29 Tank Stand

[etres]

I am setting up a 29 gallon and need a stand for it. I have looked at the only 2 chain pet stores in my area and they really don't have any appealing cabinet type. Anyone have any suggestions? I am about 100 miles from Dallas, Tx and can go there if a place is suggested. One pet store employee suggested I just buy real wood furniture, such as tv stand. Would that really be sturdy enough?
Also need a new filter, but not the $200-300 range. Any suggestions on that? I plan to do live plants.
Thanks for all your advice in advance.

 

[littlecobra1977]

etres, i have my 29 gal sitting on a tv stang that i bought at wal mart. its sturdy and heavy duty ill give it that much. have had it for around 5 years now. it is showing signs of where water has stood( water marks and laminent peeling) but has been well worth the 50 bucks i gave for it.
Shane

 

[Biorium]

nice

just make sure the stand supports the weight, and it fits your aquarium

 

[Lotus]

Just remember that your tank with water will weigh about 300lbs, so get a couple of friends to sit on whatever you choose There are lots of tank stand plans online if you're handy with a saw or have a friend/relative who wants to build you a stand.

Everyone will give you a different answer for which filters to get. Personally, I like the Eheim Liberty hang on back (HOB) filters, which aren't very expensive (less than $40 usually). For a canister, I like the Magnums (about $90 to $100).

In case you didn't know, there are some good online fish goods retailers, including www.bigalsonline.com and www.drsfostersmith.com, which would allow you to order withouth having to drive all that way. I know Big Als has some pretty cheap tank stands for sale. Both usually come in around half the price of chain stores in my area. If you don't have a LFS you want to support, you may as well save some money

 

[etres]

tank stand

Thanks for all the responses.
I do shop at Big Al's for all my supplies. I was thinking of getting a canister type filter for the 40 and use existing filters on the 29 once I set it up. Just get sooooo confused when I search the net for comparisons and information. I see that most of the people on here use more than one type of filter and that also confuses me! Since it is not that big, would just a HOB work as well as canister? Have had the 40 for three years now with great luck and no losses to date. Just skeptical about trying something new.

 

[Lotus]

I'd say you will be fine with a HOB, as long as it's rated for that size tank. If it works for you and your fish, there isn't really a reason to change.

 

[WickedQueen]

I have a black cabinet stand from Petsmart and it was $89. Works great

 

[etres]

Tank Stand

Thanks again. I didn't see any stands for that size less than $119 at my Petsmart. They have one at Walmart for $65, but want to look into a better piece of furniture if I can. Not in any hurry, just starting at the bottom!
Will be back for some plant suggestions once I get equipment set up.

 

[SomethingFishy]

DO NOT SKIMP ON A STAND!

Buy the best you can afford but what ever you do . . . DO NOT get something that is not intended to be a tank stand. You will be sorry if it cannot hold the weight. TV stands are probably not strong enough and like someone said above your tank will be 300+ lbs once the water and decorations are in. Not a good idea to fake it when it comes to stands.

Buy a cheap filter if you want but I would only buy those stands that are marketed to be fish tank stands for the size of tank that you have.

My 2 cents.

 

[etres]

Lotus,
What is the wisteria you have in your tanks? Also, where do you purchase your plants. They look so healthy. One more question, do you have to do the CO2 if you have live plants?
Thanks in advance for reply.

 

[Lotus]

The wisteria I have is just regular wisteria I think I may have gotten it at Petsmart, but I don't really remember. It grows really well in most of my tanks, all of which have different lighting. Anything over 1.5 watts per gallon seems to work for wisteria. No, you don't have to have CO2 for your plants if you have low or medium lighting; with high light you do need it.

 

[etres]

The plants at my Petsmart look terrible. Have you ever tried the online stores for ordering and do they come in healthy?
I broke down and got the $119 stand at Petsmart. thought I may as well get one that I liked and would hold up forever.
Now I am ordering new filter and going to start setting up in the next week or so. Want to get plants started and may not move fish from 40 gal for a few months. they are so happy, and have been there for 3 years;I hope I don't stress them with a move; even tho it is only across the room! Shouldn't they enjoy a planted tank more so than plastic plants? I have 4 Black skirt tetras that are well beyond the 4" size they say; and 4 SAE's that are also very big. They forget about algae and tend to go for the flake food. Spoiled....
Also while I am asking, I was given the 29 gal and it had been used as a saltwater tank. I have rinsed it a million times, so should it be ok to use as freshwater?
Thanks again for any input.