Aquascaping on a Budget - Lots of Ideas That Will Help You Save BIG TIME!

[@cherylbelott]

Since the beginning of this channel and also in PTA, I’ve always appreciated how you’ve shared your money saving tips, and often outside the box ideas, such as hardware store items or Dollar Tree. Things we might not consider on our own. You know I’m a “deals” girl and I like my clearance too! Thank you so much!! 🌱🐟💚

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

❤️

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

❤️

[@thesmallscape]

So glad. Weird minds can serve a purpose too, I guess. 😂 Have a blessed Easter weekend, Cheryl. ☺️

[@PheOfTheFae]

I am scaping my betta tank in stages! :) And I will add another money saving tip: some cuttings from houseplants can go in there. I have some rooted pothos and spider plant too, from houseplants I already had!

[@adamcenteno6155]

I live in Puerto Rico and I just went to a creek and picked up a few plant, dirt, ferns and rocks and I’m about to work on my new natural aqua scape. I’m so excited.

[@MissChelle]

Thank you, great ideas! Yesterday I visited a new store (to me) and they had some beautiful seryio (sp) pieces that I knew I wanted for a new tank, but my budget this trip I didn’t plan for. So I only bought a few of the smaller flatter pieces and plan on using slate under it where you won’t see. Let’s face it, the nice stuff is expensive, but not all of it is above water, or toward the front. Use cheaper stuff and ‘veneer’ the good stuff where it will seen. ❤️🇦🇺

[@thesmallscape]

Awesome idea!! 🙌

[@bunnyviperaquatics2108]

100th comment! Tongue in cheek, it’s also less expensive to scape something small- another great reason to Small Scape! 🥰

[@thesmallscape]

Haha! Love it! You betcha!! ☺️

[@gereneschendel6145]

Just got done collecting twisted oak branches from the woods for my tanks.

[@phillipbruni2434]

Love it, great video, I love when Jason rolled his eyes at you during the live stream 😂

[@thesmallscape]

Mornin, Phillip! Lol - ya, I live for those moments 😃😂

[@michellebarnhill5130]

The last time I needed driftwood, I went to the swamp, got a piece of wood and brought it home and boiled it. It lasted 11 years. Never seemed to leach any color out. After hearing @The Small Scapes in this video, I'm very happy I did. I love her suggestions in this video.

[@kimberlybellinger3925]

I love how you got close to the camera and whispered like it was a secret that we may have multiple tanks soon lol! You are the best, thanks for the tips!

[@thesmallscape]

Lol! ☺️

[@aadeorukhkar]

Ha ha ha! Saw this video too late in my aquascaping adventure. Overbought, impulse bought and everything, but totally agree that planning and taking time are the two most important things in the hobby. I loved the point of trying out a scape and leave it for few days to determine if you like it. Wish I did that 😂.

[@photonut63]

I like how practical your site is and how you make the hobby accessible to new aquarists.

[@paulbolton1071]

Living in the uk as i do i never get to see your live streams, but when i have watched them which is usually a few days later and your with jason i think to myself that girl is so quiet , but what a difference seeing you doing your own channel small scapes , its obvious just how much you enjoy doing the nano tanks but also passing on so much advice to your subscribers. i have now subscribed and like your videos Paul from the other side of the pond

[@michellebarnhill5130]

@The Small Scapes I'm loving your channel content! I've been power watching, trying to catch up 😉

[@vanessatamplin7659]

Love the Anubis and the moss liking the crips but still going to think about that one

[@carolebraswell982]

Loved the tips! Best one... "try to control yourself." LOL... I knew I had a little extra money recently and I made the financial mistake of going to a few aquarium stores... boy did I blow the money! Self control is key!

[@johnjwedrall4290]

Thank you for the much needed money saving tips 👍😃

[@Shelzbells]

I love your little ideas you come up with for scaping....plus all your money saving tips are the best. Oh my gosh I laughed out loud....when you referred to buying the new little puppy scenario and all of the goodies to go with it LMAO

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Joanna, you are a wealth of knowledge on saving money. Landscaping aquariums or Aquascaping is in your blood. This is a very good tutorial. Full of info!

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

YES!!❤️

[@thesmallscape]

Soil is in my blood. That would make a great shirt. 💪😁. You may see that soon.

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

@@thesmallscape I love it,🤣👍❤️

[@paulmccarthy7467]

Some superb tips for this subject

[@multipletanksyndrome]

If you're looking for large plants, look for mother pots. I got a java fern mother pot, ended up separating it into like a dozen little ones. Would have made five really good ones. It was like $50. Same with anubias.

