I've kept reef tanks off and on for over 2 decades. I recently started my latest tank and figured I'd share how much I've spent, to-date, on a tank that's not even cycled yet. It's 9 days old and just starting to get some absolutely wonderful diatom blooms 
(this is normal, it'll pass).
Besides the fact that I figured it might help newbie's to better understand what they're in for, it's also a reminder to myself to accurately convey price/cost to my spouse when saying things like "it's $400 and has everything included!" (I have a bad habit of super optimistic fiscal predictions). Saving grace being that we can afford it, and our young kids are absolutely enthralled with the tank, to the point where my 8 year old son and I sit down every night and watch BRStv's 52 weeks of reefing and my 3 year old daughter grabs my (and my wife's) hand and leads us to the tank multiple times a day to show us a bristleworm or asterina or random speck that she thinks is cool (side note -- my wife is open to the idea of a 180g down the road simply because our daughter really wants a "Dory" -- kids are great!).
Note, some of these things can probably be done a bit cheaper, or differently, but this list is the bulk of my "essential items" required within the first few months. And I didn't include anything I consider to be extravagant aside from some minor quality-of-life upgrades.
A couple things to point out:
1. I saved quite a bit of money on the lights and Vortech. But that's because they're over 10 years old. They'll get the job done, but if I had unlimited budget (ie, not married, no kids), I'd have bought much newer. Brand new equivalent, you're looking at another $1000. And that's just the light and circulation pump. Add another $500-1000 for the skimmer/tank/stand/heater/overflow, etc. I'll upgrade the old stuff when they die. Or once the initial setup budget shock has worn off. Whichever comes first.
2. I did not include any other additives, just the staples. For the curious, I'm following the Aquaforest SPS method this time around, so I've got another $100 or so in additives that I didn't include. Most of this sort of thing can be purchased in a few months, as you're not going to have much demand for Ca or Alk immediately. And even then, plain old 2 part is pretty cheap, maybe $20 for a few months worth.
3. This is my "bare essentials" list based upon my numerous entrances (and exits) from the hobby. Starting as a teenager 20 years ago, I was almost exclusively focused on saving money. I built my own skimmers, ATO, sumps, closed-loops, refugiums, lighting hoods (power compact, then metal halide, then LED) cultured phyto and pods, etc. And while it's possible to do so (Anthony Calfo guided me towards shallow tanks and regular T8 shop lights in the early 00's), you'll reach a point where the effort required to DIY everything just isn't worth the money saved. Basically, if you've an abundance of free time and a shortage of money, it's possible. But for the rest of us, save and buy what you need up-front.
4. Additives/consumables can be DIY fairly simply. This isn't going to save a ton of money for smaller tanks, but it's savings nonetheless.
5. Livestock. I didn't include that here, but with the exception of rock and sand, seek out fellow hobbyists. It's almost always far cheaper to get your coral from your peers than it is to pay retail. Reeftrader is a great resource to learn about upcoming swaps. Also, Facebook marketplace often has coral listed as "aquarium decorations" to avoid FB's live animal policy. And FB Reef groups are another great source. Along with this site
Moral of the story - this isn't a cheap hobby. But buying used can save you quite a bit of money. Facebook Marketplace has been my go-to for used stuff. And in my experience, it's better to be fully prepared before you add water than it is to piecemeal it as you go. Because keeping your water parameters under control is far easier than getting them back under control once they spiral. And to paraphrase BRStv - - this hobby isn't reefkeeping. It's striving to get the most stable, quality water possible. The livestock is secondary.
(this is normal, it'll pass).Besides the fact that I figured it might help newbie's to better understand what they're in for, it's also a reminder to myself to accurately convey price/cost to my spouse when saying things like "it's $400 and has everything included!" (I have a bad habit of super optimistic fiscal predictions). Saving grace being that we can afford it, and our young kids are absolutely enthralled with the tank, to the point where my 8 year old son and I sit down every night and watch BRStv's 52 weeks of reefing and my 3 year old daughter grabs my (and my wife's) hand and leads us to the tank multiple times a day to show us a bristleworm or asterina or random speck that she thinks is cool (side note -- my wife is open to the idea of a 180g down the road simply because our daughter really wants a "Dory" -- kids are great!).
