Recommendations for inexpensive 7-8 gal aquarium?

TLDR: Looking to upgrade my desktop tank from 5 gallons to perhaps 7-8 gallons. Any inexpensive tank recommendations that have space for a HOB filter (not built in) - either storebought or DIY?
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I’ve been getting the itch lately to upgrade my Peacock Gudgeon tank. They’re only in a 5 gallon tank, and while I actually really like the setup (the tank has been in use 7+ yrs), I wouldn’t mind giving them more space. The problem is that it still needs to be able to sit on the side of my desk, so I’m guessing that 7-8 gallons is the max it could be (weight and space wise). The other problem is I’m doing this on a budget, which ideally means I’d keep to under $50 or so. Any recommendations? I’d happily go for a second-hand tank, but haven’t seen any pop up lately.

Here’s the existing tank, though I have a HOB filter since I hate internal filters (eat up way too much space):

I’ve been eying this kit, but I really wish there was a way to just buy the tank, since I already have a light and filter. And this is a bit higher than I was hoping to spend...maybe I’ll luck out and eventually find it on clearance. Of the tanks I’ve looked at, this is likely the best since it offers the most floor space.

I’ve eyed this one too, but again it has components I don’t need and a bit more expensive than I was hoping for:

Lastly there’s this tank, which is on a fantastic sale at the moment ($30). But at ~6 gallons, it’s barely bigger than my current tank so I’m not sure it’s worth the swap. But it anyone is looking for a small betta or shrimp tank, it’s worth a look!


I’m by no means tied to Petco, that just happens to be where I’ve found the slightly-less-expensive options. I’ve even considering building our own from acrylic or glass, but looks like acrylic quickly adds up and I can’t get thick enough glass from Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

Honestly have you thought about the 14Gallon rimless aqueon tank (the next size up from the 6 gallon)? it is like about 15.5"x15.5" footprint and would give your gudgeons much more space. And it is only 40 dollars on there with a lid! I honestly do not think you can get cheaper than that. I have rimless tanks I have built and my 12x12x12 cube was 35$ in glass alone from a glass store without a lid. Another thing is if you buy rimless use a base mat to go under it. I took my girlfriends old yoga mat she bought at a dollar store and its basically 5mm thick foam, and I cut it into pieces as a mat underneath just to absorb any unevenness.

 

Honestly have you thought about the 14Gallon rimless aqueon tank (the next size up from the 6 gallon)? it is like about 15.5"x15.5" footprint and would give your gudgeons much more space. And it is only 40 dollars on there with a lid! I honestly do not think you can get cheaper than that. I have rimless tanks I have built and my 12x12x12 cube was 35$ in glass alone from a glass store without a lid. Another thing is if you buy rimless use a base mat to go under it. I took my girlfriends old yoga mat she bought at a dollar store and its basically 5mm thick foam, and I cut it into pieces as a mat underneath just to absorb any unevenness.

The problem is that a tank that large is probably too heavy to set on the side of my IKEA desk. Not sure I’d trust 100+ lbs, especially since it’s not centered on the desk but instead on the back left corner. Otherwise I agree, that 14G is a fantastic deal.

 

Here is an idea, sorry if I am getting a little sidetracked. I am assuming your desk is the work desk. Keep the 5 Gal on the desk, and get a pea puffer for that. They are super personable and would probably watch you the whole time you're there. Get the 14 gallon tank and that becomes the nightstand tank at home lol. Therefore you get a new friend, gudgeons are happy, and its not too expensive!
I apologize if another tank isn't in the question, but I suffer from multi-tank syndrome, so this is only natural to me lol

 

It’s not Petco, but I have a suggestion from PetSmart.

PetSmart has a TopFin 8 gallon tank that includes a hood, color changing light (feel free to replace), and some type of integrated filter system. It’s $60, but you can get it for $45 via the PetSmart app. On the PetSmart app, you can win a 15%, 20%, and 25% coupon by playing the Treat Trails game.

This is one of the newer TopFin starter kit models, so I can’t say how good it is, but I’ve had one of their older models, the TopFin 10 starter kit. It served me for a long time, the filter only broke because I dropped it, and the kit light still works. I bought the tank back in 2016.

Another thing you could do is chewy pricematch. Unfortunately Petco no longer price matches with chewy, but both PetSupermarket and PetSmart do. However, PetSmart only sells TopFin tanks, which is their own brand and not available on chewy.

Edit: ok so i just remembered that last time I went to PetSmart they had an 8 gallon fluval shrimp tank, I think it was $60, but then you can change out the filter for your own. I can’t find it on their website, but I’ll see if I can then link it. I’ll link the TopFin tank as well.

Can’t find the other tank, but here’s the link for the TopFin one:
Top Fin® Dazzle Aquarium Starter Kit - 8 Gallon, 7 Color Changing LEDs | fish Starter Kits | PetSmart

 

Get the 14 gallon tank and that becomes the nightstand tank at home lol.

