Sure adds up

JTL · 10/23/2017, 09:01 AM

When I got back into the hobby a few months ago after a 3 year hiatus I decided to keep track of all of my expense, live stock purchases and params. I just hit the $7000 mark. This includes about $1500 in corals. I built my own stand and shopped sales and bargains but purchased everything new. I don't have expensive high end hardware, my lights are Photon V2, my return pump is a Jebao, I don't have a controller. If I had gone upscale with say a Red Sea 450 which is almost identical to what I put together and added a higher end pump and lights I would be at $10,000 for a 100g tank with a 50g sump. The little things, like test kits, small mixing and reactor pumps, rock, sand, media, ro filters cost more than one sometimes thinks. The good news barring a tank crash I have a very short list of purchases, only a couple of fish and of course the ongoing supplies.

Dmorty217 · 10/23/2017, 09:06 AM

This hobby isn't for the faint of heart or a light wallet. I don't keep track of what I have spent since it would just be disappointing to know the tens of thousands of dollars I have spent.

MrsReefK · 10/23/2017, 09:58 AM

I'm so happy we didn't keep track with our build (total water volume 625 g). It is definitely a hobby that's not nice to the pocketbook.

You're right, sure adds up!

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sde1500 · 10/23/2017, 10:12 AM

Congrats! lol

I refuse to add things up, ignorance is bliss

JTL · 10/23/2017, 10:14 AM

I have had many tanks over the years and never kept track of all of the incidentals. I could remember the costs of the big things but when I decided to keep detailed records this time I was surprised at how much the little things added to the overall cost. For example the basic tank, stand, sump, return pump, lights, sand, rock and skimmer amounts to $3000, what I consider the basic stuff, the other $4000 is everything else, including corals. I am not complaining I went in knowing I was going to spend at least this much and to me it is worth it. I know I could have saved money going used but I like new.

Ron Reefman · 10/24/2017, 04:27 AM

Well, I've had 4 tanks for about 6 or 7 years now and I'm scaling back to 2 at the most due to a 1hp chiller killing $400+ in livestock and $1000+ in sps corals.

10/23/2017, 09:01 AM	#1
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	Sure adds up When I got back into the hobby a few months ago after a 3 year hiatus I decided to keep track of all of my expense, live stock purchases and params. I just hit the $7000 mark. This includes about $1500 in corals. I built my own stand and shopped sales and bargains but purchased everything new. I don't have expensive high end hardware, my lights are Photon V2, my return pump is a Jebao, I don't have a controller. If I had gone upscale with say a Red Sea 450 which is almost identical to what I put together and added a higher end pump and lights I would be at $10,000 for a 100g tank with a 50g sump. The little things, like test kits, small mixing and reactor pumps, rock, sand, media, ro filters cost more than one sometimes thinks. The good news barring a tank crash I have a very short list of purchases, only a couple of fish and of course the ongoing supplies. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

10/23/2017, 09:06 AM	#2
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	This hobby isn't for the faint of heart or a light wallet. I don't keep track of what I have spent since it would just be disappointing to know the tens of thousands of dollars I have spent. __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

10/23/2017, 10:12 AM	#4
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Congrats! lol I refuse to add things up, ignorance is bliss __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

10/23/2017, 10:14 AM	#5
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	I have had many tanks over the years and never kept track of all of the incidentals. I could remember the costs of the big things but when I decided to keep detailed records this time I was surprised at how much the little things added to the overall cost. For example the basic tank, stand, sump, return pump, lights, sand, rock and skimmer amounts to $3000, what I consider the basic stuff, the other $4000 is everything else, including corals. I am not complaining I went in knowing I was going to spend at least this much and to me it is worth it. I know I could have saved money going used but I like new. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

10/24/2017, 04:27 AM	#6
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Well, I've had 4 tanks for about 6 or 7 years now and I'm scaling back to 2 at the most due to a 1hp chiller killing $400+ in livestock and $1000+ in sps corals. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

10/23/2017, 09:58 AM	#3
MrsReefK Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 981	I'm so happy we didn't keep track with our build (total water volume 625 g). It is definitely a hobby that's not nice to the pocketbook. You're right, sure adds up! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk