Aquariums Kits

[ZX300SI]

Since I dont have a clue on how to do a poll I got to do it the hard way...

Top Fin 10 gallon starter kit
10 gallon tank
incandesent canopy
2 bulbs
top fin power filter
sample fish food
net
booklet
sample water conditioner and start rite
heater thermoniter
movie on how to set it up (I think)
$$$ 69.99 canadian

Hagen 10 gallon aquarium kit
10 gallon tank
incandesent canopy
2 bulbs
2 plastic plants
nutra fin fish food
aqua clear mini power filter
sample aqua plus and cycle
fish new
mivie
thermonitor
booklet
$$$79.99 canadian

WHICH ONE IS THE BETTER DEAL???

 

[HeatherSweetness]

I'd get the first one sounds like a better quality filter.

 

[EddieW]

I personally would avoid incandescent lighting. It adds heat to the tank, costs more to run and it is difficult to get bulbs with the correct colour temperature for fish tanks.

You should be able to sort out a basic tank with a fluorescent hood with the bits you need for around the same price as a kit with the added bonus that you will be able to pick what suits YOU rather than what Top Fin or Hagen think you should have.

The last time I bought a kit I opened the box in the store and took out a load of the bits and gave them to the shop to give to a new starter. I still have lots of unopened bits in my cupboards for 'emergency use'.

Cheers, Eddie

 

[ZX300SI]

Well Ial chooseing a kit beacause a 10 gallon tank with a canopy is $39.99 and the cheapest power filters are about 25-50 bucks same as the heaters and what not...

 

[guppymonkey]

I would go with the top fin tank but thats just because I like the top fin tank kit my girlfriend got me for christmas (55 gallon woohoo!). If you are a complete newbie to the hobby of fish keeping the top fin kit is really helpful. The tape helps with setting up and cycling the tank (which suprised me because most kits just say how to set it up and let the owner fumble their way through keeping the fish). My kit was from PetsMart so it just "happened" to mention (about 50 times) that you could get fish and supplies from "your local friendly PetsMart"! I would suggest saving up some money and getting a flourescent lighting system though. It looks better and doesn't give off as much heat as incandescent bulbs.

 

[Dragonslair]

It is a matter of choice and how deep your pocket is.
The thing to remember is. If you are serious about the hobby, buy the best you can afford. Buy the largest tank you can afford to run, it'll save you many bucks in the long run. If your pocket can afford it, try for a Juwel tank, they come in many sizes and are quite smart also.

 

[De Plano]

You can get compact flourescent bulbs for incandescent hoods. They cost a bit (11 dollars for a ten watt bulb) but they are much brighter and not as hot.

 

[ZX300SI]

ummm well since I have allredy bought a 10 gallon stand I think Ill stick with a 10 gallon tank for now so about these floresent bulbs are thet a derect replacement bulb or do I have to do some coustomizing? umm and will it like blow up the canopy? also Iam going to puechase the tank from petsmart they also have a 10 gallon hexogon kit for 89.99 comes with eveything but with a floresent hood.. so i dono yet..

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Volume vs. volume you can't fit nearly as many fish in a hex tank - they look nice for show, but are a pretty poorly designed system for the fish. Go for a plain rectangle, you get more for the money, and in effect get a 'larger' tank out of it.

Go with the flourescent bulbs, it's worth it. They give off less heat, will create less algae problems, and look much, much nicer. You would need to get a new canopy. Either see if they will upgrade your kit, or consider purchasing everthing seperately. Big Als will let you upgrade the light.

By purchasing seperately you get to choose your own equipment, plants, food, etc. You save a bit buying a kit but get no choice with what you get. Something to consider anyway. Don't forget to pick up a heater, they don't come in the kits.

 

[ZX300SI]

ummmm what If I just buy like a under the counter floresent light strip and just use that will that work? or what about thoes floresent compact bulbs?

 

[thecichlidaddict]

If you refrain from buying the kit you can rig your own system with lighting from Home Depot or similar for much cheaper. Compact flourescents are pretty pricey, but excellent if you plan on having live plants.

 

[freshwatergal]

The under-the-counter things are too bright IMO. I was gonna use one for my betta keepers, but it was way too bright for my liking.

 

[ZX300SI]

umm is too bright bad? Will it be ok for a 10 gallon tank?

 

[thecichlidaddict]

If you get a single strip light it should be fine, IMO.

 

[ZX300SI]

umm what does IOM mean?