Hey everyone! I started this build late last week and thought I would post as I will be working on it for a while. First time keeping saltwater fish so hopefully this build is as much of an adventure for you as it is for me. A little background on the build; I have always wanted a picturesque reef tank but have never had the time or funds. After countless hours of research and a few last minute decisions, I have decided to move forward and attempt to build the tank I want while keeping a relativity tight lid on time and money commitment. I will be making it a point to keep track of all dollars spent, my decision process, as well as tracking my full experience as a first timer in the hobby(for myself mostly). I have outlined my initial budget, goals, and plans below. I will update as often as I can and hopefully in year be happy with the results. Any insights or questions are appreciated!
Budget:
When looking at reef tanks similar to what I want, many builds were in the $10,000 range before year two, which is simply not an option for me. My plans are to leverage the used market, DIY, and make smart corner cutting choices to deliver an ideal reefing experience with less funds and time committed. I am setting a goal to spend less than $3000 total over the 1st 2 years in the hobby. Not including water and electricity. I am sure a 55gallon reef build can be had for less, but this amount should allow me to have a tank I can be proud of for years to come.
Goals+Timeline:
My main goal is to have a flourishing and fully stocked tank by the 1 year mark, with significantly grown in corals and a light maintenance schedule. To me this means full capacity on fish (10+), more than half the rocks filled with coral, and spending less than 4 hours a week maintaining the tank. I would also like the build to actually look good, and be free of as many cords, noises, smells, and problems. Idealistic? Maybe, but I am not a particularly patient person and if buying a fully done reef build and having somebody drop it in my living room was a cheap option, I would do it immediately. I don't think this will be easy, but I do think it is possible.
First picture of the tank below so that I can look back and have a nice visual on my progress. More to come on the tank and initial setup.
Budget:
When looking at reef tanks similar to what I want, many builds were in the $10,000 range before year two, which is simply not an option for me. My plans are to leverage the used market, DIY, and make smart corner cutting choices to deliver an ideal reefing experience with less funds and time committed. I am setting a goal to spend less than $3000 total over the 1st 2 years in the hobby. Not including water and electricity. I am sure a 55gallon reef build can be had for less, but this amount should allow me to have a tank I can be proud of for years to come.
Goals+Timeline:
My main goal is to have a flourishing and fully stocked tank by the 1 year mark, with significantly grown in corals and a light maintenance schedule. To me this means full capacity on fish (10+), more than half the rocks filled with coral, and spending less than 4 hours a week maintaining the tank. I would also like the build to actually look good, and be free of as many cords, noises, smells, and problems. Idealistic? Maybe, but I am not a particularly patient person and if buying a fully done reef build and having somebody drop it in my living room was a cheap option, I would do it immediately. I don't think this will be easy, but I do think it is possible.
First picture of the tank below so that I can look back and have a nice visual on my progress. More to come on the tank and initial setup.