Average Cost Per Gallon

[CP aquatic]

I was curious to see what everyone's average cost per gallon was to set up an aquarium. This including filtration, tank, lights, live rock etc. Pretty Much everything you bought except for livestock. For example my 29 gallon cost about 650$ to setup, so 650 divided by 29 equals $22.41. My 220 was about $17.72

 

[m0nkie]

kinda hard to calculate that... you can buy cheap Chinese equipment or top German brands. New or Used.. Would make a huge difference..

my 100gal tank cost about $6000 to set up. almost everything brand new and semi expensive equipment. (not all knock offs)

 

[mcgyvr]

$6 per gallon 120G + 40b.. includes everything.. lighting too

 

[Dozer1one]

omg �� I just calculated mine...... I think I have a problem

 

[DasCamel]

omg �� I just calculated mine...... I think I have a problem

+1

Huge.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Just because you CAN calculate some things does not mean you SHOULD.

Methinks this is one thing you should NOT calculate.

 

[ca1ore]

Hah, yeah, it's rather like figuring how much you've spent on beer in your lifetime, or hot dogs; or how much time in your life you've spent sitting in traffic. Some things are just best left unknown.

 

[slief]

The mehtodoloy will not work. Tank and equipment costs go up exponentially as the size of the aquarium goes up. For example, a 100 gallon tank can cost as little as $100 while a 500 gallon tank can cost $4000 or more. Same goes with equipment. My 480 gallon display and 600 gallon system would cost well over $20,000 just in tank, sump, equipment, controllers etc. Add in several hundred pounds of live rock, dozens of large coral colonies, 70+ fish and you easily have a $40K system.

 

[DavidinGA]

$13.33/gal on my 210gal setup (excludes livestock)

 

[ridetheducati]

$.35 per gallon. Peer reviewed.

 

[DavidinGA]

$.35 per gallon. Peer reviewed.

Is this a pico tank with no filters and you put it in sunlight? Lol

 

[snorvich]

Just because you CAN calculate some things does not mean you SHOULD.

Methinks this is one thing you should NOT calculate.

Amen to that. You do not want to know. And your significant other does not need to know.

 

[firemountain]

I am afraid to pull out the calculator. :eek1:

The problem is that when I bought equipment for my 65g, I overshot on items knowing I can use it for a bigger tank down the road. I already have items that are not in use, just waiting to be put in use.

 

[snorvich]

The mehtodoloy will not work. Tank and equipment costs go up exponentially as the size of the aquarium goes up. For example, a 100 gallon tank can cost as little as $100 while a 500 gallon tank can cost $4000 or more. Same goes with equipment. My 480 gallon display and 600 gallon system would cost well over $20,000 just in tank, sump, equipment, controllers etc. Add in several hundred pounds of live rock, dozens of large coral colonies, 70+ fish and you easily have a $40K system.

Exactly. Since I am using high end equipment my cost per gallon is going to be way higher than average. And couple that with custom made acrylic tanks with museum quality seams . . .

 

[asudavew]

In reality. I do not want to know. For my wife... She doesn't ask because she doesn't want to know. But I bet it's around $40-60 maybe higher. It's crazy when a $200 fish seems reasonably priced.

My 40 gallon breeder at work was about $25 per gallon.

 

[Cdogsailr]

This is a secret squirrel number well hidden from the boss (no, she doesn't read this forum, I hope). I'm over $100/gallon all-in... Some reflection warranted....

 

[vanmo92]

In my rough calculation My 72 gallon is around $70-80 per gallon. At least spent 5-6 grand on this setup. If you include all past purchases that are no longer in/on the tank including old lights skimmers etc I would not hesitate to double that number.

 

[ca1ore]

I wonder. Never bothered to do the math. Rough cut:

265 Tank - $1,600 lugged
DiY Stand - $200 supplies (plus sweat equity)
Skimmer - $1,000
Pumps - $600
Wave makers - $1,500
Apex- $1,500
DiY Sump - $300
Calcium Reactor - $600
Top Off/ Kalk Stirrer - $200
Various reactors/canisters - $300
Dosing Pumps - $500
Lights - $1,500
Plumbing - $500
Heaters - $100
DIY ATS - $300
Misc - $500

So a bit north of $11 K. $42/gallon. Doesn't include sand, rock and livestock; thought it'd be worse actually. Pales in comparison to the $$$ I've 'invested' in my stereo/home theater (and that I have kept track of).

Some costs are variable, climbing as the tank increases in size, others remain fixed. Aquarium controller, for example, costs essentially the same for a very large tank as it would for something much smaller. Lighting will climb as the tank grows.

 

[avandss]

thats not good. including my generator&stand i am at 112$ per gallon. does not include fish or corals....

must delete history...wife must not see

 

[moondoggy4]

I have read, Fill the tank with 5 dollar bills and set it on fire. fun to watch and well worth it.