Whose been able to stay on budget?

[ecoreefguy]

Out of curiosity, has anyone gone into planning a build and actually stayed on budget? My wife and I, god bless her patience, put a number on what we thought would be very reasonable amount into my build. We planned on a budget that we assumed would be able to buy everything we ( I wanted lol) wanted new. So I should have had plenty of headway if I picked up something at a good deal second hand. I have reached and passed that budget and still have so much more left to buy. It literally just starts with “ oh for a few hundred more I can upgrade to this”… now I’m close to doubling what I wanted to spend with no light ordered yet…

 

[dball711]

Happens to me on every build...

 

[hzheng33]

never......

 

[iu_gary]

Saltwater reef tank and budget in the same sentence. That’s really funny.

 

[york1]

 

[Adam]

 

[skrappy]

Always double within the first 6 months. I usually manage to stay on budget for the initial setup, but then quickly find things that need added or changed and it skyrockets.

 

[ecoreefguy]

Always double within the first 6 months. I usually manage to stay on budget for the initial setup, but then quickly find things that need added or changed and it skyrockets.

I don’t even have water in tank yet and it’s elevated. I love that my wife just says “ get what you need and worry about it later”. I’m sure she wants something but it’s awesome to get support and not have to hide things.

 

[enderg60]

Good one.

 

[billyocean]

 

[gill]

I mean... no. I've stuck to budgets on computer builds, but tanks are fluid and ever changing.

 

[ecoreefguy]

I mean... no. I've stuck to budgets on computer builds, but tanks are fluid and ever changing.

I have yet to be reasonable with my computer builds lol.

 

[richards]

One may always add equipment in the 1st year or two as the tank progresses....my 1st tank (lifetime ago) was almost all natural (only live rock & tiny protein skimmer & heater & VHO florescent lights & Kalcw). The Jan 2023 new operation is higher tech...adding various equipment systems every few months....Most "additions" were playing with processes to simplify management....no rush....so many different methods...kind of a pay as one goes...with joy....(one often has a system in a state of careful neglect)...

 

[Adam]

I mean... no. I've stuck to budgets on computer builds, but tanks are fluid and ever changing.

Umm yeah sure pal, lier ............................................... pun intended?