Monster fish on a budget
- Thread starter FishTanksOfCO
- Start date
I like the advice given by
P
predatorkeeper87
and
StIcKy~RiCe
. Start with a smaller tank so you can learn from it. Most of the filtration can be used on a larger tank later. In my case, the cost of food, electricity and water isn't large. They definitely add up over time but the cost of the tank, stand, lights, filters, and filter media are going to be your immediate concern.
Tank and Light
Consider a 75 gl Aqueon. You can get the tank, lids, and light at petsmart for $199.
Stand
The 75 gl Marineland is usually sold with the lids, led light and laughable stand for $479-499. Those stands will support the tanks but they are incredibly overpriced considering the materials used. If you can build your own stand, you can save around $250 and have a much stronger stand. I build all my stands and for around $35 you can build an incredibly strong functional stand from 2x4s. Even with finishing boards and cabinets a nice looking stand for a 75 gl can be built for under $100. I like plain wood finishes like linseed oil which are inexpensive and easy.
Filtration
Here, it gets expensive and you can spend more than on the tank. You should get filters that can be also be used on larger tanks if you ever decide to tear down the 75 gl. For large cichlids you need a lot of filtration. Unless you use a sump, this means an hob like an AC110, a canister filter, and a sponge filter.
For canisters I prefer Filstar XPL (XP3) and XPXL (XP4) but eheim also makes great canisters. I just bought two XPLs from petsmart on clearance for $94.95 and you might be able to find some for that price at a store before they sell out. They're usually around $155 with free shipping on eBay. Eheim canister prices are about the same for canisters of similar size and flow rates.
An AquaClear 110 is around $79 online. Marineland Penguin 350s aren't as nice as AC110s but for only $32 on eBay with free shipping they're worth the price.
A sponge filter like a Hydro Pro V by ATI is well worth the money at only $16. An air pump to power it like a Whisper 40 can be bought for only $13. These provide good biological filtration for the low price.
Filter media
The AC110 comes with a good sponge and some ceramic media. You can spend a lot of money on ceramic/sintered glass media like Biohome or Eheim substrate Pro, but I've found medium course sponge (30 ppi) is a very effective medium in which bacteria colonies can grow. It needs rinsing more often than ceramic media but it's well worth it for the much lower price imo. For only $10 you can buy a large piece of HMF sponge and cut it into pieces to fill a Filstar XPXL canister. You would spend around $150 for that much Seachem Matrix or around $200 for that much Biohome or Eheim Substrate Pro sintered glass media.
Food
Northfin and NLS both make great cichlid pellets. For an 8 oz. bag you can expect to pay $20 with shipping which will last fish in a 75 gl a few months.
Other essentials
There are at least 3 things no fishkeeper should be without.
1) Seachem Prime water conditioner - $14 for 500ml bottle (free shipping)
2) API Master Test Kit - $25 (free shipping)
3) Python 'No Spill Clean and Fill' water changer - $40 for 25ft (free shipping)
Starting cost
Adding it all together ...
$199 - tank (Aqueon 75 gl)
$95 - $159 canister
$35 - $99 diy stand
$32 - $79 hob filter
$15 - Hydro Pro V Sponge filter
$13 - Tetra Whisper 40
$20 - Northfin or NLS food (8 oz)
$14 - Seachem Prime 500 ml
$25 - API Master Test Kit
$40 - Python 'No Spill Clean and Fill'
$488 - 663 total
That's including sufficient biological filtration which is a corner many people cut. And with a python and API test kit you'll have what's needed to perform weekly water changes of 75%
For most people money isn't the problem. It's the willingness to perform water changes as needed and/or listen and learn from those who know. Before starting, you should ask yourself if you're prepared to perform weekly 75% water changes. For cichlids water changes like that are absolutely necessary. If you're willing to do the water changes then you should consider what kind of fish you'd like to keep.
StIcKy~RiCe
. Start with a smaller tank so you can learn from it. Most of the filtration can be used on a larger tank later. In my case, the cost of food, electricity and water isn't large. They definitely add up over time but the cost of the tank, stand, lights, filters, and filter media are going to be your immediate concern.Tank and Light
Consider a 75 gl Aqueon. You can get the tank, lids, and light at petsmart for $199.
Stand
The 75 gl Marineland is usually sold with the lids, led light and laughable stand for $479-499. Those stands will support the tanks but they are incredibly overpriced considering the materials used. If you can build your own stand, you can save around $250 and have a much stronger stand. I build all my stands and for around $35 you can build an incredibly strong functional stand from 2x4s. Even with finishing boards and cabinets a nice looking stand for a 75 gl can be built for under $100. I like plain wood finishes like linseed oil which are inexpensive and easy.
Filtration
Here, it gets expensive and you can spend more than on the tank. You should get filters that can be also be used on larger tanks if you ever decide to tear down the 75 gl. For large cichlids you need a lot of filtration. Unless you use a sump, this means an hob like an AC110, a canister filter, and a sponge filter.
