Re: Buying a new aquarium

Small saltwater aquariums are very, very demanding.  You can expect high
costs for a superior setup with all
of the bells and whistles to make it work.  I have seen complete setups with
the appropriate equipment running all the way to $700 for 20 gal fully
furnished with live rock and such.


"Sidney" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Evan,
>
>   If you have no prior experience (as I read into your post), may I
suggest
> that you get a "learner" aquarium from Wal-Mart?  You can get a complete
55
> gallon freshwater setup minus gravel for about $230USD.  Please keep in
mind
> that this is not a high quality setup but, certainly a good place for
novice
> to start.  A 29gallon setup is less (~$150?).
>
>   Knowing what I know now, I am very glad I splurged and got the 4 foot
(55
> gallon) tank.  It gives me a lot to work with in terms of flexibility.  In
> the long run (2 years later), I realize that was a marginal choice in the
> fact that the components are all of marginal quality.  Certainly, they are
> good enough for a casual novice like I was but, now I realize I should
have
> spent more on the tank and stand.  Then saved up a little more and bought
a
> GOOD filter, heater, etc.  In the end, I tossed the heater, filter, etc.
and
> got really good components from the big names.
>
>   Petsmart (major chain) has a 37 gallon Oceanic aquarium, stand, light
> combo that is ~$170 plus $170 for the stand.  Maple versus birch affects
the
> price some.  I like Oceanic tanks and stands for their outstanding quality
> but, you pay a premium for this.
>
>   I recently acquired a LeeMar "LEO40" that is 30 inches long by 13 inches
> wide and about 24 inches tall.  I really like the extra height for my
> bedroom tank.  This "SHOW" tank was well worth the slight premium I paid
> over lesser tanks with it thicker glass and better overall finish then the
> "cheap" tanks.  FWIW, this nice tank cost me $105 out the door and uses a
> standard 29 gallon stand so, stand cost isn't excessive either.
>
>   If you don't have experience with freshwater fish, you may want learn
> there first before you spend a lot of money on a Saltwater rig.
Freshwater
> fish offer a lot of nice options depending on what you want at relatively
> attractive prices.  If you later expand into Cichlids or Discus, you get
> lots of color and interesting behavior too!  Myself, I've got a Tetra
thing
> going on - on my way to the LFS for some more Serpae's.
>
> Sid
>
> "nuchumYussel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Hello, my name is Evan. I would like to know what a reasonable price
> > for a 20 gallon saltwater tank is, I am also interested in what you
> > think a 20 gallon freshwater would cost. My lfs is offering $170 for a
> > 20 gallon freshwater tank (includes: stand, tank, filter, gravel,
> > heater, thermometer and air pumg). I am also wondering as to what you
> > think a reasonable price for a 55 gallon saltwater tank would cost.
> > How much do you think a freshwater would cost? My lfs has offered $500
> > (includes: tank, stand, filter, heater, gravel and protein skimmer).
> > Thanks for any input!
> >
> > Evan
>
>