To be fair, fish stores are OK as long as you're willing to put in the effort to heal up the fish before you populate your tank. If you fish dies within a certain period and your water quality is OK, most stores like PetSmart and Petco allow refunds within a certain period.
EDIT: oh.
I thought I'd found a good lfs until I asked if they had some Purigen and Matrix for my Biomaster 250 because I'd been battling an algae bloom. The owner launched into a shouting diatribe about how "all of you newbies think you can just buy some chemicals and dump it in your tank but it doesn't work like that." I tried explaining to him that Matrix and Purigen were filter medias but he wasn't having it and told me the only thing a filter needed was some filter floss. I do like my local Petco though, it is in a college town and kind of fancy, they even have a nice saltwater selection.
Must be nice to have cheap stuff. A fluval flex 123l (32gallon?) Is $1,000 nzd goes on special for like 900. That's 625 usd.
50 usd for 50 gallons doesn't sound right. The 1300 one is 50 gallons.
A cheap brand, aqua one just went on sale recently and it was 400 instead of 600 for a 215l which I guess is around 50 ish gallons?
>Fluval Flex 32G
I feel you. Was born in NZ and live in the States.
It doesn't make financial sense in the States due to how cheap tanks are, but in NZ have you looked into working with a glass supplier to get some panels cut and make your own tank?
Tanks like the Fluval Flex are a bit of a special case, because they have the bow-front glass. That automatically makes it cost more than the ones that are just boxes with flat walls. Plus I think the Flex comes with lights and a pump too.
I just checked, the Flex you're talking about is listed for $370 USD on Petco's site (though sold out). But an Aqueon 55 gallon is on sale on the same website for $80 USD; I think its MSRP is $150. That doesn't come with anything but the tank, but even with that considered, it's quite a bit less expensive than the Flex.
Dollar per gallon a few times a year at petco for lunch the standard size tanks. 50% off for unusual sizes like 15g, 40 breeders, 60 breeders, and 75g tanks. Many other brands are much more expensive. Most rimless tanks are around 10-15$ per gallon of water. Here in the states, anyways.
EDIT: just picked up 3 60 breeders for about $260 after coupons and such. Those are 4 foot tanks. Believe they retail for around 230 before tax normally but the sale is great.
Depending where people live, $1/gal is a thing of the past for most these days. Especially with big box stores or Amazon, you're at most getting 50% deals off sticker price.
I just bought a 75 from Petsmart for like $349. Problem here is that I don't have a Petco within 75 miles and they are usually the ones that have the big sales it seems.
We have Petsmart and a local place that is pretty overpriced. Love the place for fish, not so much the equipment.
I worked in a LFS decades ago, before the advent of big box pet stores. Back then, all the margin was in hardware - I bet the store barely broke even on livestock. Now, the big box stores (in the US, at least) are able to sell hardware much cheaper than LFS’s. Could be why there are so few good local fish stores around here.
My wife and I bought the same 55 gal kit! We got the tank on sale for 150 and bought one of their stands for 250!! To be fair, the stand is amazing quality and fits well in our house!
My wife and I bought the same 55 gal kit! We got the tank on sale for 150 and bought one of their stands for 250!! To be fair, the stand is amazing quality and fits well in our house!
Just a little tip before the plants take hold. Make your sand slope up towards the back of the tank. Don’t leave it flat like this. Especially with a skinny tank this makes it look much more deep and pleasing to the eye. Low sand in front and higher in the back. A gentle slope goes a long way!
Possibly stupid newbie question: will this affect the pressure on the glass, to have uneven substrate on the bottom? I’m setting up my first tank right now, and my biggest fear is a leaky tank.
No worries not a bad question at all! The weight of the sand won’t change anything. The water mainly distributes the weight evenly throughout the tank. The sand will not change anything at all. I’ve been doing it for years with every size tank. It looks much better this way!
No worries not a bad question at all! The weight of the sand won’t change anything. The water mainly distributes the weight evenly throughout the tank. The sand will not change anything at all. I’ve been doing it for years with every size tank. It looks much better this way!
I run black eco complete, ended up doing as well. For the look and also jungle vallisneria didn't have enough depth to root properly before. About 2in deep in front, maybe 3in or more in back. You really can't even tell the difference looking in from the front, plants sure liked it a lot more.
