I am planning to write a detailed article about constructing large inexpensive fish tanks if there is sufficient interest. I have built many tropical fish aquariums over the years; the most recent is a 2400 gallon tank 12 by 8 by 4 feet high with a 7 foot window.
The cost in 2003 was $2,700.00 including everything: tank, heat, lighting, pump and filtration; but not including my 30 days labor, sales tax, power and water hook-up and ground prep.
I live in Seattle Washington USA, between the 47th and 48th parallel, North Latitude; my year-round average aquarium operating cost for electricity, weekly water changes, lighting and filtration pump operation is about $60 (US) monthly. These figures should give you a place to start when calculating your own monster fish tank operating expenses.
If you post to this thread tell us about your dream tank; what kinds of fish would you keep there? If you have questions I will try to incorporate them into my article. Do you have a do-it-yourself aquarium project experience to tell about? -- if so, I am sure other members would benefit.
This is a photo of my 2400 gallon aquarium at night looking into the 7 foot window.
This is a photo of my Arapaima Gigas which was 3 long in January of 2005 and is now over 36. He/she eats trout chow, hot dogs, any fish up to 8, shrimp, beef heart and fingers.
The cost in 2003 was $2,700.00 including everything: tank, heat, lighting, pump and filtration; but not including my 30 days labor, sales tax, power and water hook-up and ground prep.
I live in Seattle Washington USA, between the 47th and 48th parallel, North Latitude; my year-round average aquarium operating cost for electricity, weekly water changes, lighting and filtration pump operation is about $60 (US) monthly. These figures should give you a place to start when calculating your own monster fish tank operating expenses.
If you post to this thread tell us about your dream tank; what kinds of fish would you keep there? If you have questions I will try to incorporate them into my article. Do you have a do-it-yourself aquarium project experience to tell about? -- if so, I am sure other members would benefit.
This is a photo of my 2400 gallon aquarium at night looking into the 7 foot window.
This is a photo of my Arapaima Gigas which was 3 long in January of 2005 and is now over 36. He/she eats trout chow, hot dogs, any fish up to 8, shrimp, beef heart and fingers.