What would be the approximate price

[Malbri]

For a 55 gallon tank(new cause ive looked at all the classfieds and there arent any used ones around here) with all the stuff I need (filter, air pump, heater, gravel, decorations, etc)
As cheap as I can go with it still being reliable
I dont really want live plants unless they require very little care

Its for my 3 growing swordtails and probably once its stable a few other fish(some centerpiece like a betta and a few corys or shrimp)

[jessicar613]

I'm going to post how much I've paid so far for the 55 I'm setting up, and then I'm not looking at this thread anymore because I guarantee someone will tell me I got a bad deal. lol I've spent about 300 for the tank, stand (just a cast iron stand) filter, heater, etc plus a few accessories like eggcrate and python. I used pool filter sand ($10 50lbs), a reasonable HOB filter (rated for next size up), a stealth heater. I estimate another 100 at least for two hoods w/ lights, rocks (need a lot, local rockyard .20 a lb), driftwood, and then what am I forgetting... oh yeah, fish! I haven't budgeted for them yet. :rolleyes:


Now I'm leaving this thread!! See ya!

[Malbri]

and I really mean like bare minimum I have a few decorations and fake plants in my ten gallon would this be alright for a while in a 55 gallon just for a while i need to upgrade but I wont have a job for like 2 more months so im on a weekly pay of 25 bucks from an agreement i made with my mom so I could afford this I would add more cover before adding any more fish

[Anns914]

What state do you live in. I would keep looking in the paper, at local pet stores, put an add in the paper for a wanted item. If you buy new it is going to be a bit pricy especially when you jump from 10 gal to 55 gal because of the increase in size with pumps, filters, ect. Just my opinion.

[Malbri]

maine, did you not get my reply to the privat message?

[H3D]

I would say you should be able to get and new 55 gallon aquarium, stand, and accessories all for around $400 or less.

[Malbri]

oh I can get a used stand possibly free from my friend, so dont count the stand in it

[H3D]

oh I can get a used stand possibly free from my friend, so dont count the stand in it OK then $300 or less.

[Malbri]

Okay thanks can anyone recomment good brands that are affordable?

[Malbri]

Im pretty set on the heater, i was thinking marineland visi-therm, cause i have seen that recommended so much, how much to these cost, I was thinking one on each side

[Malbri]

hey is this one good? its a 40 gallon, but still pretty close 2 55

http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_5229_PC_productlist_Nav_217_N_24+1 15_cp_2_Nao_12_sku_897744_familyID_11543.aspx?Ns=P _Price%7c1

[Malbri]

nevermind its acrylic i want glass

[Hound]

If you are looking to buy new and need to get it on the cheap I think I'd have to recommend going ahead and buying the 55g aquarium set up from walmart. I believe they are about $165. Since you can get a stand for free you'll just need substrate and whatever decor you want after that. It's not the best stuff around, but it would do for a time.

Now if your looking for a more quality type purchase. I believe a 55g aquarium with hood should be about $100. Add a pair of AC 50 or Penguin 200 power filters at about $20 each. Then add a 250 watt visi-therm stealth heater for about $21. So roughly $180 to start with, though you would still need substrate, decor, and a thermometer. I'd probably buy the aquarium and substrate locally and the rest from http://www.bigalsonline.com/.

[Malbri]

ya i was really leaning toward the wal mart one casue I cant really find any other cheep enough

[Malbri]

okay I was just adding things to my cart on the big als website
so far its is like 50 something I have added air pump stuff, heater(250 watt), and an ap master test kit

For now I am planning on the 55 gallon kit from walmart, with the filter and lit top and that stuff

Anything else I need?

[Malbri]

besides decor

[Malbri]

and gravel(how much gravel do I need?)

[Malbri]

or sand for rthat matter(what ever the stuff is for plants) cause i eventually want plants

[Importskyline22]

I bought that one from walmart. Very nice. the tank and ehater are manufactured by "All-Glass Aquariums" Which is a nice brand.

IF you have the money. I would deffly recommend buying it.

[danzig]

i was shopping few days ago and noticed 3 55g's for sale.
im in Alberta, Canada if that plays a factor.
Walmart - 55g kit/stand 299.00 (kit incl. canopy/lighting, filter,sample food etc) Tetra brand products i think.
Petland - 55g kit 259.99 marineland possibly?(kit incl canopy/lighting, heater,filters,net, sample food etc etc) no stand.
LFS - 55g kit 269.99( AC 110 filter , AC 250w heater,net, food samples, etc etc. no stand.

these are just what ive noticed while passing by, and looks to be pretty decent for $250-$300 price range.

