First Planted tank

[Slowerthnyou99]

Well so you can get an Idea of what it will cost to get a planted tank similar in size to yours running.

$280.00 on my tank and stand setup. (I feel like I did alright on that aspect, I know some spend hundreds...)
$145.00 on my Eheim 2217
$120.00 on Odyssea quad t5 with plant lights.
$100.00 +/- on sand. (bio-active Cichlid sand)
$40.00 on heater.
$60.00 on driftwood.
$35.00 on a powerhead-circulation pump.(real low setting)

Then you need to stock with fish and figure out which plants you will use. I have about $150-200 in fish and probably $30 in plants to date. But I have been adding a few plants every week.

Roughly $1000.00 in my current setup before food, fertilizers (wet-dry) and other miscellaneous items that we all know I am missing.

[Hardy85]

Hey I just did my tank on a budget... few things

A low/med tech light varies in price $60 - $200. Oddysea Lights new (for a 108W set up) is $60 shipped. So depending on the value of your fish and the brands the guy has it may be a decent trade.
New bulbs for a 48" range $10-$25 each.

Substrate: I used turface hertiage red, a $20 bag did my entire tank and looks/works great for the plants so far.
Ferts: All I use is Seachum Flourish Root Tabs
My Light: I did a DYI CFL set up, cost me $40 total and was easy, plus completely customizable
Plants: I probably couldn't grow and sort of carpet, unless it was a simple moss, but my plants have all been doing well (except the amazon sword)

While this can be expensive, it does not need to be.

[Asherbonnie]

Okay, Ill be willing to spend however much on the tank really, probably just like $700 a month so while I am cycling the tank I should be able to stock up on everything I need. All together I think I will probably end up spending more than $2,500 on it now that I have more money coming in.

I have also decided to do the planted tank in a new tank so I will be keep the 300L I have now as a cichlid tank because I do quite like them and have been meaning to get another tank anyway :-)

Now comes the excitement of finding a new tank!