5 Simple Aquarium Tips That Save You Money

[@AquariumCoop]

*What's your favorite money-saving hack in the fishkeeping hobby?* If you're into DIY projects, check out some of our favorite tutorials: kzbin.infosearch?query=diy

[@mardiweber2951]

Gotta love someone who has a brick and mortar store and an online business yet still lets people know about money saving tips! Great tips! THANK YOU!!!

[@CasualAquatics]

Right that's true humility

[@catherinesanchez1185]

I'm a big believer that if you're fair with people, they'll come back and spend. I hate the whole mentality that you have to hard sell everyone all the time to make $$. I don't think that is true.

[@samanthalowry6021]

Even to the point of showing us how to save money using his own products/ showing us alternatives to his products! Seriously a guy who just loves fishkeeping and helping others learn about it.

[@RabbiSpruceTech]

Cory: "My goal and everything we try to do is for the betterment of the hobby" Haters: "That's just corporate talk to push your products and brand." Cory: Literally tells us to save money ON HIS OWN PRODUCTS Haters just gonna hate

[@Merichguy2]

I find watching these short informative videos FAR BETTER than a 2 hour long live stream. Thanks Cory.

[@jesselarocable]

I like them for different purposes personally :) o throw on a livestream while doing tank maintenance and then these for fun on my own

[@kimaparis]

Agree with Jesse - I love the long form for same reason. It

[@austinmcgoldrick4436]

I loved this video, don’t get me wrong. But nothing beats a 2 hour live stream talking about fish keeping.

[@laurag1076]

I'm the opposite. Love putting on a live stream and doing my weekend house and aquarium clean

[@FishNstu]

Corys livestreams are the best!

[@brandonb556]

I'm just imagining Cory pulling an algae covered license out of his wallet lol

[@toriless]

I delaminated my Costco CC from having to wash it all the time during covid, yep the front just started peeling off.

[@Twinkley1981]

I use the first 3 hacks thanks to binge watching your KZbin videos and a few other channels too. 👍🏼I accidentally fell into the hobby 1year ago when my older daughter got a tank in her room. So I started to read lots of information on websites and watched lots of KZbin videos, because I love to learn as much as I can for any pet that’s under my roof. I now look after…well kinda took over her tank😂, have my own tank, and I’m getting a 3rd next week. I also have guppy and molly fry, bbs hatchery and micro worm cultures going too. It’s all very addictive 🤭

[@alisonnicholson]

Great tip about cutting test strips in half, thanks Cory. I use an old reward card for algae. Knew that 1 as find some algae scrapers flimsy. Ooo plant watering spikes saw those on Amazon I'll add them to my basket. Thanks Cory. Great video. Some really good money saving hacks

[@Acepilot2k7]

Thank you, love the test strip idea

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

One of my favorite hacks that you shared was cutting test strips in half. Something else I truly love is the quality of the Aquarium Co-op test strips and ammonia strips. We get a great amount for the value and I recommend them to everyone! Thanks for another great video Cory!! I hope you're having a wonderful and blessed day🙏♥️🌿🐟🌿♥️

[@ScruffyCityAquatics]

I’ve heard most of these from years of watching you on KZbin, but this video is great for sharing with new hobbyist. Thank you for the great content!

[@hamaquatics6853]

I've been watching for quite a while so have used most of these hacks. I have l397 plecos which did not like the watering tera cotta stick, but I found getting a 5 foot length of 2 inch bambo and cutting it into caves worked great. Shortly there after they started breeding. Thanks for the tips Cory, keep up the great work.

[@ASR_385]

The CC trick is great, I also use ski/snowboard wax scrapers some of which have great curves to get in rounded acrylic corners

[@vicaroo001]

LOVE Aquarium Co-op!

[@x189philthethrill]

Love that you just jump right in it no bs

[@primeaquatics5955]

Aquarium coop is back miss these diy videos and tours

[@aljanecko]

I love your DIY videos Cory, it’s how I say interested in the hobby.

[@kurtisstutzman7056]

I must be one of the few, but I use all these tricks/ methods...probably comes from my DIY-ed-ness... I actually sharpen my old cards with one of those store bought knife sharpeners(Fishing dept @walmart)... it just puts a nicer edge on the card... And being a landscaper, 99% of my substrate comes from my wholesale nursery place...MUCH cheaper and it's right across the street from me...! Keep up the Co-Op awesomeness...! Thanks for being you...!

