Fish Tank Set-Up [Expensive vs. Cheap, Does it Matter?] - Plus 1 Item You Should NEVER Buy Cheap!

[@arthurschneller9318]

This was a great video. The insights of your experiences helps all of us. Thank you!

[@BenOchart]

Thank you 😀👍🏻

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Right on🙌

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

This is a great topic and a wonderful video!! I live on a very limited budget and I do a lot of bargain shopping!! I found most of my aquariums and supplies on Facebook marketplace or thrift stores! I have had a lot of success with MingDak lighting off of Amazon!! Recently I found a decent hang on back filter from Amazon that turned out to be a Sun Sun that I am very pleased with!! Less than $20 for this particular one 😁 I too have recently discovered the Black Diamond sandblasting sand and I love it!! The only real expense has been for the actual fish themselves!! Thanks Ben for all you do and share!! Always good solid information and advice that we can trust!! I hope you're having a wonderful day!;🙏❤️🌿🐟🌿😁

[@jayfuller3709]

I just scored a 55 gallon from PetSmart. A "Complete" setup. Everything but gravel. 3/8" thick class, HOB Filter, heater, & LED covers. $139

[@BenOchart]

That’s a GREAT deal!

[@satguy]

What about a stand.

[@jayfuller3709]

@@satguy I got one from Petco. It was an additional $80. I was going to build one, but the time & effort wasn't worth it.

[@satguy]

@@jayfuller3709 Thanks.

[@Runnygraph20]

Very very easy to fix the sunsun leaks... Teflon tape under gasket problem solved had 1 for 10 years now. I agree with EVERY THING you said..

[@Dan-nr3om]

I have a sunsun 304 b the lever to attach the hoses broke so I went fx6 on sale after coupons for 150$ I'm in love ever since. I also have beamswork and hygger love them both

[@ImNotLostButWhereAmI]

My sunsun just failed after one of the small tabs on the pipes they hoses latch on to just broke off. Thankfully I noticed. Had to rush out to pet store and they got me for almost 400 for the fx6. Couldn’t wait on delivery so had to bite the bullet. I’m loving the filter however so can’t complain. 150 is an awesome deal.

[@r.baglio9717]

Hey Ben . Picked up a custom base & canopy used , came with ehiem pro (nice bonus),plants, rocks, for $200 , bought new 55 gl. $1 sale pet smart. Peacocks & Haps happy home.

[@tncharlie525]

Def high end on tank 75 high glass,low iron front glass,glass bracing around the bottom inside edge ,extra wide bracing around top and cross brace , full top cover of 2 section 1/4 in class plus acrylic section for cutouts all custom built for me by Glasscages of Dixon Tn , 7 weeks to build but worth the wait and very fair priced. Not to mention super nice folks owning/ working there , also high end filter FX4 got 1/2 price at Pet Smart ,high end food for my Blood Parrots from Aquatic Critters ! The secret is be patient wait for sales than load up 🐟😁 and most of all no “ cheap” u-tubers only the high end ones like Ben Ocharts ch. and no I am not being sponsored by Ben ! 😂

[@ronsmith2817]

Hi Ben, watching you on U, I’m in Nashville studying at a Bonsai school. This has been my hobby for 50 years but now I’m getting into freshwater aquariums. Hopefully I’ll get to meet you on my visits, I come over here three times a year from Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Bonsai Ron

[@BenOchart]

After I get the fish room squared away come by for a tour. I'm right off Hwy 40 near the famous Loveless Cafe.

[@ronsmith2817]

@@BenOchart Great I’ll be back in June, thanks for replying Bonsai Ronsai

[@ronsmith2817]

@@BenOchart I study outside of mount Juliet, I’ll see You in June. Bonsai and freshwater Fish have a lot of Parallels, like Water quality, substrates&soil and nutrients. Last but not least oxygenation and Lighting. I like what you do for the Cichlid World ( Back to Basics) Ronsai

[@bunnyviperaquatics2108]

Thank you, Ben! I tend to do the same thing- I always consider the needs of the fish before I ‘cut corners’... they must be taken proper care of first and foremost, but that being said, I will definitely save a few dollars where I can by shopping around and getting creative with filter media, etc...I love to enrich their environment with the money I save- new plants and rock formations, new caves, etc! And every now and then I just finally break down and buy that certain specimen that I have been wanting for the last few years....Before long I need to buy ‘just one more’ tank, and so the cycle begins again, (M.T.S. is REAL!!) 🤣🤣🤣. Thanks again, Ben! Lots of great information, and we surely appreciate you!!

