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How Much Does That Aquarium Cost?

One of the most common questions we get is “How much does it cost to set up a tank?” This is also one of the most difficult questions for us to answer because there are so many options! Every piece of equipment – filters, lighting, heaters and more – has different varieties, options and price levels. Some may be more efficient than others and some may be more cost-effective. We are always happy to go over the options available to you and what we would recommend for any tank you are trying to create.

To give you a general idea of tank costs, we’ve gone through some of our store display tanks to give you an idea of how much the tanks you see would cost. This is only intended as a general example of the costs for different types of tanks. Keep in mind, these are our display tanks so most of them feature the Best Of The Best products we would recommend and some of the newest options available. These tanks are typically going to be more expensive than the average tank a hobbyist may set up. If you are on a budget, we can show you some lower cost options similar to those shown here.

These lists were created in late October 2020 and the availability and prices of these items are subject to change at any time. These lists are for equipment only for most tanks and do not include any livestock (fish, inverts, plants, or live rock) or decorations.

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From our largest displays to our smallest:


220-gallon African Cichlid Tank

This tank contains Lake Malawi African cichlids. It is a freshwater tank with rocks and substrate chosen to maintain a high pH and water hardness.

TOTAL:$4,248.45$3,700.85
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
268336 x2Precision Submersible Heater – 400W – Up to 125gal (2 used)$96.78$87.98
242340 x3Marineland C-530 Canister Filter – Up to 150 gal. (3 used)$659.97$599.97
243990Monterey Aquarium Stand – 72 in. x 24 in. – Black$1,341.99$1,219.99
211776*180 Gallon Aquarium – Black – 72 in. x 24 in. x 24 in.$747.99$679.99
213319 x250lbLoose Rocks (Sold by 10th-lb, 250 lbs used)$975.00$725.00
268729 x4Florida Crushed Coral – 40 lb. (4 bags used)$153.96$139.96
253894Maxi-Jet 1200 Water Pump (295/1300 GPH)$28.59$25.99
277396 x2**Aqueon OptiBright+ LED Light Fixture – 18-24 in. (2 used)$153.98$139.98
211863Marineland Perfecto Glass Canopy 72 in. x 24 in.$90.19$81.99
*The 220-gallon tank is no longer manufacturer. The 180-gallon has the same footprint and is the largest tank made by this supplier at this time.
**The lights currently on this tank have been discontinued. This is a comparable fixture.

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100-gallon Neptune Apex Reef Tank

This tank is designed as a high-end reef tank for SPS and LPS corals. It features the latest in automation and filtration with WIFI controls.This setup isn’t for the budget-conscious. The equipment on this tank is The Best Of The Best and the latest, most hi-tech to hit the market to date.

TOTAL:$8,381.70$7,726.90
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
282686Innovative Marine INT 100 Gallon$1,430.00$1,300.00
279255Innovative Marine APS Stand for 80/100$769.99$699.99
278295Innovative Marine Hydrofil Ti-Reservoir$109.99$99.99
278294Innovative Marine Hydrofil Ti-Pump$76.99$69.99
278293Innovative Marine Hydrofil Ti-Controller$76.99$69.99
281692Innovative Marine Hydrofil Ti-Return Bracket$25.29$22.99
267978Trigger Ruby 36 Sump$384.99$349.99
248866Reef Octopus 200 Internal Protein Skimmer$395.99$359.99
275933Ecotech Radion XR30 Pro LED$923.99$839.99
267881Ecotech XR30 Tank Mount$114.99$103.99
268606Ecotech MP40 Vortech$403.99$366.99
249321Ecotech Battery Backup$173.25$173.25
280134Neptune Apex System EB832$839.99$799.99
280146Neptune Auto Feeder$104.99$99.99
280143Neptune Wireless Expansion Module$132.99$124.99
280135Neptune DOS/DRR Kit$469.99$449.99
280141Neptune Flow Monitoring Kit$209.99$199.99
280136Neptune Par Monitoring Kit$314.99$299.99
280139Neptune Wave Pump$192.99$174.99
280142Neptune Leak Detection Kit$159.99$149.99
281546Neptune COR20 Return Pump$359.99$324.99
284268Neptune Trident Water Analyzer$659.95$599.95
285114Eshopps Bio-Lux Ceramic Media$49.39$44.89
(Back view of all the high-tech equipment on this tank)

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120-gallon Reef Tank

This long-established reef tank at the front of our store has mostly LPS and soft corals with fish and inverts.

