I'm in the process of setting up a 120
gal AGA reef with dual overflows. So far, I have spent a total of $3,316.50 or $27.64 per gallon on equipment as detailed below:
ITEM TOTAL
Tank, Stand & Sump 1,100.00
* metal halide hood 500.00
Aqua C EV180 w/mag 395.00
* r/o unit 150.00
metal halide extra (250 watt) 150.00
inert sand 120.00
Refractometer 70.00
Metal Halide bulbs 10,000
k 175w 140.00
Supreme pumps 9.5 138.00
dosing pump 62.00
Float switch 60.00
Metal Halide bulbs 20,000
k 250w 44.00
Acrylic sheets for sump 42.00
Acrylic overflow Mount w/sock 48.00
Coralife trichromatic 40w bulbs 48" 44.00
* powerheads 180.00
Ground probe 13.50
faucet coupler 10.00
pvc plumbing 50.00
About $830 of the equipment is "legacy" (i.e. I've had it for years - items with a '*') I'm budgeting $500 for
LR, and the fish/corals/inverts will be a 'work in process'. Include my electrical generator ($500), pH monitors ($150) and other test equipment, initial salt charge ($80), and I'm pushing $40/
gal before I add the first fish/coral/invert. I have about $800 invested in 'nice to have' items and extras, after deducting those, I'm back to around $30/
gal.