I’m so broke and broken.

[greetl01]

The nickel and diming of this hobby....why did no one warn me???? “$300 is all u need” they said. Then when U research u find out about sumps and refuges $200 lights?????? I only have a 29 gallon and have spent well over $1000. The least amount was spent on the tank and stand and doesn’t include the frikkin actual fish! Medications. Bacteria boost. Ammonia. Refractor. Tests. Lights. Media. RODI. Buckets. adapters. Drip lines. Net. syphon. Sand. Salt. monitors. dry rock. Power heads. Auto top off. quarantine tank. All separate crap for that. filter. Heater. TDS meter. Then one day you look up and realize you’ve spent $1000, when your budget was $500, but now you’re at the point of no return and you’re still not done! and then you think about the upgrades u told yourself U were going to do. For the love of god, when will the bleeding stop???? and I don’t have one single fish to look at. I’m about to lose it. U all must be rich bc I’ve only “splurged” on one power head and the heater. The rest is mid/bottom tier stuff. My spirit is broken. And I’ve flooded. And also almost been electrocuted. Twice. And I’m ashamed to admit this anywhere else bc I know only ppl here will understand my pain. Now I’m going to turn my lights out and cry in the dark

 

[BTimms]

LoL...I feel your pain.

The worst is seeing the variations in prices for, supplies, fish and coral between shops. And realizing who is trying to rip you off vs those whom actually care.

My advice is take it slow, spread out the spending over time. And find a trustworthy properly priced supplier. And most of all, sit back and enjoy your aquarium.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Hey man, cheer up! I know is hard when you’re not financially good. I have seen a documentary where drug addicts spent close 1k daily. I am not loaded but to me, I don’t smoke or drink, that’s easily $300-$500 monthly right there.

I have 3 tanks and literally just spent $357 on an order of corals!

lastly, try to buy pre owned stuffs to including corals. I do that 90% of the time. You will save some much and no tax.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Also, prob the worse time to get into this hobby as everything soar to roof, fish, corals you name it. But just take it slow, and bare with it. This hobby can be a life long journey

 

[JumboShrimp]

First, I won’t insult you by arguing that you are wrong; you are correct. But take a breath, and take stock of the situation. Get some fish going— LIFE— even if it’s a Yellowtail Damsel, and feel that jolt of satisfaction. Then step off the treadmill for a while. Remember, so much is a state of bells-and-whistles. Tank + clean water (cycled) + air + simple filtration = ready to enjoy a fish!

 

[ryboy707]

Welcome to the hobby, sorry you’re feeling overwhelmed. One of the things I learned is to get all the equipment first before ever putting water in a tank. That way you can spread the cost out over time.

 

[AviR]

Whoever told you 300$ was a complete and utter dumb*ss. This hobby is not cheap and whoever tries to convince themselves or someone else of this shouldn’t be in it. I’m sorry man for someone doing that to you

 

[DinoMagnet]

Don’t beat yourself up it’s not that deep. No we are not all rich. It’s expensive if you want all the bells and whistles from the start. Take it slowly you will get there.

 

[Acros]

I saw a YouTube video that said it costs only $200 to setup a salt water tank.

Here I am having spent $2000 in last 6 month on setup and equipment for a 29g with 10g sump.

 

[theMeat]

Maybe not what you want to hear, and I hear you, and not saying this hobby is cheap. But if you’re smart about it and don’t want or need the latest and greatest it’s not that bad. Especially if you’re willing to wait for good deals to pop up, and they do. So many ppl get into the hobby, buy all the latest and greatest, then a year later are getting out of hobby and selling all their stuff.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I saw a YouTube video that said it took one $200 to setup a salt water tank.

Here I am having spent $2000 in last 6 month on setup and equipment for a 29g with 10g sump.

Hahah I got my second FREE and spent over $1000 on USED lights, sand and rocks! Tell me about it.

 

[greetl01]

I saw a YouTube video that said it costs only $200 to setup a salt water tank.

Here I am having spent $2000 in last 6 month on setup and equipment for a 29g with 10g sump.

He did us so dirty. And I’ve probably spent that much too but I was too shamed to admit it. LOLLLL!!!! technically over $1000 is $2000. I think we’re almost there tho, right? RIGHT??????

 

[DinoMagnet]

Plus if this is your first tank start off slow just because you invest tons of
Money doesn’t mean it’s going to thrive. It can crash just as hard. Keep your chin up man

 

[RobB'z Reef]

You should have done your due diligence before jumping in, that's all on you. That being said welcome to the hobby! If you're willing to continue, lots of sharp people here that can help you be successful and frugal at the same time!

 

[greetl01]

Plus if this is your first tank start off slow just because you invest tons of
Money doesn’t mean it’s going to thrive. It can crash just as hard. Keep your chin up man

LMBOOOOO sir! You’re not helping!

 

[greetl01]

You should have done your due diligence before jumping in, that's all on you. That being said welcome to the hobby! If you're willing to continue, lots of sharp people here that can help you be successful and frugal at the same time!

Thanks, captain obvious. Good thing you’re here to inform me of these things.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I read somewhere, a bit tongue-in-cheek, that asking the question ‘Can I afford a saltwater fish tank?’ can be answered best by asking, ‘Can I afford a sports car?’

Lol.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

Thanks, captain obvious. Good thing you’re here to inform me of these things.

Glad I could help!

 

[Viking_Reefing]

Yeah, that’s the way it goes.
People saying that this can be done (properly) on a limited budget is a pet peeve of mine.
It would be better if we were honest with beginners that this is a crushingly demanding and fairly expensive hobby.
That way people would enter it knowing what they are getting them self’s in to.

Sure, a dinky 20g with a few soft corals clinging on to life could be done without much funds but NO ONE aspires to that when entering the hobby.

 

[blasterman]

A smaller tank can be operated for well less than $1000. Its the auto nonsense you guys insist on and exorborant price for fish.

I keep a minimum of cheaper fish and dont bust my budget on gear trying to export the waste.