In this article, we will calculate the cost of setting up an aquarium with a capacity of 500L / 132 Gal. The price of the kit will depend heavily on whether you buy a ready-made kit or build it yourself from scratch. For calculation purposes, we will use a Waterbox aquarium. Of course, which manufacturer you choose is up to you.
Of course, prices may vary from country to country. The amounts shown below are from the European market as of 09/01/2023. To accurately calculate the cost for your country, insert the prices from your market.
The set includes: aquarium, cabinet, piping and sump.
Aquarium 494 L/130.5 gals [total capacity: 675 L/178 gals] | ||
Element | Parameter | Price |
Waterbox REEF 180.5 | 1536 x 643 x 550mm (60.5″ × 25.3″ × 21.7″) | $ 4220 |
Return pump | Reef Factory Base Pump 8000 | $ 282 |
Light | Reef flare Pro M x 2 szt | $ 1620 |
Skimmer | Nyos 160 | $ 462 |
Light arm | 2 pcs | $ 208 |
Heater | 300W | $ 30 |
ATO | Level keeper + pump | $ 231 |
Siporax | 10L | $ 105 |
Rock | 50 KG | $ 510 |
Water | 675L | $ 231 |
Bacteria | $ 35 | |
ALL TOGETHER | $ 15 591 | |
This exemplary set of 494 L/130.5 gals, built on a ready-made Waterbox set and high-quality equipment, will allow you to grow even the most demanding corals. The price of such a set is approximately $ 15,591
For the purposes of the presentation, I chose a ready-made aquarium set and the indicated equipment. In fact, it is up to you whether you build the aquarium yourself and what equipment you choose. This will determine the final price of your set. In this article, I presented such equipment that I would choose myself. The purpose of this article is not to recommend the listed products, but to show the cost structure when calculating a marine aquarium.
About the author
Marek Protasewicz
Reefkeeping has been my passion for over 10 years now. I love learning. The hobby has taught me many valuable lessons, patience being the best example. Combining work and passion is my path. I run Crazy Coral, a marine aquarium shop, for a number of years. Building this business from the scratch I learnt from my own mistakes at a heavy cost.
Later I managed a project aimed at development of methods for quick growth of Corals in non-natural conditions. The project was carried out by Get Sales, Poland. Presently, I am responsible for distribution strategy at Reef Factory, of which I am a co-founder. The company produces smart devices for marine aquaristics. The last projects I have been involved in are Social Reef and ReefPedia.
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