Cost Of Running An Aquarium!

[SensesFail]

I could sit and work it all out but has anyone ever thought about how much it costs to run:

Air pump 12hrs a day?
Filter 24 hrs a day
Heater 24hrs a day
Lights 12hrs a day

I know the likes of the heater cuts in only when needed but does anyone know how much roughly it costs to maintain this per day/week/month>?

Really just out of curiosity! and contemplating a new tank! i know everyones on different energy tariffs just looking at rough estimates!

 

[dayzofspeed]

do you really want to know.......... i dont

 

[K_Hedin]

Don't forget about the cost of water from all the water changes.

Personally I don't really want to know either but it would be interesting.

 

[SensesFail]

do you really want to know.......... i dont

Just curious really I am on a water meter which makes it more expense haha!! Toying with a new tank but then everything is multiplied by 2 haha I'm gonna have to get the college books out and find the formulas for calculating costs! And find the rates I'm on haha.

If it costs loads then I can cut costs on lighting in the house haha. Gf goes for light switch......"don't you even think about it!!" abit like when they touch the thermostat for the heating you suddenly get that feeling and know someones turned up the heat! Haha

 

[Harlequins]

I haven't a clue what my 3 tanks,3 heaters,4 externals,2 airpumps and lighting would cost,not to mention water meter charges-i'd rather not know

I know i put in £10 on the key meter weekly and that runs a 2 bed house and everything in it,so not too bad

 

[ian]

i'm sure we worked it out on here it was an average of about £2-3 a month?? this was a year ago ish.

 

[MikeO]

You forgot....

Food.
Water Treatment.
Media.
Testing Kits.

Of which all are "consumeables" just like the leccy and water.

AND of course...

FISH

Ive lost £30 quids worth of fish totally randomly in the last month which is gutting.

You shouldnt need to light for 12hrs a day mind..... I only have mine on 3 - 4hrs MAX. But I have my pump running 24/7 since I cant hear it from my bedroom! And I run two filters.

Hmm.

FISH TANK FOR SALE?

lol

 

[SensesFail]

i'm sure we worked it out on here it was an average of about £2-3 a month?? this was a year ago ish.

That's not too bad if I get some time I'll sit and work it out at today's prices although I dunno if I'd like to know and I'm trying to get another tank on the go so prices of running may scrap all the work I'm currently doing to persuade the gf haha

You forgot....

Food.
Water Treatment.
Media.
Testing Kits.

Of which all are "consumeables" just like the leccy and water.

AND of course...

FISH

Ive lost £30 quids worth of fish totally randomly in the last month which is gutting.

You shouldnt need to light for 12hrs a day mind..... I only have mine on 3 - 4hrs MAX. But I have my pump running 24/7 since I cant hear it from my bedroom! And I run two filters.

Hmm.

FISH TANK FOR SALE?

lol

I'm going to invest in a timer and run the lighting from say 5pm till 10-11 I reckon then just rely on natural light into the room.

The food does cost I must say although I bought a 300g of cichlid food so that should last but it's the other food to go with it. I must see if I can sell that discus food I bought tetra discus 300g

 

[fishnovice]

i'm sure we worked it out on here it was an average of about £2-3 a month?? this was a year ago ish.

That's not too bad if I get some time I'll sit and work it out at today's prices although I dunno if I'd like to know and I'm trying to get another tank on the go so prices of running may scrap all the work I'm currently doing to persuade the gf haha

You forgot....

Food.
Water Treatment.
Media.
Testing Kits.

Of which all are "consumeables" just like the leccy and water.

AND of course...

FISH

Ive lost £30 quids worth of fish totally randomly in the last month which is gutting.

You shouldnt need to light for 12hrs a day mind..... I only have mine on 3 - 4hrs MAX. But I have my pump running 24/7 since I cant hear it from my bedroom! And I run two filters.

Hmm.

FISH TANK FOR SALE?

lol

I'm going to invest in a timer and run the lighting from say 5pm till 10-11 I reckon then just rely on natural light into the room.

The food does cost I must say although I bought a 300g of cichlid food so that should last but it's the other food to go with it. I must see if I can sell that discus food I bought tetra discus 300g

 

[fishnovice]

Don't worry about the cost -just go ahead and enjoy your fish! I have 7 fish tanks, 1 axolotl and 3 turtle tanks. All have filters and most have heaters. My electricity bill isn't that bad though, nowhere near £3/month per tank. Mind you I am very economical with room lights etc. Also, I rely on natural daylight and don't use tank lights to save electricity as most of my tanks have fake plants.

 

[dayzofspeed]

and the cost in time as we sit staring at the tank for hours on end instead of doing the stuff we know we really should be doing

 

[B C M]

If your after some free water gives a shout! Kidding!
Didn't realise how many people actually paid for simple cold water.

I've not got a big tank but I can't imagine them being that expensive, leaving your TV on standby, phone charger on or leaving the PC/Laptop plugged in will probably be worse.

Its worth it tho, so far!

 

[SensesFail]

If your after some free water gives a shout! Kidding!
Didn't realise how many people actually paid for simple cold water.

I've not got a big tank but I can't imagine them being that expensive, leaving your TV on standby, phone charger on or leaving the PC/Laptop plugged in will probably be worse.

Its worth it tho, so far!

Yer have to pay for what water I use. Bought the flat and it came with a water meter which you can't change. If the house doesn't have one you just pay a set fee no matter how much you use but if you ever decide to change to a meter because you don't use much you can't change back after something like a 7 day trial/cooling off period. Next place I buy I'll be looking to see if it has one haha since I want a ginormous tank haha that's if the boss will let me!

 

[BigC]

Most aquarist's wouldn't give a hoot about the cost, there are other options such as cold water aquariums and plants which are equally pleasing on the eye.
I'm currently getting into European Killifish, which will need no heating and can possibly go outside in the summer months.
Look for and search out other options if your on a tight budget, fishkeeping needn't be expensive.
Regards
C

 

[saltynay]

For food and equipment costs I breed and trade in with LFS and I grow my own live food. 3 tubs in the sun in the garden seeded with one mixed packet supplies me with all the live food I could ever need. You could use water from a water butt if you wanted to save on those costs and build your own wind generator. You could put generators in your drains so your waste water gives you power and the roof guttering can also be adapted in this way.