TOTAL:$2,609.11$2,371.90
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
211805120 Gallon with 1 Corner-Flo – Black – 48 in. x 24 in. x 24$549.99$499.99
211814Pine Majesty Stand – Black – 48 in. x 24 in.$296.99$269.99
268336Marineland Precision Submersible Heater – 400W – Up to 125 gal.$48.40$43.99
286756 x2Hydra 32HD Light Fixture – Black (2 used)$807.38$733.98
278399 x2Aqua Illumination Single Arm Mounting Kit for Hydra 26/52 (2 used)$169.38$153.98
247676Crystal 30 Sump – 30 in. x 12 in. x 15 in.$296.99$269.99
284342EcoTech Marine – Vectra S2 Centrifugal Pump – 1,400 gph$329.99$299.99
198276*Instant Ocean SeaClone Protein Skimmer 150 – up to 150 gal.$109.99$99.99
Various plumbing parts
*Protein skimmer currently on this tank has been discontinued. This is a comparable piece.

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72-gallon Bowfront Planted Community

This freshwater tank has live plants and tropical community fish including barbs, rainbows, dwarf cichlids and other fish.

TOTAL:$1,235.23$1,102.68
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
277936Aqueon 72g Bowfront Aquarium$280.49$254.99
277937Aqueon 72g Bowfront Cabinet Stand$417.99$379.99
281583Aqueon Heater Pro Series V2 – 300W$43.99$39.99
282941 x2Finnex 24/7 Planted + Color Changing LED Fixture – 48 in. (2 used)$314.58$285.98
279832Aqueon Quietflow Canister Filter – 55 – 100 Gal$148.49$114.74
250660Pico Evo-Mag Circulation Pump – 4W – 180 gph$29.69$26.99

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60-gallon Cube Planted Tank

This freshwater tank is heavily planted to feature the plants with some community schooling fish, shrimp and inverts.

TOTAL:$1,537.35$1,397.45
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
262396Marineland 60 Gallon Cube Frameless Aquarium*$274.99$249.99
245164Cube-Sized Aquarium Stand – 24 in. x 24 in. – Ventura – Black$241.99$219.99
249512Jager Aquarium Heater – 200W – 15 in – 79-106 Gallons$35.19$31.99
203870 x4Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium Substrate – 20 lb. (4 bags used)$118.76$107.96
287694Radion XR15 Pro G5 LED Light Fixture$461.99$419.99
271436Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter 360$160.59$145.99
205404 x2Oceanvisions Background – Crystal Black – 23″ (2 used)$10.98$9.98
283251Milwaukee Instruments Inc. – PH Controller$131.99$119.99
271415UFO CO2 Diffuser$12.19$10.99
212406Silicone Airline Tubing – 8 ft.$3.99$3.59
283253Milwaukee Instruments Inc. – C02 Regulator$84.69$76.99
*Discontinued. A similar model is available with corner overflows (see 60-gallon Seahorse Cube).

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60-gallon Cube Seahorse Tank

This saltwater tank is the same style as the planted tank above but with a corner overflow connected to a sump filter under the tank. It contains soft corals and a group of Lined Seahorses (Hippocampus erectus).

TOTAL:$2,199.36$2,000.06
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
262398Marineland 60 Gal Cube Frameless Aquarium Corner Flo-in back$439.99$399.99
245164Cube-Sized Aquarium Stand – 24 in. x 24 in. – Ventura – Black$241.99$219.99
281582AqueonHeater Pro Series V2 – 200W$41.79$37.99
212355Floating Thermometer – Economy$3.69$3.29
287695EcoTech Marine Radion XR30 Pro G5 LED Light Fixture$923.99$839.99
256403Ecotech Radion Hanging Kit$52.79$47.99
268975Eshopps The Cube R-Nano Refugium$284.99$259.99
206397Supreme Aqua-Mag 700 Water Pump with 10 ft. Cord$93.49$84.99
278293IM AUQA – Hydrofill Ti – Controller$76.99$69.99
204181 x3Flexible Tubing – Clear – 3/8 in. (Sold per foot, 3 feet used)$4.47$3.87
288543Seapora Aquarium – 5.5 gal$17.59$15.99
265344Aquatop Nano Water Pump – 7W – 118 gph$17.59$15.99
Various plumbing parts

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32-gallon Reef BioCube

The BioCube system has integrated filtration built into the back of the tank. This BioCube is a reef tank featuring LPS and soft corals.

TOTAL:$703.96$639.96
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
276561BioCube LED Aquarium – 32 gallon$428.99$389.99
280207Aquarium Stand for BioCube 29/32 – Black$219.99$199.99
268332Marineland Precision Submersible Heater – 150W – Up to 40 gal.$25.29$22.99
250660Pico Evo-Mag Circulation Pump – 4W – 180 gph$29.69$26.99

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25-gallon Frameless Cube Reef Tank

This reef tank is set up to feature an Eshopps Refugium and Sump but a more decorative stand is available and is priced here.

