Hallowhead
NJRC Member
I learned the hard way and my first tank was all new... For my frag tank I bought everything used and boy was it cheaper. There are still things I will always buy new but it's for sure not cheap
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Why is this hobby so expensive ??
- Thread starter amado
- Start date
DangerDave
NJRC Member
it’s expensive, challenging, and worth it! I’d be happy if it was a little less expensive, but who wouldn’t lol!
Kessil is a very good company. I have a mix of 360we and 360x and I am happy with the lights. This tank is 30” high so I would have to get the AP 700 to be able to reach the bottom.
Yeah I have a mix of used and new stuff.
I think tanks should almost always be purchased used. Most reefers are out of the hobby in a year. So most of the tanks for sale are less than a year old.
That’s a great deal. You got lucky on that.
Hallowhead
NJRC Member
My first kessil lights were from you - quickly upgraded to 160's and once I can find a par meter to rent I'm sure I'll be following you're statements about 360s lol
If I was to get my frag system running and sold even 10 frags I'd consider the hobby profitable lol..
My girlfriend unfortunately knows the cost of the hobby but she understands considering the stress of my job
Your lights on the frag tank if you are just doing zoas and soft corals you are good with your lights. But you have to run them at 100%
Corals like light. If you ever go to sps or acros yeah you need 2 x 360 at 100%
That’s funny. doesn't always have to be expensive to be nice. But I do see what your saying. Besides. Real nice coral Well placed and colorful swaying in the current. Looks just as awesome in a bath tub as it does in a million dollar glass box.
I actually prefer top down views of corals compared to the traditional side view. dream tank is a shallow 70x36x20. one day.
Totally agree. My wife and I love shallow wide square tanks. Not just reefs. All types. It’s just such a nice look. In my mind it would be on a high stand. So I can still look down at it but not have to bend over so far to get a nice side view.
So in all aspect of life you have different price points for different people. I know this 1st hand since I sell real estate. I can sell a mobile home at 12pm for 30k and then turn around and sell a 800-900k home to another family.
So I understand price point.
The problem that I have with reefing is that there are no good reliable products for the lower price point. Companies are not making lights for a 16 yrs kid can afford.
No matter what price point I sell or rent a house for they will all provide shelter and function as a home.
So it’s not the same as comparing a Bentley to a Camry because the auto industry understands that they need to produce a 10k car as well as a $100k car
So I understand price point.
The problem that I have with reefing is that there are no good reliable products for the lower price point. Companies are not making lights for a 16 yrs kid can afford.
No matter what price point I sell or rent a house for they will all provide shelter and function as a home.
So it’s not the same as comparing a Bentley to a Camry because the auto industry understands that they need to produce a 10k car as well as a $100k car
Yea. We all get that. And your right. A black box light. Doesn't compare in anyway to the top lights available. Not in quality or results. BUT THEY WILL GROW CORAL. And cost way way less So I guess black box is the Camry and the others are the Bentley.
I am upgrading to a 120g, and most of the equipment I'm getting is new that need some repair, new but last year model, or used, things got out of control in this hobby and lets don't even talk about the corals, back on the day you will bet a real mini colony that in today standards will be a colony for 100 buck, now you can buy a little 1/2 inch frag for that price.
like most people said the way to go is buy used or new but not the top brands because their prices are ridiculous
Gabe
like most people said the way to go is buy used or new but not the top brands because their prices are ridiculous
Gabe
YES. Retail Coral prices are out of control. Even a lot of people fragging stuff can be out of control. But that’s where this club shines. I feel I have done very well in that regard. I buy and trade from members and get great prices For stuff I really like. I often give stuff away. And people often give me stuff. Sometimes I’ll come across a large colony of something that isint in the best health. That the seller just gives me because I purchased something else and they just want to get rid of it. And I will nurse it back to health. I then break it up into frags and either sell some for super cheap, trade for something. Or in many cases just give frags from it to other people because they were good to me or they had a bad stretch of luck and a tank crash. The point is. Just like used equipment which is 90 percent of what I have. (And I given away a lot of used equipment as well). If you shop around. Keep an eye on the forum, go to club meetings (I think I have gotten ten corals from raffles at club meetings). I mean social events hahaha. You don’t have to spend a ton on corals. Unless you are the type who must have the latest fad. Like bounce mushrooms. I just don’t get it. I don’t think they that good. And there are a lot of beautiful mushrooms for real cheap.
So you know how black boxes came into the USA. Those companies started making lights for growing plants in-house. The hydroponics became huge and people where looking for cheaper LED lights.
Most of the black boxes are made by a company owned by LG they make led lights for everything you can imagine. They noticed that people where buying their lights and using them for aquariums outside of the USA.
So they decided to make a light just for marine tanks and that’s how now we have black box lights.
The same thing happened with frag tanks.
Frag tanks use to cost $500 for a regular Glass tank 4x2x12”
Zoo med made similar tank that they made for reptiles and that tank sold for $120 for a 4 x 2 x 12” so people stop buying the expensive $500 frag tanks and
The company went bankrupt.
Zoo med now makes a tank for frags at the same $120 price.
If you make a LED to grow tomatoes you sell it for $20.
If you take that same LED and sell it for reef tanks and say it can grow corals you can charge $1000
Absolutely all true. I totally agree. And I guess the point of this whole thread. This hobby can be as expensive as you allow it. All depends on your budget. Your risk management. And how hard your willing to look. But I begrudge nobody. If you got the cash to put all the latest greatest. AWESOME just let me see it lol. And if you have to shoestring a system together AWESOME. Just let me see it lol. Personally I’m excited about YOUR new build Amado. I Really am looking forward to the tale of the tank. What you have posted so far about budget and design has been great. So keep them updates coming and take lots of pics bro.
