Are the "dollar per gallon" tanks lower quality?

dealseer · Dec 23, 2017

Kamden Uelton said:
All Petco tanks are low quality IMO, I bought a 5 gallon for quarantine and it started leaking, bought another and it started leaking.

I’ve got about 20 of these tanks and never had one leak

mtraylor · Dec 23, 2017

It is what it is. The answer is "Yes". It is a lower quality than say a high end custom tank. The glass is standard, the plastic is cheap and its not made in the US. That all being said. I have had the 40 breader (rock solid), and I now have the 20 long for quarantine when needed (Not bad), and the 10 gallon (Pretty Cheap). I have never set one up for my main display but I really liked each one of them. I think they are a great buy. My 10 gallon didn't survive drilling and that is why I went to the 20.

If you want to start a nice little aquarium, and you like the dimensions and look of it. I say its a great buy.

Clownfish2 · Dec 23, 2017

I have two 20 gallon longs for QT. One is a tetra. One is a aqueon. I’ve had zero issues with them. For my display tank, I have a deep blue professional reef ready 110 gallon which I enjoy too.

dsh92056 · Dec 24, 2017

I'm sure the quality isn't as good as some others, but I just setup a 40 breeder as a frag tank 2 mos ago. and it's working out fantastic and made a sump out of their 29 gallon tank. Now i wouldn't use one for a display tank due to I don't like the looks of them but for a frag tank in the garage it works fine.

Ds04384 · Dec 28, 2017

I had no idea the sale was happening right when I made this post, lucky timing!

Gil03 · Dec 28, 2017

At a dollar a gallon the tank is going to be cheap no matter how you cut it, now will it hold water is another thing. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it won't hold water in the long run however, you're not going to win any awards for the tank itself.

Ryanbrs · Dec 28, 2017

I have never had an issue with the 40's I have bought during these sales : )

VR28man · Dec 28, 2017

One other thing, when I went in yesterday, I noticed that the sale tanks were only the 10.,20 and 29 gallons. Zillions of these are made every year (probably from 1-2 factories), and every shop outside of custom makers buys the same tanks.

So it's the same as any other tank of that size; I wouldn't worry.

Eta: @Ryanbrs : thanks for the videos.

.

Daltrey · Dec 28, 2017

Yeah, the dollar gallon sale is only 10, 20 and 29 gallons. The 40 and 55 are usually half off at the same time though.

Squid · Dec 28, 2017

Not all petcos carry the same brand tanks, they vary from store to store and some stores carry more than one brand. That said. I've tried pretty much all (tetra, marineland, aqueon etc) over the past 5+ years and haven't had a problem yet. Just pick out the best looking one as some might have scratches, or not the prettiest silicone.

IronChefItaly · Dec 29, 2017

I’ve kept Red Sea, Innovative Marine and cheap 10/20 gallon tanks for quarantine. Quality is easy observable by the thickness of the glass, finish of the edges, trim, braces and most importantly the silicone. Some of the budget tanks are complete crap and will inevitably leak whereas others will hold up to years of abuse. Best to buy these in person so you can inspect the craftsmanship and integrity.

jasonrusso · Dec 29, 2017

Lovemyreef2015 said:
Petco used to carry aqueon brand tanks which had thicker glass then the tetra tanks they carry now. I wouldn't buy any tanks from petco unless I was using the tank for a sump. Tetra tanks seem to be very cheaply made IMO.

My Petco sells Aqueon tanks. I have 2 10g, 20g long, and a 29g. All hold water. The glass seems thin, but my DT is a 210 with 1/2 glass.

Rakie · Dec 30, 2017

jhoop said:
I have two 20 Gallons and a 40 Gallon breeder...........All are fine ! No problems. I have had them for at least three years.

That's not what he's asking though. Yes, they hold water. Yes, they work.

NO they aren't low iron/Starfire glass. No they aren't eurobraced. No they aren't thick glass tanks. No they don't have very clean silicone lines. No they don't come RR.

