How Much Does It Cost To Own A Fish Tank?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The initial cost for your freshwater fish tank can be really low

. If you just want a single solitary fish inside a small aquarium, you can easily spend less than $100. Plus, your maintenance costs will really only be about $5 every three months or so.

How much does it cost to set up a fish tank?

Item Cost
Aquarium Cost


(60L) $100 ( 120L ) $200
Aquarium Stand $85 – $200 Substrate, Live Rock and Décor $250 Water Filter, Light and Heater $350

How much does it cost to start owning a fish?

Fish |

~$160 initially, plus $520 annually

Purchasing your finned friend will generally cost $5-$20, depending on species. Experts recommend a balanced diet of pellets and live/frozen food, which may run you up to $10 per week, or $520 per year.

How much does it cost to run a fish tank per month?

Heater Size Aquarium Size Cost to run for 1 month
50w


10 US Gal (38 L)


$1.60
100w 30 US Gal (114 L) $3.21 150w 55 US Gal (208 L) $4.81 200w 75 US Gal (284 L) $6.22

How much does a 20 gallon tank cost?

This item Aqueon Aquarium 20 Gallon Long Aqueon 10 Gal Black Aquarium Customer Rating 3.9 out of 5 stars (414) 4.4 out of 5 stars (1564) Price

$97 85

$3410
Sold By my Goods Alain Courtois Item Dimensions 30.25 x 12.5 x 12.75 inches 20.25 x 10.5 x 12.63 inches

Do fish tanks use a lot of electricity?

General Consumption

Based on a freshwater fish only aquarium at about 72 F,

the total consumption for a small tank (10 Gallons) is about 150 kWh a year

. A medium tank (30 Gallons) will run between 150 – 200 kWh per year, while a large aquarium (55 Gallons) needs 200 – 400 kWh per year.

Why are aquariums so expensive?

The reason why fish tanks are so expensive is

mostly due to the materials

. Glass will be expensive but acrylic will cost even more when you start getting into larger tank sizes, such as ones that hold 200 gallons of water. But, you don’t have to succumb to exorbitant prices if you find them to be outrageous.

What do I need to start a fish tank?

  1. Gravel: Coated or pre washed is ideal.
  2. Decorations: Only those designated for aquariums (e.g., live or artificial plants and ornaments).
  3. Water Conditioner: De chlorinates tap water to make it fish-safe.
  4. Net: For transferring fish.
  5. Gravel Washer: For water changes and cleaning.

What is the cheapest pet fish?

  • Barbs. The barb group’s made up of a huge range of species, and there are some stunning colours and patterns among them. …
  • Tetras. Great looking and low maintenance, this freshwater species can make a wonderful addition to your home. …
  • Swordtails. …
  • Molly fish. …
  • Algae eaters. …
  • Bettas. …
  • Danios.

How long do fish live for?

Lifespan

How much is a gold fish?

Fish $1-40 Food $10-30 Supplies $10-20 Total

$56-375

Do fish tank heaters raise electric bill?


Your aquarium heater will undoubtedly raise your electric bill, but the effects are only apparent in the long run

. This means you may not notice the difference month to month, especially when running a small and nano aquariums with just one unit that’s 150 watts or less.

Are aquarium heaters expensive to run?

The average cost of electricity per kWh is 22p (March 2022,) meaning that you pay 22 pence for every 1000 watts you use, every hour. So at an average of 152 watts,

a Juwel Rio 180 costs 3.34p per hour to run or 80p a day and £292.93 per year

.

How much does a tropical fish tank cost to run?

Tank Size in Feet (Approx Capacity) Estimated Max Energy Usage Per Year Estimated Electricity Cost Per Year*
3′ (160L)


600kWh


$168.00
4′ (213L) 799kWh $223.72 6′ (425L) 1590kWh $445.20 8′ (907L) 3393kWh $950.04

How long is a 40 gallon breeder tank?

SMALL AQUARIUMS 40 gallon Breeder 36′′ x 18′′ x 16′′ 458 lbs 40 gallon Long

48′′ x 12′′ x 16′′

455 lbs
LARGE AQUARIUMS Tank Size L x W x H Filled Weight

How many Glofish Can I put in a 10-gallon tank?

Technically, you can keep

5-6 glofish standard glofish tetras and 4-5 long-finned glofish tetras

in a 10-gallon tank. But my advice here would be to get a 20-gallon long tank as glofish tetras are active schooling fish constantly on the move.

Are aquariums hard to maintain?

While

a freshwater aquarium isn’t overly difficult to set up or maintain, it does require some research, attention and commitment

. Many novices want to bring their new tank home, fill it up and get their fish in as soon as possible.

Is it OK to leave fish tank light on all the time?

Aquarium fish do not need light and it is best that you turn it off during the night. Leaving the light on can cause stress to fish as they need a period of darkness to sleep. Too much light will cause algae to rapidly grow and make your tank look dirty. So the short answer is

no, do not leave your lights on

.

Do you leave fish tank light on at night?

The short answer is No –

you SHOULD NOT leave the aquarium light on overnight

. Fish require both light and darkness to survive. Like most other animals, fish need darkness to rest. The fact that they lack eyelids makes them require a sufficiently dark environment for them to get in any kind of sleep or rest.

How much does 300 watts cost a month?

Appliance/Equipment Avg. Usage Cost/Month Dehumidifier (257 Watts) 12 hours/day $9.40 Fan – Furnace (300 Watts)

7 hours/day


$6.40
Fan – Ceiling (125 Watts) 12 hours/day $4.60 Fan – Attic (1000 Watts) 2 hours/day $6.10

Why are 100 gallon tanks so expensive?


Thicker Walls and Better Materials Lead to Higher Prices

When comparing two aquariums and wondering why one is more expensive than the other, it is not just the size that plays a factor. Large aquariums are thicker and made of more expensive material than smaller tanks in order to withstand the pressure.

Are glass aquariums better than acrylic?

For beginners and smaller tanks, we recommend glass aquariums because of their affordability and scratch resistance. For larger, more advanced aquariums, we recommend using acrylic because it’s lightweight and easier to repair than glass.

Why are rimless tanks so expensive?


Rimless tanks have glass that is usually beveled and polished, increasing labor and cost

. They also are engineered differently as the rim adds support again increasing cost. With the increased cost comes a smaller market creating fewer tanks to amortize the engineering costs over.

Which fish is best for beginners?

  1. Rasboras. There are many types of rasboras, but our favorite ones are the harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) and lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei). …
  2. Common Goldfish. …
  3. Tetras. …
  4. Corydoras. …
  5. Platies. …
  6. Betta Fish. …
  7. Barbs. …
  8. Bolivian Cichlids.

How long can a fish stay in a bag?

When you buy a new fish from the pet store, it likely comes home with you in a bag. You know you have to give the fish time to acclimate to the new tank environment. However, you might not know how long the fish can safely be kept in the bag. The short answer is a fish can live in a bag for

between 7 to 9 hours

.

Does a fish tank need a heater?

Heaters.

If you are keeping tropical fish, you will need a heater

. A heater insures that a tank doesn’t get too cool, and that the temperature stays steady during the course of the day, even when the room cools off (e.g., at night). For many tropical fish, a temperature of 78F is ideal.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.