Aquarium questions

OCBob

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Looking to get an aquarium for the family for Christmas. Gonna pick up something used off Craigslist, found what look to be some real good deals. But I have to admit, I know next to nothing about them. What should I look for? How about the plexiglass aquariums, are they any good? Found a 50 gallon plexi with stand, filter, and other accessories for $50.
 
OCBob said:
Looking to get an aquarium for the family for Christmas. Gonna pick up something used off Craigslist, found what look to be some real good deals. But I have to admit, I know next to nothing about them. What should I look for? How about the plexiglass aquariums, are they any good? Found a 50 gallon plexi with stand, filter, and other accessories for $50.
Plexiglass is good Bobby...There are a few of us on here that are hobby savy. What kind of filter is coming with it ? Does it have a hood ? What shape is the tank...square, octgogon etc...Important only because it will limit or not limit the size and kind of fish you can put in it...Filtration is very important...also living in Cali you will need a decent heater for winter. Where are you thinking of putting the tank is also important....Never near a window causes to much temp flux. I can answer almost anything I've had many many tanks over the years...I even breed fish for a period of time. I started a thread along time ago look it up it has some good info in it. I was almost a Marine Biologist in another lifetime...Prof told me I should go back and finish my degree i'm so close :eek: I wont post how close because Prof will ridicule me lol....But sure I will help you with whatever you wanna know.
 
bob, the down-side of plexiglass is they scratch easily and will craze. every now and then you will be scrubbing the algae off the inside off the glass (use a dobie pad) as far as filtering use a undergravel filter along with a mechanical filter. the underground filter will pull water through your gravel which contain beneficial bacteria, which will help with the health of the water.
 
50 gallon, or 55 gallon is VERY common.
kinda plain, but not bad. if ya want a real nice setup go with at least 110. then you can do a nice salt. 55 will do salt, i have seen 5 gallon salt but 110 is super nice. REMEMBER they are a ton of work!
 
Found this one:

30 gallon Plexiglas Aquarium
Wood Base Cabinet to set tank on with storage underneath.
Whisper 60 Power Filter
Whisper 60 Air Pump
VisiTherm vth150 heater
SeaClear Fluorescent Light
Thermometer
Outlet Strip to plug in filters/light
All of the decorations/fillings for tank (gravel, rocks, pirate decorations, fake plants)
Ammocarb and Aquarium Salt
Amquel Plus
Tropical flakes
Goldfish flakes
Cleaning brushes
Filling hose
Marbles
Tetra Weekend fish feeder
Extra Air tubing

This is a regular shaped aquarium with a real nice looking stand.

There is also this one:


This is a name brand "TRUVU" 50 gallon aquarium. It is made of plexiglass, great condition. It comes with a flourescent light on top, wood stand, filter, accessories, pH kit. The dimensions for the aquarium are (36x15x20), rectangle shape. The entire aquarium with the stand measures (45x16x21). The stand has two cupboards. This whole package is in greatshape, see the pictures. it is just dusty from sitting in garage for a year.

The filter system is aquaclear and it also comes with foam, carbon, and biomax inserts that are all new in box.

They are both asking $100, but I'm sure will take less. The $50 deal is already sold. Trying to keep it as cheap as possible of course. But I want something decent that I don't have to throw any more money at. Figure even at $100 it ain't bad for the whole family for Christmas.
 
scoobert said:
50 gallon, or 55 gallon is VERY common.
kinda plain, but not bad. if ya want a real nice setup go with at least 110. then you can do a nice salt. 55 will do salt, i have seen 5 gallon salt but 110 is super nice. REMEMBER they are a ton of work!
Dude know your audience :dontknow: No way in Hell could Bob afford a salt tank Bro. I can't afford a salt tank :eek: Setting up a 110 gallon tank before you have ever had any experience is suicide lol...unless you got money to burn :confused:
 
I had a 150 gallon, 2 - 75 gallons and various smaller sizes to raise feeders in. In my large 150 I had an undergravel filter with 800 GPH power heads on them, I also ran two 600 GPH mechanical filters hanging on the back. All my tanks, I tried to cycle the water at least 6 times an hour, I never had a problem with alge, disease or anything else.

As far a plexiglass, it will scratch, I always used a soft wash cloth to wipe down the inside of my tanks every week or so.

There is also a product out there called Shieldex, I applied it to my water once a week and whenever new fish were introduced into the tanks, it replaces the natural slime coating on your fish and helps keep them healthy.

One last suggestion, if you walk into a pet shop and they say to add some type of medicen to resolve an illness, run, as fast as possible from their store, they are idiots. If you have a sick fish, isolate it as soon as possible and treat that fish.

Good treatment for parasites, catch the fish with the parasite, treat the parasite with good old fashioned Mercurochrome and release it, do that three times a day until the parasite is gone. Treat the sick fish, not the tank!
 
TheSickness said:
Dude know your audience :dontknow: No way in Hell could Bob afford a salt tank Bro. I can't afford a salt tank :eek: Setting up a 110 gallon tank before you have ever had any experience is suicide lol...unless you got money to burn :confused:

oh, didn't know he was low income. having, or having had a SRT-10 i was thinking everyone here was in good standing financially. my bad
 
ccfeyh said:
One last suggestion, if you walk into a pet shop and they say to add some type of medicen to resolve an illness, run, as fast as possible from their store, they are idiots. If you have a sick fish, isolate it as soon as possible and treat that fish.

Good treatment for parasites, catch the fish with the parasite, treat the parasite with good old fashioned Mercurochrome and release it, do that three times a day until the parasite is gone. Treat the sick fish, not the tank!

unless its a salt fish, the best cure for sick fish is a net and the freezer.
 
scoobert said:
oh, didn't know he was low income. having, or having had a SRT-10 i was thinking everyone here was in good standing financially. my bad
Scoob i'm going to help you sending you a pm...don't ask me why I am even bothering....maybe because it's Christmas :dontknow:
 
If you do get one, let me know I just got rid of a 60gal and have a crap of accessories I was going to sell on CL. You can have them for free if you want (probably 100-200.00 retail worth).

Seeya!
 
RedSrt007 said:
If you do get one, let me know I just got rid of a 60gal and have a crap of accessories I was going to sell on CL. You can have them for free if you want (probably 100-200.00 retail worth).

Seeya!
Now that is hard to beat.:rock: :rock:
 
RedSrt007 said:
If you do get one, let me know I just got rid of a 60gal and have a crap of accessories I was going to sell on CL. You can have them for free if you want (probably 100-200.00 retail worth).

Seeya!
Right on Patrick. I appreciate that my friend. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna snag one up, just trying to find one local at the right price. Of course I waited until the last minute lol.
 
I've always admired a beautiful and well stocked aquarium. They require (either) alot of careful attention and knowledge to maintain them or a healthy pocketbook to pay for a great service to keep them in pristine condition.

A large and well stocked system is a feast for the eyes.....

A friend has a massive salt tank with anemones and clown fish. It's an awesome and entertaining sight. Very soothing to the mind.

D
 

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