So how much $ to set up your first real tank (planted,fresh)?

[AquaNewb]

I recently posted here talking about doing a 5g tank. Well I found a 10g tank and started research fish and what I need, so then I decided to do 30g since it seemed id be pumping alot of money in anyway.

Then I sat down and started figuring up exactly how much I'd be spending and it really blew my mind. It's something i don't want to skimp on, I want to do it right and have something very nice, but wow. Maybe I'm really figuring something wrong or looking in the wrong places.

How much did your first real tank cost? The costs I was looking up in total were starting to approach 1k. With just the tank (glass) and its accessories, no plants or fish or anything with fish like food, nearly 500.

Almost all the fish id have to order which is where alot of the expense for those came from... I really wont buy an animal that is second option for me

 

[milkingmomma]

I recently posted here talking about doing a 5g tank. Well I found a 10g tank and started research fish and what I need, so then I decided to do 30g since it seemed id be pumping alot of money in anyway.

Then I sat down and started figuring up exactly how much I'd be spending and it really blew my mind. It's something i don't want to skimp on, I want to do it right and have something very nice, but wow. Maybe I'm really figuring something wrong or looking in the wrong places.

How much did your first real tank cost? The costs I was looking up in total were starting to approach 1k. With just the tank (glass) and its accessories, no plants or fish or anything with fish like food, nearly 500.

Almost all the fish id have to order which is where alot of the expense for those came from... I really wont buy an animal that is second option for me

Depends on if you are buying all new equipment or buying used when you find good deals.

I just started up a 30 gallon and have around $100-150 into it.

Picked up the tank, hood, and a few other things cheap or possibly even free a few years ago. It also came with a filter but I replaced that.

Bought a new filter for approximately $50.

Fish was $6 at a local pet store.

Prime, tetra safe start, food, vacuum hose, etc was about $50.

I had an unexpired test kit already.

We are using a solid wood dry sink as a stand.

Light bar came off of a 10 gallon we had sitting around but amazon has good prices for lights.

I'm not much into plants but aqua bid(?) had a few packages the other day that included enough plants for a 30 gallon for around $30.

I recommend looking at some of your local Facebook groups and Craigslist for deals. And also shopping around online and waiting for sales. No way would I put $1000 buck into a 30 gallon. Not even sure I would put that much into a 125 or 150 gallon.

 

[MonsterMan]

I am building my very first tank right now. 20 gallon long. I expect to spend about 300-350 dollars.

I have spent about 180 on tank, filter, heater, pump, powerhead, hood, and test kit. All that is left is substrate, about 20 dollars, fish and plants. Still looking at prebuilt stands in 80 dollar range or might build one myself.

 

[Toad]

Yeah, I think the most I spent on my first tank setup (30g) was like 10 dollars on black gravel and maybe a total of 15 on fish. Most of it was stuff my brother had left behind when he moved or stuff that seemed to show up over the years. I refuse to buy brand new fish tanks because I've gotten so many for cheap or even free (20 and 55g sitting by the side of the road). Craigslist or an equivalent is your friend. Amazon can be your friend too lol. Sometimes I don't have the fanciest setup (shop lights instead of sexy hood lights), but it works and I'm not going broke from it.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[milkingmomma]

Yeah, I think the most I spent on my first tank setup (30g) was like 10 dollars on black gravel and maybe a total of 15 on fish. Most of it was stuff my brother had left behind when he moved or stuff that seemed to show up over the years. I refuse to buy brand new fish tanks because I've gotten so many for cheap or even free (20 and 55g sitting by the side of the road). Craigslist or an equivalent is your friend. Amazon can be your friend too lol. Sometimes I don't have the fanciest setup (shop lights instead of sexy hood lights), but it works and I'm not going broke from it.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Aquarium Advice mobile app

I agree with this! I spent more than I would have liked to on this tank but had a 7 year old begging to get it going. Also in my very small "down time" time frame.
Once the holidays is over life gets back to crazy busy around here. I just simply did not have time to wait for anymore bargins this go around.

