55g Top Fin Aquarium Starter Kit Review

[@TheAquaticCoder]

Thank you for checking out the video. Below are timestamps to different sections of the video if you want to skip around. If you enjoy the video please give it a like and consider subscribing to my channel. It is a big help if you can! Also if there are any questions I can help answer for you let me know. 00:46 - Cost & Overview 03:46 - The Tank 05:20 - Hood & Lights 07:34 - Filter 10:42 - Heater 13:55 - Final Thoughts

[@samanthakeys2274]

New subscriber ❤️

[@samanthakeys2274]

How would I use my heat lamp?

[@TheAquaticCoder]

@@samanthakeys2274 I've never used a heat lamp so I don't have experience with this. My initial thought is you could use a screen lid which would allow you to set the lamp on top and the heat would make it through.

[@TheAquaticCoder]

@@samanthakeys2274 Thank you!!

[@DanieL-by6xs]

How is the Top Fin 55 tank holding up for you ? Any issues ?

[@samanthakeys2274]

I just got my 55 gallon fish tank from Pet Smart for $160. Pretty cool price for this size. My turtle sky loves it. Came with everything you’ll need. 🐢

[@RetroModeDays]

I just got mines!

[@cristianbdippin8087]

Link?

[@Jack-wc3ob]

I was considering this too but I went with a 75 gallon from petco. Their tanks have a better plastic rim with a bridge support running down the middle. That bridge also holds up two glass hinged lids on either side. It’s really easy to light up the aquarium with a glass too because you can lay any lighting fixture you want on it without getting it wet

[@itzmissash]

Where did u get your glass hinged hoods for your tank? We too are about to get the petco 75 gallon tank on sale

[@MrBigtomtom06]

The water is only loud when there's not enough water. And I do hate the heaters too. I got my 55g about 2weeks ago for $100. Catch the sale online and either order online and pickup in store or take the ad in store.

[@TheAquaticCoder]

You got it for a really good price! Glad to hear that. I know waiting for the major holidays is usually the way to go with Petsmart for deals.

[@fmar.8311]

$100?!?!?! These things are never that cheap on the Canadian version of their website. I keep seeing these videos on youtube of people paying really cheap prices but whenever I check their website nothing is on sale or their sales are pathetic (10% off type of thing).

[@TheAquaticCoder]

@@fmar.8311 That's unfortunate. Here in the US they have crazy sales on most major holidays for aquariums.

[@sizzlingmtr3363]

Good video thanks for reviewing this I'm going to buy the tanks soon right now I have the 55-gallon immigration stand is it normal for the tank to just support on the two ends or does it need bottom support on each side in the middle

[@TheAquaticCoder]

I have mine being supported only on the ends by the stand. I did need to add leveling wedge on one of the corners to ensure it balanced. I've had no problems after 4 months. If you want to be safer I know others have added a layer of wood between the tank and the stand.

[@roworks6952]

Great video thank you so much I am getting a tank for my anglefish.

[@CaptainHookhatesBooks]

Thanl you! Exact set up I was looking at for my 1st kit.

[@TheAquaticCoder]

You're welcome, I'm glad it was helpful. About a year later it is still running for me without any issues.

[@meganfuller6892]

Can you swap out the led light with an UV light so the tank looks neon like?

[@Topboyshottas]

I'm also looking into buying this starter kit

[@hardworkingchamp]

I saw a lot of reviews saying it leaked and some parts broke. Did this hppen for you, and where did you get it?

[@matthewlutchman2949]

I have a cheap tetra ex30 hob filer for the pass 3 year in my 23 gallon and I'm really please and happy

[@TheAquaticCoder]

Glad to hear it's held up for all that time without issues, I hope you get another 3 years out of it!

[@videogazer801]

How much or how heavy is this kit for one person to carry home?

[@RhiannaHudson]

How is the 75g tidal filter holding up? I’m thinking about changing the filter, and not sure whether or not to have 2 or one and what size.

[@TheAquaticCoder]

The 75g filter is doing great. I have it running as the only filter on my 55g still. I originally had three largish Oranda goldfish in the tank. Now I have two large Blood Parrots, about 10 mollies, and three corydoras. I've also done two 55g Tidals with the goldfish and both options worked without issue. I think the 75g filter will work great as long as your tank is super stocked.

[@othersideoftheroad979]

Are the hoods strong enough to hold up if a cat jumped on them?

[@TheAquaticCoder]

Yes I think the hoods are strong enough for a cat. The only note I'll add is the small flip lips for feeding could cause a problem if the cat stepped on one and it flipped open. Maybe a piece of tape over them so they won't flip open.

[@bernardo1969bs]

Great review!!! What size of Tidal hob filter are you using? Thanks and have a great day.

[@TheAquaticCoder]

Thank you! In this video I was using two 55g filters. I recently moved one of those to my 36g and decided to use just a single 75g on this tank (still Tidal). I chose to do double 55 or the 75 since I am keeping a pretty large goldfish in this tank.

[@meritedheart8714]

How do you get both lid lights to work? The starter kit came with only one connection to a power source, and I need two to have both lid lights operating.

[@TheAquaticCoder]

The connector is should come with will have two ports so you can connect both to it. Maybe they put an incorrect one in the box?

[@Topboyshottas]

I have the same heater for my tank n it does the same thing as yours

[@TheAquaticCoder]

Yeah I just use it as a back up now. Once the temp is correct it works fine but getting it to the right spot can be a pain.

