Tropical Fish Keeping banner

Starting a 55 Gallon (buy used or new?)

2K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  Shooter311 
#1 ·
There is a local guy selling a 55 gallon tank it includes-
-Metal Stand
-Glass tops
-he said something about a strip for it. I guess a strip light?
-Penguin 350 filter
- 2 20 gallon heaters (is this normal?)
- All the rocks needed
-and 2 Cichlids (not sure what kinds I know they are large).
this is all for sale used for $150.
I'm just wondering if its a good deal or if I should just go with a wal-mart setup for $150 and build my own stand. Any info would be great. I dont have many LFS to compare it to. I only have one and they are rip offs (55G freshwater setup for $1000).
Also I heard not to have under gravel filters in bigger tanks is this true? Thanks A lot for your time.
 
#2 ·
If you're sure the tank is sound...and all the equipment is in good shape, I'd say it was a very good deal!

Nothing wrong with used stuff if it's in good shape!
 
#3 ·
I talked to him over the phone and he said it was in "Great Shape".
I was just wondering what the "Glass tops" look like. I have seen them online but cant find a pic. of them on the tank. are they pretty cheap? also the two 20 gallon heaters is that normal? And what about his setup is better than the wal-mart setup? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a broke college student who loves fish and I don't have much cash. Thanks for the quick response.
 
#4 ·
I feel your pain about being a broke college student and loving fish! :) Used is definitely the way to go! We got our 29 gal tank/stand/filter/heater for $40. Tank sounds like a pretty good deal, as long as everything looks OK/works, I don't know about the two heaters, may not be enough?
 
#5 ·
I don't know why he has 2 smaller heaters...but for now, one on either side of the tank will likely do...ask for a larger heater for your birthday or next present! :D

One thing about being a college student...are you going to be moving a lot? Taking a tank down and setting it up again is a big pain...
 
#6 ·
I use 2 smaller heaters in my 55 gallon tank. I've found that it helps keep the temperature more stable throughout the tank. My tank is 4 ft long, so if there were only 1 heater, I'm thinking the water surrounding the heater would be at a higher temperature than the water on the far end. Maybe if you put the heater in the middle... but I like them on the sides, more out of the way. It just seems that with a larger tank, it'd be easier to keep a stable temperature with 2 smaller heaters.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top