Upgrading my tank! - Aquarium Advice

fishfairy · 07-06-2006, 09:49 AM

I found someone on a local forum who is selling a used 55g tank for 50 bucks. It is just the tank, no stand or hood or anything so I will still have to buy that stuff seperately but the price is great even for just the tank. It was once used as a breeder growout tank but he no longer needs it. Right now we are in the middle of working out the details for me to pick it up. This will be replacing my current 20g (not adding too; I don't have the room lol). Hopefully over the next couple of months I can collect all the other necessary equipment. I'm checking places like Craigslist to find a used stand, etc. I'm so excited!

JRagg · 07-06-2006, 10:37 AM

If you're comfortable with power tools, and don't mind trying to do a DIY stand you can end up with great results (as good as in the store) for a lot less money. I wouldn't imagine building a stand for a 55g costing more than $50-60.

Congrats on your pickup

fishfairy · 07-06-2006, 11:08 AM

That is one option I have considered, however neither my husband no I have ever really built anything from scratch so I don't know how well we'd do lol.

Do you think something like this would be sturdy enough to hold a 20g on the bottom? I know it is designed to hold a 55g up top and two 10g's on the bottom. If it could hold a 20 maybe I could keep both of my tanks.

http://www.petco.com/shop/product.as...cm_ite=5895993

tmcgee · 07-06-2006, 10:07 PM

I would have to say yes it would be sturdy enough to hold it since it is metal and all but I dunno about the dimensions of your 20g. that is the only thing I'd check out first.

JRagg · 07-06-2006, 11:45 PM

Do you have a 20g Tall or Long?

The long might fit, but the tall looks like it would hit the bottom of the other tank. That's just judging by the picture with the tanks in it.

I'd just go to the store and measure the stand to see if the tank will fit.

src · 07-06-2006, 11:55 PM

Another concern is that a taller tank (than the 10's) will be VERY diffcult to access for cleaning, rearranging or maintenance.

I've been looking for a 2 tank stand myself (QT and maybe a breeder or grow-out tank). When I was a kid, we had one that was offset - the bottom tank was about 6-10" forward of the top tank. I would love to find something like that again.

fishfairy · 07-07-2006, 05:47 PM

Unfortunately my 20 gallon is a tall so it may not work. I am going to measure it anyway to make sure. If I have to switch out the tanks it's not that big a deal because that was my original plan anyway. I can always put the 20 in storage until I have more room.

07-06-2006, 09:49 AM	#1
fishfairy Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 183 Images: 12	Upgrading my tank! I found someone on a local forum who is selling a used 55g tank for 50 bucks. It is just the tank, no stand or hood or anything so I will still have to buy that stuff seperately but the price is great even for just the tank. It was once used as a breeder growout tank but he no longer needs it. Right now we are in the middle of working out the details for me to pick it up. This will be replacing my current 20g (not adding too; I don't have the room lol). Hopefully over the next couple of months I can collect all the other necessary equipment. I'm checking places like Craigslist to find a used stand, etc. I'm so excited!

07-06-2006, 10:37 AM	#2
JRagg Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 847 Images: 3	If you're comfortable with power tools, and don't mind trying to do a DIY stand you can end up with great results (as good as in the store) for a lot less money. I wouldn't imagine building a stand for a 55g costing more than $50-60. Congrats on your pickup __________________ 10g Heavily planted - 1 mating pair of Apistogramma Cacatuoides "Orangeflash" and a whole lot of MTS

07-06-2006, 11:45 PM	#5
JRagg Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 847 Images: 3	Do you have a 20g Tall or Long? The long might fit, but the tall looks like it would hit the bottom of the other tank. That's just judging by the picture with the tanks in it. I'd just go to the store and measure the stand to see if the tank will fit. __________________ 10g Heavily planted - 1 mating pair of Apistogramma Cacatuoides "Orangeflash" and a whole lot of MTS

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
upgrading tank	murcos	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	2	01-22-2006 12:06 PM
Upgrading tank?	drillsar	Saltwater Reef Aquaria	3	01-21-2006 03:43 AM
Help with upgrading tank	bckane	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	3	10-02-2005 10:18 AM
upgrading a tank	GoodFish	Saltwater Reef Aquaria	7	05-01-2005 10:57 PM
upgrading tank	plags	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	13	09-19-2003 03:25 PM

07-06-2006, 11:08 AM	#3
fishfairy Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 183 Images: 12	That is one option I have considered, however neither my husband no I have ever really built anything from scratch so I don't know how well we'd do lol. Do you think something like this would be sturdy enough to hold a 20g on the bottom? I know it is designed to hold a 55g up top and two 10g's on the bottom. If it could hold a 20 maybe I could keep both of my tanks. http://www.petco.com/shop/product.as...cm_ite=5895993

07-06-2006, 10:07 PM	#4
tmcgee Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Peshtigo, WI Posts: 105	I would have to say yes it would be sturdy enough to hold it since it is metal and all but I dunno about the dimensions of your 20g. that is the only thing I'd check out first.

07-06-2006, 11:55 PM	#6
src Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 476	Another concern is that a taller tank (than the 10's) will be VERY diffcult to access for cleaning, rearranging or maintenance. I've been looking for a 2 tank stand myself (QT and maybe a breeder or grow-out tank). When I was a kid, we had one that was offset - the bottom tank was about 6-10" forward of the top tank. I would love to find something like that again.

07-07-2006, 05:47 PM	#7
fishfairy Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 183 Images: 12	Unfortunately my 20 gallon is a tall so it may not work. I am going to measure it anyway to make sure. If I have to switch out the tanks it's not that big a deal because that was my original plan anyway. I can always put the 20 in storage until I have more room.