An aquarium is a costly commitment?

Question

Don't think fish are cheap pets. Here I will go through a 10 gallon setup with the bare minimum supplies, priced low but also not comprimising quality. The tank will be for say, 2 apistos, 3 black tetra, and 3 oto cats. No extra additions (live plants, medication for sick fish). American prices.
10 gallon tank--$7
Stand--$19
Hood and lighting--$14
Gravel vac--$6
Net--$1
Test kits (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)-- $20
Filter (underwater hob)--$10
Gravel (2 bags)--$4
Fake plants (5 small)-- $5
Rock cave ($1/pound aquarium rocks pieces)-- $3
Heater-- $8
Dechlor--$2
Algae wafers--$2
Cichlid food--$3
Flakes-- $2
Fish (in this scenario)-- $20

That's $126, bargain shopping (trust me, these prices don't compare to some areas) for the bare minimums for a 10 gallon aquarium. Next time you think of fish as cheap pets, think again.

Answer 1

While a tank is by no means a cheap set-up, and it is definitely important for folks to know that it's not going to cost like 5$ for a fish and a tank before they dive in, it is definitely possible to set up a tank for less than $126.

If you take a quick look on craigslist, you will frequently find set-ups for sale, that include tank, hood/lid, heater and filter for about 20$. For a 10 gallon, a stand is not necessary (I have 10 gallons on regular tables, as well as on small IKEA bookcases). I'd say that if you put aside 100$ for a fishtank, and are careful with your spending and are willing to purchase used equipment, you will be able to set up your tank with some change to spare.

Answer 2

First of all, you can get a set for $40- tank, hood, lights, filter, dechlor, etc. A 10 gallon is only about 100lbs, so a sturdy table would work ok for a stand. The heater is like 8 bucks. The fish- in my case guppies, 2 bucks each, $10. Gravel for a ten gallon- it is cheap- 4 bucks for two bags. the fake plants at walmart are $5. Food $2

total- $70- nearly half what you state.

Answer 3

How much is a cat? How about a dog? Even from the pound you are going to pay $100 or more, plus food, leashes, vaccinations, annual vet bills, etc.

There is no doubt that fish cost you money, but it IS cheap in comparison to other animals.

Answer 4

I even have 3 salt tanks. 36 gallon reef, 12 gallon nano cube reef, 10 gallon reef in a position tank that I at present save all my new coral and fish in until eventually i ultimately be certain the place to place them in my 36 gallon. Financially, those tanks value me a ton. the initiate price is super with stay rock and lights. As for Time, Takes me approximately 20 minutes to do weekly upkeep on all 3 each and each week. This being the habitual water alterations and cleansing a small component of the sand if needed considering the fact that I even have somewhat deep sand beds. different than that, that's in basic terms a rely of feeding the fish two times an afternoon and that i usually feed my corals approximately two times a week. I even have an simpler time conserving 3 tanks than I do my dishes. As for clowns and anemone... Clowns do no longer want an anemone. An anemone calls for extra gentle than you could desire to be keen to furnish. no longer something in need of steel halide will correct do. you may desire to purpose for a minimum of 6 watts consistent with gallon for conserving an Anemone. Corals may well be a plenty simpler and extra appropriate determination. Marine tanks, distinctly reef tanks, are all approximately money. If it somewhat is a severe pastime, you could continually get extra appropriate at conserving it. Many reef hobbyist have their tanks establish for computerized water astounding-offs and push button water alterations the place the only element that desires to be carried out is to periodically upload clean water to the final-off reservoir and salt blended water to the water exchange reservoir.

Answer 5

Thanks for answering my Ick question. I wanted to email you some info but you dont except emails. You said never change your filter media, but that is not true. Look at the additional details on my question and I address changing the filter media.

Answer 6

i like to think of it as the fish are the cheapest part of any aquarium. figure that one out.