What do you think

[jcarlilesiu]

Hi all. So i have decieded that my christmas gift from my girlfriend is going to be a new aquarium. We found a 56 gallon tall, aquarium with compact light, and nice stand for 400 dollars at a LFS that is going out of buisness in February. Just wondering if you guys thought that is a good deal.

 

[DeFeKt]

If it has EVERYTHING in it...yea...

Matt.

 

[Jchillin]

Tall rather than long makes planting the tank a challenge because of the additional depth. But, I can't see how you could pass up a tank for christmas.

Is it a good deal? Depending on the stand, it will change from "good deal" to "great deal".

 

[Fishyfanatic]

I don't think I'd call it a great deal. We purchased a 55 gal tank with lights, hoods, filters, stand, and tank for $250. But maybe we just got one HECK of a deal. It depends on the stand. If it's something like a Sedona, than sure. But if its a standard stand, I would say no.

 

[DeFeKt]

just on a side note, I built my 100gallon and stand complete with hardware, pumps, thermoms, heaters, substrate, even fish,
(open stand mind you) for $420 Aus.
you do the conversion..
hth

Matt.

 

[jcarlilesiu]

well... just some clarification, i was a bit worried about the lighting because i wanted it to be a planted tank, but it comes with a power compact light. The stand is really nice, although i don't know who the manufacturer is. It has a storage area in the center with a glass door on it and is recessed from the front of the tank a bit, with two columns on the front corners that come up to support the front. The other deal they had was for a 125 Gallon aquarium, stand, and standard tube lighting, with one hob filter out of 2 it needs for 500 bucks. The problem is, I want a planted tank and i don't want to deal with the cost of nice lighting, and its 6' long... it would be alot of reworking in my apartment to get it to fit. Well let me know what you think

 

[TankGirl]

The bottom line is whether or not you think it is worth it. If the idea of shopping around, waiting for a used setup to become available in the paper, driving to look at tanks that may not be what you want, trying to find lights to fit, etc., etc. is not appealing, then it is definitely worth it to pay the $400 and be done. You'll need to spend at least $100 on a filter for it. CF lighting is not cheap so that is definitely a factor. What are the dimension of a 56g tall - specifically height?

 

[Jchillin]

If the PC wattage is over 1wpg (let's say between 60-80 watts), you can certainly plant the tank. With good reflectors, the light should be able to reach. The depth issue is actually for you when reaching in to do planting and pruning, but you can certainly overcome that if you want.

The stand sounds really cool.

 

[Guest]

I think i would go for the 125... yeah upgrading the lighting and filter is going to cost, but ... i really think that is way to expensive for a 56 gallon.

 

[Lonewolfblue]

At the Walmart here, a 55G Long Kit with filter, hood, and extras, plus the stand is all less than $250.00. Unless it's a really good stand and quality equipment, might want to look around more.

 

[graymare]

sounds good to me I bought a used for $150 but everything needed to be updated so it ended up costing way more than what you're paying.

Sounds like you've got one really sweet girlfriend.

P.S. For X-mas buy your little clown a couple of friends they thrive on company

 

[Fishyfanatic]

It also depends on the brand of the tank. If it's an All-Glass or Perfecto, then I'd say definately shop around. But if it's an Oceanic with the matching stand, then I'd go for it.

 

[sudz]

I paid 180 (canadian) 150 (US) for my 44 gallon tall perfecto Pentagon. That Included, the tank, Canopy, and 18 watt strip light. I paid 150 Canadian for a 96 watt 6700k 18 inch light with 2 fans. 30 for the heater, 35 for CO2 ladder/canister, 50 for filter (AC 300) and 15 for Powerhead.

460 bucks and i was Done. And its a sharp tank too. Just hard to plant :-(

I'm wishing i had a 20 tall or 18 now. 24 is WAY to deep. I have to drain a bit off so it doesn't overflow when i stick my whole arm in there.

 

[jcarlilesiu]

Ok everybody, i just wanted to update. I got the tank tonight. Its a 56 gallon. 318X24 with the stand. I got the stand, both tank and stand are by perfecto and have a 5 year warranty. i got 50 pounds more gravel, a "current" dual compact light fixture with lunar lighting, a penguin filter, and a 200w heater for 500 bucks. Im extremely happy with the deal. i did do some other searching around, but I couldn't find anything that looked as sharp as this, so I went with it. I do however have another question.

This current satelliette light fixture, with dual bulbs and integrated fan is fantastic. The overall quality is great. My problem is, does the fan ever turn off? Even with both lights off, and just the lunar light (which is on a seperate plug) on... the fan just runs and runs. Is this normal? I would expect that when the lights are off, the fan turns off. I thought maybe it would be on a delay, to finish cooling after the lights were on, but its been 30 minutes now, and its still running. Anybody have this fixture, please advise.

P.s. Ill post pictures soon once the water clears up, and to who ever said it, yes i do have a great girlfriend (who is getting a coach purse for christmas OUCH)... haha, take it easy

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Is there a separate switch for the fan? Some fixtures have more than 1 switch.

 

[rich311k]

I have that fixture. The fan is on a seperate plug. I have the fan and both lights plugged into a timer. That way the fan is only on when the lights are on.

 

[jcarlilesiu]

hey rich... how loud is your fan. I thought it would be pretty quite, but this thing creates quite a hum....

I will put it all on timers too. My old digital timer didn't have the third grounding plug as these light fixtures need, so Im going to have to get an adapter, or figure out how to get it done. The last thing I want to complain about is that.... i was so excited for the lunar light, though it would add a nice touch. The problem is, it is centered on the light fixture, which is centered over the tank, and the tank has a center brace running right down the center. So when the light is on, its got a huge black spot in the center of the tank. Oh well

 

[rich311k]

My fan is quite loud as well and I have the center brace problem as well. My local hardware store had the grounded timers. I am sure you can get them at home depot or some such place.

 

[sudz]

I actually opened up my 96 watt 20 inch fixture and disconnected the fans. There are 4 grills at the top of the unit, and for the first little while i constantly "felt" the unit for heat. It did not get ANY hotter than it did with the fans on. The ballast is always warm enough to touch. The lights themselves are contained by the reflector, and i removed the plexiglass shield for them, so heat can escape out the bottom (though heat rises, it won't help MUCH)

The fans were just driving me batty. Its a 5 volt supply, i'm pretty sure, I may put an ultra quiet computer case fan in there too. Its got its on thermo gauge on it, it'll speed up and slow down if the temperature hits 30, 36, 44 and then 50 respectively