There’s no doubt that aquascaping can be an expensive hobby, especially for a beginner. The initial set up costs are often a turn off for many potential scapers, however, there are a few simple steps you can take to bring those starting costs down and keep growing your passion for the hobby.
The best advice for new aquascapers on a budget is to start small.
A ‘nano-scape’ is a popular type of aquarium style which requires less scaping materials to get started. Less aquascaping materials means there is less to pay for upfront, not to mention the cost of the actual tank, but more on that below.
Before committing to a nano-scape make sure you have done your research, smaller aquariums are prone to larger parameter fluctuations which can affect your success as a new hobbyist.
Wallet friendly aquarium equipment
The equipment is the life support system of your tank, it is used to contain, clean and heats the water and provide light which creates the ideal environment for your fish and plants to thrive. This makes it an essential part of your aquascaping success.
The equipment, however, is typically the largest expense you’ll make when first setting up an aquarium so what exactly do you need, and how can you save some money? Read on to find out more…
The tank
As mentioned above, starting a scape with a smaller tank is the best way to keep your starting costs to a minimum. Small sized aquariums typically cost less money and are cheaper to fill with hardscape, substrate, and plants right from the start, however, it does limit your stock options to smaller fish and shrimp etc. So that’s something to keep on mind.
When trying to create a beautiful aquascape, even the tank itself can be a distraction, particularly the ones that use black silicone and plastic framing. For a distraction free aquascape we recommend ultra clear/optiwhite glass, this is glass with low levels of iron which causes the green tint that you get with most standard aquarium glass. You can also look at acrylic tanks as well which are much clearer than glass however are prone to picking up surface scratches.
If nano scapes are not for you and you want to start a little bigger there are several ways you can get a hold of a cheaper tank above …Of course, if you are determined to start a little bigger there are ways to find cost effective large tanks:
- keep an eye out for sales, both online and at your local fish shop. If you live in the US it is also common to see $ per gallon sales.
- check out second-hand sites like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Craigslist etc. You might want to brush up on your aquarium repair skills first though, flooding your home is every tank owner’s worst nightmare.
If the thought of an old tank exploding on you is not your idea of a good time, then you’ll have to look at brand new tanks. A good starter tank we’ve found is the All Pond Solutions ultra clear Glass Aquariums, they are reasonably priced and crystal clear which helps you focus on the scape with no distractions. You can then scale up in size as your budget increases.
If simplicity is important, you can investigate all-in-one systems such as the [insert link] to save additional budget on equipment. An additional benefit to all in one systems is all the equipment can be hidden out of sight.
The filter
Filters remove debris from the water and more importantly house the beneficial bacteria that keeps your aquarium healthy (check out the nitrogen cycle before you get started). With this in mind, extra care should be taken when deciding which type to use in your aquarium.
That being said, beneficial bacteria will live on any hard surface within your aquarium so with the right knowledge, lots of hardscape and heavy planting, you don’t necessarily need a filter at all. This ‘no-filter’ method is best for creating a ‘clean’ aquascape however, unless you already have the plants and hardscape lying around you won’t be saving any money.
Sponge filters
When it comes to cheap filters, sponge filters are just about as cheap as they come, the Powkoo Sponge Filter from Amazon is around £13.99 and even cheaper ones can be found if you do some searching around. sponge filters are more than capable of supporting small to medium sized aquariums, most fish stores use an air and sponge filtration system.
The main downside of sponge filters, for scapers at least, is they push a stream of bubbles upwards through your aquarium, this doesn’t look natural especially if you are trying to achieve a nature aquascape. However, you can use hardscape materials such as long pieces of cheap bogwood to hide the distracting bubbles and maintain a natural look.
If you do decide on a sponge filter you will also need to connect an air pump, there are several options you could go for from noise reducing to multiple valve pumps but for the sake of budget we would recommend [Insert Link]. If noise will be a problem for you, you could spend a little more on [Insert Link]
Internal
If you want to keep the outside of the aquarium clutter free and run a silent system then you should look at internal filters. One of the major drawbacks to this type of filter is the aquarium space that they take up but, like the sponge filter, they can be easily camouflaged with clever use of hardscape materials. Check out the [insert link]
Hang on back
HOB filters, like the name would suggest, hang on the back of your aquarium with the bulk of the filter outside of the tank and only the intake and outlet in the actual aquarium space. This type of filter is best suited for rimless tanks which limits your options a bit but gives you more room for your fish and your hardscape. but can still be distracting to the eye
External
If you are determined to have a clean look to your scape and willing to spend a little more cash then you might want to consider an external filter.
DIY
There are plenty of tutorials available online on how to build a DIY canister filter for next to no cash
The heater
Most aquarium plants and tropical fish thrive between 23 to 27 degrees Celsius (73-81 Fahrenheit) with some exceptions. Unless you can guarantee consistent temperatures in your home you will need a heater to warm your aquarium.
A basic 25w submersible heater will be sufficient to heat a small aquarium, check out the [insert link], it’s energy efficient and won’t cost an arm and a leg.
Not all fish and invertebrates require high temperatures or dense planting to survive and thrive. Known as temperate or sub-tropical, these fish, shrimp and snails do best in temperatures ranging from 14-24 degrees Celsius (57-74 Fahrenheit) meaning they will do well at average room temperature. Some good options for first time scapers include:
- White cloud mountain minnows
- Hill stream loaches
- Zebra danios
- Paradise fish
- Amano shrimp
We recommend checking out river bottom aquascapes, hill stream loaches and White cloud mountain minnows are perfect for this style.
Lighting
Planning a cost-effective scape
the hardscape
The hardscape is the backbone to any strong aquascape, it provides structure and instantly draws the eye. As such
Cheap aquarium substrate
No substrate is the cheapest substrate, known as a bare bottom tank these are super easy to maintain and wont cause you any issues with trapped fish waste and food. The bare bottom style is efficient but not ideal for those trying to simulate a natural environment on a budget. for that you will need a more naturalistic bottom layer.
a mix of sand and gravel is the most common type of substrate
not all aquarium plants require a substrate to survive
if you plan on using plants that require soil (more on that later) then you will need a nutrient rich substrate. Sand and root tabs can work but will need to be replaced every three to four months.
A free alternative for rooted plants is soil from the garden, that’s right you can use garden soil in your aquariums as long as it has been filtered and sterilised first. See our guide on garden soil in the aquarium. This method gives you have a free source of nutrient rich aquarium substrate. You’ll still need to ‘cap’ it with sand or gravel though to prevent floaters, however you won’t have to fork out for specialised planted tank soil, a big plus for your wallet.
To plant or not to plant?
Flants
If time is not an issue, a plant grow out tank is a really good option for a continuous supply of free plants. You can use any cheap container capable of holding water, a grow light, plant substrate and a filter
To fill a scape with plants straight away can be costly.
Firstly you should ask yourself, do I really need to add plants to this tank? Just as not all aquatic environments contain plant life not all great aquascapes do either. Check out blackwater biotope style scapes for some inspiration.
If a planted tank is what you want then there are some budget saving tips to help you out.
Java Moss. there are many different variations of this easy plant from christmas and flame to weeping or peacock. You can create amazing habitats using only rocks and driftwood. This solution allows you to save on the cost of expensive planted substrates, fertilisers and of course, the plants themselves.
