[shawmutt]

Initially, I got this stuff free from my father in law:

29 Gallon Tank
Tank Stand
Hood & Light
Java Fern
Angel fish
Cory Cat
Gravel
Small Piece of driftwood
Hang on power filter
Red slate rocks
Magnet Glass cleaner
2 5 Gallon water jugs (the kind that go on the water cooler)

When the angel died, I decided on the kind of tank I wanted and got (approx $):

Black Background $15
Black Gravel $40
Cardinal Tetras $45 for 12 (have 9 now)
Ottos $5 for 4 (have 2 now)
Corys $6 for 2
African Root $35
Amazon swords $6 for 2 (have 1 now)
DIY CO2 injection approx $5
Jaguar Skull $10

This is for my current tank. I'll tack on an extra $100 for equipment I bought, like airpumps and a coral reef light, that I don't use.

And then there's upkeep:

Distilled Water 6 gallon per week @ .65, $4
Filter Media 1 box of three sponges every 6 weeks, $3
Small gravel vaccuum $5
Test Kit $20
Food ~$5 a month

And I'm sure I'll go home and find a few other things.