Help Please

[pat3612]

I was just wondering theres so much information out there, I would like to buy a 30 gal. aquarium but not sure about filters etc. Would it be better to set it up myself or just buy one of the kits that comes with everything. Thanks.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

It does usually work out cheaper for an all in one kit.

Juwel Lidos are nice and around about 30 gallons US

Chris

 

[5teady_2012]

The advantage of buying one with a full setup is that, you will get a filter that has been designed specificly to fit the tanks needs etc.

I personally have always bought seperatly but thats because i can get good deals with a couple of LFS on diffrent equipment.

Although i have 1 i bought as a full setup, is was a tetratec one (24x12x15, it came with everything inicluding internal filter and heater, pump, modern hood and built in lighting and other bits and bobs.

Was a great price at only £49.99

Shop around a bit and im sure you will come across a bargain.

 

[wolfwolf]

If I had to do it all again I would have bought separate components. I bought a TopFin set from Petsmart. It was okay but about a month later I went to get an aquaclear 30 filter. Just do some research and get a good heater, filter, and tank.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

A few things to be wary of if you shop at Pets @ Home etc, is to stick away from undergravel filters, they are not the most effective filters and work more as a dirt trap than anything else.

Canister filters are the most effective form of filtration for a home aquarium, these are external boxes which hold the filter medium and pump water back into the aquarium. A lot of different manufacturers produce different filters, just buy the one that suits your tank. Eheim are the market leaders but cheaper filters such as Fluval, Aqua-One and Rena etc all do the same job.

Heaters are up to the actual choice you can get at the LFS, just depends what they have.

The tank and hood usually come together anyway, decide on Substrate when you have chosen if you want plants etc and what fish you have, for example Corydoras will need sand as there barbles are very sensitive etc.

Anything else come straight back and ask.

Chris

 

[celaeno]

i think it'd be cheaper to buy the tank and equipment separately. that's what i did for both of my tanks.

for a 30 gallon tank, i'd recommend a marineland bio-wheel power filter and a marineland visi-therm deluxe heater.

 

[pat3612]

Thank you so much for all your help, I think Ill save a bit more money and go top of the line and get a kit. Thanks again Pat