Small, cheap aquariums

[Ganthet]

Hello everyone,

I've been considering the idea of setting up a small aquarium for around SGD$120 or less. Thus I'd like to know if you could recommend LFS' where I could buy an inexpensive aquarium of about 6-7.5 gallons for about $40-50. Nothing fancy, just a good quality, durable aquarium. If the shop offers these packaged with a Hang On Back filter and light fixture, then all the better.

Thank you for your time,
Ganthet

[ciaossu]

hi, maybe you can have a look at C328 clementi blk 328, 2 aquarium shop over there or seaview at seletar farmway 4. i think i saw tank package for sale at seaview. it's a small tank package.

[tetrakid]

If you are not an experienced hobbyist, it is better to buy a simple tank and a separate hang-on filter. Combination fancy tanks are quite expensve these days for a simple budget-conscious hobbyist. Of course you have the final choice if style is important to you. Tanks made with all glass sides stuck together with silicone are the cheapest. Tanks with rounded front edges cost more. A separate hang-on filter costing about $20 or less is good. A clip-on aquarium lamp is also cheap. You can or not calculate the cost of separate items and then make a decision if you prefer the the combination tank (saves work).

Start with cheap fish, and if you manage to keep them alive and happy for say three to six months, you can then consider more expensive fish, but not before.

For proper water turnover, make sure the filter's inlet pipe reaches deep into the water. For proper aeration, make sure the water level is up to touching the filter's outlet 'lip'. (I know some will object strongly to this last suggestion, but here again, you have free choice to follow or not to follow. The fish is yours.).

Hello everyone.
I've been considering the idea of setting up a small aquarium for around SGD$120 or less. Thus I'd like to know if you could recommend LFS' where I could buy an inexpensive aquarium of about 6-7.5 gallons for about $40-50. Nothing fancy, just a good quality, durable aquarium. If the shop offers these packaged with a Hang On Back filter and light fixture, then all the better.
Thank you for your time,
Ganthet

[Blue Whale]

Hello everyone,

I've been considering the idea of setting up a small aquarium for around SGD$120 or less. Thus I'd like to know if you could recommend LFS' where I could buy an inexpensive aquarium of about 6-7.5 gallons for about $40-50. Nothing fancy, just a good quality, durable aquarium. If the shop offers these packaged with a Hang On Back filter and light fixture, then all the better.

Thank you for your time,
Ganthet

I suggest you drop by GC, tell uncle Ron what you want, he might have some idea for you. If not, I saw a pink tank equipped with LED Light and filter at C328, but there are others, hence you can goto GC then C328 if you are cannot get one at GC. 3rd choice would be PolyArt near C328.

Alternatively, you can visit AquaStar or Y618 both at Yishun. NA can consider too. So you have a lot of options here actually.

If they do not come with filter, consider GEX HangOn Filter Slim S or Slim M. GC is selling it.

[tetrakid]

Green Chapter (GC) is at Blk 354 Shop No. 203, a few blocks from C328.
The last time I went there I missed it. Must pop in the next time I go to that area again.

[wongce]

Bro,it depends where you stay,no point traveling 1 hour just to get a tank and spend 20 bucks on taxi just to carry the tank back to your house.

North: y618,aquastar
Central/Novena: NA
East: seaview,i find the fishfarms slightly more expensive
West:c328,gc

For tanks,ard 40-50 bucks for 2 feet
Lights:varies,depend on whether you want to make a planted tank. From 20-40 bucks for 2 feet tank
Stand:35-50 for a simple steel stand
Filter: HOF or OHF should fit your budget perfectly. For long run i would recommend canister filter
Deco: this is very hard to gauge lol, depend on individual.

If you dont mind the wait,you can always wait for sales from aq bros at a special discounted price.

[felix_fx2]

hi, maybe you can have a look at C328 clementi blk 328, 2 aquarium shop over there or seaview at seletar farmway 4. i think i saw tank package for sale at seaview. it's a small tank package.

This i very much agree. likewise to have some planning here's a map from AQ. (AQ lfs maps + gothere.sg is very good)
AQ - LFS maps

[Trichopsis]

Some Marketplace threads that may be of interest:

Selling Equipment: 1 feet tank and cabinet
Selling Equipment: 2 Feet tank
Sell/Giving Equipment: 30cm fish tank and accessories
Selling Others: 2ft x 1.5 ft x 1.5 ft Tank

I've been looking out for tanks (you can never have a tank that's too big, or too many tanks!), and these are the ones that struck me as being small and affordable. I'm sure Ganthet might be able to find other threads selling other equipment, or purchase brand new equipment from the LFS.

