Well, I found the aquarium I want.

[Rajah]

It's a 26 (I think) gallon with a nice wooden (oak??) stand and pretty wooden lid, and has a bow-front. Decent combination of height and surface area, and very pretty.

The problem?

It's about $700
Of course, that includes the pump, filter (though I think under-gravel and I don't *want* under-gravel), gravel, a few decorations, some food, heater, and about $25 worth of fish, but still.

So, I guess unless I can find a nice *used* 20-ish gallon tank around here for less than $100 complete setup, I'm not getting my aquarium any time soon! :lol

They did have a plain glass 20 gallon for $36, but that didn't include stand ($75), lid ($80), filter (??), heater ($40), gravel, decorations, or fish.

 

[Adrianna]

there's NO WAY it should cost that much for so small a tank - plus, if you're not even sure you love it yet, I wouldn't go for the solid oak deal, that comes later. Just get something fairly inexpensive at first, and if you really find you love it, then upgrade. Where did you find that expensive one? I'm sure if you look around at the "discount" pet stores and such, you can find something nice. What kind of fish are you gonna get?

 

[Rajah]

Adrianna -- that's what I thought about the cost. Wayyyy too much. I had to look at it 3 times to make sure I was reading it right. This was at Petco. I'm going to check Petsmart later this afternoon when I get the kitty's food (stupid me... went to Petco yesterday and completely forgot to get more kitty food ) and if they don't have a better deal, I'm going to try the aquarium shop up the road a ways.

What I *really* would like is a tropical saltwater tank with clown fish, blue tangs, and blue damsels and one of those pretty yellow fish with the black mark down its face and around it's eye. But I *know* I am not up to the challenge of a saltwater tank yet, so I'll settle for some neon tetra, zebra danios, and whatever else pretty I can find that will work together.

Assuming, of course, I can find a nice-looking tank to set up downstairs.

 

[DemonLlama]

Rajah,
Any chance you could check the Chronicle for a used aquarium? Folks give up the hobby all the time. We lucked into our 30 gallon hex with oak stand and complete set-up up for $30 at a garage sale, but I also see classifieds for all sizes of tanks pretty regularly.

(BTW, you don't know it, but we've met. I used to post as WDWNovice and we had a DIS meet at Joe's Crab Shack on the Kemah Boardwalk in Oct. 2000. I had my two kiddos with me but we had to leave early before the group picture. )

 

[RUDisney]

You are a sick, sick woman for still wanting fish after hearing my previous stories.

If you lived closer, I'd give you our whole 30-gallon setup that is in the attic. That was my DH's first tank.

We've had 5 fish-related deaths in our house since last week. Not the 2 that I want to die, but new ones that the kids got last week. We were at a graduation party that had goldfish in the bowls that betta fish are in with a plant. The bowls are pretty and the goldfish were feeder fish. Started out with 9 and we're down to 4... 2 in each bowl.

Silly me, I promised to get each of them a betta when the goldfish die. So far, they've been very conscientious about caring for the goldfish, although their track record doesn't show it. BTW, they didn't name the fish... and they still are dying, so I guess that blows that theory for me.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Ranging in price from 59 cents to $2 per eight pack depending upon brand and store, these aquariums are practical, disposible, and fitted to most standard fish.

 

[Lars624]

I wish you lived closer to me!! I am selling my 45 gallon octagon aquarium that is on an oak colored stand at my garage sale for 45.00.

 

[Rajah]

Originally posted by DemonLlama
Rajah,
Any chance you could check the Chronicle for a used aquarium? Folks give up the hobby all the time. We lucked into our 30 gallon hex with oak stand and complete set-up up for $30 at a garage sale, but I also see classifieds for all sizes of tanks pretty regularly.

(BTW, you don't know it, but we've met. I used to post as WDWNovice and we had a DIS meet at Joe's Crab Shack on the Kemah Boardwalk in Oct. 2000. I had my two kiddos with me but we had to leave early before the group picture. )

I tried. There's only one ad at all in the classifieds so far for any tank less than 55 gallon (most are 70 or larger) and it's $80 for a 30 gallon plus stand. If that's just the tank plus stand, I'll go new and not worry about leaks and scratches since I found I can get new (tank + stand + lighted hood) for $100 at Petsmart (just found that this afternoon ). But I am keeping my eyes open. And hey, if you see another ad that I miss, let me know?

I remember you!!! Nice to see you again.


RU -- LOL! Really, that's way too many fish for each bowl, so don't be too hard on the kids. The goldfish really should be in a tank with filtration and at least 2 gallons per fish for them to thrive. Y'all just don't have good luck with fishies, do you? *hugs*

Pat -- ROFL!!!

Lars and RU -- Too bad we don't live closer.