 

[Andy Sager]

Tank, stand and filtering should be the only things you don't scrimp on. The tank needs to be able to hold water the day you get it or else you could be asking for trouble in a short amount of time. Used tanks are good ( and usually 1/2 the cost of a new tank if not less) as long as they are holding water when you get them. Pet $1 per gallon sale is sometimes a better option as it will come with a warranty.
The stand is important because if you don't have the proper structure in a stand, even a great quality tank can crack.
The filtering is the most important. THAT is what keeps your fish alive. Proper size for the tank is important. Not all tans need canister filters or HOBs and sometimes a simple sponge filter can do all the filtering you need.

After these 3 things, your expenses can be as much or as little as you want. Lighting can be simple or complex. Gravel the same. Decor- if it's important to the fish to have that monster piece of expensive driftwood in the tank, you have to buy it. But if they don't ( and most fish don't ), you can use a cheaper plastic or stone piece instead. Plastic plants can be just as effective as live and much cheaper to maintain as well. Real is nice but real is more expensive to keep because you have to do more than just buy the plant.

But the bottom line is to set a price for what you want to spend and then get the best setup you can for that amount of money. If your budget is only enough for a well set up 10 gal tank but you wanted a 30 gallon tank, either go with the 10 or wait and save up some more money for the 30. Don't mickey mouse it. More people lose fish because they skimped on their setup and the fish paid the price. Setting up the tank properly in the first place does save money ( lots of it) in the long run.

Save​

 

[Autumnsky]

If you have used stores, like Habitat ReStore or Thrift stores, a good old 80's solid credenza printer stand, etc. office type solid wood type stuff can easily be painted black (or other) to match what you have. Cheap usually. As well as freebies from online sites like CL. Upgrades are always possible, later. When you want a bigger tank (again) .

Try and find a local / regional fish club. Ours always has great people who bring lots of plants and fish, etc. for the monthly meeting and are great deals (mini Auction). Great knowledge base and good friends.

~~
Money wise I got a new used 16G bowfront people used the filter I think out of the box but never used the tank for around $50 ($65 can't quite remember)

After that about a hundred - 125 more total because of sand and chemicals and fish filter pads, etc. and mistakes.

Now I will find the best possible deals for great condition, do research so I know what the prices are even on sale so I know what the real value should be if I buy used.

 

[nirbhao]

We set up two tanks within a couple of weeks.

29 gallon tank, used - $10
10 gallon tank, new - $10
AquaClear 30 - $25
Aqueon QuietFlow, used - $15
AquaClear 20 - $20
Heaters.... Jeez maybe $40 total
Substrate, so much - maybe $50
Test kit - $30
Purigen - $10
Plants - a bunch of $4 from Petco and then a couple more expensive mosses - $60ish
20 pound CO2 tank (smh) - $60
I have no clue how much my husband has spent on fittings and valves
Stands - $30 for a big solid table to hold both tanks, then $45 when we got them two separate stands.

 

[Nils]

IMO shouldn't cost more than $150-200 to set up a tank. Work on a budget, set one that you're comfortable with. Look on Ebay and Craigslist, so many people don't realize the amazing deals on there. Especially now during the holiday season look for discounts and coupons. I've never spent more than $100 on a FW tank to initially set it up. Everything after that raises the bill a bit, but in the end it'll be worth it.

 

[Delapool]

First tank I reckon around Aus$200. That's not the problem. The problem is today's tank which is say Aus$3500 just there now.

Stopping at one tank is the problem. At least I get told it's a problem.

But whatever you get on the tank should last for years and years while equipment will come and go. So my preference is to go for the biggest tank you can get and sort the rest out over time.

 

[coralbandit]

What a bunch of ENABLERS!!!! I like sugar coated donuts also!!!
Just say good bye to your money and hello to the best hobby in the world!!!
Many people will possibly tell you after you buy an inferior piece of equipment "you get what you pay for"!!!!
I'll ask the more relevant question.....
How much have all of you SPENT on your tank???? Or better yet how good did that half priced what ever work out???
I have spent SOOO much over the years [or when the new toy comes on the market] that I breed fish to keep my hobby self sufficient.

Fish stuff is just like cars,computers ,well everything else.There is new ,used, and good deals to be had...If you are not patient AND lucky you will probably spend as much if not more then most without specific equipment advice IMO.
Then when you get 'the good stuff' wait till the next generation shows up...Tomorrow!

