coral tank maintenance on a budget

[questor]

My corals aren't thriving like they used to, and I'm trying to cut costs without sacrificing quality. What's the cheapest way to keep them healthy? I've got a 40-gallon tank with Zoanthids, a few LPS, and a basic LED light. Parameters are stable, but growth is slow.

[bronzor]

You can save a ton by mixing your own saltwater instead of buying premade. I use Instant Ocean, which is cheap in bulk, and a refractometer to check salinity. Also, DIY rock structures with dry rock and epoxy cut decor costs. What's your current salt mix?

[folio]

Yep, DIY is the way to go. I snagged a cheap powerhead from eBay for flow, and it's been solid for months. Skip the fancy gadgets, just keep up with weekly 10% water changes. Oh, and feed 'em reef roids once a week, they'll pop.

[Cloudy]

You can save a ton by mixing your own saltwater instead of buying premade. I use Instant Ocean, which is cheap in bulk, and a refractometer to check salinity. Also, DIY rock structures with dry rock and epoxy cut decor costs. What's your current salt mix?

Agreed, but don't skimp on the refractometer. Cheap ones can be sketchy. I've had my Milwaukee for years.

[voltix1]

Lighting's a big one. If your LEDs are basic, try repositioning them closer to the corals. No need to upgrade if you're not keeping SPS. How many hours a day are you running them?

[questor]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll try the DIY rock and mix my own salt. Currently using Red Sea Blue Bucket, but it's pricey.

[HavenQuest]

Red Sea's good, but Instant Ocean's just as effective for most corals. Also, check local reef clubs for used equipment. Got my skimmer for half price that way.

[Jazzlyn]

I'm kinda new to this, but my LFS guy said to dose iodine for Zoanthids. Is that legit or just upsell? My tank's tiny, 20 gallons.

[luxora]

Dosing isn't necessary unless you're testing for it. Focus on stability first. What's your nitrate level? High nutrients can slow growth more than lack of additives.

[bronzor]

I'm kinda new to this, but my LFS guy said to dose iodine for Zoanthids. Is that legit or just upsell? My tank's tiny, 20 gallons.

Nope, don't dose what you don't test. Iodine can crash a tank if you overdo it. Stick to water changes for now.