Aquarium setup cost calculator
Add up the one time cost of starting a new aquarium, and see the cost per gallon.
What the total covers
The calculator adds the one time cost of the main pieces you need to start a tank: the tank and stand, a filter, a heater, lighting, substrate, hardscape and decor, a test kit with water conditioner, and your first livestock and plants. Enter a price for each item you plan to buy and leave out anything you already own or plan to add later. If you enter the tank volume, the tool also shows the cost per gallon, which is a handy way to compare sizes.
Prices vary by brand, size and where you shop, so use your own figures for the most useful total. The placeholders are only rough starting points for a small to medium freshwater setup. Buying a tank as a kit or secondhand can lower the total, while planted and marine tanks usually cost more once lighting and extra equipment are added.
Do not forget running costs
This total is the initial outlay only. A tank keeps costing money after it is running: food, water conditioner, replacement filter media, test kits, fertilizers or salt, the odd new heater or pump, and the electricity to run lights, filtration and heating. Those ongoing costs are modest each month but add up over the life of the tank, and larger or heated tanks cost more to run.
It is worth planning for both numbers before you buy. Many keepers find that starting a little larger costs slightly more up front but less per gallon, gives more stable water, and saves the expense of upgrading a tank that turned out to be too small.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up an aquarium?
It varies widely with size and gear. A small starter tank can be modest, while a larger planted or marine setup costs far more once you add a stand, filter, heater, lighting and livestock. Enter your own prices here for a total that fits your plan.
What does this calculator include?
It adds the one time cost of the main setup items: tank and stand, filter, heater, lighting, substrate, hardscape and decor, a test kit and conditioner, and livestock and plants. You can leave out anything you already own.
Does it include running costs?
No. This is the initial setup only. Ongoing costs like food, water conditioner, replacement filter media, test kits and electricity are separate and add up over time.
Why show a cost per gallon?
Cost per gallon makes it easier to compare tank sizes. Larger tanks often cost less per gallon to set up, which is one reason many keepers are advised to start a little bigger than they first plan.