For canisters I prefer Filstar XPL (XP3) and XPXL (XP4) but eheim also makes great canisters. I just bought two XPLs from petsmart on clearance for $94.95 and you might be able to find some for that price at a store before they sell out. They're usually around $155 with free shipping on eBay. Eheim canister prices are about the same for canisters of similar size and flow rates.
An AquaClear 110 is around $79 online. Marineland Penguin 350s aren't as nice as AC110s but for only $32 on eBay with free shipping they're worth the price.
A sponge filter like a Hydro Pro V by ATI is well worth the money at only $16. An air pump to power it like a Whisper 40 can be bought for only $13. These provide good biological filtration for the low price.
Filter media
The AC110 comes with a good sponge and some ceramic media. You can spend a lot of money on ceramic/sintered glass media like Biohome or Eheim substrate Pro, but I've found medium course sponge (30 ppi) is a very effective medium in which bacteria colonies can grow. It needs rinsing more often than ceramic media but it's well worth it for the much lower price imo. For only $10 you can buy a large piece of HMF sponge and cut it into pieces to fill a Filstar XPXL canister. You would spend around $150 for that much Seachem Matrix or around $200 for that much Biohome or Eheim Substrate Pro sintered glass media.
Food
Northfin and NLS both make great cichlid pellets. For an 8 oz. bag you can expect to pay $20 with shipping which will last fish in a 75 gl a few months.
Other essentials
There are at least 3 things no fishkeeper should be without.
1) Seachem Prime water conditioner - $14 for 500ml bottle (free shipping)
2) API Master Test Kit - $25 (free shipping)
3) Python 'No Spill Clean and Fill' water changer - $40 for 25ft (free shipping)
Starting cost
Adding it all together ...
$199 - tank (Aqueon 75 gl)
$95 - $159 canister
$35 - $99 diy stand
$32 - $79 hob filter
$15 - Hydro Pro V Sponge filter
$13 - Tetra Whisper 40
$20 - Northfin or NLS food (8 oz)
$14 - Seachem Prime 500 ml
$25 - API Master Test Kit
$40 - Python 'No Spill Clean and Fill'
$488 - 663 total
That's including sufficient biological filtration which is a corner many people cut. And with a python and API test kit you'll have what's needed to perform weekly water changes of 75%
For most people money isn't the problem. It's the willingness to perform water changes as needed and/or listen and learn from those who know. Before starting, you should ask yourself if you're prepared to perform weekly 75% water changes. For cichlids water changes like that are absolutely necessary. If you're willing to do the water changes then you should consider what kind of fish you'd like to keep.
There's also the price of the fish.I like the advice given by P predatorkeeper87 and
Tank and Light
Consider a 75 gl Aqueon. You can get the tank, lids, and light at petsmart for $199.
Stand
The 75 gl Marineland is usually sold with the lids, led light and laughable stand for $479-499. Those stands will support the tanks but they are incredibly overpriced considering the materials used. If you can build your own stand, you can save around $250 and have a much stronger stand. I build all my stands and for around $35 you can build an incredibly strong functional stand from 2x4s. Even with finishing boards and cabinets a nice looking stand for a 75 gl can be built for under $100. I like plain wood finishes like linseed oil which are inexpensive and easy.
Filtration
Here, it gets expensive and you can spend more than on the tank. You should get filters that can be also be used on larger tanks if you ever decide to tear down the 75 gl. For large cichlids you need a lot of filtration. Unless you use a sump, this means an hob like an AC110, a canister filter, and a sponge filter.
For canisters I prefer Filstar XPL (XP3) and XPXL (XP4) but eheim also makes great canisters. I just bought two XPLs from petsmart on clearance for $94.95 and you might be able to find some for that price at a store before they sell out. They're usually around $155 with free shipping on eBay. Eheim canister prices are about the same for canisters of similar size and flow rates.
An AquaClear 110 is around $79 online. Marineland Penguin 350s aren't as nice as AC110s but for only $32 on eBay with free shipping they're worth the price.
A sponge filter like a Hydro Pro V by ATI is well worth the money at only $16. An air pump to power it like a Whisper 40 can be bought for only $13. These provide good biological filtration for the low price.
Filter media
The AC110 comes with a good sponge and some ceramic media. You can spend a lot of money on ceramic/sintered glass media like Biohome or Eheim substrate Pro, but I've found medium course sponge (30 ppi) is a very effective medium in which bacteria colonies can grow. It needs rinsing more often than ceramic media but it's well worth it for the much lower price imo. For only $10 you can buy a large piece of HMF sponge and cut it into pieces to fill a Filstar XPXL canister. You would spend around $150 for that much Seachem Matrix or around $200 for that much Biohome or Eheim Substrate Pro sintered glass media.
Food
Northfin and NLS both make great cichlid pellets. For an 8 oz. bag you can expect to pay $20 with shipping which will last fish in a 75 gl a few months.
Other essentials
There are at least 3 things no fishkeeper should be without.
1) Seachem Prime water conditioner - $14 for 500ml bottle (free shipping)
2) API Master Test Kit - $25 (free shipping)
3) Python 'No Spill Clean and Fill' water changer - $40 for 25ft (free shipping)
Starting cost
Adding it all together ...
