My Top 5 Money Saving Tips for Frugal Fish Keepers like Me [Cut Costs without Cutting Quality]

#cichlids
#africancichlids
#benochart
#5simpletips
#savemoney
#moneysavingfishkeepingtips
#cuttingthecostofkeepingfish
#frugalfishkeeper
#top5moneysavingtips
Here are my top 5 tips for saving money for frugal fish keepers like me. These are tested and proven and will keep money in your pocket and not compromise the care you provide to your fish. Take a look and tell me in the comments below what tips you've come up with that have helped you to save money while continuing to provide the best living conditions for your fish.
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[@raycooper2287]

Great video again!! I use plastic sponges in my filters for media, 99 cents for 4 sponges. Been up and running over a year and a half...great tips Ben! Keep up the great work you do.!!

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Right on 🙌♥️

[@davidyovu7101]

Where do you get them 4 for a dollar? Not at dollar tree , last time I saw them that cheap was around 4 or 5 years ago I would love to find them that price again. I run 8 300 gallon sumps in my room and I

[@raycooper2287]

@@davidyovu7101, I get or gotten them at clement market , a grocery store.

[@davidyovu7101]

Thanks. That's local too you and not in ga or fla correct each IBC tote I use as sumps is sectioned off in 4 - 8 chambers .when they were available 4to6 for a dollar one chamber used close to 500. I have since gone over to light and airy lava rock encased in double raped nylon stockings.this prevents clogging but allows both Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. These chambers need flushing often to remove particulates from the nylon. This is why canister filters are dangerous, seldom are they packed right and very seldom are they cleaned as often as they need. Sponges are the best alternative but in heavy stocked tanks they must be cleaned weekly ( that's with reticulated foam ) more forgiving than closed foam. Unfortunately like most Americans we have a tendency towards laziness ( my self included ) an are not Jonny on the spot when it comes to our tanks.

[@ceewood1354]

Yessir....see ya on Saturday @ 12p (here in NY).

[@AquariumArmy]

When you finish a DIY tank addition it feels great. Half the price, you made it with your own hands and it comes with allot more pride.

[@BenOchart]

You're right. That sense of satisfaction is hard to beat! Thanks for stopping by and watching.

[@awesomenesss]

An old video and I ended up watching now, liked everything in it... right from the music at the beginning, the topic of the video and also you exploring the river side in the second part. Make more such videos Ben.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you!

[@cichlid_kings]

Definitely an advocate for the pinky floss. Went from spending $40 plus a month on hob cartridges and purigen on main tank to $15 per year on the pinky floss. And better water clarity results. Takes 30 seconds to cut to fit. Much thanks Ben 😎

[@wendymcdowell2341]

Hi, Ben. Having been back in the hobby for about a year now, I’ve noticed the prices have gone up significantly since the mid 90’s when I had one 50 gallon tank and had to do water changes with a bucket. I will definitely be implementing some of your suggestions. Between all the new equipment (pythons, water pumps, etc.) and all the information available on social media (KZbin, Facebook, etc.), I’m much more confident than I was prior to finding you, Aquarium Co-Op, KGTropicals, KaveMan Aquatics, and the list goes on. The information you provide is making a huge difference in the way I approach the hobby now, so thanks very much!

[@debbierussell1106]

Congratulations, Ben! We know everyone loves you! I hope you're all healed from the bicycle incident.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Debbie. I’m still stiff but doing much better (responding to you from my chiropractors office 😀👍🏻)

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

I'm with you Ben! I'm not cheap but frugal for sure. I just say I'm inexpensive and thrifty 😂 That's why I love your channel you're always helping us and giving us great reviews on products that we can try to help us in our aquarium hobby! Thanks for sharing !I hope you're having a wonderful day 🙏🌿🐟🌿🙏

[@roystevenson1297]

hi ther I like this video saving I save big last year I bought a $400 aquarium 60gal only pay $160 I wait for black Friday lol this year I'm do same again this year im wait for black Friday sale an buy a 75gal it comes with everything light's stand glass hoods and heaer just like the 60gal that we call saving lol

[@kccorliss3922]

During winter, put sheets of styrofoam behind your tank to insulate it and reduce heat loss

[@paulmccarthy7467]

Some great ideas and tips for money saving. Congratulations on the 40,000 subscribers

[@BenOchart]

Thank you Paul. Your support along the way was and is appreciated 😀👍🏻

[@paulmccarthy7467]

@@BenOchart You’re welcome Ben! Its been a good journey I really enjoy the content and your honesty with the way things have gone.

