Looking to save money ?? I just don't understand

[Tropical Joe]

My friend bought LED lights for his tank that last less then two years. He just bought a second inexpensive set of LED's. I said, why don't you buy Eccotech marine LED's ? He said there to expensive. I had my Ecco Radions now for three years and never had a problem. If there was ever an issue I can send them back for repair not just throw them out. Anyway, We are dealing with living things and trying to replicate nature. I just don't understand why we are willing to buy inexpensive junk and then when it fails we go out and buy more junk. I understand everyone has a different income, but give me a break already your just spending more money in the long run. I feel top of the line equipment is important in this hobby. #1 it will last longer #2 It will have a higher resale value #3 Your tank will run cooler and quiter #4 less hassle #5 parts easy to come by etc. etc. etc. the list goes on and on. Oh and buy the way, the equipment is for you in your house for your enjoyment. If you really need to save money, go with a smaller set up. Just a thought to throw out there as I see many of us looking to save money.

 

[Angelphish]

I was thinking about upgrading my lights to kessils for plants but then I remembered that I had two Severums.

 

[Fat Homer]

I see where you are coming from, and in my case there are times i choose cheaper equipment and times when i choose better stuff...

I guess it comes down to how much disposable income i have at the time, and how important said tank is to me... Also, some items, like light unit housing doesnt need to be as professional as say the bulbs going into them...

 

[Mikefallen13]

I think there's some equipment that you shouldn't cheap out on but IMO, there's also a ton that dosent have to be the 'top of the line' brand. When I was heavily into reef keeping, about the only thing I'd actually spend good money on was LED lighting (I'm an AI guy myself, not a big fan of Ecotech) and everything else was either homemade, bought used or an inexpensive brand. I think it's really funny people will spend $300+ dollars on a sump which you could make or buy used for a fraction of the cost. Reefkeeping was extremely expensive hobby and whenever I could find a way to save some money, I would. There's a difference between cheap equipment and unreliable, garbage equipment, but Google is your friend in that regard.

 

[Lepisosteus]

I run beamswork leds only now after owning everything from maxspect razors to Flagship halide t5 combos running me over $1000. Why would I buy an ecotech radio for $500 when I can get a beamswork led for $50? On average they have lasted me around 4 years. So $50 over 4 years is pretty good.

 

[Ihsnshaik]

Just use joeys diy

 

[JK47]

Everyone has wild different value systems. The Asian ray breeders may look at our top of the line gear and think we are being cheap. I completely agree with where you're coming from and take a similar approach myself. I have some top end gear but I also really enjoy the tinkering side, some of my best gear is stuff that I built. DIY is a fun aspect to this hobby that brings a different side of it into play.

If it gets the job done correctly for our animals it's worth is whatever you're willing to pay.

 

[HarleyK]

All good points.
I always shake my head when people are asking for cheap filters. IMO, a filter is the single most important piece of equipment. It's the lungs of the tank because it aerates. It's the liver because it detoxifies. It's the gut because it digests biomaterials. Folks spend hundreds on fish, but go cheap on life support, potentially risking the welfare of their entire stock. Crazy.

 

[PYRU]

Well if you are going to go cheap lights are the place to do it ( unless you have corals etc). I build my own stands, buy Craigslist tanks (or make my own), and use cheap pool filter type sand. As long as my parameters are where I need them that's all that really matters. It's not all about the price it's about the quality you get for what you spend. There's so much over priced junk in the aquarium trade it's ridiculous.

 

[Ihsnshaik]

Sponge filters for small tanks and sumps from dollar per gallon tank. Lighting diy led lights. Sand from pool filter sand.

All you really need. I just went to lowes right now and cut my own glass for tops. I'm not spending 30 bucks when the tank was cheaper lol