How much cost a FOWLR Tank in 2025?
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Starting a fish only saltwater aquarium with live rock is a great way to bring the underwater world into your home without the complexity of coral care. But the cost to create and maintain this type of saltwater tank can add up quickly. Understanding the upfront costs of essential equipment and ongoing maintenance is crucial for all aquarists. Whether this is your first FOWLR aquarium, or one of many, these are some of the costs you should plan for.
Essential Equipment for FOWLR Aquarium and Expected Costs
There are several essential pieces of equipment that are needed to create a healthy and thriving environment for your fish
Saltwater Tanks
Bringing the underwater world into your home starts with your tank. You want to make sure your tank is the right size for not just the space, but for your fish and your rock. I started with a 29-gallon tank from Tetra Glass, which you can buy on Amazon for about $125. If you are looking to save some money, you can typically find gently used tanks at second-hand stores or on online marketplaces. Just make sure the tank is in good condition and give it a thorough cleaning first.
Tetra Glass Aquarium 29 Gallons
FOWLR Aquarium Tank Filter
You also want to make sure that your tank has a high-quality filtration system. The best filtration systems for a fish only saltwater aquarium with live rock typically combine mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration to remove waste and maintain water quality. When choosing a filtration system, you need to first make sure that the system you purchase will fit your tank. If it’s too small or too large for your tank, it can throw the water quality off and make the tank unsafe for your fish. You also need to choose a system that can handle the number of fish in your tank and their waste production or bioload.
For smaller tanks, canister or hang-on-back filtration systems work well and are relatively easy to maintain. Brands like Fluval and Seachem Tidal offer high-quality, reasonably priced filters that you can buy on Amazon or at most aquarium retailers. Fluval canister filters start at $124.99 on Amazon and Bulk Reef Supply, and you can purchase a Seachem Tidal hang-on-back system starting at $38.99.
Fluvial Canister Filter
Sump based filtration systems are the best option for larger aquariums. Sump filters can be customized to your tank and have a larger capacity which makes it easier to house additional filtration media. The system is usually located under the tank, allowing water to move from the tank, through the sump where it’s filtered, before being pumped back into the tank. These systems, which often include a protein skimmer, filter sponge, substrate reactors, and a filter sock, are larger and more expensive than canister or hang-on-back systems. Prices for these filters vary, but you can compare options and purchase a sump system online through Bulk Reef Supply.
Make sure you also have a water test kit so you can regularly monitor the pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels in your tank. Amazon has a great master testing kit available that comes with over 500 tests, it is normally about $50, but they do have subscribe and save options as well.
FOWLR Aquarium Protein Skimmers
Protein skimmers are used to remove organic waste from saltwater aquariums before they down into harmful substances like ammonia or nitrates. Skimmers work by creating tiny bubbles that attract and trap proteins, fats, and other waste. That waste is then filtered into a collection cup to be disposed of. They are especially important in FOWLR tanks because they limit algae growth and help maintain a stable pH level in the aquarium.
Protein skimmers are recommended for tanks that are at least 20 gallons and while some newer, more advanced filtration systems have one built-in, they are typically purchased separately. I prefer standalone skimmers because I can easily adjust the skimmer to suit my tank without having to adjust my filtration system as well. You can purchase protein skimmers online or at an aquarium store. I have an Oase Crystal Skim Skimmer in my tank which comes in two different sizes. I like this skimmer because of its compact design and how easily it cleans the top layer of my tank. The smaller skimmer, the Crystal Skim 350, goes up to 92 gallons and is currently $33.99 on Amazon. Oase also offers the Crystal Skim 600, which goes up to 160 gallons and is currently $58.99 on Amazon.
You can also find similar product on Bulk Reef Supply: Shark Mini SKIM 350 Surface Simmer.
To learn more on Protein Skimmer, have a look at our pages A Guide to the Best Protein Skimmer and Best Protein Skimmers for Nano Aquarium.
