How many of us have a budget setup for reefing?

[The Farmer]

How many of us have a budget setup for reef maintenance or new purchase?
there are a few choices,
pick one and and let us know the thought process it took to decide on a budget.
i have a small savings account setup for my reef, beside the maintenance it keeps growing for a future tank upgrade.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Everything I buy is either used or discounted / sale / from other reefers. Tank 80-90g corner overflow had to trade corals for , sump traded a YT I got for cheap before ban (was sick and healed it). Bought orphek or3 used / aquamax 1.5 hob skimmer.selling coral / chaeto helps me buy food / dosing

 

[The Farmer]

I second buying used, but the moment I find something it’s sold already. It’s frustrating some times!! Lol

 

[sfin52]

I trade corals for different corals or equipment.

 

[MillennialReefer]

I chose other, although my answers seems like more of a savings account mixed with an impulse lol. Whatever is left after all my obligations and social life have been paid for I contribute to my reef. It helps me reduce my impulse to buy things I don't need and limit my spending.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I just budget in my head. Do I really need something? No, do not get it. Is it required for health, sure get it. When it comes to live sales, I will go over budget sometimes. Currently, not looking for any new corals or animals. I am sure that will change soon enough.
Key is never let my significant other know the cost. Luckily, he never asks.

 

[Captain Redbeard]

I dont specifically assign funds for reefing, as I have too many hobbies and interests to segregate funds that way.

I simply add a line for "toys' in my monthly and annual budget, and it is my discretion to spend it accordingly. It is applied to any and all items/hobbies/toys outside of previously calculated expenses.

Lately, the vast majority has been going to my overland build for my Subaru. A small percentage to summer toys like new paddle boards etc, and the miniscule remainder toward my current tank build.

 

[Karen00]

I voted "other" because I thought doing a 5g would be inexpensive. Who needs a budget when it's going to be cheap? Boy was I wrong. I think I spent $600 on the first day alone. In relative terms I have probably spent almost as much as the folks with tanks 10x or 100x the size of mine. LOL

Edit: The moral of the story is to have a budget.

 

[shakacuz]

i generally have a "try to spend less than X" mentality. so i try to go the used/cheap route as best i can to justify my initial budget. sometimes i do go over, but by then i had already saved money in other areas.

 

[Unitylover]

I voted "other" because I thought doing a 5g would be inexpensive. Who needs a budget when it's going to be cheap? Boy was I wrong. I think I spent $600 on the first day alone. In relative terms I have probably spent almost as much as the folks with tanks 10x or 100x the size of mine. LOL

Edit: The moral of the story is to have a budget.

$600!?!??!?!!?
I spent like 100 on my 10g. (no livestock included)

 

[The Farmer]

I voted "other" because I thought doing a 5g would be inexpensive. Who needs a budget when it's going to be cheap? Boy was I wrong. I think I spent $600 on the first day alone. In relative terms I have probably spent almost as much as the folks with tanks 10x or 100x the size of mine. LOL

Edit: The moral of the story is to have a budget.

I’m in the process of putting together a frag tank and I understand completely how the total would reached $600 for a 5g.
show us the 5g beauty

 

[Doctorgori]

None, but that’s a great idea

 

[Koh23]

None, i buy what i can, when i can.....

And i cant much, but, its all part of the journey.....

Maybe ill go sitting in front a church after the mass, maybe few coin will drop...

 

[blaxsun]

I'm fortunately at the "maintenance" stage, where I don't really need anything else for my tank. Sure, there's always new gadgets and equipment that one can drool over - but I try to keep my purchases to things that either enhance the reefing experience or reduce overall maintenance.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

B-u-j... nope can't even spell it...

 

[DavidinGA]

Smart used buying is where it's at.

I have a complete 90g setup that cost me like $1k (excluding livestock).

 

[Titleist1964]

I started off with an open wallet, until I realized what it was going to cost. I set up my entire JBJ 20 Cube w/ live rock & live sand from TBS, upgraded the return pump (Mighty Jet), added an ATO, Inkbird controller w/ an Enheim heater, also added some goods from InTank, test kits and a few odds and ends, tools, cleaning, buckets and supplies. Up and running for around what just the Red Sea Max Nano would've cost. I'm loving it, but I'll admit I'm going bigger next year if I really enjoy this. Red Sea, Reefer XL 200, Reefer 170 or the Max E-170. But I'm going to learn on this first.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thats what overtime is for. . LOL

 

[vetteguy53081]

My budget:

 

[Dbichler]

No budget just buy what I want but equipment I usually buy used as my entire setup is now. If I need a major purchase I do ask the wife if it’s alright but that’s about it.