How do you manage your tank on a tight budget?

WhatCouldGoWrong71

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I know some of us on here love our reef tanks but might not have a lot of money to dump into it. I am wondering how are you managing your reef tank on a tighter budget? Are you having to cut corners in areas your normally wouldn't? Maybe you are trying to not buy as much livestock/coral for your tank.
Get a divorce. Stop drinking. Buy rawhide treats for the pups. Move closer to work.
 

Hats_

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Preparation, planning, and budgeting. You'll be surprised how much you can save buying in bulk or mixing your own 2 part and traces
this, i once spent an entire afternoon comparing different methods and calculating how much it all costs per dkh. was really worth it, eventually I settled on allforreef powder form and I go through about 2 pots of 1600 grams per year which runs be a little under 100€ per year
 

salinity now

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Preparation, planning, and budgeting. You'll be surprised how much you can save buying in bulk or mixing your own 2 part and traces
One thing about low budget reefing is you learn very fast. I start at the very bottom with frags. It breaks my heart when one shrinks and dies. I educate myself and try again when the problem is solved.
 

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I can assure you (after reefing for 20 years) that the hobby is only as expensive as someone wants to make it. Our tanks do not need all fancy gadgets promoted today by the "corporate reefing machine (lol)". A simple tank with sand, rock, hob filter, powerhead, heater cheap light, and IO salt is perfectly fine for a beautiful softy/lps tank.
 

WhatCouldGoWrong71

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I can assure you (after reefing for 20 years) that the hobby is only as expensive as someone wants to make it. Our tanks do not need all fancy gadgets promoted today by the "corporate reefing machine (lol)". A simple tank with sand, rock, hob filter, powerhead, heater cheap light, and IO salt is perfectly fine for a beautiful softy/lps tank.
If you were doing a softy tank and hooked up a AWC and did weekly 50% water changes (or manually) you could get away with really only needing filter floss in an AIO tank. No dosing, no skimming, etc etc. Just export out all the waste via water change and the water changes will replenish missing or low perimeters. I think that will be my plan for when I want to remove the remaining non SPS from my mixed reef. One system that fully donated to the corporate machine. And one system that is about as dumbed down as you can get.
 
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I always buy the cheapest option first. Sometimes it works for a while, sometimes I have to rebuy it or find a better alternative. But I have no product loyalty.
This is kind of my stance on buying stuff. I don’t have to have the “top brand” if I k ow something is cheaper but it still works just as good, I’ll pick the cheaper option.
 

WhatCouldGoWrong71

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This is kind of my stance on buying stuff. I don’t have to have the “top brand” if I k ow something is cheaper but it still works just as good, I’ll pick the cheaper option.
I started with this route and wound up spending more. I shifted to top shelf gear that was used. You would be surprised how inexpensive you can get gear. The lighting system on my new tank consists of 8 XR30s, 4 halides and T5s. I have about 40 extra t5 bulbs and 16 extra se halide bulbs for the rack. Excluding the 80/20 rack I made, I bet I spent $0.30 on the dollar if you averaged the entire cost of all the hardware compared to buying brand new.

Lot took me a solid year buying and collecting gear for my current build. The BRS liquidation sales helped a lot too I have to admit. I never would have spent $2k on a skimmer. But would I buy it for 65% off, hell yeah. I bought a ton of poop when they did that. Part of reefing. On a budget is also being patient like we have to be with our tanks generally speaking. I started my build with Joe in November of ‘23. My tanks been running for about 7 weeks now. For me, this hobby is the complete break from my 9-5 that helps restore my sanity on a daily basis. Many don’t understand, but those who get it, get it. Happy reefing MoFos, Chris.
 

salinity now

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If you were doing a softy tank and hooked up a AWC and did weekly 50% water changes (or manually) you could get away with really only needing filter floss in an AIO tank. No dosing, no skimming, etc etc. Just export out all the waste via water change and the water changes will replenish missing or low perimeters. I think that will be my plan for when I want to remove the remaining non SPS from my mixed reef. One system that fully donated to the corporate machine. And one system that is about as dumbed down as you can get.
I do 10 gallons a week on my 75 vacuum the sand. Just a regular behind the tank filter, so if I f I can't get it down so be it.
 

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I have 2 kids now. 2nd daycare bill sucks. Made the decision to swap my 2022 gmc canyon AT4 (owed 17k still), for a 2021 kia forte. Now I'm not paying $400 a month for a car (I'm now paying NOTHING :) ). Also I only pay about $40 a month on gas now. I kept telling myself initially...(Phil you need this truck its awesome...we have snowy winters...you go hunting in horrible muddy spots...blah blah). crap...I stepped back and realized I'd rather have money for reefing, I enjoy the hobby and would rather put money into it then a vehicle. Best decision I've made in awhile.
 

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In the 80s every LFS I visited displayed live rock with CUC and soft corals as reef tanks. Don’t need Sticks to have an official reef tank.

