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

[Mort]

"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. 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

Evan, if you are trying to save money, try getting a deal on a used setup.

HTH

~Mort

[Kristen]

(nuchumYussel) wrote:

>...My lfs is offering $170 for a
>20 gallon freshwater tank (includes: stand, tank, filter, gravel,
>heater, thermometer and air pumg).

I haven't been keeping up on current LFS prices, so I can't really
comment on that part, but experience has definitely taught me that
it's a rare "lfs setup" that contains much of anything that's good.
When choosing equipment that will sustain your pets' lives, you need
to choose good stuff that won't crap out on you. Odds are that they
chose equipment that makes them a lot of profit instead (ie, crap.)
If you shop wisely, you don't have to spend a fortune to create a good
setup for yourself.

My advice before you buy equipment is to look at various animals and
plants and what kind of upkeep they need (including ongoing cost,) and
decide what you want first. Then buy the equipment to suit the
animals. For example, if you want freshwater, do you want coolwater
fish like goldfish, and if so, fancy or regular? Or do you want
tropical fish, and if so, large species, small species, specialized
species like african cichlids or discus, etc? Do you want a planted
tank (which will rule out certain types of fish?) How big a tank do
you want to take care of?

Then when you decide on that, if you're not experienced in
fishkeeping, come to the appropriate group here and ask what specific
equipment is recommended and from where should you get it. Basically
if you need to conserve cash, the answer is usually try to get a used
tank locally and order the particular equipment you've decided on
online. Otherwise find a good LFS with a large variety of healthy
fish and friendly, knowledgeable employees and reward only them with
your business. It'll cost twice as much probably, but if you can
afford it, they need the business.

Hope that helps,

Kristen

[Kristen]

(Kristen) wrote:

>It'll cost twice as much probably, but if you can
>afford it, they need the business.

Uh, let me clarify that statement on second thought. I meant "cost
more than buying used/online." Not more than buying from a crappy
store with sick fish and/or nasty employees. There's no difference in
price that I've seen between good and bad LFSs, which is probably why
all the good stores seem to go out of business. :(

If you can afford retail, never spend your money at the bad places if
you can help it at all...

See ya,

Kristen

[LoaderLady]

I agree. I purchase everything separate. I find the "kits" they sell are
just put together to make them profit, and it's full of stuff you don't
need. Buy your tank/canopy separate, and then get a filter, gravel, etc.
You don't need the food, any video's, nets, etc. They are cheaper to
purchase on their own.

Also, not sure which currency you use, to give you an accurate price. I'm
in Canada, and I assume you are in the US.

--
}<> Tammy <>{
Support the Canakin Project with me, by linking to your favorite store from
this address:
http://www.geocities.com/ontario_canakin All Proceeds will be used to
purchase equipment, fish, etc for the Canakin Project

Watkins Business Opportunity
www.tsginfo.com Enter code TD3796
Me and my fish Thank You!!
"Kristen" > wrote in message
...
> (nuchumYussel) wrote:
>
> >...My lfs is offering $170 for a
> >20 gallon freshwater tank (includes: stand, tank, filter, gravel,
> >heater, thermometer and air pumg).
>
> I haven't been keeping up on current LFS prices, so I can't really
> comment on that part, but experience has definitely taught me that
> it's a rare "lfs setup" that contains much of anything that's good.
> When choosing equipment that will sustain your pets' lives, you need
> to choose good stuff that won't crap out on you. Odds are that they
> chose equipment that makes them a lot of profit instead (ie, crap.)
> If you shop wisely, you don't have to spend a fortune to create a good
> setup for yourself.
>
> My advice before you buy equipment is to look at various animals and
> plants and what kind of upkeep they need (including ongoing cost,) and
> decide what you want first. Then buy the equipment to suit the
> animals. For example, if you want freshwater, do you want coolwater
> fish like goldfish, and if so, fancy or regular? Or do you want
> tropical fish, and if so, large species, small species, specialized
> species like african cichlids or discus, etc? Do you want a planted
> tank (which will rule out certain types of fish?) How big a tank do
> you want to take care of?
>
> Then when you decide on that, if you're not experienced in
> fishkeeping, come to the appropriate group here and ask what specific
> equipment is recommended and from where should you get it. Basically
> if you need to conserve cash, the answer is usually try to get a used
> tank locally and order the particular equipment you've decided on
> online. Otherwise find a good LFS with a large variety of healthy
> fish and friendly, knowledgeable employees and reward only them with
> your business. It'll cost twice as much probably, but if you can
> afford it, they need the business.
>
> Hope that helps,
>
> Kristen