Budget Nano Build

[Bear Claw]

Hey everyone!

This thread is dedicated to proving that you don’t need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to build a beautiful, thriving reef tank and truly enjoy the hobby.

I got into reefing when I was just 11 years old and did 457 hours of manual labor to pay off my tank. Over the past 5 years, I’ve built up a 32-gallon mixed reef tank that I’m really proud of and it took longer than it should have because of poor budgeting, lots of trial and error, and learning everything the hard way.

Now, armed with that experience and all the lessons from my many mistakes, I’m taking on a new challenge:
Build a stunning mixed reef tank with a total budget of $1,000 over the course of a year.

Since this is a budget build, most of the gear and livestock will be second-hand or from fellow hobbyists. I’ll be focusing on value, smart choices, and long-term sustainability.

I’m asking for your help with suggestions for:

• Tank size and specific tanks (within budget)
• Equipment that gives the best bang for the buck
• Stocking ideas (corals, inverts, and fish that are hardy affordable)
• Creative ways to save money

My goal is to inspire others that reefing doesn’t have to be insanely expensive if you’re willing to learn, plan carefully, and enjoy the process.

Thanks for following along! I’m excited to share this journey and prove that anyone at any age can be a part of this incredible hobby with the proper dedication and research.

 

[SandNRocks]

Find a cheap used aio and diy everything. Ive had several nice tanks over the last few years all as cheap as can be. Cheapest being a 5gal nano that was ~$100 including all the livestock. My current 75g maybe cost 1000 for everything
Cheap bowl

Cheap 5.5g $100

Bowl upgrade to $50 used fluval. Plus like $200 for a good light and powerhead

~$300 to add another light and upgrade to used 40g

Free 75g, ~$400 to build stand and buy used sump, add another light, and powerheads/pumps

I diyed all of the plumbing and ato and media basket stuff. All of the livestock was from hobbyists or like $5 frags. Ive maybe spent like $3-400 on coral total? Which isnt too bad considering how many pieces i have lol. Outside of miscellaneous odds and ends, a (relatively) nice tank can be achieved with some elbow grease and not too much money or equipment pretty easily. I also dont use any skimmers or reactors or refugiums or any added parts whatsoever.

 

[Bear Claw]

Find a cheap used aio and diy everything. Ive had several nice tanks over the last few years all as cheap as can be. Cheapest being a 5gal nano that was ~$100 including all the livestock. My current 75g maybe cost 1000 for everything
Cheap bowl

Cheap 5.5g $100

Bowl upgrade to $50 used fluval. Plus like $200 for a good light and powerhead

~$300 to add another light and upgrade to used 40g

Free 75g, ~$400 to build stand and buy used sump, add another light, and powerheads/pumps

I diyed all of the plumbing and ato and media basket stuff. All of the livestock was from hobbyists or like $5 frags. Ive maybe spent like $3-400 on coral total? Which isnt too bad considering how many pieces i have lol. Outside of miscellaneous odds and ends, a (relatively) nice tank can be achieved with some elbow grease and not too much money or equipment pretty easily. I also dont use any skimmers or reactors or refugiums or any added parts whatsoever.

Wow! Those are some beautiful tanks! Where did you find the used supplies? I have been looking on marketplace.

 

[Bear Claw]

I found this on Facebook Marketplace. Does this seem like a good deal and demonstration of a budget aquarium build?

It contains:

-26 gallon rimless tank with a very small intank sump.
-stand
-powerhead (unkown model/brand)
-light (unknown model/brand)

If I purchased this I would most likely get a skimmer, new powerhead, and build a small sump underneath.

 

[SandNRocks]

Yeah thats perfect. Its a perfectly good aio. Doesnt need a sump. All of your cost savings would go out the door with how much time and extra money youd have to invest to drill it and add a sump. If you really want a sump you could just buy a petco tank for $30 and drill that

 

[SandNRocks]

Also with it only being 26 gallons, a 5g water change is ~20% which would be more than sufficient for nutrient control each week. Id do that over a skimmer. Do two water changes if you have to lol. Its such a small tank i wouldn't add the cost, install and setup time, hassle, ongoing maintenance/cleaning, power costs, space requirements of a skimmer. But thats just my opinion

 

[CoralScape.app]