TOTAL:$1,140.74$1,037.94
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
262311Marineland 25 Cube Frameless Aquarium$153.99$139.99
245163*Cube-Sized Aquarium Stand – 18 in. x 18 in. – Ventura – Black$197.99$179.99
268332Marineland Precision Submersible Heater – 150W – Up to 40 gal.$25.29$22.99
268975Eshopps The Cube R-Nano Refugium$284.99$259.99
206452Supreme Aqua-Mag 500 Water Pump with 10 ft. Cord$82.49$74.99
279548Eshopps X-160 Mid-Level Line Protein Skimmer – 100-225 gal$395.99$359.99
Various plumbing parts
*This tank is not on a traditional stand in our store. This is a compatible stand for this tank.

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10-gallon GloFish Community

This GloFish kit contains the lighting and filtration needed for the popular GloFish that “glow” under blue actinic lighting. While on a counter in our Fish Room, stands are available for this basic 10-gallon size. This is a good beginner tank setup and similar kits are available without the GloFish options.

TOTAL:$196.87$178.97
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
259867*GloFish Aquarium Kit – 10 Gallon$81.39$73.99
268816Tetra HT30 Submersible Heater – 100 Watts$16.49$14.99
212160**Pine Wood Majesty Stand – Black – 20 in.$98.99$89.99
*includes filtration, lighting, tank.
**This tank is not on a stand in our store. This is an appropriate stand for this tank size.

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9-gallon Fluval Flex

This desktop aquarium is aquascaped into a bonsai garden setting wit freshwater shrimp, snails and gobies. The filtration and lighting are integrated into the tank.

TOTAL:$148.26$134.76
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
260291Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit – 5 gal. – Black$98.99$89.99
268816Tetra HT30 Submersible Heater – 100 Watts$16.49$14.99
268713Estes Aqua Sand – White – 5 lb.$5.29$4.79
288182Dragon Bonsai Tree – Small$27.49$24.99

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8.75-gallon Shrimp Tank

This tank from Aqueon is one of the most uniquely-shaped tanks available and has integrated filtration. While not on a stand in our store, it will fit onto a standard 20-inch-wide stand. The aquarium kit includes filtration, special shrimp substrate, and lgihting in addition to the tank itself.

TOTAL:$233.77$212.47
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
282534*Aqueon – LED Shrimp Aquarium Kit – 8.75 Gal$109.99$99.99
279878Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater – 50W-Up to 20 Gal$24.79$22.49
212160**Pine Wood Majesty Stand – Black – 20 in.$98.99$89.99
*includes filtration, substrate, lighting, tank.
**This tank is not on a stand in our store. This is an appropriate stand for this tank size.

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5-gallon Fluval Spec V Nano-reef

This Fluval Spec V tank is set up as a nano-reef – a challenging system for advanced reefkeepers – but the Spec V kit can be used for freshwater aquariums as well.

TOTAL:$217.77$197.97
Item #ProductNon-Loyalty PriceLoyalty Price
260291Fluval Spec V Aquarium Kit – 5 gal. – Black$98.99$89.99
283274Marine+ 24/7 SE Automated LED – 20 in$85.79$77.99
248234Koralia Nano 240 – 240 gph – 3.5W$32.99$29.99

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Daunted by these costs? Don’t be!

As we mentioned, there are a lot of options that can be customized. Kits are also often available that can help you bundle the equipment you need to make it easier to purchase, especially for smaller sizes below around 55-gallons. You can start out higher end or start basic and upgrade as your skill level and interests grow!


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Hopefully, these aquarium setups will help give you an idea of the investment needed for a variety of types and sizes of aquariums. Many of the options for each tank can be swapped out depending on your needs and budget, and our associates are always available to assist you in making the best choices to make your vision a reality!

2 comments

  1. avatar
    fish lover_queen

    I do not think that it would cost this much money I have and found cheap things like good stands for only 29.99$ like my fish tank kit had everything I need at 40.99 $ The only problem you’ll have is the fish you got to study, and know if there good heath if there treated probably and price.

  2. avatar

    Hi fish lover_queen, That is correct…it is certainly possible to do less expensive tanks with different options. As we mentioned, these are our display tanks so most of them feature the Best Of The Best and some of the newest options available. We can work with any customer to help them choose the best options for what they would like to keep in the tank and within their budget.

About Eileen Daub

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Marine Biologist/Aquatic Husbandry Manager I was one of those kids who said "I want to be a marine biologist when I grow up!"....except then I actually became one. After a brief time at the United States Coast Guard Academy, I graduated from Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2004. Since then, I've been a marine biologist at That Fish Place - That Pet Place, along with a Fish Room supervisor, copywriter, livestock inventory controller, livestock mail-order supervisor and other duties here and there. I also spent eight seasons as a professional actress with the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and in other local roles. If that isn't bad enough, I'm a proud Crazy Hockey Fan (go Flyers and go Hershey Bears!).