So i want to share my story on my 40 B on a budget. it is possible to have a nice looking tank with out having to rob a bank.
let start with the idea, i would say that way the cheapest thing but it was not it cost me a few night of no sleep do to the anticipation and excitement lol. i had a tank that a friend gave me 5 years ago just sitting in the attic so cost was $0 until i look in it and it said do not fill with water (god damn critter tank) so first cost used 40 GB, 36" reef 50/50 light with fixture that also holds 3 compact bulbs (CL Craigs List)$30 now all the prices where achieved with skillful negotiating Next my 12k HID $0 left over from HID job i did, the case is a modified halogen spot light that was taking out of the trash. Next i help a friend move out of his apt, to bad at that point all his tank where broke down and at the storage unit where we went. i ended up buying 36" Attinic light and fixture, a 3/4 full bucket of reef salt,power head and a canster filter (knock off small fluvel x5) for a total of $36. Next built a few custom LED light bars all off of one control board with left over led kits that i had from my Shop (Amkustoms.com) $0 next1/8" Plexi top cut to fit (got from old job) $0 next hydrometer in tank float type $1.50 Ebay. Next a 5 gallon and 2.5 gal bucket of live sand ,2 live rocks,1 magnetic power head (CL) from a kids (turned out to be a friend i made a Petco years ago tank that was just broke down for $20.Next EV 120 protein skimmer (same guy a week latter) $25 next power head 2 $0 in stock next i got a 5 gallon bucket of dead coral skeleton and other calcium rocks (i guy i meet in Petco) $26. Next Overflow box, wetdry sump and mag 7 along with 90 gal tank (cichlids tank now) Freebe (CL). heaters $0 have from past tanks. Next 5 gallon bucket of nice Nature's Ocean live Aragonite Reef Sand (used some for refug and gave away rest to help next guy) along with a 80 lbs of live rock $0 traded for my labor (3hr) for install on alarm/remote starter.
Quick brake down
Tank and reef light $30
12k light $ 0
Attin,salt,power head,can filter $36
LED light bars $ 0
Plexi Top $ 0
hydrometer $ 1.50
Sand,2 live rock,power head 1 $20
Protein skimmer $25
power head 2 $ 0
coral,calcium rock dead $26
overflow,wet/dry,mag 7 $ 0
heaters $ 0
5 gal bucket N O sand live rock $ 0
GRAND TOTAL SO FAR $ 127.50
i will post the pic in the order i got the parts and order i built the set up. I hope i put this in the right place. and i hope i have shed some light to people that do not think they can afford a salt tank. be patient and you will get good deals.
let start with the idea, i would say that way the cheapest thing but it was not it cost me a few night of no sleep do to the anticipation and excitement lol. i had a tank that a friend gave me 5 years ago just sitting in the attic so cost was $0 until i look in it and it said do not fill with water (god damn critter tank) so first cost used 40 GB, 36" reef 50/50 light with fixture that also holds 3 compact bulbs (CL Craigs List)$30 now all the prices where achieved with skillful negotiating Next my 12k HID $0 left over from HID job i did, the case is a modified halogen spot light that was taking out of the trash. Next i help a friend move out of his apt, to bad at that point all his tank where broke down and at the storage unit where we went. i ended up buying 36" Attinic light and fixture, a 3/4 full bucket of reef salt,power head and a canster filter (knock off small fluvel x5) for a total of $36. Next built a few custom LED light bars all off of one control board with left over led kits that i had from my Shop (Amkustoms.com) $0 next1/8" Plexi top cut to fit (got from old job) $0 next hydrometer in tank float type $1.50 Ebay. Next a 5 gallon and 2.5 gal bucket of live sand ,2 live rocks,1 magnetic power head (CL) from a kids (turned out to be a friend i made a Petco years ago tank that was just broke down for $20.Next EV 120 protein skimmer (same guy a week latter) $25 next power head 2 $0 in stock next i got a 5 gallon bucket of dead coral skeleton and other calcium rocks (i guy i meet in Petco) $26. Next Overflow box, wetdry sump and mag 7 along with 90 gal tank (cichlids tank now) Freebe (CL). heaters $0 have from past tanks. Next 5 gallon bucket of nice Nature's Ocean live Aragonite Reef Sand (used some for refug and gave away rest to help next guy) along with a 80 lbs of live rock $0 traded for my labor (3hr) for install on alarm/remote starter.
Quick brake down
Tank and reef light $30
12k light $ 0
Attin,salt,power head,can filter $36
LED light bars $ 0
Plexi Top $ 0
hydrometer $ 1.50
Sand,2 live rock,power head 1 $20
Protein skimmer $25
power head 2 $ 0
coral,calcium rock dead $26
overflow,wet/dry,mag 7 $ 0
heaters $ 0
5 gal bucket N O sand live rock $ 0
GRAND TOTAL SO FAR $ 127.50
i will post the pic in the order i got the parts and order i built the set up. I hope i put this in the right place. and i hope i have shed some light to people that do not think they can afford a salt tank. be patient and you will get good deals.
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