Should I Adopt This Tank?

A coworker of mine is giving a tank away and I just happen to be in the market for my first tank other than the 5 gallon I keep my betta in! Would you kind folks be willing to lend your pros/cons list to help me decide what I should do? Obviously, I'd be saving money in the short run by taking the tank, but I'm really interested to hear some more veteran opinions.

Here's what I was planning on getting:
•40 gal long
•Homemade stand
•Somewhat inexpensive lighting setup
•stocking with all kinds of different smaller fish

Here's what she's offering:
•The tank pictured. Not sure of size, but she says it's 20.5" H x 25.5" W. I'm not sure she's accurate, but I think it's a 36 gallon???
•Possibly, some miscellaneous usable equipment
•The stand

It's quite a bit different than a 40 gal long, but it's hard for me to turn down an offer since I'm somewhat limited on budget.

Would this tank limit the type/quantity of fish I could stock opposed to a 40 L significantly?

I live on the second floor of a standard quality apartment building. Would wight be an issue?

Appreciate and tips or advice you guys can provide!

And I should probably mention it was previously setup for saltwater.

 

You said giving away, as in free. I'm currently over $400 into my latest project with no fish, temporary lighting, and going to order a pressurized co2 setup, by all means it's worth it. That being said this is my 3rd tank (not counting the one I will take down for this upgrade), and none of the others were new. But this will be a high tech planted tank. My point is this is a expensive hobby anytime give is mentioned it's a good deal.

 

Haha! That's kind of my thought too, but yes, GIVING it away, as in FREE. Those are hard words to ignore...even when they're not in caps haha.

 

Surely not a veteran, but take it. If not and close by I will. LOL

 

Would weight or stocking be an issue or drastically different though?

Well, it's in Michigan. 1 in 50 odds of it being close enough if I don't take it I suppose lol.

 

I have a son near Flint, he's looking for a tank. Just take the tank.!!!!

 

I have a son near Flint, he's looking for a tank. Just take the tank.!!!!

I shouldn't have opened my mouth lol!

Previous use for saltwater won't be an issue?

 

The key word is free changing saltwater to fresh is no problem that tank is a little small for saltwater anyway in my view it will be a good start for better setup

 

Stocking options would be a little more restrictive than the 40 long, but still, you have a lot of options. I'd recommend taking the free tank for sure! Lucky!
If you have room, you can always get another longer tank.

 

The key word is free changing saltwater to fresh is no problem that tank is a little small for saltwater anyway in my view it will be a good start for better setup

Yeah, I'm not quite sure of the size. I guess I'll have to measure it myself. But I agree, it does seem like a good option.

 

If its a 35 gal your looking at approx. 400 lbs with water. Not sure about the saltwater, I'm thinking as long as you clean it good. I hear of members changing water type often.

 

I vote that you take the free tank, and still get the 40. If you can only have one tank, go with the 40. It's bigger, and much longer. Also with the 40, your options of fish opens up greatly. I can guarantee that if you decide to stick with the hobby, you will eventually upgrade....so you may as well get the bigger tank now.

 

Stocking options would be a little more restrictive than the 40 long, but still, you have a lot of options. I'd recommend taking the free tank for sure! Lucky!
If you have room, you can always get another longer tank.

Also, is it harder to get god water flow in a taller tank?

 

No, just clean it up good. For used tanks I usually just use water and vinegar then rinse really well, but if your worried I have even used nothing but water and a new dish scrubbers.

And as jmaldo said, I'm in IN... Not that far away. Lol

 

I vote that you take the free tank, and still get the 40. If you can only have one tank, go with the 40. It's bigger, and much longer. Also with the 40, your options of fish opens up greatly. I can guarantee that if you decide to stick with the hobby, you will eventually upgrade....so you may as well get the bigger tank now.

So, looks like smaller than a 40 to you?

 

Also, is it harder to get god water flow in a taller tank?

I don't believe so. The main drawbacks of a taller tank are smaller footprint and less light penetration for live plants, but that tank is not really very tall.

