Used Aquarium Equipment Questions

Thanks, James17! Do you know if you can get just a tank of that size from Petsmart, or does it need to be the entire ensemble?

 

5 foot 120's are pretty common place IMO

 

I'd go with the 110, What are the dimensions? Much nicer looking stand and tank from what I can see, and it has a proper hood, not open topped. Looks like the 120 has a weetbix stand.

 

What's a weetbix stand? This is something I've never heard of before. According to the seller, it's a pine stand that's painted black. I agree that the stand looks much nicer with the 110, but because it's the same length, more narrow, and taller it seems to really decrease my stocking options. Lastly, the fact that it's 20 years old has me a bit weary (but still willing to consider).

 

Weetbix is a cereal you can get in Australia and New Zealand. it's wheat flakes compressed into a rectangle for easier boxing and storage. He was saying the stand for the 120 looks like a press-board material.

 

I'm sure you can buy the tank only, you'd have to ask them to know for sure.

 

What's a weetbix stand? This is something I've never heard of before. According to the seller, it's a pine stand that's painted black. I agree that the stand looks much nicer with the 110, but because it's the same length, more narrow, and taller it seems to really decrease my stocking options. Lastly, the fact that it's 20 years old has me a bit weary (but still willing to consider).

Personally I'd forget about the 20 year old tank. By the time you pay for the tank and get it resealed, you would have paid enough for a brand new 1. Unless its acrylic its gonna have scratches that can not be fixed. So not worth it IMO.

 

Got it, thanks guys. Here I was thinking that was some actual type of stand!

It's supposed to be pine, which I know isn't supposed to be as good as oak, but I've still not found out exactly why. I suppose it's as simple as looking nicer, and maybe lasting longer.

 

Thanks, Dave125g! So it's looking like the 4' 120 or wait.

 

Wait for a 5 foot tank. You won't regret it the extra foot, and it'll give your fish more space.

 

Wait for a 5 foot tank. You won't regret it the extra foot, and it'll give your fish more space.

This is the correct conclusion to come to.

 

Ok, thanks! So there's no chance the 4' but deeper 120 can provide more space, right? This is one of the areas whereis wrong, yes? Lastly, is a 120 the only tank that comes in 5' other than something custom?

 

The 4 foot 120 does provide more space than the 4 foot 110 (or 90 or your current 55) due to the depth...but the 5 foot 120 will provide many more options than either of those tanks would.

As for 5 footers, there are 5 foot 90's, 120's, 125's, 140's, and 150's that I've seen around these parts. Though the 5 foot 120 is the most common

 

Gotcha, and in all cases, a longer tank will give me more options than a wider tank?

 

For the fish you are wanting to keep yes. Deeper tanks are better for larger monster fish comparative to the tank you are keeping. 75's are better for blood parrots/severums than 55's because their length is approaching the depth of the tank. So for instance if you were looking at something like a 5 foot tank that was only 12 inches deep like your 55...I would say a shorter 75 that is 18 inches deep would be better for a parrot or severum. But in your case, the largest fish you are considering is a parrot and it won't approach the depth of a 2 foot deep 120 or a 5 foot long 120. So your better space is added on to the end so you can set up more territories for more cichlids.

Not sure if that made sense or not.

 

Got it, thanks guys. Here I was thinking that was some actual type of stand!

It's supposed to be pine, which I know isn't supposed to be as good as oak, but I've still not found out exactly why. I suppose it's as simple as looking nicer, and maybe lasting longer.

Oak is a hard wood pine is soft.

 

Gotcha ok. Thanks for the explanation. Math and numbers aren't my thing at all, but I think I'm understanding for the most part. I really do plan for this to be my "forever tank" (I know I said that with the 55, too), so I want to be sure I end up with the best tank for the long haul.

I do plan to stay in the hobby longer than my current fish should be with me, though I think I'll always go the route of some cichlids with some larger schooling fish. Sometimes I think I'd eventually want larger cichlids (JD's, Salvini, Geo's, etc), while other times I think I'd like to have a larger number of smaller, perhaps more docile cichlids with my next "round" of fish.

 

Oak is hard, pine is soft, meaning what for an aquarium stand? What does this translate into for practical, everyday use?

 

Be careful not to get a tank taller then your arm or making adjustments to the hardscape will require a snorkel.

 

Not much. It's the quality mostly. Pine is cheap, oak is more expensive, and therefore stands made out of oak are usually more expensive and higher quality. Properly made pine stands can hold tanks just as well as oak stands. The soft/hard wood property doesn't matter in this case.

 

oak will be able to hold more weight and more durable to bumps and bruises with less risk of the structural integrity being damaged or lessened

 

Thanks! And where do particle board/plywood stands (like Petsmart stands) rank in terms of the everyday use question? I'm assuming these are the lowest quality there is, but I figured I'd ask.