[@lewisspeed3041]

Very good info brother,info like this has saved me hundreds of dollars

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

Lighting is a big one too. Often, if you just look around for a few minutes, you can find lighting as good in the Home Improvement box stores for FAR less money. Just know what you're looking for beforehand. However, for ME, the biggest money saver is to just pay someone who knows what they're doing to DIY it for me. That way I don't have to buy the material twice 🤣 That said, when's your next trip through Illinois? I need a sump built for MY 210g 😁

[@BenOchart]

Good points. My DIY sump was ridiculously easy.

[@markjessop2127]

Absolutely agree. I am always thinking about alternatives for my tank. Currently use pool filter sand, used appropriate rock from my own back yard, built my own stand, poly-carbon lid fitted with self adhesive cup hooks for easy moving,instead of glass lid, painted black background and have trialled a number of different sponge types for filters, using a pair of scissors to cut it to shape can save a small fortune. Love your content Ben, always looking forward to your next video, thanks

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

Electricity and heating costs are big for my fishroom. LED vs. Fluorescent, buying more efficient pumps, how you prevent heat loss from your aquariums and fish room are a few areas where I have worked to save energy costs. Fish food is a whole other topic, but the cost of a gram of protein can vary by 500% or more depending on what food you are using. Frozen foods for example are expensive and are mostly water.

[@BenOchart]

You wouldn’t believe how much our power and water costs went down after moving from Calif to TN. We pay like a 3rd of what we used to and are using 50% more with 24/7 A/C and more tanks than I had in Calif

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

@@BenOchart I guess you didn't bring liberal California politics either. Lol

[@GSP-76]

EVERYONE needs to be frugal in this hobby! All of you that have been around for a while know exactly what I'm talking about!

[@stevescarsfish2175]

I like Poly-Fil the best. It gets the water super crisp and clean it’s cheap 12 bucks a bag at Walmart. Just throw it out when it’s gunked up. I have the emperor pro 450 hob with those frames like you have in the video I go through 4 bags a year. I replace the poly 2 times a week Sunday and Wednesday.

[@TripleJAquatics]

Being frugal is my jam lol it's the bases of my channel. Great info, Ben! Congrats on the sub count

[@countrygrandpa]

A couple times a year Petco has a $1 per gallon sale up to 29 gallon. Everything over 29 gallon is half normal price. That's the only time I buy new tanks otherwise I go the used route with Craigslist etc. I also have used tanks that were free that I had to reseal. Only a few dollars for silicone and it's not very difficult

[@BenOchart]

That’s how I purchased my 2 55s and 3 29s. It’s a great deal.

[@fredgilbert2032]

Unfortunately the dollar a gallon sales have gone the way of the dodo. But they still have 50% off on rare occassions.

[@briant.4618]

I like to cut my test strips in half, length-wise. Double the uses for same amount of $$.

[@naegwut]

I look forward to your videos!

[@BenOchart]

Thank you

[@CaptainSavageAquatics]

Thanks for a great video!

[@markbaumgardt2868]

Hi Ben love the video I believe never cut costs on feeding always buy the best food you can afford I use Xtreme and tropical brand krill chips it has 40% krill the fish go crazy over them keep up the good work Ben you rock 👍🙂

[@fishdaddyjackaquatics664]

Hey Ben. I love your channel. I hope to one day get some bigger tanks so I can have some bigger African cichlids. I'm not sure if I have asked you this or not. Are you attending the aquashella in Dallas?

[@BenOchart]

Thank you. I am considering attending but not decided yet.

