If you are looking to find a cheap fish tank to get started with as an aquarist, this blog should help you. In this article, I’ll outline some fish tanks that are affordable and detail other ways to get fish tanks at dirt-cheap prices and in some cases free.
But first, you have to realize, that the size of any fish tank you select will dictate what types of freshwater fish you can put in the tank and how many fish you can put in the tank.
The general rule is one gallon of water per inch of fish. So, personally, if you are a beginner. I’d suggest at least a 10-gallon fish tank but ideally a 20-gallon fish tank.
Something like a 20-gallon fish tank will just give you more to work with, it’s not too big, and if you decide that keeping a fish isn’t for you, you won’t have invested that much money.
Now, let’s jump in and take a look at some affordable fish tanks, or cheap fish tanks as some call them.
Killer Cheap Fish Tanks That You’ll Love
1. Fish Tanks on Facebook Marketplace
Have you ever been to a yard sale and found an awesome deal that made your draw drop? I certainly have.
I’m a bit of a yardsale junky. And, over the years I’ve found first editions of books worth almost $1K for $7, vintage radios worth $200 for $6, and old farm tools worth $100 for a buck. Well, with Facebook Swip Swap (Marketplace), you can experience the same type of finds. Because sometimes, people are just looking to make a few bucks on their junk. That’s why I highly recommend Facebook Marketplace as a place to look for a fish tank.
Take, for example, the 20-gallon fish tank pictured below with a new pump for the tank and a new filter. I just now found this in my home town. It’s listed at $35! That is a steal! Other stores and sites online would have this fish tank listed for over $100.
Now, you might not always be able to find such a good deal as below for a fish tank with new components, however, you mind the tank separately, and the parts and accessories separately. Score!
2. Cheap or Free Fish Tanks
I know that Craiglist isn’t exactly the most popular site anymore for many people out there, and for many reasons. However, I have found free fish tanks in perfect condition on Craigslist—fish tanks that people are wanting to just get rid of because they are moving or are getting out of the fish tank hobby. So if you aren’t totally turned off by the thought of Craigslist, it’s worth checking out.
3. Aqueon LED 20 Aquarium Kit
Third, on my list is the Aqueon LED 20 Aquarium fish tank kit. I’ve owned one of these for a while. It works great. It comes with almost everything you need to get your tank up and running.
This fish tank kit comes with a new 20-gallon fish tank, of course, a brand new pump and filter, and a heater. It also includes a net, fish food, water conditioner, and a thermometer. This tank is on my list because again, I’ve personally owned one and it worked like a champ. It doesn’t take up too much space and it’s easy to maintain.
The great thing about this option, like other fish tank kits, is that everything is new—the tank, the pump, the filter. The only other things you will need are gravel, ornaments for your tank, and of course your freshwater fish. To learn more about this tank or to buy it click here.
4. Aqueon Background LED Light Kit, 10-Gallon
Okay, first, I’m not a spokesperson for Aqueon, but I’ve owned several of their tanks. They were affordable and high quality, so that is why I like them.
This fish tank kit is just 10 gallons. Although I highly recommend at least a 20-gallon tank as mentioned above, this tank can still be a great tank depending on what types of fish you plan to keep.
This tank also comes with a pump, filter, heater, net, water conditioner, and fish food. But again, buyers of this tank will still need to purchase gravel, fish tank ornaments, and aquatic life. If you want to learn more about this tank, click right here.
5. Letgo for Cheap Fish Tanks
If you haven’t experienced Letgo, it’s pretty cool. It’s an app you can download to your phone. From there, you can search for virtually anything on earth in your area. When you find your item, you can communicate with the seller, negotiate a price, and arrange details on when and where to meet up. In a quick search, I just found a like-new, 55-gallon fish tank for $50. If I played my cards write and really wanted a cheap fish tank, I could probably negotiate this down to $40. So if you don’t have the Letgo app, check it out.
Before You Get Started With Your Fish Tank
As you set out to find that perfect “cheap fish tank,” you also need to consider what types of fish you will keep in your tank. It can make all the difference in the success of your tank. In other words, if your fish live or die—eat each other, fight, etc.
In my 20-gallon fish tank, for example, I have one electric blue crayfish, a rainbow shark, and a neon tetra. It doesn’t sound like much, but my tank is only 20 gallons. And since my crayfish is very aggressive and puts out a lot of waste, I have to keep a limited number of fish in my tank and keep the right types of freshwater fish in my tank. Because without carefully selecting my fish, they might just become fish food for my crayfish. It’s happened before. Also, with too many fish, my tank would just stay dirty.
Before you get started with your new tank and adding fish, you must do two things before you add any fish. First, you’ll want to add a water conditioner to the water you put in your tank. This part is simple but very important. You can buy a water conditioner at almost any pet store, and if you buy a fish tank kit, your water conditioner will be included.
Basically, the water conditioner just neutralizes the chlorine in tap water so it doesn’t harm your fish.
The next thing you want to do is to cycle your fish tank. This will establish a healthy bio-filter for your fish. Cycling essentially sets up the natural process that neutralizes fish waste and removes toxins from the water. This process can be a little difficult sometimes for beginners, but it’s not too bad. Just note, this is not a step that can be skipped. Without cycling a fish tank properly, fish will die.
Cheap Fish Tanks: A Review
When shopping for a new fish tank, or looking to get a deal, always check places like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. You can either score a free fish tank, or a very low-priced tank on either of the sites.
Additionally, as you shop, be mindful of what types of fish you plan to keep in your aquarium. Here is a great list of fish for freshwater fish tanks. It details fish that are hardy, friendly, and easy to keep.
