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e-bay-just remember that you can't get the tank shipped, so be prepared to drive to pick it up youself.

to convince your mom to let you get a tank start small. most people(uneducated in the subject:%)) think a smaller tank is easier to take care of. i started with a 20 gallon, which helped to convince her to let me get a tank. just make sure she doesn't know this. after the tank has been going for a few months move up to the 55 gallon. i plan to move up to a 55 gallon too. if you do this there is an added benifit, you get a quantine tank when you move to the 55 gallon.

20 Gallon Long:
Aquaclear 300
2 Bolivian Rams, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus: Gumby and Pokey

Yes you could put 2 HOBS on the back, and with the glass tops on the back there is a solid plastic strip that you cut all the holes out for heaters and filters.

Cheaper is better...

Would I be able to put 2 hang-on filters (I think your talking about hang-on filters, right?) in a 75? I know the covers have a space cut out for one. I was just wondering if there was a way to fit more without cutting holes in the top.

I would suggest against a fluval. I've had mine for almost a year and I always have problems with it. 2 AC 500's for a 75g or 1 AC 500 and an AC 300 for a 55g. There easier to maintain and about 40 bucks cheaper

Not handy in the least and I wouldn't trust anything that I made...

I don't have any cats. My mom and brother are deathly allergic to them. The only non-fish animal I have is a guinea pig. He's to small, fat, and lazy to climb a sofa, so the fish are safe.

You may suggest a flufal, because it is a very good idea. I'm just wondering, is it so powerful that it can pull small fish like tetras, corries, or ottos in? Most of my fish are on the smaller side, especially when I first buy them, and I don't want any accidents.

Last edited by djtj at 06-Mar-2005 16:06

A 75g would be a better idea than a 55g. Mine was 20 dollars more than a 55g. I would suggest to just get it from the lfs. If your trying to save money order the filter and heaters off the internet. An AC500 is usually 100$ around here, they're 30$ on the net. Also when placing the tank make sure you can get around to the back. You could also try to make a stand your self it you're handy

Last edited by greenmonkey51 at 05-Mar-2005 16:08

Behind the sofa huh? Got any cats

My experience with filters tells me that the cannister type is much more efficient. I am sure there are others who would suggest a powerhead type. I had a cannister on one tank and a powerhead on the other. The cannister tank was always much cleaner.

Might I suggest a Fluval 304 or 404??

Warning: They are a BEAR to put together ]:|]:|

....but well worth it IMO.

Good luck!!

Update:
My mom says I can get the tank! Granted, I would have to sell my other tanks, (which are empty anyway) but it’s a fair tradeoff. A 5 gallon and a 1 gallon for a 55 – 75 gallon? Sounds fair to me!

The biggest problem was where I would put the new tank. I've been thinking about it and I decided the tank would look really nice behind the couch in our living room. The stand would be tall enough so only the tank would come above the back of the couch. That way you could look up at the tank while you lay down. It wouldn't take up that much room that way, only pushing the couch out about 2ft. from the wall.

My mom really doesn't care about the size of the tank in question. We have two couches, one that is about 6ft. long and one that is about 4-5 ft. They will be both against the wall, so I basically have all that room for tanks . The only catch is that I need room for my guinea pig cage, so I might be picking up a second stand. She likes animals as much as I do, and as long as it's my money and I take care of the fish, she's fine with it.

I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to buy the tank. The classifieds are still an option, as is ebay. However, I’m not looking to buy until June, so any deals I see now will be gone by then. Also, I would have to pay extra to get a company like fedex to ship it for me, or I would have to pay to rent a truck bring it back. Since there's a chance the tank might not be in great shape, I might just play it safe and buy a new one from a store.

By the way, the tank I was talking about DID include everything. However, everything basically meant: filter, heater, a plastic alligator head, and neon pink gravel . I'm still not buying it because of all the stuff I don’t need (pink gravel, come on!) It would be kind of a waste. Also I really don't need to get a pricy stand. Since the stand will be hidden behind the couch, I don't need much more than a cheap iron frame stand. The one at the store was a $150 wooden one with doors.

Since I'm saving on the stand, I might be able to get a bigger tank. Even though I'm looking at buying a 55 gallon tank, a 75 is an option too. Also, a 90 or 120 is not outside the realm of possibility, but that might be overdoing it.

Now the only problem is: what to get with it. Any advice on gravel, filters, or anything else would be helpful.

BTW could one of you moderators move this tread to general freshwater. I think I made a mistake putting it here. It doesn't really have anything to do with equipment and it might get more replies in general. Thanks

I paid $1,100.00 for a 72 bowfront setup. Included everything (even 100 lbs of gravel). I just had to add the decorations and the fish. My 65 hex, same items included, was about $750.00.

Today there was a 90 gallon with stand, canopy and everything else besides fish included and it is only 475!!!

I love the paper!

lol

Angel Eel

For all those people out there that own 55 gallon tanks: How much money did you pay for them? I was looking at a 55 gallon tank in the store, and I kinda fell in love with it. However, I was startled when I saw the price tag. The tank itself costs just over $100, and, along with the light ficture and the stand, came to about $400. That sounds a little fishy to me, especially since it left out filter, heater, gravel, and anything else you would need for an aquarium. I was just wondering what some of you paied for your tanks.

Yeah, I'm almost certain that I will get the fishtank used. I checked the paper and they didn't have anything except a 90 gallon saltwater, but that is ok becasue I'm not looking to buy the tank until the summer. I just wanted to know the different ways I could buy a tank and the prices.

What do you guys think about E-bay? I checked on the site and the prices are phenominal. They have a full 55 gallon setup that's on bid for $50!!! Too bad I don't have any room where I am now, or I'd buy the thing right away! To think, I was about to pay $400+ for the same thing...

Thanks for the help. Now, does anyone know how to convince your mother to let you buy a 55 - 75 gallon fish tank...?

I payed 200 Canadian for my tank 56 gallon with stand canopy and pumps and heaters.

The classifieds are my humble tank shopping guide, wonderfull prices

BUT I got a 30 Gallon out of the paper took me four hours to clean it out, the filter was completely clogged, there was a type of brown fur growing in mass amounts on the gravel, and the fish that came with it were all sick.


You may find that with things that come out of the paper BUT once you get over the cleaning of someone elses dirty tank, You may have a very beautiful tank!

Angel Eel

Petsolutions has one for 50 bucks I think

hmm, 75, I like the sound of that... good thinking
hmm classifieds...I like the way you people think...

I can't build one myself I'm not the handy type and neither is my dad. Plus, I can't do anything with concrete, i'll be living in an apartment and I can't have anything too heavy.


Last edited by djtj at 24-Feb-2005 23:46

Try your paper's classified section, there's often tanks (and often entire setups) to be found for quite cheap. It's an idea, anyway...

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

You could build one yourself. or do it a simple way and get concrete blocks and 3/4 plywood. I would look at the 75g just 6 inches widers but widens the fish you can keep considerably. plus mine was 20 bucks more than a 55g.

Last edited by greenmonkey51 at 24-Feb-2005 23:26

I definitely don't want a tank that big...right now. I don't even know if I have enough room for the 55. I don't think they sell used anywhere near me and I'd rather buy from a store I can trust. Is there anything else you think I can use as a stand instead of a cabinet?

buy used- depending where you live, you can easily get a COMPLETE 125g setup for that price.

I spent $300 canadian on my 55 gallon it was a kit though and had everything.. hope you find one at a better price

Last edited by bruce at 24-Feb-2005 21:29