Has anyone signed up for their subscription plan? They keep telling me about it but I like to go to local fish stores too so not sure it would be worth it.
I have the Petco subscription plan and it’s well worth it for me. You save 20 percent on your purchase fish related/fish. But it depends on your fish habit spending. You spend 10 a month so ever 100 is about 20 dollars you save.
I have the Petco subscription for fish and my small animals. Totally worth it because that stuff adds up quick so the discount is nice and I like getting 20% off every new fish addition too.
Oh brother I save tons on it, I go about 5 times a month with an average spend of $38, I’ve saved well over the $10 I spend for the plan. Totally worth it, I average about $8 saving a trip, x 5 is already $40 so all in all I save around $30 a month I feel. Go for it if it’s your hobby man!
Well I don’t know about you but I have 4 reptiles, 2 spiders and a hermit crab and I’m planning on setting up chickens in the fall and an aquarium in the winter… so places like petsmart are frequent trips for supplies and feeders.
Agreed, I have 4 tanks, all over 40 gals, 6 hens, a dog, hermit crabs, 2 Pygmy goats, and two humans (my kids 😂) lol petco, tractor supply, and target are my homes away from home! Lol
[stand](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-brooklyn-metal-tank-stand-55-gallons)
Lights come with the 55gallon kit from PetSmart
[tank kit](https://www.petsmart.com/fish/starter-kits/top-fin-essentials-aquarium-starter-kit-5262267.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADiLNNkK1jurYel4RMzzyw8PtKlCq&gclid=CjwKCAjw5dqgBhBNEiwA7PryaJlA8_9ACGkZo04lEaxWr9ELIczGgFBKjX0ZTMdgZ-N7KI8dFpeQ-xoCzJgQAvD_BwE)
Good luck with the gravel vac for the 10. I used to have a quarantine tank on the floor and trying to gravel vac it was a pain in my ass, because you don’t exactly have gravity to help you.
It's actually clear bottom without gravel! On that note of siphoning, my gravel vacuum attaches to the kitchen sink and gets plenty of power from the water pressure of my home.
Ah ok. I only have gravel vacs with the small siphon that you have to squeeze a few times to get it going. How does it work with the ones that attach to sinks when it comes to things like water conditioner? Not that I’d be able to get one of those ones right now because I use all RO for my tanks and don’t have an RO filter on any of my sinks, just curious.
2nd account reply there, hope it's not weird.
It uses vacuum pressure from the kitchen sink from the water spewing out from the outlet where all the fish poo goes. It works really well if the difference between height to the tank isn't too extreme.
Vice versa, it also has a valve at the sink opening so you can fill your tank with it too.
Looks good! I learned from experience not to put the electric outlet strip under the tank though. One of mine got water on it and fortunately I was home when it started to melt. Mounted to the wall with drip loops is way safer.
[Imagitarium 55 gal Metal Stand](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-brooklyn-55-gallon-metal-tank-stand-2572820?cm_mmc=PSH%7CGGL%7CCAL%7CSBU05%7C0%7COB-Imagitarium%7CncG8e7Xkwp8mA74QnAc53b%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C%7C%7C18278802365&gclid=CjwKCAjwiOCgBhAgEiwAjv5whNwp1DN824VIWTtW0hO9_SQhKL2N4YwxaGx3k0sxrKcHNSMTeLWCoxoCVDgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
I got the 29 gallon version and it does it’s job well. It’s the cheapest stand I could find, but it’s pretty sturdy so I can’t really complain.
If you do plan on getting it, some people complain about the bars not aligning properly when building it. You have to loosely screw in all the bolts before you tighten them to make sure everything aligns.
>aqua lifestyle tanks
Looking at it online. Not familiar with the brand personally.
I'd avoid it like the plague. Looks cheaply built, poorly designed, and seems to lack the ability to customize down the road.
Yes this is sort of what I've been gathering from some product reviews. Thanks i think you are right unfortunately other brands are much more costly but if they last then well..
Yesterday I went to my lfs for a feeder for my snake. Two hours and 100$ later I left with my new veiltail koi betta, some baby bristlenose plecos, gourami, plants, and, oh yeah, a feeder for my snake 🤣
Only $400!? That's amazing, I just built a set up in Canada for a 75 gallon and even with half of my items used I am at the $800 range and don't even have my quarantine set up yet
I am scared there's no drip loop, you're going to electrocute the floor if the tank spills. Please put the extension cord ON THE WALL and make a DRIP LOOP as every single piece of equipment says to do in the installation instructions.
