300 reef tank cost

[luisequezia]

Hi everybody, I'm in process to buy a house and thinking about setup 300 gallon reef tank. Any one can give idea how much 300 gallon reef gonna cost me a month to maintain... Thanks


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[jokersplayground]

depends on what you plan on keeping. it can range from $60 a month to $100 a month sometimes more. and thats not including electric coast either.

 

[Rentalcoot]

I pay 80 a month for electricity alone for 120 gal.

 

[this is me]

Best way to get an estimate is to take the total of your electric bill and divided by the total of KWH. This would give you the true cost of your electricity(supply, distribution, taxes, ect). Then use this calculator.
http://reefcentral.com/index.php/tank-electrical

The rest of the stuff is all math. How much salt you'll going to be using, water for water changes, supplement, etc.. You will just have to sit down and do some math.
When you get a number, multiply it by 2. If you can afford this number, then it's good. If you're iffy about it, you'll have to think really hard if you really want it.
Tank size vs. difficult curve is a parabola to me. Too small and it's very difficult to make it stable. Too big and it's just too much physical work and money.

 

[Marshall O]

To be honest, if you have to question how much it costs, it likely isn't a good idea. I would start with a smaller setup, something between a 90-180 and see how that goes. There is a big step up going from these up to 300+.

In my case, I don't even want to know how much I spend a month for my tanks. All I know is that I can afford it, and the wife and kids like it

 

[PSU4ME]

To be honest, if you have to question how much it costs, it likely isn't a good idea. I would start with a smaller setup, something between a 90-180 and see how that goes. There is a big step up going from these up to 300+.

In my case, I don't even want to know how much I spend a month for my tanks. All I know is that I can afford it, and the wife and kids like it

Not that the OP said he can't afford it but in general the above is a good rule. If I was getting into reefing to save money it would be a tough sell!

I think once you get over that 200g range it takes a lot of "support" to do it right for a substantial time period......although a well thought out "and funded" approach can make things pretty easy over time.

GL

 

[Marshall O]

Not that the OP said he can't afford it but in general the above is a good rule. If I was getting into reefing to save money it would be a tough sell!
GL

Good point. You saw what I was talking about, but I don't think I worded it great. It would be kind of like asking if you can afford a Ferrari!

 

[Marshall O]

The way I look at it is, the larger the tank, the more stuff you are going to want to buy, whether its fish, coral, inverts, equipment, etc. I know I could never do a 300 gallon + right now, as I would want to stuff it with at least $10k just in fish!

 

[saltwaterB]

^^ Right ! ! !

We sold all of the sharks out of the 365 gallon and I keep looking at it...thinking about turning into a reef...
Then I think of what I would spend just stocking it....and I see that putting me out of business...bad enough I hoard all kinds of goodies into my 79 gallon Elos, what would I do with 300+ gallons...


I would say on average it would be a $300-$500 a month expense...but could easily go way above that while stocking it.
I know I have a client with a 500 gallon reef system (multiple tanks tied together and TONS of Fish) and it costs him about $1500 a month total for all expenses with the tanks. But that is paying us to be there for about 4 hours every week, changing a full bucket of salt every week, 4 gallons of Bionic a month, 2 gallons of Kent Tech M, lots of various other additives and supplements, GFO, Frozen and dry food, and superglue...

 

[PSU4ME]

That's a ton of money a month........I would love to get a 300 but I would seriously need to scenario it out like the above to find out costs.....might need to install solar panels or a windmill first!

I hope my wife never sees this thread

 

[wdebenedettojr]

That's a ton of money a month........I would love to get a 300 but I would seriously need to scenario it out like the above to find out costs.....might need to install solar panels or a windmill first!

I hope my wife never sees this thread

Lol. My gf already says if we move from where we are now I have to pay the electricity bill. I'm so glad electricity is included in my rent!

 

[LoveTheReef]

It's really not that much to own a 300g. We have a 300g in the shop and our total utilities for the full shop are around $1000 per month. That covers a 500g fish system, 150g inverts system, 300g coral system, 400g coral system, 230g coral system, a 150g QT system and our 300g display system. Split the cost up and you'll see its not a lot.

And dosing stuff and food does not cost too much either -- we use BRS additives for dosing and mix of pellets, flakes, mysis shrimp and our food as food for the tank.

The only expensive part in my opinion is stocking it. But go slow and spread out your purchases and it's not so bad. Don't aim to have a fully stocked tank within the first year and a half

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[JasonandSarah]

The only expensive part in my opinion is stocking it. But go slow and spread out your purchases and it's not so bad. Don't aim to have a fully stocked tank within the first year and a half

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That's a hard thing to do! But smart if you can wait. Stocking a reef tank is a continuous Endeavor anyways. I know mine has shifted gears a few times in a couple years. It's Really settled down now though, Thank god!

 

[jrmx635]

If you plan it right its not that bad.
Startup is expensive but monthly electrics not that bad if done right
I had a 240 with 60 gallons sump.
I ran t5 light,a reeflo dart and tunze stream pumps.
A 800 and 500 watt heaters used the most electric
Now with leds its even less electric.
If you insulate your sump and plumbing it helps hold heat.
Buy pickling lime,baking soda,epsom salt for additives and instant ocean 200 gallon boxes for salt.
Also buy rock from someone breaking down and youll save alot

 

[reefstarter]

It cost me roughly $300 a month to run a 90 with 6 bulb t5 a jebao dc12000 2mp40 a calc reactor and my basement system with a hammerhead pump 4 - 250 halides running ATM and a calcium reactor on that too just in electric heaters are around 1000 watts for both systems and 5 power heads in basement

 

[jrmx635]

My current system is a 120,40 basement sump,2 AI leds,a genx 40 return that also runs a 2 reactors,a octopus 3000 and a 300 watt heater.
My electric went up about $40 a month.
I also hooked up an apex jr to control my heaters.
It kicks on heater if temp is a quater degree less than set.
People dont realize that a controller can save electric by keeping a small differential in the heaters so they dont run as much.
Thats one reason i only need a 300 watt.

 

[reefstarter]

My heaters downstairs are run by a blue line contrôlér not sure of the differential