eepruls

I currently have a 10 gallon tank on my kitchen counter (well supported and beside the sink so water changes are awesome) and it's in a perfect location because everyone sees it. I had one betta inside so it was great. I no longer have him and I am cycling the tank again after eliminating the snails that had invaded. Anyways, since I wanted to put a little variety in the tank anyways I started thinking that upgrading to a 20 gallon tank by getting a kit that comes with the tank and hood might be a good idea. It would be able to fit in the same spot.

I have yet to buy a kit or anything but thought I would inquire as to whether this is a good idea or a total waste. The 10 gallon was great for the betta but is so small that I can't really fit much inside (according to the stocking options I read here). I thought that a 20 gallon would just give me some more room to play with. But is it a good idea?

bluealuefish

If plan on keeping other types of fish other than a betta, I would say upgrade. 10gal is pretty limited in what you could stock, especially if you want more than one type of fish. However, I can't say that the kit will be good. Maybe if you found out what brands of equipment comes with it other people could tell you if they are good or bad (sorry can't help you there).

btw, your Stewie was beeaaautiful. I've never seen a betta like yours before and so far, he has to be my favorite.

Suave

I would go ahead and get a 20g. As far as buying a kit or now, compare prices to the kit and buying things separately. if you can find brands names just post them here and im sure a couple people can tell you about their experiences with the products. I'm sorry to hear about Stewie! but I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun stocking and maintaining a 20g:]

agabr123

agreed, you have a lot more room to play with in a 20 gallon as opposed to a 10 (but i'd keep the 10 anyways and get another betta )

Suave

MTS?! haha!
ya get another betta! you can never go wrong with getting another betta and a new 20g xD

AlyeskaGirl

I agree too, more room to play with!

eepruls

Thanks! Some people have told me those spotted ones are rare and some people will pay for them. I got him at Wal-Mart! I suppose a batch came in from the breeder and I got him. Apparently it's known to happen. Funny thing, I just picked him out. That picture doesn't do him justice because that's when he was in a bowl on the table without a fluorescent light over him. When he got his fins all out and he was in the 10 gallon tank he was bright orange with red spots on all his fins.

I won't be getting another betta for this new tank because I'd like to try something else. The 10 gallon was perfect for the betta but when you want to have a few fish it's really limiting. That's why I started thinking of getting something a bit bigger. I know it's not the 100 gallon tank some of you people have, so it probably sounds still too small but it would be good for me!

If I lived in the US, I would definitely buy things separately. Here in Winnipeg, Canada, we don't have many pet stores (even compared to other Canadian cities). I can get a kit with a fluorescent light fixture, tank, heater, filter, etc. for $100. I like my AquaClear filter but another one is always good to have. If I buy a tank separately I can get one for $30 but then the problem lies in getting a hood and light. A simple hood at Petland is over $100. I guess they're fancy hoods or something. If I get a hood from Petsmart.com (where I actually got one for my 10 gallon tank and it was a good price because our dollar was actually higher than yours), it will be about $65 after shipping and conversion to Canadian. So right there that's over $90 and I don't get a bonus filter, heater, etc. even if they're crappy.

hssea

I have 4 tanks. Three which are acrylic, I love the clariity, which so much more than glass. Two tanks are SeaClear brand. They are 14 percent stronger than glass. In the kitchen that would be great advantage in case the tank get bumped. Again I have to say the clarity is awesome and no seams . They are more pricey but worth it.

eepruls

Okay, I went ahead and bought a 20 gallon kit that was 25% off at Petcetera. It worked out to be cheaper than if I bought a tank and hood separately. It came with a fluorescent hood which is actually the ONLY one I've found for a 20 gallon (most kits come with incandescent). There's a heater included so that's good. The filter is (Petcetera side filter - 100 GPH) but it's always good to have a backup if needed for my 10 gallon or whatever. The filter is more like a bonus that I didn't really care about. I'm gonna buy a new AquaClear anyways.

I'm going to be cycling it so it'll be a while before I get anything inside it. I'll come back and start a new thread for stocking help in the next few weeks! Thanks for your help everybody!

hkirchen

Great looking Betta! RIP little Stewie!(I love the name by the way!)

I think you will be happy with a 20g, but if you are like me, the tank size is never enough! I always want the fish that are too big for the tank I have
(29g).

Good luck, and we hope to see pics soon!

prairielilly

Heehee good for you! this is how it starts you know Every once in a while I look around and think, I have five fish tanks. How on earth did that happened?