The $900 fish

Before doing the research we promised our son a salt water aquarium so that he could get a "Nemo" (clown) fish and a "Dory" (blue tang) fish. Dory was nixed because blue tangs require a 70 gallon tank, which was right out. We settled on a clown fish, a damsel fish, which looks a little like a blue tang, and a royal dottyback (because I wanted it). The 30 gallon aquarium with lighting, protein skimmer and pumps cost $500. The "live" rock and sea salt cost $236. The heater, hydrometer, the glass cleaner, and the test kit cost $60. We're waiting for the live rock to cure before adding live sand and tank cleaners (most likely hermit crabs). Last comes the fish. The damsel comes first because they are hardy and relatively cheap. With any luck the tank will be ready for Nemo by his birthday in June.