Budget friendly hacks for reef keeping!

[revhtree Verified Admin]

And before you say it…..NOT setting up a tank is not a money saving hack!

Let’s hear those tips, tricks and hacks that you have found that will save some money setting up or maintaining a reef aquarium!

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Coming here for advice and knowledge! IT's been a bedrock for me! Otherwise I would be one of those people who by all the stuff just based on marketing advice!

 

[exnisstech]

Don't spend money on ammonia and nitrite testing or speedy cycling methods in a bottle. I've cycled every tank I have, currently 5 by only using household ammonia with no additives. Once nitrate is present I slowly move forward. In addition to saving money its less frustrating because I don't waste time fretting and wondering if a cycle has stalled, which IMO doesn't really happen but testing ammonia and nitrite gives people the illusion that it does.

PS I'm also a big fan of live rock. It can help reduce or even prevent the ugly stage so again less frustration. I think too often people get frustrated and quite over things that could have been avoided or at least managed.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Buying used can be a way to save money on bigger purchases. Just always make sure you know the condition of something before you buy it

 

[Matt L]

I have a series started for this as well. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to come to you, be proactive and ask around. But if you want to save a lot of money on reefing, make friends! A solo Reefer will always pay more. Get out, network, and enjoy the hobby!

 

[LPS Bum]

I’ve found some of the lower priced wave makers and dosers from Hygger and Jebao to be a nice money saving option. I also use kalk and homemade soda ash to save money on supplements. But then I buy overpriced fish and corals and it more than wipes out what I saved using the above items.

 

[Rocks reef]

I’ve found some of the lower priced wave makers and dosers from Hygger and Jebao to be a nice money saving option. I also use kalk and homemade soda ash to save money on supplements. But then I buy overpriced fish and corals and it more than wipes out what I saved using the above items.

Good point on overpriced coral with a fancy name. Corals don't have to be named to be colorful, beautiful or stunning. Shop around and get what catches your eye!

 

[Rocks reef]

I have a series started for this as well. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to come to you, be proactive and ask around. But if you want to save a lot of money on reefing, make friends! A solo Reefer will always pay more. Get out, network, and enjoy the hobby!

This is so true. Having friends that have a reef tank and buying or trading with them will save a bunch of money!

 

[BitR0t]

Don't spend money on ammonia and nitrite testing or speedy cycling methods in a bottle. I've cycled every tank I have, currently 5 by only using household ammonia with no additives. Once nitrate is present I slowly move forward. In addition to saving money its less frustrating because I don't waste time fretting amd wondering if a cycle has stalled, which IMO doesn't really happen but testing ammonia and nitrite gives people the illusion that it does.

PS I'm also a big fan of live rock. It can help reduce or even prevent the ugly stage so again less frustration. I think too often people get frustrated and quite over things that could have been avoided or at least managed.

What is household ammonia? I bought fishless fuel, it was cheap but man no idea what I am going to do with this bottle that is still 98% full lol.

 

[DEE’S reef]

Buying the bulk of things used like tanks and sumps. But also having people to guide and help you through the process because if a family member didn’t help me out I would probably have spent double on the initial setup.

 

[Rocks reef]

Just because some of the big name "reef" stores carry an item and mark it up with the reef tax, there are usually great alternatives that work better! For example, if you have a CO2 scrubber, don't buy from the big name places. Do a Google search for color changing CO2 absorber and save big bucks. Example, I just bought a 5 gallon bucket for $68. It would have cost over $200 through a "reef store".
Same goes for most reef equipment.

Another example are powerheads. The Jebao DMP-40 may not perform EXACTLY like the MP-40, but you can save a ton of cash and get something pretty similar.

I could go on and on.

 

[Rocks reef]

What is household ammonia? I bought fishless fuel, it was cheap but man no idea what I am going to do with this bottle that is still 98% full lol.

Household ammonia is the ammonia you can buy in grocery stores, etc.

 

[zheka757]

Buy used, buy cheap brands lights, pumps... and if you good with tools and your hands, DIY alot of stuff.
Edit; I know im going to hear different opinions on this.

 

[exnisstech]

What is household ammonia? I bought fishless fuel, it was cheap but man no idea what I am going to do with this bottle that is still 98% full lol.

As Rock stated it's sold for cleaning. Just need to get the kind with no additives like scents or soaps. I had an old bottle left over from my freshwater days. It worked so well cycling them is the reason I decided to try the method on salt water.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Good point on overpriced coral with a fancy name. Corals don't have to be named to be colorful, beautiful or stunning. Shop around and get what catches your eye!

I'm never someone who would focus on the names of corals. I would just focus on what looked cool or not, haha

 

[JTP424]

Karma is real!!! Be friendly, respectful, and offer what you can to others, it'll come back around to you!
The amount of coral/equipment @Minifoot77 has tried to pawn off on me is silly!

 

[Paul B]

Rock is one of the most expensive things in this hobby and I would advise using at least some live rock. But you can make your own rock for practically free. About a quarter of my tank is DIY rock.

Build your own rock for practically free

Make your own rock When the hobby started there was no live rock for sale, as a matter of fact, there wasn’t even dead rock for sale. We used dead, white bleached pieces of coral to decorate our tanks and we bought that in a furniture store...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Stang67]

Aliexpress. Alot of the high$$ big name items are just rebranded repackaged higher $$ Chinese items. Lights, returns, dosers and wavemakers all found for much less direct from china. dont hate the player hate the game.

 

[Minifoot77]

Karma is real!!! Be friendly, respectful, and offer what you can to others, it'll come back around to you!
The amount of coral/equipment @Minifoot77 has tried to pawn off on me is silly!

What do you not need that I got?

 

[Kasrift]

Buy final versions of gear/stuff. For example, don't buy the API master reef testing kit, as someone mentioned just skip and trust bacteria in a bottle or wait a little longer when doing setup. Buying a kit that will be obsolete in a month isn't worth it, so buy Hanna or whatever reagents you trust.

Same goes for other gear. I bought an MP40!for my 32g, it runs low, but I know I can transfer it to my next tank.

Other tip is to figure out what bulk chemicals or mixtures are needed. Reef Primer from Reef roids is KCL and bulk KCL from Amazon is alot cheaper. Same with citric acid from Amazon for pump cleaning, way cheaper than Tunze pump cleaner.