New / old

So about 20 years ago, I sold my tanks, it was a 20 H and a 10. I'm looking to get back into it now that my little girl wants fish. Looking at a 29 gallon setup. I know a lot has probably change in the past 25 years and with everything some products are advertised as you have to have but are a wast of $$$ What should I look for and what should I stay away. I have an old solid ceder chest I'm placing the tank on. 29 is as large as I can go on it. It had a 20 gallon on it for about 15 years back in the days.

One of the local stores were pushing Marineland setup, due to the warranty on the tank but on line the revues are not that great.

 

I have a Marineland and an Aqueon. Knock on wood, never had an issue with either one.

 

I signed a paper saying I can’t say anything bad about Marineland so I won’t. I replaced another manufacturers tank with an Aqueon and I like the auqeon more than the previous makers tank. They all have good warranties. Aqueons is lifetime but you need to keep your receipt. I bought my tank and stuck the receipt to the sticker on the tank and hung it on my tool pegboard so I don’t lose it. The silicone on the aqueon is very nice and it’s filled with silicone and not air so that’s good too.

 

I signed a paper saying I can’t say anything bad about Marineland so I won’t.

What did you do lol?

 

Definitely filter cartridges are a waste of cash. You can just put sponge and ceramic filter media in the filter. A lot of tap water has chemicals now that don't dissipate like chlorine will, so it's really best to use water conditioner instead of just letting water sit for a while before going in the tank. For a tank that big, I'd look at a python type water changer, so much easier than buckets.

 

mine is right next to my kitchen sink so I just use he hose from the faucet

 

I have also looked at used tanks but man people want almost new price for them..

 

craigs list, Petco dollar per gallon sale, I got a topfin 36 gal kit for $103 on labor day

 

I'm a little confused about the question here, are you asking about a stand, or a fishtank?

Petco usually has a dollar per gallon sale every other month, personally I've never had a problem with them, from hermit crabs, fish, and a leopard gecko, they've all held up perfectly.

For 29g, and below you can get Dollar per Gallon, and anything larger is half off.

 

I have used Marineland filters for decades and like them. But their aquariums are lacking. I had a 37 gallon split...Big mess. I will see if I can find the thread.

EDIT: Great! The Poo Just Hit The Fan. | General Discussion 345764

 

What did you do lol?

Long story short I bought a brand new tank filled it up and the seals started to fail. There were small bubbles up and down all 4 seams. I read it can happen and waited a week. They kept getting larger. I sent an email to the company and they asked for some info. I supplied it then they blew me off. They kept getting larger so I said look give me an answer or I’m going to ask the store to return it on my behalf knowing the large fish store I bought it from they wouldn’t want them knowing there was an issue. They agreed to replace the tank but I basically had to sign some whole big legal document stating I wouldn’t bash the company on line and they didn’t cause the issue that they were only doing this out of an abundance of caution and to not be sued in the future. It was totally ridiculous and makes me not want to purchase their products anymore.
I haven’t so far.

 

Make sure the surface you put the tank on is flat and level. If it's not, the tank will leak.

Get an API Master Test Kit. Make sure you read all the instructions for using it, with extra attention on bottle #2 of the nitrate indicator solution.

You mentioned products that are a waste of money. You'll get different opinions on this, but that's how I feel about bottled bacteria. I'm not convinced it works, and I know it doesn't work as advertised. If you add live plants to a new tank you'll have seed bacteria and your tank should cycle in three to four weeks, whether you're doing it with fish in or not. Also, bottled bacteria will send your test reading wacky so you won't have a clue what's happening with your cycle.

 

Make sure the surface you put the tank on is flat and level. If it's not, the tank will leak.

Get an API Master Test Kit. Make sure you read all the instructions for using it, with extra attention on bottle #2 of the nitrate indicator solution.

You mentioned products that are a waste of money. You'll get different opinions on this, but that's how I feel about bottled bacteria. I'm not convinced it works, and I know it doesn't work as advertised. If you add live plants to a new tank you'll have seed bacteria and your tank should cycle in three to four weeks, whether you're doing it with fish in or not. Also, bottled bacteria will send your test reading wacky so you won't have a clue what's happening with your cycle.

Never used bottled bacteria ever. I agree it’s flushing money down the toilet. How could that bacteria love in a bottle for years with no food and no activity?

 

I think your wrong on the tank issue. I asked a guy who worked in a store for years and they never had one fail. If the kits a good deal get it. Tanks are cheap, its the hoods, lights and filters that get pricy. You can save a lot with the packages.

 

two kits I'm looking at are
Top Fin
Aqueon

 

I really like both the top fin and aqueon tank kits. I have had both and never had an issue with either. This hobby is expensive so check chewy, I find they have the absolute best deals. Very affordable.

 

also check out petmountain I find that on somethings they have either a better selection or cheaper prices (one or the other or sometimes both)

 

A few comments - the warranty on the tank is usually different based on the size of the tank; the smaller one have more limited warranties than the larger ones. I'm pretty sure a 29 does not have a lifetime warranty. I've read horror stories on both brands. Also if you put the tank on a chest per your description they company will claim the chest was not level or an authorized stand. They might or might not honor the warranty but even if they do honor the warranty the tank itself is the cheap part (petco currently and frequently have $1 sale - so a 29 gallon tank is $29). You should be more concern with the water damage a leaking or broken tank might cause. The warranty typically does not cover that cost though in a few rare cases people have been able to get compensation. A 29 is fairly small and less likely to break but i've had a 40B split down the middle (bottom pane); which was an expensive experience. Sure the company covered a replacement tank (less than $40 wholesale cost) but not the $12,000 damage to wood floors (water under engineered wood will pretty much destroy the flooring in a very short period).
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I personally would avoid the kits - esp if you are going with live plants. I just prefer to pick my own substrates, lights and filter. I realize your daughter is probably less picky and the kit might be less expensive so you should take that into account. My 29s have miltenburg filters and that is probably something you don't want to mess with (they are cheap and effective but not common).
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Top Fin is petsmart brand and I believe the oem is aqueon or marineland.
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Live plants do not require a quality light (I like fluval plant 3.0); and such a light is probably overkill for your objective but they are nice lights. You might also want to consider a 20L. The one advantage of a 20L over a 29 (same length and width but not as tall) is that lights are closer to the plants. There are disadvantages if you want tall plants or more fishes. Also a 29 makes it easier to some fishes that prefer the top while others that prefer the bottom.
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There are some pretty nice substrates out there like caribsea sunset or peace river but what is visually nice is a matter of opinion as one person gem is another's coal.

I signed a paper saying I can’t say anything bad about Marineland so I won’t. I replaced another manufacturers tank with an Aqueon and I like the auqeon more than the previous makers tank. They all have good warranties. Aqueons is lifetime but you need to keep your receipt. I bought my tank and stuck the receipt to the sticker on the tank and hung it on my tool pegboard so I don’t lose it. The silicone on the aqueon is very nice and it’s filled with silicone and not air so that’s good too.