[@melanieholmes6596]

Great tips! Join your local clubs, lots of trading / giving away or very cheap plants on either club website or at meetings!

[@thesmallscape]

Snip snip here and there = 🌿🌿🌿🙌

[@johnlasco894]

This is great stuff. I've gotten into thinking this same way also. Also if you see something you like, buy one of it and start storing up. I'm doing that with plants, since the selection and inventory is limited where I live. Plants are easy to store in a holding tank (jar, container) with a light source. You'll also get to learn how best to care for them so they're not perishing after you finished aquascapng!

[@ChadGardenSinLA]

This is the episode that made me click subscribe! I really enjoy your inclusive theme and found this particular episode helpful. Aquascaping is a hobby for everyone! I just posted a short of my first Iwagumi aquascape. All of the materials were harvested from the LA river and I got the tank on black friday for a buck/gal. Thanks for the tips!

[@brytegirl411]

You're so fun to watch!! 😁

[@thesmallscape]

You’re so kind! 😌

[@sharleanebailey2795]

Hi! I collected rocks from my backyard. The rocks are all different. But some how tie together beautifully.

[@thesmallscape]

Lovely. ☺️

[@philcarlino6942]

My money saving tip: use dirt! Dirt is a great cheap nutritious substrate that plants love. It can be capped with cheap pool sand or small gravel. It grows plants real well. Once you have a system that grows plants well you can save on plants by using your own clippings. Patience is rewarded in this hobby. Great video, Joanna. Take care

[@thesmallscape]

Ya. You’re right. One of these days, Phil - I’m doing a dirted tank! And yup yup yup on the clippings! 🌱💯🌿

[@TripleJAquatics]

Anyone who watches me knows I love a good budget friendly build! Lol great vid! Using current tanks to grow/farm the inhabitants for other tanks is my favorite way to save money in this hobby

[@ljsshrimp]

My current tank 39g so to save money, white fine gravel and sand with some clean potting soil, from landscaping section at store. Beautiful colored smooth small /mid size rocks from creek next to me. Looks great. River rocks add color and texture to plain white bottom gives it a pop. With xtra money I saved got a few tiny Marimo moss balls (I hope eventually will grow to nice attraction in aquarium too) with my other plants.

[@thesmallscape]

Very nice! Moss balls - woohoo! ☺️

[@darrellsanders9031]

Thank you for all of your great advice.

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Absolutely wonderful!! I have been dividing and spreading plants out for so long 😂 It is just like you said they will grow in and that's one of the best money saving tips there are!! And about the high end aquascapes they are so beautiful, but most of the professionals have hardscape and plants at their disposal!! As you know I just collect things and hope for the day that they will work together to create something 💯🙌 That's why I love your channel so much, you give us so many amazing ideas and things keep a lookout for!! The tip on the ratio really helps me a lot for when I try my next Aquascape!! I seem to be drawn to aquascapes that start on one side and taper down to the other side! Oh that "Mountain Scape" from Aquatic Experience is just gorgeous! I would love to create something like that!! I need to learn how to keep my hardscape really showing!! I'm actually thankful that I don't have any stores near me where I can go and Shop.😂 When I was in Virginia I did get to go to Petco. I admit though I would be in heaven to actually get to go into a real store with an aquascaping section 😍👀🌿 Try to behave!!!! 😹🤣😂 I remember the great video when you got all the dragonstone ✨💥 And another one of the most amazing money saving tips is Black Diamond sandblasting sand as well as other sands that you can use such as pool filter sand! I have been looking for a fish club near me!! Father Fish has started live streaming the Venice Aquarium Society meeting and I get to join him up on screen the third Thursday of the month! It is the closest that I've ever come to to being part of a fish club and it's absolutely amazing!! We are trying to figure out a way that people can be part of the auction as they watch!! I was blown away at the plants the fish and the shrimp that was there for little of nothing, people were getting some deals I never imagined!! I told him I was just going to have to send him a little money and he was going to have to keep it in his pocket 🤣😂 First I got to get the money 😂🤣 Thank you Joanna for another fantastic video I know I always write long comments but I feel like I'm sitting there talking to you 🤣❤️ We're going to need a Small l Scape Club🤣 maybe even a Joanna Fan Club🤣💯♥️ I hope you, Mr Prime Time and family are having a wonderful blessed day!!!🙏🌿🐟🌿✨♥️🥰

[@thesmallscape]

Oh you are always so sweet - hey! I also love scapes that taper down on one side! Woohoo!! Yes, you make me smile, we ARE talking. 😃 And some day (hopefully soon) we will meet) That us so great you get to join his fish club! Amazing! OH. Ugh - would you please email me your address. 🙏[e-mail] You sent to Jason a while back and we can’t find it between the half brain we share. We feel so dumb. Anyways - wishing you a very blessed Easter, friend!