Crystal Skim 350 - Up to 92 gallons
Crystal Skim 350 - Up to 160 gallons
FOWLR Aquarium Water Pump
When people move, the houses that feel the most comfortable and homelike are almost always the houses that get chosen. We like to feel comfy and cozy, and so do our fish. Water pumps and powerheads are designed to move tank water in a way that mimics ocean currents. As the water moves, oxygen is distributed throughout the tank, helping to prevent dead spots where detritus and waste can accumulate. These systems also help distribute nutrients and support the filtration that comes from the live rock, allowing beneficial bacteria to break down harmful waste.
Depending on your tank, you may not need both a water pump and a powerhead. Water pumps primarily move water through filtration systems, but it may not provide enough internal tank circulation, especially in larger tanks. Adding a powerhead allows water and oxygen to circulate through the tank more evenly. Both water pumps and powerheads are widely available online and in most pet stores.
Hydor powerheads are both affordable and efficient and are a popular choice amongst aquarists of all experiences. You can purchase these powerheads on Amazon for $47.95. Amazon has a wide variety of water pumps available as well, but you want to make sure you know the specifications for your tank before purchasing one.
Hydor Powerheads
FOWLR Aquarium Light and Heater
For fish only aquariums with live rock, lights are used to illuminate the tank and to simulate a natural day-night cycle for the fish. Since corals are not a concern in FOWLR aquariums, you do not need the intense lighting that you would for a reef tank. Oyo Water has a great aquarium light with a sunrise, sunset simulator available on Amazon starting at $48.42.
Heaters are essential to fish only aquariums with live rock because they help maintain a stable water temperature. Most saltwater fish thrive in a temperature range of 72°F to 78°F, and any significant fluctuations outside of this range could make them more susceptible to disease. Inconsistent temperatures can also affect the biological processes in your tank including the beneficial bacteria in the live rock that help filter waste. A heater ensures that the tank remains within a stable range, even during cooler months or in fluctuating room temperatures. Tetra has a great submersible aquarium heater available on Amazon starting at $21.99. I also have a digital thermometer that sticks on the outside of my tank to monitor the temperature that I bought on Amazon for $15.99.
Oyo Water
Tetra Submersible Heater
Digital Thermometer
Choosing Live Rocks and Substrates: Options and Costs
Once you have your tank and your equipment, the next step is choosing the live rocks and substrates that will go in your tank. When choosing live rocks and substrates, you want to make sure that you are only putting high-quality products in your tank.
Aquarium Live Rocks
Choosing the right rock can make all the difference in creating a thriving, healthy environment for your fish. Live rocks can be intimidating for experienced and first-time fish keepers alike, so check out our top beginner-friendly picks for help deciding which rocks are right for you.
Live rocks are typically harvested from the ocean or cultured and are rich in beneficial bacteria that help break down waste and maintain water quality. Outside of their visual appeal and biological filtration, live rocks also provide a natural habitat for your fish. For most FOWLR aquariums you want to have between a pound and a pound and a half of rocks per gallon of tank water. The cost of live rocks can vary depending on the type and quality, but you can typically find them for between $5 to $15 per pound.
Aquarium Substrates
Substrates contribute to the overall health of the tank through the water chemistry while providing your fish and other bottom-dwelling organisms with a natural environment. The best substrates for fish only aquariums with live rock are typically aragonite-based sands or crushed coral. These materials help maintain a stable pH and alkalinity by slowly releasing calcium and buffering the water. CaribSea’s Arag-Alive live sand is a popular choice because the beneficial bacteria will keep water parameters stable and is gentler on fish that like to burrow in the sand. A 20-pound bag is listed for $59.99 on Amazon and they do have subscribe and save options as well.
CaribSea Arag-Alive Sand
Budgeting for Your FOWLR Aquarium
Fish only aquariums with live rocks are a great way to bring the underwater world into your home without the complexities of a reef tank. But saltwater aquariums are generally more expensive to set up and maintain than freshwater aquariums, so understanding the costs and budgeting is key. By doing your homework and understanding the specific needs of your tank first, you can avoid wasting money on products that could jeopardize the health of your fish.