Buying CHEAP Aquarium Items from Bunnings

G'Day Legends,
Today I went to my local Bunnings Warehouse in search of fish tank bargains.
Check out what I got.
Please Comment, Like & Subscribe.
I Sell 3D Prints on Etsy;
www.etsy.com/a...
Become a Blake's Aquatics member;
/ @blakesaquatics
Facebook;
/ blakesaquatics
Instagram;
/ blakes.aquatics
Blake's Aquatics Discord Server;
/ discord
#DIYFishkeeping #KeepingFish #BlakesAquatics

[@BlakesAquatics]

G'Day Legends, Let me know your suggestions for the People's Tank below. Pls be kind and don't just spam Clown Vomit Rainbow Gravel 100 times :D Keen to see what we can do!

[@nicocrinkleburg]

Hi, mate 👋 I’ve been a member for quite a while now.. and I just wanted to say, you’re videos are increasingly more engaging- excellent job! It took me a minute to watch this vid, admittedly because I thought “another Bunnings vid, ok, I’ll get to it eventually… how many new ideas could you come up with” but to your credit, another excellent video! You seem a lot more comfortable, confident and fluid, in front of the camera these days. Really relatable, down to earth content. Keep it up, mate 🍻

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@nicocrinkleburg appreciate that thanks mate, yeah i definitely got in my head a little in the middle part of my journey and was over thinking a lot. These days I just try to have fun with it 😅

[@nicocrinkleburg]

@@BlakesAquatics good for you, man. Your enthusiasm & passion for the hobby is really shining - that’s contagious 😉

[@MissChelle]

Smooth river rocks….. I need some ideas! 🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@arthurgiannakis2156]

The best item I've ever bought from Bunnings was Aquatic Root Tabs by Scotts Osmocote specifically formulated for aquariums and ponds. They still sell them In the fertiliser isle, $8AUD. They are a bargain for an entire bag of 50(!) root fertiliser cones, more than I would ever use in many years. LFS equivalent would be three - four times the price. The cones are quite large so I break them apart and get more out of them. Just push them deep deep into the substrate so the fert balls don't find their way back to the surface. They are slow release and each dose lasts around 6 months. I'm using the same pack I bought 8 years ago and still have about 25% of the bag left. The root plants just LOVE them, it's nuts how well they react.

[@BlakesAquatics]

+1 great bargain 👍

[@jeffreyj8106]

Oh that's a great suggestion! Do you know if those root tabs are shrimp safe by any chance?

[@arthurgiannakis2156]

@@jeffreyj8106 The cones are livestock safe and I've been using them for many many years. Two of my tanks have red cherrys in them. I use the root tabs in both of those and all of the shrimp are doing great and have been thriving for a long time. You don't push the root tabs shallow under the substrate where the shrimp could ever uncover them. I push the tabs really deep. Almost to the glass at the bottom of the tank. You want them where the plant roots are, not near the surface.

[@fcb869]

Yes they are fantastic

[@FNDwheels]

Just make sure if you have any snails they don’t eat any, my Chinese algae eater dug up one and I didn’t know that it was under his cave, all the rest of my aquarium inhabitants were fine except my mystery snail, I seen her acting funny and moving really slowly from suckers cave, I grabbed her and seen the blue ball on her foot. I put her in a quarantine tank and She made it! Thank god! But there was a whole heap of empty ramshorn shells around the balls of the fertiliser. Moral of the story is just make sure no one is going to dig them up.. or have no snails.

[@carlimathiesen-i6y]

Love the Rick and Morty reference😆💕

[@Gilsfishroom]

Foreground staurogyne repens for something different. Midground trident java fern. Background rotala blood red. Hardscape broken up pieces of slate. Will be interesting to see what the wheel of destiny decides!

[@baileypropsting2082]

Cannot thank you and this series enough mate, has been a blessing. I just purchased a 6x2x2 and am looking at the price tag sky rocket until these videos. Thankyou mate

[@cptblight20]

Hi guys and girls, I have a couple of other items you might be interested in. 1. Arlec 2 x 20W 3200lm LED. i just use the light and the silver metal bracket and install them on the ceiling. i throw away the yellow stand 2. Handy 240L Green Wheelie Bin. i use this to age my water. enjoy

[@trudyrantall9692]

I grabbed Lyworx puck lights yesterday for my pond they are waterproof come in pack of two with batteries and remote for colour change. $20 can't go wrong. Perfect for my small 60l patio pond.