I never knew I needed a nightstand tank until I read this.

 

I never knew I needed a nightstand tank until I read this.

Welcome to the dark side. You have become enlightened.

 

TLDR: Looking to upgrade my desktop tank from 5 gallons to perhaps 7-8 gallons. Any inexpensive tank recommendations that have space for a HOB filter (not built in) - either storebought or DIY?
~~~~

I’ve been getting the itch lately to upgrade my Peacock Gudgeon tank. They’re only in a 5 gallon tank, and while I actually really like the setup (the tank has been in use 7+ yrs), I wouldn’t mind giving them more space. The problem is that it still needs to be able to sit on the side of my desk, so I’m guessing that 7-8 gallons is the max it could be (weight and space wise). The other problem is I’m doing this on a budget, which ideally means I’d keep to under $50 or so. Any recommendations? I’d happily go for a second-hand tank, but haven’t seen any pop up lately.

Here’s the existing tank, though I have a HOB filter since I hate internal filters (eat up way too much space):

I’ve been eying this kit, but I really wish there was a way to just buy the tank, since I already have a light and filter. And this is a bit higher than I was hoping to spend...maybe I’ll luck out and eventually find it on clearance. Of the tanks I’ve looked at, this is likely the best since it offers the most floor space.

I’ve eyed this one too, but again it has components I don’t need and a bit more expensive than I was hoping for:

Lastly there’s this tank, which is on a fantastic sale at the moment ($30). But at ~6 gallons, it’s barely bigger than my current tank so I’m not sure it’s worth the swap. But it anyone is looking for a small betta or shrimp tank, it’s worth a look!


I’m by no means tied to Petco, that just happens to be where I’ve found the slightly-less-expensive options. I’ve even considering building our own from acrylic or glass, but looks like acrylic quickly adds up and I can’t get thick enough glass from Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

I just picked up a aqueon 10g rimless from Petco gorgeous nano tank it was under 20 dollars grabbed the glass lid for it 12 bucks and a 10watt aqueon clip on led done I believe the grand total was under 50 dollars

 

I just picked up a aqueon 10g rimless from Petco gorgeous nano tank it was under 20 dollars grabbed the glass lid for it 12 bucks and a 10watt aqueon clip on led done I believe the grand total was under 50 dollars

Unfortunately trying to stay under 10 gallons, given the location

Here is an idea, sorry if I am getting a little sidetracked. I am assuming your desk is the work desk. Keep the 5 Gal on the desk, and get a pea puffer for that. They are super personable and would probably watch you the whole time you're there. Get the 14 gallon tank and that becomes the nightstand tank at home lol. Therefore you get a new friend, gudgeons are happy, and its not too expensive!
I apologize if another tank isn't in the question, but I suffer from multi-tank syndrome, so this is only natural to me lol

Hah, unfortunately this is my desk at home, and given it's from Ikea I don't trust it with that much weight. The gudgeons are actually quite personable as well, especially my male. Also a victim of MTS - I'm already at three tanks, really can't push it more than that right now (of course, the old 5 gallon could perhaps *eventually* get repurposed if there's a spot for it...). For now, I'm really stuck to a replacement tank being on my desk.

Does anyone have experience w/ Lifegard tanks? I've been eyeing this 7 gallon one, since it looks like I can get tank-only for $55 online, plus use a giftcard if I go through Amazon. https://www.lifegardaquatics.com/products/lifegard-full-view-aquariums-with-back-filter/

 

PetSmart has the Top Fin 10g aquarium kit for a reasonable price.

If used there 5.5g and 20g kits in the past, and currently run their 55g kit. Never had an issue with them.

If you download the PetSmart app, you can play the game in it to earn coupons up to 20%-25% off for in-store purchases

 

Well, completely new plan! And thanks everyone for all your input!

My husband was going to build a stand for to 10 gal, but since he hadn’t started cutting anything yet, he agreed to modify his plans for a 20 long instead. Picked one up cheaply thanks to Petco’s sale. While intended as a fry tank for now, I may put up a divider so the parents can have half the space. If I decide in the future to stop raising fry, they’ll have the whole 20 gal tank. The 5 gal could be additional fry space or otherwise repurposed, though I will miss having the gudgie pair on my desk.

I’m promising myself (and my husband hah) that the 10 gal will be decommissioned other than for QT space. Hopefully I can stick to that!

 

So, I'm thinking of moving a betta out of my fish room and saw some of the recommendations here. That "dazzle" in 8 gallon looks like I could get away with it. If anyone has one of these tanks, does the light turn on when it's plugged in (like if I use a timer to control it) or do you have to push the button and select a color every time power is interrupted?


My only tank with store bought leds has to be turned on every morning manually and it bums me out.