[@LordMerji]

Ha! I knew 3 of the 5. The test strip idea is really good to know, I didn't even consider cutting them.

[@PaulZyCZ]

Great tips! I knew about the flower pot (coconut shell works too). I also know to put flakes in the water to make it sink. With some pellets it's a must to soak it first (I lost few fish to congestion). To clean the algae I'm using dish washing or magnetic sponge, skewer and fork against stringy algae and a toothbrush to clean the rocks (credits for the last go to George Farmer). Of course it depends on amount of algae, normally I just need to clean the glass and pipes with the sponge once a month (aside of regular water change and filter maintenance). Tea sieve helps with duckweed. Also garden hose adapter for a kitchen tap. The tap looks slightly different with a different pearling bit (made from a stainless steel), but it's a great thing to have for big water changes. Also garden watering cans for smaller water changes. Terrestrial plants love this waste water, but sometimes I use another hose to drain it. Good point with the rocks. I prefer more aquascaping ones, but it's better to buy some of the hardscape elsewhere. I'm setting a 190gallon tank and for the substrate I went to a hobby market, where I got some some pool filtration sand, (crushed) lava rocks, gravel, pond compost and just few bags of a no-brand aquarium river sand. I could probably get them even cheaper elsewhere. Yesterday I saw a nice mangrove root in a LFS, which I'm getting. It's expensive, but it should sink and it looks great. Otherwise I'd be getting some birch or willow branches (or something similar). Ask your local pleco enthusiast about it, they might have even better idea here.

[@scorpionspets9832]

I'm definitely going to try and use these. Also, you can cut off plastic bottle pieces in order to clean algae.

[@rosemarydudley9954]

Thank you for the c/card tip. It doesn't scratch the glass either. Also, at the garden centre you can get all sorts of substrates, stones and rocks, even sand as long as it's well washed. Regarding large stones and rocks etc. I always think that the more you put into an aquarium, the less water is in the tank. So maybe a 25 gallon will only hold 23? gallons.

[@kevinchan1408]

Great tips. Shows you really care about the hobby above your bottom line

[@ndbyers23]

I knew about the credit card hack and the rock yard hack. I really like the idea of cutting the test strips in half.

[@toriless]

You probably just do not have a yard or you would have know about rock yards, they carry brick too. None use the term he used.

[@taiaquatics622]

1. use a coffee grinder to turn almost any species suitable food into fry food. feed along long with live food to get the fry hitting it as soon as possible. 2. pre-soak powder food in a squirt bottle and just shake and squirt into the tank. great for fry and seems to help most fish's digestion (prepare portions for each feeding)

[@BenOchart]

Great tips. I’m going to be visiting my local rock yard (and the river down the road) for rocks. Much better than the $5 a pound 😲 at my LFS.

[@quizzesandfacts]

Wow this video was very useful/helpful for me.

[@cosmicshy637]

You are a wonderful wealth of knowledge! Thank you so much! 🐟🌴

[@LegionOfShrooms]

Heck yeah! Thanks for the tips Cory!

[@woofmeowackwoof3810]

I like both short and long vids

[@RichardHaywardMelbourne]

The Repashy tip is the best one of this video.

[@ronlafond5288]

That was great, Cory. Thanks!

[@SamuelTol999]

Thanks for those tips Cory!

[@davidjameslloricoramos2199]

Thank you for this nice and short entertaining video.

[@GenRN]

I knew 4/5! Will try Repashy in the shrimp tank.

[@ktylonox8646]

Thank you for these money saving tips during this period of economic hardship. Much appreciated!

[@rosaarias7128]

helpful information. thanks. 🕊

[@CJBlack265]

Great tips - thanks Cory💕👍

[@KittyKraftStudio]

I've done the cutting test strips in half and the using an old card for scraping, I use an old loyalty card. I'll have to use the Repashy tip when I get shrimp!

[@michaellindsey1543]

How many guys make videos that could be titled, "How not to need the products I sell"?!?!?!?! You're one of a kind Cory!!!!!

[@AquariumCoop]

I’m a hobbyist always. There are pros and cons to diy vs buying. To ignore diy isn’t being honest with the viewer.

