Cost of having a planted tank

wow. good information

Originally Posted by bluescorpion93

wow. good information

u're welcome. but i'm only a beginner. for pro advice maybe u can consult bro the_rock.

[cheetf]

Actually why don't you work the other way? Set a budget plus 10 -20% and try to work to it. Much easier. The reason is that there are so many variables involved.

Here is a suggestion, make a list like so

Tank size (2 feet/3 feet/4 feet)
Stand/No stand/cabinet
Lights according to size of tank (suggest PL to start with for plants)
Type of filter (suggest cannister)
Substrate - Lapis + base fert/ADA/anything else
CO2 - DIY/CO2 tank
Fan/No fan
Chiller/No chiller (for mosses and Crystal Red shrimps mainly)
Timer
Extension Cord

Cost of plants and fish will vary quite a bit depending on how 'into it' you want to be.

Give it some thought.

Some things you can pick up from the forummers at a pretty reasonable price if you want to cut down on cost.

Freshwater. This is just my general market price list. Guess you still need to go down and take a walk in the shop to find out more. Hope it helps

Plants
-Normal plant price range from 1 to 4 for potted plants.
-Plant on drift wood is 4 to 8 for small normal java fern and moss.
-Plant on drift wood is 8 to 16 for medium. Same java plants or moss.
-Plant on drift wood 20++ for large. Depend on size nad plants.
-Plant on drift wood pila or feliden will cost 20++ depend on where you buy. Price very unstable.
-Plant on mesh will cost 5 to 15 depends on size and type of plant.

Tank base
-Normal plant base with basic fert cos 18 to 25. depends on LFS.
-ADA brand depends. Check with lfs. Usually 30+++.

Air pump
-Find a second hand 1 here or get a brand new one at lfs. I not sure the price.

CO2
-Usually in the range of 90+ or less. Depends on lfs. You can also DIY but it will not be so efficient as it is troublesome to change the bottle content every now and then. Controlling of air bubble is one majour challenge!

Fertiliser
Base with fert usually can last 3 yrs or more. Once the times is up u can start to use liquid fert which cos 10+ or you can rescape the tank again.

Canister/Over head filter
Canister is better. For bacterial gowth and better water cycle. OH is good enough for micro tanks. Get second hand on the buy/trade here. price often depends on the seller. Bargain??

Tank size
I also recommend you to get second hand tank and cabinet here. Price always much cheaper then brand new. But need to vist the bro's house and usually you have to carry it back home yourself .

John.

Long story short.

With exception for base fert, substrate, and plants (don't introduce snails, algae and disease to new tank), get everything second hand and since you are already saving nearly 50% by getting second hand items, do not skimp on the filter, CO2 and PL lights, meaning get second hand but get decent brands. But change new light tubes and filter media.

hihi... based on the above prices ah. Is it possible to tell me where is a good/cheap/reputable shop to get the items from?

or if there is another thread can refer me to it?

thanks!

Maybe you can try these two place: C328 and Y618. They sell good stuff and at reasonable price too. Often go there for stock.

you could start by thinking of what u want in ur tank as that will determine the equipments u need

Originally Posted by fattyfish

hihi... based on the above prices ah. Is it possible to tell me where is a good/cheap/reputable shop to get the items from?

or if there is another thread can refer me to it?

thanks!

NA and colourful for plants and some equipments and fert...

NA the price reasonable and also quite pro in terms of their knowledge.. or as compare to a noob like me i find them pro.. service ok lor...