How much does it cost for a 55 gallon saltwater aquarium?

Answer 1

It depends on what your trying to accomplish, what your going to be keeping in it, as well as the material of the tank itself. Glass or Acrylic. You can have a Fish Only system, FOWLER system, or a REEF system.

Reefs are the most expensive and will run around $3,000 for a 55 Gallon set up Makesure you focus mainly on 5 things in a reef Aquarium and they are...

Water Flow

Lighting

Protein Skimmer

Berlin Style Open Sump

Large amounts of live rock (1 - 5 pound/ Gallon)

FOWLER (Fish Only With Live Rock) Is cheaper and will run about $1,500 for a 55 gallon Set up. Use ½ - 1½ pound live rock/ gallon

Fish Only, can go many ways, you can have a cheap hang on back filter or canister filter (Not recommended) or a below the aquarium Wet/Dry filter (Best Option). For a 55 Gallon set up maybe around $600 -$800 without a protein skimmer, though it is BEST if you do get one.