Lucy

Petsmart has a 50g Top-Fin Kit on sale.
I was wondering if anyone had any opinions about it.
Particularly the filter.

IF I get it, I have a 200 watt visi-therm stealth I'll be using instead of the heater that comes with it.

Thanks!

harpua2002

Top Fin filters are just ok IMO. I'm guessing that the one included with the kit may not be adequate; most of the filters I see with kits are underpowered IMO. Then again, I tend to go a little nuts when it comes to filtration.

What's the sale price, if you don't mind me asking? And is this a 4 foot tank, or a 3 foot tank? I have a 50 gallon that is 36x18x18, so just curious.

MissMTS

Hi Lucy,
I have a couple of top fin filters on my betta tanks and they work just fine They remind me of the Whisper filters or the Aquatech ones that they sell at Walmart. They are nothing fancy, but will deffinetly do the job. What are you planning on putting in your 50 gallon? New tanks are so exciting

Lucy

Kinda figured that filter would be a temp thing (shhh, don't tell my husband)

It's a 4 ft tank, 108.00 with the petperks card. The sale is until July 26th
I like the fact that it's not 3ft. BUT, I have a 3ft stand, so one of my problems wwould be solved if it were the shorter one. lol



Well, I don't know yet. lol
I've already got guppies, tetras, bettas, cories, a DG, ADF's.......

harpua2002

Gotcha. I chose the 3 ft 50 gallon for myself because it's going to be a reef tank. The extra depth front to back will make a huge difference for aquascaping and corals. It's 18 inches wide.

The price seems very good to me. But, like you said, the stand would be a big added cost.

Lucy

I'm running around the house with a tape measure measuring sturdy peices of furniture. lol
I actually think I have something that'll work. Not the dresser mentioned in my other thread.
It's a really old vanity, going to remove the mirror.
In the center there's a place where a seat can slide in and it has drawers on both ends.
It's not unlike many stands I've seen.

kimb

Hi Lucy, lucky girl (and I won't tell your husband)...I have found the best tank stand are old hutches from dining rooms (like the buffet/hutch that comes with them). You can sometimes find them at Salvation Army stores or used places like that. They are almost always paintable if not pretty, and because they are usually old, they tend to be much sturdier than what we see today. They also usually have drawers and cupboards underneath for storage.

MissMTS

I'm glad you found something to put the tank on It might be fun to try some cichlids in this tank since you already have a lot of community fish.

Lucy

Thanks beth, don't think I wasn't eyeing my buffet. It's aready got a 10g on it.

That's what I was thinking

Shawnie

whahoooooooooo shes gettin brave!!!! africans are a hoot..and very little work ...or SA cichlids are the bomb!!

I wont tell hubby cause he knows im already your number one cheerleader

Lucy

I think the word you're looking for is enabler, and yeah he does know. lol

Shawnie

I chose cheerleader so I wouldnt get in anymore trouble

Lucy

Amanda

I have the 10 gal. kit for one of my bettas. I love it, it's cheap & does it's job well.

MaddieLynn

My little puffy is in a 10 gal. kit that I got for Christmas. He loves it and I've never had a problem with the filter.

Shawnie

eventually , and of course depending on what you stock with, you will need a better filter..but you know that..and hubby thinks they all look alike LOL

on a 10 gal tank, they are fine ...but on a 50 gal, they arent as well and would do wonders for a QT filter (for the 30 gal long!)

Lucy

So will the heater that come with the kit.

bolivianbaby

Lucy,

Don't know if this will help, but I usually get a 2nd filter for all of my tanks. You could set up the tank with the filter it comes with, wait for your "preferred" filter to go on sale, add that, and then give it a few weeks to grab the bacteria and you could either leave it on the tank, or take it off and keep it as a spare.

If my craigslist hunt doesn't work, I may see if this sale is good in my area as well.

Also, Wal-Mart stands for a 55 gallon around here are between $80-100. Maybe you could get one on sale OR start scoping garage sales in your area!

I paid $25 for a computer desk that I have one of my 29 gallons on.

Good luck and can't wait for the pics!

navyscuba

I have a Top Fin 60 and a 30 on 2 tanks and they work good for me so far.

Lucy

Well apparently PetSmart and I have have differing opinions about the words
"Fish, stand and decor sold separately" They also meant filter and heater are not included either.
I went and looked at this tank yesterday. When I asked about it, the salesman pointed to a 55g kit and said I'd be better off buying that one because for a little more money (ahem) the 55 comes with the filter and heater.

aquarist48

Morning Lucy...chances are you won't be happy with the heater and the filter that is provided with the kit but you never know. Price the kit then price everything you need and or want separately then compare the savings if any. Shop girl! lol

Lucy

You're right. I was going to settle with the kit filter until I could replace it as the stock in the tank grew.
I already have a visi-therm stealth I was going to use instead of a heater that came with a kit.

So, I'm back to where I was...getting a hood and filter (you helped me in that thread )
for my 30 gallon long.
Which really is ok.

mare2009

Hi Lucy, how did you make out on that top fin tank at petsmart? I did buy the 29G top fin tank kit there. The heater that came with is for 'up to' a 25G, ( wonder why that was in the box ) The hood and lighting is great. The Top fin 30 filter was noisy right from the start. I thought it would ease into a nice quiet filter like my aquaclear 50. But nooooo... It was horribly noisy. Did all the tricks to remedy it, but nooo.. Top fin filters that come with those kits, ( or separately ), are now on my absolutely do not buy list, lol. I ended up taking the top fin filter off and replacing with another aquaclear50. Ahhh quietness
BTW..I was secretly looking at the 55G, I added up the cost seperatly for the glass hood, lights, filter and heater, and it amounted to about 30 dollars more then the kit, and the kit wasn't even on sale.
hmm..what fish you going to stock?

Lucy

Hi Mare....see post # 20 for an update.

As a side note.....geez 4ft long tanks are big. lol

mare2009

OOOOoooooo I see. ( I did read post 20 ) not enough coffee yet

Lucy

I know the feeling.
I just saw a 55 on craig's list for $50.00, filter, heater and hood included. It was listed yesterday so it's probaly taken but I just sent them an e-mail....
My husband is going to kill me. lol

kloseo

top fin tanks are ok, i really dont like their filters and would consider upgrading on the filter, all else is fine if you dont need special lighting for any special needs for a fish, also, make sure the precut area on the back of the tank lid is big enough to support your tank since it will have the dividing support bar
I recently set up a 55g and the 350gph filter barely fit the back prcut area of the lid

Brimstonepdx

Oooo 108 is a good deal for a kit I may have to check that out in my area since everything in the under 100 price range on craigslist lately seems to "come with fish" that I don't want and equipment that's under powered for tank size anyway.

When I went in yesterday to pick up some liquid calcium i saw a beautiful stand for a 55g /sigh to much money though. I think its time to start playing the lotto, If I win, to heck with a fish room I'll make a fish house and hire big strapping lads to come clean the tanks.

Lucy

Check post #20. It was only for the tank and hood. Grrr. Oh well!

Tony G.

lol
ive done that a few times
my mom is like "where and when did you get that tank?" and i was like... dont you remember?? i bought it weeks agoo! and then she´d be like... fine.. just dont get another one..
psh ya right!!

lol shwnie will ALWAYS cheer for a new tank!