Reef Aquarium, What budget considerations should I make?

Hello,

After setting up numerous cold water and tropical fish tanks, I have decided to now have a shot at setting up a Marine Reef Aquarium. This has been on the cards for a while, and now is the time where I am looking into it more deeply than ever before. I have made numerous visits to different aquatic traders, and now I have made my decision on what I want to do.

The things I would like to know now is, roughly, what budget should I be looking at. I understand this is not an easy question nor an exact figure or idea can be justisfied. But rough ideas would be great.

At the moment I am just wanting to know something simple as to, a 140 Litre aquarium with all the essential items such as salt, rocks or coral quantaties, lighting and filtration.(Different types of rock and coral is being taking into consideration, i.e more expensive amounts, compared to those available cheaper) Obviously this budget may end up ballooning when purchasing different appropriate species of fish. But in order to get all the required equiptment and other treatment essentials, just to get things up and running for expansion later on, what am I looking at? Introduction of Fish and additional decor is always available at a later date, but I need the foundations first.

I currently have £800 tucked away for this project which is increasing monthly. Any advise or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

I'm not sure of the costs in the UK as opposed to the US, but about 1500$ seems to be a ballpark figure.

 

Hmm. Hard to say but setting up a 55-100g tank could cost anywhere from 800$-5000$.

 

Depending on how fancy you get. There's alot of extra goodies in this hobby.

 

Yes, it is very, very expensive! I would say around you could take this hobby from $350 GPD to $10,000 GPD. You might be a little overwhelmed but this is not all at one shot. The main expense is livestock and lighting. Those both take up about 85% of your main total. It is a very addictive but give it a shot! Its very fun also!

 

My five gallon nano is fairly new and fairly empty but I've still put out over 500 bucks for that thing, and larger tanks only get more expensive. I would check Craigslist to get the best possible deals. It is very difficult in this hobby to limit yourself to your budget, everyone on this site can tell you that.

 

Just an FYI guys, I think he's in the UK...

 

Oops! Well then it will be whatever I said times alot

 

Correction made!

 

My math tells me 140 litres is approximately equivalent to 40 U.S. "gallons" (maybe a 40 breeder?). My 55 gallon has nothing in it and I've spent $ 2000 U.S., and I don't feel like I'm going all out or anything. I'd guess you're looking at at least 1,000 pounds sterling (my U.S. keyboard won't make that cool symbol that looks kinda like a capital "E").