I recently took the plunge into the world of salt water fish. I had done freshwater before and it wasn't long before I'd have a green swamp monster in the tank AKA algae.
So I'll admit it, I got a salt water tank because I have two little kids who love fish and yes Nemo. I later learned that "fish" people which I am not and fish store people hate hearing "Look it's Nemo"! They really should love hearing that because I'm sure Nemo has boosted salt water fish supply sales far beyond pre nemo sales.
Anyway after some investigation I started to get the idea that salt water fish tanks are actually easier to maintain than fresh water. Why? because a wise salt water set up is an eco system. That means there are bacteria and other critters that manage the fish waste. A well balanced system means you won't be needing to vacuum the fish shit out of the bottom every week like a freshwater tank. I'm sure there is a way to build a freshwater eco system but most just put that neon colored rock and vacuum fish shit out or have their tank turn onto an ugly mess.
The other critical advice I got was that SMALL saltwater tanks are HARDER to be successful keeping fish and corals alive. Why? Because if there is a water quality issue there is less room for error. If you have 20 gallons and the water specs get off it happens FAST. With a larger tank it happens SLOW giving you more time to react and correct. Larger tanks 55gallon plus are more stable. A fish store keeper told me once you lose one or two $30 fish that little tank will end up in your garage.
So I went with a 90 gallon I found on craigslist for $150! great deal!!! The tank came operating with two fish, 160lbs of live rock and 120lbs. of live sand, canister filter, protein skimmer. If you price that out you'd pay $2000 for all that if not more and take 4 months to get the tank up and running. Well after upgrades, adding fish, buying food, supplies, etc.and a 1/3 USED chiller to keep the water temp in spec at 80 degrees so everything doesn't die during the hot California summer I dropped another $1000 in the first week of owning the tank!!!!!
OK, so it's been 3 months and yes my tank manages itself to some degree. Every day I use the magnetic glass cleaner to keep the green film down. Every week I change out 30% of the water, every two days I clean the filter sock. Every day I feed once in the morning and once at night frozen mison shrimp which I clean first and feed a little at a time to be sure they eat them all.
So how much does it cost? Well let's look at monthly fixed costs. This is the info I was not given and could not find online.
1. Water changes. When you change 30% of the water you need to add salt to that new water. It costs me $12 in salt once a week. I have an RO/DI water filter I got on Craigslist for $40 so I don't have to buy good water which would add to the cost. So lets call it $55 a month in salt water plus a little for water.
2. To have coral you need good lighting and water circulation and the water temperature must be maintained between 78 and 81. To do that you need a water chiller, water heater, T5 lights and pumps. I figure all that gear running 24 hours a day is about $25 a month in electricity.
So just to have it running is $80 a month.
Then there are the fish. They are expensive. They can be fragile. And if you're new at this you will lose some.
So far I wiped out two clown fish, a blue tang, yellow tang, had a clown jump out onto the floor... about $120 worth of fish.
I've had a green hair algae bloom, a red cyno bacteria bloom, if you move live sand or rock your tank will get a nutrient spike that cause these algae outbreaks that take weeks to cycle.
Oh and tang fish are very susceptible to parasites from the ocean so if left unchecked you'll loose all your fish and have to wait 3 to 4 months with no fish before you can stock it again or the parasites will take hold. For these reasons people buy UV sterilizers to help with algae and parasites.
So there you have it. That is really what is takes and costs to have a salt water fish tank. The payout is a beautiful, peaceful display in your home that you and guests will enjoy especially if you display some nice corals. Remember corals run $35 to $150 each depending on size and fish $10 to $80 each. So the next time you see a spectacular salt water display some place just know you're looking at $4000 to $7000 in equipment, fish and coral.
Get those craigslist deals!!! There is always someone exiting this hobby because of time or costs.
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