Less water changes. Less equipment needed such as skimmers and sumps and roller mats and controllers and probes and less PAR. Less ICP testing. Less consumption of elements. Less tinkering to get pH above 7.8. Less concern about having too many fish. Less is more.

Can be as simple as an undergravel filter with cheap lights and if you want to get fancy then drive that undergravel filter with a canister and polish the water with the occasional gravel stirring to get detritus moved and decomposition will leave you with nitrates you can solve with carbon dosing and no dosing pump needed. Skirt some every night and be done with it.
 

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I typically result to a fair bit of DIY and keeping it simple in many other respects.

I 3D print a bunch of parts including a currently worked on 'lid mounted' wavemaker based off my Pico aquariums DC pump / filter.

Light too is custom. On my Flex I have a 21 LED setup running at around 17W which runs through a own designed circuit board.

Ultimately it isn't the cheapness that draws me to do this stuff. It's having the creative control.
 
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I started with this route and wound up spending more. I shifted to top shelf gear that was used. You would be surprised how inexpensive you can get gear. The lighting system on my new tank consists of 8 XR30s, 4 halides and T5s. I have about 40 extra t5 bulbs and 16 extra se halide bulbs for the rack. Excluding the 80/20 rack I made, I bet I spent $0.30 on the dollar if you averaged the entire cost of all the hardware compared to buying brand new.

Lot took me a solid year buying and collecting gear for my current build. The BRS liquidation sales helped a lot too I have to admit. I never would have spent $2k on a skimmer. But would I buy it for 65% off, hell yeah. I bought a ton of poop when they did that. Part of reefing. On a budget is also being patient like we have to be with our tanks generally speaking. I started my build with Joe in November of ‘23. My tanks been running for about 7 weeks now. For me, this hobby is the complete break from my 9-5 that helps restore my sanity on a daily basis. Many don’t understand, but those who get it, get it. Happy reefing MoFos, Chris.
Waiting for sales is one of the best ways I've gotten equipment. If it is something I don't need, I'll wait for a sale, and get it when its much cheaper
 

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Create the reef that fits your budget and can be maintained relatively cheap. When I was young, I was on a very tight budget. But all you really need is water changes, easy corals, few clownfishes, used powerheads/return pumps and a heater. That's about it. Softies will grow like weeds. This can be done very cost effectively. Don't expect to have a big tank on a tight budget, keep it small and easy to maintain. I think a 40 gallon will bring as much joy and awesomeness...yes, your coral/fish selection will be limited, but I've seen mind blowing smaller tanks that blows away any big tank I've seen.

Big tanks have better stability, but it will also cost way more than a smaller tank just in bigger equipment, salt, water, etc. to run it. And if you want to run a SPS tank, then that is another level in cost as they need really stable parameters compared to softies/LPS.
 

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Honestly when I've been on a tight budget here's what I've done and it's worked well.

1) don't skimp on the tank. Get the best tank you can in the smallest size you realistically would want. I really like UNS tanks. If you like the tank you're more likely to like what's in it. Also get good flow and good lighting from the start. Lots of good options out there - they don't have to be named brand.

2) resist the urge to buy livestock. Since this is easily the most expensive part just don't buy unplanned stuff. Buy corals that grow quick and let them grow. Macro algae are wonderful additions. They add color, absorb nutrients, and usually they're cheap. Find frag swaps, bring only cash lol.

3). Maintain your tank religiously so nothing dies or gets sick. Because that stuff leads to unplanned expenses which add up quick.
 

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I know some of us on here love our reef tanks but might not have a lot of money to dump into it. I am wondering how are you managing your reef tank on a tighter budget? Are you having to cut corners in areas your normally wouldn't? Maybe you are trying to not buy as much livestock/coral for your tank.
Livestock is all it really is. I always find the best sales on fish, and never spend any more than $40 on a coral.
 

skey44

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It’s been pretty much out the window so far. I did buy a used light and wait for things to go on sale when I can though. Stocked up on salt and dosing products on Black Friday.

Currently wanting some sandbed corals. Trachy and acantho are on the list. Those don’t come cheap.

Ultimately this is not a budget friendly IME bc I go deep. I do that with pretty much any hobby though.
 

vlangel

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I can assure you (after reefing for 20 years) that the hobby is only as expensive as someone wants to make it. Our tanks do not need all fancy gadgets promoted today by the "corporate reefing machine (lol)". A simple tank with sand, rock, hob filter, powerhead, heater cheap light, and IO salt is perfectly fine for a beautiful softy/lps tank.
^This is also my philosophy. I have had a reef for 25 years and my current tank is sand, rock, powerhead, heater reasonably priced light. Also I do have a sump that I installed when I had seahorses but sometimes I think of taking the HOB overflow off and going back to an AIO.
One can get started in the hobby without breaking the bank by buying out a reef keeper that is leaving the hobby and just wants their tank gone. That way you can keep what you want and resale the rest.
 

Unitylover

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My mom is a nurse, so instead of filter media I can use sterile medical foam.
I also get cheaper simple stuff. Heater, filter, etc.
All work fine.
I also buy smaller bottles if needed.
 

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