No Money, Honey: How do you feel about the cost of starting a tank?

[BryanM]

I agree with RWFeefer above, this hobby is as expensive as you want to make it, but it does not have to be extremely expensive.

That said, if you have the money, I think many of the expensive items tend to be pretty good quality of life improvements, but if you don't have the money you just have to work a little harder.

 

[GatorGreg]

I have a problem with the prices of new coral. I get it, supply and demand. Zoas shouldnt cost 100 pp though.

Equipment, yes, very expensive with inflation. I dont know if any of these companies are borrowing money in this environment, but the Fed is cutting rates next month, so I wonder if that will help with companies that are in debt. Inflation is under 3% now, so there'd better be some improvement.

I don’t believe that inflation is under 3%. They’re playing number games I’ll just leave it at that. This is “don’t believe your lying eyes”.

 

[Dburr1014]

I agree with RWFeefer above, this hobby is as expensive as you want to make it, but it does not have to be extremely expensive.

That said, if you have the money, I think many of the expensive items tend to be pretty good quality of life improvements, but if you don't have the money you just have to work a little harder.

Money and equipment definitely does not make you a better reefer. (unless you pay someone to take care of your Reef)

 

[danreef55]

Let's look at it vs other hobbies. Getting a membership to a golfing club can vary from relatively inexpensive to over $100k. I used to fly single engine fixed wing aircraft - not cheap. Getting season tickets to basically any sport is expensive. I love to shoot sporting clays (nothing live) buy the 12 gauge a few thousand & ammo to shoot 100 rounds. I wanted to join a club, but it costs 15K to join and 5k per year- no thanks. The list could go on and on.

Personally, I prefer to spend money on something that provides daily joy of watching and caring for a thriving reef tank. The research staying current, the challenge of maintaining a stable environment and etc etc. I could keep going but I am sure you get my drift.

Your set up can be rudimentary to extremely automated systems. Where you decide to land is up to you.
be well and happy reefing

 

[deome]

Starting a tank is all rainbows and butterflies until you step up to the cash register. Although there are ways to get more bang for your buck, there is no denying that our tanks are investments of time and definitely investments of money. But how much money? When you consider the cost of the tank and stand itself, and then factor in sand, salt, rocks, lights, test kits, water filtration, livestock, and all the other stuff you need to start an aquarium...

How do you feel about the cost of starting a tank?

Weird question, considering how every tank and every reefer's goals are different. I have far stronger opinions about the ongoing cost of operation and the cost of replacing garbage equipment.

It took me two years to put together enough money for a *functioning* tank (my 90g display tank sat empty in my living room for 18 months); my tank is now two years old, and I'm still bankrupting myself on equipment instead of coral, though I've spent plenty on coral too (which is fair--that was the goal after all).

Last Tuesday, my third Apex controller just up and decided it can't stay connected to the internet (even with hard ethernet connection), and completely stopped working. The controller it replaced did the same last February. I'm now using a brand new Apex provided by Neptune after the failure in February. Seriously, I have two BRS titanium heaters from beginning the hobby that have outlived three Apex controllers. I'm considering a switch to Hydros, but now it looks like BRS has dropped the brand because all controllers, probes, everything, is out of stock with no explanation.

All my other equipment may be expensive, but at least my display tank doesn't just decide to shatter every nine months.

 

[Jimbo327]

It's true that it's as expensive as you make it.

My first couple tanks were just budget reefs, used equipment and budget corals, with typical clownfishes. Simple manual water changes. No SPS. Very manual everything.

But when you want to build your show tank, then the prices get exponentially higher because you want the nicer equipment, automation, and fancier corals and more exotic fishes. The cost can quickly get out of hand like owning a classic car. Patience can literally save you thousands because you can wait for used equipment and people rehoming their fish/corals. Also experience can save quite a bit because you are not going through equipment since you already know what to look for and can find it used. My tank sat dry for 1.5 years because I was collecting used equipment and building up some funds to set it up.

But I definitely think this hobby is way too expensive.

 

[MONTANTK]

There are more cost effective options coming available but generally speaking it’s way too expensive. Most of the equipment isn’t too bad but sumps and tank/stands are pretty ridiculous

 

[ElvisReef]

There are some nicely priced AIO tanks out there. For getting your feet wet they are not a bad way to go. The smaller size also means less equipment is needed so that keeps the cost down too.

much more work though and for someone who is knew it might be overwhelming depending on the route they take ie mixed reef , coral tank etc

 

[MnFish1]

Starting a tank is all rainbows and butterflies until you step up to the cash register. Although there are ways to get more bang for your buck, there is no denying that our tanks are investments of time and definitely investments of money. But how much money? When you consider the cost of the tank and stand itself, and then factor in sand, salt, rocks, lights, test kits, water filtration, livestock, and all the other stuff you need to start an aquarium...

How do you feel about the cost of starting a tank?

Well. Since there is nothing that is forcing someone to spend their money on a reef tank, the pricing is 'fair' IMHO. I think some things are over-priced vs. their value (like many supplements, etc). There are many pieces of equipment that are non-essential. As others have said - it depends on so many variables like tank size, coral? fish only? I don't see anything 'unfair' about the pricing.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I don’t believe that inflation is under 3%. They’re playing number games I’ll just leave it at that. This is “don’t believe your lying eyes”.

Its a fact. This isn't up for debate. Jerome Powell isnt sitting up there lying about where inflation stands.

