cost for starting a good sized fresh water aquarium??

Question

my husband and i would like a freshwater aquarium (maybe 30-40 gallon) and we're guessing it might cost us about $300 to get it started up.
we're thinking about $200 for the tank and stand (pretty big tank)and then $100 for the supplies and starter fish.

anyone with experience with freshwater tanks that might be able to shed some light on this???

thanks!

Answer 1

depending on where you go, and what accesories you pick out, you will spend at least 300.00$. I work at petsmart in the aquatics/small animals dept. for almost 3 yrs and have helped many a customer set up a tank. I can give you the prices at least from our store, but i would price check at your local wal-mart and petco also. Starter kit for 30 gallon( heater/filter/net/temp.gauge/video,starter fluids/sample food/Lights and hood included) 109.99. Gravel needed 25 pnd bag-12.99. Air pump 8.00 (vary on size the price) airstone 80cents and up. airline tubing 1.99-up. Background for tank 1.99-2.99 a foot, you will need at least 3ft. Ornaments and plants will vary on personal choice and size for price... Stands will vary in price, for a 30 gallon stand it could be 89.99- and up. Starter fish should be purchased after 24-48 hours of setting up the tank. A 30 gallon will be best for tropical community fish, although it could be used for Goldfish as long as heater is not hooked up. All larger fish species in the aggressive or semi aggressive catagories will grow to larger for a 30. I would recommend starting off with a species of Tetras which are a hardy fish and will be able to handle a new tank as it goes through its Cycle. Please reasearch and read the "biological cycle of freshwater aquarium" or also known as "nitrogen Cycle" this will help you to understand what your tank will be going through during the first month .. it will also help you to understand why some species do not do well in a cycling tank such as livebearing fish, catfish, algae eaters, snails and other inverts. good luck

Answer 2

That sounds like a pretty good budget. Shop around. Call petstores see if they offer deals. When I bought my 75 gallon and stand I went to the store that offered a 20% discount on anything fish-related if you buy a tank. The tank actually cost more there but the discount on the filter, gravel, plants... saved me a lot of money. I ended up spending about $600 that day.

Get the largest tank you can afford. It may be $40 more for a 55 gallon set up- It is worth it. Your priorities should be the tank, substrate and filter. The tank needs time to cycle so you can wait till' the next pay check to worry about aquascaping and any fish.

Another thing you really need to think about is what type of fish you are interested in. This will change some of your needs. If you are looking at a few goldfish or Cichlids then you will want fake plants. If you are looking at community tropical then maybe you should get some live plants in there and get appropriate lighting.

Advice I always give to new aquarium owners is find the right fish for you first. We don't buy a dog kennel and then try to find a dog breed that will fit in that kennel. You shouldn't choose your fish that way either. Maybe you really like angels- 30 gallons is big enough for about 3. They will probably out grow that even. Make sure you are not buying too early. Maybe you should wait a month spend $600 and get your fantasy tank with sand, live plants, discus and freshwater stingrays. Well- that's my fantasy.

Answer 3

I have two tanks in my house (75 gallon & 20 gallon). It all depends on what type of stand, fish, and accesories you want to set up as to how much you are going to spend. For just a basic setup--maybe about $100. For a more exspensive one--about $400-$500. For mine I got the smaller tank at a yard sale and only paid $10 for the whole setup (everything but the fish was included!). Just shop around until you find the best deal.

Answer 4

I would count on more than $100 for supplies & fish.

And make sure to let your tank run for about 2 weeks -fish free- then when you go to buy fish, take a water sample in and have them test it. If your water's not just right, your fish will die, and that will add to your cost. Any petstore will test for you.

Answer 5

I spent 550.00 on a 55 gallon tank with stand and hood. That also covered the gravel and filter system (i had undergravel) air pump, hose, heater. The fish were extra.

Answer 6

200 is not is not unreasonable for a tank and stand for that size but factor in filltration,lighting,heater,gravel and any other decor your gonna spend at least another 200 and then you still need fish and depending on what kind be prepared to pay at least another 100.

Answer 7

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