[@raventhomas3998]

Great tips. Thank you.😄👍

[@natewild2135]

This is why i love aqaurium coop

[@toriless]

Smaller landscaping rock works too. Total cost $12 for enough for several tanks. I put a couple dozen over the substrate for a natural stream look. Throw in a piece of wood if you want to get fancy.

[@CarolynnMc01]

Hi ! Thank you so much... i never thought about the Repashy trick. I think the powder may be a good thing to feed the chili rasbiora fish. They are in my shrimp tank, so it will do double duty! Smart thinking.

[@SquirrilahFish]

Oh my god, scraping with a gift card was so helpful! Finally got that green spot algae off my plastic tank. So grateful

[@allonewordcaps]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@VictoriaLeeCreates]

Aquascaper from Chicago Illinois 💛💙💚

[@smjr79]

Great tips Cory, I use most of these hacks thanks to you buddy👍🏻

[@jenname4669]

I knew cards could be used to scrape frost off of windshields in winter. Never thought to use as an algae scraper!

[@Tom-en9tc]

That splitting in half test strip...why have I never thought of this before lol

[@SoTypicallyMeh]

never used repashy before. does it cloud the water or make an oil slick if i sprinkle it on the water surface?

[@octaviorodriguez6895]

Respects for showing cheaper alternatives to your own products and a way to save money by making another one last twice as long.

[@parkerbenz]

Amazing tips! I have even bred plecos in a seachem matrix jar lol!

[@juliaheinritz3264]

What tool(s) did you use to drill the Pleco hole in the clay flower pot?

[@austinmcgoldrick4436]

This was a great video! Thanks Cory

[@jenjam09]

Thanks for the hacks. I got more respect for you, knowing that your hacks could reduce your store sales..

[@papascrumpeeh]

Most times especially these days ppl will support and buy products from a company that's more transparent and honest instead of others that are constantly trying to squeeze more money out of yer pocket🤔

[@kenshofalco8326]

I had mentioned in another video that I'm starting a 60 gallon tank. You mentioned "plecos"... I'm guessing or rather hoping you mean plecostomus. I had a question about this fish because I'd like to include a few in this tank. Does a sand bottom have to be rued out? I don't want to harm the fish any way if a sandy bottom must be ruled out.

[@legionaquatics]

I already knew all these hacks from watching the videos and livestreams but they are great tricks

[@sufiyansheikh131]

Thanks for such good content!!!

[@ReneesZooTube]

I've used rocks from Home Depot. Not as cheap as a rock place, but still cheaper than the pet store. I wish I would have remembered to split my test strips while I had a bunch of fish in quarantine. 4 quarantine tanks going... Oops! Oh well, there's always next time. I've used a gift card for scraping algae before too. Very helpful!

[@johncameron4194]

This was great video thank you

[@kylebusc3624]

I've also seen some pretty cool home made sponge filters. Usually made out of water bottles but im sure you could get more creative.

[@amandajoanbaker]

Feeding repashy as powder also looks great for filter feeders like bamboo or vampire shrimp!

[@Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

Test strip hack is genius

[@alasdairaquatics]

Great video as always 👍

[@LushAqua]

Thanks for sharing

[@dhammaboy1203]

I bought all my river stone for my Malawi tank for $18 from a garden supplier. They’re beautiful rocks too! (Although they don’t boost pH)

[@Nick-lf7uv]

Okay, some of these I've really never thought of. Repashy as a shrimp and fry food? Crazy!

[@toriless]

The rocks thing is pretty obvious but you also missed in between, I get river rocks from places like home depot that make glorious decorative rocks to place on top of substrates, you could easily enhance a dozen larger tanks from one bag. Just male sure to rinse them. You can buy a specific size range.

[@genie9552]

Can we buy these products in the UK? I've heard nothing but great reviews and I'd love some!

[@VixinatorsVideos]

These tips are game changers. lol

[@mraquaticnews5676]

Cory with the good hacks!

[@VaughnJohnston1999]

Yo I have a 60 gallon with 40 neon tetras, 8 ottocinclus, 8 Poelicus Catfish, 4 pearl gouramis, and a king tiger pleco and snowball pleco. My plecos algae wafers get ate by the other fish. And they never get to the bloodworms either. Tried green beans they didn’t eat those either. I really want to keep them in the 60, but I have a 30 with no substrate or plants or even fake plants just a bare tank with water and filter. Should I move them or stick it out and just feed a little heavier in hopes the plecos get some?

