PizzaOven
Supporting Member
Overall Budget Goal:
I want to distill a vibrant and colorful reef tank down into a small but manageable volume of water. The cost of setting up a new reef tank is a big barrier in this hobby, so I'd like to show what's possible with simple equipment and some generosity from the club. While it's difficult to maintain stable water parameters with such little water volume, the cost of equipment/rock/etc. is drastically lower compared to full sized reef tank. I plan to keep easier softies/LPS and do 50% weekly water changes to keep things happy and stable. Target budget is <$250. I hope to have a colorful and full reef by the end of 2025, but nature may have other ideas...
Ongoing Costs: $177/$500
Date Tank Cycle Began: 1/2/2025
Tank Manufacturer & Model: Aqueon 9.25" rimless cube (on sale for $27.50)
Equipment List:
Light(s): Reef Casa Beam ($0 PIF from @t0mmy108 - thanks again!!)
Pump(s): N/A
Heater(s): Hygger Mini 10W ($18.99)
Wavemaker(s): VicTsing 80GPH ($9.99)
Doser(s): N/A
Controller(s): Inkbird ($33.99)
Filtration: Nicrew HOB ($9.99)
ATO: N/A
Sand: CaribSea Special Grade (2lbx$1/lb = $2)
Rock: BRS Reef Saver (3lbx$3.49/lb = $10.47)
Additional items: N/A
Proof of cost:
Aqueon 9.25" Rimless Cube (3.4g): $27.50 (50% off sale at petco, still going for another day
)
Nicrew HOB filter: $9.99 (Amazon link)
Hygger Mini 10W Heater: $18.99 (Amazon link)
80 GPH pump: $9.99 (Purchased a long time ago, no longer available on Amazon):
Inkbird Temp Controller: $33.99 (Amazon link)
Rock/Substrate:
~3 lbs from my 65g sump. This was originally purchased as dry rock from BRS: 3lbx$3.49/lb = $10.47 (BRS link)
~2 lbs sand from my 65g display: I think this was CaribSea special grade: 2lbx$1/lb = $2 (BRS link)
Here is the tank and all equipment set up:
Plan is to get it filled with rock/sand/water tomorrow!
Running total so far: $177
I want to distill a vibrant and colorful reef tank down into a small but manageable volume of water. The cost of setting up a new reef tank is a big barrier in this hobby, so I'd like to show what's possible with simple equipment and some generosity from the club. While it's difficult to maintain stable water parameters with such little water volume, the cost of equipment/rock/etc. is drastically lower compared to full sized reef tank. I plan to keep easier softies/LPS and do 50% weekly water changes to keep things happy and stable. Target budget is <$250. I hope to have a colorful and full reef by the end of 2025, but nature may have other ideas...
Ongoing Costs: $177/$500
Date Tank Cycle Began: 1/2/2025
Tank Manufacturer & Model: Aqueon 9.25" rimless cube (on sale for $27.50)
Equipment List:
Light(s): Reef Casa Beam ($0 PIF from @t0mmy108 - thanks again!!)
Pump(s): N/A
Heater(s): Hygger Mini 10W ($18.99)
Wavemaker(s): VicTsing 80GPH ($9.99)
Doser(s): N/A
Controller(s): Inkbird ($33.99)
Filtration: Nicrew HOB ($9.99)
ATO: N/A
Sand: CaribSea Special Grade (2lbx$1/lb = $2)
Rock: BRS Reef Saver (3lbx$3.49/lb = $10.47)
Additional items: N/A
Proof of cost:
Aqueon 9.25" Rimless Cube (3.4g): $27.50 (50% off sale at petco, still going for another day
)Nicrew HOB filter: $9.99 (Amazon link)
Hygger Mini 10W Heater: $18.99 (Amazon link)
80 GPH pump: $9.99 (Purchased a long time ago, no longer available on Amazon):
Inkbird Temp Controller: $33.99 (Amazon link)
Rock/Substrate:
~3 lbs from my 65g sump. This was originally purchased as dry rock from BRS: 3lbx$3.49/lb = $10.47 (BRS link)
~2 lbs sand from my 65g display: I think this was CaribSea special grade: 2lbx$1/lb = $2 (BRS link)
Here is the tank and all equipment set up:
Plan is to get it filled with rock/sand/water tomorrow!
Running total so far: $177
Last edited:
