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Freshwater vs. Saltwater: The Costs of Setup & Maintaining an Aquarium

Freshwater vs. Saltwater: The Costs of Setup & Maintaining an Aquarium

Updated on November 03, 2021
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Reviewed by Don Spaeth
Petco’s National Aquatic Care, Education and Programs Manager

Saltwater vs freshwater aquarium setup costs | Freshwater vs. saltwater fish annual tank maintenance costs | Planning your aquarium setup | Setup your for a healthy life

Aquarium set up

Fish and aquatic life make for delightful family companions. These engaging creatures swish their tails, flip their fins and bring an immense amount of joy to their pet parents as they explore their aquarium. From colorful tangs, vibrant GloFish to slippery eels, the variety in species of aquatic life that you can add to your family are immense.

For those who are interested in bringing a fish or two home, it can be important to understand the costs of setting up a freshwater vs. saltwater aquarium. Both freshwater and saltwater aquatic life have special habitat requirements that help keep them healthy and happy. Making sure you have the right environment in place can help provide your fish and other aquatic life with comfort, stimulation and the right nutrition.

If you're considering bringing aquatic life home, the following guide can help you estimate the costs of the setup and maintenance of an aquarium, as well as some key tips for creating a quality habitat.

What is the total cost for saltwater vs. freshwater aquariums?

Before you bring home a new aquatic family member, it's important to set up their aquarium and allow the water levels to adjust and stabilize. Whether you are setting up a saltwater or freshwater tank, your costs will vary based on your location, the prices of items in your area and the brands you choose. Not only that but the number of species you care for and the type and size of  aquatic life in your aquarium will also play a huge role in your costs.

However, you can use the following charts as quick estimates of what to expect from both habitats. Prices in these charts are based on aquarium sizes that are standard recommendations for starter tanks for  fresh- and saltwater fish.

Saltwater vs freshwater aquarium setup costs*

 

Item

Approximate Cost

Freshwater 29-Gallon

Saltwater 55-Gallon
Tank Kit (Includes: light, hood, heater, filter, water conditioner, net, thermometer)

$160

 $275
Stand
 $90 $130
Fish/aquatic life $50 $150
Gravel $25 $60
Food $10 $11
Décor/life rock $45 $360
Plants (plastic/real) $40 NA
Master test kit $49 $60
Algae scraper $12 $12
Gravel vacuum $22 $22
Refractometer $35 $35
Freshwater salt $8 NA
Marine salt NA $50
Protein skimmer NA $230
TOTAL $546 $1,395

Freshwater vs. saltwater fish annual tank maintenance costs*

 

Item

Approximate Annual Operating Cost

Freshwater 29-Gallon

Saltwater 55-Gallon
Filter cartridge replacement $45 $90
Water conditioner $9 $15
Freshwater salt $8 NA
Marine salt NA $60
Medication $8 $16
Plant fertilizer/supplements $13 NA
Marine supplements NA $22
TOTAL $83 $203

*All setup costs are estimates but based on the average-priced product on Petco.com as of December 2022. Maintenance costs were estimated on a monthly basis based on average product costs.

Planning your aquarium set up

Prior to bringing home an aquatic family member, you'll need to set up the right aquarium for your fish's needs. Setting up a freshwater aquarium and setting up a saltwater aquarium require a careful focus on what type of fish you'll be housing. Different aquatic life species have specific requirements, from the pH balance of their water to the type of habitat that will provide them with the necessary mental stimulation. It is important to invest in the right habitat to prevent your aquatic life from experiencing disease, illness or depression.

The following are all categories of expenses you'll want to consider, some of which are one-time upfront costs and others that are ongoing aquarium maintenance costs.

A tank or a tank kit

Often, the first question new fish parents have is how much an aquarium costs . One of the best ways to kick-start your aquatic habitat for the best cost is to begin with an aquarium kit. The costs for these kits will vary, but aquarium kits usually include lights, a hood, a heater, filters, a water conditioner, a net and a thermometer. This is a great foundation for your aquatic life’s home and allows you to bundle some upfront costs together in a more affordable package.

Lighting, filter and heating

Although the monthly increase to your electric bill will likely be minimal, you will incur some additional expenses from the light, filter and heater in your aquarium.

Lights, filters and heaters are must-haves—however, the electrical cost will depend on the type of lighting system, size of filtration system and wattage of the heater you choose for your aquarium. If you choose to keep cold-water species that thrive in cooler water—such as goldfish—you can save a bit of money on your utility bills. Using a thermometer to determine water temperature accuracy, you can adjust the temperature setting on the heater to ensure a consistent water temperature based on the aquatic life you are housing.

Replacement bulbs represent another regular expense that is incurred when maintaining an aquarium with lights. The annual cost isn't significant, but it is worth noting. Aquarists may choose to upgrade to LED lights due to the expected life span surpassing that of incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, as well as them being more energy-efficient.

Water quality supplies and equipment

When maintaining any aquarium—saltwater or freshwater—you will occasionally need to purchase replacement supplies such as water conditioners or replacement décor.

Replacement filters are a must for any aquarium with a filtration system, as the filter media becomes less effective over time. Additionally, saltwater aquariums require the purchase of synthetic sea salt or prepackaged ocean water.

Testing kits

Part of your aquarium maintenance program will include the ongoing purchase and use of test kits to monitor the pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and other levels in your aquarium. While a few tests are freshwater- or saltwater-specific, many of the tests are conducted on both types so there isn't a cost advantage for one set up over the other. Liquid test kits tend to be more cost efficient, generally containing the components for hundreds of tests versus purchasing only a few strips at a time. If you choose to do a saltwater setup with live coral, there are some additional testing recommendations.

Fish nutrition

Nutrition for your aquatic life varies widely—from flakes and pellets to sticks and granules, frozen and freeze-dried—some of which are divided into "freshwater" and "saltwater" varieties. You need to shop for fish food based on the dietary needs of your aquatic life, whether they are carnivorous, herbivorous or omnivorous.

As a result, the cost of feeding aquarium fish depends more on the particular diet of a species and less on whether the aquatic life is a freshwater or saltwater variety. The precise cost of nutrition per month will vary depending on the size, type of food and number of aquatic life species in your aquarium.

Additional things to consider

In addition to calculating the costs for the aquarium setup and maintenance, it is crucial to also keep these important factors in mind as you consider the addition of aquatic life in your home:

  • The time it takes to set up and maintain an aquarium: Setting up and maintaining a tank requires an investment of your time. Aquatic life is not a good pet choice for those who are looking for a no-maintenance pet. Aquariums require ongoing water care to ensure that all levels are balanced properly for your aquatic life. Habitats will need to be cleaned regularly, and your aquatic life will need to be monitored for health. Make sure you have adequate time in your schedule to give your aquatic life the attention they deserve.
  • An appropriate location for your aquarium: Depending on the type of aquatic life you will be housing, you may need to be particularly careful about the tank getting too hot or too cold. Make sure that you have the right location and adequate space in your home for a large enough tank to keep your aquatic life happy and healthy.
  • A plan for when you travel: Similar to any other pet, your aquatic life will need to be provided with continued care when you travel. And unlike dogs and cats, which can often travel with you, moving an aquarium is not a practical solution for vacations. When you plan a trip, you'll need to either ask someone you trust to care for your aquatic life or you'll need to hire someone to stop in every day to feed and check up on them               .

Setup your aquatic life for a healthy life

Aquatic life can be a great addition to your family. These delightful creatures are full of personality and provide hours of entertainment as they explore their watery home.

To make sure you are giving your aquatic life the best setup to contribute to their well-being, stop by a Petco location. Petco aquatic experts are always available in-store to help you figure out the specifics once you are ready and can assist you in locating the ideal fish supplies for your tank and aquatic family members.

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