Dream tank -- $750

[Rbishop]

Simple rules, build a tank within those limits, dollar wise....

Don't worry about a stand...

1) You have $750
2) List what you would buy for a 29 gal or below, set up, from tank thru all necessary stuff.
3) Tank, heater, filter, test kit, conditioner, thermometer, substrate, decor, light/hood, fish, corals, sand/rock, skimmer, and what ever you feel is required to support your tank.
4) Use advertised prices for your area, or internet prices as you find them.
5) Conservative stocking and reasonable compatibility.
6) Be specific as to brand and model.
7) As a freebie, you have 20 gal tank to use as a sump.

go....

 

[Grins]

A local reefer is selling a complete 75g set-up for only $700 so I'd get that and then buy treats for the family and dogs to enjoy while watching the new setup

 

[fsn77]

Ok, I'll play along...

I recently picked up a 40g Breeder and stand for $125 so I'm going to start with that instead of a 29g or smaller (but any of this could be used on a 29g).

All prices are before shipping costs.
1) 40g Breeder and stand -- $125
2) PFO 175w MH retrofit -- $30 (won it at a club raffle last weekend, only spent $30 on raffle tickets to win this ~$300 complete retrofit kit)
3) 36" Tek 2 2x39w T5 retrofit (actinic supplement) -- $149 @ ReefGeek
4) 45 lbs of LR -- $50 (got an awesome deal from a guy tearing down his tank about 3 weeks ago)
5) sand -- Arag-Alive Fiji Pink (my wife's choice) -- 60 lbs -- $81 @ Drs. F & S
6) DIY canopy -- $30 in raw materials (including stain), $20 for cooling fans (120mm computer fans), tools already on-hand
7) AquaC Remora hang on tank (or hang on sump) skimmer -- bought one used w/ skimmer box for $130
8) U-tube overflow -- picked up a used one for $25
9) return pump -- Ocean Runner 2500 -- $57 @ Drs. F & S
10) misc. plumbing parts (return jet, tubing, etc.) -- $30

If my math is right, that brings me to $727...

Clean-up crew -- a few snails / hermits to start -- $15 (LFS runs $1 a piece sale from time to time)

Corals -- I have a friend that'll give me small SPS frags to get started.
I'd move some of our LPS corals from our other tank to free up some space in there.

Fish -- only $8 left... Clown gobies run $10 at the LFS, but I can get 20% off with one of their coupons, so that would be my last $8.

Well, there it is... not much swimming around in there, but it's a start!

 

[Rbishop]

Yep, it's a start, thanks. Just wanted to see what folks would do and if they had any neat ideas to beg or borrow a set up to completion.

 

[Reefkid 07]

AQUARIUM:
24 gal. Nano Cube deluxe: 213.89
STUFF:
Filter: 00.00 (included)
Pump: 00.00(included)
Lights: 00.00(included)
Heater: 75w Stealth Heater: 16.99
Test kit: SW Master DLX. :17.99
Thermometer Big Digital Temp Alert: 34.99
Live Sand: 20 lb.:23.99
Live rock: Fiji 20lbs: 69.99
Ion Buffer: Kent Marine: 16.99
Food: 5.99?
Algae Spraper: 10.99
Salt: Instant Ocean: 16.99
LIVESTOCK:
Astrea Snails 1.99 x 8: 16.97
Margerita Snails 0.79 x 4: 3.38
Blue Leg Hermit 0.99 x 2: 2.12
False Percula Clown 15.99 x 2: 34.15
Yellow Polyp : 8.99
Green Mushroom: 19.99
Ricordia Mushroom: 39.99
bubble Coral: 39.99
Blue Xenia: 39.99
Button Polyp: 19.99
Bullseye Mushroom:29.99
Green Spotted Mushroom: 29.99

= $748.49

 

[NikkO]

Lets see...I just have a 20g sitting with some LR and water, but on a $750 budget heres what I'd go with:

Equipment:
40g tall-$55
Aquatraders 380w 24" MH combo light-$169
Jebo Heater-$~25
ASM Mini-G:$100
CPR CS50 overflow:$80
Seachem Basic-$28
Seachem Mag test-$24
Cheap light for fuge: $5
Mag Drive 350 for return:$40
Maxi-jet 600: free from 300g since I got Koralias

Livestock:
20lbs Fiji LR @ $3/lb-$60
10 various SPS frags from a LFS @ $10/piece:$100
Pair of clowns:$60
BTA:free, would come from my 300g.
Cheato:free from another reefer
Clean up crew: several snails and brittle stars from the 300g that multiply themselves...and a couple of hermits from a LFS:$4

Total Cost:$750, excluding tax and/or shipping... tank could be bigger if purchased from a local reefer that is selling a large one for cheap.




-OR----

Tank-240g-$200(Yes, did see someone sell one for this low!)
Aquamedic T1000 Rio NW pump-$65
2 x 400w PFO Single-Ended ballasts+pendants w/ bulbs-$300
OR6500 return pump-$85
Test Kits: already have them
Salt-Filtered Natural Salt Water from ocean: FREE
8 different frags @ $5/each:$40
Clown Trigger:$60

Total: $750...ahahaha:silly:

This is barely a tank but it could be done with 750 bucks...

 

[Subliminal]

Equipment:

Oceanic 30g cube = ~$75 used ***
CPR Aquafuge HOT fuge (no skimmer) ~$50 used
(2x) Hydor Koralia #2s ~$60 new *
250w Me-Hi hood w/ actinic & moonlights ~$250 used/new
100w titanium heater ~$30 new
RO/DI setup ~$100 used/new **


Equipment total: ~$565

* Could substitute 2 maxijet 1200s and save ~$30
** Might already have filtration system, so could save another $~100
*** Could also substitute standard 29g tank and get used/new and save another ~$25

Supplemental cost with abovementioned changes: ~$410

Rock/sand:

40 lbs live sand...caribsea or aragalive...just make sure it's SAND not SUBSTRATE: $~50
40 lbs live rock from local store or clubmembers: ~$150

Add fish and corals for flavor, and that's about it. Maybe a stand, timers, and a few power cords.