I'm currently researching to make my 75gallon a
FOWLR, which will eventually become a reef setup. After getting the tank, stand, heater, powerheads, etc for $150, it's going to be another $700 to get it setup before adding any fish! I'll be building my
sump this week since I've tested the heater, water pump, etc, and everything works great. I hope to have the tank up and running within 2 months, and my first fish within 3 months.
Compare this with my 55gallon freshwater setup: $100 for tank/stand/rocks/heater/filter. I added rocks from a local stream, plants at $20,
driftwood at $25, bubble wall for $20, and $70 worth of fish. The price scale doesn't even compare to the
saltwater setup. The T5 lights alone will cost more than my freshwater setup, but it's worth it, IMO. I also have a divider for my 10gallon, and another
betta will be in there shortly, I hope...At the end of July, I didn't have any fish tanks here, lol...now I've got 140 gallons worth.