[Rebecca]

Anyone ever buy any of Aqua Culture's products? I saw some (like tanks and cleaning supplies) at Wal-mart. There was a 10-gal starter kit for only $30. It contained: Full incandecent light (w/ bulbs); a Filter (it was AQUA-tech w/ EZ-change filter cartridge); Water Conditioner; Fish food. The dimensions are 20L x 10W x 12H. The conditioner and food are Tetra brand, I believe.

Anyway, I looked up Aqua Culture on the internet; couldn't find much. They don't have a website or anything, yet they claim to be America's #1 seller? So I was wondering if they are a decent brand.

 

[Lupin]

I wouldn't buy that kit.
Buy the biggest tank you can afford. Second hand tanks are cheaper but watch out for any leaks.
You need fluorescent lights, not incandescent. Incandescent lights give off heat which can increase the tank's temp therefore not suitable for tanks.
For filters, try to find one that is of good quality. Eheim and Sera being one of those good choices.

"No.1" slogans are useless. You can't trust anything saying that it's no.1. Mistakes are bound to happen.

For other equipments, try my sticky "Beginner's Guide" in New Freshwater Tanks. It can give you ideas.

Good luck.

 

[Rebecca]

A 10-gallon is basically the biggest I can afford and even have room for. I am putting the tank in my room so it will be a tight squeeze for a 10-gal. Unless I find another spot for it. And I honestly can't spend more than $50 on setting up the entire thing, including the fish(except I'm only one or two fish to start with) and decorations and stuff. So far it seems to be the best tank I've found, although I haven't checked the real pet stores yet. I actually did find an article in the meantime about this kit; here's the link:
http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/34/440/?PHPSESSID=a36b53fb3c261e46a4b7f0da59f16f51

They seemed to like it. Can anyone recommend any brands they like?

 

[Lupin]

Just change the incandescent lights with a fluorescent one.

 

[Rebecca]

Ah. What's the difference between the two?

 

[Lupin]

Incandescent lights are poor in quality and can give off heat. This increases the temperature of the tank and this can harm your fish.

Fluorescent lights are better as they don't give off too much heat.

 

[Rebecca]

Oh! Yeah that would be a problem, especially since it's hard to keep tanks cool in this weather anyway. :mrgreen:

 

[Lupin]

Yep. Best to stick with fluorescent lights.
If you have tank temp fluctuations, there's a sticky in Maintaining the Freshwater Tank section.
Hope it helps.

 

[CJ]

Florescent lights are superior for many reasons besides heat, they give off light in various spectrum's according to their Kelvin ratings and colors. Fish do much better with fluorescents intended for aquarium use, and even though they are more expensive, they cost less to operate.

Though I wouldn't personally use on, Dr. Foster & Smith offer a wide variety of complete systems that can support a small shoal of Neon Tetra's or one really nice Beta that are micro systems designed to fit on your desk and larger ones that can go up to 60 gallons.

These micro-systems include a hidden filter, air pump, substrate, everything except for the fish themselves.

If you already have a tank but only an incandescent fixture, Fosters & Smiths carry a line of screw in type fluorescent bulbs.

Check out: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Shop.cfm?N=2004&ref=3636&subref=AC

 

[SKAustin]

GuppyGirl, I can say with complete confidence that the 10 gallon wal-mart kits are sufficient, especially on a budget. I can also advise you that if you look, you will likely find that they also sell the identical kit for a few dollars more, with a flourescent lighting unit. I know, I have one myself, purchased at wal-mart. The HOB filters that come with these kits, although somewhat cheap in appearance, have proven reliable, and are a much quieter operating unit than the more expensive Whisper Power filters. I have a 29 gallon kit purchased at walmart as well the two 10 gallon kits, and have yet to experience any troubles with it whatsoever.

 

[CJ]

What are the dimensions of your tank?

 

[SKAustin]

CJ, if you're asking me, the answers are:

Size ------- Length x Depth x Height
10 Gallon – 20 ¼” x 10 ½” x 12 ½” (x3)
20 Gallon – 24 ¼” x 12 ½” x 16 ½” (x1)
29 Gallon – 30 ¼” x 12 ½” x 18 ½” (x1)
55 Gallon – 48 ¼” x 12 ¾” x 20 ¾” (x2)

If you're asking Guppygirl101, the answer will be:

10 Gallon – 20 ¼” x 10 ½” x 12 ½”

 

[CJ]

Here's the solution I found for my 25 Gal.:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...l&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1>

The first one on the list is 20 inches. You can call or email them to ask for the specific dimensions.

 

[Wanderlust Silva]

Need a lil help

Hey everyone. I'm a grad student and just purchased this because I enjoy my fish bowls and haven't had an aquarium since I was a kid.


So I purchased this, Aqua Culture 10 gallon model because it fits the starving grad student budget... anyway it works fine, but I can't seem to get the light to fit on the aquarium with the filter on. There is a big plastic piece that sorta looks like it can be "broken" off... am I missing something really easy?

thanks a bunch.

rick

 

[Tyyrlym]

Most hoods have pre-scored knock outs along the back. That allows you to snap off some of the plastic so that you have enough room for cords or filters but don't leave the back completely open.

 

[vetdepotnik]

I have had the 10 gallon Aqua Culture kit for almost 2 months now, and last week I came to work (it's on my desk top) to find it had leaked all over the place. I found the source of the leaking, and patched it up with super glue, only to have another leak show itself on the other side of the tank. Over the next WEEK, I kept covering leaks only to have another one spring up somewhere else, until yesterday I came to work and the water leakage had reached an all-time high. My WHOLE DESK was covered in water, even my keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. Luckily everything was fine, but it was quite a pain to clean up. I went to Petco and bought a 10 gallon Aqueon tank, and now that I have the two side by side, the Aqua Culture tank is SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER than the Aqueon I bought. They both said they were 10 gallons, but the Aqueon seems to be TWICE the size! My advice is to stay away from the Aqua Culture kit - it is very affordable and convenient, but not so convenient once it's leaked all over the place and been a complete frustration.

 

[beaslbob]

Anyone ever buy any of Aqua Culture's products? I saw some (like tanks and cleaning supplies) at Wal-mart. There was a 10-gal starter kit for only $30. It contained: Full incandecent light (w/ bulbs); a Filter (it was AQUA-tech w/ EZ-change filter cartridge); Water Conditioner; Fish food. The dimensions are 20L x 10W x 12H. The conditioner and food are Tetra brand, I believe.

Anyway, I looked up Aqua Culture on the internet; couldn't find much. They don't have a website or anything, yet they claim to be America's #1 seller? So I was wondering if they are a decent brand.

Just wanted to agree with the changing out the incandescent with fluorescent. I have actually paid ($20) for an incandescent hood for that. And $30 for a tank and hood is a good price. Just replace the incandescent with the spiral pig tail fluorescent bulbs (~$5/two bulbs)

You might also take a look at the link in my signature (or here if you can't see the signature: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/advanced-freshwater-discussion/beaslbob-build-295530/ ) . I have used that on may 10 gallons over the years. No need for the filter and water conditioner with that. All you need is the tank and hood plus inexpensive substrate and the fluorescent bulbs.

my .02