[@trudyrantall9692]

Sorry for the typo the is Lytworx. 😂

[@CoNyssa]

First video I've seen as it popped up in my feed today and I love it. I knew about half of these tips already. I like the play sand just because it gives a cleaner look but I only use it as decoration. I still put a substrate underneath. And that pot at 10:26, I just purchased about 2 weeks ago and I'm in the process of creating my first mini pond. So far I have gravel and 3 plants all from Bunnings. The solar pump I got was from amazon as it was only about $20. But yeah I love Bunnings... especially on the weekend when the sausages are cooking 😁

[@piperpete89]

I've got those panels for my aquarium. I got it second hand and was basically various broken glass panels as my lid. Works great but occasionally have to get my pipe brush in and clean out the space in between. Also hose fittings work to go from my gravel vac to a garden hose directly out onto the lawn, then an old J pipe with a 12mm hose adapter means I can go from the laundry tap into the aquarium to fill it up.

[@blueXcss]

love it, i been getting stuff for my aquarium from Bunning for years now.

[@zeb33369]

New sub here, love seeing some local content and some available products that wont break the bank.. nice work, keep em coming 😊

[@daluainternational]

Always a fun idea combining aquarium brands with DIY. It's almost like another hobby!

[@BlakesAquatics]

Definitely!

[@PhoenyxRein]

Definitely going to head to Bunnings at lunch time today to grab some of those LED panels! Thanks mate.

[@rarrscee]

KZbin suggested this video and glad i watched. I pick up bag of fish safe rocks for $2 from Bunnings coz the bag was damaged.

[@jarrah8719]

Static glass film makes for a great aquarium background - you can even choose a pattern that matches your asthetic. Great video!

[@janetrussell3288]

A few aquascaping ideas, not necessarily good ones! Background dragon stone with small plants like mini anubias and bucephalandra to sort of mimic plants on a mountain. Mid ground driftwood with narrow leafed Java fern. Foreground some pebbles with moss with a mix of carpeting plants just tucked in beside them leaving sand base in between. Hope these are the kinds of suggestion you had in mind.

[@CarnyFX_Berzerkospitz]

Any more info on those lights?

[@CarnyFX_Berzerkospitz]

Actually I've grabbed a couple, they seem to work well enough so far

[@zlamanit]

5:56 that wheel is very reflective, I'd go with fancy socks for that shoot

[@BlakesAquatics]

Good thing i was wearing pants

[@Miss.kittty]

Thanks for the silicone tip. Aquarium silicone is so expensive. New subbie from perth 🇦🇺

[@colkellahan6676]

Your a champion Blake

[@donovanteale6502]

Little bit more advanced but hydrochloric acid diluted right down is the og discus muriatic acid pH down. Damp rid is an easy way to source calcium for randys recipe. Swimming pool section may have lanth for locking phosphates. And if you can sweet talk them..... they bin a lot of styrofoam sheets. Once got a great bag of shells there for shell dwellers too, altho thats the $2 shop mission usually

[@Dgamer510]

Kudos mate ! Thanks for the guide. i was looking for some soil substrate for my 4 foot aquarium and found out it's hefty expensive. i was wondering the soil you have shown on this video can be used as a soil substrate for my aquarium. i am a beginner so very confused !! HELP ME !!!!

[@ReallyEvilPigeon]

I'v e got some pour tortured amazon swords then because I still have some that are 4 months old in those tiny pots they cam in with my baby rams

[@BlakesAquatics]

🤣

[@trudyrantall9692]

Some pops of red would look great ludwigia super red for background or ludwigia glandulosa for mid both stunning.

[@girrig97]

Heads up on the worm castings i did a 2 inch base layer of it with volcanic rock dust capped by sand. Turns out its super high in humic acid and constantly leaches in to the water. Rainbows, shrimp and corys dont seem to mind but will need to supplement the nitrogen for the plants

[@BlakesAquatics]

Great info cheers

[@AlainMartin01]

Hi Blake, thanks for the great info. A quick question, where do you get those threaded stainless steel strainers on your drainage system?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Website called dural irrigation, search stainless steel strainer

[@ianwilliams487]

G'Day,,I Use 90mm pcv and a power head filled wiht stainless steel pot scrubbers,= one coarse flter,,and another with a polishing filter,,easy clean and replace,,replace polsih filter foam every 6 water change,,as for the coarse sand ,does need a lot of washing,,seems to be full of fine brown silt,,but cheaper then the fish shop,,Not that i have any shit on the bottom of tank again easy clean,,

[@dominicw.g3722]