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

I sure will and I hope you all have a very blessed Easter my friends ❤️🙏🐰💖🥰

[@roscoeturner4099]

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent advice!

[@thesmallscape]

So kind!

[@jamesgreen9372]

Thanks for the great ideas ! One way we save money is to place cuttings in the "Hospital Tank." The new plants can be used for scaping one's own tanks, trade, or selling. We run it on a budget, so our setup is: a. Tank from the dollar a gallon sale b. Fluorescent desk lamp for light, for now c. Old heater that was retired before it might fail d. A back up sponge filter e. An air stone in case of medication use f. No substrate g. An old back-up air pump to serve the air stone & sponge filter. As we have Multi shell dwellers, we keep it at those parameters (pH 8,5, KH 15, GH 10). This also allows the plants to be acclimatized to a multi. environment. We keep the bacteria fed with one drop of Fritz Fuel (Ammonia) per week. One could use fish food or a protein source (i.e. shrimp tails in a mesh bag), but that raises phosphate which can cause algae. There is also the risk of detritus. This arrangement also allows for quarantine of new plants, particularly for unwanted snails. As a hospital tank, one can either remove the plants or leave them. The fish seem to like the plants. It is possible that, like low light, the plants decrease fish stress. We also find the Hospital Tank/Plant Nursery pleasing to the eye. It looks like a small forest in a glass box. Whenever, one can get two tasks fulfilled at the same time, it is a plus. In this case, one gets a hospital tank and new plants for almost nothing. Thanks for all your ideas and keeping us thinking, Jim PS: The trick with this and all hospital tanks is to avoid Multi-tank Syndrome (MTS), and keep them empty.😉

[@photonut63]

I had the same results with Alternanthera r that was a tissue culture plant. It's kind of taking over, so much so that I now have no room to add Val.😃

[@SlowDownFish]

Great idea for content especially now days with this economy we have thanks!

[@davethefishdudesteinbock5518]

Thank you Joanna for all the tips on keeping plants in an aquarium. With the knowledge from your channel and Prime Time Aquatics, I’ve finally been able to have some good success keeping plants. Much Love from Milwaukee:)

[@realangiechrist]

I go shopping for rocks & wood in my yard. It helps that I used to do a ton of hiking & camping so I've got a load of cool rocks I brought back one at a time from hikes, but I'm sure I'm not the only one!

[@renahays7988]

I found a local rock hound and bought some super cool rocks for my tank☺

[@reyamazona9075]

super helpful tips 😍😍😍 love this content😍

[@thesmallscape]

☺️thank you for stopping by!

[@lizettebusquets4305]

I have followed so many of your tips! Thank you! I just scaped a new 15 g and 80% of the plants come from trimmings and shoots from the plants growing in my 20g long. I only had to purchase the anubias plant I wanted and was able to transplant Mayaca, a. reinickii mini, micro sword, dwarf saggitaria, moss, a few crypts (which are going through melting), and a couple of buce. It's also the only tank with dragon stone since the other two have river stones from Lowe's.

[@IsabellaM._]

Great advice 😊

[@karenaubrey5737]

Good Morning.

[@raventhomas3998]

Fishkeeping on a budget...definetly my style. Love all your tips.

[@thesmallscape]

Woohoo!!

[@mraquaticnews5676]

Very good info as always Joanna

[@alisonnicholson]

Great video. Some great information. Thanks Joanna😊

[@thesmallscape]

🌿🙂🌱

[@FireflyXOXO1]

Can you please do a video on safe rocks and woods? I'm wondering about ribbon wood?

[@lewiscory6352]

This video was 🔥

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you! ☺️👏

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

Wonderful tips!

[@amymandeville8342]

I have found so much great stuff at yard sales and second hand stores. I've also found nice aquariums that people have just thrown out to the curb. I've gotten airline tubing for .19 cents a foot and various valves, connectors and hooks dirt cheap at my locally owned building supply store.

[@thesmallscape]

No kidding! 👏👏I have never! Except for a piece of sand blasted manzanita at my Savers...😃

[@michellearnold2396]

I just started with live plants about a year ago. I am going the slow route so I can learn about each plant & whether it can live in my tank. It is taking "great" restaint because I want to buy almost every plant I see. Thank you for your videos they are a great help!!!