Find a cheap used aio and diy everything. Ive had several nice tanks over the last few years all as cheap as can be. Cheapest being a 5gal nano that was ~$100 including all the livestock. My current 75g maybe cost 1000 for everything
Cheap bowl

Cheap 5.5g $100

Bowl upgrade to $50 used fluval. Plus like $200 for a good light and powerhead

~$300 to add another light and upgrade to used 40g

Free 75g, ~$400 to build stand and buy used sump, add another light, and powerheads/pumps

I diyed all of the plumbing and ato and media basket stuff. All of the livestock was from hobbyists or like $5 frags. Ive maybe spent like $3-400 on coral total? Which isnt too bad considering how many pieces i have lol. Outside of miscellaneous odds and ends, a (relatively) nice tank can be achieved with some elbow grease and not too much money or equipment pretty easily. I also dont use any skimmers or reactors or refugiums or any added parts whatsoever.

cheap builds are some of the best

 

[Bear Claw]

Tank Update...

I set up the 25 gallon system and it is currently cycling. Here are the supplies I used...

Tank: Lifegard
Light: Unknown (will probably upgrade once I add corals.
Powerhead: Unknown AC.
Return Pump: Fluval EVO 13.5 return pump (will upgrade soon).
Sand: Carib Sea special grade.
Rock: Dry white rock.

My stocking guide will be as follows (please leave your opinions or good alternatives for anything listed)...

Fish

• Pair of clownfish, probably storm. (first)
• yellow watchman/ tiger pistol shrimp (second)
• firefish (third)
• starry blenny
• flame hawkfish
• 6 Line Wrasse (last)

CUC

• 10 trocus snails
• 1 fighter conch
• 1 coral banded shrimp
• 4 nassarius snails
• 10 blue legged hermit crabs
• Corcea Clam (yes I know it is not a CUC)

Corals

Mixed reef including... toadstool, acan, acros, zoa garden, gsp island, hammer garden, alvepora, chalice, and more.

All of the stocking is still up in the air. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! As I plan my coral selections I will make a drawing of my plan with the types and corals of the corals. I began cycling the tank 1 week ago. The clownfish will be put in in 2 weeks once they have completed quarantine. I will also be dosing pods into the tank in the next few days in hope I can establish I good colony.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Tank Update...

I set up the 25 gallon system and it is currently cycling. Here are the supplies I used...

Tank: Lifegard
Light: Unknown (will probably upgrade once I add corals.
Powerhead: Unknown AC.
Return Pump: Fluval EVO 13.5 return pump (will upgrade soon).
Sand: Carib Sea special grade.
Rock: Dry white rock.

My stocking guide will be as follows (please leave your opinions or good alternatives for anything listed)...

Fish

• Pair of clownfish, probably storm. (first)
• yellow watchman/ tiger pistol shrimp (second)
• firefish (third)
• starry blenny
• flame hawkfish
• 6 Line Wrasse (last)

CUC

• 10 trocus snails
• 1 fighter conch
• 1 coral banded shrimp
• 4 nassarius snails
• 10 blue legged hermit crabs
• Corcea Clam (yes I know it is not a CUC)

Corals

Mixed reef including... toadstool, acan, acros, zoa garden, gsp island, hammer garden, alvepora, chalice, and more.

All of the stocking is still up in the air. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! As I plan my coral selections I will make a drawing of my plan with the types and corals of the corals. I began cycling the tank 1 week ago. The clownfish will be put in in 2 weeks once they have completed quarantine. I will also be dosing pods into the tank in the next few days in hope I can establish I good colony.

Personally, I would drop the six-line and stick with the other six fish. Seven fish is pushing it for stocking limits, and a six-line can be aggressive too.

 

[Bear Claw]

Update…

I seeded my tank with Copepods to establish a colony pre fish. I have also been feeding phyto and a few small pellets every few days to help the colony and cycling.

I decided my first addition to the tank is going to be a firefish. It will be done quarantining 2 weeks from tomorrow. I think it will give me some time to plan if I want to transfer my clown from my display and get a mate for him or get a pair separately.

I have found that the light that came with the tank is a Smatfarm. If anyone knows if you can grow sps under it or if I should upgrade to a prime of kessil that would be great.

Here is a picture of the tank fully set up.

 

[ZC aquatics]

Nice build!