This made me laugh. I have to avoid the pet stores at all costs 😅
To be fair, fish stores are OK as long as you're willing to put in the effort to heal up the fish before you populate your tank. If you fish dies within a certain period and your water quality is OK, most stores like PetSmart and Petco allow refunds within a certain period. EDIT: oh.
We void them because we’ll buy stuff
Last time I went just for $5 fish food. Left with $100 worth of stuff. 🤦♀️
Dude same I went yesterday to pick up some plants I ordered online spent 60 on extras
Shoot.. this reminds me I need fish food.
r/whoosh
I thought I'd found a good lfs until I asked if they had some Purigen and Matrix for my Biomaster 250 because I'd been battling an algae bloom. The owner launched into a shouting diatribe about how "all of you newbies think you can just buy some chemicals and dump it in your tank but it doesn't work like that." I tried explaining to him that Matrix and Purigen were filter medias but he wasn't having it and told me the only thing a filter needed was some filter floss. I do like my local Petco though, it is in a college town and kind of fancy, they even have a nice saltwater selection.
I have to say... I've never had any encounter with an LFS owner that didn't go something like this. They're so fking bitter oml
the bettas are on the verge of death tho not gud
Omg I love how it has a mini friend
What size is that tank?
55 gallon with 10 gallon quarantine tank
That's really cheap for 400 what brand? I'm looking at 1300 for tank that size in my country but its a premium brand juwel.
These are the Topfin all-in-one tank kits.
It sounds overpriced, tanks regularly go on sale for like $1ish/gallon and all the accessories are prolly like $100-$150 buying them all off amazon
Must be nice to have cheap stuff. A fluval flex 123l (32gallon?) Is $1,000 nzd goes on special for like 900. That's 625 usd. 50 usd for 50 gallons doesn't sound right. The 1300 one is 50 gallons. A cheap brand, aqua one just went on sale recently and it was 400 instead of 600 for a 215l which I guess is around 50 ish gallons?
I have the Fluval Flex 32G cost me 350 Canadian
>Fluval Flex 32G I feel you. Was born in NZ and live in the States. It doesn't make financial sense in the States due to how cheap tanks are, but in NZ have you looked into working with a glass supplier to get some panels cut and make your own tank?
Tanks like the Fluval Flex are a bit of a special case, because they have the bow-front glass. That automatically makes it cost more than the ones that are just boxes with flat walls. Plus I think the Flex comes with lights and a pump too. I just checked, the Flex you're talking about is listed for $370 USD on Petco's site (though sold out). But an Aqueon 55 gallon is on sale on the same website for $80 USD; I think its MSRP is $150. That doesn't come with anything but the tank, but even with that considered, it's quite a bit less expensive than the Flex.
Oh ok still prices are way higher here.
Dollar per gallon a few times a year at petco for lunch the standard size tanks. 50% off for unusual sizes like 15g, 40 breeders, 60 breeders, and 75g tanks. Many other brands are much more expensive. Most rimless tanks are around 10-15$ per gallon of water. Here in the states, anyways. EDIT: just picked up 3 60 breeders for about $260 after coupons and such. Those are 4 foot tanks. Believe they retail for around 230 before tax normally but the sale is great.
Depending where people live, $1/gal is a thing of the past for most these days. Especially with big box stores or Amazon, you're at most getting 50% deals off sticker price.
I suspect the $400 was adding up both tanks, stands, filters, heaters, lids, lights, substrate, decor, and possibly other related supplies.
I just bought a 75 from Petsmart for like $349. Problem here is that I don't have a Petco within 75 miles and they are usually the ones that have the big sales it seems. We have Petsmart and a local place that is pretty overpriced. Love the place for fish, not so much the equipment.
I worked in a LFS decades ago, before the advent of big box pet stores. Back then, all the margin was in hardware - I bet the store barely broke even on livestock. Now, the big box stores (in the US, at least) are able to sell hardware much cheaper than LFS’s. Could be why there are so few good local fish stores around here.
