Yearly expense of a tank?

[Fl_Seagull]

Just got done talking to my accountant (wife). She was not happy about my proposed yearly expense for my new 120 gal tank. But since she bought it for me and she wanted me to do saltwater she doesn't have much choice :wink: .

The problem is I am not sure beyond cost to replace light bulbs, RO/DI cartridge changes, salt, and test kit chemical replacement what else is needed and what is reasonable to budget.

Granted equipment failure has to be addressed, but that alway is problematic to budget.

Keep in mind I am looking toward FOWLR and maybe some LPS. Is suppliments going to be a big issue?

 

[Arch01]

Good question, I guess I should be wondering the same things since I'm going to be setting up a tank soon (thus I have no real experience and these are just generic thoughts.) Have you thought about food? Not sure what type of lighting you'll have with FO, but elecricity costs too. The only thing you should need to supplement might be calcium, but not if you don't keep corals and it shouldn't be too bad with a few LPS.

HTH
Alex
_________________
going green

 

[Len]

Supplements shouldn't be a big issue. B-ionic will do fine for your setup and shouldn't run more then $50/yr. Fish food is another ongoing cost, but against shouldn't be more then $50/year, especially if you blend your own. On top of electricity, I don't see anything else that will be a regular cost.

 

[Fl_Seagull]

Thanks.

Being an engineer I tend to get too deep into the worst case.

Lighting is Custom Seealife PC..so 4each 96watt bulbs per yr : $180-$200
Salt for 10% water change(12.5gal/week x 52 x $44.00/50 gal): $572
RO/DI cartidge change out (twice a yr): $80
Food: $50
Suppliments: $50
Electricity: ~$500

Thus ~$1000 /yr

Does that seem reasonable?

 

[Aff]

The numbers look a little high in my opinion. The bulbs can be had for around 30ish each. Salt you should be able to find 160-200 gal buckets for around $50-60. If your LFS is charging you $44 for 50 gal of salt then you need to check out the sponsors link or try petsolutions.com. Also for a fish only, you should be able to just do 10% every other week so long as it's not overstocked. Possibly less than that but it's what I've always done on my reef. Electricity could be a little on the high side. Running in the 500 watt range and didn't notice much of an increase in the monthly bill so $40 seems a bit much but I guess it's all on where you're located.

Then again I also don't see any point in not going with the $1000/year figure. Give ya some extra money to play with

 

[Anonymous]

I just checked on Petsmarts page and they have 50 gallon of Instant Ocean for 9.99, so that definitely does need adjustment.

 

[Fl_Seagull]

Thanks for pointing out the salt pricing error. Seems I had mixed up the price for 50 gal and 200 gal .

Bulbs appear to be all over the place in price.

Electric is still an unknown since I am still putting together the pumps, controllers, etc. Part of the the electricity is related to the tank location. It is in a "Florida Room" -- an unheated and un-Air Conditioned room. This means I will have significate costs to heat and cool the tank. I am working to "condition" the room and thus transfer some of the cost to the household budget instead of my hobby budget :wink: .

My numbers may still be a little high but it is just a budget. It is easier to give money back to an accountant than it is to get money from one :lol: .

Lighting is Custom Seealife PC..so 4each 96watt bulbs per yr : $140-$180
Salt for 10% water change(12.5gal/week x 52wks x $44.00/200 gal): $132
RO/DI cartidge change out (twice a yr): $80
Food: $50
Suppliments: $50
Electricity: ~$500

Thus ~$1000 /yr of fixed costs.

 

[ChrisRD]

Probably best to NOT figure this out...

 

[Simon1]

Salt mix : $50.00
Replacement bulbs $200.00
Fish food $48.00
Having a coral reef in your living room... priceless

 

[knpjdad]

Well said Simon!!

 

[Anonymous]

I guess if like you said dont have much of a choice cuz your "accountant" got you this for a gift and wants you to do the marine thing then why bother figuring out the expenses...Lights you can get cheaper if you shop around.....

 

[rwoolley]

I'm sure I "should have" given that much thought to the overall cost... but even if I had, I'd still be going over budget. My wife has become a LFS junkie!