Is this a good 55 gallon kit?

[texasdiver]

My local fish shop is selling Marineland 55 gallon starter kits that come with the following:

55 gallon glass tank
two lids with lights
Penguin 350 Biowheel filter
Heater
Conditioner.

I'm upgrading from a 10 gallon tank for goldfish and want to start playing with freshwater tropicals. Does this kit include decent equipment or am I better off putting something together a-la-carte?

In addition to the filter that comes with the tank, I'm planning to install an under gravel jet system as described here: ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])
and using it as a secondary filter.

Am I on the right track?

[KneeKickLou]

The Bio wheels are good filters. There is no link to your under gravle jet system but if it is anything like this [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] I would recommend putting that money into another filter these systems are used to cichild tanks which are overstocked. I would say overfiltering would be a better idea then UGJs. Also I would see if the LFS would sell you the kit without the filter because I'm guessing for what they are going to charge you for it you could buy a very nice canister filter online which would be a lot better filtration not to mention they are almost completely silent.

[*Sarah*]

In my experience, the package deals are usually a great starting point, and usually cheaper than buying everything individually.

[texasdiver]

The Bio wheels are good filters. There is no link to your under gravle jet system but if it is anything like this [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] I would recommend putting that money into another filter these systems are used to cichild tanks which are overstocked. I would say overfiltering would be a better idea then UGJs. Also I would see if the LFS would sell you the kit without the filter because I'm guessing for what they are going to charge you for it you could buy a very nice canister filter online which would be a lot better filtration not to mention they are almost completely silent.

Yes, that was the underground jet system I was thinking of making. I have all the PVC parts and tools for cutting and gluing as I installed my own lawn sprinkler system last year so it looked simple. I was intrigued by the idea of keeping the gravel clean as that is one of the biggest chores with dealing with our current 10 gallon goldfish tank.

I would also put in an aeration pump just because I like the bubbles.

As for breaking up the kits. I doubt it. It is a Marineland kid that comes packaged in a box. I suppose if I asked to upgrade to something like a $100 canister filter she might do it for a reasonable trade-in. This is a small locally owned fish shop and the people are nice so I don't want to chisel them to death. Because I want to go back and get good service on fish.

[Lady Hobbs]

Plan on doubling up on that filter, however. Especially with gold fish.

[kenyth]

IMHO, UG filters are the best bang for the buck in biological filtration, especially with a powerhead setup. I think they're money well spent in conjunction with other filters. You have to vacuum your gravel and change water anyway. Why not make it cleaning one of your filters at the same time too? The only better biological filter would probably be a trickle system.

The exceptions to the rule are marine tanks or tanks with sand or excessively coarse substrate, tanks with lots of live plant's with big root systems, or partially filled tanks that don't leave enough room for the air stems. They are also a bit on the ugly side with big stems and all.

[Lady Hobbs]

I would never use an UGF. Too much junk stays under those plates that doesn't get moved along and what does get moved out only gets tossed back into the tank by the power head.

If you plant the tank it won't work as roots will clog the plates and if you have a bunch of rocks in there for a cichlid tank, the plates may break. They are not worth beans IMO.