My super redneck 20g budget build.

[Jake_the_reefer]

This is just a brief showcase of my Jerry rigged 20g build.
This is a 20g tall mixed reef tank, everything in it was with the intention to be as cheap as possible and I am pretty happy with the outcome and the price tag. I've built it in a way where even though every part looks junky its only noticable when you look at the tank from the top.
I'm using a cheap float bulb with a water jug on a shelf for the rodi top off system.
My main filtration is an aquaclear 70 with a mod to reduce bubbles that float in the water column made from egg crate and fine filter sponges. I also have a bubble stone in it to increase water oxygen.
My skimmer is a seaclone 50(currently off but still circulating to increase water movement)
I have a mini fan mounted to the wall as a chiller.
The lighting was Chinese black box lighting but is now ai prime. And all the live rock was 2nd hand.
All in all the tank was super cheap to build heres a breakdown.
Topfin 20g tall:$30
Skimmee:45
Aquaclear 70:45
Top off system: 20
Fluval heater:25
Chinese light: 65
Fan:10
Wavemaker: 20
Total for my redneck build: 235
So for around 235 (minus live stock and rock the rock added about 50 more) I have a stable aquarium that looks great and can house anemones sps and lps corals. Being it's so small i do have to test alot to ensure my parameters are up to par. Just felt like sharing my build thank you for reading! Ps Alot of my frags are still rather young so I dont have much grow out

 

[NeutronMan]

As long as you’re happy!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I don't see anything redneck about it- looks decent
Remember: A tank is ones' creation, not an environment in the eyes of others.

In many cases, we create a tank in a manner of how we view the ocean. If this is your render, That is ok. The main thing is that it sustains life successfully

 

[Peace River]

This is just a brief showcase of my Jerry rigged 20g build.
This is a 20g tall mixed reef tank, everything in it was with the intention to be as cheap as possible and I am pretty happy with the outcome and the price tag. I've built it in a way where even though every part looks junky its only noticable when you look at the tank from the top.
I'm using a cheap float bulb with a water jug on a shelf for the rodi top off system.
My main filtration is an aquaclear 70 with a mod to reduce bubbles that float in the water column made from egg crate and fine filter sponges. I also have a bubble stone in it to increase water oxygen.
My skimmer is a seaclone 50(currently off but still circulating to increase water movement)
I have a mini fan mounted to the wall as a chiller.
The lighting was Chinese black box lighting but is now ai prime. And all the live rock was 2nd hand.
All in all the tank was super cheap to build heres a breakdown.
Topfin 20g tall:$30
Skimmee:45
Aquaclear 70:45
Top off system: 20
Fluval heater:25
Chinese light: 65
Fan:10
Wavemaker: 20
Total for my redneck build: 235
So for around 235 (minus live stock and rock the rock added about 50 more) I have a stable aquarium that looks great and can house anemones sps and lps corals. Being it's so small i do have to test alot to ensure my parameters are up to par. Just felt like sharing my build thank you for reading! Ps Alot of my frags are still rather young so I dont have much grow out

You clearly overspent! ;)

Seriously though, sometimes this is an effective way to learn about how everything works as long as the fish and other livestock are well cared for!

 

[Softhammer]

Salt creep is going to be the bane of your existence with that, otherwise that’s way more extravagant than my first systems!

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Salt creep is going to be the bane of your existence with that, otherwise that’s way more extravagant than my first systems!

Surprisingly it's been up for 7 months (coral only a few months) and I've never had to clean salt creep.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Surprisingly it's been up for 7 months (coral only a few months) and I've never had to clean salt creep.

I've only gotten creep on the lid of the aquaclear 70 but I put that back on yesterday to see if the air stone in it is causing any loss of water the lid will be removed in a few days

 

[Hermie]

That's not Redneck that's hill billy!! :D
Nice work :)

 

[JumboShrimp]

Not sure, but I think I spot some toilet-bowl plumbing parts (lol)— more power to you! Enjoy, and best wishes. :cool:

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Not sure, but I think I spot some toilet-bowl plumbing parts (lol)— more power to you! Enjoy, and best wishes. :cool:

It was sold as a rodi shutoff valve lol
I'm pretty happy with the savings haha

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

i love this build, its always been super stable and happy! I am planning a 60g cube in the future and ill be putting some better equipment in it!

 

[Gene the Reefer]

This is just a brief showcase of my Jerry rigged 20g build.
This is a 20g tall mixed reef tank, everything in it was with the intention to be as cheap as possible and I am pretty happy with the outcome and the price tag. I've built it in a way where even though every part looks junky its only noticable when you look at the tank from the top.
I'm using a cheap float bulb with a water jug on a shelf for the rodi top off system.
My main filtration is an aquaclear 70 with a mod to reduce bubbles that float in the water column made from egg crate and fine filter sponges. I also have a bubble stone in it to increase water oxygen.
My skimmer is a seaclone 50(currently off but still circulating to increase water movement)
I have a mini fan mounted to the wall as a chiller.
The lighting was Chinese black box lighting but is now ai prime. And all the live rock was 2nd hand.
All in all the tank was super cheap to build heres a breakdown.
Topfin 20g tall:$30
Skimmee:45
Aquaclear 70:45
Top off system: 20
Fluval heater:25
Chinese light: 65
Fan:10
Wavemaker: 20
Total for my redneck build: 235
So for around 235 (minus live stock and rock the rock added about 50 more) I have a stable aquarium that looks great and can house anemones sps and lps corals. Being it's so small i do have to test alot to ensure my parameters are up to par. Just felt like sharing my build thank you for reading! Ps Alot of my frags are still rather young so I dont have much grow out

What’s Chinese black box lighting? I hear this as a common option. Is it referring to a specific brand or is it just a random light from Amazon?

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

What’s Chinese black box lighting? I hear this as a common option. Is it referring to a specific brand or is it just a random light from Amazon?

Random mass produced light from China that not one person recognizes the brand.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

What’s Chinese black box lighting? I hear this as a common option. Is it referring to a specific brand or is it just a random light from Amazon?

This build no longer uses a black box I am running an ai prime.