[@BenOchart]

Stated and summed up perfectly! Thank you for watching and commenting Bunny.

[@metalhammerjimmy5663]

I have both high-end Fluval and inexpensive Sunsun as far as canister filters go, and an inexpensive Jebao dcp pump running my sump set up. The Sunsun's are a hw-5000, and a hw-3000, and I've had no issues at all, can't fault them! The Jebao dcp6500 pump has been running faultlessly for several years now, absolutely love it! Love the Fluval canisters as well of course, but I'd most likely opt for another Sunsun next time.

[@NYCityCichlids]

Great info Ben.

[@marcusmcclung7330]

Great topic! Really enjoy your channel. Thank you.

[@TEAMRamey]

Fantastic information. Thanks for sharing 👍🏽

[@paulmccarthy7467]

I’m using both sunsun and fluval filters I use to say I would never use sunsun again till you mentioned a while ago about leaving water in the pipes which works a treat i bought my first second hand tank last Saturday that’s way I was late to the livestream lol. I’ve decided to keep discus again can’t wait!! . I’ve been to check out the place I’m going Oder from today. Just wanting to get the new floor put down. Got the filters all running ready.

[@youtubeaccount3834]

Ben love the new tank. Very clear and really stands out

[@MrDanAng1]

I have made plenty of cheap options on my aquariums and they work fine. What I will never go cheap on again is outside canister filter. I was able to update to some bigger tanks during last year, used tanks that I resiliconed. I also bought cheap Sunsun canister filters to run them, since I saw some people using them and they seemed to work fine. However, two of the three have been leaking and pretty bad leaks, as in gallons per hour! I have gone for more high end filters to replace those two and will replace the third as soon as I can afford, hopefully before it start to leak. I have had leaks on high end filters too, but these have been drip leaks, maybe a gallon per week at most, so replacing the seals on these is ok, replacing the seal on my cheap ones will only have me waiting for a disaster, I'll pay for the extra peace of mind..

[@KyKane]

What he was saying about the Rubbermaid tote I need to do that. I have a fx6 on a 125.. It does move a lot of water, that is a disaster if it started to leak and you didnt notice right away.

[@DesThro_Enzo]

Thank you! Good education for us who are just starting on this hobby. Keep it up!

[@plushpossum]

I have 4 tanks. 1 has pea gravel, 1 has BDBS, 1 has pool filter sand, and 1 has aquarium gravel. I'm happy with all of them! I have lights from Nicrew to Finnex to Beamworks. I have a mix of silk plants, live plants, and plastic. But when it comes to filters, Aquaclear! Hands down! And heaters?? Hygger!!! Just my preferences. (And I've had lots of different ones. ) That said, I only had ONE canister filter and was not happy with it at all. Too dang much trouble to clean and I was constantly worried about a leak. That took the fun out of it for me. There's enough to worry about without bringing leaks into the equation. I know what I like, and as long as my fish are healthy and happy I guess I'm doing something right. OH! And food??? I LOVE REPASHY!!!! Plus frozen blood worms, freeze dried blood worms, Xtreme flakes, Bug Bites, and shrimp pellets. My guys get a variety!

[@biggrigg1026]

As far as my choices I have a Sun Sun canister and Hygger light and I’m pleased with both. On what I think you have missed that’s worth mentioning is the actual media in the filters. I switched to pot scrubbers and sponges so I don’t have to keep buying cartridges for the HOBs. I spent about as much on canister media as I did the canister itself. I won’t do that again when I add the second canister.

[@jamiestamand4840]

Sun sun filters are pretty good. I had one in Michigan.

