Small Tanks

[FISHONE]

I have notice a new trend in the hobby. I am seeing small aquriums of 5 gal or less advertized as "beginer" aquriums.
In my 40+ yrs in the hobby I have always read and have been told that bigger is better for a beginer.
I over heard a clerk telling a mother and a son (about 10) that a 2.5 gal tank was good for him to start with because if things when wrong she would have less invested.
Knowing how fast things can go wrong with a large tank I think selling a small tank to a beginer is asking for trouble.
With a small volume of water any mistake can have bad results.
What is your thoughts on this. Is it doing harm to the hobby.

 

[Tolak]

They must be trying to unload 2.5's. 10's are cheaper, even though they are larger they're more common.

I wouldn't suggest anything smaller than a 20 gallon to start with. A beginner with a 2.5 is just asking for trouble if they are looking for a community tank. All busnesses depend on return customers, they won't have many doing business like that.

 

[iairj84]

While I definately agree with you at the same time I wonder what your first tank was? Mine was a 10 gallon I got when I was 6 or 7 years old, that I housed probably 2 or 3 common goldfish and then when those died (which was probably pretty soon, although I dont remember all that much) we got a couple tetras and a kuhli loach... Obviously we weren't too informed with either of these purchases but never-the-less they survived for quite some time. Fast forward to age 16 and I decided to get another fish, since betta's were all the rage I ended up with a 1.5 gallon tank and a betta in it. The betta lived for probably a year and a half or so with less than frequent water changes and at 18 I decided to upgrade, I got a 20 gallon high and now I have that original 1.5 gallon the 20 gallon and two 10 gallons. I definately have a case of MTS but it wouldnt be for the 1.5 gallon or the 10 gallon that I started with...

Most families cant afford a 55 gallon for their kids to like for a couple months and then stop caring about.

 

[Tolak]

The difference between setting up a budget 2.5 gallon & a 20 gallon is a lot different that the difference between a 2.5 & a 55. A 2.5 is around $12, a 20 can be had for $25. Heater & filter will only be a few dollars more for the 20 gallon, the only thing that might hurt you is the top & light, though you can find budget tops & lights. A few dollars more for decos, and you aren't even double the price for a 20 gallon. A reasonably sturdy piece of furniture can hold a 20.

A 55 gallon is a major price difference from a 2.5 or a 20. You have to buy or build a stand, the filter will cost much more, etc. Any shop would love to sell a 55 over a 2.5 or 20, it's a good sale. It also practically guarantees a return customer for supplies and such. This is where the money is.

I don't understand the business philosophy behind starting someone with a 2.5, there is little likelihood of having return sales. Shops like that don’t stay in business long.

I started with a 10 gallon for my daughter many years ago. It was understood, 3 small fish that stay small. That has been a guppy or platy tank for the longest time, it has platys now.

 

[iairj84]

You make an excellent point... The 20 gallon kits with hood and all is closer to $100 here at petco.... Most parents wont pay that for their kids without knowing if they'll stick with it. I dont see why they dont upsell to a 10 gallon though, they are around $30 for the kit and will be much better than a 2.5 for any fish.

 

[Tolak]

I think they may have gotten a deal on the smaller tanks & are trying to move them. A 2.5 is great for one betta, or hatching out spawns. I have several of them for hatching, they aren't easy to come by cheap, almost impossible to find used. 10 gallon tanks are everywhere, and dirt cheap.

 

[iairj84]

I know what you mean about the 10 gallons... haha I've got 2 in the garage with nowhere to put them just because I got them for a few dollars... You never know when you'll need them.

 

[dwarfgourami]

It is unfortunate that the shops push their titchy tanks so hard, and with totally unsuitable fish portrayed on the box. IMO beginners should be not be encouraged to buy anything smaller than 60 ltrs (2 foot)- unless they are buying a 5 gallon tank for a betta. Nano tanks can be ok for experienced people who know what they're doing, but are a bad starting point. Here in the UK you don't see so many 10 gallon tanks, but lots of tiny bio-orbs.

If I may stick my neck out, I don't really think parents should let their kids buy pets if the family is not prepared or able to fund the real costs of doing it properly. I mean, what would you think of parents who were prepared to pay for a dog but not for vaccinations? Or for a pony but not for decent stabling? I think it's ok as a parent to tell your child if you can't afford something- they'll just have to wait and see if they can save up themselves, or earn more money when they're grown up. What is not ok is to let them keep pets under substandard conditions. Which is why I have been telling my daughter for the last 5 years that she will not be getting a dog while she is living at home. I am not prepared to take the responsibility of a dog suffering in my home, and I have a much better idea than she does of how much money the family budget can take or how much time we would be able to devote to looking after a dog.

 

[bymauldin]

You guys make an excellent point. At my local Wal-Mart a 10 gallon set up (tank, filter, lights, hood) will run you between $20-$30. If you want to keep tropical then you invest in a small heater-which runs anywhere from $13-$20. Last night I went to Wal-Mart to buy a 5 gallon set up for my betta and some snails and it cost between $30-$35!!!! What on earth? I paid it. I got the tank home and thought about it several hours and have decided that I'll probably be taking it back. Not to mention...on the outside of the box, this 5 gallon (tall) had a picture of 5 gouramis in it!!! I started with a 10 gal, besides all my small betta setups that I've always had. I think 10 is an excellent size to start with. No point in buying a 20-29 gallon and deciding that it's too much upkeep. Get a 10. Give it a try. If you like it get something larger and use the 10 as a hospital tank or a breeding tank. You've already got basic equipment. It shouldn't cost that much more to upgrade.