Picking a tank... or tanks... What's your opinion?

[PADogman]

I hope this is OK to ask this here. I could see a couple forums it might fit under.

So like I said in my intro, I haven't had a running aquarium in a while. My last saltwater aquariums (one a nice reef) I got rid of 15 years ago or so. And they were established for 5 years before that. So I'm really out of the loop for picking a spot to dive back in.

All I know at the moment is that I want freshwater. The YT videos I've been watching on aquascaping and planted aquariums is calling to me.

Now, here was a learning moment for me.
I was in a privately owned small pet shop and saw a 72" long aquarium. And a stand (although ugly). And both could be had for under $1000. But everything is cheaper online, right?
Online I was seeing prices of $4000 and up and could not match the size. They were smaller setups, but some did include "some" of the extras.

Then someone in a YT video said the words "rimless aquarium" and "framed aquarium" and I realized I was looking at two different animals. No wonder the rimless were captivating me. They're gorgeous setups. And with all those plants interacting with the rocks and wood... Yowza! I might not even need any fish! LOL. It seems everyone has gone rimless if you watch youtube... But no wonder the prices online were quite a bit more. Totally different animal.

So my original plan of one huge aquarium got a bit dashed. I am not in the position of aquascaping a 72" long aquarium. Aside from a good canister, the cost of the substrate(?)/groundcover and all the plants are too much both monetarily, and frankly, time consuming as well. So that has be thinking of a smaller size, or maybe two?

I would like something at least 4' long eventually, as I have a bit of wall space I want to add something to. But 2-24" could do it, too. Maybe. At least then I could build one, then another later. I should mention, the large space is at work. In the house I could do with a smaller tank.
But do I want to set up two tanks at once? One at work, one at home? And if I went rimless the cost is taking a jump.
I'm not sure I favor rimless anyway. What with custom lids, higher cost, smaller sizes unless you go custom (unless someone has a good source I could not find). And of course it would be nice to have the waterline hidden so I'm not constantly fiddling with topping it off. What can I say, I like my aquariums to be a bit self-sustaining

At least that's what I've been reading on pros and cons of both.
I was perfectly happy looking back on my framed tanks in my mind until I saw those rimless. Just not sure the cost outweighs the satisfaction of having to start with a smaller tank. Which of course as we know can spike one way or the other more quickly.

Now that I think about it maybe a small tank at home, 30g or so, and then a larger one on that wall I want to utilize might be a good way to jump back in? A smaller rimless and a larger framed? With the option to add a second tank alongside the larger one?

I know, all very personal decisions.
But I need some aquarium folks to bounce stuff off of. I don't want to rely on the Petcos or fish shops in my area.

If you've been with me this far, I'm all ears.

 

[Fishmanic]

sorry for the delay in approving your first post. Hopefully, members will respond to your question soon.

 

[FF_Member146894]

whether you want one large or two small tanks, it's personal preference, but i agree that a 72" is excessive for now, even if you have the money.
i always buy framed tanks because it's far easier and less expensive for me (plus, i don't really mind the look). if you really like the look of a rimless tank, you can probably just remove the frame of a framed tank or build your own, but i still think it's easier to maintain a framed tank.

 

[Sunnyspots]

All my tanks are rimless, but then I wasn't aware there was an alternative. I suspect rimless is what sells over here. I find the visible waterline is a bit of a distraction. It means they don't look as 'clean' as in the advertisements. Cover glass is also heavy and bulky to remove, with the risk of banging it on the side or corner of the tank and causing damage.

 

[NannaLou]

Perhaps you could have both..? As you mention, smaller, rimless at home and larger, framed at work… You’d be able to see the pros and cons aesthetic wise and have up-to-date experience to help you decide which way to go when you start to increase the number of tanks you have.

 

[PADogman]

Thank you all for the replies.
Maybe I'll just start with one, a smaller rimless in the house. Then I'll know if rimless is for me. And what direction I might want to go at work. No sense in trying to scape two tanks at once. It will be a learning curve anyway.

Do most of you have dedicated aquarium shops you use for everything (tanks, equipt., livestock) or online sources?
Back in the day the internet was generally a lot cheaper than the local aquarium places, which I think there is really just one by me. Not unless I count the big box stores. But that one place was a wealth of knowledge and you developed relationships. They would take back a fish if it wasn't working out, or outgrowing your tank.
Yesterday I went to visit that shop and they were closed. People were waiting outside the door. I'm not sure the owners' health is all there the way some of the folks were talking...
Someone said there is a big freshwater shop by Buffalo, NY, but I can't seem to Google it.

Everything is so much easier to buy online anyway... But I was having a hard time finding sources in the USA. You UK folks are knee deep in online sources it seems.
And then there's Amazon...

 

[NannaLou]

@PADogman - don’t go dissing Amazon

 

[PADogman]

I guess what I mean is, I'd like to buy something that isn't from Amazon

 

[Essjay]

There's eBay as well

I've bought filters, heaters, plants etc from eBay in the UK.

