Price to set up aquariums?
- Thread starter RisiganL.
- Start date
At new prices the tanks along could easily cost that. However if you are willing to go with used tanks and build your own stands, I could see being able to stay in that budget.
Basically all you NEED for the cichlid tanks are tanks, stands, tops, filters, heaters and lights. Lights you can get buy with a couple of shop light strips for each tank. For heaters I would split the wattage and get two per tank. Also make sure they are not glass on the outside given the bruisers the tanks would house.
The 125 you might want to go a bit more fancy, although you could grow some plants with just t8/12 strip lights. However you will probably be more likely to find a used full set-up for that size since it is a more "standard" tank.
My 55 gallon tank.
55 Gal starter kit 199.99
Stand 100.00
Wood 40.00
Plants 60.00
fish 60.00
Glass top 2 60.00
New Lighting 80.00
New Filter 130.00
55 Gal starter kit 199.99
Stand 100.00
Wood 40.00
Plants 60.00
fish 60.00
Glass top 2 60.00
New Lighting 80.00
New Filter 130.00
The thing is, are you going to a top end shop, buying a nice new tank with hardwood stand, fancy light hood, big cannister filter etc.
Yes thats going to cost you thousands. It will look sweet, and you just haul everything home and plug it all in, easy.
OR are you going to pick up a Craiglist bargin, build your own stand, hang some workshop lights over it, build your own sump filter and furnish it with a sack of gravel and some slate from a garden landscape place (or the local river bank :grinno: )
My tanks are along the second lines and I'm working on about $500 to get 2 x 80gal tanks running on a two level stand, basic lights and sump filters etc. When you get into bigger and multiple tanks there is more opportunity to save $$ with DIY. Stands and sump filters are perfect examples. $100 of ply and 4x2s and you have a stand that might cost $500 to buy retail. An old 30gal tank and $100 of hardware you can build a sump filter as good as a $500 cannister. Same with lighting.
Or you can pay the big bucks and get nice shiny new gear...
Of course I've spent more money on power tools that I've saved on tanks, but thats a different hobby :wall:
Ian
Yes thats going to cost you thousands. It will look sweet, and you just haul everything home and plug it all in, easy.
OR are you going to pick up a Craiglist bargin, build your own stand, hang some workshop lights over it, build your own sump filter and furnish it with a sack of gravel and some slate from a garden landscape place (or the local river bank :grinno: )
My tanks are along the second lines and I'm working on about $500 to get 2 x 80gal tanks running on a two level stand, basic lights and sump filters etc. When you get into bigger and multiple tanks there is more opportunity to save $$ with DIY. Stands and sump filters are perfect examples. $100 of ply and 4x2s and you have a stand that might cost $500 to buy retail. An old 30gal tank and $100 of hardware you can build a sump filter as good as a $500 cannister. Same with lighting.
Or you can pay the big bucks and get nice shiny new gear...
Of course I've spent more money on power tools that I've saved on tanks, but thats a different hobby :wall:
Ian
that's an excellent point that most fail to mention. i guess there's enough of us out there that it's implied though... i guess.
For comparison purposes, here's roughtly what I spent on my 125.
New tank from LFS(supposedly their cost)-$375(I tried CL but had no luck closing a deal.)
FX5 off ebay-$190
AC110 off ebay-$60
Glass Tops-$60
2-250watt Stealth heaters-$50
DIY Oak Plywood Stand and Canopy w/middle slideout and undercabinet light-$450(obviously this could be built much cheaper with 2x's or pine plywood, no slideout and light)
DIY T5 lighting + bulbs ordered separately-$100(the bulbs were the majority of this cost. In hindsight, I might have used T-8's for better bulb availability.)
100 lbs pool filter sand-$15
Eggcrate-$12
Rocks-free from my yard
New tank from LFS(supposedly their cost)-$375(I tried CL but had no luck closing a deal.)
FX5 off ebay-$190
AC110 off ebay-$60
Glass Tops-$60
2-250watt Stealth heaters-$50
DIY Oak Plywood Stand and Canopy w/middle slideout and undercabinet light-$450(obviously this could be built much cheaper with 2x's or pine plywood, no slideout and light)
DIY T5 lighting + bulbs ordered separately-$100(the bulbs were the majority of this cost. In hindsight, I might have used T-8's for better bulb availability.)
100 lbs pool filter sand-$15
Eggcrate-$12
Rocks-free from my yard
My 120g used 150, rock 50, light 80, home made stand 350, filter 400, fish 100, chemicals( start up,bactiria, prime, ect.) 200, plants 50. and im sure i forgot some stuff..
so roughly 1200 bucks if you do it on a budget and build your own stand and whatnot..
so roughly 1200 bucks if you do it on a budget and build your own stand and whatnot..
Depends on the type of fish you want to keep and if you want plants. One thing for sure though, is that used items cost about half as much as new. eBay and Craigslist are your friends. I spent $250 to set up my 10 gallon. Had I bought used I could have easily gotten a 20 gallon + for $100 with filter, heater, and lights included.
