Pay Less For Your Aquarium Supplies

[@kingsofnh]

My best hack? Only shop the pet store after midnight, but before 7 am. During these hours, they don’t even charge you!

[@thedirtytank]

Haha! This wins top comment

[@schilling3003]

A few other substrate options that are don't see people talking a lot about. Crushed or decomposed granite- similar to sand, but different color variations. Turface- calcined clay, very similar to fired clay aquarium substrates and comes in varying sizes.

[@thomasashe2681]

Not as cheap as the greenhouse paneling but clearer so more light can pass through is, if you have a glaser (glass shop) nearby, get glass panels cut to size and get some pvc weather molding and build some sliding glass tops.

[@thomasashe2681]

With the containers that aren't fish tanks, make sure they are the right kind of plastic if plastic. Number 2 or 5 plastic is best.

[@thomasashe2681]

With the soil, you want to cap it with sand to keep it from floating to the surface. 1 inch of soil and 2 inches of sand. Plants to keep the nitrates down. If you do a deeper soil layer like 2 inches of soil then you need a deeper sand layer to hold it down. Also, if you have fish that like to dig you need a deeper sand layer or they will dig down to the dirt allowing it to float up.

[@FatherFish]

nice job. REALLY appreciate your tips.

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

bonus hack, you can get a massive amount t of biological filtration media by buying lava rock from Lowes or Home Depot . and if you have a more specialized plant store you can get lava sand which makes an awesome substrate to plant in. but I wouldn't use it with Corys or any fish that likes to burrow into the substrate as it can be a little sharp.

[@thedirtytank]

Great tips!

[@johnshillinglaw8433]

Your tip about sand is wrong for saltwater aquariums... Generic sand in home Depot is silica sand and will cause algae problems in marine aquariums. The marine sand sold by pet stores is calcium carbonate based and will help buffer the water pH

[@jameyregier8054]

It doesn't cause trouble for freshwater?

[@johnshillinglaw8433]

I have no idea about freshwater, I only tried silica sand in marine aquariums which it will cause algae blooms because of the silicate

[@bigjigg5672]

​@@jameyregier8054I use "pool filter" sand in 3 of my tanks. (Freshwater) ZERO PROBLEMS Been keeping fish for over 2 decades. Always used to pay out the nose for "Aquarium gravel". NEVER AGAIN. Been using filter sand for about 3-4 years now.

[@johnstuart5367]

Buy pool filter sand it works fine for me

[@karmo0o178]

For lights, the best thing i found that really grows plants well are led strips. Don't get the regular kind, get the kind that has led's closer together, so you can get enough lux. Also when you use this kinds of strips a good idea is to mount them on something metalic that transfers heat well, maybe even add a fan. Also a good thing too would be to put this directly on top of your lids of the tank, since thoose strips can detach and if they are too farm from the metal they can "burn out" and lose their color and life time. I can make a video about my lights if someone is interested.

[@jasmingarcia1397]

Make that video

[@karmo0o178]

@@jasmingarcia1397 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4enlJKhh7aNkNk

[@karmogo2879]

@@jasmingarcia1397 My comments is being removed, so just go on page of this account.

[@karmogo2879]

​@@jasmingarcia1397 i did

[@jasmingarcia1397]

Ok I'll go look

[@thomasashe2681]

Have to make sure that the rocks won't affect water chemistry. Just make sure the leaves don't have any chemicals like herbacides or pesticides on them.

[@aquaticthumb5193]

Amazon has the lid handles and plastic hinges for glass. The glass can be cut at small and large hardware stores. This works for terrariums and fish tank lids. I sanded the rufcut edges smother with my orbital sander.

[@Texas_Takeover]

This video needs to be shared with new hobbyists. I had to learn the hard way lol

[@Freedom_Fighter72]

The greenhouse panels are great!! I did all I'd my tanks with them....even my BioOrb Classic tanks....the top light was round, but didn't give enough light. ...my plant light shines through perfectly....I did add hinges on my 20 L, along with a clear sticky handle to lift it up

[@hughdahand5711]

Greenhouse panels seemed interesting until I saw the price on them. Everywhere around me wants $40-50 a panel and at those prices I might as well just buy much better looking purpose built lids.