[@ljsshrimp]

Yeah I just recently saw some Baby Tears and loved it. I found out after I got home its hard to grow, guess we'll see... doh

[@michellearnold2396]

@@ljsshrimp I know I wanted the dwarf baby tears & the monte carlo. It won't work in my tank oh well

[@DabbaHashery]

Killed a bunch of plants I impulse bought. I'm now taking this approach. As I learn each plants habits and how to maintain it I decide on the next. If you find one not doing well or looking great see if you can trade it with another hobbyist or lfs. It also helps you learn what textures and sizes work together well if you swap them out or around a lot.

[@michellearnold2396]

@@DabbaHashery I watched a video that Cory at Aquarium Co Op did. He said to try five plants at a time & see if they survive. That way it gives you time to learn about the plant & if the plants will work in your water perameters.

[@thirdwheel-Nov22]

Try to behave!..Good one. that is the problem. my attitude does not behave in line with my budget. Thanks. Have to add, I did not keep myself on budget. Over-spent, so now consolidated the tanks. (4 + shrimp tub down to 2 tanks now). overspent. Now, trying to follow budget, but thinking of starting up a 5 gallon aquiarium that has a nice scape, but is easily maintainable and looking for ways to buy stuff ... cheaply.

[@michaelhokie]

I often purchase larger tubes of Anubias at PetSmart because I can usually split it into 2 sometimes 3 sections if the rhizome is large enough and healthy. So basically, 2 or 3 nice looking plants for the price of one large one. Awesome video Joanna, your channel has become one of my very favorites!

[@thesmallscape]

Ya know what, you’re actually right, a lot if those can be split right away. 🌿 You are very kind, always love to see you name pop up! ☺️ Wishing you a good Good Friday.

[@typicallyusual6984]

Sometimes it’s just the upfront costs. Once you have the stuff, like plants, you can just make more or share one product among many tanks. I try to not buy any plant twice and just propagate. Also, can you do a video of schooling fish for 10 gallons or less? Great video as always!

[@mikes.tank.syndrome8401]

all 10 of my tanks are a tribute to your budget hacks since you started this channel. my wife still asks me if i want to keep the milk carton tabs, even though my pile is overflowing..i could use them someday!

[@thesmallscape]

😂😂 - oh ya, I have a ton too!! I will need to get my ultimate macgyer hack list out for those! 💪🤪. The magical world of YT will never be able to unsee these ideas! 😂

[@Myndi78]

Im doing prepwork for rebuilding a rather large tank (on a budget), I plan to do Vals in the back and let them overgrow the surface with time and then smaller grasslike plants in the front - I allready have them spreading in another tank so no expense. I got a 3D background (free) that will need modification but it'll work and riverstones are cheap. BUT I want a huge root inthere wich is an issue not only because they are so damn expensive but also I have to go to another town to get anything in the size Im looking for 😑 Ive been considering to just use twigs but I would like to have a few anubias inthere and maybe one of those crawling Japanese plants that looks like clovers, I forget the name 😂 But that would work better with a root than twigs! Saving up for a piece of wood feelsbadman 😂

[@jeffalbillar7625]

Nice. Thanks for the tips. I just bought a 75 gallon and I am in the process of checking for leaks. The tip about buying sand and gravel at..... I'm going to have to watch the video again because I already forgot where you mentioned it can be bought for cheap. This video was packed with alot of information. Thx Edit: home improvement stores!

[@thesmallscape]

You got it!! 💪🙂

[@BigShrimpin416]

You must have a good Petco and Petsmart near you because the plants that are at my local petcos and petsmarts are terrible! They’re always dead and dried up looking! I have to order everything online

[@wendihamlett105]

Totally agree and do most! Landscape supply company has saved me a bundle. The Lowe’s deal was amazing! I think they caught on though. My Lowe’s has not offered in a while. Great hints!

[@thesmallscape]

Haha - they’re like DANG! 😂😂

[@wendihamlett105]

@@thesmallscape Now that's being polite lol. I am sure shipping and receiving had a few R rated words with corporate for that idea 🤣

[@jamiewestover6760]

I too suffer from MTS. So far I’m up to 14 and always wanting more 😀

[@thesmallscape]

Haha. Yup. 🤭😂

[@markhunter2244]

Great cost saving ideas, only one problem I’ve no self control and tend to over buy on everything 🤭😬

[@thesmallscape]

Oh ya. I get ya. My local nursery just got in the first wave and I was like. Uh oh. 🤭😬🙄🌿🌸🌿🌸😂🌸🌿🌸🌸🌿🌸😂🌸😂🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴

[@vanessatamplin7659]

Wanting to learn understand sand gravel or mix it ‘ to plant in the substrate and then vacuum the tank not getting that part ‘ you wouldn’t want to disturb the plants 🌱 some say they never vacuum still learning

[@lp22aquatics]

Great video! I've always stayed away from tissue cultures before because I didn't really understand what they were, but seeing your part about them in this video, I may just go get some today!! Also, do you have a link to the Flip Aquatics sale that you mentioned? I tried finding it on their website and didn't see it. Keep up the great videos Joanna!

