i used to think fish keepig wasnt that an expensive hobby when i started as i built up slowly and was also given a few bits and pieces. that is until someone asked me to help set one up. as i listed all the bits that are required and the costs involved i surprised myself by how much it can cost and how much i must have spent over time

rough example (based on average 'new' prices here): - 2 foot tank = £20, hood = £25, light starter unit = £15, light = £8, basic filter = £15, heater = £15, fish food = £4, 2 test kits = £8, 2 basic meds = £8, fish = £20 (cheep ones), plants = £10, rocks/wood = £10, light timer = £5

total = £163 for a 2 foot tank set up with basic equipment and cheep fish and not including running costs.

even as a rough conservative estimate it makes me cringe to think how much i've spent on this hobby so far, litteraly £100s and possibly close to a £1000 or more by now. plus u all know i am one for hunting down bargains not to mention swapping fish for equipement etc.

at the end of the day though, i still think it's worth it for the hours of fun and relaxation my fish and tanks give me

i would'nt even like to think how much i have spent over the years the thought of it no i aint going there (picks up a very large whiskey) just thinking of some of the prices that i have paid for some of the fish i have had over the years no love it did'nt cost much but your absolutly right the pleasure and the heart ache has/is worth it

And if you had the means, you'd go out tomorrow and spend up on a fully equipped 3 or 4 ft tank, with the snap of a finger.

clunkster more or less said what i was thinking

my next tank will be 4 - 6' if n when i can afford it

and when i win the lotto, this will be my main community tank ...

have you been round my house ?

my smallest tank that i have up and running at the moment is a 5 foot but if i was to win the lotto i would see how much a stretch of the amazon would cost me