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.

[awelcome]

he seems to have it listed out pretty well in his listing... he has some goldfish and tropical fish in it. I would not want the fish, but he said he'd donate them to his pet store instead on the post. He also shared pics, so if he wasn't selling that particular tank I guess it would be pretty strange... and definitely a reason to run for the hills I'd say! He's selling it because he says he's moving into a smaller apartment I believe, which could make sense or be the easiest cop out there is! I am a pretty skeptical person when it comes to these things, and often deals that are too good to be true ARE.... Looking for my own deal also affords me time to really decide.... and not jump into something.

[awelcome]

with planning a big Disneyland trip for next spring there is no way I am going to convince DH to let me do this before then anyway, so I have plenty of time to look around and maybe find a deal, or at least find another on craigslist that is closer so I can check it out and not be too put out if it doesn't look good.

[Mentat]

The main issue between a tall aquarium and a front/top opening ET enclosure is the day/night difference in regards to front access. You will definitely feel it during buildup and maintenance. Myself recommend that instead of looking for Craiglist aquarium deals; you look for ET enclosure deals.

I recently priced a 20H with front conversion kit at around $50 ($20 for tank and $30 for conversion). That sounds like a deal when compared to an ET 18x18x18 (slightly larger volume); but to me, the ET is a greater value even at almost twice the cost .

[awelcome]

I was also looking at the larger ET's...like a 36x18x18 perhaps. I see they have a 36x18x36 but that just seems ridiculously tall unless you have a tree frog. Or maybe it was the 36x18x24 I was looking at as possibility.

[awelcome]

ok, I got the measuring tape out and tried to visualize how big that was.... pretty darn big lol. I was looking at all the offered sizes by exo-terra and I am kind of looking at the 24x18x24 now. That is labeled as their Medium Tall. I don't love that's is square in front, but bumping up to 36 wide just seems so big for my space and then I would almost want to get 36 tall to make it have that look I like which is just way too huge.

So my question is... would a 24x18x24 be adequate? Would I regret it? How many frogs could I fit in there comfortably? I only have one, and I don't know if I will ever venture into having a pair (not sure I want to deal with tadpoles) but if I did, could they fit? Would this give me a good amount of room to build creatively? Does anyone have one that size they can show me for reference? That would be about 45 gallons right?

[Bombina Bob]

45 gallons could fit a small group of Whites, red eyes, milks etc. Dartwise, you can fit up
to 5-6 frogs in there, if you plan to house other tincs together, make sure to give them more
space because of territorial issues. if so, i would only house 3 or 4 in there max.

[Lija]

You can do a very nice things with 24x18x24! Or you can go even crazier and do 36x18x24

[awelcome]

I think the price difference (coming in over 200) and the width larger than height that doesn't appeal to me as much will deter me from the larger one..... unless I found an awesome deal perhaps lol. I also worry about trying to find a stand that is affordable for the extra large ones... and that would still look nice in my living room since that is where she'll likely be.

[awelcome]

Now to start trying to figure out where and when the best deal for that particular tank will be..... Amazon doesn't carry that one specifically which is my usual go-to online store of choice, so what are other reputable places I could order from if it comes to that? I will look at my local pet stores too, but last few times I was there they didn't carry that size either.... I think at best they had 18x18x24 which I would prefer the extra space of the 24x18x24.

[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.