$6000.00 to spend

[Pruett-nc]

P.S. welcome aboard

 

[d2mini]

The Red Sea tanks are nice, but pricey IMO.

The reason I recommend them (i had mentioned the Reefer Series, but the Max S is nice too since it includes even more) is because they are truly setup like the average reef tank that many of us would build from scratch.
It's a real good system to learn from. Start with the smaller one, learn what it takes to run a successful reef tank, then down the road either upgrade to a larger one or take what you've learned and build your dream tank from scratch.
If something like this was available when I first got into reefing I would have jumped on it. I almost went with one for my latest tank, they just didn't have the dimension I was looking for.
Yes, they cost a bit more but you're paying for the convenience and ease of setup. Not to mention it's pretty nice equipment. You get a modern, rimless, low iron glass tank, modern stand, quiet drain plumbing with emergency drain... all the OP has to add is his choice of lighting, skimmer and return pump and he's got a pro setup with none of the headaches.
Considering what you get, I don't find it all the pricey.
Plus you've got a single company standing behind the majority of your setup.

It really all depends on how handy the OP is and how much work/time they want to put into their first setup.
Either option works.

Now if you want a pricey all-in-one, go for one of the Elos setups. ;)
3k for a 75g complete with everything except lighting.
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/shop-by-brand/elos/elos-system-100-aquarium

 

[happyhourhero]

******* and Blow would be a much better investment.

 

[Oldreefer44]

Agree, but save them until after the first crash.

 

[shadow1013]

Here is one I priced together a bit ago. I think I'd get the 425XL instead of the 350, they are the same size but the 425 is deeper. I'd also add another MP40. And I also made this list before the new Apex came out so I'd adjust that too. I'm sure pricing has changed a bit so the end result may vary but I think this should help with a good starting point.

 

[Bunnee911]

Howdy

 

[sawdonkey]

Here is one I priced together a bit ago. I think I'd get the 425XL instead of the 350, they are the same size but the 425 is deeper. I'd also add another MP40. And I also made this list before the new Apex came out so I'd adjust that too. I'm sure pricing has changed a bit so the end result may vary but I think this should help with a good starting point.

This is a nice list, but I'd do it for half of that with some sacrifices. I'd buy a used 180 or 220 for < $800, I'd go black box on the lights (about $600-800), and I'd get a reef keeper Jr just to control my heaters (less than $150). You can also save a lot of money with the Chinese return pumps and wave makers. Ideally, I'd get a tank with no overflows and install a reef synergy overflows.

Your list is a great list, but I'm a not really into the gear as much as I am about what's in the tank. It's an expensive hobby no matter what, but you can save quite a bit of cash and still have a great tank, even without the most expensive gear.

 

[Frop]

Primary thing is avoiding a tank crash. Since there is one YouTuber who literally lost basically her entire tank overnight.



Other than that it's your money.

I make $13/hr. For me, 6k is literally the downpayment for my house. A 6k loss is something that would haunt me my entire life if it was on a fishtank.

I'm running a 15 gallon setup. Probably will spend 200-600 dollars on this tank to call it complete. After 1 year I plan to have upgraded to a 60 gallon setup. Probably a minimum of $600 (going to DIY refugium and eBay used gear). Then I'll use the 15 gallon to keep frags or as a quarantine tank. If not I'll gift it to my dad if he wanted to have a saltwater tank (he has 2 freshwater planted tanks).