Huge huge huge difference between what he's asking, and what you're saying. THey are absolutely the lowest quality tanks out there, which does not mean they're bad, it just means it has zero features and every single corner which can be cut to lower cost, is cut.

stAlphonzo · Dec 30, 2017

AlexStinson said:
I think the 40's are no longer included in the sale, at least locally it was only tanks up to 29g

They are now offered at 50% off. Mine was about $50.

Ds04384 · Jan 2, 2018

Rakie said:
That's not what he's asking though. Yes, they hold water. Yes, they work.

NO they aren't low iron/Starfire glass. No they aren't eurobraced. No they aren't thick glass tanks. No they don't have very clean silicone lines. No they don't come RR.

Huge huge huge difference between what he's asking, and what you're saying. THey are absolutely the lowest quality tanks out there, which does not mean they're bad, it just means it has zero features and every single corner which can be cut to lower cost, is cut.

I was also wondering if there was any difference between these tanks and the tanks petco sells when the sale is off. For example you hear stories that during Black Friday the super awesome door buster tv deal uses tvs that are specifically made for the sale and are made more cheaply. If you went to the same store and got the same tv a month later, some aspects of the interior or construction would be higher quality and as a result it might last longer or work better.

jasonrusso · Jan 2, 2018

Ds04384 said:
I was also wondering if there was any difference between these tanks and the tanks petco sells when the sale is off. For example you hear stories that during Black Friday the super awesome door buster tv deal uses tvs that are specifically made for the sale and are made more cheaply. If you went to the same store and got the same tv a month later, some aspects of the interior or construction would be higher quality and as a result it might last longer or work better.

So you think that the Petco employees bring all the regular tanks out back and put the "sale tanks" on the shelf?

Do you think the grocery store has regular potato chips and sale potato chips?

If you are starting a reef tank, are you rely going to start off with a 20g petco tank? No they aren't eurobraced, drilled, etc. nor do they claim to be. It is a $10 tank with paper thin glass and its the same tank that is normally $15.

Ds04384 · Jan 2, 2018

jasonrusso said:
So you think that the Petco employees bring all the regular tanks out back and put the "sale tanks" on the shelf?

Do you think the grocery store has regular potato chips and sale potato chips?

If you are starting a reef tank, are you rely going to start off with a 20g petco tank? No they aren't eurobraced, drilled, etc. nor do they claim to be. It is a $10 tank with paper thin glass and its the same tank that is normally $15.

I have no idea what they do, I'm not making accusations I'm asking questions. I've heard that stuff happens for massive irregular sales in other retail situations. Of close that does not happen at a grocery store. And a lot of people are not going to use these as a display tank but maybe a QT tank, or add on refugium, or a frag set up that is behind the scenes. There are many useful applications beyond use as a display

needbiggertanks · Jan 5, 2018

Real quick tho... i just want to point this out...

my first reef tank was a 20$ 20 gallon from petco... so was my 10 gallon nano and 40 gallon reef. Lets not lead newcomers reading this post to believe you need eurobraced or drilled tanks if you want a reef tank.

No disrespect, just wanting to clarify for those newer to the hobby reading this after a google search.

jasonrusso · Jan 5, 2018

needbiggertanks said:
Real quick tho... i just want to point this out...

my first reef tank was a 20$ 20 gallon from petco... so was my 10 gallon nano and 40 gallon reef. Lets not lead newcomers reading this post to believe you need eurobraced or drilled tanks if you want a reef tank.

No disrespect, just wanting to clarify for those newer to the hobby reading this after a google search.

I also don't think that is the case. You can make a $20 tank as nice or poor as a $200 red sea.

My point was (and I don't think you were pointing at me) that the dollar tanks are the same as the regular tanks, but set your expectations. Even the $15 ten gallon tanks aren't built like the $129 55 gallon tanks.