[@lurklingX]

i can second the greenhouse panels for the lids. in fact, on a 10 gal i have the commercial glass lid and you know what? that tank loses water like CRAZY. evaporation. all you need to do is cut it out to fit. then, cut a section or the entire length for your access panel, and either packing tape to let it hings, with little tape tabs for a handle. OR, you can glue on hinges and a little knob. (lazy + cheap + DIY immediately (ie. no store runs) = the tape option. it works fine.)

[@filiplaskovski9993]

If you want a decent lid, go to a glass cutting company and they’ll literally cut you a piece to your size for like 8 to 12 bucks

[@dimitrijekrstic7567]

Yup. Thin glass also works. 4mm is fine however big your tank is, even when your tank requires 12mm glass, the lid can be thin glass

[@filiplaskovski9993]

@@dimitrijekrstic7567exactly!!

[@thomasashe2681]

Those razors for scraping paint also work great if you get the ones where the body of the scraper is made of plastic (metal ones rust too quickly). The razor can be changed when it gets too rusty. I only mention because a razor by itself poses a risk of cutting yourself.

[@TheRealTMar]

Play sand is safe, but the grains tend to be more crooked so there seems to be a higher risk of substrate rot. For my community aquarium I´ve used a combination of aquasoil (because of a high tech factor) and pool filter sand. Pool filter sand has rounded grains which is supposed to reduce the risk of substrate rot when used in aquariums and it is optimal for bottom dwellers like corydoras. And also a fair lot cheaper than substrate sold for aquariums. My bandit corys love digging and sifting through it. If you like to look more into alternatives for aquarium sand, Aquarium Sunshine's Valley did a comparison test including calcium tests. Some alternative materials may affect your water parameters. You'll have to turn your subs on though. As for botanicals, despite availability in my surroundings, I still buy them from aquarium stores. I live in a city and I just cannot assume leaf litter from the park across the street is safe enough to put in my tanks with fish and shrimp. I know store bought botanicals come from safe sources.

[@l4x3rj]

Play sand also tends to leach a ton of silicates into the tank initially which leads to huge brown diatom algae blooms. Ive used it before but would probably opt for pool filter sand like you said.

[@TheRealTMar]

@@l4x3rj I also had a lot of diatom algae in the first several weeks. I live on the tenth floor and I only have a balcony so rinsing substrate is not a straight forward thing. I´ve managed to rinse the sand sort of, but it still had a lot of dust. But the algae cleared after a while and especially quickly once I had added Amano shrimp. Seems the pool filter sand I used also had a lot of silicate dust in it. I´ve bought it at Hornbach. Hornbach is cheapest for about anything. This chain advertises lowest pricing because they buy in large bulk. They sell good aquarium stuff like Eheim, Sera, Dennerle. I also bought my Juwel Rio aquarium at this chain. Although, when you have a lot of silicate in your tap water, then you would do well getting filter medium that removes it or only use RO water.

[@rajgill7576]

Nicrew is my budget brand of choice. I run their filters and lights on modt my tanks, salt or fresh

[@gracelarsh6352]

I'm new at having a aquarium, and could not believe how much tops were. Paid $12 for a 10 gal tank and they wanted $50+ for a lid. I went on FB Marketplace and found 2 24" x 36" sheets of plexiglass for $5 still had the film on them, cut it down and will notch out where needed. I can make at least 6 for $5,

[@AcousticKitty]

You touched on similar with the sand, but gravel is crazy cheap at Lowes as well. I buy a 50 lb bag of pea gravel, for like $5.98, $5 something. And it has the river rock look I like. They have 50 lb bags of lava rock and others as well. Just like the 50 lb bag of play sand.

[@thomasashe2681]

Pool filter sand is also good if it is new. Don't get it used unless it was used in a fish tank because the chlorine from the pool can stick around in the sand.

[@schilling3003]

Your fish likely felt nothing, you were grounded so the current was able to flow through your body. But this is a good reason why you should always have a GFCI outlet. I assume this was a DC light, if this were mains voltage you might now be here to talk about it. Get a GFCI outlet!

[@LovelyDeviant]

Can you make a video on how to cut those greenhouse panels? I want to use them but I can't figure out how to customize them without breaking them .

[@cinnamonsparrowdesigns]

I just used a utility knife on a cutting mat. A few passes along a ruler/yard stick and it cuts pretty well.

