Equipment Review and Discussion :: 50 gallon tank

[Rickiew04]

Does anyone where I could buy an aquarium for a cheap price? I was thinking about getting a 20-30 gallon, but I figured that wouldn't last long enough. So know I'm thinking I might want a 50 gallon. I'm gonna be putting this in my room, so space is limited. I'm just wondering if anyone knows where I could purchase a tank for a really good price.

[Starchick]

Check craigslist or the newspaper for classifieds...I usually see 2 or 3 a week of people selling used tanks cheap, you just have to wait for a good deal on what you want.

[scripta_elegans]

i have found great deals on Ebay. I got a 75 gallon for 50.00 not long ago, and I have seen 55 gallons for less. most are pick up only, so look locally!

[daredevilgirl013]

Also if you don't really need to see what the turtle is doing, you can go to a farm supply store (TSC or even the local grain elevator) and get a stock tank for cheap. I got my 50 gallon for 25.00.

[Rickiew04]

What would be the best water filter for a 50 gallon? I would prefer one without a waterfall, but if that was the best then I might be able to deal with it.

[steve]

XP3 would be nice in a 50 gallon.

[Rickiew04]

Any submersible filters? What about the fluval 4plus?

[Pizza]

Well the Fluval 4plus works good in small aquariums, but it does take up swimming space, and is insufficient at keeping water clean from turtles in large aquariums in comparison to the larger external canister filters such as the xP3 or Fluval 405 (as an example). The most money-efficient way to approach things is with a good canister filter, it will keep the water clear and clean much longer and better, and unless your filter breaks, then a good sized filter will be all you need, no more replacements.

[Rickiew04]

How about on an electrical standpoint. Does the XP3 use a lot of electricity? And while I'm at it, do you think the 2 lights, water heater, and filter would very heavy on electricity? I live at home, and I don't want to hear my dad go insane over the electrical bill..haha.

[Pizza]

Surprisingly, the xP3 uses a very low wattage (40-80, I'll have to look on the sticker on the motor of my xP4 tomorrow, so expect the xP3 to use the same or less ).

Well so far, my electric bill with all the things running (250w heater, 26w UVB, 60w incandescent bulb, xP4), it comes around 35-40 CDN (do a currency conversion to USD or where ever you live, ).

[Rickiew04]

Surprisingly, the xP3 uses a very low wattage (40-80, I'll have to look on the sticker on the motor of my xP4 tomorrow, so expect the xP3 to use the same or less ).

Well so far, my electric bill with all the things running (250w heater, 26w UVB, 60w incandescent bulb, xP4), it comes around 35-40 CDN (do a currency conversion to USD or where ever you live, ).

Thanks alot Pizza!!!! That really helps a lot!!! Thats pretty much the same things I think I'll be running. Thats actually kind of a lot of money

[industrial_girl_2000]

Any submersible filters? What about the fluval 4plus?

I went with a Fluval 4 in my 90-gallon setup because it was on close-out & I got it for 1/2 off. The fact that it was cheap ($25) was a big deal for me since I had just gotten done spending $1000 on Sheba's new 90-gallon tank & really didn't want to spend any more money. So far, 4 months later, it has worked out great (I clean it out weekly, change the charcoal, & water stays sparkling clean between monthly water changes). Since Sheba's tank is so large, it doesn't really take up that much space & she often likes to rest her arm on it when she doesn't want to swim anymore.

At the time when I bought it, I didn't go with any of the exterior canister filters because of cost. They are very cool & many people on this board swear by them. If I ever have to replace my Fluval 4, then hopefully by that time I will have money to upgrade to a canister because they really are NICE.

[Rickiew04]

Yea...I'm like you, I think being on a limited budget might force me to go with the Fluval 4 and not a canister filter. I think the biggest tank I could afford at this time would be a 50 gallon.

The thing that has been concerning me recently is the electrical bills, wondering if I could afford paying my dad for the electricity I would need:/ I did a conversion on Pizza's post at its around $25-30 USD and I'm assuming thats per month.

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Im sure with a job you could be able to help your dad pay for the electric bill.I just asked my mom how much is our electric bill monthly and she said the highest we went up was 124$ last month.My dad has a pretty crappy job and we are usually very tight on money and i have to pitch on every week,but we get by.Im sure you can too.

[Rickiew04]

Im sure with a job you could be able to help your dad pay for the electric bill.I just asked my mom how much is our electric bill monthly and she said the highest we went up was 124$ last night.My dad has a pretty crappy job and we are usually very tight on money,but we get by.Im sure you can too.

Thanks, I found that funny for some reason...but I have tons of things on my plate already...car payment, car insurance, college, college books, girlfriend , and other misc. things. I'm just curious as what this is going to cost me. Probably won't stop me, just getting prepared I guess.