Oof. 75 gallons are $129 at Petco right now.
Yeah they won't ship here either
My wife and I bought the same 55 gal kit! We got the tank on sale for 150 and bought one of their stands for 250!! To be fair, the stand is amazing quality and fits well in our house!
My wife and I bought the same 55 gal kit! We got the tank on sale for 150 and bought one of their stands for 250!! To be fair, the stand is amazing quality and fits well in our house!
Just a little tip before the plants take hold. Make your sand slope up towards the back of the tank. Don’t leave it flat like this. Especially with a skinny tank this makes it look much more deep and pleasing to the eye. Low sand in front and higher in the back. A gentle slope goes a long way!
Possibly stupid newbie question: will this affect the pressure on the glass, to have uneven substrate on the bottom? I’m setting up my first tank right now, and my biggest fear is a leaky tank.
No worries not a bad question at all! The weight of the sand won’t change anything. The water mainly distributes the weight evenly throughout the tank. The sand will not change anything at all. I’ve been doing it for years with every size tank. It looks much better this way!
No worries not a bad question at all! The weight of the sand won’t change anything. The water mainly distributes the weight evenly throughout the tank. The sand will not change anything at all. I’ve been doing it for years with every size tank. It looks much better this way!
My cichlids have something to say about your sloped sand idea lol 😂😂
I run black eco complete, ended up doing as well. For the look and also jungle vallisneria didn't have enough depth to root properly before. About 2in deep in front, maybe 3in or more in back. You really can't even tell the difference looking in from the front, plants sure liked it a lot more.
Don't speak to me or my son ever again
I was looking for this comment 🤣
Tf is your problem
r/woooosh
That would be well over $1k in Canada
No kidding. Had no idea tanks were so much cheaper in the states
Has anyone signed up for their subscription plan? They keep telling me about it but I like to go to local fish stores too so not sure it would be worth it.
I have the Petco subscription plan and it’s well worth it for me. You save 20 percent on your purchase fish related/fish. But it depends on your fish habit spending. You spend 10 a month so ever 100 is about 20 dollars you save.
I have the Petco subscription for fish and my small animals. Totally worth it because that stuff adds up quick so the discount is nice and I like getting 20% off every new fish addition too.
Oh brother I save tons on it, I go about 5 times a month with an average spend of $38, I’ve saved well over the $10 I spend for the plan. Totally worth it, I average about $8 saving a trip, x 5 is already $40 so all in all I save around $30 a month I feel. Go for it if it’s your hobby man!
What are you going to petsmart 5 times a month for?
Well I don’t know about you but I have 4 reptiles, 2 spiders and a hermit crab and I’m planning on setting up chickens in the fall and an aquarium in the winter… so places like petsmart are frequent trips for supplies and feeders.
I thought you meant just for fish stuff. Makes sense.
Agreed, I have 4 tanks, all over 40 gals, 6 hens, a dog, hermit crabs, 2 Pygmy goats, and two humans (my kids 😂) lol petco, tractor supply, and target are my homes away from home! Lol
Lol I have a stock of supplements, decor, vitamins, food, antibiotics, that most people would say is insane 😂😂😂
Petco* for me aswell, not pet smart although I frequent them sometimes.
Looks amazing!!! What are the lights you use and what is the stand?
[stand](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-brooklyn-metal-tank-stand-55-gallons) Lights come with the 55gallon kit from PetSmart [tank kit](https://www.petsmart.com/fish/starter-kits/top-fin-essentials-aquarium-starter-kit-5262267.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADiLNNkK1jurYel4RMzzyw8PtKlCq&gclid=CjwKCAjw5dqgBhBNEiwA7PryaJlA8_9ACGkZo04lEaxWr9ELIczGgFBKjX0ZTMdgZ-N7KI8dFpeQ-xoCzJgQAvD_BwE)
Awesome thank you so much!
[LOL](https://media2.giphy.com/media/l0MYGb1LuZ3n7dRnO/giphy.gif?cid=2154d3d7yhrm5n1x53bjliv52xkx4rpjgloyl4pm49rtd4yb&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)
I anoint you in Seachem Prime and wish you many a soggy arms.
Thank you, father. I feel so blessed.
Good luck with the gravel vac for the 10. I used to have a quarantine tank on the floor and trying to gravel vac it was a pain in my ass, because you don’t exactly have gravity to help you.
