New 55 gallon aquarium?

SubluxT7

SubluxT7

Biology Major
Jul 29, 2006
351
0
0
44
Virginia Beach, VA
Real Name
Sandra
Ok,

I'm trying to figure out wheter I should buy the 55 gallon for walmart (and the stand), and replace the filter and lights, or just go barebones and buy everything seperately. I want peoples opinions. I want the tank to be FW and I want to try some live plants this time (any cuttings would help :clap: . Also, I would like to know what king of lighting I should get for this tank if I want live plants! I have to worry about CO2, so im gonna read up on that, I just want opinions. Right now the only for sure thing going into the tank are my 3 green cories. Other than that I am open for suggestions!!!

Sandy
 
Since your planning on platns, I woudl go the "bare bones" route so you don;t waste any money on the inadequete filter, lighting an lid.

SubluxT7 said:
I have to worry about CO2, so im gonna read up on that, I just want opinions.
Click to expand...

Not completely true. From what I've been reading and my expierince with water wisteria, you don't absolutely need to worry about anything really - provided that you keep a fair population of fish, deep enough gravel and no more than 2 wpg of normal output flourescent lighting. You will get growth, however you won't get crazy growth where you have to trim every week and you won't/shouldn't get much if any pearling.
 
Go barebones. That way, you get exactly what you want/need and don't pay for anything extra. You can get a 55 from Petland for about $80. Filters are pretty cheap on-line. You can get some of the better hang on backs for about $30. I got my eheim 2215 cannister for $90, way below LFS retail. That was from jcaquatics.com....that's not an ad, that's just the one I used and know off the top of my head.

Lighting, as I'm sure others will tell you, depends entirely on what kind of plants you want to grow. No matter you want to grow, go to ahsupply.com for the light kits. You'll save a ton of money, they're easy to make and work really well.

I'm happy with the Walmart stand. It's cheap. It's sturdy. It gets the job done. Just wish it was 5 or 6 inches taller.

Good luck.
 
SubluxT7 said:
Ok,

I'm trying to figure out wheter I should buy the 55 gallon for walmart (and the stand), and replace the filter and lights, or just go barebones and buy everything seperately. I want peoples opinions. I want the tank to be FW and I want to try some live plants this time (any cuttings would help :clap: . Also, I would like to know what king of lighting I should get for this tank if I want live plants! I have to worry about CO2, so im gonna read up on that, I just want opinions. Right now the only for sure thing going into the tank are my 3 green cories. Other than that I am open for suggestions!!!

Sandy
Click to expand...

Most barebones are more expensive than the walmart set anyway. I saw those at walmart, they are really good price. The tank is AGA and has matching stand. I think the whole thing was around 300 bucks. Good buy, just throw the junks that come with it in the closet as backup or use for q tank.
 
gagaliya said:
Most barebones are more expensive than the walmart set anyway. I saw those at walmart, they are really good price. The tank is AGA and has matching stand. I think the whole thing was around 300 bucks. Good buy, just throw the junks that come with it in the closet as backup or use for q tank.
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Yeah, it ends up being about 275 with the tank and stand. Still debating....

Sandy
 
Just my 2 cents. I own a Wal-Mart kit 55 and have no complaints. Everything does what it's supposed too. If they haven't changed them there's no way to adapt the twin hood setup to push enough watts for mid to high light plants imho.

as far as the heaters and filters, I've never had a problem other than some of the filters can be loud as they age. I had a cheap Wal-Mart HOB that lasted for 12 years on a 10 gallon. I don't understand the problem everyone seems to have with their equipment :confused:
 
I've found the bare bones to cost alot more. I just get the kits. If theres something you don't want it in, either keep it for emergencies or sell it.

As far as the plants go, maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I have live plants in 4 of my tanks and I don't fert or CO2. They are growing rapidly and are really healthy. For me, my plants are just decoration and hidey places for my fish. I don't put too much thought into them.
 
I don't know where you guys get your equipment but I think by going barebones you'll get stuff that's a LOT higher in quality for relatively low cost. For example, this is what my set up cost:

$80 for the 55 from petland
$20 for the heater
$5 for the thermometer
$90 for the eheim canister filter (2215....twice the size needed for a 55)
$120 for the AH supply light kit after assembly (that's probably a little too higher than it actually cost, I don't remember the exact number)
$75 for the walmart stand

That's $390. Yes, she's spending more but she'd be getting MUCH better stuff than what's given to her in the kit. She could even save money by opting for a HOT filter or two. Like I said, you can get some pretty good quality filters (aquaclear...is that good? I don't know) on-line for like $30 (and that's for the size you need for a 55). You could get two for $60, have some very good filtration and good lighting and be paying like $360.

Otherwise, she'd be spending the $275 for the inadequate lighting and the relatively weak filter. She'd have to spend the $120 for the better lights (that's assuming she goes for the AH kit. Otherwise she could wind up spending a heck of lot more) and another $30 at least for a better filter. That comes out to $425 at least. It's her money so, in the end, she'll wind up doing what's best for her but, I really think she could save herself some money by piecing it all together......Just my 2 cents.
 
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