 

Everyone is trying to steal my tank! I thought I could trust the forum haha!

I don't believe so. The main drawbacks of a taller tank are smaller footprint and less light penetration for live plants, but that tank is not really very tall.

Oh okay. I was planning on having a planted take too, but I can just stick with easier to care for stuff that doesn't require as much light or buy better lights since I'm saving money on the tank I suppose.

 

I vote that you take the free tank, and still get the 40. If you can only have one tank, go with the 40. It's bigger, and much longer. Also with the 40, your options of fish opens up greatly. I can guarantee that if you decide to stick with the hobby, you will eventually upgrade....so you may as well get the bigger tank now.

Ain't that the truth, in process of breaking down a 10 gallon cause it was to small. And replacing it with a 40b, my new small tank. Lol (I have a 75 &55 already.)

 

Thankfully, I'm in a 700 sq ft apartment, so I'm somewhat limited on space haha. Otherwise, yes, that would probably be happening. I doubt I would be able to fit much more than another 40 or 50 gal in here.

 

It's not that it is much smaller. Its the fact that it's so tall, and most fish, would rather have the length to swim, especially very active fish. The 40 will give you a much bigger footprint than the 36. Not to mention asthetically, the 40 looks better.

 

It's not that it is much smaller. Its the fact that it's so tall, and most fish, would rather have the length to swim, especially very active fish. The 40 will give you a much bigger footprint than the 36. Not to mention asthetically, the 40 looks better.

That was a concern of mine; limited selection in regard to stocking, but with it being free I can always take it set it up and do the 40 down the road if I want.

Anyone know of any fish that would be suitable? I like tropical and somewhat colorful or fun fish...

 

Free! Take it, take it, take it! If you don't like it afterwards, you can always sell to buy what you do want! Lol.

 

I can always take it set it up and do the 40 down the road if I want.

True. But as you mentioned, you are limited on space. So why not just get the bigger tank now? I think you will kick yourself later if you get the 36.
I'm not trying to be an enabler, trying to convince you to go bigger, I'm just....nevermind who am I kidding. Get the 40.

 

.

 

On top of what others have said about selling the 36...it can also be used as a quarantine tank.

 

Everyone is trying to steal my tank! I thought I could trust the forum haha!

It's a fish website. What did you expect?? I'm in Canada so you have one less person to steal your tank. but yes, go for it. Just make sure it's really clean because of the salt.

 

You asked about stocking? If I had that tank, I'd probably put a single baby angelfish in it, a cool breed like a double dose black, or a orange koi, or maybe a blue zebra. Then a medium shoal of 15 or so cardinal tetras... nicely planted with some driftwood...

 

You asked about stocking? If I had that tank, I'd probably put a single baby angelfish in it, a cool breed like a double dose black, or a orange koi, or maybe a blue zebra. Then a medium shoal of 15 or so cardinal tetras... nicely planted with some driftwood...

Ooh that sounds nice.

 

Check and see if there are size limits for tanks on 2nd floors in your building and/or extra deposits required. I know someone who had to pay an extra $1000 deposit as he has multiple, large tanks in a 2nd floor apt. There can be a lot of variety in rules. In our HOA, we have a rule against 50 gallons or more upstairs.

 

Yeah, I think I'm just going to take it.What have I really got to lose? Like you guys are all saying, I can always sell it if need be.

Ooh that sounds nice.

I'll definitely look into that. I'll check my lease tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up!

You asked about stocking? If I had that tank, I'd probably put a single baby angelfish in it, a cool breed like a double dose black, or a orange koi, or maybe a blue zebra. Then a medium shoal of 15 or so cardinal tetras... nicely planted with some driftwood...

That does sound really nice! I like the idea of a nice "centerpiece" fish a a shoal of something else!

 

You should look into Apistogrammas and Shell Dwellers.

 

Are angelfish hard to keep?

 

Check and see if there are size limits for tanks on 2nd floors in your building and/or extra deposits required. I know someone who had to pay an extra $1000 deposit as he has multiple, large tanks in a 2nd floor apt. There can be a lot of variety in rules. In our HOA, we have a rule against 50 gallons or more upstairs.

