
You need to know a few things before you decide whether or not you should go the “dream” route with a DIY aquarium. You will first need to determine the amount of space available for your fish to swim and survive in. Your home likely has more than enough room for an aquarium of this size. If you are not planning on keeping tropical fish, aquatic plants, or live coral, it is probably not worth the extra expense.
If you will purchase 120 gallon aquarium and have the budget, you will first need to find out how much it sold on the market. These numbers will vary greatly depending on which store you choose. The best bet is to do a web search for the most popular sizes. Once you have a good idea of what size you will need to buy, go to your local pet store or pet supply warehouse and check out the “marine aquariums” section. This will have the biggest selection of the tanks they carry along with all the accessories you could ever need.
If you have decided to go with the “dream” option of building your own aquarium, there are several other decisions to make. Do you want a saltwater tank or a freshwater tank? There are different types of lighting and heaters to choose from. You will also need to decide whether you want a tabletop or stand-up aquarium. All of these options will cost different amounts and you will also need to decide on what type of base you will use. If you can’t decide between the two, I would recommend going for the cheaper tabletop option since it is easier to assemble.
Once you have found the tank that fits your criteria, you are ready to begin shopping. Most local pet stores carry the tank so you don’t need to go out of your way to find the items you need. Some of the bigger department stores do carry them sometimes, but they usually charge more since they are a higher volume item. The good thing about department stores is that they often have salespeople that can help you find the right equipment for your aquarium.
You will also want to make sure that you buy the right sized tank. Some people will purchase the tank and then find out that it is too small. When this happens, they will be unable to put the aquarium to their use and will either have to buy a new one or repair the old one. The most important aspect of choosing the correct size tank is to make sure you measure the inside dimensions of your aquarium to the inside dimensions of the stand you will be using to display it in.
Once you have bought your tank, you will want to set a budget. This will ensure that you don’t overspend and it will also keep you from getting ripped off. Be sure to ask questions about the warranty on the aquarium and make sure that it is of the highest quality. It is common for retail stores to not tell you about the warranty, so if you see a price that seems low, you might want to ask. Once you have all the basics figured out, you can start shopping around for the best price on the tank.
If you are willing to put in a bit of time and research, you can often find a great deal on an aquarium that is priced appropriately. You may have to take some time to find the perfect one, but once you have located it, you will have it at a price that will be ideal for your needs. The main idea is to keep your price below the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. You can also save quite a bit of money by taking advantage of special promotions.
There are many factors that will go into the determination of the aquarium cost. One thing that may influence the price is the size of the tank you will need. Smaller aquariums will generally cost less than the larger ones. Once you understand how much you should be spending, you will have a better idea of what you can realistically afford.