Any fishkeepers here? Saltwater or freshwater

[WV]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

When people say "expensive" to have a salt tank, could you elaborate on the dollars(range) and what costs so much?

How Much for a 10 Gallon Mini-Reef Clownfish Tank?
The cost to set up a simple 10g "Nemo and Friends" reef aquarium.+


By Stan & Debbie Hauter, About.com Guides
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setting up an aquarium
reef tanks
mini-reef aquariums

"Having a saltwater aquarium doesn't have to cost and arm and a leg."

This is a little 10 gallon tank we refer to as a "Nemo and Friends" aquarium. You don't have to go big to have a saltwater aquarium, and this small aquarium didn't cost much at all to set up.
Photo © Debbie and Stan Hauter
How much would it cost to set up a 10 gallon mini-reef tank with clownfishes? Of course product prices will vary, but the total estimated cost to buy all the items listed here for setting up what we like to call a simple 10g "Nemo and Friends" aquarium (see full photo view), about $273.00 to $348.00. These figures include reef lighting that will support soft corals.

Here's a breakdown on everything:

All-Glass Aquarium/Aqueon 10 gallon aquarium = $13.00 - 17.00

Aqueon 20 Power Filter = $20.00 - 28.00

All-Glass Aquarium 20" Incandescent Full Hood = $35.00 - 45.00

2 Coralife 18 watt 50/50 Mini-Compact Bulbs = $25.00 - 35.00

Hagen AquaClear 20 Powerhead = $22.00 - 28.00

Marineland Visi-Therm 50w Submersible Stealth Heater = $18.00 - 23.00

Thermometer = $2.00 - 3.00

Mag-Float 30 Magnetic Algae Cleaner = $6.00 - 9.00

20 lbs. CaribSea Arag-Alive Sand (Fiji Pink) = $25.00 - 31.00

3 small pieces (about 5 lbs.) Fiji Live Rock = $35.00 - 45.00

Instant Ocean Salt 10 Gallon = $6.00 - 8.00

Instant Ocean Hydrometer = $8.00 - 11.00

2 Tank-Raised Ocellaris/False Percula Clownfish = $35.00 - 50.00

1 Four Stripe Damsel = $5.00 - 8.00

2 Blue-Legged Hermit Crabs = $3.00 - 6.00

1 Astrea Snail = $2.00 - 4.00

1 large Mexican Turbo Snail = $3.00 - 5.00

Artifical Plants: 1 Aquarium Systems SeaGarden Caulerpa Vertcellata and 1 Dictyota Rossa, 1 Tetra Water Wonders 9" Corkscrew Val = $10.00 - 15.00

1 large natural sea shell (Not included in estimate due to such wide ranging prices.)

Total Estimated Set Up Cost = $273.00 - 348.00

(*Prices reflect comparison online to retail average cost of items in February 2009.)