Budget friendly hacks for reef keeping!

[That Crusso Kid]

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!

I'll take your idea and "one up" you;

Befriend other reefers. Be kind, polite, inquisitive and all that stuff that makes it seem like you like them and are thier friend. So much so, that you can entice them to invite you over to see their system(s). Then, while you are there, ask about where the bathroom is and head there. Now, this is the important part; don't actually go to the bathroom. Instead, rush about the house looking for thier office. Once in the office, quickly find their checkbook and credit cards. Put both in your front pant pocket. Return to your "friend" and continue acting all friendly and nice. Leave, head home, and start buying all the reefing gear/fish/corals you like until no more purchases go through. Oh, also make sure not to have anything shipped to your own address. You can get creative with this part.

No need to thank me.


(BTW - this is not my hack. It is something I heard about from guys like @dantimdad , @tbrown , @Lowell Lemon , @Fish Styx , @fishguy242 , @kingranch2003 , @kevgib67 , @Üter , @tharbin , @Slocke , @OrchidMiss , @JoJosReef , @Stang67 , well, basically all of the #Heathens , #Cronies and #Smorgasbord . )

 

[JTP424]

What do you not need that I got?

Love you man :D

 

[Crabs McJones]

Want a giant reef? move to the coast of Australia!
Follow me for more budget friendly hacks

(Kidding aside, this probably is cheaper than setting up a huge reef tank )

 

[TheNative192]

I know it may sound counter intuitive but the best money saving hack is to go with quality gear in the beginning (it can be gently used still) but starting off I spent so much money getting the "cheaper items" and once I realized all the drawbacks and issues that I ran into with them I found that it was better to just go with quality at the start for longevity and success.

The truth is for the most part, one of the largest expenses of the tank will be the fish & corals. As such, getting quality gear gives you a good shot of keeping them alive which prevents you from double spending on new fish & corals when something goes wrong.

 

[BitR0t]

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.

I didn’t realize it was sold for cleaning lol. I’ll have to pay attention next time I’m at the store

 

[GiraffeShepherd]

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.

I second the jebao pumps and wavemakers. I have a DCP8-000 return punp that i got in 2019 and 2 SOW-20 wavemakers in 202. They just had its first cleaning this week (im a slacker, im working on it)

Only hiccup I ever had was the power supply for the return pump failed, but $12 on amazon and it was back in business. Still have a backup new in box that may make its way to my empty 90g when i figure out plumbing a shared sump.

The pump survived the abuse.

 

[Reefer Matt]

So much so, that you can entice them to invite you over to see their system(s). Then, while you are there, ask about where the bathroom is and head there. Now, this is the important part; don't actually go to the bathroom. Instead, rush about the house looking for thier office. Once in the office, quickly find their checkbook and credit cards. Put both in your front pant pocket. Return to your "friend" and continue acting all friendly and nice. Leave, head home, and start buying all the reefing gear/fish/corals you like until no more purchases go through.

Or you can meetup outside of your home. I personally don’t have anyone over anymore (wife had enough), but I have a lot of reefing friends and acquaintances regardless. Gotta use common sense when inviting strangers over though.

 

[CrewePD210]

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

Where I live it is almost impossible to find PURE household ammonia with no additives.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Or you can meetup outside of your home. I personally don’t have anyone over anymore (wife had enough), but I have a lot of reefing friends and acquaintances regardless. Gotta use common sense when inviting strangers over though.

Is this your way of inviting me over to see your system and let me use your bathroom?

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

You don’t need a Radion, Kessil, AI or other high end expensive LED light fixture. There are less expensive LED lights out there that will grow coral just as well.

 

[GiraffeShepherd]

You don’t need a Radion, Kessil, AI or other high end expensive LED light fixture. There are less expensive LED lights out there that will grow coral just as well.

Ive had great success with the chinese black boxes. As long as you do a bit of research you can get a massive bang for your buck.


My best advice for getting started "cheap" is finding someone who is leaving the hobby and buying their whole setup. Thats how i started with a 55g, and then i watched facebook marketplace / craigslist until a 125g popped up. There are deals to be had if one is patient.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Is this your way of inviting me over to see your system and let me use your bathroom?

Lol! Sure! People in the past couldn’t be bothered to drive 1/2 hour to get free coral let alone a couple days just to see my tanks.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Lol! Sure! People in the past couldn’t be bothered to drive 1/2 hour to get free coral let alone a couple days just to see my tanks.

Well, I do see you're located in "The Reef Cave." I'm fairly sure that's located two days from everywhere.

 

[Minifoot77]

Or you can meetup outside of your home. I personally don’t have anyone over anymore (wife had enough), but I have a lot of reefing friends and acquaintances regardless. Gotta use common sense when inviting strangers over though.

Never invite @That Crusso Kid

 

[Minifoot77]

Lol! Sure! People in the past couldn’t be bothered to drive 1/2 hour to get free coral let alone a couple days just to see my tanks.

What is this free coral you speak of? I'll make a trip from northern illinois @JTP424 needs coral too

 

[X-37B]

Budget friendly ato for under $10 for your nanos. No electricity needed. This is my 13g nano that anyone can setup on a budget.
Tanks 5 months old with hang on filter, 12 watt crossflow, heater, and 16hd.
A great way to get started in reefing on a budget. Learn the hobby on this level and you can setup any system in the future.

 

[Waters]

Biggest money saver for me has been making my own ALK (Baking soda) and mixing my own Ca (using BRS Ca packets) rather than buying the bottled stuff.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Biggest money saver - need more nutrients? Just dose skimmer collection cup back into tank or remove collection cup. I also frequently trade/buy from local reefers helps to save a lot of cash

 

[Seeds13]

Budget friendly ato for under $10 for your nanos. No electricity needed. This is my 13g nano that anyone can setup on a budget.
Tanks 5 months old with hang on filter, 12 watt crossflow, heater, and 16hd.
A great way to get started in reefing on a budget. Learn the hobby on this level and you can setup any system in the future.

Do you think I need a crossflow in a 6 gallon with only a Duncan and a war coral? I haven’t set it up yet but I was going to model everything you have minus the crossflow.

 

[dangles]

Can the mod who deleted my post please DM me. I'd like to discuss it with you. Thanks.