I have the step down from this tank (36g), with the same finish. I got it for $40 with stand, heater, light, filter and a 10g with heater, light, filter (no stand though). I intended to paint it... but never got around to it. So, I would say, buy a tank with the stand and finish in a color you want unless you are super proactive and jump on repainting it. Oh, and the top rim is plastic, so you have to scratch it up, tape off the glass, and use plastic spray paint (or so I have been told). Anyway, I'm still stuck looking at this ugly brown color.