[@thesmallscape]

Hi! At one time they intimidated me too - just open up, rinse off the gel stuff (not toxic to fish) and enjoy some super cute plants! For Flip - he varies his sales, so just keep your eye out for a plant sale or sign up for notifications ☺️ (and tell them the small scape sent you - lol) 😃🌿

[@chrissy9877]

dose your tank have to be cycled in order to plant my next tank i want 120- or up i have an idea how i want to do it,..... do i have to cycle the tank first

[@zonadorida3561]

questions- how do i fiend local fish club its not even for the interest of getting cheap plants but just to feel “normal” and around people that know and appreciate fish

[@jayjayvanity7711]

That last tip is the reason that whenever I go to the store I’m not allowed to walk past the bettas… I will take one home.

[@lesliedenise1978]

I have a outdoor nature place near me where I can get free limestone & rocks and that has really saved money!

[@PBee8108]

What do you do with the fish when you're a'scaping a tank with fish in it?

[@thesmallscape]

Hi! They typically stay in there unless substrate is changing. ☺️

[@peetos-chan2835]

👍👍👍

[@tamaraoxendine1615]

No matter what I do I can’t keep Amazon sword alive I’ve tried 3 different times and within 2 weeks the whole plant turns translucent. What am I doing wrong?

[@Lukasz_Hebel77]

you forgot to mention about collecting driftwood, stones etc from outside rivers, woods etc

[@thesmallscape]

Hi! Well, I left that out since that can bring in unwanted things into your tank. A number of fish keepers do that but I generally don’t. 🙂 I use in the garden though! 🙌🪴

[@daisyb3799]

How do I learn where fish swaps happen?

[@thesmallscape]

We hear the Aquarium Co-Op has a list - check out his website? Good luck!

[@Shadstar256]

I just started and somehow I have 4 tanks. MTS is a real sickness.

[@Freedom_Fighter72]

I spent $80 on a curvy, knotty piece of driftwood for my 20g....I ended up pulling it out, caused too much murkiness in the tank 🤷‍♀️

[@thesmallscape]

Too dark, eh?

[@shesellsfish]

I can stay on budget with most scaping items and fish, until...yeah, that last one you mentioned. A particular betta just LOOKS right at me, begging...oh please save me, please, I don't wang to die in the crappy cup in this store. Yeah, it's pretty much over then. I try not to even look in their direction, and I tell myself NO over and over about those dang begging bettas, but something comes over me and it just happens. I really thought I was doing well on the...no more bettas. We had Mr Pinky, have had him for 3 years, he's still perky, happy, and healthy. Then petco had the tank sale a couple of weeks ago. My son and I went to just get one twenty long. Just gonna run in, grab it and go. And somehow we ended up with a king koi betta and a half moon betta, and plants for them, anx floating cork logs for them...AND the budget went right out the window, LOL. But it's ok, I rationalized it, I mean if I only blow the budget every 3 years on a betta or two, I'm still doing really well, and that's my reasoning for it and I am guilt free sticking to it, 🙃🙄🙃 Hope ya'll have a beautiful Easter. 👍❤👍

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

Tip bring every kid from the neighborhood to store and don’t leave until manager gives you something to leave!

[@thesmallscape]

Ahaha!! 🙌😂

[@peadrianlastname]

My tanks are probably the 1 spot I don't worry about budget, I want em to look nice for me and I want em to be healthy forthe animals who's entire world it's gonna be and if I can make that happen cheap great, but if not it is what it is

[@jamesparadigm]

💙💙💚💚

[@yermailmain206]

DONT get those dollar tree river rocks. They leach out oils and some kind of polish used to keep them shiny. Found out the hard way now weeks later still waiting for the water to be clean.

[@booomkalani]

I have not and will not follow your last tip about Bettas. lol

[@thesmallscape]

Ahahaha!!! Nor shall I !! 🤭🤫😂

[@yermailmain206]

Plants to get for beginners…. Pearl weed Pearl weed Pearl weed Tiger lotus 👍🏽

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Foist

[@thesmallscape]

😂👏🐌

[@nicmaci7087]

what is a budget 🤔

[@josephposada1830]

You are magnificent as always

[@thesmallscape]

lol. Thanks, Joseph! 🙂

[@vampgaia]

Budget?!??? Hahahahaha!

[@thesmallscape]

🤭🤣🤣🤣🤣