Best Starter Tank??

[GT3050]

I will be buying a tank soon with the hopes of keeping some cichlids in it. I would like to keep Con's, JD's, or a GT. I have been looking at two options for my first tank. My first option is a 33 gallon (36x13x18) hagen kit. This setup is pretty well complete, as in I wouldn't have to change any of the components. My second option is a 55 gallon (48x13x22) walmart kit. The cost of the kits are almost the same; however, I think I would swap out the filter and heater and the walmart tank. What tank should I buy?

[superstein61]

The 33 is too small for what you plan to keep. The bigger the better with those cichlids

[Sum-X]

Agreed, more space, more active.

I would get the wal-mart 55, but switch out, or just add say an Emp400 to it. I think they only give you like a whisper, which has around 300gph, but its biological, I would definetly get a bio wheel, for anything bigger than a 30 gallon.

[125gJoe]

http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
I agree, get the 55... :)

[Slappy*McFish]

agreed, a 55 is the best starter tank for anyone.

[slipknottin]

I like the 75 gallon the best, the additional room front to back makes aquascaping much easier

[somefinnfishy]

Originally posted by Slappy*McFish
agreed, a 55 is the best starter tank for anyone.

The bigger the better!Think of your tank like a car WHEN your tank crashes would you rather have your fish in a geo or a suburban?
On the other hand cost per gallon you will not find a cheaper tank to run than a 55.

[FishmasteR2002]

When you get your first tank get the biggest one you can afford, the bigger the better. Go with Cons they are pretty fish and only get about 6" to 7" and are very easy to breed. Also don't plan on putting any plants in the tank with them(they like to dig). I am having that problem right now with my Con and my Firemouths.

[NJ Devils Fan]

What are the exact things that come in each kit and how much is each?

[scott]

Bigger is better, go with the fifty-five it is much easier to add a filter than deal with setting up a bigger tank in six months when you decide you want one.

[GT3050]

The hagen kit costs $243.88 cdn, and comes with a 33 gallon hagen aquarium (36x13x18), a fluorescent hood, a heater, an AC 300, and a few extras like a thermometer, net, food etc. The walmart kit costs $269.97 cdn and comes with a 55 gallon aquarium (48x13x22), I'm not sure of who makes it, I've been told that it's either mad by All Glass Aquariums, or Marineland. The kit also comes with a fluorescent hood, a filter by marine land (a penguin 330 without the bio-wheel), a heater and extras like the thermometer, net food etc.

[NickH]

Don't waste your time and money with anything less than a standard 75 gallon tank. Anything smaller is a precursor to an upgrade.

You need the 18" front to back space if you want to keep foot long cichlids. The standard 55 is only 13" front to back. It's a big tank for small fish. The 75 is a small tank for big fish. Does that make sense?

[DarthV]

GT,

The walmart tank is made by marineland, or I am assuming so since they also sell Pefecto stands and the aqua-tech filters are rebanded marineland equipment.

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. The price difference between a 55 and a 72 is HUGE here. I think I have the extra money to go with the 72g, but I don't know if I want to pay close to 2x the cost of the 55. The 72g is about $280CAD and a hood for it will be close to $200CAD with lights. Add in a stand and it gets very picey very quickly. If I do go with the walmart route, I'll just get the $299CAD tank + lights/hood + stand kit and buy the filter and other stuff from a LFS.

[NickH]

Isn't the 72g a bowfront tank? Specialty tanks will always cost a premium. Stick with the standard rectangular shape.

[somefinnfishy]

man that blows I can buy a 75g with lids and lights for $159 us:D The stand extra $119 and a power filter&heater from big als $60
for a grand total of $338

[dethjam316]

of those 2 choices, the 55 is the way to go...though i liked nick's description: a 55 as a big tank for small fish, a 75 as a small tank for large fish...the maximum size fish one could keep in a 55 is probably about 10 inches, maybe slightly bigger, since 55 are 13 inches wide, ie fish need to be able to turn around.

a 55 is a good starting tank if you have the space and want those kinds of fish...of course for your average person starting out, i've always though a 29 or 30 was a good starter...large enough to avoid wild swings in parameters, small enough where you didn't make a huge committment if you lose interest...

but then again, i'd advise a community tank first, but i guess that's not for everybody.

[Tyler718]

IMHO and personal experience, by the biggest tank that you can afford. As time goes by you'll want something bigger and it'll give you more options of what you can keep in it. Also, with a larger tank if you run into problems it won't be as catatrophic (sp?) than with a smaller tank. I would go with the 55.

Hope this helps some,

Dave

[superstein61]

Originally posted by NickH
Isn't the 72g a bowfront tank? Specialty tanks will always cost a premium. Stick with the standard rectangular shape.

yea, but bowfronts look so much better - especially if its a show tank

[GT3050]

There are 72 gallon rectanguar tanks. They messure 48x18x20.

[caz]

have you ruled out the options on looking for a used tank? used 55s sell cheap by me.

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by GT3050
There are 72 gallon rectanguar tanks. They messure 48x18x20.

Thats a 75 :p

[GT3050]

I have been looking for used tank, but their are never any deals to be found. I don't think there are enough aquarists in a town of 80 000. :P