Fishkeeping can be expensive but it does not need to be. Here is how you can begin your journey into the aquarium hobby without spending a fortune.
The cost of starting a new hobby can be daunting, and fishkeeping is certainly no exception. The price of aquariums, filters, lights and fish can quickly cause a newcomer to postpone entering this wonderful hobby. Plus, all the high end gear that runs on those impressive planted aquascapes and reef tanks makes it all the more daunting. However, you do not have to spend a fortune to enjoy this brilliant hobby.
Let's look at how you could start your first freshwater tank while keeping costs low. The prices quoted in this article are there as a guide and are not exactly what they will cost you.
Related article: 38 ways to make fishkeeping cheaper.
Save money from the start - second hand aquariums
We all desire that shiny new car that doesn't have a ding or and scratch. However, just as a car loses its value when driven off a forecourt, a fish tank does too. Some real bargain aquariums are available on second hand market place sites. They may have a few extra scratches but, your new aquarium will too in a few years.
An example of a decent advert, the tank is clearly water tight and has been looked after. Photo by Canva.
Buying second hand is not without its risks, of course. Plenty of advice is available to help guide you through buying a second hand fish tank. But we outline the basic points below:
- Don't pay for anything until you have seen it in person and are taking it away with you.
- Take someone with you, or at least let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be home.
- Check the silicon, and if possible ask the seller to keep the water in the tank until you have seen it. You do not want to buy the tank, take it home, only for one of the seals to have broken and water begins pouring out. Silicon that is peeling away or looks worn may indicate its near the end of its life.
- If the aquarium comes with a cabinet, check for signs of water damage. Not only will this indicate a possible leak but the cabinet may not longer be structurally sound.
- Focus on the actual aquarium. Complete set ups may look cost effective but you may end up with a mix of fish that are not suitable. Rehoming certain species can be neigh on impossible. Spend your money on the tank and later down the line slowly build up your stocking levels with the fish you love.
- Be wary of equipment like filters, air pumps, lights and heaters sold alongside the tank. Check that they are working, and ask for a demonstration on how to maintain them. This will give you a clear idea if the previous owner has cared for the equipment correctly. I am always cautious of heaters, they are fairly cheap to buy new (starting from around £20) and that warranty is probably worth it.
As a rough guide to help you, I quickly search for tanks under £100 in my local area at the time of writing. Numerous options were available from 60 to 200 litres (13-44 gal). Most came with a stand, an internal filter and a simple LED light. Allow an extra £20 for a new heater if you desire tropical fish, although there are some great temperate fish options! Plus, the running costs will be cheaper without a heater.
Decorating your aquarium on a budget
This part is hard to advise on, as everyone has their own preference for how a fish tank should look. However, I will do my best to provide some options, starting from the base up.
For budget friendly and beginner substrates you cannot go wrong with an inert sand or gravel. You won't get the lush dense growth of an aquascape but they can still look fantastic in their own right.
Sands and gravels are available in various sized bags from your local store. Prices vary depending on type but you can find 15kg for around £15. This will likely be enough for at 125 litre aquarium. Calculators are available online to help you work out exactly how much substrate you need.
Even aquascapes often utilise a simple inert sand for decor. Photo by Shutterstock
Many types of play sand are safe to use, also. They just may be a little dirtier and the grain sizes are smaller and more uniform. A 15kg bag costs as little as £3 making it extremely budget friendly.
As a beginner fishkeeper, hardscape can be a little daunting with many guides focused on true aquascaping. But it does not need to be difficult. You can buy a bag of aquarium safe Scottish cobbles for around £8 in garden centres which will make a nice river scene. Complement it with a chunky piece of worn bogwood for somewhere between £10-30 and you have a perfect scape for a 60cm (24") aquarium.
Related article: Get to grips with aquarium hardscape.
Add to this a couple of pots of low tech friendly plants and you'll be good to go. Anubias, Vallisneria, Java ferns and many Cryptocoryne species all make good choices but each have their own requirements.
Potted Vallisneria species are a good choice of aquarium live plant for your first tank.
For a more tropical aesthetic, opt for a less rounded stone from your local fish shop, these generally cost upwards of £4 per kilo. 10kg should be plenty for a 60cm (24") tank. Complement this with a few redmoor roots (from £5-£25 for small to medium pieces) and you'll have the foundations for a wonderful scape.
For quick impact opt for some stem plants growing in in-vitro pots. They are extremely cost effect and will fill your tank with greenery quickly. Limnophila sessiliflora is a great option to provide a different texture to the above mentioned plants. Plus, it will do well in an inert sand substrate.
Related article: Beginners guide to growing healthy aquarium plants.
Choosing your fish
Cheap does not have to mean boring or dull. Some of the most popular fish are also some of the cheapest in your local store.
For the river style aquarium outlined above, white cloud mountain minnows would make a wonderful addition. They can be available for as little as £2 each meaning a good shoal of 15 will not break the bank. Mix them will a hillstream loach to complete the temperate flowing river vibe.
A budget friendly but beautiful option, White Cloud Mountain minnows put on a show in an aquarium. Photo by Tai Strietman
For a more colourful and bold option, livebearers might be a great choice. Platies are outgoing and bold and are available in a variety of colours. Plus they breed easily meaning you can often buy them cheaply at aquatic auctions when other aquarists have surplus.
Ask your local store if they can test your tap water for you. Once you know your hardness and pH, tailor the stocking to suit it. This removes the need for expensive water altering products.
Related article: How to set up a barb and Cryptocoryne tank on a budget.
Other required purchases
Below are some additional accessories that you will require to successfully look after your tank.
- Test kits are helpful to keep an eye on your water quality without needing to visit a shop - £25
- Buckets hold the water during a water change - £2
- Gravel siphons to remove water and keep the substrate clean - £6
- Algae pad but check it is suitable for your tank, is it acrylic or glass? - £4
- Dechlorinator to remove harmful chemicals found in tap water - £10
- Fish food, obviously - £4
- Thermometer so that you can check that the water temperature is correct - £4
Total estimated cost for a 60cm (24") temperate aquarium: £230
Total estimated cost for a 60cm (24") tropical aquarium: £280