why do tanks cost so much?

corbypete · Mar 3, 2005

I got my 30 gallon for £10 from the recycling centre, so I'm happy, but why do say 180's cost £400?

and up...

its just glass!

Paul_MTS · Mar 3, 2005

glass, glass cutting tools, silicon, labour, shop markup, VAT it all adds up!!

plus some will include gurantees in those prices.

keane · Mar 3, 2005

the 180's only cost around the £180 mark....

http

/www.paraquatics.co.uk/paraquatics%2...html&lang=en-gb

the price includes all of what Paul has quoted, plus........hood, lighting, heaters and filters.

not a bad price i would say for a 40 gallon. as a guesstimate to set your own tank up you would probably be looking at (bought new prices).....

decent heater................................................£20.00
decent lighting...............................................£40 - £50 including starter units etc
decent filtration..............................................£50 - £100 for a 40 gallon

Total.............................................................£170 max

Brand new 40 gallon tank cost therefore..........£10.00

looks like you paid too much for your second hand 30 gallon tank!!! :rofl:

steve B)

technium · Mar 3, 2005

40g tank £10??? wheres that then?

I had to pay £10 just for a 10 gallon tank. I think you got a bargain mate, just be careful as ive taken tanks to recycle yard that leaked but looked perfectly usuable.

good luck

Paul_MTS · Mar 3, 2005

I'm pretty sure he was just on about the cost of the glass?? not the whole set up.

but according to out price lists my 200 US gallon tank would of cost about £350. 60"x30"x24" built with 10mm glass and thats without a double base.

keane · Mar 3, 2005

Paul_MTS said:
I'm pretty sure he was just on about the cost of the glass?? not the whole set up.

yeah I know. :fun:

but breaking down the price of all the equipment that's included with a Juwel, which is what you would have to buy to set up your own tank anyway, the new 40 gallon juwel tank on it's own would only work out to about a tenner! (the cost of corbypete's second hand 30 gallon)

wasn't having a pop at anyone. just in a sarcastic mood today. :shifty:

steve

corbypete · Mar 3, 2005

nah that tank comes with a cheap internal filter and i dont have lighting cos its piranhas i keep so theres no need for it (they like dark shade) I use an uplighting lap that has an attachment on it, pointing into the water, gives a nice effect

my setup cost

30gallon tank a1 condition, £10
internal heater £16
Brand new Ehiem aquaball 3 removable compartments £17

=£43

add plants, sand and cost of fish on top and you'll agree its a cheap setup!

still doesnt stop me pining for a 55gallon or more

Nidge · Mar 3, 2005

There is a masiff mark up on price with fish tanks. When i got my Rio 300 last i was quoted a difference of 300 euro between two shops!
When you add the cost of a heater and filter and lights that come with the tank it does ad up a bit but the manufactures make them for next to nothing.
Bottom line......Tanks are way over priced but for your average hobbiest who doesnt have the skill to make his own he/she has no choice.

CFC · Mar 3, 2005

Tanks dont have to be expensive, you just have to stay away from the package deals and make your own systems up.

My 200 gallon tank only cost £220 to have built , i have then spent another £50 on the covers and £300 on electrical equipment (filters, powerheads, lighting and heaters) and built the stand from timber pinched from work. So all in my 200 gallon tank cost me £570 for a top of the range sytem, which is only a little more expensive than a Juwel rio 400 which is half the size and has inferior equipment (mine has 3 eheim externals, twin visitherm 300w heaters and a solid timber stand compared to the juwels 1 internal filter, single 300w own brand heater and stand made from laminated chipboard).

Paul_MTS · Mar 3, 2005

you got all your electrics for £300

seeing as we're doing comparison mine is the same size as CFC's and here's the break down..

The tank with sump, pumps and 2 300W heaters cost £150 from the local paper. with a few other bits and bobs.

Urm lighting total cost of about £100, 3 5ft ballast, 3 timers, 3 arcadia tubes.

2x new pumps as i wasn't happy with the original flow £150.

stand materials cost £75....wood and screws.

covers are just flimsy acrylic to make do for a while £15.

think thats everything so a grand total of £495

alot of those things would of been more expensive especially the pumps but got them cheap thorugh work and the lighting I got cheap as my bro's a sparky, plus my dad built the stand.

oh and tanks don't have much of a mark up at all, in terms of stocking space it's barely worth the shops effit. If the tanks had the same mark up as the rest of the shop every one would be going down the recycle centre.

LoachLover · Mar 3, 2005

Paul_MTS said:
glass, glass cutting tools, silicon, labour, shop markup, VAT it all adds up!!

plus some will include gurantees in those prices.

Exaclty

corbypete · Mar 3, 2005

Paul_MTS said:
glass, glass cutting tools, silicon, labour, shop markup, VAT it all adds up!!

plus some will include gurantees in those prices.

sounds like my car....

..although that was a lot more expensive, but put together with the same technique -_-

littlefishie · Mar 3, 2005

Glass is more expensive as it gets thicker.

Next tank I get, I might get my friend's dad to make it for me.. he did a gorgeous 20g for his son, and a bunch of divided tanks for my friend.
That is, if I don't get the 55g kit for $310.50.

silvershark · Mar 3, 2005

go to www.meraquatica.co.uk pretty good i'd say...

Fishy411 · Mar 3, 2005

CFC said:
Tanks dont have to be expensive, you just have to stay away from the package deals and make your own systems up.

My 200 gallon tank only cost £220 to have built , i have then spent another £50 on the covers and £300 on electrical equipment (filters, powerheads, lighting and heaters) and built the stand from timber pinched from work. So all in my 200 gallon tank cost me £570 for a top of the range sytem, which is only a little more expensive than a Juwel rio 400 which is half the size and has inferior equipment (mine has 3 eheim externals, twin visitherm 300w heaters and a solid timber stand compared to the juwels 1 internal filter, single 300w own brand heater and stand made from laminated chipboard).

i usually get the Tank/hood/lighting package because its generally cheaper and nicer looking than buying a Tank only and tryin gto fit it with a glass hood. I agree though that u shud get yur own filter and heater and such .

My 55 gallon tank breakdown

Tank/hood/lights - 125 $ (yeah i got robbed)
filter- Biowheel 330- 40$ on sale
Heater- Marineland 200W- 15$
stand- Homemade 40$