Buying a new tank

[bigfish]

Hi

I currently have a 43 litres aquarium tank and wish to upgrade to a bigger & better 1 with all the lights etc. I have seen a Tropical tank in Pets At Home which i like the look of but it was £139-00!!!! and it was only a 24'' in length. So i looked at individual tanks and they ranged from £35-00 and up just for the bare glass aquarium!!!!

I really dont know what size to be looking at and wondered if someone could give me some advice.

I currently have 2 male guppies, 5 female guppies, 1 male platy, 5 female platies and would like to get some swords but i know i'm already overstocked and need more space.

So what size tank am i looking at? (length x width x height)

Is length more important than height?

 

[Elisabeth]

Length is more important as the longer the tank the bigger the surface area, ie the more fish you can stock

 

[bigfish]

Jolly good hmmm im not sure what to buy a package or seperates?

 

[bigfish]

I have seen a tropicurm 68 that was £139-00, seen rio and jewel tanks for sale too but they quite expensive.

 

[DizzyDezzy]

look for the best deal and get a tank that is as large as you can afford. If you can only get a small tank, get a filter that can be used for a bigger tank for when you have more money to get a larger tank... oh, and check out the local classifieds - people sell their old/used setups a great deal cheaper than at the store...

 

[Jesse]

If you were from the U.S. I would say go to wal-mart. They have large tanks for not much money, and they are actually made pretty well.

 

[LesGerber]

Bigfish, The only recomendation I can offer is get the biggest tank you can afford and feel you can deal with. Alot of people go out and get huge tanks and they sometimes forget that it is more work. Especially water changes.....the bigger the tank the more water unless you get a hose for the tap. But you still have the cleaning and care of the larger tank.
Someone said one time there was a chain store like Wal Mart in the UK so I would check there. Wal Marts here has 55 gal tanks complete with stands at about have the LFS prices and they are just as good, and the hoods are more attractive IMHO
I would say take your time and choose a tank that suits your needs

Les

 

[bigfish]

ok thanks i will scout around for the best deal, i'm always looking for cheaper tanks in the South Wales Free-ads. A friend of my dads has put up his tank for sale all in for £60 but i havent managed to get my dad to take me there yet!!! it's like waiting christmas.

 

[Thomas A. Anderson]

Hi,

Not sure what you have available in Cardiff, but IMO the bigger stores such as the one you mentioned don't necessary specialise in aquatics, therefore many of the packages won't have an adequate sized filter, heater etc.

If you have any other smaller lfs's then try those first and if they have a similar set-up ask them if they can match the price of the bigger stores. I've never been refused yet. You may even get some freebies with it too (gravel, plants etc)

Also, try your local free-ads paper, and/or ask the lfs if they have any display tanks going cheap.

I bought my nephew a 55G display tank plus extras for £100. including delivery.

 

[Pufferpack]

If you do go to buy a used tank be sure you check how old the tank is and leak test it for a couple of days before setting it up. Good luck

 

[gadazobe]

IMO go for the biggest one you can afford. Check www.loot.com and look for aquariums and/or fish tanks. They have some good deals in there and if you might find one in your area. Local freebie papers are also worth looking at. Good luck with your new tank.