reefingbabe Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 Setting up a marine tank has not been easy and cheap. I thought I would spend no more than $1,000 for this hobby. In less than a year, I have spend nearly $10,000 and it is not even halfway through my reefing journey. From setting up a small tank of two feet, I did the usual after it cycled. I added the clownfishes (premium ones even though it is not advisable as a starting fish) and also some soft corals. I soon realised that colors are quite lovely for tanks and even if I am buying soft corals, I should not be buying those brown ones just because they are cheap. Of course, taking into consideration that I have learnt how to care for corals. That will be more important. Zoas are pretty and nice ones are expensive. Always want to have a small zoa garden and I hope I can make it. What are the favourite zoas out there? My first big mistake was adding small blue tang to a 2 feet. I wasn't advised against it in the shop too. He was all okay till he got stressed one day, most likely due to other fishes in the tank sharing space with him. It was a nightmare as I lost all my fishes to ICK. I was in pain for a month or so. This was when my tank was empty without fishes. This is also when I started playing with LPS Corals since I had no more fishes. I had to wait for about 10-12 weeks for the ICK parasite to die in my tank. Eventually, they did die and I could start again. However, while waiting, I was filled with interest to play LPS Corals. Well, I didn't had a chiller first. I bought some fans to cool the tank. Still, it was about 28 deg and I can see that some LPS Corals could not tolerate it. I wanted them to be happy and so I bought the chiller. Everything else was much better even though I do not do any dosing for the BIG 3. I had a small skimmer QQ1 which might not be the best nano skimmer but I used it anyway. Tank matured and everyone was happy. This time, in the restart, I stopped adding fishes for fun. I become more careful. I only added 2 clownfishes and that's it. I was more keen on corals. Right now, I have plunged into a new big tank project. It is a big player game and I was keen to stock up and grow fast. Then I paused for a while to focus on making money and spending time with my family. We shouldn't ignore all these things to be spending time in reefing and auctions all the time. I might lose out, but I am happy. So keep going reefers. Enjoy the hobby. Do what matters to you most. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Kenjitan5285 Posted October 27, 2020 SRC Member Share Posted October 27, 2020 Same as me. i spend more then 10k within 3 years on equipment and fish. But I enjoy it. Mine is only 2ftX1.5ftX1.5ft. I can’t imagine that bigger tank such like 5ftX2ft how they going to pay for that. And some is really a super big tankSent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefingbabe Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 Thanks for sharing. Pride can kill if we are not careful. Sometimes people want to get to feel the success of others and get themselves into more financial difficulties. It will be good to stop comparing and just enjoy the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Kenjitan5285 Posted October 27, 2020 SRC Member Share Posted October 27, 2020 is tr ueSent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hara Teo Posted October 28, 2020 Share Posted October 28, 2020 Any guides what to get for beginner to reduce being burning cash.Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member domvonn Posted October 28, 2020 SRC Member Share Posted October 28, 2020 I read somewhere reefing need not be expensive .Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member domvonn Posted October 28, 2020 SRC Member Share Posted October 28, 2020 Any guides what to get for beginner to reduce being burning cash.Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile appRead more , ask around .A lot of senior reefers are there to chip in their advises .Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Otaku Reefer Posted October 28, 2020 SRC Member Share Posted October 28, 2020 Actually most reefers including me, want to save money in the beginning by buying inferior stuff, in the end upgrade waste more money. This hobby is better to plan ahead on in terms of livestock and equipment, know ur budget and know what you want, the only way is to be more patient and not rush into buying something, do more research. I would say this hobby is generally expensive, the equipment that makes life easier for u is not cheap. just take chiller for example, u wan save money for chiller, go buy fan, u initially tink u definitely can do the manual topup cos fan the evaporation can be crazy. But end of day with work and family commitment is not sustainable. Not expert here, just sharing my 2 cents, hope it helps. happy reefing!Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Tabungrahim Posted October 28, 2020 SRC Member Share Posted October 28, 2020 Actually most reefers including me, want to save money in the beginning by buying inferior stuff, in the end upgrade waste more money. This hobby is better to plan ahead on in terms of livestock and equipment, know ur budget and know what you want, the only way is to be more patient and not rush into buying something, do more research. I would say this hobby is generally expensive, the equipment that makes life easier for u is not cheap. just take chiller for example, u wan save money for chiller, go buy fan, u initially tink u definitely can do the manual topup cos fan the evaporation can be crazy. But end of day with work and family commitment is not sustainable. Not expert here, just sharing my 2 cents, hope it helps. happy reefing!Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile appTrue Best to plan and have a complete system ...Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefingbabe Posted October 28, 2020 Author Share Posted October 28, 2020 A beginner's guide to reduce burning cash could be: Avoid Playing Corals, especially LPS and SPS where you will need to spend alot for dosing, chiller, etc. Soft corals still okay. Keep Tank Small. Avoid spending much on products just because it is popular. It might not be really necessary. Try to keep tank in a cooler environment in your house to make it cheaper for you in getting it cool. Do not overstock or buy fishes so rapidly. If one brings in some parasite like velvet or ick, it could wipe out all your other fishes. Stock up slowly and choose fishes who are healthy and are from healthy tanks. Do not get tempted by what you see online of other reefer's tanks. Just be happy with yours. