How much does it cost for a saltwater reef in a 70g tank?

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Jamesy

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 13, 2012
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OK, So I'm near-defiant going to change my new 70g community into a reef tank in the next 4-5 years, To expensive to do right now, I just wanted to know how much would EVERYTHING cost? I mean sumps, Power heads, Filters, Heaters, Live rock, sand, Anemones, fish etc... This is just on average, I was thinking it would be about 1500? Am I wrong?
 
OK, So I'm near-defiant going to change my new 70g community into a reef tank in the next 4-5 years, To expensive to do right now, I just wanted to know how much would EVERYTHING cost? I mean sumps, Power heads, Filters, Heaters, Live rock, sand, Anemones, fish etc... This is just on average, I was thinking it would be about 1500? Am I wrong?

Could be 500, could be 3000+ depends on if you buy new or second hand.. and if you buy new what quality of equipment you buy - cheap powerheads vs Vortech's, cheap LEDs vs Radions.

One thing for sure is, if you can't afford to set up it's not worth it struggling to run and maintain it, you'll just end up grudging spending money on it and the livestock are the nes that suffer, where that be fish or corals.

On the plus side....find a bargain 2nd hand setup and have a budget ready to run it and I'm sure you'll not regret changing over.

All the best :thumbsup:
 
Could be 500, could be 3000+ depends on if you buy new or second hand.. and if you buy new what quality of equipment you buy - cheap powerheads vs Vortech's, cheap LEDs vs Radions.

One thing for sure is, if you can't afford to set up it's not worth it struggling to run and maintain it, you'll just end up grudging spending money on it and the livestock are the nes that suffer, where that be fish or corals.

On the plus side....find a bargain 2nd hand setup and have a budget ready to run it and I'm sure you'll not regret changing over.

All the best :thumbsup:

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind

*EDIT*

Hey man, Just while we're here, Would it be essential to have plumbing installed for a tank that size?
 
Sumps are great. They'll hide your equipment making a less cluttered display tank but more importantly they increase the water volume which will help your tank be more stable.

But they're not essential. Lots of tanks don't have plumbing/sumps and they're successful marine tanks.

If you get the chance to have a sumped setup I'd give preference to that one but failing that you'll be fine without :thumbsup:
 
If you got 5 years to wait, you got 5 years to do your own research which is were you start. Theres no room for laziness and penny pinching in Reefing. It is a very expensive hobby anyway you look at it or route you take and definately not for eveyone.
 
If you got 5 years to wait, you got 5 years to do your own research which is were you start. Theres no room for laziness and penny pinching in Reefing. It is a very expensive hobby anyway you look at it or route you take and definately not for eveyone.

How is asking a question 'Laziness' mate?.... Have you ever even thought that I'm currently doing my research?... Probably not.
 
Sumps are great. They'll hide your equipment making a less cluttered display tank but more importantly they increase the water volume which will help your tank be more stable.

But they're not essential. Lots of tanks don't have plumbing/sumps and they're successful marine tanks.

If you get the chance to have a sumped setup I'd give preference to that one but failing that you'll be fine without :thumbsup:

Thanks man :) I'll take that into account.
 
Good lighting high output fixtures $350 new live rock marcorcks .com $2 per lb look into building your own sump check out diy section powerheads $70 pair sand $60 depending on what kind you like and want. Marcorocks also offers dry rock along with sand packages. protein skimmer $150 . I didn't kniw if you meant hang on back filter I use ac 110 on my 75gallon always available on ebay for reasonable price. Good luck on your research.
 
In 4-5 years the technology will have changed so its hard to predict what the cost will be in 4 years. I would imagine LED's will have advanced and be cheaper.

I would also go with a sump setup, much cleaner look to the tank and you dont stress the fish as you dont have to keep leaning over the tank for maintenance (mine stress out when they see me get the steps out).

I would also look at used setups as this is usually cheaper than starting from new.
 
Is it essential to have a sump in a tank that size?

So I'm guessing in about 10-15 or even 20 years salt marine tank will be cheaper to have instead of paying 3 grand?
 
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