[@jacobsteele2929]

I have had excellent success with the cheapest canisters. They do leak a tiny bit every now and then but I just put them in plastic totes. I have 4 of the $50 amazon canisters and they are all working like new. The oldest ones have been running for 18 months. use pre filters.

[@cichlidguru1163]

No matter where we move .we fish keepers will always tryna setup tanks ASAP. I had a great run with sun sun and tanks from Craigslist and diy stands

[@bull3eye890]

Regarding canisters, on the numerous fish keeping forums I visit online it is sun sun filters that people seem to have the most problems with, especially in regards to leaks. I believe you are better off buying a second hand eheim or fluval than a new sun sun. On my goldfish tank (60g) I have an eheim 600 with the eheim pre-filter and eheim 600 sub-filter (an un-motored 600 canister). I use the sub-filter for mechanical filtration (mech noodles, sponges and then heaps of filter floss) and the powered canister for my biological media and purigen. I can't recommend pre-filters and especially sub-filters enough. I rinse the pre-filter out each week and only have to clean the sub-filter every six months and it isn't overly dirty at that time. The main canister only gets opened to change the purigen. If you like the stability that infrequent filter maintenance can offer a tank I'd get your hands on a subfilter (and prefilter) asap. One complaint about the eheim sub-filters is that they don't seem to be available in Australia. I've seen them online from sites in the Philippines and Singapore but not in Australia. I was lucky enough to get one on gumtree from a bloke in Sydney that got his in Asia. If eheim sold them here I believe they'd sell a lot of them. Still, there are plenty of other sub-filters available so it's their loss for as long as they aren't available here.

[@jeffrotenheber2681]

Hi Ben, what are those leafy looking plants on the right side of your new 90 gallon aquarium? I really like the way those look. Thanks for all your videos

[@benhebert579]

Liked the video. You did miss heaters. I feel like that is something you don't cheap on and having a few for backup

[@BenOchart]

Yes, should have been on the list😀👍🏻

[@davesaquarium1987]

Great video Ben really great stuff

[@BenOchart]

Thank you 😀

[@todddiedrich9106]

For people worried about sand size I got play sand and sifted the sand with a spaghetti strainer wire mesh. I bought 1 and got one for free only down side is you get maybe 1/4 -1/3 out of bag but looks good more like gravel so I got it for $3 bucks. I do a lot of Bargain as cheap as possible for some stuff spend money on nicer lights or heater or fish

[@eyadjamus7126]

I have done pretty much exactly what you recommended. I have a 2nd hand 6 foot fish tank. I run 2 704b SunSuns on it with ebay full spectrum LEDs (cheap) but I only feed Xtreme and frozen foods with live black worms as a treat when I can get my hands on some fresh black worms. The tanks been running for about 18 months and I haven't had any issues yet. P.S- I have crushed coral sand I got from my LFS on sale.

[@danielspielman2585]

What is your opinion of sumps?

[@jacobsteele2929]

I bought a used 55 gal. Cleaned and resealed it, and everything was great. However, after about 8 months the center brace broke on top! The front pane of glass was bowed out pretty far but didn't break. The plastic deteriorates, be careful if you buy used that it wasn't stored outside in the sunlight. Or if it was, replace it with a euro brace.

[@cichlid_kings]

Great content as always Ben. Much appreciated.

[@sunnycharles83]

Rimless tank looks awesome... You should get more of them

[@BenOchart]

Thank you. I plan to.

[@leo2o915]

Great content like always Ben

[@thebmwM]

Black diamond blasting sand available at tractor supply is what I run in all my tanks.

[@andrevanlooy1012]

Great video again Ben ... but never considered that so much people around the world that are watching your videos are for 98% using the metric system, and have no idea about how many feet there are in a gallon, inches in an ounce or degrees fahrenheit in a pint ... ????

[@XCaliKev]

👍😎 Hey Ben, I have 2 old big Marineland HOB’s. How do you hide that grey intake adjustment? I never move it, and stands out like a sore thumb. Paint? Plastidip? Or maybe just take it off, how much difference can it make?

[@BenOchart]

I suggest that you flip the intake around so the ugly gray thing is facing the back of the tank

[@XCaliKev]

It’s the same on both sides, are newer ones different? Or maybe black?

