Need to know relative costs for starting a marine aquarium

ImGrowingFishForASandwich · 08-06-2006, 12:53 AM

Before I go and read a bunch of books and do a bunch of research and actually commit my time to trying to start a marine aquarium, I would like to know a ballpark figure for the actual costs involved if anyone could help me out. Preferrably I want to have a tank like the dentist had in Finding Nemo, with all the same stuff in it... clownfish, moorish idol, starfish, that little french crab that cleans stuff, whatever the hell that bubble eating guy was, but probably not that big puffer thing.

Can someone just give me an estimate for starting that sort of tank please? Thanks.

ahill3780 · 08-06-2006, 01:07 AM

Well you asked for it.

The tank shown in the dentists office is not really the most practical as far as stocking goes. For one, I would not suggest anyone new to the hobby try keeping a Moorish Idol. I myself am not really ready to tackle that particular guy!

I had the same idea, and my tank is modeled after that tank in a lot of the fish seen.

The dentist did not really use any live rock and stuck more with plastic decorations which would cut way down on the cost but increase maintenance pains dramatically.

Costwise I would estimate around... ooohh... roughly somewhere between $600-$1,000 including fish. This estimate does not take into consideration ongoing cost of maintenance.

Bubbles - Yellow Tang - generally around $40
Jacques - Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - around $20
Deb (and her sister Flo) - Blue Damsel - about $5
Gurgle - Royal Gramma Basslet - about $20
Nemo - True Percula Clownfish - about $10-$15
Gil - Moorish Idol - (expert care required) between $35-$50

Time required before stocking can begin= anywhere from 1-4 months.

ImGrowingFishForASandwich · 08-06-2006, 01:18 AM

Thanks for the info, but if the fish are so inexpensive, how does the cost get to between 600 and a grand? What if I just left that jerk Gil out of the tank, would the others be good for a fledgeling aquariist(?) like myself?

Also, how much would you estimate for ongoing maintenence?

ahill3780 · 08-06-2006, 01:31 AM

The choice in fish has a large impact on the total cost of your operation. For example, the Yellow Tang requires a minimum of a 55 gallon tank that is 4 feet long because it needs at least that much room to swim around.

That sets the price for the tank around $150 right off the rip. Second would be the cost of the salt. $45 would get you a 5 gallon bucket of salt that mixes 160 gallons of artificial saltwater (you will need the extra bit for water changes) which is almost enough to see you through the cycle period.

Next you would need gravel and decorations, which would likely end up somewhere between $100-$150.

After that you need a filter/pump which in a 55 gallon would place you in the ballpark of around $50-$100. (we're up to $450 possible so far)

Next on the list is testing equipment and supplements (ie. test kit, hydrometer, pH buffer, thermometer, etc) which could run up to around $200 in all depending on which test kits you would need.

And then there is the cost of fish - around about $100. Which by this time you will likely have had to get another bucket of salt, or at least another bag or two, as well as a few odds and ends to help you out with maintenance (ie. extra 5 gallon bucket for toting water around, gravel vacuum, etc).

Ongoing maintenance is just that, ongoing. It includes things like water costs, salt mix, supplements, test kit replacements, food, electricity, bulb replacements, and others.

ahill3780 · 08-06-2006, 01:42 AM

Sorry, I left out answering one of your questions.

Aside from the Yellow Tang (which has a few special needs to see to), and the Damsel (which can be a real pain in the --- bully) all of the listed species are easy to care for, even for the beginner. You just have to accept responsibility and provide for them - just like any other pet. Only with a fishtank you aren't caring for just a pet, you're caring for an ecosystem - and trust me, by the time you get it down it feels like it!

The only exceptions that I would leave off are, as mentioned previosly, the Idol (expert care), and the starfish (delicate care needed - get some experience under your belt first, and make sure your tank is ready)

El Pez · 08-06-2006, 01:53 AM

Here is my run down on a tank. Keep in mind that this is my analysis of what I will need to establish my new reef tank. If all you want is a salt water tank, and not a true reef tank, you can save money on the lights, and rock. Your call.

PS If any on here looks at this spreadsheet and sees anything I wither forgot or got wrong, please let me know.....thanks and enjoy.

ahill3780 · 08-06-2006, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Pez

PS If any on here looks at this spreadsheet and sees anything I wither forgot or got wrong, please let me know.....thanks and enjoy.

Just a few small things to add: Heaters, PVC/tubing for plumbing the filtration, and lets not forget the main ingrediant here - salt!

I'm trying to think if there is anything else I'm missing...

El Pez · 08-06-2006, 02:11 AM

WHAT!!!!!!???????? Salt???? You mean the water from the tap doesn't have enough????

Yeah....I suppose I kinda forgot those items cause I already have a pail of salt, a few heaters and the tubing from the previous tank. Thanks though and please...let me know if there is anything else I forgot to consider in my calculations....I am trying to budget for the tank....I want to upgd within 6 months.

ahill3780 · 08-06-2006, 02:21 AM

Just keep in mind that moving up from a 55 to a 150 or more will require at least an additional 150W of heating to compensate for the extra gallonage. And you will need enough salt, not only for the initial fill, but to see you through the cycle as well. Which could mean as much as 2-3 5 gallon buckets.

El Pez · 08-06-2006, 02:25 AM

True!!!!!!!! It is always the little things that bit you in the pocket book wiht this business.

Oh well....worth every penny....I mean Benjamin.