Which Tank To Buy.

[karin]

Hi all. I'm in the US and have been looking for a 55 gallon tank.

I have a potential choice here...

1. Craigslist used one month. Probably a Marineland brand (he says he got it at Pet Supermarket) with HOB filter... probably a Tetra. Comes with all the stuff (he didn't know brands) but NO STAND $80.

2. At the LFS, new Aqueaon 55 gallon with thicker glass than a standard marineland. Includes an Aqueon HOB filter and heater and a stand for $300.

Any thoughts?

Anyone have a great sources for aquarium stands? Decent ones.

Thanks

 

[Bebobb]

Personally, I would go with the one from Craigslist. You can always find a stand, or even have one made for you. I love shopping for fish tanks on Craigslist.

 

[erk628]

If you can get a 75 on craiglist for cheap I would go with that. As far as a 55 walmart has a kit comes with the tank, filter,heater, light fixtures, hoods, light bulbs, net and a couple other things like flake food etc for around 160 there black framed. They also have a matching black stand for around 70. Really nice tank and stand it was my first tank about 5 years ago and I still have it up and running. I usually don't like getting tanks from petstores causde there usually over priced. Some times though they run sales were you can get a tank for a dollar a gallon but all you get is the tank.

 

[holidayinn]

Not from the US, but heard many ppl use $1 per gallon guideline for 2nd hand tanks, if thats any help.

 

[snowflake311]

Don't buy a new tank. You will save money on the used one and with that saved money you can buy what ever filter you want. You could also use the extra money for a light upgrade. I bought my 55 gal with stand for $60. Great deals are always popping up. Well not so much in the winter time but come spring and summer there will be more options because these are the times when many people move and do major cleaning.

I'm on Craigslist all the time looking for a 100+ gal and I notice in my area not as many tanks are for sale.

Also try and get a bigger tank then 55 gal you will be happy you did. I'm mad at myself for not waiting for a better deal on a larger tank.

Ps. when you search Craigslist are you looking in both the pet section and doing a general search in the for sale section? If you are not checking both section you are missing out on other tanks.

 

[ajs2294]

I'd go with the craiglist one if its clean and holds water whats the difference? Just check the seams.

 

[FWFishLover]

Not from the US, but heard many ppl use $1 per gallon guideline for 2nd hand tanks, if thats any help.

i live in the US and saw a 10g for $15 so i think erk is right

 

[karin]

Don't buy a new tank. You will save money on the used one and with that saved money you can buy what ever filter you want. You could also use the extra money for a light upgrade. I bought my 55 gal with stand for $60. Great deals are always popping up. Well not so much in the winter time but come spring and summer there will be more options because these are the times when many people move and do major cleaning.

I'm on Craigslist all the time looking for a 100+ gal and I notice in my area not as many tanks are for sale.

Also try and get a bigger tank then 55 gal you will be happy you did. I'm mad at myself for not waiting for a better deal on a larger tank.

Ps. when you search Craigslist are you looking in both the pet section and doing a general search in the for sale section? If you are not checking both section you are missing out on other tanks.

Hi Snowflake. I think you are in Nevada? Where? Reno? I'm in Tahoe City, just up the hill. You want to sell your 55? hahah. Actually 55 is really the only thing I can get by my husband. Our house is kinda small so that is it. Re: craigslist, I run searches on fish tank and then aquarium. Need to do both. I'm just getting a bit sick of driving to see and "excellent tank" and then looking an old decrepit thing or one with big scratches. But I'll see about this next one as supposedly it is only a month old. Not certain I can wait until spring... maybe if this storm really dumps a lot of snow. Off skiing right now and depending on the storm, a tank deal?

Chao.

 

[snowflake311]

Oh my gosh I'm so excited to hear you live up at the lake too. I'm in zephyr cove pretty much across the lake from you. I might be selling my tank in the spring once I get a larger one up and running. Trying to get my husband to be cool with a bigger tank is hard but I won I just have to wait till summer or spring for it.

This storm should be big..

 

[holidayinn]

Not from the US, but heard many ppl use $1 per gallon guideline for 2nd hand tanks, if thats any help.

i live in the US and saw a 10g for $15 so i think erk is right

Yeah, I try to use it when assessing the pricing of tanks in the UK.

This guideline is just for the tank as far as I know. Stand, Filter etc all extra. E.g. a basic 2nd hand 125 gallon, shouldnt pay more then $125, less if its in the UK.

Not sure if that helps anyone in anyway lol