Newbie Needs Reality Check - Buying First Tank (Acrylic)

N

Naught

AC Members
Jan 7, 2010
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Hi,

I'd like to buy a 20-30 gallon for our living room. I think I have researched this as far as I can without actually having a tank or even a fish yet. Now it's time to ask experienced users for a reality check of where I am heading.

My priorities (in order of priority):

1. SAFETY for kids (3 and 5 years old)
2. Safety for home (no leaks)
3. Safety/health of fish
4. Looks good in living room
4. Minimum upkeep/skill
5. Costs ($500-$1,000 budget)

I have read about 1,000 articles on glass vs. acrylic. I know each type has diehard fans. I decided on acrylic because of my first two priorities. However, no stores near me have acrylic tanks on display... my main question is how they look on top without a traditional hood, and how do I know if a filter I pick will fit, etc.

I have also decided that I am fine with the simplest freshwater tank w/artificial plants, and not bio-loaded to the max. I'd like to get a lot of smaller fish that are hardy and school with a couple bottom dwellers.

I decided 30 gallons maximum because I know if I get 55+ range it gets awfully heavy on the floor. Also, we don't have a sink in the living room! I decided on at least 20 because everything I read says larger tanks are easier for a newbie to control the environment. Also, I think I need at least 20 to look good in the living room.

Here is what I am considering (maybe or maybe not from these vendors):

Tank:

Cobolt Blue background:

http://www.meijer.com/catalog/produ...y=1&itemGUID=0b37cf9bc0a8877b59063fad8557535d

I like that it is not too tall (I read that gives fish more oxygen), the lower center of gravity, and long display)



Stand:

The Red Oak one:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3732+16781&pcatid=16781

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...mbid=4241&thumbpage=1&list=4240,4241&breeds=1

I have sent the vendor an e-mail asking if this stand is suitable for acrylic tanks (support across entire bottom).

Questions:

1. Is the canopy worthwhile? Or would it look wierd without one (I cannot find any pictures of acrylic tanks set up with top showing)
2. 14" depth seems skinny to me, but virtually all tanks I see for tanks this size are like that. It'll be really heavy... how easy could it tip?!! (remember Priority #1).
3. I read acrylic tanks are less sensitive to being off-level than glass... just how level do I need to get it? It'll be on carpet.
4. Filter/heater kit recommendations etc. that would fit without modifying or cutting the tank.
5. Am I missing anything?

Thanks!!

ps - I have a net.
 
you might not want a show tank simply because its only 12" deep. It might just be my personal preference but i dont generally recommend them.

I also vote against artificial plants. You can get low-light/maintenance plants like anubias, java fern/moss and amazon swords. looks ages better than fake.

Dont think im trying to bash your setup, just stating my opinion. do what you feel is right :)
 
Welcome to Aquaria Central! Sounds like you have done a great deal of research and are well on your way to having an awsome tank. I can not speak on the acrylic specific questions you have as I do not have one myself. I do know that you do need to be careful on the implements you use to clean them as they are prone to scratching.

I can, however, answer a question about safety in reguards to little ones. Being a father of 3 myself (7, 4, and 20months) I can relate to your concern. You can count on the tank with all gravel and decor in place weighing in at apx 10lbs per gallon. You are talking about roughly 300 lbs sitting on a sturdy stand with a generous foot print. I myself have a 29 gallon tall (24" tall x 24" long x 12" deep) on a rather tall stand on hardwood and have not had reason to fear the little ones pulling it over. It is quite heavy and firmly planted.

The carpet is not an ideal surface. Many suggest removing the portion of carpet and pad under the tank, putting down a small section of lanolium (sp?) floor with carpet bars finishing the look. On the other hand, I'm sure that not every tank in history has failed on carpet. That is a rather big step to take for a fishtank.

As far as plants vs. no plants its up to you. I can tell you that I am able to grow several types of plants with no special lighting, fertalizers, or mechanical gadgets. I, personally, feel it makes for a better habitat. If you reconsider please check out the planted forum for low tech/ low light set ups. They can be beautiful and easy to maintain. Or ask further questions within this thread. We will be more than happy to answer.

Hope someone chimes in on the acrylic specific concerns. Please post pictures of your new setup as it comes along. We love pictures here.
 
Ok, I have 3 kids (1, 4, and 6 year old). They have bumped into my glass 55 dozens of times and has never been a problem. Galss tanks are pretty durable as long as they are professionally made and the seals at the corners are still flexible. The other thing is that even a 30 gallon tank will be 300 pounds, which is way too heavy to be moved by a small child. As long as they are not climbing on top of it or hitting it with a baseball bat, it should be fine. I have had acrylic in the past and scrathces really became a problem.
I would reccomend getting a used tank from someone local, and giving it a good look over. Go for the biggest tank you can get and care for, it will be easiest in the long run. A 40 gallon breeder tank would be nice. Almost all tanks look nice in your home as long as they are stocked approriately and well kept.
If you go acrylic, just make sure you know how to clean it without scratching it, and stay away from sand or gravel that scratches.
 
