Habitat - Indoor :: Some good advice on this next challenge please

[GThiele93]

For christmas I'm getting a 150 gallon tank as my final upgrade for my 2 1.2 inch hatchling RES.
what are the dimensions for the tank.
How much should i pay for just the tank.
DONT FORGET THE STAND

Treat these questions as if the were your setup

ALSO
-Filter type
-Lighting type
-Basking dock
-Heater type
Can you tell me the brands of each product you reccomend and the price.
and if i am missing anything tell me and i will add it to the list.

PLEASE be very specific with product names and prices please

I want to keep the total price of everything under $1,000(tank,stand,Supplies,ETC)

THANKS

[N4784N R4613]

The tank and stand are going to take up 3/4 of your budget if your lucky. You best bet for a tank, is to buy it from www.glasscages.com , and pick it up at one of there delivery points. Glasscages is as cheap as it gets(for a new tank, you can check yard sales, and craigslist for a uesd one in your area).

The tank from glasscages.com will cost...

Tank: 150 Long 60" long x 24" deep x 25" Tall $495 ( http://glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=2 )

Stand: Solid oak 60" long x 24" deep $350 ( http://glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=7 )

Drop-off charge: Probably $100 ( http://glasscages.com/?sAction=Deliv )

Supplies:

Filter: Filstar XP3(bare minumin you should get the XP4 for $179.99) $89.99 ( http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... sterfilter )

Lighting: T-Rex 100 watt flood active UV heat MVB. $49.99 ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=7327 )

Basking dock: Cork bark $12.99 ( http://www.blackjungle.com/Merchant2/me ... ry_Code=C3 )

Heaters: 3, yes thats right 3 250 Watt Visi-Therm Stealth Heater $60.00 ( http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... ter250watt )

I think that about covers it. The grand total is $1157.97. Thats not too fas over budget either, but you should always be ready for unexpected costs (vet bills, and all.).

Good Luck with your new tank!!!

P.S. I love upgrades!!!

[untsmurf]

You might be able to find a UVB bulb cheaper than an MVB bulb.

And it might cost a little more, but I would get two XP3's instead of one XP4. You get more circulation, and you can have one filter on either side of the tank.

If you're getting a tank that size, you might be able to cut a deal with a family owned pet store. We got our 125 set up for $700. That includes the tank, stand, one XP3 (we already had one, so we just got a second) and the hoods. We already had all the decorations.

[N4784N R4613]

Oh, sorry I don't know what I was thinking(I am tiered ), definitely go with two XP3's instead of an XP4!!

[RunninWideOpen]

another filter option you have if the tank you get has ports in the bottom, is to make a filtering system that actuqlly filters through the bottom of the tank with a water pump and some canister filters.

what the other guys said sounds accurate. i got my 135 gallon tank on craigslist for $200 w/ stand and filters.

another suggestion....above tank basking area!

[GThiele93]

I believe that's right thanks for your help, basking area cannot be above tank sadly because my parents won't like how it looks. Can anyone beat that price that N4784N pointed out.

[mcghee.kevin]

It depends on how you do the top basking area, I've seen many that are slapped together, and others that are nicely done, for example IM building one right now, that fits inside the top rim, made out of marine grade plywood for the box and plexi glass for the ramp and station, my turts so shy I wont be able to see him basking so im not using anything see through, and then once its sone im going to make a nice red cedar or pine trim that will go around the top of the tank covering the plywood, mitered and stained etc, so it will look like a fancy oak or maple canopy cover.... I think it will look better in the long run. But you may not have the abilty to do so. At any rate, how it looks is what you make it... I guess thats the motto... now you know and knowings half the battle....

[GThiele93]

Deffintly some good advice thanks =) I think I'm going to make my basking thing out of plexi glass.

[Bumby's Mom]

Definitely check craigslist. I have seen some pretty big tanks on there for 200-300$.