 

[ClownLurch]

Welcome.
Id go small first. Save the work tank for when you definitely know you’re “back into it”. Plus the work tank may be tax deductable

Do you know your water parameters PH? Hardness etc at both home and work? They may be different. That will influence the fish you fancy thus influencing the size of both tanks. Seriouslyfish.com is the best science backed resource for matching fish to your water parameters and tank size and is recommended by a lot on here. It’s a great time killing browse regardless. Just put your fish of choice into its search function and just about everything you need to know will come up.
Have fun.

 

[PADogman]

Maybe I'll see if that aquarium shop is open today.
In the past they have tested my water for me. At least when I had saltwater.

I'm on a well. I just have a simple Omni filter that the water runs through before coming out the faucets. It's hard water and will turn the filter rust after a while, but it tastes good and does not smell.

I suppose I'll need some sort of test kit to monitor everything along with my plants. I honestly don't remember this cycle I am reading about. Maybe we treated the tank with something to speed things along? I know I didn't add fish right away, but it wasn't months either.

 

[ClownLurch]

Maybe I'll see if that aquarium shop is open today.
In the past they have tested my water for me. At least when I had saltwater.

I'm on a well. I just have a simple Omni filter that the water runs through before coming out the faucets. It's hard water and will turn the filter rust after a while, but it tastes good and does not smell.

I suppose I'll need some sort of test kit to monitor everything along with my plants. I honestly don't remember this cycle I am reading about. Maybe we treated the tank with something to speed things along? I know I didn't add fish right away, but it wasn't months either.

Read the “silent cycle/planted cycle” section on here. It’s a helluva lot easier than messing about with testing water all the time. It’s so easy even I can do it.
Basically put everything bar livestock in your tank and add loads of good cycling plants, if you’re gonna add plants eventually you may as well have em working for their keep from the very start.
IE:
water sprite
frogbit
water lettuce
duckweed
anacharis
hornwort
moneywort
Once plants are added turn everything on and take a photo of the tank showing plant height and size. Go to the pub for two weeks then on your return compare your photo with how your plants look now. If there’s a definite increase in size you’re good to go just test water and do a 50% WC and add fish.
Obviously I’ve simplified it but there’s basically nothing else too it. Have a read of the more technical explanation of the process in the cycling section on here. I’m afraid they underestimate the importance that going to the pub for two weeks plays in the process but theyll see the error of their ways eventually.
Its the easiest way to cycle believe me.

 

[Byron]

I recommend you have your well water tested, professionally, to find out exactly what is in it. The GH, KH and pH is simple enough with aquarium tests if you like, but I would be more concerned with other things...rust suggests possible iron, and there could be copper...levels that are safe for humans will kill fish. Nitrate, nitrite and ammonia should also be tested.

As for rimless tanks, I personally would never get one. A couple times the tank light, or the cover glass, has slipped out of my hands, and if this hits a rimless tank it can be the end of that tank. The frame around the top does reduce the chance of this occurring.

 

[PADogman]

Thanks for the list of plants, @ClownLurch .
The aquarium shop had some kind of "wort", but I don't recall what kind.
I think I'm going to buy one of these starter kits I see online. The shop barely had any grasses, and I really like the looks of grass in the front of the tank.

But they did have this

Slim pickings on the rocks and driftwood, but that should get me started.
I also ordered a Seachem Tidal 35 filter. The tank is 27gal.
I'm going to hit a big box store tomorrow for the substrate. The aquarium shop did not have enough, nor the color I wanted anyway. They told me they have a hard time stocking anything, but I'm almost wondering if they are day by daying it... they said they could order anything in for me.

Anyway, I went framed. I like the black look. So much nicer than that wood look of yesteryear. And the black silicone Marineland uses instead of the white/clear silicone Aquean uses appeals to me, also.
Plus the shop did not have any rimless anyway.

What doesn't appeal to me is I can't really position it so I can see the front when I'm "in my spot". I'm actually looking at a corner straight through to the other corner.
I tried moving the cabinet it is on 45 degrees, but it winds up too far from the wall's corner and the cabinet looks stupid that way. So scaping it should be... interesting. I'm already thinking of putting the backing paper on the two sides that are closest the wall. I may also slope the substrate up to the two sides.

If is stays there. I still might move it to the opposite corner of the wall. I would have a more straight on view, but only when I am turned looking at it. Where it is now it catches my eye if the TV is on and I'm watching TV.

I know I will enjoy it more if it is in the room I am in most. Before I only had a beta tank in here and my larger tanks were in a different room.

Maybe I should go to the pub for two weeks and then decide where to put it

ETA: Can someone recommend to me a light? Something at Amazon if they have it?
I was looking at clip on lights, but they all seem too small. Unless I am supposed to use two...
The tank measures 20" x 18" x 20" tall.