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Between the shipping costs and the unreliability of used tanks (you have to wonder why they're selling the tank in the first place), I'd say go for the 55. Even a new 20 or 30 would run very close in price all things considered.

If you still want a new tank but you don't have enough money, do it piece by piece. Say you bought the tank this week. Wait a few months until you have the money for a stand. Then wait a bit longer until you can get a light fixture. You don't need to have the money to do it all at once. Either way, even if fish isn't your #1 hobby, you will probably enjoy a 55 more than a 20 or 30. If you really get hooked, you will wind up buying another tank anyway, so it's better to start off big and quenching your thirst for at least a little while. Remember, a 20 gallon is only a small step above a ten and it won't keep you happy for a long time either...

- Dj:88)

If you want to convince your parents, take them to a fish shop. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, stop by the best looking LFS you can find. You don't need to ask them for fish or really badger them to come with you, or even make a really big deal out of it. Just go to a park or something nearby and stop in on the way home. Show them around, and they'll be hooked. That's how I pursuaded my mom (or perhaps the other way around) to let me setup a 180 gallon + stingray/discus tank as the centerpiece of our living room. Unfortunately, I'm also about a $1000 shot of buying the tank. Rembmer, you're not the only one with money problems.
Plus, you have the cars to worry about

BTW, you might as well remind them that the 55 gallon and the 20 gallon are gona cost about the same amount in the long run, so you might as well get more bang for your buck.

- Dj:88)

Last edited by djtj at 13-Apr-2005 21:27

ahah thanks,
We only have AOL.

I checked my water today
I know why my neons are dieing, check out "tetra talk"

Thanks, Later

OH and I wanted to mention, I know your parents wont accept any argument on this. However I have an extremely deceptive idea for you. Why not set up the computer homepage to Takashi Amano's website, and then they would have no choice but to see pictures of amazing tanks, and perhaps the seed of aquariast might be planted in their minds.... MUAHAHAHAHAHA


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Hi Integra,
just remember, living with your parents is only temporary. My sister still lives with our parents, and it was a total fight for her to get a 33g for her room.
A 33 g as I said before is half again as long as a 20g. So that means if you take a 20g, add half its length to it, you h ave a 33. I think a 20g long is 24", where a 33 is 32". My sister solved her problem of where to put it by putting it on top of her dresser. If you have a large dresser, you can have a larger tank!
Anyway, I think even if you can just get a 20g you will be happy with that. a 20g long is also a very nice tank!
Perhaps later on you could build a stand that holds 2 20g tanks!
Keep us posted as to how the tank hunt goes, and I can suggest some easy plants that your neons will love if you want to go planted!


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haha yah,
I'm going to my lfs im 10 min to hvae my water tested,
If its good I might spend $10 and get 6 neons or some cardinals
I also want to go to check out the tanks etc..

Thanks, I'll try the sitr and paper.

Later

Try your local paper.. for when you can get one I got a 30 long for 75$ with eveything,always try your paper so cheap. My friend got a 70 gallon including everything for 175$ much cheaper then anywhere else, even ebay.



Hope this helps when the rents say yes!!!
Angel Eel

have yout tried aquabid? they sometimes have good tanks for relatively good prices.
aquabid.com
SOrry about parents, they always get in the way of giant tank dreams.

Well forget it. I just asked my parents If I could ask the seller a question
My parents got real mad at me
I cant have a 55g tank, they say its a waist of money and that I cant put it in the living room even if I got it.
I also cant have a 30 G tank
Looks like im stuck with a Freakin 20 long thats all that will fit in my room.
Man I'm very unhappy right now.I'm going to go cool off.
Oh ya btw no need to try and tell me things to tell my parents, It wont help
They said no and trust me, they will not take anything but no for ananswer now.

This sucks like nothing else, I got to go cool off]:|]:|

Last edited by integra_for_life at 12-Apr-2005 22:10

Hey, Ok.
I am thinking about buying a 55g tank.
here is one on ebay and lives in my state, so i can drive to pick it up.
Question. 55G tanks, I know there bigger, is the footprint the same but the xtra Gallons is used to make it taller?
This tank (says) it comes with everything I need.
there are pics but there crappy,
I'll email the guy to find out what all it comes with and why he is selling and more questions.

