I want to start a cichlid tank, but I live in Canada and fish tanks are quite expensive here. At my LFS a 50 Gallon Hagen Tank (I think AllGlass makes Hagen Tanks?) with hood and stand costs about $500 and that's without filters, heaters, gravel, decortations etc. However, at My local Walmart they have a 55 Gallon tank with hood, heater, filter etc. for about $300. I know that the filter and heater aren't that great, but I have a friend with an AC 500 so it's not that big of a deal. I have also been looking in the classified ads for quite some time, but there are no deals to be found. Most tanks are only slightly cheaper than new so it makes more sense just to buy a new tank. I was just wondering if anyone knows who makes Walmart's Tanks, or if anyone has had any experience with them. Are they good? Should I just save more and get the Hagen?
Walmart Tanks?
- Thread starter GT3050
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I got my 55 gal from Wal-Mart. It was manufactured by Regeant or something like that I believe, but they're probably all different.
I haven't had any problems with it whatsoever, but the glass looks thinner to me than some other 55 gal tanks I've seen at the LFS. Might be my imagination though.
I'd check out the glass thicknesses if you're looking at some of the more destructive cichlids. I decided against keeping an Oscar in this tank because of their destructive behavior, but he would have probably been fine and I'm just paranoid
I haven't had any problems with it whatsoever, but the glass looks thinner to me than some other 55 gal tanks I've seen at the LFS. Might be my imagination though.
I'd check out the glass thicknesses if you're looking at some of the more destructive cichlids. I decided against keeping an Oscar in this tank because of their destructive behavior, but he would have probably been fine and I'm just paranoid
walmart tanks work fine. i bought a 10g tank from them after dropping my tank during a cleaning routine (don't ask). walmart was awesome for opening till 11pm, so i got a replacement in time.
for just 8.95, it was the cheapest price i could find locally. the only drawback is their somewhat sloppy application of silicone, which is not very neat and uniform. if you can overlook that, it's good to go. otherwise, petsmart has the same capacity tanks for 9.99 with neater silicone sealant. personally, for a buck more, i would opt for petsmart. hth.
for just 8.95, it was the cheapest price i could find locally. the only drawback is their somewhat sloppy application of silicone, which is not very neat and uniform. if you can overlook that, it's good to go. otherwise, petsmart has the same capacity tanks for 9.99 with neater silicone sealant. personally, for a buck more, i would opt for petsmart. hth.
I have bought a 10 gallon (package)tank from Walmart for about $30. It seems to be about the same quality as My 55 gallon that I bought from PetsMart ($99). 10 gallons are now selling with hood/light for $25, or without hood/light for $8.99 at PetsMart.
I personally found both my 10 gallon and the 55 gallon to be "lacking" in the quality department. Globs of silicone around the seams (mostly on bottom and less seen areas) which can cause problems when applying a piece of plexi to the bottom of the tank (hard to get it flat!). The brand from Walmart is Regent, which is a low quality version from Hagen....just like Penguins, but without the bio-wheel technology. They even use the same filter pads!
My personal opinion is to buy the cheaper brands up to 55 gallons (which are only about $99), but whenever you go up to 75 gallons, I'd go with a "real" name brand (Oceanic, AGA, etc.). Just look at how much you are investing then!
I personally found both my 10 gallon and the 55 gallon to be "lacking" in the quality department. Globs of silicone around the seams (mostly on bottom and less seen areas) which can cause problems when applying a piece of plexi to the bottom of the tank (hard to get it flat!). The brand from Walmart is Regent, which is a low quality version from Hagen....just like Penguins, but without the bio-wheel technology. They even use the same filter pads!
My personal opinion is to buy the cheaper brands up to 55 gallons (which are only about $99), but whenever you go up to 75 gallons, I'd go with a "real" name brand (Oceanic, AGA, etc.). Just look at how much you are investing then!
Unfortunately, a lot of us that are north of the border do not have as many options for aquarium supplies. A 55gal setup at the LFS will run over 500$ just for the tank, hood and stand. I went with the Walmart 20gal kit (bought it pretty cheap) and the tank seems pretty solid, but you are right about the sloppy application of silicone. Now that I am looking at getting a larger tank up and running, the Walmart 55g is the best price by far. I still might spring for a little more $ and have a stand built and go with a 72gal. I'd kill for the deals you can get in the states.
I think that Regent makes all or almost all of Wal-Mart's tanks. They're pretty good, but I would check the silicone to make sure that it had a pretty good seal before I put the tank anywhere where leakage would be a problem.
Is there a city in America that is close to you that you can drive to to get one? If you could save a couple hundred dollars it might be worth the gas and a two hour drive.
Just wanted to add I am not sure what the exchange rate is so I do not know what 500 Canadian is but I got my 55 at Petsmart. I saw a scratched up stand and got it for cheap. The whole thing with gravel, heater, filters etc was $330. That includes stand and hood and tank of course.
Just wanted to add I am not sure what the exchange rate is so I do not know what 500 Canadian is but I got my 55 at Petsmart. I saw a scratched up stand and got it for cheap. The whole thing with gravel, heater, filters etc was $330. That includes stand and hood and tank of course.
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$500 CAN--->$343.05 US
Buy in the States if these deals exist near you...there is little difference in price, and the craftsmanship is much better. (Though you should follow my previous advice if this isn't possible...just check the silicone.)
I believe that Regent is actually a marketing division of marineland, hence why you can use the Regent filter pads in Penguin filters. Marineland owns perfecto, which makes it likely that walmart tanks are perfecto.
I do know for sure that perfecto manufactures tanks for PetSMart. It wouldn't surprise me if they are in other chains as house brands.
I do know for sure that perfecto manufactures tanks for PetSMart. It wouldn't surprise me if they are in other chains as house brands.