Free Download: Budget Guide
I asked my Mom today, “What would be your first question for me if you were my client?” Without missing a beat she said, “How much does it really cost to get started in the hobby as a complete beginner?” My gut instinct told me it was somewhere around $500. But I wanted to be sure. So, I spent the afternoon coming up with a few budget scenarios for a planted 10-gallon community tank: a standard setup and a premium one (with and without CO2 injection). And I am happy to share this as your own personal planning and budgeting tool.
Why 10 gallons though? According to Landen, makers of beautiful rimless tanks, “Ten gallons of water is enough to keep parameters stable and forgiving for your first planted tank, while the footprint still fits on counters, shelves, and desks where a larger tank never could.” Precisely. The 10-gallon tank is the perfect beginner size because it is big enough that the impact of small mistakes (e.g., a few too many drops of this or that chemical or the wrong heater settings) is diluted faster than in a smaller (i.e., “nano” tank) where the margin for error is slim. But a 10 gallon is also small enough that if you do make a big mistake, you can do a large water change and reset in a single afternoon. Compared to larger tanks, the humble 10 gallon is also more affordable to equip, plant and stock.
So, I took 10 gallons as our working canvas. When calculating the total budget for a 10-gallon planted community tank, including fish, invertebrates, plants, hardware, gravel layer (i.e., substrate), fertilizer and other miscellaneous supplies, here is what I found:
· Standard: $534
· Premium: $1,093
· Premium + CO2 (optional): $1,358
Turns out, my initial estimate was pretty close for a basic setup ($500) and about half of what it would take to put together a premium setup ($1,100). If you then want CO2 on top, add another $265 to the budget. You may be tempted in big box pet stores by bundles and all-in-one kits that promise to give you everything you need while bringing the price down $50-100. But don’t fall for it. The lights and filters are usually weak and you typically need to upgrade to higher quality filtration and lighting immediately if you want your plants to grow, not to mention thrive. I suggest going for what you need from the jump.
Here is what you need. For beginners who are new to the hobby, the list of products in the “Standard” setup will be more than enough for an exciting start. For those returning to the hobby and have some experience with the basics, I would recommend the Premium or Premium + CO2 options for the most stimulating journey. See below for a full product list and a free downloadable, interactive spreadsheet with each product hyperlinked to a recommended retailer we trust.
