just curious about this tank...

[awelcome]

I must preface this post by saying I am not going to be building a new tank any time soon... unfortunately lol. But I was bored today and thought I would check out craigslist to just see what kind of tanks there were on there, thinking that may be a good option eventually when I am ready to build a larger one. I tend to prefer the visual of the taller tanks, as opposed to longer, and I wondered if something like this would work very well for a vivarium and specifically for dart frogs? I kind of like the opening front of my zoomed, but I imagine many people make do without. How much of a hassle is it to have a tank that you have to reach into from the top? Here is the link to the tank I was wondering about.

56 Gallon Fish Tank WITH STAND! - EVERYTHING YOU NEED AND MORE!

[deranged chipmunk]

As a matter of fact, this build was done with the same tank:
http://www.frogforum.net/showthread.php?t=22339

I have built quite a few tanks from aquariums, and in a few months, will be doing a 125 gallon aquarium build. It can be a pita when you need to get to the bottom of the tank. And ventilation can be an issue. But otherwise, they make excellent vivs.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[awelcome]

Thanks for the link. So how WOULD you get good ventilation in a tank like that then?

[deranged chipmunk]

If you needed it for tree frogs, a screen top partially covered would suffice. For darts, you could just use a glass lid. No ventilation needed.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[awelcome]

that's good to know... I know I have seen people mention they didn't use ventilation for their dart frog tanks at all, but wasn't sure if that was really ideal or not. I am quite certain I couldn't convince Dh to let me get that tank, and store it for later.... especially since it's a bit of a drive... but part of me wants to ask lol. I just know I have a tendency to jump into things without really thinking them through so not sure it's a very good idea or not.... but 100$ sounds like a pretty good price to me if it's in good condition.

[deranged chipmunk]

That is a good price. I had one of those 23 years ago (bought it right before my wife and I got married) and it cost me $275 with stand back then.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[awelcome]

I was able to find it at petsmart I think it was, and read reviews. Sounds like it has some pretty mixed reviews, but not sure how many of them would actually apply to me for what I would use it for. Specifically though there were numerous complaints about possible leaking issues when moisture got behind the silicone on the corners.... I won't have a full tank of water obviously, but there is that possibility I might want some in the bottom. Another issue was people complained about there not being replacement parts, and the canopy breaking or something. I actually wasn't sure what the top looked like, and couldn't find a good pic to see... is it a full glass top? And forgive my ignorance in this, but how do you open it up? Is there a hinged side to open?

I did see mention that at least on occasion petsmart had this on sale for half the price... so around 150.00 for the stand also I think. I wonder, since I am in no hurry if I should just keep an eye out at my local place and see if they do have it or if it ever goes on sale.... buying new for a potentially lower quality thing seems smarter when it's a 50$ difference. Yeah his lot comes with a bunch of things, but I won't need those things anyway. Not that I can get DH to agree to either of course... just thinking out loud.

[Bombina Bob]

Compare prices to the same tank online and other places, sounds like a great deal. But make sure its in good condition, sellers on Craigslist aren't always honest.

[awelcome]

yeah that's what has me leery... the image of his actual setup makes it look nice, but that could have been taken just after he set it up for all we know. It's a VERY long distance to go just to look at it..... and even if it looks good I doubt I would know if it was sound just by looking with my limited knowledge. I think I will definitely keep that tank in mind, and just keep an eye out for a deal for a new one. I LOVE the way his tank turned out on that thread Bill linked. It is definitely what I picture in my mind for how I want mine to be eventually.

[Bombina Bob]

If you can, you could get the seller's phone# and as about why he/she's selling it, What species were kept, condition etc.
i remember going to a sellers house thinking i was buying a 10 gallon with accessories but i walked into a room with a 200
gallon tank i bet the average person wouldn't do that though.

[DigitalPunk]

Being all sneaky on me and tank shopping eh!? Lol

The 24x18x24 are nice. I have one with 5 reds in it and another with 5 Mantella in it. Lots of room to play with.

You can get it on amazon. Search "exo terra terrarium" look for the listing of the 24x18x18 and click on it. The size you want is an option on that add $170.99.

You could easily do a pair in there or bump it up to 5 frogs if you wanted. Though with Tintorius darts once they reach sexual maturity you could see some bullying between males.

[awelcome]

I see it now, but it's still an outside seller (petsolutions). I have seen it on the petco site as well, so if I wait a while and can't find a lower price/sale but decide to get it anyway I would likely go through that just because I have a membership and would get points. Has anyone seen the price of that one lower than 170? I am also curious what is a good sturdy, but not expensive, stand that will look nice in a living room if anyone has a suggestion. If I can't find one I might try to talk my dad into building me a nice sturdy real wood one.... but he's FAR away, so it would be a hassle for him to bring it over.

[DigitalPunk]

Cinder blocks and plywood with a nice cloth wrapped around it

Pet solutions are great! Never an issue with their tanks. The one damaged one I got they replaced super fast without any hassle.

[awelcome]

well since it will be in my living room I was hoping for a more permanent and nice stand, but I suppose if nothing else that would do lol. Would a basic night stand hold up do you think? I haven't weighed my current tank/build so I don't know on average how much weight we're talking here for a fully set up vivarium. I had Dh pack it from the kitchen to the living room, and currently it's just sitting on the base of my fireplace which is not ideal, but if I am looking to upgrade size sometime I wanted to be sure I took a big enough stand into account.

[DigitalPunk]

Hmm not sure of the weight, It would depend on a lot of factors for what you had in the tank. for a 24x18x24 tank I would think 100 - 200Lbs is a reasonable weight to assume you will hit. As long as whatever stand you get will be big enough for the tanks edges to rest on you will be fine (as long as it can support the weight.

[awelcome]

that leads me to my next question... the exo-terra tanks... are they flat on the bottom? The zoomed has a raised portion and then a rise on the sides for air flow and to let cords out. I just wondered if a table has to allow for the entire footprint of the tank, or if it can hang over on the edges at all.

[DigitalPunk]

Exo Terra have a lip around the base with arches in them as well. You want the stand to be big enough for the "feet" of the tank to stand on.