Coral tank on a tight budget

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lauryn
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:22 pm

Coral tank on a tight budget

Post by lauryn »

I've got a 20-gallon tank with some Zoanthids and a couple of softies, but my budget's tight. Any tips on keeping them healthy without breaking the bank? My lighting's a basic LED, and I do weekly 10% water changes with Instant Ocean.
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JazzWing
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:34 pm

Re: Coral tank on a tight budget

Post by JazzWing »

What's your current filtration setup? A simple sponge filter can work wonders if you're on a budget. Also, how often are you feeding them? Overfeeding can mess with water quality fast.
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calida
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:44 pm

Re: Coral tank on a tight budget

Post by calida »

JazzWing wrote: ↑Thu Aug 21, 2025 2:29 pm What's your current filtration setup? A simple sponge filter can work wonders if you're on a budget. Also, how often are you feeding them? Overfeeding can mess with water quality fast.
Yep, sponge filters are great. I'd also look into DIY rock structures. You can save a ton by making your own with dry rock and a bit of creativity. Just avoid anything sketchy like untreated concrete.
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Kazora
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Oct 18, 2023 10:08 am

Re: Coral tank on a tight budget

Post by Kazora »

Lighting's key for Zoanthids. Even with basic LEDs, you can adjust the photoperiod to 8-10 hours. Too much light can stress them out. What's your current schedule?
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starwea
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2023 1:05 pm

Re: Coral tank on a tight budget

Post by starwea »

I've had success with cheap alternatives like Reef-Roids for feeding. They're affordable and my corals love them. Also, consider swapping out some water changes for a protein skimmer if you can find one secondhand.
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lauryn
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:22 pm

Re: Coral tank on a tight budget

Post by lauryn »

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try the sponge filter and cut back on feeding. My lights are on for 12 hours, so I'll adjust that too.
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calida
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:44 pm

Re: Coral tank on a tight budget

Post by calida »

lauryn wrote: ↑Thu Aug 21, 2025 5:34 pm Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try the sponge filter and cut back on feeding. My lights are on for 12 hours, so I'll adjust that too.
Glad to help! Let us know how it goes. Oh, and if you're near a local reef club, sometimes they give away free frags. Worth a shot.
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JazzWing
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:34 pm

Re: Coral tank on a tight budget

Post by JazzWing »

Second the local club idea. Also, keep an eye on Craigslist. I've scored cheap gear there before. Just test everything before you buy.
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starwea
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2023 1:05 pm

Re: Coral tank on a tight budget

Post by starwea »

JazzWing wrote: ↑Thu Aug 21, 2025 8:16 pm Second the local club idea. Also, keep an eye on Craigslist. I've scored cheap gear there before. Just test everything before you buy.
Totally. Got my current skimmer for $20 on Facebook Marketplace. Just had to clean it up a bit.
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