Money

[mike16]

Hey everyone
how much would a tank and all the equipment w/ no fish just everything ready for a fish....estimate
Thanx
Mike

 

[lovethesea]

what size tank??

 

[kreach]

Would it be a fish only tank or a reef tank? That will determine the cost for lighting.

 

[elpezgrande]

I really enjoy my tank, but this is an expensive and time consuming hobby (at least at first), and it is definitely not a hobby to be undertaken on a whim after watching Finding Nemo or visiting the LFS (not saying that's you, but if it is, think twice). I'd say it has cost $600 - $800 (including livestock, supplements, test kits, etc.) to get my 30G tank up and running. I still need to spend another $100 - $200 on better lighting so I can keep some corals and such (and then I'll have to spend more money for the corals, they get you coming and going in this hobby). Don't forget the time cost either, both for working on the tank and doing proper research beforehand.

 

[robchuck]

If you don't mind going used, you can find a great established system for a fraction of what it would cost new. Check out the classifieds here on the message board and your local classifieds as well to get an idea of what used systems go for.