I Can't Find A 5.5 Gallon Tank Anywhere

[TammyLiz]

Yesterday I went all over the place looking for a 5.5 gallon tank and couldn't find one! They used to sell them here at Petsmart for about $10--the same price as for a 10 gallon. Walmart did the same thing. I went both places and it looks like neither of them stock them anymore. I also went to Petco (out of town for me), and they had a spot for them but were out of stock. The price was too high, though--$14! There is a little LFS near here that sometimes has them (didn't check yesterday) but they are $17 there.

Has anyone else had the same issue? I want a $10 5.5 gallon tank!

In case you're wondering why I specifically want a 5.5--I have two bettas in large bowls that don't need heaters in the summer because we keep our house at 77deg. However now its getting cold and I was thinking to get a 5.5 gallon to divide for those two. I already have a good heater for it and wouldn't need a light because of where it would be located so I was thinking to just spend the $10 and be done. I even have a spare sponge filter. It was the best thing I could think to do because one little tank would cost less than two little heaters for the bowls, and we are really tight on money right now. It'd need to be 5.5 gallons because 2 seems too small for 2 bettas and there isn't space to put a 10 gallon. I appologize for the wordiness, but hey, you didn't have to read it if you didn't want to! I'm....lonely today. All my usual Saturday people (mainly my husband and daughter) are busy.

--Tammy

 

[smoothvirus]

I had the same problem, in the same state, in Arlington actually. I wound up getting one from Wally's Aquarium but I'm pretty sure I paid more than $10 for it.

 

[tetraman]

I don't seem to have that problem. The massive Petsmart near me has an absolutly ginormous tank selection.

 

[92cw12]

I don't seem to have that problem. The massive Petsmart near me has an absolutly ginormous tank selection.

if you cant find one then why not build one

 

[tetraman]

How about buying one online? Building one can be difficult.

 

[TammyLiz]

I bet the shipping online would be enough to make it worth it to spend the extra money on the one from petco, or even the one from the little LFS. Glass is heavy and few places want to ship it anyways.

Thats just stupid that I can get a 10 gallon cheaper and easier than I could get a 5.5 gallon. I thought those were pretty standard, you know?

if you cant find one then why not build one

I have nothing against DIY projects. However, I'm busy and my time and energy are too valuable to spend a day making a little tank right now. I'm in the middle of too many projects already. Plus, to make it look nice I'd need some supplies that would probably cost me more than the $10 that I was hoping to spend. If it were as simple as making a few cuts with a carpentry saw and hammering in a few nails I'd probably do it but its not.

 

[tetraman]

If $7 makes you broke, you should probably drop the hobby.

 

[33moths]

How about get a 10 gallon and divide that? It might do.

 

[TammyLiz]

If $7 makes you broke, you should probably drop the hobby.

Well that was rude. It was $17 that I was trying not to spend anyways. I have quite a few tanks, and have done some very thrifty purchasing to get them all. I always take very good care of my fish, and I think you made a pretty quick judgement to say I should give them all up.

How about get a 10 gallon and divide that? It might do.

I might, but it would look very awkward in the space I would need to put it, which is on my husbands dresser.

I have a 10 gallon divided downstairs, and there is space for them in there, but I lost a couple of fish to a very fast killing form of dropsy (and no, the water quality wasn't bad, it is a cycled tank and the water had recently been changed). I wouldn't want to put these guys into it until the fish that are already in it stay well for a long time. If they also die of it, I'll bleach the tank before I add anything else to it.

 

[33moths]

That is unfortunate! I'm sure one will turn up in time, and the fishes probably won't hold it against you. Good luck with this.

 

[TammyLiz]

Have you checked the reptile/amphibian section of petsmart? I've been looking for 5 gallon tanks as well (before I found my nano on ebay). I never thought of looking in the reptile/amphibian. It was just sitting there all this time It's a small tank, so it should hold water well, specially if the tank is labelled for amphibians

Oh man, I hope you are right. I am going to feel happy but stupid if there is one there, just one aisle over!

I used to have one for reptiles/amphibians that had a slide-on screen top. I don't know why I didn't think to look over there.

 

[tetraman]

My 30 gallon was originally for a turtle.

 

[TammyLiz]

Well, I checked and they did have them. However, they were $19.99. I don't need a built-in slide-on screen top so I don't really want to have to pay the extra for it. I am still undecided as to what I'll do. The fish are in the bathroom where it stays nice and warm with a heater for now.

 

[Taridan]

I can find 5.5's okay, my problem is finding a LID for it... I've found lids for 10 gallon tanks, and lids for 2.5 gallons, but i can't for the life of me find a good lid. The other thing i think is funny is at my local petsmart, the 2.5 gallon costs 10$, and the 10 gallon costs 10$ . Hmm, which one would I want. P

 

[rollntider]

the 5.5 are hard to find accesories for, but I do find them convient.