Cheap fish tanks; Quality vs. price of such aquariums

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How to buy an aquarium with discount? The gold rule still says: Ask for a discount no matter if you're buying an aquarium, a car or a house! If you are looking for a new aquarium you can choose an expensive one, such as a big aquarium installed into some cabinet. These aquariums are usually sold with everything what you may need for keeping all fish alive; sometimes with a discount, sometimes not (if there is no mention about discount, ask for better price!). The cabinet emphasizes the aquarium and it really looks nice especially if you know what and how put decoration, equipment, substrate, plants and fish specimens into the fish bowl, so that it may behave like a piece of nature cut somewhere from a rain forest or African creek. However, not everyone is able to buy such an expensive tank and there are various solutions how to obtain relatively cheap fish tanks as well.

Buying a second hand tank

One way how to buy a cheap aquarium tank is to buy second hand aquarium (or buy it from a wholesale dealer, it is mentioned a few paragraphs below). Some people decide to give up their hobby, but they don´t want to dispose all equipment so they sell them for some small money. You should pay attention in such a case because the fish tank does not last forever and the glue which keeps the glass together might sprung a leak and all the aquarium creatures (especially fish!) could die, especially if it happens when you are not at home. Another problem regarding a broken aquarium is that you must move all fish somewhere else. Generally, people don’t have more than 1 tank. Moreover, introducing peaceful Tetras or Panda Cories into a tank with aggressive carnivore Piranhas doesn’t sound good.

Another disadvantage of buying a second hand aquarium is that people sell them after suffering an illness which killed all inhabitants died, so that a person selling it decided to replace everything old with new ones. This might be very dangerous, because the illness may survive in the aquarium even though it looks clean like a rain drop. When you introduce living beings into such environment, then there’s no doubt they will get sick and you’ll have to buy medicaments or new fish in the end. On the other hand, potential disease isn’t the reason for avoiding previously used tanks because you can clean the tank fairly and then let it be (without any water) for few weeks. After this period everything should be OK.

Positioning a used aquarium can be difficult too. It’s because you usually can’t buy made-to-measure cabinet or stand along used tank. Then you have to figure where to put the tank by yourself. In general, people prefer placing their aquariums on different furniture like cabinets, however special care should be taken at this point because ordinary furniture isn’t designed to carry such weight. A tank weighs a lot of kilograms even it does not look so. Decorations, equipment, and especially gravel with water make the entire thing too heavy. For instance, an aquarium with capacity of 100 liters weighs at least 100 kilograms (this is really the minimum). Add substrate which may weigh about 20 kilograms, and decoration (if it’s made of plastics then it’s weight is negligible) which can be present as small rocks, large stones, or driftwood. You see that an ordinary cabinet which is suitable for TV set couldn’t be suitable for an aquarium. Except small tanks with weight up to 50-60 kilograms; they should be up kept.

The last note about second hand aquariums is that you can’t decide for it’s shape and dimensions. You are limited by offer.

Are wholesale cheaper and more reliable?

The answer is simple; In many cases, wholesale dealers are cheaper and reliable enough for making a deal. It is because such sellers have a technology of good quality and they usually sell their products to retail networks.

Custom made tank

Basically, custom made tanks are relatively cheap as well (except cases when you want to buy 2000 liters tank!). It is only 5 glasses glued together (usually it is made of 5 glasses). The advantage is that you can select the shape which you are looking for, and the size as well. Of course if you want to buy a hexagon or pentagon shaped aquarium (with little soldiers and generals) the production will cost you more. In addition, more space means more investment. Another advantage is that the tank should not contain any fish killing viruses or diseases, however there may be some impurities so that the tank should be cleaned before it’s being used. Bear in mind that you should plan an aquarium as a whole. This means that planning a stand or cabinet, filters, lighting, heater, thermometer and everything necessary goes together hand-in-hand with planning fish and plants in the tank. You shouldn’t forget about anything.

How much does it cost?

Prices may vary, however 1 Liter costs about 0.35-0.45 USD. Light bulbs (1x 25W neon tube with fixture) cost about 40 USD. Filter (designed for 100-200 Liters) might cost 15 USD. Heater (about 50W) means another 40 USD. Thermometer is another 1 USD. DIY stand will cost you about 200 USD. All in all, 100 Liters aquarium could cost from 350 US Dollars. I didn’t calculated the substrate, fish, plants and any decoration.

Conclusion

Saving about 10-20 dollars is what makes the difference between “cheap” and “ordinary” fish tank. But you should ask yourself if such difference matters with the final price at about 450-500 dollars for complete aquarium (including fish, plants, etc.). Moreover, you’ll have to pay bills for electricity and fish food which means more and are never-ending expenses.

So getting a small discount will not save your budget at all.

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Buying Cheap Fish Tanks

has been viewed times since June 30, 2009.