[fattimoo]

Hiya can someone tell me how to work out how much it costs to run a fish tank? Thanx:confused:

[twinkiedooter]

I had 28 of them in my home in Florida years ago. The actual "cost" electric wise is nil. The actual "cost" for supplies is and can be expensive. It all depends on what size tank you want to have. I would recommend fresh water fish versus salt water fish (unless of course you have loads of extra cash laying around the house that you would like to part with on a very regular basis). Fresh water fish cost less for one and once you get your tank started and up and running for about a two week period then you can start to introduce the fish you want to keep in the tank. You need to start with what they call starter fish. These fish are necessary to regulate the water in the tank. Years ago I had a whole house charcoal filter and would use the water that was filtered. Let the water in the tank with NO fish for about 3-4 days running with the bubbler and water filter turned on. Then introduce the starter fish. The best way is to keep the new fish in their store plastic bag and let the bag float on the surface of the water for about an hour. This way the fish and the tank water are at the same temp when you put the fish and the store fish water into your tank. There is less chance of the fish dying with this method.

I had everythng from a 10 gallon tank to a 50 gallon tank. None of my fish would die as I kept the tanks at the right temp using a heater for each tank. The heaters can run up the cost as they are not cheap. The water filters are not cheap either. Never buy a used tank as you have no idea if it leaks or not and it's expensive and sometimes not wise to repair the tank either. Always buy new anything if you can afford to. Also if you want real plants vs fake plastic plants I would say buy the real ones. The fish like the real ones better. I have had guppies, angel fish, chiclids in every color of the rainbow, kissing fish, oscars, channel catfish (they get big in a hurry), plecostamos (the sucker fish that clean the sides of the tank), glass fish (they are very delicate and die easy), eels. Any and every kind of fresh water fish that they sell in pet stores I bought. Some are easier to keep than others. The main thing though is you don't want to get aggressive fish in with passive fish. Don't mix them or the aggressive fish will happily eat the others for lunch. Don't clean the tank out too often either. If algae grows on the side of the tank, leave it alone as this is similar to the fish's natual habitat. Get a pleco or two to clean this off for you. Get a book on tropical fresh water fish also as this will answer a lot of your questions on how to properly feed and keep the fish. Good luck on your new tank(s) if you do decide to indulge in this hobby. It is very relaxing to view the fish swimming around. Also, forgot to mention - NEVER place a tank in the direct sunlight or where a window will allow direct sunlight on the tank. This will cause way too much problems with the tank. If it gets less than one hour a day direct light from a window - OK - but not more than that.

[fattimoo]

Hiya thanks for the advice I've already got tank it is a marine tank its 58 litres and it has 2 filters one which it came with and a heater and of course the lights I've only had it a few months but wondered how to work out an estimate of the running cost electrical wise?? Thanks again for the reply