Habitat - Indoor :: upgrading

[Impulse Shopper]

Right now she's living in a tank that's only a gallon and a half. Unexpected addition to the family, but this is still the 3rd upgrade.

So of course I'm looking for the next real deal home for George, 10 gallons. The aquarium in my neighborhood, these guys are nice, but they are kind of putting the sales pressure on me.

The gallon they want to sell me comes with filter and a much needed light. And they have a separate basking spot, too, that I can purchase.

She's so tiny. Of course I don't know her birthday, so I count the day she came home with me, so that's 2 months and 4 days. She's growing fast.

Should I continue with gradual size upgrades (that match my budget by the way), and are there lamps I can affix to a smaller gallon tank like the filter we presently use?

Maybe I should go for the whole package the aquarium is offering. They've given me great advice these last few weeks. It's 10 gallons, comes with filter, and bulb for a little more than $50. The basking spot is $20. But I need a buncha rocks for her to climb on, right? I notice right now she sticks her head above water a fair amount so she's land/water...I guess?

Thanks for reading, Steve

[brain55]

Too bad you aren't a little closer. I have 2 different tanks (20 and 40 gallon) with the filter and different basking platforms that we purchased while climbing the rapid learning curve with our turtle. She's in a 90 gallon now, which I've learned is still too small, so I'll need to upgrade one more time. I'd say buy as big as you can afford, and limit your upgrades (expenses). I don't have the energy to post these tanks to Craigslist or whatever to get rid of them, not to mention I can't get anything close to what was spent on them in return. At this point I'd be happy limiting somebody's learning/growing expense.

Best of luck,
Brian

[Kansasslider]

If you keep buying larger and larger tanks you will be stuck with a bunch of tanks that you will need to get rid of. A suggest you look on Craig's list or get one at Petco during the $1 a gallon tank sale. Bigger is better when it comes to tanks. You can buy cheap clamp light fixtures at home depot etc. You will need 2 of them. One for heat. One for uvb.

[Impulse Shopper]

Too bad you aren't a little closer. I have 2 different tanks (20 and 40 gallon) with the filter and different basking platforms that we purchased while climbing the rapid learning curve with our turtle. She's in a 90 gallon now, which I've learned is still too small, so I'll need to upgrade one more time. I'd say buy as big as you can afford, and limit your upgrades (expenses).

Good idea! I can upgrade a little at a time and end up spending more, rather than just go for the $50 10 gallon tank right now.

And the holidays are coming up, and I will be in the beautiful San Francisco bay area in a little while, so let's keep in touch! Thanks for your great advice!

I don't have the energy to post these tanks to Craigslist or whatever to get rid of them, not to mention I can't get anything close to what was spent on them in return. At this point I'd be happy limiting somebody's learning/growing expense.

Best of luck,
Brian

That's very generous of you. The cabinet below the kitchen sink is getting full with her previous homes. LOL, I imagine how they can pile up!

[steve]

Good advice all around. With the $ sale that Kansasslider mentions, all upgrades should go from that point. Anything smaller, and you won't recover what you pay for the tank unless it was free. It's possible a small male RES won't need an upgrade after a 55 gallon.

*to clarify...any tank 55 gallons and smaller will cost $1 per gallon. So a 40 gallon breeder tank should cost you $40.

[Impulse Shopper]

You can buy cheap clamp light fixtures at home depot etc. You will need 2 of them. One for heat. One for uvb.

Thank you! That's the information the fellows at the local aquarium did not share! He insisted that I get the fully equipped tank, not just the bulb, and I may take his advice, but...I knew there were alternatives he wasn't telling me. Thank you!

Yes, the cabinet below the kitchen sink is getting a bit full from her old homes, LOL. She hangs out in those while I clean her main home.

[steve]

Make sure the fixture has a ceramic or porcelain base if you're going to use a high wattage bulb.

[Impulse Shopper]

Make sure the fixture has a ceramic or porcelain base if you're going to use a high wattage bulb.

Thank you. I'm going to spring for the ready made tank. These guys haven't led me wrong yet.

But I need to make sure there are enough rocks for her to climb on when she's not swimming (in addition to the basking spot). Right now, she frequently keeps her head above water, about 50% of the time.

Thank you!!

[steve]

What size tank? Be sure sure to do some fill testing, even with new tanks. There have been some quality complaints about the Aqueon brand. Also make sure there is some warranty... I think Aqueon tanks 65G and larger carry a lifetime warranty.

[Impulse Shopper]

get one at Petco during the $1 a gallon tank sale. Bigger is better when it comes to tanks. You can buy cheap clamp light fixtures at home depot etc. You will need 2 of them. One for heat. One for uvb.

The Petco dollar/gallon sale may not be until Thanksgiving, and we can't wait that long. I'm going to call my local aquarium and find out exactly what kind of tank it is so I can research. I think it's a real bargain. It comes with one light (need to know if it's heat or uvb) and filter for $53. The basking dock is $25. That's still well below the prices I see at petco.com ($100+, gorgeous, but no filter or lights, and too small)...

[Kansasslider]

I would wait for the sale then buy everything else online. You can save a lot by buying off E-bay, Amazon etc. How much does your local shop want and for what size tank?

[Impulse Shopper]

How much does your local shop want and for what size tank?

$53 and I think it's 50 gallons, but they're not answering the phone this morning

My local shop: http://www.yelp.com/biz/angels-tropical-fish-pasadena

I want to go with them, too, because I don't have a car, and they are literally 3 blocks away. I guess I can take a taxi home. It would look odd carrying a large tank down the street, LOL!

[steve]

That's not bad, though measure the tank anyway and make sure it's new with a warranty.

[Impulse Shopper]

That's not bad, though measure the tank anyway and make sure it's new with a warranty.

Will do. I think it is "not bad" at all, as you say. I'm a skeptic. I am always going to give something just shy of the 3rd degree. Once I do my research, I'll accept what's being offered from these people, it seems, but not without asking many questions and checking out alternate options. But this tank seems to take the cake.

Thank you!!

[steve]

So, not the Impulse Shopper then?