[@BenOchart]

I’ll check. I haven’t used the extended intake but was planning to with the taller new tank.

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

Please tell us more about the fish in the tank with the cichlids, like names and there behaviors.

[@wisconsinaquatics]

You could slip a black mesh media bag over that internal filter

[@BenOchart]

Not a bad idea

[@EGlasofer]

Good video Ben. Did I miss the segment on heaters?

[@BenOchart]

It was around a month or so ago. Here’s one of them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXmreWqGj9FneKc

[@rickjones1176]

My 2 sun sun’s have worked great for 3 years, no trouble at all. I also have an FX4, no problem with it. The quality of filtration is equal.

[@GSP-76]

Agreed...Sunsun filters are great.

[@fishandfloral]

Petco has tanks 50% off this weekend FYI. I bought my 125g acrylic used and have never regretted it.

[@charleseason8017]

I live in Hampton Virginia and it’s hard to find any good size tanks I have a 75 and a 37 and a 30 but I need to get a 125 gallon I have African cichlids in my 75 and my 37 I need to get bigger tank I have Texas cichlid and fire mouth cichlid with a Snow White cichlid and a polar blue cichlid witch they had babies so I got like 80 fry should I take out the Texas and fire mouth?

[@BenOchart]

They will eat anything fry can fit in their mouth, so yes, if you want to grow out the fry. Glasscages in TN can make a tank for you and ship it. Ask for Joe and tell him Ben sent you 😀

[@geraldmartin8478]

Any thoughts on the HOB that has the bio-wheels. I have had a smaller version of what you have on your 90 but after awhile the bio wheel stopped rotating. Filter was serviced and clean. Has that happened to you?

[@BenOchart]

The spray bar that makes the wheels turn can get clogged. I work a toothpick in the holes to open them up. Some people use a fish safe lubricant where the wheels sit to help them turn better.

[@jamiestamand4840]

I definitely wait for the sales before I go buy tanks myself.

[@brianlahey3302]

Thx for info, what can we do to save on water costs that's good for the fish but not OCD. Lol

[@movieworld2530]

Hi, this is Lorna from Hygger Aquatic Equipment, I have been following your youtube for a long time, your videos are very good and fit well with our brand, we would like to test our new products with you and look forward to hearing from you.

[@BenOchart]

Please contact me at [e-mail]

[@johnlarsen8308]

Quality is the important factor. Filters lighting heaters all have such a wide range of prices and value

[@BenOchart]

True

[@satguy]

Yeah as an ex sunsun user there is a difference. The biggest dislike I had, how difficult they were to prime, the older they got.

[@BenOchart]

I hear you. That blue push-down button would sometimes get real sticky.

[@satguy]

@@BenOchart Or just quit pumping.

[@zephyrthesmiler3513]

I think the other major thing to not cheap out on is heaters (if you need them ofc), can't even begin to count how many times I seen on forums and groups whatnot of someone getting a no name heater only for it to malfunction or explode and kill all their fish

[@FLNYFish]

I love your beautiful tank behind you. 👍

[@k9feces]

I use multipurpose sand from Lowe’s, it’s very dusty but it’s cheap.

[@plushpossum]

As long as you rinse the crap out of it, it's beautiful!!! I just set up a 20 gallon with it and I have BDBS in my 125. I did it BEFORE I priced the sand at Petsmart. HOLY CRAP!!!!!! I could not believe how much I saved!!!!! $$$$$$$$$$

[@GSP-76]

I find putting dusty sand into an old pillow case to work very well to rinse it out in.

[@k9feces]

It does look amazing, like tiny sand sized pebbles.

[@k9feces]

@@GSP-76 wish I thought of that, I did it in a bucket and it didn’t work well.

[@KyKane]

Guys what foods do you avoid? Im feeding all xtreme atm with some frozen omega one once in awhile, just brine shrimp and blood worms.

[@plushpossum]

I don't really have any that I avoid, but I love Repashy! I guess I like the thought of "cooking" for my fish. lol. And they absolutely LOVE it! I feed a huge variety of foods. After all, it's the spice of life, right?

