10 gal. kit from Wal Mart or do it myself?

Rava

Rava

Betta Babe
Dec 26, 2002
223
0
16
CA
I can't find my note that I made of what the 10 gallon kit at Wal Mart comes with, but I'm wondering if anyone knows if it's a better idea to buy the kit or just put a 10 gal. setup together yourself? Is one cheaper/better?

I have an empty 10 gallon tank (has nothing for fish, just a plain glass tank), but it has been cleaned with chemicals, and I don't know if I can clean it so it's suitable for fish?

Also, does anyone have a step-by-step fishless cycling guide? I'm trying to fishless cycle my 5 gallon, but I really have no clue what I'm doing... Hehe. Thanks. :)
 
Those starter kits at Wal-Mart are absolutely horrible, but mind you that is my opinion. I do not like anything that comes with the kit really... so I am somewhat biased in that sense, however it is more expensive to buy all your own stuff. You will not regret it though!

I'll let someone else with more time explain fishless cycling. However, here is a good starter link:

http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/startover/fishless.shtml

RTR had one that was more complete (it was either by the same author or the same website, but it was an updated version of this article I guess), but I do not remember the site address!
 
Thank you, AFG! So now I'm faced with not having a test kit until after Christmas. *sigh* Can't put out the money for one now, and I'm not sure how to properly dose the ammonia and check the Nitrate levels without one.

Another question... If I can get this 5 gallon cycled by the time I get my 10 gallon set up, I can just use the filter media from the 5 gal. to cycle the 10 gallon quite quickly, right? And all that involves is taking the filter cartridge from the 5 and putting it in the 10 gallon's filter?
 
Yes, well you can just take the filter media out and place it in the new filter. Those who have 2 filters have an advantage because they can take the whole filter out and place it in the new tank. But yes - the media will also work really well, as would water from the cycled tank, some gravel, etc. This extra stuff is all optional though, it isn't needed but will only help your newly setup tank. ;)
 
I have two of the tropical 10 setups from walmart. I have a few complaints. One being that I would rather shop at my LFS and support the little guy. and the other is that I wish I would have bought a bigger one! then I would have a nice 29 and not two 10s.

The equipment in mine has functioned well for just over a year.
 
walmart kits arent too bad, the filter itself is made by marineland. i say get your owqn stuff. i forget how much the walmart kits are but you can get youself a tank. most of the stores sell them for a dollar a gallon. so you can get a 40 gallon which is a nice size tank. build your own stand and canopy for 20 bucks and get the heater and filter off big als. everything would be around a hundred dollars. even cheaper if you go with a 20 gallon breeder tank. the 10 is too small to have too much stuff, i have a couple just sitting in storage because they are so small.
 
I had good luck with my first kit- Upgrade the bulbs to fluorescent (or get the fluorescent kit), get some good substrate, and you have everything you need- substantially cheaper than buying each individual part. The price I paid for my kit was about $5 more than what I would have paid for the hood alone. If money is a limiting factor, it may be a good option...

I've had no problems with the whisper filter, or any other components after I discovered halogen lighting. Since you already have the tank, I say pick whatever components you like.
 
Thank you, Texas! I do not wish to support any of the local pet stores I've gone into so far (for various reasons), but I have one left to check- and it's an actual LFS, so I shouldn't have to worry about them selling puppies or anything. :P So if they're a good store I'll definitely price individual items there. The only downside of that place is it's 20-30 minutes away, so it's not easy to go just pick up what I need, as I need it.

Blitz, I don't have room for anything larger right now. Otherwise I know that's alot better choice! Plus I already have the tank, and a heater (if it works and I can figure out how to use it :rolleyes: ).

Analog, thanks! I currently have the Whisper 2-10 filter in my 5 gallon, and I like how quiet it is. :) At Petsmart the hood was about $30 if I remember correctly, so I was a little concerned about that. I know I'm going to have a harder time putting out these 'large' amounts of money in spurts rather than all at once. Silly, but that's how I'm wired, I guess. I think I need to take a look at the 10 gallon kit again and check out what comes with it, then I'll decide what to do.

But is it possible to use my tank for fish if it's been cleaned with chemicals and housed a hamster?

So my goal is to have my 5 gallon fully cycled by the time I'm ready to purchase and set up a 10 gallon, then... Good luck to me! :p
 
It's by a company called Melaleuca (not sold in stores). The 'ingredients' are: Cleaning agents (nonionic and cationic surfactants), solvents, solubilizer, water softening agent, buffering agent, fragrance and preservative.

It's biodegradeable, and free of phosphates, ammonia and chlorine bleach.

Hope that helps! I'm pretty sure that's all I've ever used on the tank.
 
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