Good Deal on Tanks?

[littlefishie]

I have the opportunity to purchase either of these tanks, depending on whether or not it's okay with my grandparents. [It'll be going in their house, when I'm living with them for uni].

This is what they are, what they come with, and the asking prices.

75 gallon (new tank) 48x18x21
Black stand with 3 doors, 2 of which are tinted glass (sharp!)
Matching canopy with dual bulb light source
Submersible heater
Choice of newish (3 month) Emperor 400 with dual biowheel and media insert
or Eheim 2215 canister filter
Digital timer with remote (new in package) used for lights
Powerhead (air and water movement)
Mint condition $600.00

90 gallon 48x18x24
Black stand with 2 doors. New January this year
Flip front canopy with new lights new January this year
Submersible heater
Choice of newish (3 month) Emperor 400 with dual biowheel and media insert
or Eheim 2215 canister filter
Digital timer with remote (new in package) used for lights
Powerhead (air and water movement)
Mint condition $600.00

Edit :: These are his descriptions. The 75g had 2 inches of live sand at one point to be a saltwater tank, but then he decided otherwise. The 90g was always a fresh.

Opinions?

 

[nc_nutcase]

To me they sound like the same set up for the same price... except one has a fancier stand/canopy and the other is 15 Gal bigger. If I read your description right and this is the only real difference then ask yourself, which is more important to you... having the extra space which may be the deciding factor to get that one other fish... or having its visual appearance a little bit classier. It all depends on what your looking for...

 

[littlefishie]

I think the 90g is the better deal, but the 75g might look better. He keeps saying I should come check them out but it's almost a 2 hour drive..

I asked for pictures and he didn't say anything. Still gotta show the grandparents..

 

[rdd1952]

They both sound like pretty good deals. I bought a new 75 gallon with stand a couple weeks ago for $330 and now including filters (2 fluval 304s), heaters (2 hydor inline 200w) and substrate (Eco Complete & Tahitian Moon Sand) I have over $700 in it and I still need to get better lights or a canopy, plants and fish. By the time I get everything bought and set up, I will have close to $1000 not including fish. I probably won't be able to afford anything but about 200 ghost shrimp at 10 for a dollar.

 

[littlefishie]

Eek, better deals than I thought..

That's it, emailing grandparents.

 

[nc_nutcase]

Personally if someone made me the same offer... I'd counter offer $1,000 for both set ups... What I mean to say is both are good deals. if you don't have any tanks up and running you may ask him to safe some wet gravel/sand and the filter media all submerged in water. That will help you cycle much faster.

I would go with the 90 set up as 15 Gal may help add one last fish you want and since the base dimensions are the same the larger tank won't take up more room in the home.

Either way though... you can't go wrong.

 

[littlefishie]

On the phone with grandfather right now.. he thinks a 55g would be better, but he says if I move to Nova Scotia or Guelph for marine biology, I shouldn't get the tank.

 

[SworDTail KeePer]

If I were in your situation I would get the 90 gallon tank just because it can be used for loads of ideas. Also has a lot of room for your fish.

 

[rdd1952]

I'm glad I don't live near you. I'd probably be trying to buy them. I still want to get a 75 or larger for a saltwater tank. We've just got to decide which furniture really isn't necessary so we can make room for it.

 

[littlefishie]

Eugh, I just told him about all the ads I saw.. there's a 55g in Ottawa for $175 with stuff with it, and he said he'd rather drive there for 5 hours and get that than spend the $600 on a 90g.
That and it's easier to move with me than a 90g..

Damn, I want that 90g though..

 

[SworDTail KeePer]

Hell if it were me i would have gottin the 90 gallon one or nothing . But thats stupid why pass up a free gift like that?

 

[littlefishie]

It's not a free gift, I have to pay it back over the summer.
Though the job's awesome.. I'm possibly going to be an assistant whale trainer at Marineland!

The 90g takes up more space though.. plus it's their house and he already volunteered to drive to Ottawa to get the 55g if it's still available...
They're being more than generous, I think. The thing is, I don't have to pay them anything for living there, and they'll buy me a car. And let me have a bigger tank.

So if they say 55g and not a 90g, I'll listen.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

that's awesome about the job!

and if the 90 vs 55 is still bothering you, think of it this way:
would you rather have a 90 gallon for 2 years and then have to sell it (and the fish)? or would you rather have a 55 and be able to carry it with you?

i'd personally rather have a tank for keeps. if you move only a day's drive or less, you could just pack up the fish and the filters with some battery powered airstones and set things back up again almost immediately. that'd be a lot harder if you had to repurchase a tank while you were at it.

 

[nc_nutcase]

If space is the concern... all 3 tanks (55, 75, 90) are all four foot long tanks... so one really doesn't take up any more space than another. Also since you are studying Marine Biology at the University... it makes sense that you would be benefited by having a larger tank which you could make salt water if/when necessary. Making a 55 Gal saltwater is really more hassle than its worth (I have no clue if that’s true but I bet your grandfather would buy it ). It's really more an investment in your education than a hobby item...

 

[SworDTail KeePer]

Man you are making me sound like a bad person. I was just saying "If it were me". But its ok I understand.