Aquarium kits vs piecemeal (for quarantine/growout)

[Kelly S]

I'm thinking of getting another tank for growing molly fry and/or a spare quarantine tank. What are your thoughts/experiences regarding aquarium kits? Seems like it could be an economical way to go, unless I'm just going to get frustrated and replace all of the kit components anyway. I don't expect to want to get fancy with lighting on it, but I don't know anything about the kits' heaters, filters, etc. Thanks for your input!

[FlyingFishKeeper]

Personally I would go with the kit then modify it to fit your needs. If your quarantining shrimp for example you could just keep the heater and light but replace the HOB with a sponge filter. Or if its goldfish just save the heater for when something breaks. 

Edited February 7, 2021 by FlyingFishKeeper

[MDoc]

People hate on the kits, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with them (especially for a QT/grow-out tank).  

[Struggle]

I piecemeal all of my aquariums as it seems I end up replacing everything except the glass.

[Mike_M]

I always piece them together to spread out the expense. I just get something for it here and there so I don't feel like I'm dropping a ton of money at a time. Also that way I can get exactly what I want, as opposed to what the kit includes. For example I will always want very specific filters, and none of the ones I want are ever in a kit, etc.

[Patrick_G]

I’ve seen standard 10 gal kits for under $50 but they come with a preset heater that might be a deal breaker for serious fish keepers. 
 

[Maggie]

The light can be the expensive part of buying piecemeal, and if it is a one piece light/hood, that's the part I'd be concerned about. In my minibow, the light got wet just from the teeny little filter flow, and stopped working. Other than the cost of a separate light, you can buy everything piecemeal, of the same quality/brand, but with a glass lid, for about $30 more.