Just as a word of caution I'd say not to use anything that isn't ip68 especially if open top but maybe that's the electrician in me being over cautious

[@BlakesAquatics]

Good shout cheers

[@dylanjohnson-eg7zv]

Java ferns, anubius nana and dward baby tears are great

[@chrislewis3322]

Just found your channel and glad your in Aus for tips.. How do you heat all those tanks with electricity so damn high?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Its brutal, i have a good solar system on the roof, insulated the room and heat it with an oil heater. Split system would be the best option

[@moonbear897]

my local Bunnings now has a pet section but I don't think they have any fishy stuff. But if you can get things in the hardware as you described it doesn't really matter.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yes mine too but mainly dog and cat stuff 👍

[@markfranklin8831]

Us in the US don't have a bunnings but im sure we can get all this talked about elsewhere. Good information

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yes exactly, im sure yhered be similar at any hardware store

[@brandonhk1lljoys]

Qualityyyy, excited for the tank build stream/vid🔥 That aquarist Morty impression was spot on too🤣🤣 My build suggestions are: -Foreground - Loads of Cryptocoryne Parva (As I think there's going to be lots of monte carlo and hairgrass carpet suggestions) -Midground - Rotala H'ra or Ludwigia super red (kept mid height) -Background - Cryptocoryne Crisptatula (A wall of it at the back) -Hardscape - Redmoor wood and/or Frodo stone. Also, what's the mesh stuff you have on the end of your siphon? (In the tank) It is a metal mesh?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Great suggestions. Might be a struggle to find those hardscape items but ill give it a whirl. Yeah its a stainless steel strainer i think used for water tanks

[@brandonhk1lljoys]

@@BlakesAquatics Thought I'd give you a little challenge😂 Cool cheers, I've been using a fabric mesh with an elastic band for the longest time😅 the stainless steel gives it a nice look👌

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@brandonhk1lljoys yeah and i find they clear easily, the debris just drops off once the tap is off

[@brandonhk1lljoys]

@@BlakesAquatics awesome🔥 thank you thank you✌️♥️

[@THATfishguywithfish]

forgroungplant: crypt. parva (not too many(more as accents)) mid.: Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' back.: miriophylum guyana hardscape: dark wood and some stones, that contrast well

[@richardwaldron1205]

Hi Blake, can you use play sand in aquarium will it affect ph or hardness?

[@Johnjimo1987]

I've always wanted to do an island style aquascape, I wonder if you could do one in a small tank

[@BlakesAquatics]

Absolutely you can.

[@Mr_jz_12]

KZbin algorithm recommended me here. I actually noticed the sand at bunnings the other day when i was there.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Welcome!

[@Mr_jz_12]

@@BlakesAquatics went yo get the sand today and they were out. Must have discontinued the light too 😭

[@Natasha-w9p]

Would love to see a scape using the schist pavers from Bunnings 😊

[@BlakesAquatics]

That would be cool!

[@markkleinert]

walstead method with course sand, zero $ budget for plants, you need to use cuttings from your existing tanks.

[@eddie6436]

Cool setups

[@FishFace2216]

Wow that 8 foots nice is that algae on the sides the green effects nice. The light ideas are good and yeh i agree i used a really fine silver sand in my latest tank and regretting it some plants especially cabomba green just rot i cannot get them rooted in it never had probs before in other sands. And that tank for live stream ideas, errrm, if you've seen my tanks i uploaded im no aquascapist i just plant aquariums and see how it turns out, guess the jungle theme i just can't shake off but my dwarf grass lawn totally flopped so im going to try a Java moss carpet tied to one large sheet of mesh ive seen it done and looks amazing it also as you know loves fish poop an excellent nitrate eater and shrimps best friend so its my plan to update my 60l maybe you could go for some moss carpet. Brought some subwassertang moss from ebay, nothing like the neat subwassertang moss ball on advertisement it all just falls apart, my tank looks a subwassertang bombs detonated, maybe show us how to get that stuff looking interesting i tied it to shrimp tubes you showed us how to make with them plant weights glued together looks nice but java moss will always look better an i can't help but keep getting cravings for crispy seaweed. Loving your fish tanks and plants, we don't have a bunnings in UK B&Q is the next best thing over here anything to save some cash and cut cost where its appropriate. Incase your wondering i changed my handle and profile pic from Urban Wolf so im not new just thought this new profile is more me.

[@jasonlyons7329]

G'day blank I was just wondering are you in Victoria or some other part of Australia

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yeah mate, Geelong

[@G-squad293]

Great video

[@piperpete89]

Stainless steel clothsline pegs to sink veg for plecos.. looks nuch better than forks.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Great call!

