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When all was said and done, and I had gathered all of the "stuff" I needed to be a successful fish hobbyist, I did an inventory of my investment. It turned out to be slightly higher than the $2.50 I spent 50 years ago. Here's what I got:
| Item | Cost | 30 Gallon Glass Tank | $ 60 |
|---|---|---|
| Tank Stand | $ 0 | |
| Lights and Cover | $45 | |
| Heater | $26 | |
| Air Pump(*) | $15 | |
| Water Treatment/Test Kits | $35 | |
| Gravel | $27 | |
| Filter | $100 | |
| "Stuff"(*) | $40 | |
| 6 Fish | $3 | |
| Food (initial supply) | $8 | |
| Total Initial Cost | $359 | |
(*)Includes: plastic plants, rocks, one piece of coral, one piece of driftwood, AND my tacky little treasure chest with skeleton!
Sounds a little on the expensive side, but remember, that except for the fish and the consumables, these are long-term investments. Also, with psychiatrists charging over $100 per hour, I should get a return on my investment in 3 days.
The following were the primary sources used in the preparation of this article.
Web Sites:
Books: (These books can be purchased on-line through Amazon Books. Simply click the book's title and you will be connected to Amazon and the book)
The Complete Aquarium This book is written by Peter W. Scott and was published in May, 1995. This is an excellent beginner to hobbyist book, establishing the "need to know" information for the novice, and then moving them into bigger and better tanks, fish and settings. This book is highly recommended by PGAA™.
You and Your Aquarium Written by Dick Mills and published in April of 1986, it still remains a good source book.
Additional books can be found by clicking Books About Fish
Good fish hobbying to you (personally, I'm still going to call them my pet fish).
Clicking Let's Get Some Fish! gets you back to the main article.
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