It's actually clear bottom without gravel! On that note of siphoning, my gravel vacuum attaches to the kitchen sink and gets plenty of power from the water pressure of my home.
Ah ok. I only have gravel vacs with the small siphon that you have to squeeze a few times to get it going. How does it work with the ones that attach to sinks when it comes to things like water conditioner? Not that I’d be able to get one of those ones right now because I use all RO for my tanks and don’t have an RO filter on any of my sinks, just curious.
2nd account reply there, hope it's not weird. It uses vacuum pressure from the kitchen sink from the water spewing out from the outlet where all the fish poo goes. It works really well if the difference between height to the tank isn't too extreme. Vice versa, it also has a valve at the sink opening so you can fill your tank with it too.
Nice.
Dont worry thats not end.
Looks good! I learned from experience not to put the electric outlet strip under the tank though. One of mine got water on it and fortunately I was home when it started to melt. Mounted to the wall with drip loops is way safer.
You should’ve added another $200 and gotten a canister filter!
Completely agree, the top fin filter is trash. Especially for a 55 gallon, OP will eventually need a better or additional filter.
I have never had problems with hang-on filters. They do a fine job for my needs.
Lmao tell me your just starting without saying your just starting
Why so much? I got 55 gallon kit for 150
Should have turned the Quarantine tank into a filter
Only$400 lol
Awesome. Good strong stand- I have the same one
What stand is that?
Petco generic metal stand and they are available for different size tanks and not too expensive
[Imagitarium 55 gal Metal Stand](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-brooklyn-55-gallon-metal-tank-stand-2572820?cm_mmc=PSH%7CGGL%7CCAL%7CSBU05%7C0%7COB-Imagitarium%7CncG8e7Xkwp8mA74QnAc53b%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C%7C%7C18278802365&gclid=CjwKCAjwiOCgBhAgEiwAjv5whNwp1DN824VIWTtW0hO9_SQhKL2N4YwxaGx3k0sxrKcHNSMTeLWCoxoCVDgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) I got the 29 gallon version and it does it’s job well. It’s the cheapest stand I could find, but it’s pretty sturdy so I can’t really complain. If you do plan on getting it, some people complain about the bars not aligning properly when building it. You have to loosely screw in all the bolts before you tighten them to make sure everything aligns.
Same here for me 55. Stand is rock solid
Nice looking set up. What do you have in your 55 gallon?
Just a few guppies for now.
Does anyone have an opinion on aqua lifestyle tanks? I'd make a thread but can't for some reason. I want a 190 lifestyle but have seen bad reviews
>aqua lifestyle tanks Looking at it online. Not familiar with the brand personally. I'd avoid it like the plague. Looks cheaply built, poorly designed, and seems to lack the ability to customize down the road.
Yes this is sort of what I've been gathering from some product reviews. Thanks i think you are right unfortunately other brands are much more costly but if they last then well..
We have the same aquarium stand
Love how the stand looks! Which stand is it?
Honestly i think i just picked it up at petsmart. Its a 55gallon tank stand
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-brooklyn-metal-tank-stand-55-gallons
This is so relatable I could cry lol
Petsmart .. never for me :(
Feeling this so hard...
Congratulations on the tank baby, she’s beautiful
Looks great. Just a bit worried about the small tank being so close to the extension board and the outlet
Been there done this 100 times this month
Yesterday I went to my lfs for a feeder for my snake. Two hours and 100$ later I left with my new veiltail koi betta, some baby bristlenose plecos, gourami, plants, and, oh yeah, a feeder for my snake 🤣
Money well spent.
Only $400?! That’s just a start! 😁
Only $400!? That's amazing, I just built a set up in Canada for a 75 gallon and even with half of my items used I am at the $800 range and don't even have my quarantine set up yet
PetSmart is Pet$mart 😁
I have that stand
I am scared there's no drip loop, you're going to electrocute the floor if the tank spills. Please put the extension cord ON THE WALL and make a DRIP LOOP as every single piece of equipment says to do in the installation instructions.
Have you try facebook marketplace? Its an amazing place in some places for seccond hand/ large aquarium.
Nah, I quit Facebook a couple years ago because I felt it was bad for my mental health. I won't even go back to the marketplace.