Here is the link.Please look (help me)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20755&item=4372447434&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

It also comes with a stand.
I am thinking that if I'm going to buy a tank then I should prolly buy this one If everything checks out ok.

Thanks, Later

Hey whats up,
I currently have a 10G tank, with some neons.
But like most know a 10G will only keep you happy for so long, lol
I have decided to get either a 20 or a 29 Gallon tank
I am not getting a 55G as Fish I not my #1 Hobby.
I am looking for something to supply my intrest,
I Think a 29G AGA with some plants and some a good shool of schooling fish.

Ok, First things first.
I am on a very very tight budget.
When I say tight I mean Tight

Therefore I will prolly be buying alot of stuff off ebay,
I don't think buying from ebay is always cheap.
You can get some good stuff from Ebay,

I have a few questions
Is Most 29G tanks I see are very tall, I am looking for something with alot of base, space
I know you guys know what I mean I'm just trying to explain it.
I am willing to get a 20G if the base is bigger, more space for fish to swim, turn etc.....

So here is a short list
20 or 29G AGA tank

Penguin filter W/Bio-Wheel
Emperor 400 Power Filter Bio Wheel $30
Rena Air pump $14
SUBMERSIBLE HEATER $14
Hood with lights $???
Full test kit $20

and the rest, blah blah blah
Plants
Gravel
Fish.


I know this might be hard to believe but,
I'm hoping to get it going for around $100 + fish and plants
Those prices are prices I can get the stuff
The AGA tank I can get Cheap!

I was just wondering what you guys think,
What else do I need, what don't I need etc....


Also, If I'm going to spend aound $150, My friend is selling a 55G AGA, with two filters (Aqua clear 3000, and something)Gravel, heater, air pump, hood with lights,
even fish an plants all for only $150.
I am feeling this might be the better route.


Thanks guys

later











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Last edited by integra_for_life at 09-Apr-2005 00:34null

Last edited by integra_for_life at 09-Apr-2005 02:28

Hey, I think I found decent 30G tank for cheap like $15
Check it out
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20755&item=4371921859&rd=1
I can prolly drive to pick it up. Tht might cost some $$ tho, cost me around 25 there and then 25 back unless he ships, I'll chck, now im thinking about not getting it we'll see.

Ok, Thanks
I'm going to keep looking around on ebay,
Ya knowm waiting for that one insane deal,lol
I think you made a typo but you said a 33 long is half
of a 20 long, Did you mean its twice as long?
Just wondering.
I would rather ask then be wrong.

BTW: I dont mind, if anyone reads any of this post something, I'm open to everything.

I have many questions but let me look around some more first

Also, I looked on ebay there is nothing for a 33 tank.

Thanks, Later

Last edited by integra_for_life at 12-Apr-2005 21:25

Oh, and for fish, if you got a 33g, you could probably have 30 Cardinals or Neons in there. If you went for a 20, I would say 15 of either.
Cards are only like .2 of an inch bigger than neons, and just slightly bulkier.
A 33g long planted with Ambulia, some Wisteria, and maybe a couple of nice crypt wendtii, and then stocked with 33 neons or cards, or 15 of each, would look phenomenal!!!!
Try to go for some nice soft soft water with the addition of some peat granules in your filter and those tetras will sparkle even in the dark!!


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Hi Integra,
just was reading this and thought I would pipe in a couple of comments.
First of all, the 55g tank would be a better bet for you, less maintenance, and more space, but if that doesnt tickle your fancy, then I would say go with a 33 long- you can probably get one for like 10-20 $ more than a 20, and it will be half as long again as the 20.
My sister has a 33, its a beauty.
Also, if you want to cut down on plant costs, but have a heavily planted tank (eventually), then there are good plants that grow fast and you could start with just a few and end up with tons. Some I have found truly fabulous are:
Water Wisteria (Hygrophilia Difformis)
Asian Ambulia, also called now Limnophilia Aquatica
Vallisneria Americana
Vallisnera Spirallis
--------------
Look on Ebay for a Power Compact light fixture, you could get one much much cheaper than in any store, and they have much higher light output, espescially good if you want to grow moderate light plants. Also, this way you could have a nice glass top, rather than a crappy plastic one, and it is worth every penny more believe me, and sometimes one can work it out for not much more difference than a few pennys if you look around.


