Retro Reefer
Slow and steady wins the race!
Well maybe not so big... 
My goal is to set up the best reef possible for the least amount of money and effort, I want something that will be easy to maintain and that checks all my boxes while staying within my budget, I’ll be sourcing the cheapest possible equipment while simultaneously not completely sacrificing quality or functionality and I will also try to incorporate some of the newer technologies where possible and I’ll also be doing a few DIY components as well..
I have been planning this build for over a year and have considered every possible tank, stand, filtration system, lighting and other potential equipment choices, their cost and how everything would work together.. because of limited budget and room I decided on a tank somewhere around 50 gallons and after much thought I’m going with a 40 breeder because of its perfect dimensions and super low cost, for lighting I’m Going with a t5 / LED hybrid, I have been very happy with my nano box LED’s on my current tanks but I miss my old t5’s so I decided this tank will have the best of both worlds in lighting and for filtration I’m going with a simple Berlin style sump, skimmer ..
Some of my methods or outdated equipment choices may raise some eye brows but for the most part my choices will revolve around cost, ease of set up and maintenance or because it’s just what I have become comfortable with over the last 35 years of reefing..
One of the great benefits of extended planning is that I’ve been catching sales and discounts on equipment and in some cases I have been able to substantially upgrade from my original plans, so far just about everything I have purchased has been on sale or discounted, some of it ridiculously!
Tank 40 gallon breeder < petco sale $50
Steel im Stand < sale price $49
eshopps rs-75 sump < sale price $138
eshopps pf-300 overflow < sale price $48
Coral Box d300 dc skimmer < sale price $135 + they sent me the new upgraded $250 plus model
aquatic life 36” t5 fixture with Coral Box LED supplement < sale price of everything including bulbs $480
Power strip < $20
wave makers 2 Jebao ow-25’s < discounted price $110
AUQA Gadget MightyJet 538 gph DC Return pump < $99
ATO.. Hydrofill Ti < sale price $48 = $21 off $69 retail!
150W ehiem heater $27
Used Reef Keeper Lite controller < $200 total with new probes, float switch’s and mounting system.
DIY ATO container < $8
Black Paint for back wall of tank and black silicon for sealing stand. < $10
Substrate < $15
Plumbing supplies < sale price $20
Dosing container < sale price $45
DIY Control center components < $25
BRS parasitic pump for Alk dosing < sale price $59
Coral box single station WIFI dosing pumps x2 < sale price $119
Lifeguard reactor, model 400 < $89
Icecap probe holder < sale price $25
Optical overflow protection sensor $59
APPROXIMATE TOTAL SYSTEM COST (not including livestock) $1,868
**** current tank photo June 2020 ****
My goal is to set up the best reef possible for the least amount of money and effort, I want something that will be easy to maintain and that checks all my boxes while staying within my budget, I’ll be sourcing the cheapest possible equipment while simultaneously not completely sacrificing quality or functionality and I will also try to incorporate some of the newer technologies where possible and I’ll also be doing a few DIY components as well..
I have been planning this build for over a year and have considered every possible tank, stand, filtration system, lighting and other potential equipment choices, their cost and how everything would work together.. because of limited budget and room I decided on a tank somewhere around 50 gallons and after much thought I’m going with a 40 breeder because of its perfect dimensions and super low cost, for lighting I’m Going with a t5 / LED hybrid, I have been very happy with my nano box LED’s on my current tanks but I miss my old t5’s so I decided this tank will have the best of both worlds in lighting and for filtration I’m going with a simple Berlin style sump, skimmer ..
Some of my methods or outdated equipment choices may raise some eye brows but for the most part my choices will revolve around cost, ease of set up and maintenance or because it’s just what I have become comfortable with over the last 35 years of reefing..
One of the great benefits of extended planning is that I’ve been catching sales and discounts on equipment and in some cases I have been able to substantially upgrade from my original plans, so far just about everything I have purchased has been on sale or discounted, some of it ridiculously!
Tank 40 gallon breeder < petco sale $50
Steel im Stand < sale price $49
eshopps rs-75 sump < sale price $138
eshopps pf-300 overflow < sale price $48
Coral Box d300 dc skimmer < sale price $135 + they sent me the new upgraded $250 plus model
aquatic life 36” t5 fixture with Coral Box LED supplement < sale price of everything including bulbs $480
Power strip < $20
wave makers 2 Jebao ow-25’s < discounted price $110
AUQA Gadget MightyJet 538 gph DC Return pump < $99
ATO.. Hydrofill Ti < sale price $48 = $21 off $69 retail!
150W ehiem heater $27
Used Reef Keeper Lite controller < $200 total with new probes, float switch’s and mounting system.
DIY ATO container < $8
Black Paint for back wall of tank and black silicon for sealing stand. < $10
Substrate < $15
Plumbing supplies < sale price $20
Dosing container < sale price $45
DIY Control center components < $25
BRS parasitic pump for Alk dosing < sale price $59
Coral box single station WIFI dosing pumps x2 < sale price $119
Lifeguard reactor, model 400 < $89
Icecap probe holder < sale price $25
Optical overflow protection sensor $59
APPROXIMATE TOTAL SYSTEM COST (not including livestock) $1,868
**** current tank photo June 2020 ****
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