It looks like I'll focus on a 5' tank, and the type of stand will be secondary as the length of the tank seems to be most important for my needs with the material for the stand coming in much later.

 

Particle board turns to dust when wet. It soaks water up like a sponge. Pine will soak it up too but not nearly as fast. Oak soaks up water slowly. Moist wood mixed with pressure (like the weight of a fish tank) will warp.

 

For your size tank though, I don't think pine or oak matter. If made properly, both will be able to hold your tank, regardless of 120, 110, or 90.

 

Great, thanks!

 

I have to ask this. A few pages ago you said you didn't have $400 to spend. Quote: "To be honest, I don't have an extra $400 right now, anyway." Why are you asking for so much input if in reality you are "window shopping"? In any hobby a person must live within their means. Is there something you are willing to sell and/or go without other things to finance a major purchase as this?

 

Just because I don't have the cash on hand at this very moment doesn't mean I can't save up. Just because I don't have the cash on hand at this very moment doesn't mean it's not good to know what I should and shouldn't look for. The truth of the matter is, I will be making an upgrade at some point, even if it doesn't happen tomorrow.

 

I now must say, "Dream Big!" then. Best of luck finding your perfect set up.

 

Ok, all, I think I may have found "the one", but I wanted opinions before making my decision. Just when I pretty much completely decided against a 6' tank, that's exactly what I've found.

125 gallon, approximately 3 year old tank. Seller says it's pretty much in perfect condition, and looks it based on photos I received. Homemade pine stand (frame style stand only), stained. Fluval lights. Glass tops. Can also get some accessories such as heaters, decor (waiting to hear exactly what), etc. $250. It's located almost two hours away, so I want to be sure this seems like a good deal before doing all that.

Looking for opinions on whether this is a good deal, and looking to hear from Dave125g and tyguy7760 (and anyone else with building homemade stands) regarding how easy (or not) it should be to turn the stand into a nicer cabinet style stand. Thanks as always!

 

Sounds like a great deal. Can't say how easy it would be to convert without seeing pictures

 

Thanks! I'll see if I can post pictures in a bit. But it's literally the frame that's built, but is open in the middle. Picture a typical metal stand that's made out of wood (2x4's, although that's not the right measurement, and such).

 

Hard to say without seeing it but if you wanted to make it a cabinet, it won't be difficult. Get some cabinet grade or sanded plywood (3/4 inch is plenty) and skin it with that. Cut holes for the doors. A few pieces of trim and you should be all set. The most difficult part of building a stand (IMO) is getting the frame level. So if that's done it shouldn't be too bad.

 

Thanks! I'll see if I can post pictures in a bit. But it's literally the frame that's built, but is open in the middle. Picture a typical metal stand that's made out of wood (2x4's, although that's not the right measurement, and such).

If the tank holds water a 125 is worth that much itself. 250 bucks stand tank and some decor is a great deal.

 

Thanks, guys! Dave125g, do you have anything to add regarding building a frame stand into a cabinet stand, or do you agree with everything tyguy7760 said about that?

Also, in regard to the stand, tyguy7760 talked about using plywood to finish building the stand into a cabinet stand, but what I've learned through discussions on this thread is that oak or pine (in that order) would be better quality than plywood. Could I /should I consider using either of these or is there a reason why I should use plywood in this case?

 

Plywood is fine for the outside as it's not supporting any weight, just covering the empty holes. It's cheaper than buying pine or oak sheets, but you could do that as well.

Sounds like a great deal!

 

It doesn't matter what wood you put on the outside. It has nothing to do with the integrity of the supports if the frame is built with 2x4's or some other form of stud boards. The wood you put on the outside is completely about aesthetics. Plywood is just a type of wood creation. You can get maple plywood, pine plywood, or oak plywood. It's thin strips of wood glued together. But as I said, it's not supporting the tank. Once it's constructed you can then paint it or stain it to seal the wood and keep it protected from the water.

 

Great, thanks all! Once I have it, I'll price out a few different types of wood to finish off the stand. I just think it would look so much nicer if the stand is a cabinet stand. Of course, I need to get it first, so I'll let that be my focus for now.

 

Thanks, guys! Dave125g, do you have anything to add regarding building a frame stand into a cabinet stand, or do you agree with everything tyguy7760 said about that?

Also, in regard to the stand, tyguy7760 talked about using plywood to finish building the stand into a cabinet stand, but what I've learned through discussions on this thread is that oak or pine (in that order) would be better quality than plywood. Could I /should I consider using either of these or is there a reason why I should use plywood in this case?

I skin mine with quarter inch finished plywood. For doors 3quarter inch finished plywood. Finished plywood makes it much easier to stain or paint. Most of the work is done for you.

 

That sounds like a great deal!! You better grab it soon, because I just might snatch it out from under you!

 

I didn't know plywood came in different types of wood - good to know!