AquariumPros Forums

I'm wondering If i should get this Starter fish tank at Wal-mart. Heres 2 links. Please pick out the best one for more. Thanks,

Kit 55.

Kit 29.

Once again please look at the tanks. Thanks,

I'd go with the 55 package.

However, I would not buy fish at Walmart, unless that is the ONLY source for fish.

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Dave Hauser, Webmaster
Aquariumpros.com, Inc.
Aquarium Professionals Group

Kits are generally a bad idea as their filters don't have a high enough volume to properly filter the tank. You need to make sure that any filter used is rated for at least 1.5 the tank volume.

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Diane

2.5 Gallon Betta
30 Gallon Angel Community
55 Gallon Community (Jack Dempsey)
60 Gallon Discus Community
75 Gallon Discus Community

Do the research first.......Questions? Read these for answers!
The Nitrogen Cycle
The CO2 / KH / pH Relationship
UGF Pros & Cons
Plant Health
Algae!
Algae in Planted Tanks
Understanding Ich
HLLE or Hole-in-the-Head Disease

Thanks for the help. Walmart is right up the street. The pet store closest to me is being shut down for some reason. The only fish store I know of is that my parent's went to yesterday. They had an eel the size of my couch apparently. Anyway, back on task. I could buy a new filter if I wanted to. Any suggestions on what kind of filter or what size (as in for # to # amount of gallons.)

ie, a 55 gallon needs a filter rated for at least 80 gallons.

__________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Diane

2.5 Gallon Betta
30 Gallon Angel Community
55 Gallon Community (Jack Dempsey)
60 Gallon Discus Community
75 Gallon Discus Community

Do the research first.......Questions? Read these for answers!
The Nitrogen Cycle
The CO2 / KH / pH Relationship
UGF Pros & Cons
Plant Health
Algae!
Algae in Planted Tanks
Understanding Ich
HLLE or Hole-in-the-Head Disease

Well Apparently it's 55 gallons. So I should get an 80 gallon filter?

In general, these low cost kits do not have adequate anything and usually have cheaply-built equipment, most of which gets replaced within the first year of ownership (read the comments on the page you posted a link to).

If you have the money, you are always best off buying everything separate and making sure equipment is of high quality. You'll save money in the long run.

An oversized filter will cut your work load in keeping the tank healthy and clean. Yes, I would invest in a larger filter than what comes with the kit.

It would help us help you better if you actually went to WalMart, wrote down all the brands/models of equipment that come with the kit, then posted that information here so we can critique and comment.

__________________
Dave Hauser, Webmaster
Aquariumpros.com, Inc.
Aquarium Professionals Group

I was there last night. That's actually where I found it. I'll do that when my dad gets home.

I was recently looking at one of the 55 kits from walmart... in my research lots of people said it sprang leaks, and the glass bows out when filled, you could end up with an exploded tank... plus you'll still need to spend another few hundred getting the rest of what you need to get the take properly up and running... i suggest you look on craigslist under key words " fishtank, fish tank, fish, aquarium" Ive found many good deal including one that are already fully running tanks, for good prices. if the tank has not been in use for a while ask for how long and if for longer than a year ask to test it.. cuz it could spring a leak due to improper storage...you could always get a tank that has a leak for really cheap and re caulk it... but you need to be careful doing that. the size of the tank your going to get depends on how much room you have to display it in and what kinda fish your going to get... most important rule is do your research !!! not every site tell the proper info about fish requirements. sense it sounds like this is your first tank i suggest doing fresh water, 1 its much cheaper, 2 much less work. as for what kinda filter to get.. I suggest ether an "aquaclear" or canister. and its always smart to have 2 just in case 1 fails. you don't wanna come home to dead fish. same goes for heater. don't go for one that is rated for 55 gallons go for 2 that are rated for 30 gallons each. just make sure your temp stays in the fish comfort zone. use API testing product they are the best. Well I hope this help you and good luck with your tank.

PS.. remember you have to cycle the water before getting any fish and then don't buy all your fish at once. get you first 2-3 fish then wait 6 weeks before adding 1-2 more and 2 weeks after for each 1-2 .

**if i have given any wrong or miss leading info that a more knowledged aquarist can correct please by all mean, I need to learn too :-)**