Subj : Re: Beginner in Phoenix, To : All From : T Date : Tue Dec 16 2003 10:57 am Sidney, you do know MarineLand makes the Regent filters for WalMart right? With a little playing and parts from MarineLand you can convert the Regent to an Emperor no problems.. My choise of HOT filters is a little different because of what I prefer and cost related issues ( I use the AC's from the 150 to the 300 because I can make my own filter media mixtures etc, and I also have foam media for any of these filters in one purchase ). I do agree with the mat tack particle board stands sold there are not a high qaulity item and the LFS probably have a better selection of better built units ( unless you want to make one yourself ). You can also check the local Penny Saver for good deals on tanks.... I bought two 55USG tanks for a mere $50 with a hand built stand that can support both of the tanks... A little cleaning and they looked new without any leaks. I purchased some of my filtration off of E bay, at a substainial savings ( these were new units or units with very little time on them ). take some time and research, research research, as this hobby will bring a lot of enjoyment for years to come...IMHO Tim.. "Sidney" wrote in message news:qKjDb.11896$pY.8132@fed1read04... > Buy quality components. Buy them one at a time if you must. It is > certainly cheaper in the long run. The Wal-Mart complete setups are a place > to start but, the tank is not that great quality, the stands are terrible > (but they don't fall ;-), and you will find the pumps, heaters, etc. to be > the very minimum level of quality - just enough to keep from killing fish > regularly. > > Find a couple of local fish stores near where you live. Buy a tank and > stand there. Buy a really good quality tank and stand first because once > you have it you never replace it. You will spend many hours a week looking > at it so, make sure it is the best quality you can afford (within reason). > I recently purchased a 50 gallon tank for $100. I really like the extra > height and depth of these tanks. A 24 inch tall "show" tank has a lot of > visual appeal for a main living area. The stands run ~$120 to $150 for an > enclosed model (same tank size). > > Now, once you recover from that financial outlay, get a good filter and > heater. The Emperor 400 from Marineland is solid starting point and runs > $40 from http://www.bigalsonline.com, add a Rena heater ~$20 from the same > place, some dechlorinator, and fish food you are at ~$80 with shipping. I > like to add a small Tetra DeepWater air pump with a rectangular air stone > (1inch by 6 inch) for those tiny bubbles and the visual appeal and you're > done at about $100. > > Now, add the water and let the tank sit about week to cycle through any > "bloom" that might occur. Now you're ready to add a few fish (not more then > 4) to get the tank started right. I would suggest viewing all the fish at > several pet stores at least once a week for a couple of weeks before you buy > some. Find fish that are appealing to you and, try to avoid the "Noah's > Ark" syndrome with one or two from each species. Right now I'm into large > groups of schooling Tetra's myself and find their behavior to be much > different in large groups versus isolation in an ocean of many. If you mix > fish, make sure they are compatible (i.e. you are not buying expensive > feeder fish for an aggressive predator in the tank - like Barbs and Neon > Tetra's or similar bad combinations). > > wrote in message > news:44aad0fc.0312111155.4ee8da03@posting.google.com... > > Hello, > > > > I currently live in Phoenix, AZ and I was wondering if anyone had any > > advice about stores locally that have friendly service, knowledge, and > > good prices. Please let me know if anyone has had any good > > experiences here in the area. > > > > Or if you are looking to sell an old tank, I would be interested. > > > > Thank you, > > Matt > > > > nemojv@hotmail.com > > --- þ RIMEGate(tm)/RGXPost V1.14 at BBSWORLD * Info@bbsworld.com --- * RIMEGate(tm)V10.2áÿ* RelayNet(tm) NNTP Gateway * MoonDog BBS * RgateImp.MoonDog.BBS at 12/16/03 10:57:01 AM * Origin: MoonDog BBS, Brooklyn,NY, 718 692-2498, 1:278/230 (1:278/230) .