanks as low as $800 (without shipping), go pick it up! You could build your own stand, wood or steel=$100 max. Equipment, well with time you can find good deals on used. Lets just say $600.
Ok, so here's where I really get stumped. Why can't any individual go get his/her own water, sand and rock? Do the vendors have special license to get rock from the ocean? Yes, the water and sand might not be perfect, but if it's a new tank you have to cycle it anyway until the parameters are right. Couldn't you clean the sand? People get fish from the ocean, and shells from the beach everyday. Why can't someone get sand and rock?
If this method was accurate, you could have a 300g for under $2K depending on how much transportation cost you, boat rental, or whatever.
Although laws are state to state, I still can't figure out a general rule if this would be legal or not. I'm sure you could easily wrap $15k into one, but I think it could be done for much, much less. As far as monthly usage? :scared: I have no clue...

 

[46bfinga]

i believe 2k will be a dream!i have close to 5k in my 46bf.it all adds up so fast,just buy as you find deals on stuff.im going to build most everything for my next tank.
and im pretty sure taking live rock from the ocean is illegal.unless you dont get caught of course!

 

[rykna]

I not sure if it is illegal, but it can be a hazardous practice....the ocean is full of pollutants....the live rock we buy has be cleaned. Not that I haven't thought about

One thing I am trying to figure it is how much of my current equipment I can use with the 300. The light is the biggest thing in question. I have an outer orbit MH with actinic light. the MH are 120 watts each the watt total is 560....I am not sold on the watt per gallon thing at all. Light disperses as it descends into water. My 90 gallon is 2 ft deep. If my 300 was two feet deep, why would that change the dispersal of the light???? Give it is 48" long, the ends of the tank would be darker,but that would be neat because my sponge would nt collect algae as much. Any how, would appreciate our 2 cents on this.

 

[f14peter]

Originally Posted by 46bfinga
i believe 2k will be a dream!i have close to 5k in my 46bf.it all adds up so fast,just buy as you find deals on stuff.im going to build most everything for my next tank.
and im pretty sure taking live rock from the ocean is illegal.unless you dont get caught of course!
Not sure if I'm qualified to comment (Don't even have our tank up yet, sitting in my wife's office), but I have done a lot of "window shopping", poking around for the best deals on the assorted gear required.
For a 300g, I'd say you're looking at around $350-$400 (or more, a lot more if you want) just for a skimmer, lighting would be another few hundred dollars, it would require a lot of fairly high-capacity pumps/powerheads to move all that water, and beau coup filtration. Even a DIY stand to support a ton and a half would require a fair amount of quality raw materals. 1000w or so of heating, plumbing parts-and-pieces, it starts adding up quick. $600 for gear for 300g would require some extreme bargain-basement shopping and settling for some things that would undoubtedly be of questionable quality.
Then there's the natural elements . . . LR and substrate. I'd agree that collecting your own would not only push local ordinances, may be ethically/morally questionable, but wouldn't necessarily be all that much cheaper, purely on logistics. You'd have to get to the source, which would entail renting a boat (if you don't already own one or have a helpful boatowner friend), and determine how the rock/sand is going to be lifted off the ocean floor and into the vessel (Ever try to dive down 10-15 feet and then bring a 15-20lb rock to the surface?). You'd have to get to the ocean and then get your booty back home . . . all that precious LR and LS would simpy die off (And defeat the entire purpose of your trip) unless you made accomodations to keep it emmersed during transport . . . many, large buckets, and a vehicle with enough room to handle all that.
I think one of the inescapable facts of this hobby is that it does take a big chunk of change. Considering the high cost, skimping on a few (or a lot of) things is risking everything. The Mrs and I are shopping bit-by-bit and very judiciously, but have already come to the conclusion that trying to save some money by not getting quality gear would jeopardize the entire project, and be a waste of all our money, time, and resources.

 

[yeffre kix]

:notsure:

One thing I am trying to figure it is how much of my current equipment I can use with the 300. The light is the biggest thing in question. I have an outer orbit MH with actinic light. the MH are 120 watts each the watt total is 560......
If my 300 was two feet deep, why would that change the dispersal of the light???? Give it is 48" long, the ends of the tank would be darker
:notsure:
You can certinly re-use your current Mh setup but will need to add more light to it. Are you sure the MH's are 120? That seems like an odd wattage. Putting a 48" light over a 96" tank doesnt seem to "bright" to me either. Maybe a nice 36" fixture added to the 48" you have now so you get a decent ammount of lighting all over the tank. (You'll have to pay attention to where the crossbracing is so as not to block the light.)
In my three hundered I had two 36" fixtures with 2 HQI 250w MH. Plus 800 watts VHO and still felt a little more light would be nice.
The utilites in So Cal are outragous. My tank was already costing about $250 a month in electricity.

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by MOPARDWH
If this method was accurate, you could have a 300g for under $2K depending on how much transportation cost you, boat rental, or whatever. ...

Lighting ALONE will cost you more than that.... Heck, bulbs will probably run you close half that...

 

[rykna]

:notsure:
Originally Posted by Rykna
One thing I am trying to figure it is how much of my current equipment I can use with the 300. The light is the biggest thing in question. I have an outer orbit MH with actinic light. the MH are 120 watts each the watt total is 560......
If my 300 was two feet deep, why would that change the dispersal of the light???? Give it is 48" long, the ends of the tank would be darker
:notsure:
You can certinly re-use your curre
In my three hundered I had two 36" fixtures
48" 560 watt: 2-150 watt HQI; 2-130 watt 6 there we go that's the right wattage...why didn't I think of that!!!!! that's and awesome idea.....just add some T-5 compacts on the ends.....or even smallhalides. Thanks Yeffre you rock!!!!

That would also allow me more options for timers and when the lights are on too!!!! :happyfish

 

[acrylic51]

Depends how crazy and involved you'd like to get with your setup.......Skimmer wise for a tank that size and alot depends on your goal of what you want to keep as well....Skimmer would easily set you back $400-$600....If your looking at EuroReef or a nice beckett keep the wallet open.......
Lighting is a big expense......MH in the 250W range would be very good.....you could use your existing lighting as suggested, but not really sure what you'd gain by stuffing T5's over the ends.....I honestly think you'll find you have really noticeable shadows on the ends of the tank.....
Pumps will set you back a good bit, but depending on quality of pump you want to use will dictate the price as well......
LiveRock will eat you out of the house.......I'd look at rock a little less denser than Fiji......Something light weight and keep in mind that you don't have to pack a tank full of rock......

 

[rykna]

One way I have found to cut down on rock is to buy reef bones and put them in with your live rock and watch them come to life!!!!! I've made over 50 dollars doing that. I've been thinking about building the tank myself. I've been looking over some of the threads regarding the subject and I like the designs. The store bought tanks are so flimsy. One of the threads showed how to build a 220 gallon for 500 bucks. I'm thinking of building it as a room devider. Problem is I don't think Our floor can hold it. I'm guessing it will have to go in the basement. hmmmmmmm 300x3=2400lbs+ 200lbs live sand +300 lbs live rock.......and salt water weighs more than fresh water per pound.....so thats at least 3500 lbs....hmmmmmmmmm.