Reefing on a Budget? Don't gatekeep!

[Fishfreak2009]

This is my favorite budget coral. It was on a $20 rack and I couldn't pass it up. I have no idea what it is but it's alive and growing. If had paid $120 it would probably have died already lol.

It's Acropora valida

 

[Gumbies R Us]

This is my favorite budget coral. It was on a $20 rack and I couldn't pass it up. I have no idea what it is but it's alive and growing. If had paid $120 it would probably have died already lol.

Wow, that is an amazing acro!

 

[Reef Puncher]

It's no secret that this hobby can eat away at your wallet (and savings account... @Gumbies R Us), so stop gatekeeping!

What is your favorite reef inhabitant that is less than $150 (on average)! Fish, coral, fun inverts, doesn't matter. Share so we can all feel a little bit better about buying more!

thats funny because $150 is my cap. i refuse to pay more than $150 just because if it dies, that sucks as a loss. I would consider paying more for a real special coral if i could pick it up in person, but shipping a $300 coral scares me, even if the site says guarntee live delivery.

But IMO the best looking corals that are cheap are zoas. I love the rasta zoas and you can find them cheap.

There are some great looking mushrooms and hammer corals that are under $150. Also if you wait for sales you could even get torch corals for under $120 that are usually like $300. just gotta shop around and wait for sales.

also every girl that comes to my place comments on the firework cloves and they are so cheap.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I've run more fowlr tanks than reefs over the past 20+ years, so coral colonies are still a meh for me. My all-time fav unique one still is this guy... Think he was 30$ at the time when I bought it.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Best $40 spent in a long time. Such an awesome fish. Wifey named him Mickey because his pelvic fins remind her of mickey mouse ears

I do love those bannerfish.

Had this guy for a bit. Freakishly croaked with no symptoms.

 

[tbrown]

My newest favorite: $40 Saturday the first, right after visiting CFM.

 

[NemLoverSA]

Better to buy from local folks .... shops and hobbyists. You see what you are buying, and with shipping prices what they are .... YIKES!

 

[NkSde]

Flowerpot corals
Read horror stories was afraid of them, found some at 30 a frag and they are the happiest in my tank

 

[Weaverjay101]

Macroalgae is super cheap and can look beautiful if done right

 

[ReefStable]

I think it would have to be the Melted Crayon Favia.

 

[Momento Moreef]

If you aren’t including anything given to you by a friend, these were probably the best deal I’ve gotten.
Spent a total of 43 (38+5)on them . Glued them onto a rock next to each other.
Jan 2023

June 2024

This qualifies as a "rescue animal"

 

[Gumbies R Us]

thats funny because $150 is my cap. i refuse to pay more than $150 just because if it dies, that sucks as a loss. I would consider paying more for a real special coral if i could pick it up in person, but shipping a $300 coral scares me, even if the site says guarntee live delivery.

But IMO the best looking corals that are cheap are zoas. I love the rasta zoas and you can find them cheap.

There are some great looking mushrooms and hammer corals that are under $150. Also if you wait for sales you could even get torch corals for under $120 that are usually like $300. just gotta shop around and wait for sales.

also every girl that comes to my place comments on the firework cloves and they are so cheap.

Rasta zoas have always been ones that I like!

 

[AlyciaMarie]

if it dies, that sucks as a loss.

That's one thing that I also think about! It's hard to lose stuff as is, but it hits harder when you've spent a chunk of money on something. But at the same time, I may take the risk if it's something I really love.

 

[Daniel Rosenwinkel]

I love my $4 chromis

 

[snorklr]

never spent over $60 on a frag...that one was a neon green candy cane with 7 heads...2 yrs later 6 inches across and over 50 heads...same with a $25 single hammer, just as big now...I shop mainly at local shows here in NC..so i guess location has a lot to do with it...stopped at WWC while on vacation in Florida and the prices were scary

 

[BillFish Coral Lover]

You didn’t say it has to be a coral, so how about this guy?! On sale this instant, it’s just under budget!

 

[Ocean BLou]

I have two right off the top of my head that I currently have , a sailfin tang $72 and a mimic tang $67

It's no secret that this hobby can eat away at your wallet (and savings account... @Gumbies R Us), so stop gatekeeping!

What is your favorite reef inhabitant that is less than $150 (on average)! Fish, coral, fun inverts, doesn't matter. Share so we can all feel a little bit better about buying more!

 

[Paul B]

What is your favorite reef inhabitant that is less than $150

Nothing in my tank is over $150.00, not even close and I have over 40 fish. Most of my fish and corals I bought many years ago and there is one place near my house where everything is very cheap.

 

[Alex.qld]

Same here. I buy 20-50$ frags. Sometimes up to $100 if that is something i really like. I would not spend $500 for a coral frag because it has a little bit more of this or that color.

(Edit : and it is still a very expensive hobby)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I've run more fowlr tanks than reefs over the past 20+ years, so coral colonies are still a meh for me. My all-time fav unique one still is this guy... Think he was 30$ at the time when I bought it.

I love those fish!