Rough estimate of maintenance cost monthly?

[ryanremle]

Wondering what rough estimates for maintenance costs monthly would be for both a 120 and 210 gallon reef setup, excluding livestock additions? Am considering a new set-up, which would likely have a few fish and soft corals to start as this would be my first go around with saltwater.

210 setup might be similar to this:

210 gallon tank 6wx2dx30"h with 2 overflows furniture grade stand with top
- 10 bulb (80w each) ATI powermodule 60" light fixture with a few spare bulbs
- Reef Octopus NWB 150 internal skimmer
- 900GPH external return pump
- 500gph external refugium/med/reactor pump
- 200lbs live sand
- 150+ lbs live rock
- 1/4 hp chiller
- (2) 300w heaters
- ph,calcium,phosphate,magnesium,nitrate,ammonia,nitrite test kits
- 75gal+ custom sump/refugium (3/4" acrylic)
- largest coralife uv sterilizer (needs new bulb)
- large amount of supplies including new bucket of salinity salt mix
-5 stage ro/di - pure water needs new ro filter
-New35lb bucket salinity -

Don't know what the 120 would have, but might be comparable for the size tank.

Thank you for any insight, and if there is a thread to this, please point me in the right direction as I ran a quick search and didn't immediately see any.

Thank you,
Ryan

 

[bcrueter]

There is a lot of factors that would decide on monthly costs like are you making your own water or buying it,what salt are you using how often you do water changes and a whole bunch more.I work in kennasaw and would be glad to meet up with you and help you make a plan.optimum is great as well but always have to remember lfs wants you to spend more

 

[tbryan]

Hey dude its better in this hobby if you dont ask questions like that,ignorance is bliss, or atleast less discouraging, haha.

 

[fidofence]

Great lighting choice, I would plan on a few hundred a month

 

[tbryan]

At a bare minimum I'd figure for 10 new bulbs per year & 6-7 buckets of salt per year(depending on wc interval).

 

[davidinga]

You'd save a lot on electricity by ditching the old T5 lighting and go led...

Sent by Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and Tapatalk 2

 

[jef4y]

once you get things setup, balanced & PURCHASED, your monthly maint costs will be pretty slim. On a tank that size, EXCLUDING electricity & water costs, you'd be good to budget $100-$200/mo to cover Salt, test kits, meds, food, bulbs & replacement items.

The reason you don't find it broken out anywhere is because none of us really want to know what we spend.

 

[outdrsyguy1]

I just threw some numbers together for my 110.
Bulbs, salt (weekly 15% wc), test kits, carbon, gfo, kakwasser, ro/di

100 a month. Not including pumps heaters or other hardware that fails.

Utility electric and water 40 a month

Oh, and curse you for making me add it up lol!

 

[jimsreeftank]

Its cheaper than a classic hot rod per month

 

[johniii]

I always go with $1 per gallon/month. Counting lamp changes. And other non monthly items

 

[ralph atl]

$200.00 to $400.00 per month plus water, electric, & gas....

Salt, Calcium, Alk, Mag, GFO, Carbon, variety of foods & live foods, filter & part replacement, Filter socks, bulbs, toys, meds, etc......

 

[k3nnyp]

JeF4y;844217 wrote: The reason you don't find it broken out anywhere is because none of us really want to know what we spend.

+1

I pretend to budget $100 a month not including bulbs and electric. Unfortunately the impulse buys of non-essentials are what has great potential for blowing any budget. This is for a 75.

 

[rdnelson]

How much??? A bunch!!! And that's an estimate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[heathlindner25]

I can tell you how much it will cost down to the penny.....
all of it

 

[sinbad]

I have started a fish fund at my house. I have my little can and don't mind begging for spare change