How much $ to make salt aquarium?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Michael6945c

Michael6945c

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Mar 15, 2012
365
30
31
Dayton, Ohio
Friend has an empty 55 gallon freshwater aquarium. His mom wants to make it a saltwater aquarium, how much wild everything cost? Start to finish. Right now all they have is the aquarium and stand. No holes have been drilled and nothing has been purchased. I'm pretty sure salt aquariums cant be run with canister filters, and they'll need salt, coral, fish, testing kits, pretty much everything. Just out the item and price please. I know they dont have the money for salt, I just want an estimate to give them.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Dude, if they don't have the money for salt, forget about it!! If you think freshwater set-ups are expensive, salt water is on a whole different level. Looking at 1K & up. Some here will say I'm crazy but if you add everything up from sump, protein skimmer, power heads, lighting, plumbing, S&H, etc., ---- it adds up quickly. Then of course you'll want the newest & latest gadgetry -- ie can you say vortech power heads at $250 to $500 for ONE power head!! Then if you want corals in your tank, just the proper lights will cost you an arm & a leg!! The salt is the least of your worries in terms of initial setup cost.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Davidiator
Andrew1002 said:
It would be over $1000 guranteed. Possibly in the $2000 range! Saltwater is expensive!

-Andrew
Click to expand...

It very well could be $2k+. On the otherhand, if you know what you're doing out could be south of $500. Possibly even less. You would need alot more specific info before you start throwing out dollar figures
 
Everyone posting $1000+ is exaggerating a bit IMO. If you can find the big stuff on craigslist and you don't buy top of the line equipment (most of it is just for show anyway) you could get away with a couple hundred bucks. Lots of healthy low tech salt tanks out there.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
aclockworkorange said:
Everyone posting $1000+ is exaggerating a bit IMO. If you can find the big stuff on craigslist and you don't buy top of the line equipment (most of it is just for show anyway) you could get away with a couple hundred bucks. Lots of healthy low tech salt tanks out there.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...

Top of the line can cost you well over 2k easily -- easily!! I honestly don't think we realize how much we spend on our set-ups (freshwater & saltwater). If done correctly and purchasing mid range products (not top of the line), 1k is not an exaggeration. I think those that say less than $500 are those who have been doing salt for many years & understand how it works from the bottom up. For example, some say a protein skimmer is not needed if you have x, y, & z. True, but is this something we would want a beginner to try? My point is someone who is inexperienced/beginner to saltwater, would ideally need a protein skimmer, a overflow box, sump, live rock, powerheads, live sand, lights, plumbing, return pump, marine salt, dechlorinator and/or RO water (whether purchased or RO system), etc... 1k is not unreasonable once you add everything up.

Sure if you find everything on craigslist, it could very well be under $500. Heck you can get a complete FREE set-up if you're at the right place, right time! -- it has happened to many.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom