Buying an aquarium

[nuchumYussel]

Hello, my name is Evan. I would like to know what a reasonable price
for a 20 gallon sal****er tank is, I am also interested in what you
think a 20 gallon freshwater would cost. My lfs is offering $170 for a
20 gallon freshwater tank (includes: stand, tank, filter, gravel,
heater, thermometer and air pumg). I am also wondering as to what you
think a reasonable price for a 55 gallon sal****er tank would cost.
How much do you think a freshwater would cost? My lfs has offered $500
(includes: tank, stand, filter, heater, gravel and protein skimmer).
Thanks for any input!

Evan

[KEITH JENNINGS]

I have set up a 55 gallon freshwater tank for as little as US $220,
including fish. Of course, I used a blanket over concrete blocks and
rough-cut lumber for the stand, used only one powerful air pump with an
undergravel filter, and put a cheap "shop light" over the tank. It wasn't
exactly beautiful, but the fish had everything they needed.

On the other hand, I later had a beautiful 55 gallon sal****er tank with all
the extras, 14 beautiful sal****er fish, several live corals, and 60 pounds
of live rock. This gorgeous tank cost me roughly $ 2,000.

It all depends on whether you will be satisfied with saving money but have
the "do it yourself" look, or prefer things to be more attractive but
costly. On tank prices, I recently saw a used 20 gallon tank with all the
freshwater equipment included for $50 in the newspaper. My favorite LFS
sells about the same setup new for $160. For a 55 gallon, my LFS has one
with all the basic sal****er equip. included for $390.

Another thing to consider is that you can usually get 6 to 30 freshwater
fish for $50 , while the same $50 will buy you only one or two sal****er
fish. If cost is your main concern, search the classified ads in the
newspaper.

If you are just starting in the hobby, you should ask LFS employees if there
is a fish club in your area. Most clubs have auctions a few times a year,
and you can get great deals on fish, tanks, and equipment there. Many fish
club members have lots of experience and can give good advice if you have
questions or problems.

Glad to help;
Keith J.

"nuchumYussel" > wrote in message
om...
> Hello, my name is Evan. I would like to know what a reasonable price
> for a 20 gallon sal****er tank is, I am also interested in what you
> think a 20 gallon freshwater would cost.
<snip>

[~Vicki ~]

Hi Evan, Is this going to be your first fish tank? If it is I would
suggest that you start out with a fresh water set up till you learn a
bit about keeping your fish happy before trying the more demanding salt
water fish. I love my LFS store but I am also thrifty so look in to
some of the large chain stores like K-mart, Wal-Mart, petsmart or petco
for their start up systems. Wal-mart has a 20g set up that unlike
yours, comes with a hood and light for under $100 and the stand is also
under $50. They also sell a 55g set up for $150 and the stand is $80.
Both of these are fresh water set up's but I think a good price. You
can also try some on line stores too. Now once you start messing with
live plants you may need new lighting but there are many plants which do
well in low lighting. One more thing to add is that most all tropical
fresh water fish will adapt to your local water conditions.

Don't let me discourage you from salt water fish tho. Depending on what
you want to keep will depend on the cost. A fish only set up cost next
to nothing to run but your water quality has to be perfect in order for
them to thrive. I have a 55g tank that has a hang on filter and a
skilter on it and a crushed coral substrate and it does well. I also
have what will be a nano reef and the cost for it is high with live
sand, and live rock.

I hope this was some help to ya. Let us know what you decide and we can
help you from there.

Vicki



Hello, my name is Evan. I would like to know what a reasonable price for
a 20 gallon sal****er tank is, I am also interested in what you think a
20 gallon freshwater would cost. My lfs is offering $170 for a 20 gallon
freshwater tank (includes: stand, tank, filter, gravel, heater,
thermometer and air pumg). I am also wondering as to what you think a
reasonable price for a 55 gallon sal****er tank would cost. How much do
you think a freshwater would cost? My lfs has offered $500 (includes:
tank, stand, filter, heater, gravel and protein skimmer). Thanks for any
input!
Evan

Visit me on line at http://shamrock4u.250free.com

[nuchumYussel]

Hi, to answer a questions, I am not a beginner. I forgot to mention
the pack also includes the hood and lights

Evan

[Bassett]

I don,t want to sound rude,, But really your asking a unanswerable question.
If you where to say, that the price of a marine set-up would be triple the
price of a tropicial, you might be somewhere near the mark..
It really depends what your idea of a tropicial or a marine set-up
consists off,
Its a bit like saying , Can I buy a car, Should I buy that old bomb, or that
Porsche thing.. There both cars.

But if your just starting out with fish, and want a starter kit, Go for the
tropicial, or coldwater,, with Guppies, Goldfish, etc.. and learn by
doing.. Please don't spend many thousands of dollars, on a full marine
set-up, and in six months you will have no money and an empty tank.. Treat
fish like a learning curve,, and with fish you will always be learning..
Its all very well, your local aquarium [LFS] telling you what you need,
there not paying for it. Start small, low cost, fish with simple needs, and
in 20 years you will still remember those first fish..
bassett




"nuchumYussel" > wrote in message ...
> Hello, my name is Evan. I would like to know what a reasonable price
> for a 20 gallon sal****er tank is, I am also interested in what you
> think a 20 gallon freshwater would cost. My lfs is offering $170 for a
> 20 gallon freshwater tank (includes: stand, tank, filter, gravel,
> heater, thermometer and air pumg). I am also wondering as to what you
> think a reasonable price for a 55 gallon sal****er tank would cost.
> How much do you think a freshwater would cost? My lfs has offered $500
> (includes: tank, stand, filter, heater, gravel and protein skimmer).
> Thanks for any input!
>
> Evan

[Jon Smith]

Could someone say what a good price in new and used tanks of 10, 20, and 55
gallons including stands
for freshwater fish? Have a single goldfish and would like to expand a
little bit. Also, if buying used what
should I look out for? Should the tank be filled... what should I look to
see if the pump is working
correctly and the correct size for the tank. If there is and sand or
anything on the bottom does it need
to be cleaned in anyway? Have I missed anything?

TIA
Bob




"Bassett" > wrote in message
...
> I don,t want to sound rude,, But really your asking a unanswerable
question.
> If you where to say, that the price of a marine set-up would be triple the
> price of a tropicial, you might be somewhere near the mark..
> It really depends what your idea of a tropicial or a marine set-up
> consists off,
> Its a bit like saying , Can I buy a car, Should I buy that old bomb, or
that
> Porsche thing.. There both cars.
>
> But if your just starting out with fish, and want a starter kit, Go for
the
> tropicial, or coldwater,, with Guppies, Goldfish, etc.. and learn by
> doing.. Please don't spend many thousands of dollars, on a full marine
> set-up, and in six months you will have no money and an empty tank.. Treat
> fish like a learning curve,, and with fish you will always be learning..
> Its all very well, your local aquarium [LFS] telling you what you need,
> there not paying for it. Start small, low cost, fish with simple needs,
and
> in 20 years you will still remember those first fish..
>
bassett
>
>
>
>
> "nuchumYussel" > wrote in message ...
> > Hello, my name is Evan. I would like to know what a reasonable price
> > for a 20 gallon sal****er tank is, I am also interested in what you
> > think a 20 gallon freshwater would cost. My lfs is offering $170 for a
> > 20 gallon freshwater tank (includes: stand, tank, filter, gravel,
> > heater, thermometer and air pumg). I am also wondering as to what you
> > think a reasonable price for a 55 gallon sal****er tank would cost.
> > How much do you think a freshwater would cost? My lfs has offered $500
> > (includes: tank, stand, filter, heater, gravel and protein skimmer).
> > Thanks for any input!
> >
> > Evan
>
>

[NetMax]

"Jon Smith" > wrote in message
. com...
> Could someone say what a good price in new and used tanks of 10, 20,
and 55
> gallons including stands

Rectangular, hex, long or tall tanks? Pressboard, oak, pine, cherry or
tubular steel stand? Shelves, cabinets doors or open underneath? Will
that be in Australian, Canadian or Singapore dollars? ;~) The cost of a
system (tank, canopy & stand) usually falls loosely into thirds, with the
canopy being the most expensive and the tank the cheapest. The next
expenses are filters, heater and gravel, which can vary, depending on
types.

> for freshwater fish? Have a single goldfish and would like to expand a
> little bit. Also, if buying used what
> should I look out for? Should the tank be filled...

That the glass has no significant scratches and the silicone bond is in
good condtion. Could check to see if it holds water too ;~) though I
never bother.

> what should I look to
> see if the pump is working
> correctly and the correct size for the tank.

Powerfilters (hang on the back) are typically rated at 4 to5 times the
tank's volume per hour. Canisters are typically rated at 2 to 4 times.
Everything else falls in between. For Goldfish, multiple your
filteration by 2 or 3 (ie:50g uses 200-250gph, and for Goldfish, go with
500gph with double sponges cleaned on alternate cycles.

http://faq.thekrib.com/filters.html#types

> If there is and sand or
> anything on the bottom does it need
> to be cleaned in anyway? Have I missed anything?

You are just going to have _so_ much fun here:
http://faq.thekrib.com/begin.html

cheers
NetMax

> TIA
> Bob
<snip>