How To Upgrade

[spazzinout53]

hey so right now i have a 5 gallon tank and im ready to upgrade (im sorry if i have this question in the wrong area)
i have two choices and idk which one would be better
1. i saw this all-in-one 14 gallon tank at my lfs for 59.99 with filter, tank, food, starter guide, heater, and a thermometer
2. and then they have just the glass tank and then i would have to buy the lid the filter the heater and the thermometer

are pre packaged all-in-one boxed up aquariums like cheeper quality? and i should just but everything seperate?

or is the all-in-one tank a good deal

thanks

 

[rdd1952]

Starter kits are generally a little more expensive. You could probably get a 20 gallon, filter, heater and lid for less than $60. You don't really need the food or starter guide and you can get a digital thermometer for $3 or $4 (a stick on strip for 99 cent). One thing I would caution about is getting a setup that has the filter and/or light build into the hood/cover if they go out you have a hard time finding a replacement for them. Price them both ways at the LFS to see (price the hardware online as it is generally a lot cheaper that way.

 

[mark.w.jones]

Buy separates as then you can pick and choose what to add + as rdd mentioned it's usually much easier to get replacements. The Practical Fish Keeping website has many reviews of equipment on it or just ask for opinons on here. The only real advantages of an all in one box type tank is that they look neat and compact and don't usually have wires, plastic tubes and suction cups all over the place. My first tank was a ViaAqua VA380 10 gallon UK with filter and lights built into the hood. However... when the bulb went I couldn't get a replacement and ended up having to completely take hood apart and add my own aftermarket starter unit and bulb. I was happy to do this but you may not be.