Need some advice: Thinking of taking the plunge on a 75 gallon

[MartinBlank]

Ok, so I have been thinking a while about taking the plunge on a 75 gallon. I have found one on Craigslist after a while of looking that is the right size and in a stand that I really like:

75 Gallon Fish Tank w/Stand

I have already talked to the seller and told him I am not really interested in the fish. They said that is fine and that they know of a LFS that will take them.

I am hoping to talk them down to 350 or 400 (perhaps just for the tank/stand/canopy). Looking at these retail, this seems like a pretty good (not great) deal (provided it is in good shape of course). Just wanted to get some input on what you guys think.

Also, do you think I need powerheads in a tank this size? Or does it depend on the stocking plan?

Right now the plan I am thinking is a lot of smaller fish.

10 White Clouds
12-15 Cardinal Tetras
10 Cory Catfish
10 Cherry Barbs
6-8 Dwarf Rainbowfish

And then perhaps some fish that can get on in smaller groups (a few Angelfish and/or a Dwarf Gourami or three.

All of that is a long ways off though. Main point is, powerhead(s) or no?

Right now I plan on going with 2 HOB filters (I was thinking AC110's, total overkill? go with AC70's instead?)

Ok, SO, summary of my main questions:

Is this a decent deal or could I do a lot better?
Powerhead(s) yes/no?

Thanks!

 

[CA_BroncoFan]

Going one AC110 and youll be fine, but if you want good filtration id just go one 110 and one 70 or a cannister filter depending on what you like. Fluval 405 is rated for nice filtration in a 75. Im not a huge fan of powerheads so i can help you there but i would talk them down to 400

 

[MartinBlank]

I was more wondering if a powerhead would be recommended for that kind of stocking plan. I would guess no. Now we'll just have to see how flexible the seller is (or how desperate he/she is to get the aquarium out of his house).

 

[crockwood]

Since we live in separate parts of the country I'm not sure how this compares, but I grabbed my 75 gallon with a stand, 2 Eheim canisters, UGF, heater, light, 2 air pumps, etc plus fish for $300.

Personally, if it were me, I'd yank the UGF out and throw that in the trash (actually I did that .) Then I'd most likely leave the HOB stuff alone and just go canister.

You mentioned AC110's. I just did some quick price checking, and the cheapest I saw has them new at ~70 bucks, so x2 is ~140 plus shipping, plus media. You could grab an Eheim classic 2215 for around $110 instead.

 

[MartinBlank]

Thanks for the info. Definitely good to know. I definitely don't want the UGF. I will probably follow the advice of a AC 110 and AC 70. The redundancy makes me feel a bit more comfortable in that if one filter fails I still have the other (even if the 70 would be underpowered until the 110 was fixed I would still have some filtration instead of none).

It is purely a personal preference thing for me

And I am definitely not sold on this purchase yet. One thing it has going for it however, is that when I showed my wife the pictures, she really liked the stand it was on too

I would be easier for me to sell the idea of spending 400 dollars on a set up with a stand she really likes then the idea of spending 300 dollars on a setup with a stand she would not care for LOL

 

[crockwood]

I feel you on the redundancy. I'll eventually purchase another canister to run with the one I already have for that purpose... well that and I'll need the water movement once the plants fill in.

When I bought my tank, my fiance didn't really have a say in it. I came home and told her I needed to borrow the SUV Saturday and she would need to drive my Mustang to work. She asked why, I said "oh I have a 75 gallon fish tank to bring home." However that doesn't always work