ditto ^^^ I have a 40 breeder that sits on top of a dresser in the guest room. It's very sturdy, lots of room for plants and things. A 30 breeder is the same footprint, just a little shorter.
 
i have to agree with the people saying that acrylic gets scratched up. my kids(1, 3, 5 and 9) have put a few nice scratches on my acrylic 29g but it still looks pretty good. so far my glass 10g tanks are good, no scratches and none have ever been knocked over. i'd definately go for a canopy as opposed to glass top. it's way less interesting to the little ones and it seems more 'off limits' to mine anyways. i don't see the tank being too shallow. i'd go for plants if possible. they look good(way better than plastic), help keep the water balanced between water changes, the fish seem to like them and they make maintenance easier if you go with lots of lowlight plants. if you get a python it won't matter how big your tank is or that you have no sink in the livingroom. i can also strongly suggest that you get some nice natural looking gravel and avoid florescent colors. kids may like them but in a year or so, you'll wish you'd have put something natural and if you get up the steam to switch it, it's a lot of hassle. good luck and welcome to the hobby.
 
Thanks for the great replies!

As far as live plants, I like that idea. I'll need to research it more... I always thought they needed special lights, substrate etc. I'll look into it more if they are not too hard.

As far as the carpet, I have no handyman skills. My wife will nix the project if I start tearing out carpet (or paying a handyman to). Would going to a smaller size help? I'll need to research this more.

WeedCali, I am still flexible on tank shape/dimensions. Why do you not recommend 12" deep? Look funny, not stable, hard to clean or poor water circulation/thermal control?
 
12" deep, front to back is a pretty common deminson in aquarium footprints. Here is a link to a website with glass aquarium tank deminsions. http://www.thekrib.com/TankHardware/size-chart.html
Even your common 55gal tank is 12.5" deep.

The python water change system is a hefty inital cost, however, it is well worth it.

I do not believe that a smaller tank would make a difference as far as carpet goes. Actually quite the contrary. I believe that a heavier tank will stand a better chance of compressing carpet and foam. With a glass aquarium you would probably want to stay within 1/8" of level. Use Cedar shims across the front and/or sides untill level. Try to make sure you shim more than just the corners, you'll need support across the whole of the base. Also, use a playing card to measure the gap between the stand and the tank. This is a step alot of people forget. If you can slide the playing card between the tank and the stand you're asking for the tank to bear the load in that spot, not the wood. Alot of people use a very thin layer of styrofoam between tank and stand to hep offset this problem. They make a styrofoam that is near paper thin available at home depot, or lowes or any home improvement store for that matter.

Common low light plants that I grow with standard aquarium lighting include:
Anubias Lanceolata
Anubias Nana narrow leaf
Amazon sword "ruby melon"
Crypt Lutea
African Water Fern
Guppy grass

Here is a link to an aquatic plant profile page you may find usefull:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/myplants/All_Plants/0/0

Here is a link to other common low light plants:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/low-tech-forum/56042-excellent-list-low-light-plants.html

Hope this helps in your search.
 
Even though I don't rent I would never cut a patch out of my carpet to put a tank on. If your tank stand footprint is 24"x12" I would get a piece of 1" plywood at 36"x24" to put it on. You can stain/paint it to match your decor of the room. If you stain remember to seal it with 3 coats of polyurethane so the smell of the stain won't choke you off. I think this would help a lot for stability on carpet.

I know I'm going to do this for my 65 gal that I'm setting up in Feb. Of course my footprint will be different. This will distribute the weight of the stand evenly over the carpet rather than letting the frame work of the stand to settle and crush down the carpet unevenly.
 
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Just put your stand and tank on whatever flooring you have.Carpet,tile,wood.It will be fine.Never heard not to put tanks on carpet before.

Unless you are looking to get a large tank,get glass.Acrylic is so much more expensive,and is so easy to scratch.So unless it is more than a 220,get glass.

I would not get anything smaller than a 30.A 30 would be perfect for what it sounds like you want.A 3 foot tank will look big,and allow you too keep some schoolers,and have enough water to make maintaining it easy.
I would not stick to a 30 if you are worried about the weight though.A 55 or 75 will be fine in any home,on any floor.If the floor will support furniture with people sitting on it,it will support a tank.

Canister filters need to be cleaned less often,and just work better IMO.There are lots of different brands to choose from.Marineland stealth heaters are also good.If you get a canister filter,you could put a in-line heater on it and have less equipment in your tank.

Like the others have said and suggested,go with live plants.There are lots that are low light and easy to maintain.

Acrylic is more likely to burst a seam if not perfectly level than a glass tank.But having either level is important.I have a 55 on carpet that I used plastic shims to get it level.It's easy to do.

Get yourself a python for water changes.You won't regret it.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3910
Depending on how much hose you will need,they are not that much money,and worth every penny.

The canopy is up to you.I personally don't care for them.But they look fine with or without them.Acrylic or glass.

Don't forget to cycle your tank before adding fish,and good luck!
 
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