Trying to Buy An Aquarium Kit

[mamajp4]

Hi,:1zhelp:

My daughter has had a small 1-1/2 gallon aquarium with just one beta fish for a little over a year. He recently died (we think it's because she washed the tank and filter with dishsoap. She thought she had rinsed it well, but I think soap got in the filter because soap bubbles appeared once she turned the filter on! Anyway, she would like to try again with a bigger aquarium so she can have a few more fish. We are totally amateurs and she isn't going to have the time or money to do anything too big or fancy. I would like to give her an aquarium kit for her 14th birthday. I bought a kit at PetSmart yesterday, but I'm having second thoughts. I bought a Marineland Half Moon 10 gal glass aquarium kit. It includes a Tetra Whisper 10i in-tank filter, a submersible heater, and 24-bulb LED lighting. It was on sale for $79.99, and price is an issue for us right now. They also had a clearance priced Marineland 20gallon (rectangular) kit with the Bio-Wheel filtration and flourescent lighting, a heater, and a few more extras...it's down to only about $65.

I've read mixed reviews about the Whisper filter...mostly negative. But, I love the design of the aquarium and think my daughter can put it on her desk (HUGE, and VERY HEAVY). I also thought it would be nice to be able to see the "layers" better...the top swimmers, middle, and bottom. She will only have 5-10 small fish total in the 10 gallon tank.

Any opinions or advice for me?

Thanks,
Julie

 

[shaynablizard]

The 20 gallon is definitely a better deal than the 10 gallon. You're going to have a hard time finding fish to cover the layers of a tank that small. Most bottom and top dwellers are schooling fish.
The 10 gallon would be good for a couple scarlet badis, few shrimp, and maybe 4 pygmy (dwarf) cories.
The 20 gallon would have quite a few more options.

 

[SubRosa]

Those infernal, oops I mean internal filters are definitely a weak link. They take up tank space and aren't very efficient at their job. A hang on the back unit is much better. If you want a good kit look at the Marineland Eclipse series.

 

[prober]

I would get the 20 gallon kit. None of the ones with a built in filter are any good.

 

[Nakinata]

Make sure the desk is able to withstand the tank, figure it at about 10 pounds per gallon with decorations and or gravel. A 20 gallon tank would then end up being 200 pounds with water added, this was a problem for me too because I thought I was able to put my 15 gallon on a plywood bookshelf, but ended up having to buy a stand just for the tank.

 

[BettaFishMommy]

return the 10 gallon kit and get the 20 instead. much better for having multiple fish.

a 20 gallon full of water, gravel, decor, etc will weigh approximately 250 pounds, so be sure to put it on something that will hold the weight. your daughter's desk may not be sturdy enough. some cinderblocks, 2x4's, and a piece of plywood will work in a pinch for a stand if money is tight.

 

[excuzzzeme]

While I agree that the 20 gallon is a better buy, major discount stores (such as Walmart) often will have "10 gallon Kits" for about $49.95. They are glass rectangles, not fancy appearing mini-setups. They come with filter, hood/light, water treatment, sample of food. No decor or gravel. I have several of them for raising fry (offspring).

 

[shaynablizard]

While I agree that the 20 gallon is a better buy, major discount stores (such as Walmart) often will have "10 gallon Kits" for about $49.95. They are glass rectangles, not fancy appearing mini-setups. They come with filter, hood/light, water treatment, sample of food. No decor or gravel. I have several of them for raising fry (offspring).

Petsmart frequently has Aqueon 10 gallon kits for 19.99 on sale if you watch their ads. It comes with hood, light, filter, etc. But no decor or heater. I picked up a few for my fry tanks.

 

[jasonG75]

I have to agree with most everyone else. You can (if you have the time) get a 20gal with hood for 15$ and a filter for another $20 with a heater. Check on craigslist and put something together.

 

[Taysius]

While I agree that the 20 gallon is a better buy, major discount stores (such as Walmart) often will have "10 gallon Kits" for about $49.95. They are glass rectangles, not fancy appearing mini-setups. They come with filter, hood/light, water treatment, sample of food. No decor or gravel. I have several of them for raising fry (offspring).

I was also going to suggest this. Probably a better fit for the desk and a rectangle is a much better tank shape for fish than the halfmoon.

Also, since no one mentioned it yet, breaking down the tank and cleaning it and the filter with soap isn't the correct way to maintain a tank. Simple water changes and gravel vacs with a good dechlorinator are what is needed to maintain the beneficial bacteria. Filter media just needs a rinse in the old tank for the most part. I suggest that both you and your daughter read up on the cycling process to get started off right with the new tank. There are stickies here in the forum. It will save a lot of future headache and its great for learning some science as well. As always, feel free to ask any questions and welcome to AC!