$199 - tank (Aqueon 75 gl)
$95 - $159 canister
$35 - $99 diy stand
$32 - $79 hob filter
$15 - Hydro Pro V Sponge filter
$13 - Tetra Whisper 40
$20 - Northfin or NLS food (8 oz)
$14 - Seachem Prime 500 ml
$25 - API Master Test Kit
$40 - Python 'No Spill Clean and Fill'
$488 - 663 total
That's including sufficient biological filtration which is a corner many people cut. And with a python and API test kit you'll have what's needed to perform weekly water changes of 75%
For most people money isn't the problem. It's the willingness to perform water changes as needed and/or listen and learn from those who know. Before starting, you should ask yourself if you're prepared to perform weekly 75% water changes. For cichlids water changes like that are absolutely necessary. If you're willing to do the water changes then you should consider what kind of fish you'd like to keep.
Just to clear things up, I have had a lot of experience keeping smaller fish, but now I feel like I'd like to try out the monster side of the hobby.I like the advice given by P predatorkeeper87 and
Tank and Light
Consider a 75 gl Aqueon. You can get the tank, lids, and light at petsmart for $199.
Stand
The 75 gl Marineland is usually sold with the lids, led light and laughable stand for $479-499. Those stands will support the tanks but they are incredibly overpriced considering the materials used. If you can build your own stand, you can save around $250 and have a much stronger stand. I build all my stands and for around $35 you can build an incredibly strong functional stand from 2x4s. Even with finishing boards and cabinets a nice looking stand for a 75 gl can be built for under $100. I like plain wood finishes like linseed oil which are inexpensive and easy.
Filtration
Here, it gets expensive and you can spend more than on the tank. You should get filters that can be also be used on larger tanks if you ever decide to tear down the 75 gl. For large cichlids you need a lot of filtration. Unless you use a sump, this means an hob like an AC110, a canister filter, and a sponge filter.
For canisters I prefer Filstar XPL (XP3) and XPXL (XP4) but eheim also makes great canisters. I just bought two XPLs from petsmart on clearance for $94.95 and you might be able to find some for that price at a store before they sell out. They're usually around $155 with free shipping on eBay. Eheim canister prices are about the same for canisters of similar size and flow rates.
An AquaClear 110 is around $79 online. Marineland Penguin 350s aren't as nice as AC110s but for only $32 on eBay with free shipping they're worth the price.
A sponge filter like a Hydro Pro V by ATI is well worth the money at only $16. An air pump to power it like a Whisper 40 can be bought for only $13. These provide good biological filtration for the low price.
Filter media
The AC110 comes with a good sponge and some ceramic media. You can spend a lot of money on ceramic/sintered glass media like Biohome or Eheim substrate Pro, but I've found medium course sponge (30 ppi) is a very effective medium in which bacteria colonies can grow. It needs rinsing more often than ceramic media but it's well worth it for the much lower price imo. For only $10 you can buy a large piece of HMF sponge and cut it into pieces to fill a Filstar XPXL canister. You would spend around $150 for that much Seachem Matrix or around $200 for that much Biohome or Eheim Substrate Pro sintered glass media.
Food
Northfin and NLS both make great cichlid pellets. For an 8 oz. bag you can expect to pay $20 with shipping which will last fish in a 75 gl a few months.
Other essentials
There are at least 3 things no fishkeeper should be without.
1) Seachem Prime water conditioner - $14 for 500ml bottle (free shipping)
2) API Master Test Kit - $25 (free shipping)
3) Python 'No Spill Clean and Fill' water changer - $40 for 25ft (free shipping)
Starting cost
Adding it all together ...
$199 - tank (Aqueon 75 gl)
$95 - $159 canister
$35 - $99 diy stand
$32 - $79 hob filter
$15 - Hydro Pro V Sponge filter
$13 - Tetra Whisper 40
$20 - Northfin or NLS food (8 oz)
$14 - Seachem Prime 500 ml
$25 - API Master Test Kit
$40 - Python 'No Spill Clean and Fill'
$488 - 663 total
That's including sufficient biological filtration which is a corner many people cut. And with a python and API test kit you'll have what's needed to perform weekly water changes of 75%
For most people money isn't the problem. It's the willingness to perform water changes as needed and/or listen and learn from those who know. Before starting, you should ask yourself if you're prepared to perform weekly 75% water changes. For cichlids water changes like that are absolutely necessary. If you're willing to do the water changes then you should consider what kind of fish you'd like to keep.
Stay smaller like 125. What do you define as a monster?
I got a 220 gallon and an old oceanic 110 with tons of canister and everything for 300.00 then found a huge aro for 80.00 and slowly bought new fish
Nothing to do with the thread but I also have an oceanic 110 and it was awesome until the top brace seperated and one of the seams started to leak... Awesome experience at 1:30 in the morning. I love the tank still lol
If you get a jardini there are not many other fish you'll be able to keep with it, so that'll limit your expenditure on fish somewhat