[@John.Cambrian]

I never buy substrate from pet store. I save a lot of money by buying sand and gravel from cement block businesses. They sell a whole sack of river sand and gravel for only 1$ per sack and they already sifted out the impurities for you. All I need to do is to give it a good wash it to remove dirt, and for extra precaution i sterilize the sand with some boiling hot water. I have done this multiple tanks now.

[@davidfranklin249]

I tried play sand it plugged my filters. Use pool ffilter sand

[@Xerokou]

I buy a 4 inch blade scraper off amazon. Much easier to scrape algae off with a longer blade and handle.

[@gwdavidson065]

That's what I do,

[@cinnamonsparrowdesigns]

For the plastic stuff I got a hinge and some double stick tape so I only had to open half at a time. I had plugged up the holes for wires/tubes in the back so my shrimp didn't try to bail and didn't wanna take the whole thing off or move it to feed the fish, etc. It was so easy and it stayed attached for years until I moved. I also stuck a small knob on for a handle. It worked great for a lid and the light went through fine and it kept all the water from evaporating really well.

[@danielthompson3205]

"outside of the fish store" Very true. Over the last 15 yrs I have learnt the very same :/

[@ShoNuffDC]

Can you share the info/link to buy the greenhouse panels?

[@JeFFmusKILL]

Ditto

[@Handygrrl]

I get my 1/4" airline, shutoff valves, T and straight connectors from the plumbing department at Home Depot. Much, much cheaper than at the aquarium store. Other size tubing ("hose") as well.

[@carolingram5948]

Great ideas. Did you use the 1/4 inch or1/3 inch thick Plexiglas? Thank you

[@MichaelPybus]

The more expensive sand is for Marine Tanks - in freshwater tanks substrate may not be as important but in saltwater you can't just dump any cheap sand into the tank as it leeches stuff that wreaks havoc in a saltwater reef set up. Also the more expensive marine sand is packed wet so adds an instant biome of bacteria and copepods to your system that is essential for a marine set up. No one running a marine/reef tank would add cheap childrens play sand to their system unless they were totally new and didn't know better.

[@dannydathua]

if it's saltwater, go scoop up sand from the beach LMAO wtf

[@jamalwalker2104]

Right

[@missyflutter5562]

Rubbish! Freshwater substrate is equally important as saltwater! Ecology doesn’t change just because it’s marine! Miseducation is everywhere thank you for spreading it.

[@waffleman3437]

@@dannydathuathe microfauna in the sand at the beach has tons of parasites and unwanted pests and contaminates that would hinder your coral and fish. The original commenter is knowledgeable and if you do a marine tank your bacteria and other vital stuff lives in your sand.

[@dannydathua]

@@waffleman3437 father fish and Walstad would argue that the good parasites from beach sands and sea water do the pest control. You can't get those from sanitized sands.

[@fenetics8219]

I think making a video about things you can 3d print for your aquarium. That would be sweet.

[@quackyboi_0001]

Play sand can compact around the roots of aquatic plants since the grain is so fine. I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but for a planted tank it's probably not worth risking your plants over. It also compacts fairly quickly by itself, making it hard for the roots to propagate under the substrate. I learned that lesson the hard way lol.

[@sami-tw7qk]

i lot of people i see who use play sand, mix it with lots of other looser(?) materials. which ik defeats the purpose of cutting cost. but if you still have extra you’re trying to use, you might consider looking into substrate mixes that use play sand mix with something else and it might work better

[@gabeheller9214]

Great tips. Another place for rocks is the local landscaping yard. I was able to get 80lbs of stone I hand selected for $35! It’s no seiryu stone but that stuff can mess with ph anyways.

[@spyrit35]

You left out a few Bro. Water testing kits are expensive. Cheap when you buy a well water testing kit... same kit... Activated charcoal... same thing is sold for large scale water filtration and air purifiers... I dont want to even start on canister filters :).

[@qwertyasd9580]

Please do! I need to know how to save on canister filter. 😅 still thinking if I really need one.

[@blackosprey2219]

​@@qwertyasd9580You can DIY a canister with a 5g bucket, a water pump, and several layers of sponges/media.

[@ObsessedLady]

Would be nice to have linked the videos you mentioned

[@deepcrows]

greenhouse polycarbonate costs $100 a sheet here in canada… might as well just buy glass at this point

[@thedirtytank]

Here's what I ordered. 12 pack. Per sheet it's $8.58 amzn.to/4aqREJo

[@tickytacky8078]

​@@thedirtytank It's still $100 and who needs 96 Sq feet of it?

