Re: buying an aquarium

I agree.  I purchase everything separate.  I find the "kits" they sell are
just put together to make them profit, and it's full of stuff you don't
need.  Buy your tank/canopy separate, and then get a filter, gravel, etc.
You don't need the food, any video's, nets, etc.  They are cheaper to
purchase on their own.

Also, not sure which currency you use, to give you an accurate price.  I'm
in Canada, and I assume you are in the US.

-- 
}<>     Tammy     <>{
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"Kristen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] (nuchumYussel) wrote:
>
> >...My lfs is offering $170 for a
> >20 gallon freshwater tank (includes: stand, tank, filter, gravel,
> >heater, thermometer and air pumg).
>
> I haven't been keeping up on current LFS prices, so I can't really
> comment on that part, but experience has definitely taught me that
> it's a rare "lfs setup" that contains much of anything that's good.
> When choosing equipment that will sustain your pets' lives, you need
> to choose good stuff that won't crap out on you.  Odds are that they
> chose equipment that makes them a lot of profit instead (ie, crap.)
> If you shop wisely, you don't have to spend a fortune to create a good
> setup for yourself.
>
> My advice before you buy equipment is to look at various animals and
> plants and what kind of upkeep they need (including ongoing cost,) and
> decide what you want first.  Then buy the equipment to suit the
> animals.  For example, if you want freshwater, do you want coolwater
> fish like goldfish, and if so, fancy or regular?  Or do you want
> tropical fish, and if so, large species, small species, specialized
> species like african cichlids or discus, etc?  Do you want a planted
> tank (which will rule out certain types of fish?)  How big a tank do
> you want to take care of?
>
> Then when you decide on that, if you're not experienced in
> fishkeeping, come to the appropriate group here and ask what specific
> equipment is recommended and from where should you get it.  Basically
> if you need to conserve cash, the answer is usually try to get a used
> tank locally and order the particular equipment you've decided on
> online.  Otherwise find a good LFS with a large variety of healthy
> fish and friendly, knowledgeable employees and reward only them with
> your business.  It'll cost twice as much probably, but if you can
> afford it, they need the business.
>
> Hope that helps,
>
> Kristen