Choosing a tank & Accessories

[kobes18]

Hello all,

I'm currently in the market for an aquarium, but am unsure as to an appropriate size. I currently have a 2 1/2 gallon with one guppy in it, and after doing a bit of research on this site and others, I feel terrible about it.

I originally planned on a 10 gallon, then realized I would be better off putting a bit more money in for the 20 gallon. After that, I saw a 29 gallon and realized just how much viewing space it has and fell in love

So basically, I'm looking for a 20-29 gallon (if I can get a good price on the larger one). I'm pretty flexible about types of fish (though I don't really have to worry about that yet). I live in a college dorm and will be using my 3 drawer dresser as a stand (ridiculously stable 3'x2' and impossible to move when full).

In terms of filters, several people have recommended the Penguin line, but I would love additional input. Also, I am fairly clueless on heaters. Some places suggest two smaller units while others say one big one. I've heard that the ebo-jagger filters are good, and at the LSF they recommended Rena Cal

Any advice would be very welcome. I have had a few bettas and a couple of goldfish over the years, but never a larger tank. Also, I am worried because I will be moving out at the end of May and possibly again a few months later, and fear that it will be a problem (I am graduating, possibly moving back home for a bit, then hopfully moving out)

Thanks

Amy

[buddha_red]

buy the most aquarium you can afford. a 29 gallon is nice and you can support a small community.

one thing about this hobby, you always want bigger.

i started with 10, then 29 now i have a 10g and a 55g.

once i get a house, im going 110!

[Ems]

I hear ya!
We started with a 5, then a 55 which broke!, then a 50, then a 10, then another 10, and another 10, and another 10, and a 33, and now a 90! (not to mention my betta homes)
Its addictive! All of those tanks are still running too. (with the 33 being used as as sump for the 90, and an additional 10 for a sump on the 50G)
Get the most you can afford, make sure you can afford the appropriate filtration, heating, etc for the tank you want before you buy the tank.
Good luck and let us know what you decide!

[Harlock]

Welcome to AC! You may want to test the dresser to make sure it can hold around 350 pounds for a long while. Also, the Pengiun line is great. They do a good job of keeping the bio-filtration healthy and oxygenated as well as keeping it separate from other media. Other filters works just fine too. If you consider getting live plants, then I would suggest a canister filter. Rena supposedly make a very good one and for a canister filter, it is inexpensive. I use Ebo-Jager heaters and I use two smaller ones. The reasoning is simple. Two smaller heaters means if one faults to on, it isn't likely to fry your fish. If one faults to off, then the other one simply works a little harder and you have time to get a replacement. I've never used the Rena Cal, but when i asked for heater suggestions when I first started out here at AC 2 and a half months ago, the overwhelming response was for Ebo-Jagers and Tronic heaters. Also, as Buddha suggested, get as big a tank as you can afford. More water volume means less worry about toxic spikes and you have greater margin for error if you screw something up.

As for moving with tanks, it is hard to do. They are heavy and really should be moved empty to prevent anything bad from happening. Some folks get away with moving them with gravel and vey little water left in them. If you think the moves will be short, then it is feasible. If you're talking about moving out of state, it becomes less feasible to be able to keep the fish and do so. Best of luck.

[Maj0rFiSh]

Emily, you 55 broke how may i ask?

[Ems]

It was a second hand tank. We had it running for about a year and last year it broke while no one was home. It didn't crack, one of the corners actually came apart and separated. After replacing it with a 50G, and emptying it, we noticed that it had been fixed in the same place before. That's why I wont buy second hand tanks. I'd rather be the first owner of it! Needless to say, we got rid of it. Didn't want to fix it and risk having it break again.