Aquarium Cost Calculator
Estimate the setup and running costs of your aquarium in AUD.
How it works
Setup cost = tank + stand + filter + heater + lighting + substrate + hardscape + livestock. Running cost = electricity (filter + heater + light watts × hours × tariff) + food + water treatments + replacement media.
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Formula & Method
Setup cost = tank + stand + filter + heater + lighting + substrate + hardscape + livestock. Running cost = electricity (filter + heater + light watts × hours × tariff) + food + water treatments + replacement media.
Example Calculation
A 100 L planted community tank in Australia typically costs $400-$800 to set up and $15-$30/month to run, mostly heating and lighting electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to set up an aquarium in Australia?
A complete 2ft tropical setup typically runs a few hundred dollars including tank, stand, heater, filter, substrate and basic test kit. A 4ft planted or marine setup runs several times that. The tank itself is usually well under half the total.
How much does an aquarium cost to run per month?
Electricity dominates, and the heater dominates electricity. A 200 W heater in a cool room can run 8-10 hours daily in winter. Insulating the tank and fitting a proper lid meaningfully reduces this.
What is the most expensive part of an aquarium?
Usually the combination of stand and filtration rather than the tank. A full 4ft tank weighs around 280 kg, so it needs purpose-built support, and good filtration is the one component not worth economising on.
Is a second-hand aquarium worth buying?
Tanks and stands often are, provided the silicone seams are sound and the glass is unchipped. Heaters and older filters generally are not, since both fail in ways that kill fish and neither carries a warranty second-hand.