How much would it cost to start a SW tank from scratch?

I was wondering about how much it would cost to set up a tank from scratch

such as buying a basic tank, with no pumps or filters that come with it
and buy the other stuff for it separately

it seems like it would be a better idea to do that than to buy one of those expensive biocubes...

about how much would that cost?

 

I am not a salt water owner, but I do know they are going to need a little more info. Mainly what size tank you are planning on setting up and if you are going to run a sump.

But yes, I do know that setting one up by buying everything separate is cheaper than buying a bio-cube or whatever.

 

well, I was posting this for a friend

he bought a 29 gallon biocube set up a few months ago
for around $350

I was wondering how much it would have been if he had bought a tank from scratch
of either the same size or around 10 gallons more....

sump?

 

It's a hidden second tank so that you have more water in circulating in your system and your filters, heaters, protein skimmers, and other equipment can be hidden. It makes it so you only have 2 tubes in your tank, an intake and a return.

 

A lot of money!!!

 

It depends on a lot of factors

Filtration
(skimmers, sump, rocks, refugim, algae) (depends on strenth, size, quality)

Flow
(return pump, powerheads) (depends on strenth, size, quality)

tank
(drilled or not, overflows) (depends on strenth, size, quality)

stand/canopy (quality, and materials)

misc
ATO, Autofeeder, calcium reactor, kalkswasse, carbon, media, controller, monitors, etc. endless list


These factors change a great ammount of money in the hobby. It could be cheaper than FW, but it won't be a really good tank or it could be triple the price of a bio, but barely requires maintainence

 

For a 29 gallon with a Marineland stealth heater and this and a standard flourecent lamp (ok for fish, but not for coral) it would be $188. For a 36 gallon bowfront with all the same stuff (except slightly larger heater) would be $220. And a standard 40 gallon would be $230. I think that that would cover the main needs of a saltwater fish only, or fish only with live rock aquarium. You would have a tank, light, filter, protein skimmer, and heater. If you want corals, add $76 to the 29 and 36 gallon prices or add $79 to the 40 gallon. Coral lighting is expensive.

This is all just best guess btw. Like I said, I don't have any salt tanks. and this does not include and salt mix, sand, test kits, live rock, etc. That stuff really adds up too.

 

Depends on how crazy you want to get with it

 

btw, if you are interested in a bio cube, has the 29 gallon for $250 right now. And they only charge $8 shipping on most items.

 

Good morning,

Here is a link you may find helpful:
https://www.fishlore.com/SaltwaterAquariumSetup.htm

Ken

 

its also a good idea to check craigslist and buy used, its cheaper, you just have to make sure it is a good buy