How do you manage your tank on a tight budget?

[corosato]

when I figure out what the budget ended up being I will let you know.

 

[Paul B]

I had my "reef" tank when I was an apprentice electrician bringing home $54.00 a week in the early 70s. It was fish only because they didn't sell any corals then but I had to split dinner between my fish and my wife.

My wife got most of the food but she frowned on worms.

 

[Tamberav]

I am not on a tight budget anymore but when I was.. used equipment, cheap tanks (deep blue/petco), used stands, used everything almost… then instant ocean salt when it’s on sale and 2 part.

I bought a used reef octo regal skimmer for $100 many years ago and it’s still doing its job today.

Bought a used eheim return and ran it 8 years before changing to something controllable.

Buy corals from locals.

 

[Faurek]

Unemployed right now, have a 3.5g, Chinese hob and two AliExpress pumps. Have native macroalgae caught by me, rocks collected by me, shrimp collected by me, only buy corals and want to make an old school looking tank anyway, so corals are cheap to begin with.
Light made by myself, branded lights suck anyway.
All material came around 50 euros, this is material only.

 

[DIYreefer]

Buy used, DIY whatever I can, and sell frags to offset the cost of the hobby. This is what I do.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

If you eat less you have more money for reef tank supplies!

 

[rudie]

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.

Knowledge, elbow grease, thinking outside the box and patience are the first things that come to mind.

We recently set up a 125g with a 30g sump. Including sand, salt and live rock were I to it for about $700, could have been 600 if my butter fingers had t caused our first set of lights to go for a swim lol. We don’t run what some do like a skimmer or Rodi for example but found ways around those items by talking to old time reefers.

Marketplace, building your own parts like light stands, doing your own plumbing, etc. biggest thing I’d say is patience on waiting for the right deal to surface

 

[PharmrJohn]

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.

I did my 90g low budget. I frequented SMALL stores that gave great prices on pretty much everything. I'd drive 90 minutes to one such business. The store looked ROUGH, but it was great. Also, I bought equipment used. GOOD equipment. Not junk.

 

[smallcrpt]

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.

Ha yes! I did the same thing, I was at an Amazon return store, I got like 20 rolls I've been using for my diy 3d printed roller mat!

 

[skey44]

Somebody in the budget thread please help me reel in my intrusive non-budget oriented thoughts!!!
I was planning on a budget 40 breeder as a secondary grow out system for my Infinia frag and now I’m wanting a UNS R90
Im not trying to spend like that on a second system, but dang that R90 seems to have everything. Those mitered corners and aesthetics of the stand plumbing and sump are fire. I wonder if they run on sale?

 

[PharmrJohn]

Somebody in the budget thread please help me reel in my intrusive non-budget oriented thoughts!!!
I was planning on a budget 40 breeder as a secondary grow out system for my Infinia frag and now I’m wanting a UNS R90
Im not trying to spend like that on a second system, but dang that R90 seems to have everything. Those mitered corners and aesthetics of the stand plumbing and sump are fire. I wonder if they run on sale?

Sorry, but it's too late. You already like it!

 

[gbroadbridge]

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.

My kids expect an inheritance? lol - dreaming.