[danzig]

Edit - "LFS - 55g kit 269.99( AC 110 filter "

Supposed to read AC 70 sorry.

[jessicar613]

I would say you should be able to get and new 55 gallon aquarium, stand, and accessories all for around $400 or less.

Wow, so I did okay? :bday:

I know I wasn't going to come back to this thread but I couldn't resist. lol

[watermelon]

Wal-Mart has the best price on a 55 gallon for $170 and stand for about $60..55 gallon is complete with filter, lights, top, heater..

[Malbri]

Wal-Mart has the best price on a 55 gallon for $170 and stand for about $60..55 gallon is complete with filter, lights, top, heater..

Yup I think Im goin with the wal mart one
I didnt think it came with a heater though even if it does I will probably invest in a good quality one casue it probably isnt very good

So what kind of substrate, I was thinking what ever the people who plant their tanks use so if I do decide to plant it I dont have to put in all new substrate and everything
So what is this called, how much do I need, and how much will it cost

[Daudzegier]

If you have any technical skills, i would try making your own filter with a trip to lowes. I made a wet dry filter for a quarter of the cost of a simple powerhead filter attched to a undergravel filter for a 10 galon. It only took me about two hours of research and about an hour of builidng. It would be great to give you something to do while you arent working for the next couple weeks. (get good at making them, and making them look "preaty" and you can even sell them for a mark up... on ebay CUSTOM FILTERS FOR AQUARIUM!)

[Malbri]

Do you have any links for the ones you have done that have turned out really well?

[watermelon]

Yup I think Im goin with the wal mart one
I didnt think it came with a heater though even if it does I will probably invest in a good quality one casue it probably isnt very good

So what kind of substrate, I was thinking what ever the people who plant their tanks use so if I do decide to plant it I dont have to put in all new substrate and everything
So what is this called, how much do I need, and how much will it cost

The way I was thought that how much substrate you need is you multiply the tank size..The size of the 55 gallon tank is 48 by 13..You multiply that and it is 624 and you take out the last number which leaves 62..You need 62 pounds of substrate for a 55 gallon..

[Malbri]

The way I was thought that how much substrate you need is you multiply the tank size..The size of the 55 gallon tank is 48 by 13..You multiply that and it is 624 and you take out the last number which leaves 62..You need 62 pounds of substrate for a 55 gallon..

thats an interesting way to do it....
How much will this cost an dwhat kind should I get

[Malbri]

*bump*

[jessicar613]

thats an interesting way to do it....
How much will this cost an dwhat kind should I get


I'm using pool filter sand in my 55. It cost $9 for a fifty lb bag. I actually thought 50 lbs was a little too much; I ended up taking a little out so I have an inch and a half to two inches of substrate. You can have some plants with sand or regular gravel, you just have to accept that your choices are going to be limited. If you want to get serious about plants, your substrate, not to mention your lights are going to be much more expensive.

Edited to add, I have Home Depot play sand in one of my 20's, which costs about half as much as the pool filter sand.

[watermelon]

I'm using pool filter sand in my 55. It cost $9 for a fifty lb bag. I actually thought 50 lbs was a little too much; I ended up taking a little out so I have an inch and a half to two inches of substrate. You can have some plants with sand or regular gravel, you just have to accept that your choices are going to be limited. If you want to get serious about plants, your substrate, not to mention your lights are going to be much more expensive.

Edited to add, I have Home Depot play sand in one of my 20's, which costs about half as much as the pool filter sand.

I belive my way is the correct method..I asked an owner of an LFS how much gravel is enough for a 55 gallon before..He told me 60 pounds and the owner has been in business for 30 years...It corresponds to this link about how much gravel is needed in an aquarium which states about measuring the sides of the aquarium..Most people just go by what they think is okay..Here is the link:

http://www.bestfish.com/tips/073098.html

[jessicar613]

I belive my way is the correct method..I asked an owner of an LFS how much gravel is enough for a 55 gallon before..He told me 60 pounds and the owner has been in business for 30 years...It corresponds to this link about how much gravel is needed in an aquarium which states about measuring the sides of the aquarium..Most people just go by what they think is okay..Here is the link:

http://www.bestfish.com/tips/073098.html

Well, whatever he said, I just put a fifty pound bag of sand in my tank day before yesterday, and it gave me an inch to two inches of substrate. Maybe he prefers a deeper substrate, but I don't think there's any "correct" answer to that question.

Since it sounds like his budget is a little tight and cheap sand comes in fifty pound bags, it wouldn't make a lot of sense to buy 100 lbs just to raise the substrate by about a quarter inch. Just trying to save him a little money. :)

[H3D]

Different substrates require different amounts to achieve the same height. Here is a handy tool:

http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html