Note, some of these things can probably be done a bit cheaper, or differently, but this list is the bulk of my "essential items" required within the first few months. And I didn't include anything I consider to be extravagant aside from some minor quality-of-life upgrades.
- 40g breeder with stand, 20L sump, reef octopus 150INT skimmer (no pump included), Aqueon 2450L return pump, Ecotech Radion Gen 1 (fan inoperable), Ecotech Vortech MP40 (not wireless, original model), external overflow box, heater, aqualifter pump, and a few odds and ends (nets, tubing, etc) - $400
- Hanna PO4 Checker - $60 (can substitute standard test kit to save $40ish)
- Hanna NO3 Checker - $60 (can substitute standard test kit to save $40ish)
- Hanna Alk Checker - $60 (can substitute standard test kit to save $40ish)
- Salifert Ca test kit - $20
- Aquaforest Mg test kit - $20
- API Master Salt Kit - $25
- Fritz Turbo Start 9000 - $30 (optional)
- JBJ ATO - $90 (can save $30-$40 here if desired, but ATO is basically essential for a stable tank)
- BRS Single Reactor (no pumps, feeding from return pump) x 2 - $110
- BRS Bulk GFO - $25
- BRS Bulk Rox 0.8 Carbon - $25
- Skimmer pump - $100
- Drilled overflow kit from Modular Marine - $155 (much preferable to over-the-top siphon style, and only $30 or so more)
- Aquaforest Reef Salt - $75
- Airline Tubing Kit - $11
- 4 stage RO/DI - $225
- Refractometer - $35
- Rock (combo live and dry) - $150
- Live Sand - $30
- Replacement fan for Radion - $15
- Radion mounting bracket - $85
- Misc (buckets, nets, plumbing, etc) - $100
A couple things to point out:
1. I saved quite a bit of money on the lights and Vortech. But that's because they're over 10 years old. They'll get the job done, but if I had unlimited budget (ie, not married, no kids), I'd have bought much newer. Brand new equivalent, you're looking at another $1000. And that's just the light and circulation pump. Add another $500-1000 for the skimmer/tank/stand/heater/overflow, etc. I'll upgrade the old stuff when they die. Or once the initial setup budget shock has worn off. Whichever comes first.
2. I did not include any other additives, just the staples. For the curious, I'm following the Aquaforest SPS method this time around, so I've got another $100 or so in additives that I didn't include. Most of this sort of thing can be purchased in a few months, as you're not going to have much demand for Ca or Alk immediately. And even then, plain old 2 part is pretty cheap, maybe $20 for a few months worth.
3. This is my "bare essentials" list based upon my numerous entrances (and exits) from the hobby. Starting as a teenager 20 years ago, I was almost exclusively focused on saving money. I built my own skimmers, ATO, sumps, closed-loops, refugiums, lighting hoods (power compact, then metal halide, then LED) cultured phyto and pods, etc. And while it's possible to do so (Anthony Calfo guided me towards shallow tanks and regular T8 shop lights in the early 00's), you'll reach a point where the effort required to DIY everything just isn't worth the money saved. Basically, if you've an abundance of free time and a shortage of money, it's possible. But for the rest of us, save and buy what you need up-front.
4. Additives/consumables can be DIY fairly simply. This isn't going to save a ton of money for smaller tanks, but it's savings nonetheless.
5. Livestock. I didn't include that here, but with the exception of rock and sand, seek out fellow hobbyists. It's almost always far cheaper to get your coral from your peers than it is to pay retail. Reeftrader is a great resource to learn about upcoming swaps. Also, Facebook marketplace often has coral listed as "aquarium decorations" to avoid FB's live animal policy. And FB Reef groups are another great source. Along with this site
Moral of the story - this isn't a cheap hobby. But buying used can save you quite a bit of money. Facebook Marketplace has been my go-to for used stuff. And in my experience, it's better to be fully prepared before you add water than it is to piecemeal it as you go. Because keeping your water parameters under control is far easier than getting them back under control once they spiral. And to paraphrase BRStv - - this hobby isn't reefkeeping. It's striving to get the most stable, quality water possible. The livestock is secondary.