[ciaossu]

i find that seaview items are slightly more expensive but after their special discount the price can be on par with C328 or maybe even slightly cheaper.
for aquastar & NA their item is slightly more expensive than C328 well maybe for some items only.
as for GC(GreenChapter) i've always find that their stuff more expensive but of cause they carry better quality items but for those normal item i wouldn't get it in GC but for planting equipment you can definitely go down and have a look.

when i mean slightly more expensive is about few cents to $1-$2 depending on equipment.

haha for me i stay in the west and have been to all those mention LFS.

so TS depending on your location you can choose to head down to either one of the mentioned LFS to get your stuff.

[Blue Whale]

okay east side forumer, make recommendation for marine parade area.

[stormhawk]

For that budget of $120, you can buy an IQ3 for around $65 at C328/GC and still have money to buy your gravel, plant and livestock, depending on what you intend to keep.

[Ganthet]

Hello everyone,

Thank you very much for your replies all week. To give a little background information, I live in the East (which Blue Whale seems to know, to my surprise). I have visited NA, Polyart and C328 before, and I do like some of the offers they have, but I am also looking for other options.
The main idea I have for this new tank is for me to grow out some of the extra moss that I may have in a low tech environment, as well as keep small fish like a school of Ember Tetras. I wouldn't say I'm a total novice aquarist, but I'm certainly not an expert.

For that budget of $120, you can buy an IQ3 for around $65 at C328/GC and still have money to buy your gravel, plant and livestock, depending on what you intend to keep.

I have seen the IQ3 but I'm not too inclined because I'd like to keep schooling fish, and it appears slightly too small for this purpose.

If anyone has any other input, please feel free to say so, your opinion is valued.

Yours sincerely,
Ganthet

[Blue Whale]

Current 1ft is selling $20+ to $30+. If you factor a GEX M Filter.
Lightset and soil depends on you. Soil might be the expensive part.

[Ganthet]

Current 1ft is selling $20+ to $30+. If you factor a GEX M Filter.
Lightset and soil depends on you. Soil might be the expensive part.

1ft or slightly more is quite ideal. Do they sell replacement filter material for the GEX M?
And by the way, how did you know the area where I live? Did I mention it before?

[fotoudavid]

1.5 feet gex tank, clip on light, hof should be around $50. then spend on 2 pack about 4kg gex soil at $12 per pack about. Not enough get another pack will do. Still have left over if can, upgrade the lights. Also buy some cr, wool. That's about it.

[Blue Whale]

1ft or slightly more is quite ideal. Do they sell replacement filter material for the GEX M?
And by the way, how did you know the area where I live? Did I mention it before?

Oh pretty simple. Based on your past postings, you mentioned living near one of the LFS, zoom into the address of the LFS, it is easy to guess where you are. I am working in I.T. field. But I was busy then, so I quickly post so that the rest of the forumers can help you to troubleshoot.

The following PH Measurement is just a guide:
GEX Red Soil maintains PH 6.5
Benibachi at 6.4 (3 days water cycle only)
ADA AZ II Mixed result, most reported 6.3-6.5 (some got even 5, but this is the best soil for plants by far).
Mosura Soil (roughly 10-14days water cycle) PH 6.2-6.4

Choosing the right soil will save you time on troubleshooting later on. Do pay close attention to this. The price is very close to each other being GEX the cheaper one.
There has been report of a thin 1cm spread of ADA AZII mix with Benibachi 4cm to achieve minimal requirement which cycles for 2-3weeks, those anxious one simple wait for 10 days only.

[Ganthet]

Actually it didn't occur to me that I would need soil since most of the plants I plan to grow eg Moss, Ferns and Anubias do not need substrate, and I was planning to use gravel instead. Would soil be better for these plants in any case?

Also does anyone have a link to the main site of GEX? I can't seem to find it.

[tetrakid]

You may wish to take a look here:-

http://www.gex-fp.co.jp/english/fish...ies/index.html

[Ganthet]

Thank you for the link. My main qualm with using the GEX is the constraint of space for filter medium, which means I will have to rely only on the GEX replacement material. Does anyone have experience with using alternative mediums with a GEX slim filter?

[tetrakid]

Here's a review of the GEX S Filter:-
http://theaquaticgazette.com/2011/06...slim-filter-s/

The slim design is not bad. But I do not like the space-taking internal motor, though it may appeal to many for safety (submerged). I prefer the motor to be outside.

As for alternative medium, maybe Blue Whale can offer some customising suggestions for you?

Thank you for the link. My main qualm with using the GEX is the constraint of space for filter medium, which means I will have to rely only on the GEX replacement material. Does anyone have experience with using alternative mediums with a GEX slim filter?