[@razme2099]

Awesome tips

[@andystevens7557]

Beauty of living in Glacial Fill, WA State; I've never paid for a rock.

[@meyou805]

Would the repashy thing work to feed my hillstream Loach? I'm in desperate need to find a way to feed him. The Bala shark takes everything I put down for it. Even when the lights are off and he's snoozing. I've even tried hiding it in certain areas and the shark will thrash about until he gets it. I'm afraid the little dude is going to starve

[@omaeve]

I have some extruded tubes I made in pottery class is there a certain size that Pleco‘s like?

[@bjk12385]

Could you do a short video on the "join" option? I definitely want to.... but with so many subs options nowadays, I want to know what I'm getting.

[@ayubraj.s9065]

Lots of love from India Please suggest Good name for aquarium shop

[@pondgators]

Really good video!! Your channel seems really cool!! Just subbed too!!

[@primesspct2]

I have used the gift card scraper a million times! I go rock hunting in the fields! And make my pleco caves by stacking the rocks in imaginative ways. Hmm that gel food gave me an ida, can I make my own gel food with fish food, brine shrimp and knox gelatin?

[@kayakcarol]

You can buy Agar at your local health food store, it's better than Knox because it comes from algae

[@meagancrowson2959]

You were right! I only knew 1 😂

[@joshuastover1047]

I’ve learned all these and so many more from your amazing forum!!

[@ReneesZooTube]

Making Repashy as gel just didn't really work for me. Feeding it as powder is a great suggestion! That will help me use up the powder and not waste it! Do we need to worry about the thickener causing digestive issues with not being made into gel before feeding? Do we need to keep the powder refrigerated?

[@amymandeville8342]

Thanks for the great tips! I'm definitely going to be cutting my test strips. It's something I never even thought of!

[@toriless]

I do not bother with test strips, most if the tests are useless for established tanks.

[@capablegenius7454]

Great video

[@reneeconforti9857]

The gift card trick…. Genius!

[@MattsAquatics]

I have your test strips, stickers, easy green, all your fertalizers

[@dr.awkward9075]

You're doing the Lord's work. I appreciate it.

[@nanobubbles3083]

Cut the test strips in half…..brilliant! Except now I feel like I’ve wasted so many by not doing this 🥲

[@ufcea8310]

Can you do a swordtail care guide 🌊🐟

[@michaelwright278]

CORY HELP PLEASE!!!!! We are having trouble getting our 20 gal tank right. 1-- we got 3 new plants,plants seem to be doing OK. 2 we ordered new fish-- 3 clown loaches, 4 yoyo loaches and 4 snails, 2 became fish food,other 2 doing good. Got a new filter Tidal 35.. Checked my water PH 7.6 a little higher than normal (7.0),ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 and nitrates between 10/20 PPM. Temperature is about 75 degrees. I do understand the new filter has to run its course ( light green water) ..... Now 1 clown got white spots--- treated for ICH died the next day. Second loach got the same white spots today-- treated it for ICH died today... The 4 yoyo's are doing great along with the other fish. Cory what is going on and what are we doing wrong. All we want is clear water and no dieing fish!! Any advice would be appreciated....

[@MatildasMama]

plastic forks. i use forks to comb through the plant filler that the plants arrive in from an order. (ii hope that sentence makes sense. 😂)

[@baileyrogers2783]

What is the name of the snail at 3:50 time stamp? :)

[@alsfishbarn1589]

Great hacks

[@shubunkin.goldfishtank]

Awesome tips!

[@LegionOfShrooms]

PVC pipe makes great pleco homes for cheap

[@gigi3242]

Thanks Cory. Take care.

[@minanora5025]

I was curious to know if cutting the test strips impacted their accuracy. Thanks! Should you submerge them for any less time? I feel like they get saturated more quickly since there's less area to saturate.

[@AquariumCoop]

I haven’t seen any changes from cutting em in half. I did that for like 10 years before maki g our own.

[@minanora5025]

@@AquariumCoop good to know. I had been cutting mine in half for a while but stopped because I was worried that I was skewing the results for the pH since that pad is thicker. I was worried about the GH and KH pads for a while but then I tested with a liquid kit. My GH (and sometimes KH) are off the charts of the co-op easy test strips.

[@Philip_smith88]

Great video. Awesome tips

[@danielmurgueytio4059]

This is awesome! Thanks Cory!!