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Yah, I am thinking a 20 Long. I'll take a look at the 30 long if it's got good foorprint and isnt much more then I'll just go ahead and get that.
Like I said, I'm not really looking for something big, a 55G tank I know is prolly the best choice,
But I just don't want one. I mean even a 20 long will make me more ahppy than ever before.
I guess I need to look around a bit, check out my lfs and check things out.
I am thinking on going cardinal tetras over neons,
Neons here are $1.99 each, any Idea on cardinal tetras?

Either way, the tank I get will be planted, not heavily but mildly, And If I have enuf money for most of the stuff, ie, not the fish etc... Then I'll go ahead and get it all but not the fish, and start the cycling and aqua scaping (Spelling)
And then three weeks later, I can soend like $50+ on some Cardinal tetras
If I get a 2 Long I want atleast 20fish if 30 long atleast 30fish,
I understand that its like an inch per G of water,
but thats for small tetras as a larger fish will take up more room per inch than a neon will./

Ah :%)
Too much talking and I prolly made no sence,

Thanks, Later

Welcome to a wonderful addiction and to the site

I would go ahead and get the 55 in the end you will be happy with it...

About 3 years ago I bought my first "big tank" (yeah right) and it was a 29...I too am still having trouble with the decorating, though I found guppies will thrive in this tank (like guppies couldn't thrive in a mud puddle)

I soon found that a 55 gallon tank was needed. So a year ago I got my 55 gallon, it was mainly to replace a 20 gallon long that I had, that had sprung a leak...I didn't want to get rid of the fish, so figured a bigger tank was needed...

Well, since then things have gotten a bit out of controljust a bitthere is nothing to worry about really

This year with my tax returns I bought my "Big Tank", ie my 125, and am now making plans on where I can put some more small tanks this summer if all goes wellAnd I'm planning on taking down my small 29 and resetting it up totally, and trying angels in it

So go with the 55 gallon tank you won't regret it, and quick before your condition (as you have it though it is just in the beginning stages) get yourself to an LFS uh hmmm sorry, doctor and get a cure...heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Haha, I don;t need to worry about a stand, My grnadpa is an Iron worker, so I can get a good Iron stand for free.

Ok, I'll look for a 20 Long or 30 Long
I am really thinking a 20Long will be great, Only want like 15+ cardinal tetras and with live plants It should be great.
I really don't need anything Huge. I have a small room.

Ok, I g2g to work. Need to, its going to pay for the fish
lol

thanks, Later

Sin beat me to it, I definitely recommend Big Al's Even with shipping their costs are far less than most lfs.

I received at 29g kit as a gift, that was my first tank. Personally I'd recommend a 20 long or a 30. The 29g is nice but for me the height has made is very difficult to aquascape...almost 2 years later and I'm still frustrated with it :%)

~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is water at the bottom of the ocean

29g tank is a bad idea unless you want angelfish. like you say the "footprint"(the wording you were looking for) is very small. this limits the amount of fish you can place in it.

the 55g deal sounds very nice. deffinetly worth the money.
if you woudl rather have new then best bang for buck in my opinion would be a 20 gallon Long or a 30 gallon Long. these tanks are what you want. they arnt very tall and have a very nice footprint. not insanely priced.

another way to save money is to make the lighting yourself. i went out and priced out a double strip light for my 4ft long tank. (75g) and it would cost me $110 on sale lol. well i put it together myself. made a canopy and put in some shop lights for the grand total of $50.

the same thing with a stand as you can imagin i didnt wanna spend over $300 for a box to my tank on. built it myself for under $100. now your sitting back and saying "but i dont have the skills for that" arnt ya. 1st time ive ever done something like this. i dont have the tools or the experience to build furniture but there they are.

anyway...55g is a good price especielly if you want the fish that are in it. if you want new shop around for a 20 Long or 30 Long and make sure they are NOT "critter" tanks. critter tanks have thin glass and wotn last as long.

[link=Big al's]http://www.bigalsonline.com/?splash_done=1" style="COLOR: #00FFFF[/link]
cheap prices good name brands.