Budget aquarium

[wtusa17]

Just a reminder- unless it comes with it - you may also need a heater and a filter - both ones that fit properly. You'll need a test kit (that's about $20) and some plain ammonia so you can cycle your tank and take readings very frequently. When I first started I took readings everyday. The play sand from Lowe's is said to be a very good buy and it's recommended to get a dark color. You'll also need chemicals such as "Prime" that gets rid of chlorine in the tank. You need this solution not just at the start of your tank but each time you will do a water change. You'll also need water change equipment ( a couple of buckets and a decent gravel cleaner/siphon will run another $20). There is nothing like live plants to run up you budget very quickly and some fish really require this to feel safe. IF my tank had not been acrylic I suspect it would have cost at least $200 to get started. My Acrylic cost me closer to $600. Unless this $40 aquarium comes with lights you're going to need to be searching for a top cover with LED lights (plan on at least $100)

BUT DON'T LET THAT KEEP YOU FROM GETTING THAT TANK NOW. It's a good deal, and some do come with heaters or basic filter. You'll likely want to upgrade later but you can get by with something better once you've save up the money for it. DON'T get discouraged, but always keep $20-30 in reserve for emergency antibiolics and other equipment. You just may have wait until you have the rest of the money before you are ready for fish. Just be patient and don't let somebody from Petco talk you into getting everything at their store.

Also this gives you a LONG time to really research the type of fish you want in your tank - come up with some different combinations of fish. Make sure the fish can all coexist in that Habitat before buying and you'll have a very well planned and healthy tank.

Thank you very much. I was thinking of getting the marineland penguin from amazon($23) and a nicrew LED light(36) bucks.

This is not my first tank so I already have an API master test kit, dechlorinator, prime, stability, and a siphon. I have most of the things to start off I just need most of the main equipment for the tank.

The petco tankis just the tank but the thing that will cost me the most will be the stand bc they seem to be very expensive.

 

[wtusa17]

I got an inexpensive "generic" tank stand on Amazon. It was about a third of the price os a branded one and is doing a good job.

Do you know what it is called?

 

[utahfish]

Ive used pool sand before, nice thing about pool sand is it doesnt compact like play sand. Ive used play sand as well. Currently im using coarse grade black blasting sand, its great works really well for rooting plants.with any store bought sand if one is planning on growing plants one needs to add nutrients to the substrate, root tabs work well for this. Blasting sand is about 7 dollars for 50 pounds.

 

[wtusa17]

Ive used pool sand before, nice thing about pool sand is it doesnt compact like play sand. Ive used play sand as well. Currently im using coarse grade black blasting sand, its great works really well for rooting plants.with any store bought sand if one is planning on growing plants one needs to add nutrients to the substrate, root tabs work well for this. Blasting sand is about 7 dollars for 50 pounds.

What do you add to the blasting sand?

 

[utahfish]

Root tabs. Blasting sand is inert just like pool filter sand. Its a little more dense than pool sand but doesnt compact either. I also do a light light dusting of peat moss then cover it with the sand then root tabs.
The blasting sand rinses really well also, unlike play sand.

 

[wtusa17]

Root tabs. Blasting sand is inert just like pool filter sand. Its a little more dense than pool sand but doesnt compact either. I also do a light light dusting of peat moss then cover it with the sand then root tabs.
The blasting sand rinses really well also, unlike play sand.

Ok thanks

 

[utahfish]

Ok thanks

The peat moss dusting isnt a neccessity though, i have really hard water high PH so...

 

[yeti79]

Also, for the stand, I don’t trust myself building my own so what other cheap way would you suggest getting a stand?

This is the cheapest I can think of, should be under $20. There is minimal building involved just stack the blocks and put the wood on top. Here is a picture of mine. I have a 20 so you would probably just need one more set of blocks for a 40(i used 3 high so 9 total for you) and a thick enough piece of plywood. May not be pretty but is effective.

 

[wtusa17]

Can anyone suggest how to get cheap rocks for the hardscape?

 

[AbbeysDad]

Pool filter sand works great. I have it in two tanks. My 60g (see avitar) is planted and the results speak for themselves.
As for a stand, cement blocks and 2x4's can work fine or if you can cut wood, Joey Mullen (King of DIY) on YouTube has a great method for 2x4 stands. super strong and very cost effective.
But others are right....you're gonna need a cover, lights, heater, filter/media and water change tools...and all these things add up. STILL, you can't beat a dollar per gallon sale!!! So you get the tank now and get the rest as you can. Just don't rush it as jumping in without the necessary equipment is the quickest route to failure.

 

[AbbeysDad]

Can anyone suggest how to get cheap rocks for the hardscape?

Go outside....they're everywhere.

 

[excaliber]

The Petco 1/2 off Tank sale is a good deal. That's where we get all our smaller tanks 55 gal and under. Take a look in your local Craigslist or equivalent for aquarium stands. There are deals to be found on stands all the time. We just found a 55 gal stand for under $30.00 and it's in very good condition.