(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