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Indeco Posted October 28, 2020 SRC Member Share Posted October 28, 2020 For new reefer, don't rush in to setup everything at the beginning after watching youtube. E.g reactor, dosing pump, refugium etc. Alot of things may not even be required during reefing journey. Start simple with the basic equipments and add along the way when needed. E.g. If your tank is small or low bioload, regular water change can already top up elements, nutrient export. This can save the money for dosing pump, reactor etc.Setup up more equipments also mean more room for failure and you will need to standby redundancy. Especially when u go holiday.Understand your problem then find the suitable solution to it.Lastly, DIY will help u save alot too just need to read up more.Just my 2 cents. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Supporter SubzeroLT Posted October 28, 2020 SRC Supporter Share Posted October 28, 2020 Thanks for sharing your journey. Look forward to updates. I posted a newbie guide recently on SRC page. I guess you are now more experienced & am keen to follow your journey. In any case, for the others who are keen, this is the new tank guide. Part 2 coming soon. https://www.sgreefclub.com/home/starting-your-first-marine-tank-overview-to-plan-your-equipment-and-budget-part-1/ 3 Quote Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/mysliceofnature/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BHReef Posted October 29, 2020 Share Posted October 29, 2020 On 10/28/2020 at 12:28 PM, Hara Teo said: Any guides what to get for beginner to reduce being burning cash. Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app You do not need designer livestock to have an amazing Reef tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaihot5 Posted November 11, 2020 Share Posted November 11, 2020 great insights from experience reefers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hara Teo Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 Nice setup Setting up a marine tank has not been easy and cheap. I thought I would spend no more than $1,000 for this hobby. In less than a year, I have spend nearly $10,000 and it is not even halfway through my reefing journey. From setting up a small tank of two feet, I did the usual after it cycled. I added the clownfishes (premium ones even though it is not advisable as a starting fish) and also some soft corals. I soon realised that colors are quite lovely for tanks and even if I am buying soft corals, I should not be buying those brown ones just because they are cheap. Of course, taking into consideration that I have learnt how to care for corals. That will be more important. Zoas are pretty and nice ones are expensive. Always want to have a small zoa garden and I hope I can make it. What are the favourite zoas out there? My first big mistake was adding small blue tang to a 2 feet. I wasn't advised against it in the shop too. He was all okay till he got stressed one day, most likely due to other fishes in the tank sharing space with him. It was a nightmare as I lost all my fishes to ICK. I was in pain for a month or so. This was when my tank was empty without fishes. This is also when I started playing with LPS Corals since I had no more fishes. I had to wait for about 10-12 weeks for the ICK parasite to die in my tank. Eventually, they did die and I could start again. However, while waiting, I was filled with interest to play LPS Corals. Well, I didn't had a chiller first. I bought some fans to cool the tank. Still, it was about 28 deg and I can see that some LPS Corals could not tolerate it. I wanted them to be happy and so I bought the chiller. Everything else was much better even though I do not do any dosing for the BIG 3. I had a small skimmer QQ1 which might not be the best nano skimmer but I used it anyway. Tank matured and everyone was happy. This time, in the restart, I stopped adding fishes for fun. I become more careful. I only added 2 clownfishes and that's it. I was more keen on corals. Right now, I have plunged into a new big tank project. It is a big player game and I was keen to stock up and grow fast. Then I paused for a while to focus on making money and spending time with my family. We shouldn't ignore all these things to be spending time in reefing and auctions all the time. I might lose out, but I am happy. So keep going reefers. Enjoy the hobby. Do what matters to you most. Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdude Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 thanks for sharing, im too starting to reef 3ft x 3 x 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed007 Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 Great sharing, learning new stuff everyday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSJK Posted July 3, 2021 Share Posted July 3, 2021 I'm new to this hobby too. Lesson learnt is to do water change before any medicine or catching the fish which will stress them out. Keep changing water every other day or 2 to 3 days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnolard Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Thanks for sharing your experienceSent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexcyf Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 A beginner's guide to reduce burning cash could be: Avoid Playing Corals, especially LPS and SPS where you will need to spend alot for dosing, chiller, etc. Soft corals still okay. Keep Tank Small. Avoid spending much on products just because it is popular. It might not be really necessary. Try to keep tank in a cooler environment in your house to make it cheaper for you in getting it cool. Do not overstock or buy fishes so rapidly. If one brings in some parasite like velvet or ick, it could wipe out all your other fishes. Stock up slowly and choose fishes who are healthy and are from healthy tanks. Do not get tempted by what you see online of other reefer's tanks. Just be happy with yours. Agree with this! Start with softies and build ur knowledge, husbandry and confidenceIf I can add more. For equipment. Don’t need to rush into everything but a good sump is important. So when u are ready to expand ur toys to try corals that have higher demand, you can add on relevant equipment to support when you are ready!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Follow Alex's Reefing Journey @ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky_1 Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 Great sharing. There's always a lot to learn especially with different set-ups and equipments now avail in the market.Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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