[@Topboyshottas]

@@TheAquaticCoder is this 55 top fin tank worth the money as I'm looking to upgrade

[@TheAquaticCoder]

@@Topboyshottas I've had no issues with it after 8 months of use. I'm happy with the purchase and think it is worth the money. I'm using the lights/lid it came with but upgrade the heater and filter.

[@ericmorgan7780]

Why would top fin add a 200 watts heater in a 55 gallon tank that's to small for this size tank

[@KushWilson]

It’s getting 5 stars on pet smart but I don’t like the lid or double hob filters

[@TheAquaticCoder]

The double hob is optional. You can just use the one it comes with and that should be good for an average amount of fish. But yeah the lids are not my favorite. If you want to replace both the lids and use different filters going with the Aqueon 55g by itself will probably be cheaper. You can usually find that on sale for $75 from Petco or local fish stores several times a year.

[@KushWilson]

@@TheAquaticCoder awesome I’m currently on the hunt for my next step up from 2 20 gallon tanks so it’s looking like this tank or Marineland 75 gallon tank I really like the stand it comes with kinda saves you a couple bucks but topfin has the kit so I’m getting everything you need but no stand lol it’s a catch 22 I find the topfins lights aren’t strong enough for certain plants been trying to get hornswort to grow and it dosent seem to be happy with the light it’s getting but anyway thank you for the info and video

[@k9feces]

Is that the Petco stand?

[@TheAquaticCoder]

Yes it is. The imagitarium metal stand. I made a review video recently.

[@caidengraham4343]

what fish do you have

[@XMS1212X]

Which tidal did you get for it and did it fit with the hood?

[@TheAquaticCoder]

I've used both the tidal 55 and tidal 75 on this kit. Both fit will with the hood.

[@TheAquaticCoder]

@bloodypulp88 Tank has held up great without any issues or leaks. I upgraded most of the equipment but still kept the lights/hood and no issues with them either

[@Omega_Man_]

Where did you get your stand from?

[@TheAquaticCoder]

I got this stand from Petco. It is usually available on Amazon as well. It is called the Imagitarium Brooklyn Metal Stand 55 gallon. They also have it for 40 and 20 gallons I believe.

[@Omega_Man_]

@@TheAquaticCoder Thanks, I appreciate that.

[@RelaxingBon]

@@TheAquaticCoder I got the same one!!

[@weirdmatter]

Dose it have two hoods included?

[@weirdmatter]

I need a hood, I plan to upgrade everything else. I was thinking that I could use the other stuff like the filter, with a modification first of course. For a smaller tank for new fish, and for water changes. I don't know what I should do?

[@TheAquaticCoder]

​@@weirdmatter Sorry for the delay in a response. Yes the hoods and lights come with the kit. That is mostly what I ended up doing. I think everything else is worth keeping for other tanks/backups except the heater is not very good. Still doesn't hurt to have on the side if one ever fails. If you can get this kit while a sale is happening I think it is definitely worth it especially with the rest of the equipment. Even if they are used for backups/other tanks.

[@HouseholdGuppies]

How has this held up for you over the last year?

[@TheAquaticCoder]

No issues at all after over a year. I upgraded the filter and heater but am using the stock light/lid and no leaks with the tank.

[@brianjarman5750]

Are.you.paying.for.equipment.or.is.that.deal😊

[@freshwaterdreamingAquariums]

Thanks for the review. My take on all the "kit" tanks is that they are only a good deal for a casual aquarist - someone who enjoys having a few fish but isn't interested in actually "keeping" fish. HOB filters are really only useful for clearing water (clouded during setup or removing meds using carbon), and canister filters are just a 100% waste of money. Sponge and undergravel filtration is all that anyone needs. The lid/lights ... no. Better off with glass lids or diy plexiglass/greenhouse roof material. Hygger - the best cost effective aquarium lights hands down (about $70 for the 55g). Tanks - used, unless there is an amazing sale. More than $75 for a 55 is insane. People should really do some heavy research before getting into any kind of pet keeping - the pet trade is one of the worst offenders when it comes to misleading and ripping off hobbyists.

[@auralplex]

Canister filters are the standard for freshwater aquariums and advanced planted tanks with C02 injection and high par expensive LED lights. This tank is attractive because of the black silicone to match the trim... HOB filters are fine, I used them for many many years and never had a problem. I agree that Hygger makes some good lights, but I would go for the Current USA Serene light since it's an RGBW light that lets you set whatever mood you want.

[@XxTurk3ybo1xX]

why does your goldfish look like it has a tumor on its head? im concerned cause i just got a comet goldfish.

[@TheAquaticCoder]

They had a bacterial infection after getting injured. It's not a common thing I would worry about on your comet

[@glennt3207]

The Goldfish doesn't look very happy.

[@TheAquaticCoder]

Yeah they have been fighting a bacterial infection for close to a year now unfortunately.

[@spinne2]

Just picked it up this week but when I plugged in the hood lites on they were fine for about 2 hours then they started flashing. This has gone on without stopping and since I have the lites on a timer I thought maybe it would fix itself. This morning at 6 am they started flashing and it is now 2PM. Any way to fix the problem?

[@TheAquaticCoder]

That's unfortunate. I have not had any issue with my lights. They might need a replacement. Not sure how Petsmart handles it but I would give them a call. Hopefully they can let you just pick up a replacement.