Naso's 40g Poboy Build under $600!!

Naso180! · Jan 9, 2026

One of my many tanks Ive been addicted to this hobby for over 35 years now. Im finally setting up the latest one. Took down a few Nanos because 11 tanks including 2 Freshwater was a lot. So im down to 8 including this latest 40g. I dont usually share when I setup a tank. In fact this is a first for me. Just wanted to show that a decent setup can be had for very cheap. If you take your time and search for decent used stuff.

40 gallon breeder Petco 1/2 price tank sale. $58.
Used 40g stand FB marketplace
$30
Used Fluval Canister filter 407
$25
2 Hygger 2600 GPH wavemakers
$120 for both
1 300w Eheim Sub. Heater
$45
Aragonite sand
$33
Used AI 32 hydra HD with flex arm
$100
40lbs Aragonite sand
$37
30lbs dry base rock
$50
Reef crystals 200 g box
$78
It totalled out to be $571. By reefing standards I think this is a steal.the tank is seeded with about 5 lbs of live sand from various reefs of mine as well as one of my friends tanks. This is in an effort to increase bacterial and micro fauna diversity. I have a bunch of old real Tonga branch rock. This tank will have the branch rock added as thectop level rock. Im considering a bio tope reef. Possibly Fiji. I love the Yellow Sarcophyton from there and have been culturing frags from my mother colony for about 9 years now. Ill be adding pics as I go. Hope you guys like it. Any ideas or suggestions are welcomed. Happy reefing;)

Gumbies R Us · Jan 9, 2026

Following along!

MidWestReef'n · Jan 9, 2026

Pretty nice little low budget set up. I'm into it. Its a good way to show that if you look around, ask , and source things from multiple places you can build a reef tank at a lower cost.

Naso180! · Mar 9, 2026

So its been a few months and I definitely went a different way. I kept with the "setup" affordability. However I over stocked the tank with frags from my own frag tanks. Most ppl wont have that option. For me all the livestock was free. The only exception is the elegance coral. I simply love Catalaphylia and found it on the cheap from Ny aquatics $129. Shipping included for a pink tip. Also found another AI 32 on FB marketplace for $90. Even the fish were from another tank in my house. Still, I am absolutely loving how its turned out.