SammyJ

What is a good price on a 75 to 80 Gallon setup? The prices I have seen for setups range from 500 to 1,000+. The high end being integrated systems that include the filter and lights in the hood as well as coming with a stand. They are also bow faced which I really like.

What I am wondering is if the integrated setups are worth the price or would I be just as well going with a used setup off of craigslist or something for close to half price and then buying the filter and heaters that I want and such?

pinkfloydpuffer

I got my 80g used. It was $150 for tank and stand, plus lots of extras that were way outdated so I threw them out (ie UGF, powerhead that was electrocuting the water, etc)
So then it was around $70-80 for the Aquaclear filter, I got enough sand for $9, which was great, I got 50 lbs of rock for $8, which was also a steal, an air pump and flexible air stone total about $25, and a two heaters totalling around $30-40. Then a glass top for $30 and a new lighting ballast (two fluorescent tubes) for $100. So total that's around $400, and I got to pick out exactly what I wanted for the tank. I often find that the systems come with stuff I'd rather not have and end up replacing anyways, so I'm happy with what I got on my 80g.

bryan87

Well i got lucky with my 75 gal. it was free but i had to buy everything else. filters were $100.00 depending on what your going to put in there will determine what equipment you will need. heaters if needed are $30-$40 ea, gravel from walmart was $40 air pump $30, air stone $10, the lights can be expensive depending on if you want real plants, and my stand was from petco for $180. so its about $400 plus the tank. if you would let us know what type of set you are looking to do it would help us help you!

SammyJ

The theme I have in mind for it is North American river Biotope. Bluegill, Catfish, Carp, and Bass. As for plants well stuff that one finds commonly in most NA rivers. I think mosses and grass for the most part. It would be sand substrate with good sized rocks on top. (the kind you always stub your toe on when you go swimming in a river ) For a general idea check out a Cabellas, or bass pro shop and look at the tanks they have there, just not on that scale.

It will take a long time to plan and hella bucks to stock but once its done I think it will be well worth the effort. It will be the kind of tank that any midwest boy/girl that grew up fishing and swimming in rivers would be reminded of home no matter where they were.

bryan87

well a 75-80 gal is way to small for what you would like to do. you would only be able to keep them till there about 6 inch each. you would need a 300 gal to house all 4 fish at the same time for good. now you could keep 1 of the four in that size tank till they were about 12 inch or so. or a couple blue gil.

SammyJ

Its still in the planning stages so what fish I select are not set in stone. A few Bluegill would look cool to get the biotope started until I could a huge tank to finish the total package. What you said does help me out a lot in tank selection. I may have to just pony up for at least a 150, which would not be such a bad thing.

Is a 150 big enough for a few Bluegill and a Catfish?

bryan87

the cat fish would eat the bluegil unless the catfish was the same size but the catfish will get to big for the 150 gal too. good thing though you will not need a heater for those fish! you could do a bass. and probably wouldn't need to upgrade for along time. but you will need alot of filtration. i would suggest a canister filter from marineland and a HOB filter like the emperor 400 from marineland.

SammyJ

I have been doing some research on Channel cats and they grow to be monsters. I guess I never caught any as a kid, just the 2 pounders or so. I had prety much figured on a canister filter, as well as 2 massive power heads to simulate a river current.

Now that I have it more set what I am going for I can so some more research on filters, power heads, and lighting that would more closely simulate a river conditions. I am guessing the lighting that ciclid biotopes use. The research is half the fun and an important part of making a dream a reality.

bryan87

with mine i just have the window open and the regular lights in the house on. these types of fish dont like light really. they usually hide if the light on the tank is on. i only turn that light on if i want to show him off!

bryan87

by the way in your info it says you have 4 bettas in one tank! i hope that tank is divided into 4 seperate sections...

SammyJ

In a week or so 2 of my little betta girls are gonna be moved. I am just waiting for the Cycle to jumpstart my new 5 gallon setup. I am in the process of shopping for tank dividers that will fit the betta tanks. I do keep an eye on them and have one of those plastic things that sticks to the inside of the tank and can be set up to "quarantine" up to 4 trouble makers.

I keep a close eye on them and they even come to the surface as a group when I am offering up blood worms or brine shrimp. I know its not common but for some reason they are getting along and sharing the space without killing eachother. Not sure why really, and it prolly isn't lasting.

GouramiGirl1221

I would agree about getting the tank of craigslist. I got my 75 gal for $250, with a gorgeous oak stand and some good sized cichlids that I got to trade in at my LFS for other fish. I bought a new bulb for the light fixture for $40 and a canister filter off ebay for $150 and am now stocking and planting, but that's all I did from an equipment standpoint. I haven't done the research, but that setup is worth a lot more than what I paid for it, and I'm very happy with it.

bryan87

well unless it is a steel and you have lots of time for cleaning i would say buy new.

Master Snake

You could try to fit a couple yellow perch (which get between 4-10") in there with the blue gills. Or a bullhead, a catfish that does not get as large as the others. There's also crappies and sunfish to think about. I once thought of something like this, but did not have the resources to follow through.