You dont believe it because "things still cost a lot of money." Yes they do, but the CPI print was just released and inflation is under 3.

Google is your friend. Go to any source you find reputable to find the data.

 

[Dburr1014]

Well. Since there is nothing that is forcing someone to spend their money on a reef tank, the pricing is 'fair' IMHO. I think some things are over-priced vs. their value (like many supplements, etc). There are many pieces of equipment that are non-essential. As others have said - it depends on so many variables like tank size, coral? fish only? I don't see anything 'unfair' about the pricing.

So as prices go up fast than inflation some are forced to give up a hobby to feed families instead?
I can see if you were trying to decide to setup or not but what if it's been running for ten years?

Edit; just playing devils advocate

 

[MnFish1]

So as prices go up fast than inflation some are forced to give up a hobby to feed families instead?
I can see if you were trying to decide to setup or not but what if it's been running for ten years?

Edit; just playing devils advocate

I was talking about setting up a tank. As compared to someone maintaining a tank. Either way, the prices are still 'fair'. There are many things that have caused people to change their plans due to inflation, interest rates, etc. Like people wanting to buy a house, who now must downsize because they can't afford/get approved for a mortgage and have to either continue to rent - or buy a cheaper/smaller house.

I would never start a reef-type tank if I was borderline on being able to afford it. But thats another discussion. Of course, if someone has to give up their tanks or people decrease their buying of aquariums (since they are discretionary) - prices of aquariums etc should drop.

 

[MnFish1]

Its a fact. This isn't up for debate. Jerome Powell isnt sitting up there lying about where inflation stands.

You dont believe it because "things still cost a lot of money." Yes they do, but the CPI print was just released and inflation is under 3.

Google is your friend. Go to any source you find reputable to find the data.

Curious - do you happen to know what is measured by the CPI and how it's adjusted for seasonality, locality, etc etc, etc. It is a good general measure - and as measured it's 3 percent (2.9 actually) - but it certainly does not tell the whole story of what's affecting consumers. BTW - this is not designed to be a political comment, but merely a comment as to why prices for various things are rising much higher than the measured rate...

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Curious - do you happen to know what is measured by the CPI and how it's adjusted for seasonality, locality, etc etc, etc. It is a good general measure - and as measured it's 3 percent (2.9 actually) - but it certainly does not tell the whole story of what's affecting consumers. BTW - this is not designed to be a political comment, but merely a comment as to why prices for various things are rising much higher than the measured rate...

Good question-

The US Inflation Rate is the percentage in which a chosen basket of goods and services purchased in the US increases in price over a year.

It includes the cost for food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education, and communication.

The CPI also includes seasonally adjusted data to remove annual factors that affect prices, like the busy summer travel season. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also calculates a chained CPI, which takes into account substitutions between similar items. The chained CPI updates its basket based on what people buy from one period to the next, which helps it capture consumer spending patterns and measure the true impact of higher prices.


I do think people are getting price gouged especially by companies that are borrowing money. I am hoping that changes when the Fed starts lowering rates next month. Will probably give the stock market a nice boost as well unless that is baked in to the current "sentiment" that exists in the stock market. I do like that mortgage rates are dropping. Buying a home is ridiculous right now. Glad I got in when I did years ago.

I'm going off on a tangent, I apologize.

 

[Dburr1014]

From AI;

Check out insurance prices!

 

[SomeHappyFish]

The hobby itself is too costly, but I don't mind if fish costs are excessive. Less shady individuals purchasing and neglecting them.

I see most things that I purchase has an investment for the years to come in the hobby and not has a profit investment.

If you are lazy, plan on spending more imo. The less I do the better for me

 

[PharmrJohn]

Ya know, it's all about how much ya got and what your goals are. I happen to be oldish and have some disposable cash and a wife that recognizes that I need a hobby. My view on the subject of hardware is to get the best I can afford. Since I have capital, my buy in for a 200g will be about 10K. Yes. It's a lot. But it's my choice based on affordability and previous experience with questionable products. So I'm getting the best I can find and an doing it all at once. This way, I have a better chance for long term success and less of a chance for a negative outcome. And since I'm gonna drop so much cash, I'll automatically be more invested in my pursuits.

 

[danreef55]

An additional thought.... How long do you intend to stay in the hobby. For some it is short lived, but others have much longer horizons. While the initial expenditure can be extremely expensive if you have a ten-to-twenty-year horizon averaging it out it becomes much more palatable.
I am in the same boat as pharmrjohn so I consider myself blessed.

 

[MnFish1]

An additional thought.... How long do you intend to stay in the hobby. For some it is short lived, but others have much longer horizons. While the initial expenditure can be extremely expensive if you have a ten-to-twenty-year horizon averaging it out it becomes much more palatable.
I am in the same boat as pharmrjohn so I consider myself blessed.

I will give an unpopular opinion - anyone with the thought of having a reef tank short-term - is probably making a big financial and mistake vis a vis the animals purchased

 

[Northern Flicker]

People make it expensive imo. My tank build thread shows how far you can go by avoiding the latest tech and gadgets.

No skimmer, no sump, no controller, no trident, no premade dosing chemicals, no super high end corals.

Just a regular ol breeder tank with T5s+LEDs, some DIY dosing solutions, and a lot of coral that are tolerant of being owned by us poors

It's still more expensive than most freshwater set ups but I believe most people spend more on their tank+stand than I have on everything I've owned over the last 2 years...I just wish I had kept my Metal Halides when I got out of the hobby 10 years ago