[@thatoneguy12986]

I stick mainly to Northfin. I avoid tetra brand and hikari. Junk ingredients, 90% fillers.

[@bull3eye890]

I like my foods to be made in fully developed/first world nations. I use New Life Spectrum because of its reputation for quality and the fact it is made in a nation I trust to make things to a high standard (USA, although I'm Australian). I remember a few years back there was a big scandal in china about baby formula having toxic ingredients so I'm not keen to trust them to make my fish food. I like China though, they're a good bunch of people.

[@KyKane]

One thing I've noticed is my fish love the xtreme.. Im not gonna lie, I just didn't find the northfin packaging appealing I'm gonna give it a chance. They dig through the gravel to get the little pellets. I think it smells like they should like it lol

[@roystevenson1297]

you miss the water condition and the heaters

[@alanaquatic8284]

Good jod the set up

[@charleseason8017]

Is that the tank from your one video where you asked the guy what will he let you get it for ? And if so how much did you get a good deal

[@BenOchart]

No, this is a tank he had made for me before that. The 210gallon will be delivered in a few weeks.

[@billcoleman782]

Buy once cry once. This works for a lot of things in life especially when talking about wearable items.

[@ghos282]

It really all depends on the specific application that you are using the Canister Filter for. - Let's put it this way, My canister filter's 'Intake Sponge' is a Hamburger Matten Filter. I chose what turned out to be a relatively 'Inexpensive' Canister Filter for a few specific reasons. 1. Optimal (and not too high of a flow) rate for the HMF's microbes to properly complete their Biological processes. ((There is a German Interactive Calculator Web Page for determining what is the optimal 'Flow/Rate-Dwell Time' for the surface Area of Any Biological Filter/Filter Medium (HMF's Intake Sponges, UGF's, etcetera. The title of the Page Translates to 'Aquarists Without Secrets,' But 'Book Burning' Google/KZbin will remove ANY comment that Directly gives such reference links.)) 2. An Internal flow pattern that closely matches that of what is called a 'Radial Flow Solids Settler' in Aquaponics. (Internally Flows Down around the Canister's Baskets, then a 180* change in Flow Direction back up through the Media Baskets.) 3. Media Baskets that DO NOT have internal 'Pipe Obstructions' Etcetera. So why drive an HMF with a canister Filter? If you have ever used a 'Fluidized Bed Sand Filter' you will have learned that the 'Beneficial Bacteria' have an 'End of life cycle' The Older 'weaker' microbes get sloughed while the younger 'stronger' microbes remain active. The same thing happens with HMF's. The Canister's purpose is to also catch those 'End of life' microbes that will gradually slough through, rather than recirculate that back into the Aquarium Water column. Also: 'Water Polishing.' This is accomplished in the Canister's Top Basket: (3) Brand Standard 30 PPI foam Pads, and on top of that (5) Layers of 1/8 Inch Thick 50 Micron Polyester Filter Pads (cut to fit). Unlike 'Floss' The pads can be washed and reused. Clothes Washing Machine, Low Water Level, Hot. NO detergents or additives. Just let the Agitator 'Beat them out'. Then lay them out flat to 'Air dry' before reuse. (A Washing Machines Agitator would tear 'Floss' to shreds and the machine would pump it down the drain. (That's what really happens to those socks that go missing in the laundry.)

[@GSP-76]

Just to answer the topic of this video, no you absolutely do not need to go expensive...take it from someone who has used it all...you don't need to turn your tank over 10 times an hour for a healthy environment. Just be smart, do your water changes and vaccum your substrate. If you do have a rimless tank, it's best to get a lid...not just to prevent jumping fish but also to cut down on evaporation.

[@thatoneguy12986]

I see tons of tanks in cichlid groups on Facebook, I see more gear in those tanks than most reef tanks. People think you have to run 2 fx6's on anything over 75 gallons. My 120 is a single fx6, no other filter or circulation.

