I don't understand some tank prices.

[StripySnailGirl04]

Hello everyone!
I really don't understand some tank prices. As I was looking around at various tank models, I compared them and got surprising results.

Take the "Aquatlantis Amsterdam 80 Aquarium LED Black" as an example. On Pro Shrimp, it costs about £110 which to me seems like a really good price for an 85litre! I don't know if it is cheaper than other tanks its size because maybe it does not have good quality (???) however other websites have it down for more money. Anyways, first looks and this tank seems good :

Aquatlantis Amsterdam 80 - LED Complete Aquarium Set 85L Black

85L Starter Tank Setup with Light, Heater and Filter

www.pro-shrimp.co.uk

Now look at BiOrb Flow 15. I know acrylic is more expensive than glass but WHAAAAT??? £140 for just a 15 litre??? I'm so confused. This is the one from Pro Shrimp :

biOrb FLOW 15 - 15L Aquarium - Black - MCR LED Light

biOrb Acrylic Aquarium Fish Tank Including Filter and Light

www.pro-shrimp.co.uk

Two tanks, one 15litre, the other 85,both for £140. What do you pick?

Am I missing something here but why some tanks are considerably cheaper than others, also in price/size ratios?

 

[Rocky998]

Well, you have a bazillion dollars... You could buy a $15 piece of clothing from Wal-Mart... OR you could buy from Gucci.... Either one will put clothes on your back but one has the name on it

 

[StandbySetting]

Biorb tanks have always been very expensive, they are impractical and not really suitable for fish, poor filtration and lighting despite their claims and their shape is unsuitable for most fish that appreciate free swimming space. Stick to the class rectangular tanks, can't go wrong! Acrylic might be light weight and clearer than glass but it scratches very easily.

 

[Stan510]

Acrylic is best when you get to over 100 gallons. Lightweight and will never leak. Unlike glass tanks on a stand not perfectly flat, acrylic in time just bends to fit. Glass will have that stress build until it cracks. Big acrylic aquariums also can be kept warmer with less electricity. Saves money.
But for smaller aquariums glass is best. For one thing glass have open tops making scaping much easier. Especially if you want plants to grow up and out of the water line- same for decorative driftwood that looks artful reaching out of the glass aquarium.
As far as nano tanks? The problems are it might get so boring having an aquarium that small..easy for things to go wrong. Besides what can you expect in terms of growth of plants or fish? Nothing to look forward to.

 

[AbbeysDad]

Pricing is often what the market will bear. Every manufacturer wants to make MONEY and it's often competition that drives prices down. (If your product doesn't move, you take less profit to get more sales).
I wouldn't buy a tank with built in filtration as I like the choice.

I agree that although acrylic is more expensive, it is better for several reasons.
- The panels are fused together so they will never leak (or need to be resealed like glass).
- Acrylic is clearer than glass so viewing is better.
- Any scratches can be buffed out.

Now us 'regular' people mostly have lesser expensive glass boxes and may live with scratches and if one leaks may reseal or buy another glass box....but when I'm rich and famous, I'll have large acrylic tanks! <grins>

 

[Oblio]

My LFS has a 45% sale going on for Aqueon glass tanks. I'm looking to resist MTS, but the 29 gal at $45 is calling me softly...