[@fishdaddyjackaquatics664]

@@BenOchart I hope you do. I'd love to meet you. Jack

[@sethat8e]

If you're going to get a large acrylic aquarium, you can cut and glue your own. Lighting can be done with household lighting fixtures. Some people produce thier own food. I imagine a quality food will cost more in the beginning though. You can build your own stand too. Just go shopping at the hardware stores, I get ideas there all the time. Aragonite is a good idea to improve buffering of the water. Pool filter sand works well if you don't plan on higher ph. Don't waste your money on chemicals and things in bottles... 9 times out of ten all you need is bacteria.

[@sethat8e]

If you like native species and tropicals aren't necessarily your thing, fish only cost you a fishing license.

[@joshhopper6109]

Ben have you looked into getting some dither fish for your central tank to curb the geos aggression? Some tetras or rainbows or tiger barbs or Cory's might do the trick. Great video. I use cotton batting in my sump for mechanical and pot scrubbys for bio. I did all my own plumbing and plan to build my next stand.

[@BenOchart]

Josh, tell me more about the concept of “dither fish”. I’m not familiar with going that route.

[@debbierussell1106]

Cory from the Co-op has mentioned this tactic in some of his videos.

[@joshhopper6109]

@@BenOchart Sorry Ben I have replied to this comment this will make the 3rd time we will see if it will stick. I think KZbin keeps dumping it because I'm pasting in a link... Cory over at aquarium co-op has a video on the top 5 dither fish and he has a write up also... Basically dither fish are always busy always moving and the larger slower more aggressive fish are more consumed with the dither fish than each other. I can't have them because I have predator haps but I would love to set up either an angel or discus tank with a bunch of cardinal and rummy nose tetras... Also Cory mentioned in his video that little tetras would go well with your wife's tank to make the Rams more active and comfortable... PS check out some black Rams they are awesome looking in my opinion.

[@flemmingj1965]

Ben on green nine pad witch side is facing the water

[@BenOchart]

Water flow should hit the egg crate side first proving a greater surface area for collecting waste.

[@Newflo238]

could you link the filter sock holders you used in your sump?

[@BenOchart]

I found them on eBay. 4” wide x 14” long.

[@Newflo238]

@@BenOchart thanks

[@brettcoyle2399]

Where do u get the green sponge??

[@BenOchart]

It’s at my Amazon store: amazon.com/shop/benochart

[@dantecrognale6951]

What kind of media could I use for a aquaclear??

[@BenOchart]

Just about anything that can be cut to fit or put in a mesh bag.

[@dantecrognale6951]

@@BenOchart thank you

[@phomidable99]

Ben are you in Arizona?

[@BenOchart]

No, I’m in Tennessee

[@phomidable99]

Ahh I see because cichlid shack is 30 min away from me so I was like no way are you in Az?

[@mikejejenich7116]

Ben. I wanna buy a 200 gallon tank to set up for african chiclids……. Where do you recommend i buy a tank at ? I went online fish tank direct…… there very expensive

[@joshhopper6109]

I scoured swap shop to find my 275.. traveled 4 hours one way to get it and looked like the clampits coming home with the stand on the roof of my van. Tanks are sometimes scratched but are a fraction of the cost. I have a little over 600 in my 275 acrylic and basic stand.

[@BenOchart]

I’ve been happy with Glasscages but they are not cheap. Craigslist can sometimes post amazing deals. You just have to be patient, check every day for new listings (the great deals go fast) and search various ways like “Tank” “aquarium” “sump” etc. Good luck, it’s a fun hunt.

[@joshhopper6109]

Yes the good deals usually go fast. Also as a note if your going with that size of tank you have to support your floor or put it on a concrete slab. In most houses a 90 gallon is about the max to be unsupported.

[@alecthenice8115]

Ben you are daddy fat stacks making a frugal fish keeping video!

[@BenOchart]

“daddy fat stacks” 🤣🤣🤣

[@alecthenice8115]

Hahaha you tell the grand children that's what it is

[@Davidsmithisyourdad]

Hey Ben did you happen to get my email I sent you with my adress?

[@BenOchart]

I'll look for it and get you some stickers.

[@Davidsmithisyourdad]

@@BenOchart yeah I wasn't sure if I heard you email correctly ben.o. cichlid g mail

[@Davidsmithisyourdad]

@@BenOchart I'm taking it you may have not gotten my email