beginnerfishlover

I was looking at some aquariums (about ten to fifteen gallons) and I was wondering...is it better to get an aquarium kit or get it all on your own (the aquarium, the hood, the filter, the heater, etc.)? Since I've only had one tank, I wasn't sure if I should do it myself this time. What do you think? Thanks!

susitna-flower

USUALLY you can get a cheaper price on a kit......but you also get what you pay for. I have read posts just reciently here about people who have purchased a kit, just to find out the heater didn't work....

I MUCH prefer buying a tank, and getting JUST what I want in the type of filter, heater, and other equipment.

The first 55 gallon tank I got had a hood with light, and shortly after I purchased it, I found out the lights weren't enough to keep any but the lowest light plants.

There are many people here that can give good advice on JUST what to buy, and the least expensive places to shop. Often you can get really good prices and quality from on line.

You can also get good deals from e-bay or craigs list. Start with the biggest size tank you can afford, (maybe from craigs list), and customize your other equipment to fit what you want to do with your tank.

Lucy

My 10g is a kit from walmart, I just had to buy a heater (I bought the Visi-therm stealth).
I'm happy with it.

I was wondering about this same thing recently except I was looking at a 20g kit. Since it has a different brand heater, I've decided against the kit.
The equipment that is included with the kit is something to consider.

Halibut

I bought a 55 gallon kit and have since replaced just about everything except the tank itself, glass hoods and 55watt lights are on the way. I joke with my wife that it would have been cheaper if we just bought the 75 gallon tank and equip. seperately.

MissMTS

I agree! It may be cheaper to get a kit in the short term, but more expensive in the long run. I started out with many of my tanks as kits, and I am constantly replacing and upgrading!

COBettaCouple

It would depend on the kit and what's in it. Also what stores and online options you have.

beginnerfishlover

Thanks for all of the replies. Let's see, I was going to ask something else. Oh! Do you think that glass or acrylic is better to buy? I have seen so many of both, and I'm not sure what is best. I have heard about leaking in glass, so maybe acrylic is better?

steveangela1

I have both.. I like my acrilic honestly better...
The kits/versus on your own issue... when we have bought kits we have ended up throwing everything out and buying all the stuff anyways but the tank... even w/ my 10g tank... the 55g.. we wanted glass tops.. good lighting, ended up hating the filter, heater... etc...
so the next tank we got we bought everything and then the tank.. came up cheaper...

beginnerfishlover

Anyone know of a great place online to by aquariums?