Buying A Cheap Tank?

[united natures]

Hi, I have recently joined fish forums and have found this site to be extremely helpful and informational.

After learning so much about the aquarium hobby, I decided to upgrade to a 40-70 gal tank. However, does anyone know any companies (online), that sells relatively cheap aquariums?? I live in Canada and I have found the LFS to be quite overpriced. So are there any trustworthy sites for someone with a limited budget?

 

[Anthony!]

I can't really think of any off the top of my head that would be any cheaper than pet store prices, especially when that price is coupled with shipping. But all the aquariums I have except for my 10 gallon were out of the classifieds in the newspaper. They usually come cheap, and with all of the equipment the former owner had with them. I bought my 90 gallon with the stand, top, lights, filter, heater, gravel, plastic plants and the food she had left over for $175. I purchased two 55 gallons and a thirty with one stand and miscellaneous supplies (goldfish food I threw away, one of those air-pump powered sinking ships, and a canister filter that took me nearly a week to put together--long story, the instructions were in Vietnamese) for $75.

 

[ALEXF]

with online you end up paying for shipping and tanks arent light. your better off looking in classifieds or idk if canada uses it as well but craigslist.com you can find people in your area trying to get rid of things they no longer need at a fair price. good luck.

 

[waterdrop]

I agree with Alex. Local classifieds are a better place to look because of shipping costs.

If the tank itself is feeling like an expensive thing it might be a good time to review the various costs of the hobby. A tank is quite a minor part of this hobby. Many other pieces of equipment, the filter in particular, can be quite a bit more and the fish and plants themselves can also be quite expensive. That said, there is a lot of personal choice in this.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[united natures]

WOW $175 for 90 gal!
The PetSmart near us sells a 40gal with limited equipments for $450 and a 70gal with stand but no equipment for $830!!!

Anyways thanks for the replies

 

[ALEXF]

i think for my 55 gallon tank (including everything) and i mean everything from food to siphon to water change bucket to everything i spend well over $1000.00 all new thou. and fully stocked for just about any situation.

 

[united natures]

Yes, I realized that filters and accessories will also be a large part of the budget but I'm, in a sense, taking one step at a time.

I have seen reasonable filters, and for accessories, I'm keeping it cheap

 

[LionessN3cubs]

woah....guess I should NEVER again complain about the aquarium prices in my neck of the woods..YIKES.

I was just looking on friday when I bought fish. 75 gallon here,...with decent stand, canopy and flourescent lighting hookup...625

the 125 gallon was just a tad over a grand..like 1200 I think...

guess I just really shouldnt complain about the 40 bucks for a BARE 20 gallon huh?

 

[ALEXF]

tank w/ lights -$120.00
Stand-$100.00
Filtersx2-$80.00
Marineland Visitherm 200w Heater -$35.00
75lbs Of Gravel-$45.00
Mixed Fake Plants-$75.00
(have extra for when i change my mind)
Fake Rock Decorx2-$30.00
Fake Skull Decorx2-$15.00
Siphon-$15.00
Siphon Pump-$8.00
Assorted Rocks/Diftwood-$15.00
Glass Magnet-$20.00
Water Bucket-$5.00
Background-$10.00
Air Pump-$10.00
Air Decoration-$8.00
Water Condition Large Bottles-$30.00
Lunar Lightsx3-$49.00
Algae Scraper Brush-$5.00
Liquid Test Kit-$16.00
Storage Cabinet-$10.00
Rid Ichx3-$45.00
Melaflex
Pimpaflex
Airline Tubing
Airline Holders
6 Pack Carbon Filter Cartiages-$30.00


I know there is some other stuff that i bought as well as fish for this tank, but with those prices and the local sales tax that comes up to $824.50.... lol but i really went all out on this project.

 

[tangokitty]

I agree with buying a used tank off the classifieds that's hoe I got mine. most people buy them from the fish stores then can't keep anything alive and just want to get rid of them. it's a great way to get stuff cheap!

 

[quaver]

I have never bought a brand new tank. Look around and take your time.Great bargains to be had if you are patient

 

[ALEXF]

if you are patient

which was my problem

 

[quaver]

oh, so you are the type who have to have it NOW and stomps his feet on the ground if he doesn't get his way. Well, just pick up the local paper and see in the classified section, and you may be able to pick up a bigger / better tank for the same price as a lesser new one.

 

[vinylman]

You could always ask in the LFS if they know of anyone selling a tank; customers move onwards and upwards all the time, nobody wants a spare tank in the house. There's always the chance a staff member may be selling, too. My LFS also puts cards in the window when a customer is selling a tank.

 

[united natures]

Thanks people, lots of replies!

In terms of classifieds,t he town I live in has a minuscule population, so there's hardly anything under the pet/supplies lol

well, I guess I'll look in Craigslist.....

Just wondering, can anyone provide an example of how much a tank should cost, or tell me anything that you bought that you think is a bargain