Just wait till the new 24/7 comes out and then you can start the light collection that will be next the filter collection.....

 

[Barliman]

Stopping at one tank is the problem. At least I get told it's a problem.

I fail to see the problem.

 

[TMaier]

I refuse to even consider adding up what I have spent. Even just over the past year. $$$

 

[HooKooDooKu]

My first tank was a relatively simple 10 gallon fish tank for a goldfish, but still cost over $100:

Tank ~$10
Filter ~$20
Sand ~$10
Cover ~$15
Florescent light ~$30
Decoration ~$10
Test Kits ~$15
Plants ~$15

And that's before you get to the maintenance items:
Water Conditioner
Food
Siphon for Water changes

 

[Andy Sager]

What a bunch of ENABLERS!!!! I like sugar coated donuts also!!!
Just say good bye to your money and hello to the best hobby in the world!!!
Many people will possibly tell you after you buy an inferior piece of equipment "you get what you pay for"!!!!
I'll ask the more relevant question.....
How much have all of you SPENT on your tank???? Or better yet how good did that half priced what ever work out???
I have spent SOOO much over the years [or when the new toy comes on the market] that I breed fish to keep my hobby self sufficient.

Fish stuff is just like cars,computers ,well everything else.There is new ,used, and good deals to be had...If you are not patient AND lucky you will probably spend as much if not more then most without specific equipment advice IMO.
Then when you get 'the good stuff' wait till the next generation shows up...Tomorrow!

Just wait till the new 24/7 comes out and then you can start the light collection that will be next the filter collection.....

+1 to all the above.

Sadly, like any hobby, this can be an expensive one if you want it to be or you can be properly creative and save yourself a little cash. There is a different between function and form. Some "forms" are just expensive for what they do but they look nice so they "justify" their price. There are very few items on today's market that do more than what our little $1.99 things did back in the 60s and 70s. Today's item just either do it faster or in a nicer package. There are many DIY videos on Youtube that might help you all save some money while still being highly effective.

Regarding this: "How much have all of you SPENT on your tank????" I would like to change that to "How much have all of you SPENT on your hobby????" I can answer that this way: First, I need to say that I was deemed a Tropical Fish Expert by professional breeders and clubs back in the 1970s because I did all the work before then. By the time the 1980s came around this was my answer to that question: " If I had 1/2 of the money I spent learning about fish and fish keeping back, I could have retired when I was 30." As I said, this can be an expensive hobby if you let it be. I'm now way past 30 ( actually past 50 now) and I am still keeping fish. So I suggest you not count up how much you spend more than how much it brings you. As I said in my prior post, fish kept in a well set up tank will outshine and outlast those in a poorly set up one. Don't skimp on the important things.

 

[chefbill]

Be grateful it isn't a reef tank. Just lights are often $1000.

 

[Coursair]

My first real Planted tank was 10g
Got a 10g kit on sale at Petsmart. Had a coupon.
Cost $15 ?

Used my dresser as the stand.
Free

Incandescent hood basic Aqueon HOB. I swapped out lights to mini CFLS
Cost $12

I did buy pretty black sand.
Cost $20 ?

Joined a club.
Free plants

Bought Shrimp on CL
Cost $10



My latest 55g ? I told my club I wanted a bigger tank

55g, heavy duty stand, AquaticLife 4x 54 watt T5HO fixture plus extra bulbs, Fluval 405 Canister Filter, 4 heaters

FREE.
Just had to pick up with another members help.

Sand
Free from a diff member

Offered to host club meet last year.
Wood, rocks, nice scape layout
FREE

My only purchase ? A new heater and Ferts.


The tank has a scratch on the front. The silicone isn't pretty. Do I dwell on that ? NOPE.

 

[Delapool]

Just for anyone that missed (like me) but there is a poll going on in this thread. You can vote in web view on a mobile or it will show on a desktop website. As per normal, once you have voted you can see the results which are always interesting.

 

[TMaier]

Coursair imagine my best Napoleon Dynamite voice saying "Lucky". You have awesome skills in bargains.

 

[nirbhao]

Just for anyone that missed (like me) but there is a poll going on in this thread. You can vote in web view on a mobile or it will show on a desktop website. As per normal, once you have voted you can see the results which are always interesting.

I can't make that happen on my phone.