[@BodyTransformerss]

New sub my friend great info

[@stephenpearce5462]

G-DAY ON BLAKE ON YOUR AUTO DRAINING THE STAINLESS STEEL MESS THIMBLE ON TNTHE ENDS SO NO FISH GO THROUGH OK WHRTR DID U GET THEM FROM ALL THE BEST KEEP UP THE GOOD WOOK CHEERS STEVE

[@BlakesAquatics]

duralirrigation.com.au/products/stainless-steel-strainers

[@stephenpearce5462]

@@BlakesAquatics thankyou every much cheers

[@longslhonglogan2959]

What’s the best small light online please an thank you

[@BlakesAquatics]

Probably some kind of smart globe on a desk lamp id say if you want to cut costs but still have options

[@fortunesfishing4766]

We're are the picture from on your wall man?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Swiss aquatics 👍 got them through being a member on jadren aquatics' channep

[@pavilionend8637]

Great video. Is it safe to sit the panel lights directly on top of an aquarium? Are they water tight?

[@BlakesAquatics]

I do 😅 i do have lids though

[@T.J-and-Soul]

Good video mate

[@longslhonglogan2959]

Hey Blake I have a question my pepper Cory’s are getting white bumps just on there bottom fins could it be anything but ick they are in my community tank an nothing else has them plz help me?!

[@BlakesAquatics]

Sounds like ich, usually starts on the fins and moves across the body. Drop a pic in the discord if you can

[@longslhonglogan2959]

@@BlakesAquatics what’s the discord?? An thanks I really hope it’s not aye

[@Natasha-w9p]

Hey Blake, do you think that a mix of play sand and the coarse sand from Bunnings will be ok for Corydoras? Thank you.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yes i do 👍

[@brendenM]

Wonder what your power and water bills are lol. Would be a pain when time comes to clean those tanks.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Not really, they are quite self sufficient when you stock minimally and have live plants. Power is about 400 a month for the whole house

[@brendenM]

@@BlakesAquatics do the plants help with filtration

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@brendenM they keep nitrates down which means a longer time between water changes and less requirement to remove waste

[@rambo20242]

Does the light from bunnings good for growing plants?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yes does a decent job

[@shaunneal9981]

I can second that. I have 9 tanks that I light with LED 70mm downlights and have had great success in growing aquarium plants. I also have the LED tube lights on other tanks.

[@baileycowen3808]

bunnings asl do cannister filters super cheap, got on 1800lph with uv light. super high quality.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Those online ones are resellers not bunnings. Be careful because theres not any support if things go wrong usually

[@mattriggs.aquaria]

Black lava rock for the 80 cm

[@BlakesAquatics]

I like it!

[@footagemissing]

They sell tanks/kits and filters etc as well on their website, reasonably priced too.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Be careful with that, those are reseller companies not bunnings so often theres no warranties etc. No affiliation

[@OPolzinsGarage]

Dragon stone, I have not seen anyone use that.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Easily done i have heaps outside 😄

[@OPolzinsGarage]

@@BlakesAquatics and how about this for a plant Najes Grass

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@OPolzinsGarage making it too easy for me

[@OPolzinsGarage]

@@BlakesAquatics telling me you can get that there? I never heard of it here. Fish store I was at this weekend he grows it.

[@cobloaf1]

Had to do a double-take, thought you said dirted tank meth head and I was like woah bit harsh 🤣

[@BlakesAquatics]

🤣🤣

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

here's my idea for the wheel, stop cutting your hair and shaving, sell your house, buy a Harley and start an outlaw biker gang called Blake's Legends, then ride all over the country getting into adventures !

[@hulkgqnissanpatrol6121]

Bunnings is a rip off, don't look after their customer's and staff. Buy online or local small shop's. If I'm not mistaken you've got over 20 elbows and they sell for over $11.00 each! 🤔😑

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

I wish you'd never showed this ! it ruins my idea of Australia being this huge tropical wilderness full of kangaroos and crocodiles ! much like people in other parts of the world view where I live, Texas, as a vast desert full of rattlesnakes and cowboys...........

[@BlakesAquatics]

😂😂😂

[@T.J-and-Soul]

I can't believe that Nick from keeping fish simple 346k subs. He doesn't know half of your knowledge. The internet is twisted.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Thanks mate 😅

[@T.J-and-Soul]

@@BlakesAquatics I mean that.

[@jasonpowell4993]

Where’s your channel bigmouth?