Aquarium decision help

[Acura_RSX]

Okay, So I would like to pick your brains apart. Any and all info would be helpful. opinions are more then welcome.

I'm going to be upgrading my tank in the next week or two. I am deciding between a new 38 gallon tank. or a used 50 gallon tank. Take note of the difference in demensions in your advice. both very different. I will be keeping 2 irridescent sharks, a redtail shark, and 4 tiger barbs in it to start. all juvies still. will upgrade again eventually when they grow. both tanks around the same price. i could get either for around 200$ CAD. here's the info ..

--> *new* - 38 gallon, Dimensions .. (L = 40.9', W = 10.6', D = 20.3',) comes with filter and a few minor props .. lil bit of food and small things. nothing major (however I already have a 200 watt heater that would be fine for this tank)

--> *used* - 50 gallon, "Hagen" Dimensions .. ( 36 long by 20 deep by 16 wide). He says he's had the tank for 3 years and it's in perfect condition (which i will check out, any advice on things to keep an eye out for when i do check it out would be great) .. , All Glass cover, light, two filters, two heaters (although I just bought and haven't opened a 200W heater today), fish, air pump, tank stand (which is alright however I will want a new one anyways. something lower to the ground and probably wider) and loads of accessories. The other catch is this tank as mentioned comes with fish. cichlids .. There are only 7 or eight fish left in the tank, the largest is about 4 inches. This will be a problem since I am putting three juvie sharks and 4 tiger barbs in. not enough space for sure plus i'm afraid of my sharks getting hurt so I would probably sell or give away most if nto all the chichlids.

Thats about all the info I can think of. Any and all advice and opinions are welcomed. feel free to ask questions if there is something I left out in the info.

 

[Oddball]

This is MFK. So, the bigger the tank, the bigger the monster.

I'd forget about the irridescent sharks if I were you. My nearly 3 year old 18 incher would hate being cramped in either tank. I got him at 3" and he passed a foot in his 1st year.

 

[eternity302]

If you're planning to upgrade again and again! I would get the ID shark =) I luv watching things grow! BUT, my suggestions is pick up the used tank, always saves money! and give away or sell those cichlids that guy includes! No point of keeping something that u dun like.. well.. at least u dun sound like u want them =)

 

[Acura_RSX]

If you're planning to upgrade again and again! I would get the ID shark =) I luv watching things grow! BUT, my suggestions is pick up the used tank, always saves money! and give away or sell those cichlids that guy includes! No point of keeping something that u dun like.. well.. at least u dun sound like u want them =)

it's not that i don't like them but there will alreayd be 3 sharks and 4 fish gonig in the tank so not much room for them. and i don't want them to hurt the sharks while they are growing

 

[woofy]

I love tiger barbs, a nice size school would do great in either tank. Id sharks only if u intend to be able to upgarde and upgrade fast thy grow quickly.

 

[Acura_RSX]

I love tiger barbs, a nice size school would do great in either tank. Id sharks only if u intend to be able to upgarde and upgrade fast thy grow quickly.

okay I don't think you guys get the question. I already HAVE my sharks and barbs. they are swimming in my tank at the moment. it's not that i'm buying them with it, i already have them and intend to keep them .. i'm just looking for advice on the tank. What should i look out for when i check out the used one. and which would you be more interested in if it was you. the new or the used.

 

[nomicon]

Do you have room for a larger tank? Can you part with a little extra cash? You mentioned it will cost around 200 for the new/used tank? That seem's really high, at least for this area. You could easily get a 75 tank and steup for that price here. I'd keep looking for a little bit. Don't settle for something just because you can buy it now, when you could wait a few weeks and get a larger nice tank for less or the same price. I'm selling a 75 Gallon All Glass Tank locally here complete for 300.00. And this one come equiped with REALLY good equipment including titainium heater. Just wanted to give an example. But, if you have to get one now, go for the one with the larger trun around space. IMO. As far as the extra fish, sell them to your LFS and pocket the money. Good luck.

 

[oscarcrazy]

Dude, the bigger tank. But are you getting the picture on the general feeling on those "sharks"? And, not to blast, but in your last thread you said you had these fish in a 38 already, not a 10. Honest advice is being given, please follow it. And it is easier to give advice if you are honest with those from whom you seek it. If you really plan on upgrading and upgrading, spending potentially thousands on these sharks, then great!! Keep them!! But if you want agro fish (as stated in different thread) you might want to get rid of the fish you have now and keep the cichlids that come with the 50 (sounds like a great tank by the way). What kind of cichlids are they?

 

[nuggets]

okay I don't think you guys get the question. I already HAVE my sharks and barbs. they are swimming in my tank at the moment. it's not that i'm buying them with it, i already have them and intend to keep them .. i'm just looking for advice on the tank. What should i look out for when i check out the used one. and which would you be more interested in if it was you. the new or the used.

did you read what oddball said about the size your 3 sharks will get? if thats the case either tank is to small

 

[Acura_RSX]

Dude, the bigger tank. But are you getting the picture on the general feeling on those "sharks"? And, not to blast, but in your last thread you said you had these fish in a 38 already, not a 10. Honest advice is being given, please follow it. And it is easier to give advice if you are honest with those from whom you seek it. If you really plan on upgrading and upgrading, spending potentially thousands on these sharks, then great!! Keep them!! But if you want agro fish (as stated in different thread) you might want to get rid of the fish you have now and keep the cichlids that come with the 50 (sounds like a great tank by the way). What kind of cichlids are they?

well they were supposed to be going in the 38 the day i said it but then i noticed this 50 so i stopped and started deciding. and by aggressive i mean i want something that will eat goldfish .. but not destroy everything in my tank either.

and about oddball, you guys or him aren't telling me I don't already know. i know how fast they grow and big they get. If I didn't i would be asking that question not these. I know the answer to that already. I get the picture. and the fact of the money is that the gf is getting it for my for christmas just early .. So I can't really wait and get her to spend more. plus most of my own money goes into my car. I'm 18 and in university. I barely make enough for insurance and gas let alone to keep doing stuff to my car. so at the moment i can't afford to chip in a few hundered to get a tank. that will change when they get bigger.