Pricing planted and reef tanks

After the high numbers I crunched the other day for the tank I wanted, I thought I would do a more systematic comparison of what it would cost to get started with a planted, or a reef, tank. This is a minimal start, what does it take to get a box of water which can at least hold the intended creatures.

This list did not include carbon dioxide injection systems, protein skimmers, or filters of any sort. Those things are nice to have, but can be picked up later if they are needed. It also did not include the price of livestock.

I did inflate some other costs though, The tanks are all with starphire glass which I am not sure I would actually do. The lights are also pretty high end, cheaper options exist.

50 Gallon Planted, 36" x 18" x 17"

1. Tank, cover $240
2. Stand, canopy $370
3. Heater $30
4. Fluorite $50
5. Light $140

Total: $830

50 Gallon Reef, 36" x 18" x 17"

1.  Tank, cover, overflow $381
2. Stand, canopy $370
3. Sump $204
4. Heater $30
5. Lights, $400
6. Sump pump $92
7. Sand $75
8. Dry live rock $75

 Total: $1627


 75 Gallon Planted, 48" x 18" x 21"

1.  Tank, cover $340
2.  Stand, canopy $425
3. Heater $30
4. Fluorite $80
5. Light $170

Total:$1045

 75 Gallon Reef, 48" x 18" x 21"

1. Tank, cover, overflow $476
2. Stand, canopy $425
3. Sump $219
4. Heater $30
5. Lights, $400
6. Sump pump $92
7. Sand $100
8. Dry live rock $150

 Total: $1890


120 Gallon Planted, 48" x 24" x 25"

1. Tank cover $625
2. Stand canopy $500
3. Heater $50
4. Fluorite $120
5. Light $170

Total: $1465

 120 Gallon Reef, 48" x 24" x 25"

1. Tank cover $765
2. Stand canopy $500
3. Sump $323
4. Heater $50
5. Lights, $400
6. Sump pump $184
7. Sand $125
8. Dry live rock $225

 Total: $2572

From that list it is clear that the initial startup cost of a reef tank is about twice that of a planted tank. It gets worse with time though. The greater cost of electricity, salt, fish, corals, and additional equipment like protein skimmers will make that gap continue to grow.