[@robertsowinski164]

For the most part I've been lucky all my tanks 55 and less and came from the dollar per gallon sale. Everything else which is quite a few were purchased used. Exception to one fx6, all my canisters are sunsun and have worked almost flawlessly except for having to replace one o-ring. We're a cheeped and shouldn't have was with bargain heaters on Amazon. I have had eight of eight of one particular brand fail. Two of them shut off but the other six took out tanks of fish with them. Thousands of dollars in fish the worst part is the feeling you have that you just destroyed all of these fish. Recommendation good heaters and controllers.

[@BenOchart]

It seems like every brand of heater has a few horror stories, inexpensive and expensive alike. A controller is key since it's the overheating that creates the biggest loss. I like the controller by Jehmco. Their two heavy duty controller is a tank.

[@thatoneguy12986]

I'll never go the cheap route with canisters again. I tried the sunsun hw 5000 last year. Thing leaked in less than 24 hours. It took almost 6 weeks for ming Trading to get me a replacement part. Thing still had issues that Ming Trading had little interest in fixing. It was still under warranty and they basically washed their hands of it. Tossed it in the attic and grabbed a fx6.

[@michaellunt4018]

Same here, I went cheap when I got a 5ft tank about 7 years ago, bought a APS external and it leaked straight away. Learnt my lesson, and bought eheim. Although I now use Oase, and currently wouldn't use any other make with my experience with them so far.

[@thatoneguy12986]

@@michaellunt4018 my lfs said they can order the Oase canisters. I've thought about one for the 40 breeder, mainly for the built in heater.

[@michaellunt4018]

@@thatoneguy12986 it's a great filter and the built in heater is a bonus as less clutter in the tank. The main plus for me is the prefilter, and how easy it is to remove and clean.

[@Joker-bx4rk]

I avoid canister filters way too expensive 😅 And they ant that good seriously total rip off my 75 gallon aquarium two power heads with sponges, substrate, biological media, heater, air pump and tubing, two lights all came less then a fluval fx6 no lie

[@thatoneguy12986]

@@Joker-bx4rk black Friday. Got my fx6 for $189. My fx4 was $149.

[@Joker-bx4rk]

Lol I fully agree a hungry fish is a angry fish 😅🤣😂😂

[@BenOchart]

LOL, “hangry”

[@Joker-bx4rk]

My wife got brand new a 15 gal tank acrylic with pump, filter, light on lid brand new for 10 quid tetra brand that's what I keep my betta fish in

[@seansquill8773]

Great Video Ben👌🏼 I’m pretty guilty of going all out on my fish when it comes to supplies and what not. To be be honest my glass tanks were pretty inexpensive when compared to everything else...My 90 gallon was about 300 from Seapora and my 50 gallon was about half that. The stands is where the spending began, my stands from Aqua Atlantis were pretty expensive at about 500 for the larger one and about 350 for the smaller one....but they look awesome! Filters went all out and over board🤣 Got an FX6 and 407 on the 90 and a 407 and 307 on the 50 gallon. Lighting we went with Fluval yet again with the LED plant 3.0 lights for both tanks and they give off amazing lighting which I’m very happy with. Food is north fin, NLS, cobalt, extreme...all quality food. If anyone Is looking for good medicated food, check out Kens Fish...he makes awesome flakes that are laced with metro that I’ve seen a lot of success with when needed👍🏼

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

I always say buy once cry once cause going cheep will most likely cause you more trouble than it is worth.

[@TripleJAquatics]

Hmmm

[@BenOchart]

Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm

[@TripleJAquatics]

@@BenOchart lol

[@frankiefingerz8047]

I went hi end w everything i didnt want cheap petland petco petsmart products i use a current usa orbit ic led light with 3 eflux wave pumps a bulk reef supply titanium heater 2 eheim pro 3&4 canister filters seachem prime trace stability & northfin cichlid formula veggie & krill food

[@BenOchart]

A “Bentley” set-up 😀👍🏻

[@melissavidal2600]

😊

[@pompeiranch7883]

I spent a little more money on a better "stick on" thermometer. It is more accurate and easier to read.

[@craigbroderick8935]

I'd add don't skimp on fish... Buy good quality fish.....

[@elizabethG633]

You are talking to people who can afford the high end stuff. I am on a pension and can't get all that fancy stuff.

[@BenOchart]

I would guess that most fish keepers are not wealthy