My first rental was a basement (concrete floor) and the landlord was twitching something fierce when I mentioned a 30g. Really?! It's the basement!! AND a concrete floor. The joke is, at one point a pipe sprung a leak and he took 3 days to fix it because it HAD to be his buddy that fixed it, and then never even bother to repair the 2x2 foot hole in the wall for the next 3 months or all the mold that's inside the wall. I moved after that. He did more damage to that place then the tank ever could. The second place I didn't even mention the 45 I upgraded to because it was a side by side style so even if it burst I would be the one to get screwed over. The current place I'm in now (that my parents own) it's a "your the crazy person with the 60 gallontank and if it breaks your paying ALL the damage to the down stairs tenants!" So no official limit, is just have to move to another country is something happens.

 

You should look into Apistogrammas and Shell Dwellers.

Those are very cool too! Are they more of a bottom dweller?

My first rental was a basement (concrete floor) and the landlord was twitching something fierce when I mentioned a 30g. Really?! It's the basement!! AND a concrete floor. The joke is, at one point a pipe sprung a leak and he took 3 days to fix it because it HAD to be his buddy that fixed it, and then never even bother to repair the 2x2 foot hole in the wall for the next 3 months or all the mold that's inside the wall. I moved after that. He did more damage to that place then the tank ever could. The second place I didn't even mention the 45 I upgraded to because it was a side by side style so even if it burst I would be the one to get screwed over. The current place I'm in now (that my parents own) it's a "your the crazy person with the 60 gallontank and if it breaks your paying ALL the damage to the down stairs tenants!" So no official limit, is just have to move to another country is something happens.

I'll definitely take that into consideration haha. A tank bursting in this place would be ****. They're pretty reasonable, but I know if I caused damage like that, there would be **** to pay $$$.

 

Those are very cool too! Are they more of a bottom dweller?

I'll definitely take that into consideration haha. A tank bursting in this place would be . They're pretty reasonable, but I know if I caused damage like that, there would be to pay $$$.

Really tiny cichlids. Don't know if you can keep them with other fish but I'm trying to get my hands on a pair. I have a long 15 gallon that would be perfect on my kitchen table...

I didn't get charged extra for any of the tank but I was already paying a pet deposit for my cat, plus the initial damage deposit. The twitch landlord had a half rent damage deposit and a half rent pet deposit so a full months rent in damage deposit. (And I would have been doing him a favour if the tank burst. That carpet NEEDED to be replace.) It was a dump but "slightly better then the dungeon your father first moved into"- Mother

 

The Apistos in my opinion stay towards the bottom of the tank. With the Shellies they definitely stay at the bottom, but will venture toward the midle when food present.
In my 75, I'm getting some Shellies next, I already have Julidochromis Marlieri.
Right now I'm very into Lake Tanganyika fish.

 

Are angelfish hard to keep?

No. Angelfish are pretty easy. Multiple angels sometimes have territorial disputes, especially crowded together. But a single angelfish typically leaves other species alone, unless they are tiny, then they are food!

 

Really tiny cichlids. Don't know if you can keep them with other fish but I'm trying to get my hands on a pair. I have a long 15 gallon that would be perfect on my kitchen table...

They are very small, probably THE smallest Cichlid. But don't let their small size fool you, they have the attitude and demeanor of their larger cousins, but for the most part, they are peaceful with other fish. A 15 gallon would be perfect for Shellies, and you may even get a colony going.
One other thing, there are other fish that can be kept with them, especially dithers. I am personally going to try and keep fish native to Lake Tanganyika.

 

Oh man...that made me laugh out loud.

 

I'm really liking the suggestions for fish so far. Angelfish and a small school of tetras or something and some of those other guys BluMan was talking about! It's all coming together! Just need to figure out plants and decor next ahah.

 

Kenho21, I suggest that you go to whatever fish place you like, right down all the fish that you like, come back here and list them, and there are some members here that are really good at stocking suggestions.