Cost of running a fish tank

Question
my wife and i are in the market to buy a 55 gallon fish tank, and we are planning on making a saltwater fish aquarium. We have been told that the over all price for everything will be around 1,000. What we are wondering is how much monthly up-keep will be on the tank?

Thank you,

-David

Answer
Hello david,

good job on researching the costs.. these are usually a big surprise and point of contention later on between husband and wife...

I would like to give you more accurate info but there is a lot of variables...  

the first question/variable would be ... what are you planing on keeping in your fish tank... fish only, fish and corals, mixed corals, or sps dominant..

a fish only tank can use minimal lighting, and a sps dominant aquarium will require high intensity lighting...

the second variable will be where you live, and how you live... do you live in a cool climate, is your home usually cooled by nature or ventilation, etc...

if you have a sps dominant tank and live in a warm area, and the tank is in a warm room, you will probably require active cooling to keep the tank cool from all the lighting and warm weather...

for 'extreme' purposes, and of course depending on your utility rates... your electric bill could be as high as $250-350 per month...

You might be able to keep a fish only in a cool climate for maybe $50-75/month in electric bills...

sorry for the big spread, but i hope you understand the issues/variable..

there are other costs also.. you will either need to buy water and salt water, or make your own...

in so cal, fresh water can be had for about $25/gallon, and salt mix is averaging $65 for 160gallons

you will be adding approx 1/4 to 1/2 gallon of fresh water per day, and you will be needing five gallons of salt water every week for water changes..

Chemicals are not that expensive, and usually arent required when starting up a tank.. only after you acquire a good amount of corals will you need to start dosing and adding chemicals.. until then your chemicals and trace elements are in the salt mix...

and of course the constant search for the coolest looking corals and fish... And no, i cant give you an estimate on those...

you might want to look at www.liveaquaria.com for livestock and coral prices..


I hope this helps and if not or if you have more questions, please let me know


thanksx

and good luck


bill