The Real Cost Of A Big System?

[reef keeper]

well as I've been going through my build, I'm getting a little wobbly with the amount of cash heading out the door. I figure we could post up what a system really costs to set up, excluding fish and coral

I'll go first since I am just about done with purchases. Right.

1. Tank. 1500
2. Reflectors 225
3. Sockets. 95
4. Ballasts. 150
5. Radiums. 300
6. Cal. React. 300
7. Apex. 550
8. Power 8. 200
9. Pm1. 100
10. Sump. 150
11. Wood. 250
12. Screws. 50
13. Pumps (3). 385
14. Plumbing. 400
15. Skimmer. 280
16. ATO. 200
17. Powerhds. 700
18. Rock. 400

Total. $6535.00

I would say at the end of the day I'll be into this for between 9&10 k. This is an sps system with 350 gallons of volume. The good thing is almost everything is useable in a bigger system.

I also found quite a few great deals along the way or it would easily be over 10 k by now

 

[pulpfiction1]

i gave up keeping count years ago

 

[Marz]

And this is the reason that I haven't started adding things up
I am currently "tracking" my purchases for a new build. It certainly adds up quickly.

 

[reef keeper]

I'm really excited to get this tank from concept aquarium in Calgary. That saved me over a grand buying it locally.

 

[heath]

don't say anything to loud, we will scare new people away.. I agree with pulp, I don't want to know what I have in my tank..

 

[heath]

just wondering, if we knew how much this would cost, how many of us would have gone ahead and done a tank..

 

[reef keeper]

Oh I think we all had an idea lol

 

[pulpfiction1]

if i knew what i WAS gonna spend........no f**king way

 

[pulpfiction1]

as i sit here in front of the money pit,i do have so much enjoyment out of it,ive done this over and over so i must be getting something out of it lol or im just crazy lol

 

[pulpfiction1]

Oh I think we all had an idea lol

xactly,i just keep telling myself i can do better next time hahaha

 

[reef keeper]

This is tank #2 for me. My first one I learned a lot this one I'm trying to put that knowledge to good use. I've really tried to control my fish list, and my coral list is going to be narrowed down. I want some high end frags to start it off, so down the road I can maybe sell a few frags to recoup some money. I'm not doing willy nilly buy this buy that. Under halides the sps will grow fast, so I'm going to try it with mostly frags.

 

[dale]

its been over $1000 since christmas just on upgrades on my 3 ( 100, 65, 29g) tanks.. ive had the tanks fully functional for years.. lol couldnt guess total.. but i think 6-9 grand for a quality larger system sounds about right..

 

[pulpfiction1]

 

[reef keeper]

I haven't skimped and tried to half a$$ anything. I think that's the most important thing in doing any system. Buy the very best you can afford.

As my grandfather once told me " it takes a rich man to buy cheap things"

 

[TORX]

What are you guys taking about? Everything only costs $10.

 

[heath]

ok..

 

[EricTMah]

I think we all had an idea that our tanks weren't going to be a cheap hobby.

I'm on my 3rd reef tank in 25 years (not including my nano and a few fowlr's on the way) and I'm fully aware of the costs. But it still doesn't stop me from bitching at how much I've spent

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[100gallon]

Lol. I knew it wouldn't be cheap. I also knew it would be work. However much I complain I get twice the satisfaction when someone who has no clue comes over and just sits and admires the little things I look over!

Sent via Samsung Galaxy S4 on Tapatalk

 

[yveterinarian]

When I first started I used to add everything up but I have learned very quickly that if I were to continue adding everything I have spent and continue to spend I would get depressed very quickly. It is truly the one hobby I have that I get daily enjoyment out of whether it be gazing at my reef, my seahorses, my husband's FOWLR tank or my freshwater, there is something new to look at every day. I don't eat out much and I don't have any other expensive hobbies so if that's what gives me pleasure at the end of an exhausting day it is well worth it! We all do it for the extreme love of the hobby and that's all there is to it...

 

[heath]

try showing dogs, (a hundred a day if the show is close to home with no travelling, hotel, etc)... I believe in whatever you do, do it right.. nothing is cheap (reasonable)..but the rewards are great..