Cost for Your SW Setup

[Scottm]

I don't even want to know how much I have spent. Its easier just to spend a little at a time and don't think about it but....

$50 for 20gal tank
stand free from scrap wood.
PowerHead $30
filter $40
DIY Skimmer $30
lighting $86 (looking to upgrade though...)
Pump $30
DIY overflow $30
LR ~$150
10 gal sump $15
Sand $30
Fish $60
Corals $35
inverts $40
=626
I'm going to go cry now

 

[flamingonhot]

250 dollars for my 10 gallon. It's probably close to 400 or more but I lost track lol.

 

[steve r]

priceless

steve r

 

[demodiki]

I think I have spent about $2k. I probably need to spend about $1k more to make up for all the useless stuff I bought when I first started out and didn't do enough research.

 

[RocketSeason]

I am at about 3 grand now...yeah, its insane alright. But cheaper than a drug addiction!

 

[Seepu]

Well...... it's getting close to the price of my (show) dog..... almost 3k ... no fish as of yet and not even a month into my first SW set up. I still need a few things before I add livestock, 1 or 2 more PH, a backup heater, long tongs or grabbers of some sort because I cant reach the bottom of the tank... yadda yadda

I have a 90g bow front, hubby and I are NOT DIYers... so this is actual retail price... Have had LR in it a week, it has had water and sand for 2.

Still a ways to go. I told hubby no more gifts we have to feed. =)

 

[RocketSeason]

If cost is a big concern, here is something I have discovered:

Don't go any wider than 2 feet. This keeps lighting the tank in a "resonable" cost range. I have a 37 cube that I have just added a new lighting system to at a cost of 220 dollars. If I went to say, a 50 gallon tank, the cost would be so prohibiitive that I would not be able to afford it.

smaller tanks also mean less Live Rock, less natural sand, smaller filtration system, etc. It's just a bit easier on the wallet. Of couse, you are greatly limited by what you can put in there, but with plenty of research, you will find fish that you love.

 

[Brenden]

I wish I would have seen it prior. I am hitting the $25k mark.

 

[mkillgore]

Before I moved I had a 55 gal on the cheap.

55 gallon glass (used) came with HOB Filter $50
Wood Stand $100
Salt and testing equipment $40
Live sand from Boynton Beach, Florida 0$ (I know, but I did get a free crab lol)
about 10 pounds live rock $25
powerhead $10
Bio-wheel filter $60
3 Damsels $15
1 false percula clown $16
1 yellow tang $18
5-6 other fish that were not so lucky $50


Total $300

That was a FOWLR, now time to upgrade to full blown reef, gonna have to add a zero to my total.

 

[RocketSeason]

thats a pretty good way to look at it.

If you wanna go with a reef tank, add a zero to your estimate.

hehe.

 

[fishrfreinds]

it seems that i get every i need really cheap.

55-tank and old stand $30
New stand and canopy $200 (real oak)
Sugar Sand 40lbs $35
Live Rock 100 Lbs $20
200G Bucket of Kent $50
SW Test Kits $30
HOB Penguin filter $55
Odyssea 48" PC 260W $125
3-214 powerheads $51
Livestock $40

total $636.00

 

[hc8719]

20 Gallon FOWLR

Tanks and Stand (used)- $35
CC-$15
Argonite (hated the CC)-$15
Salt-$15
Base Rock-$30
SW Test kit-$30
Therometer-$2
Hydrometer-$15

And i dont even have the fish yet...

 

[alaher2]

I spent a total of $1200 on my 40 gallon tank thus far, but a lot of the equipment was carried over from my FW tank.

 

[Guest]

Just bought a great used setup that is 1 years old and the MH's are 2 months. Used is the way to go. I find awesome deals in my reef club. My 30 gal with everything new was double the price. Not including all livestolk because I can't even go there

90 Oceanic RR
30 Oceanic Custom sump
Black wood stand
Canopy with 2 250's DQI MH, T5 acintic, and moons
Octypus-150 skimmer,
2 Maxi1200 Mods
60 lbs of LR
free Lawnmower Blenny

$700

 

[Bri87swb]

$1,300 into tank, stand, hood, lighting, PH's, pump, air pum, heater and skimmer.
$ 300 in sand, cc, testing kits and br
$200-300 in LR that I'm planning on purchasing this weekend.

Still need to purchase a ro system, refractometer, heater, pump, rubbermaid to help with PWC's. With any of my hobbies I've learned that if done right it usually costs $$$. I almost have as much into starting up my tank as I have into my scuba equip. Although, I'm sure looking forward to sitting on the couch enjoying the beauty of a SW tank instead of taking to the water of Puget Sound in Dec. to get my fish fix.

 

[animalparamedic]

I guess I lucked out... I bought an existing tank from Craigs list. The whole thing came complete, but it was in desperate need of a cleaning and PWC, also needed more cleanup crew, new light bulbs, etc. All in all, after the tank, parts, etc... I am only at about $400.
Anyone looking for another tank, I suggest checking your local Craigslist, as in Chicago area, I see a whole SW tank setup like every other week, at least.

 

[weemanpow3]

total $2000. Its worth the investment. its peaceful Loooking at the tank every day.