How much a month do you spend?

My wife wouldn't speak to me for years if she only knew how much this hobby really costs us. LOL.. She thinks my trip to the Seattle LFS was only $300 not the $700 I actually spent. oofta!

The things we do for love

 

Need to know info..... and she don't need to know!

 

If I told you/ or anyone I would have to kill ya. Starting from scratch even with the generosity of fellow reefers it has cost a lot. I am however not a reefer of simple taste, I like the bigger frags. Buying LEDs is a huge hit right off the bat. I have 13 types of sps in my tank currently and the tank is very young. This is were having a spouse oblivious to the hobby works in your favor.

 

It's all about keeping the peace in the house. Why intentionally bring something up that you know won't end well. This will be our 35 anniversary this year, I couldn't imagine a life without my best friend. However, with that said, I'm sure she's thought about it a time or two.

It took me awhile to learn how to keep the peace in the house, what can I say.

 

This seems to be a running theme on many threads.... the hiding of cost, livestock, goodies and even large pieces of equipment (like a 125 gal tank ) from our spouces.

 

Honey - really I traded a few little zoas for that ultra war paint scoly....

 

So here's the trick. Buy $200 item. Honey, it was only $150ish. Decide to upgrade. Ebay it for $125. Buy $400 item. Honey, it was only $300, and since I sold the other one for $125, it was only really $175. Do this a few more times and it can sound like you turned a profit buying a $800 item for $2000 plus shipping!

 

My most recent tank..: I bought from my LFS when they moved.
300DD Marineland tank $1200 includes the skimmer, UV filter, LR, & return pump
Pro Clear Skimmer (about to be replaced)
estimate 500lbs of LR
UV filter 114W
Marineland LED (about to be replaced) $75
DIY stand and plumbing $150-$200
Jebao RW-20 pair $180
Sand fiji pink 120lbs $60
CUC ?? no clue, there's alot of hermits, snails, conchs in there. $150?
Livestock.. Does this only include what's in there now or what I've lost? A grand or so.. now dwindled down to about $200 in livestock
Water change.. I do not make my own water. $50 a month for 100gal pre made for changes. $2.50 a week RO/DI top off
New Reef Octopus skimmer coming $500
Used metal halide/T5 fixture $150 plus another $250 to replace the bulbs

All this to get my coral game going so it is at this point I cringe, finish my beer, and go throw a tv dinner in the oven!
I pride myself on not breaking the bank on my tank. I think I've done pretty well so far...

 

Yes you have CB! The 300 DD must be sweet!

 

ha, I love how you guys feel you have to hide things from the wives! Don't they buy purses and shoes and say "but honey, it was on sale and I had a coupon!" ?? lol. I completely understand.. I live alone, and I find myself fibbing the truth on the costs to my parents when they ask (ok, guess that's worse.. hehe)