Cali Kid Corals

Willie’s super budget 168 build.

Dunno if you guys follow my other thread. So I thought I would share my Super Budget Build.
Here are my requirements. Aquarium has to be a low energy build. Naturally lit by the sun or super low wattage lights. If it can’t live like that. I don’t need it. Super low flow. Return pump only. Roller mat No skimmer. Shed is heated at night to 74*. I have a heater on it but it rarely comes on.
So here’s the build and cost.

Aquarium sump and stand Michael @H2OPlayar and @Srt4eric old 168. Thanks for being so generous Michael and Eric. Zero dollars.

Plumbing. I used some of Michael’s and some stuff I had laying around. Zero dollars.

Old roller mat. Zero dollars. Was in the garage for years.

Heater and ink bird controller zero dollars was given to me years ago.

Jebao 40 watt return pump. Amazon. 80 dollars. I finally spent money. Actually Michael gave me a L2 but I gave it to Eric. Cuz they are cool like that. Lol.

Crushed coral 125 lbs. Arnold had it in his garage. It was never used. @Apon 50 dollars.

Live rock. Zero dollars. Had it from other aquariums.

Fish. Zero dollars. Collected them over the years. They were rehomed from my other aquariums.

Corals. Mostly toadstools right now. 65 dollars from Arnold @Apon.

So from people being generous in this club I built a huge aquarium for very little money. I wish I could have said that 25 years ago when I spent 1000 dollars on a 29 gallon and just had 5 corals. Well here are some pictures.
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By my estimate. This aquarium only consumes about 40 watts. 28 watts for the return pump. 3 watts for the roller mat. Heater once in a while

So why am I writing all this ? Just to let you new guys know. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a nice aquarium. There are a lot of people who will help you if you ask and you can build a little. It can get done for not much money.
 
There’s no room on the roof for the solar tube to pop out as I have solar panels on the roof. Unless I cut a hole in the side of the shed like a side chimney. Plus the ceiling is so high from the top of the aquarium. I would have to do like a vent a hood style or soffit something. Kinda bulky. Dunno. Gotta think about it.
 
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