Average start up costs?

bludevil12

AC Members
Aug 26, 2005
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Hey guys,

Looking to start up with a 29 gallon freshwater glass tank. What would be the average cost for a tank/top and light for a tank like that? I have visited local stores(i.e. Petsmart and Petco) and they are not well organized and its tough to find prices at all. Visited a small fish-specific store tonight and they wanted $100 for a 29 gal. plus top?

Also, are there any online stores to give me a good price to start with?

Thanks!
 
I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but my first tank was an all-glass 29g that came as a kit from a larger LFS it was ~$100 and came with the hood, tank, filter and heater.

Now the lack of recommendation comes from possibly wanting to change filters or heaters.. I personally never did. but if I was buying from the ground up I'd probably shop around for a seperate heater and filter (And buy them online due to it being cheaper).

From there, buy a bag of pea gravel or pool filter sand from home depot or wal mart, then you'll need decorations (think fake plants unless you're considering upgrading the lighting) and fish. You'll probably want a water test kit too unless you have a place that will test for free close enough that you don't mind going there.

You'll want something to put the tank on that will give the tank plenty of support around the edges (big heavy dressers can work well, as can some 2x4s, a table saw, some screws and a couple of days on the weekend for the DIY route.

you might also want to look into used.. that way you might be able to get everything in one shot.

just be aware that it will become a time consuming and expensive hobby ;)
 
where are you located ?

and I'd buy tanks locally... but strongly consider used.
 
if you wouldnt mind starting with used you could look through your local bargain sheet ...thriftstores ...yard sales....even some junk shops....but i would have to through a word or two of caution in with that sentement...used tanks are a good deal if you can find one ...but you have to look for leaks and you need to clean it extrememly well..you also take the fact that the filter ..light ...hood ...ect could be broke or not work ...if you are just starting in the hobby you may want to go with a new setup...check out big als online they have good prices ..and yeah a new 29 with hood and such is running around 70 at my walmart ...petco is having a sale on tanks right now with 15% of tanks ...and lfs are expensive but youll get way more advice and suport through them ..are the tanks you are looking at at a lfs including stand...or just the tank? what accs. are they including ?

good luck to you is this your first venture into the hobby ever?
 
Check the pet section of the classified adds in your local paper. You can also call around to local pet shops and ask if they have anything on consignment. Also, there are normally local "trade" papers that are free at conviences stores and such that have ads for people selling stuff. Check at garage sales, goodwill and other thrift resale type places.

Heck, I was at goodwill the other day and found several "end table" type things that were heavy and sturdy enough to hold a 20 gal tank. They were all 5 bucks. All they needed was to be sanded down and restained or painted or something.

I see used fish tanks and stands for sale all the time. A lot of people get them, then decide that they don't want them any more. The only thing is that before you buy a used tank, make sure you have the seller fill it with water and check for leaks. If they won't do this for you, don't buy it.
 
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