The Not So Ideal New Aquarium Build

Ohai!
So my tank is leaking on and off and I realized I can still return it, so yay for that. This means Nemo the Betta is going to go through his final major change - bless his fishy heart. Is it my ideal way to changing him tanks? Definitely not. Is it recommended? Probably another definitely not. Do I have to do it, at this point, I feel like the potential for a great leak than what I've experienced is likely and I would hate to have it happen while I'm out of town.

I wanted to run a bit through the hive mind. I have over a week in terms of returning, but I want to be able to get as much "done" without stressing Nemo out, which I reckon will be hard regardless of how I put it. Any advice would help.

I'm eying the Top Fin Colorpop starter kit (20 Gallon). Is this a good one? I lurked a few threads that most aquariums are "similar" and likely built in the same factory as all the parameters are pretty similar. It hits a few must have for my family:
- LED color changing lights (I blame the child and husband) [I like that they're on top and not behind which makes for weird shadows]
- A partially openable lid - my main beef with my current tank is the feed door is a pain and to get in there for anything I essentially constantly have to peel off the whole top portion which then leaks some more because condensation from a comfortable 79F tank.
- I like the all included tank option because it has (almost) everything in one go and mom life is a struggle - but I'm open to other options.
- The filter only has one component to change out rather than the three pieces in my current filter.

I was reading about it, and I liked the idea of a corner filter. Either way, I plan to put my bubbler in there, if only because Nemo loves his bubbles.

My other option is the Top Fin Essentials Starter 29G which is on sale, but the reviews of the filter scare me on that one for anything over 20G.

Has anyone gotten a petsmart tank? Any warnings? Is there anything I should be looking for specifically? I'd love to get as much information as I can. I wish I had more time, and do this more leisurely, but my tank is officially a leaky hazard.

Information on what I currently have in my tank:
1 Betta and 4 ghost shrimp.
Anubia plant.
3 stocks of water wisteria.
3 morimoto moss balls.

Future Tank wishes: (Not any time soon mind you)
African Dwarf Frogs

 

Ohai!
So my tank is leaking on and off and I realized I can still return it, so yay for that. This means Nemo the Betta is going to go through his final major change - bless his fishy heart. Is it my ideal way to changing him tanks? Definitely not. Is it recommended? Probably another definitely not. Do I have to do it, at this point, I feel like the potential for a great leak than what I've experienced is likely and I would hate to have it happen while I'm out of town.

I wanted to run a bit through the hive mind. I have over a week in terms of returning, but I want to be able to get as much "done" without stressing Nemo out, which I reckon will be hard regardless of how I put it. Any advice would help.

I'm eying the Top Fin Colorpop starter kit (20 Gallon). Is this a good one? I lurked a few threads that most aquariums are "similar" and likely built in the same factory as all the parameters are pretty similar. It hits a few must have for my family:
- LED color changing lights (I blame the child and husband) [I like that they're on top and not behind which makes for weird shadows]
- A partially openable lid - my main beef with my current tank is the feed door is a pain and to get in there for anything I essentially constantly have to peel off the whole top portion which then leaks some more because condensation from a comfortable 79F tank.
- I like the all included tank option because it has (almost) everything in one go and mom life is a struggle - but I'm open to other options.
- The filter only has one component to change out rather than the three pieces in my current filter.

I was reading about it, and I liked the idea of a corner filter. Either way, I plan to put my bubbler in there, if only because Nemo loves his bubbles.

My other option is the Top Fin Essentials Starter 29G which is on sale, but the reviews of the filter scare me on that one for anything over 20G.

Has anyone gotten a petsmart tank? Any warnings? Is there anything I should be looking for specifically? I'd love to get as much information as I can. I wish I had more time, and do this more leisurely, but my tank is officially a leaky hazard.

Information on what I currently have in my tank:
1 Betta and 4 ghost shrimp.
Anubia plant.
3 stocks of water wisteria.
3 morimoto moss balls.

Future Tank wishes: (Not any time soon mind you)
African Dwarf Frogs

To answer about the TopFin tanks, I purchased a 5gal starter kit, had all kinds of things included, it was on sale at the time for under $30.00 I just needed a spare to use as a QT tank. I like to have spares kicking around just in case, but at the time It was to QT 3 new mollies. It worked well, I liked the measurements of it. But the filter was not powerful, it seemed like it barely moved the water around, it has an adjuster valve on it, so I experimented with it a bit, but I personally like the aqueon starter kits much better, I couldn't beat the price at the time so I bought it. Maybe the larger Topfin filters are better.

