Building new 20 gallong long. Need help!

[JaredCBell]

SO im going to be building a 20 gallon long for my figure eight puffers and Im going to buy it piece by piece instead of a kit since I am anti kits now.

I found a 20 gallon long at petsmart for 23.99 (just the glass aquarium) and I thought that was pretty good.

But the hood and light strip were like 50 bucks! So I looked online and, same thing! All the sites I check out, the hood (I dont need anything fancy, just a plastic hood, florescent light strip) combo is pretty pricey. Is this normal? Where is a good place online to buy a hood/strip combo?

Also, what filters would you guys recommend? I was thinking about trying out the new Tetra Whisper EX10 (I think thats the name) but im not sure about the availability of the cartridges. I do like Aquaclear a lot but I want to try something else. Marineland Biowheel maybe?

[cocoa_pleco]

hoods with lights dont get much cheaper than $30

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really, you could just get a thin piece of glass cut for $15 as a hood, which is what i did with my 90g. you could also get a light seperately

for a filter, i wouldnt get a biowheel, all of mine crapped out on me within a week and others have had the same issue. i would just get a aquaclear, theyre the best HOB

[MCHRKiller]

I went to lowes...got a piece of thin glass cut(they can round the edges for you) for $6...this was for a 55G with a center brace so Im sure it would be cheaper for a 20G. Check out ebay for deals on light strips...if your not going to have plants it wont matter about watts and such. Look for any size 20"-30" since it can sit on the piece of glass safely...Im sure you can find something good. I got an all-glass triple bulb strip on there for the same 55G for less than $60 shipped and the guy had only used it a month. Ive had AquaTechs from walmart last me for over a decade...some are still working but in storage. I think you can get the 330 model for right around $30 at walmart...theyre Penguins minus the biowheels essentially. If you buy a filter cartridge for it called a SuperCartridge...you wont have to replace it and it will save you a bundle over the life of the filter.

Are you planning to upgrade those puffers in the future?

[mac]

Hi,
I have a glass hood on all my tanks. IMO I find them to be better than normal plastic hoods.

As for the lighting you can find lighting unites like these cheap.

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Hope all goes well with you tank.
I am like you buying the tank in separate pieces. I find it to be better.

mac

[JimTheBetta]

I've got that exact same tank as you. Honestly i like the plastic hood they sell at petsmart for it. Yea its $41, but the light on it is good, especially if you change out the bulb for a planted tank.

I use a Topfin 40 filter with the upgraded media you can buy. Honestly i've had no problems with it, even with my sand bottom, it has been a good filter. Not to mention the media is easy to clean.