It's not a "cheap" hobby for sure. "Expensive" is a relative term. I've done amazing things in this hobby very "inexpensively". It is nowhere near my most expensive hobby.
I have a 150 gallon mixed Reef and a 180 gallon acrylic FOWLR. I bought both of my tanks used. One on craigslist and another from a local reefer that had to downsize. The 150 had tank,stand,canopy, lids, skimmer, pumps..etc and I got it for $200. Just like any hobby. If you are patient, do a lot of research and are a do-it-yourself-er, you can do things pretty cheaply. Just maintaining my 2 large tanks costs less each month than properly maintaining 2 large dogs. It CAN be expensive, but it doesn't HAVE to be.
I just picked up another 180 gallon tank with stand, refugium, pumps, skimmer, lids, sand, rock.. everything except lights for $300 on craigslist he even threw in 2 buckets of salt and leftover food.. I can have this tank up and running and ready for animals for a grand total of $400.
I have a 150 gallon mixed Reef and a 180 gallon acrylic FOWLR. I bought both of my tanks used. One on craigslist and another from a local reefer that had to downsize. The 150 had tank,stand,canopy, lids, skimmer, pumps..etc and I got it for $200. Just like any hobby. If you are patient, do a lot of research and are a do-it-yourself-er, you can do things pretty cheaply. Just maintaining my 2 large tanks costs less each month than properly maintaining 2 large dogs. It CAN be expensive, but it doesn't HAVE to be.
I just picked up another 180 gallon tank with stand, refugium, pumps, skimmer, lids, sand, rock.. everything except lights for $300 on craigslist he even threw in 2 buckets of salt and leftover food.. I can have this tank up and running and ready for animals for a grand total of $400.