 

To answer about the TopFin tanks, I purchased a 5gal starter kit, had all kinds of things included, it was on sale at the time for under $30.00 I just needed a spare to use as a QT tank. I like to have spares kicking around just in case, but at the time It was to QT 3 new mollies. It worked well, I liked the measurements of it. But the filter was not powerful, it seemed like it barely moved the water around, it has an adjuster valve on it, so I experimented with it a bit, but I personally like the aqueon starter kits much better, I couldn't beat the price at the time so I bought it. Maybe the larger Topfin filters are better.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I feel like TF filters are hit or miss, so I definitely hear you on that. I an looking to go larger so I’m definitely wanting to get this right.

 

Current set up. The water has been treated. It’s nearly at the right temperature. Everything was washed and then rinsed with some old tank water. Temperature is perfect. Just giving it a few more hours before getting the water tested.

 

Nice !

 

Nice !

Thanks! I can't wait for my next piece to come in for it. I ordered an AT-AT walker. It's going to look awesome xD

 

Thanks! I can't wait for my next piece to come in for it. I ordered an AT-AT walker. It's going to look awesome xD

What’s an AT-AT walker ?

 

Has anyone gotten a petsmart tank? Any warnings? Is there anything I should be looking for specifically? I'd love to get as much information as I can. I wish I had more time, and do this more leisurely, but my tank is officially a leaky hazard.

I will share my experience with Petsmart tanks... I have two. One, the "retreat" that I got a couple years ago and an "escape" that is brand new. From using both of them, here are my takeaways:
-Filters are weak and usually a pain to clean. I ended up ripping out the internal filter in the "retreat" and replacing with an HOB. Not too keen on the one in the escape either. I have one of their silentstream HOBs and that works fine, but anything other than that I would avoid.
-Lights are usually pretty bright but there have been reports of them going out, and many of them can't be put on a timer. But they have worked great for me.
-Tank quality is good if you get an all glass tank. Beware some of their cheaper glass tanks!!! They look like they are all glass but they actually have plastic bottoms and they are notoriously leaky.

The two options you mentioned seem decent, but personally I would go with the 29 gal for two reasons. One, you get more space, and two, I have the smaller version of the filter that comes with it and it works really well. I don't trust any of the top fin filters other than their HOBs.

 

What’s an AT-AT walker ?

Watch Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. You will see.

 

The two options you mentioned seem decent, but personally I would go with the 29 gal for two reasons. One, you get more space, and two, I have the smaller version of the filter that comes with it and it works really well. I don't trust any of the top fin filters other than their HOBs.

Thanks for that! I did end up getting the 20G, and in the end it was the lighting and the dimensions that "sold me" so to speak. Given where I was placing the tank, it was the better choice. I did make sure it was fully glass, and then double checked all the sealed joints before adding water. I'm also really happy with the top of it. It's "cat proof" and the tank takes up so much of my entertainment center turned buffet that they can't really do much more than watch from a nearby dining chair when I pull one out xD

I also decided to not use their filter as it's neither fry nor shrimp friendly. I have a bubbler and a Hikari Sponge Filter in the corner behind the "rock village"

What’s an AT-AT walker ?

AT-AT walkers are large pew pew machines from Star Wars that look like really weird metallic dinosaurs. That's about as horribly as I can describe them without repeating what Betta'sAnonymous comment xD


P.S. I have no idea what I'm doing quoting wise so hopefully this doesn't train wreck.

 

Watch Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. You will see.

I saw the first two movies when I was a kid but completely lost interest after. I’d rather watch a documentary on making toilet paper than Star wars... ;-)

 

I saw the first two movies when I was a kid but completely lost interest after. I’d rather watch a documentary on making toilet paper than Star wars... ;-)

.....nerd....lol

 

I saw the first two movies when I was a kid but completely lost interest after. I’d rather watch a documentary on making toilet paper than Star wars... ;-)

As in episodes 1 and 2 or 4 and 5? There are 2 generations SW movies

 

As in episodes 1 and 2 or 4 and 5? There are 2 generations SW movies

Actually, 3 now, but only the first generation of movies matters!

 

Actually, 3 now, but only the first generation of movies matters!

Given the humor and expression, the third seemed a non option, but who knows xD I like all the movies honestly. I’ve accepted that Lucas is no Timothy Zahn.

 

Given the humor and expression, the third seemed a non option, but who knows xD I like all the movies honestly. I’ve accepted that Lucas is no Timothy Zahn.

Yeah well, there is a lot of sci-fi giys out there who aren't Zahn, either lol! Though some of their stories were good in their way.. just not as cool as Zahn's

 

My dad and brothers are obsessed with Star Wars, I am not too into it either, but the one time I did watch one movie all the way through it was pretty good.

 

As in episodes 1 and 2 or 4 and 5? There are 2 generations SW movies

I don’t know what episodes they were. The real first ones that played in theaters 30+ years ago.

 

I don’t know what episodes they were. The real first ones that played in theaters 30+ years ago.

Episode 4 and 5 xD