So I am not completely new, but I want to know what new reefers think a budget build looks like.

[BornHandy]

So what do you say? How much money is the limit for a budget build?

What size tank? What equipment?

I want to know about the hardware only, no rock, sand or live stock.

 

[ZaneTer]

Need a little more info than that like size?

 

[ZaneTer]

Petco dollar per gallon sale tank.
Horticulture T5
Relevantly sized wave maker
Relevant amount of live rock
A couple test kits.

Nothing else is really a must.

But your question is a bit silly. It’s like saying “I need to buy some string, how much will it cost?” but you don’t say what kind of string or how much.

 

[LesPoissons]

It's all relative to what you want. I got a 220G free from a bar that was getting rid of it and I built the stand from 2x4s and plywood. So that cost maybe $50-100 all included w stain, screws, etc. Having said that, the rest of the equipment for such a large tank (skimmer, lights, pumps, ato, ato storage container, heater, sump, rodi unit, etc.) probably is the same as the cost of a whole brand new and good quality set up for like a 55G- but it was a "budget build" for me.

 

[BornHandy]

ZaneTer, I think you misunderstood the post. I know what I think... I want to know what other people think. What's silly about that?

I want to know what new reefers see as a reasonable budget tank. What size, equipment and spending limit is up to you. That's why there is so little specifics.

 

[LesPoissons]

Really broad question with too many factors. I dont think theres a specific number you could say "this is a budget build bc its under <blank ammount> and this isnt because it's over. " I'd say anything you could do for under cost of buying everything brand new could be considered a budget build for each individual tank size. But idk what those numbers are, or who would decide what constitutes a "complete" set up to get that #.

 

[BornHandy]

Maya Ybry, the individual reefer would decide. For instance, in a budget build, I would do all HOB, and possibly not even do a skimmer. Other people might say differently.

I have a 75 gallon that cost a truck load! Definitely not a budget build in my book (likely not anyone else's either).

I am looking for a perspective on what the "general masses" see as a budget build.

 

[ZaneTer]

I think if you broke the question down into something like how much could a new build 40g/180g/400g be you would get a lot more relevant answers.

Your current question spans the range of being paid to take away someone’s unwanted tank through to spending millions on a top spec massive home reef of 50,000g.

It’s just too broad

 

[reef_daze]

We have a 5gal. pico reef with about $600 of equipment, including tank. I would say that's on a budget. Nothing on it is high end but its not cheap equipment either. We also have a 40gal. reef tank that we splurged a little but we also tried to go the cheaper route with somethings. We have about $1800 into this tank... That's no water, sand, rock, etc.

*EDIT Everything about our tanks was bought brand new and/or made.

 

[BornHandy]

It's broad by design, and that's the point. I think you would be hard pressed to find someone to define a 50,000 gallon to be a budget build, but let me know if you do - I have some equipment I can sell them.

I certainly know what a budget build looks like to me, but I don't want to steer anyone into answering the way I think. I want to know what other people think a budget build looks like.

 

[ZaneTer]

And again you didn’t specify that.

 

[ZaneTer]

If you are having buyers remorse and are trying to justify your own spending I say “get over it and be prepared to continue spending more”
That’s just this hobby

 

[BornHandy]

And again you didn’t specify that.

I don't get the hostility, but...

The title was
"So I am not completely new, but I want to know what new reefers think a budget build looks like"
That was pretty clear to me that I wanted a perspective on what "new reefers think".

Then the main body was...
"So what do you say? How much money is the limit for a budget build?
What size tank? What equipment?
I want to know about the hardware only, no rock, sand or live stock."

 

[BornHandy]

No buyers remorse. What is your deal?

 

[LesPoissons]

I suggest narrowing your scope, picking one tank size, etc. I dont think you will get any kind of consensus on such a broad topic with so many vague factors, but good luck!

 

[ZaneTer]

My apologies, there truly was no hostility meant. This is the problem with written text, it doesn’t always convey itself properly.

If I were a new reefer I would probably say $1000 for a little slice of the ocean in my home.

 

[ZaneTer]

No buyers remorse. What is your deal?

Haha I have had major buyers remorse on multiple occasions with my tank

 

[BornHandy]

Maybe I mistook - "your question is a bit silly", "and again...", and "get over it".

 

[ZaneTer]

Don’t worry, I should probably take more time planning my answer to avoid a misinterpretation.

 

[BornHandy]

This is such a simple question to me, but I will post a new thread, and be super specific - Hopefully I can catch some actual usable data points...