[@jessl1934]

I'd be cautious with melamine sponges as they're abrasive. I don't think it would be significant enough on glass but acrylic i think it would be enough to cause abrasions on the surface, especially over time; you can scuff polished or high-gloss surfaces with melamine sponges. Also melamine is toxic to consume, melamine sponges are notoriously crumbly, and fish tend to nibble at little white floaties in the water column so be careful.

[@dixsigns1717]

Excelente video everyone needs to see it. Plus the double wall poky carbonite panel provides a bit of insulation.

[@allenmashburn3584]

Where did you get the greenhouse panel from? Do you have a link to provide?? Thanks!

[@cathyhendrix7552]

Great video. I really like the way you give different price options. Thank you very much. Looking forward to your next video. As I'm new to this channel, and this is the first video I've seen, then maybe you could do a fish room tour and I can see everything that you have.

[@Jetta4TDIR]

I struggle with lighting, i find the aquarium ligting way over priced zo i prefer LED lighting aswell, id like to find a more affordable option

[@Nakamamas]

Thanks for the info. What do you cut the greenhouse plastic panels with?

[@thedirtytank]

Scissors or a knife

[@Nakamamas]

Ok thank you

[@rocknred123]

I'm sorry but where did you get the 4ftx2ft clear hot house panels for around $8 each

[@JeFFmusKILL]

Ditto✋🏽

[@rocknred123]

@@JeFFmusKILL your answer to my question is ditto?

[@cinnamonsparrowdesigns]

They were cheap when I lived in Okinawa. Here prob not lol

[@NamelessNancy1312]

videos like this have saved me HUNDREDS of dollars per tank - only wish i had seen them before i wasted so much on gravel. So I ended up using undergravel filters since i had already had so much gravel for my tanks then for my newest tank I used layered substrate in my 60 gallon base layer was media bags of mineralized soil, topped with non clumping unscented clay litter, pool filter sand (which is still more $ than play sand) then i had established sand from another tank i used as a topper for my mangrove planted salt water tank with macro algea like mermaid tail and chaeto for my 2 clownfish. If i had used the same volume of aquarium based products id have likley spent quadruple or more than what i actually paid. And im currently waiting on shipping for the greenhouse panneling for lids. I approve this message. sidenote i had a faulty heater whos cord was leeking electricity into the tank and had i not been reaching in to clean it id have not felt the tingly zappy water and i agree when the defective item was being used they were all stressed out so badly, i know the hobby tells us to keep our hands out the tank but had i not been doing mantinance id have left it in there bc there was no outward signs it was faulty.

[@rdred8693]

Awww poor fish. I never buy cheap heaters for this reason

[@TingR89]

Cling wrap works good also for a lid lol

[@AMD1]

For a natural looking aquarium sand I bout a 50lb bag of silica sand for $10. Compared to play sand it will not stir up as much sediment into the water.

[@thomasashe2681]

Doesn't a coconut hut made from a grocery store coconut float initially until waterlogged?

[@thomasashe2681]

I made my own pendant style light out of plastic flower pots, aluminum tape, a lamp fixture, and a grow bulb and it works well for growing aquarium plants.

[@missyflutter5562]

Okay macgyver 😂

[@thomasashe2681]

@@missyflutter5562 thank you. I looked up to him when I was a kid.

[@shakeval]

for the sand/substrate it's more an appearance thing with the aquarium stuff, you standard play sand is either a gray color or a very drab and slightly mixed tan color, but you can get pool filter sand that is a consistent color and slightly larger grain size, additionally there is black diamond blasting sand if you want a rich black substrate, if you are making something more like a natural river or lake bed setup then the more natural mixed sand appearance is fine, but some people want something special. additionally pea gravel is a nice cheap substrate, but again it's a mixed color aggregate. the green house panel comes as a massive sheet for about $100, that singular sheet has been enough to do 2 55g tanks, 8 10g tanks, 2 20g tanks ( one is standard and the other is a 20long. . . . there is still enough left to do a couple more 10g covers. Additionally i bought a large pack of cabinet handles for all the tank covers. for lighting i've had lots of success with packs of LED grow lights off amazon, you can get different standardized sizes that fit 10g and 55g perfectly, they hang from racks and stands really easy and a fairly reasonably priced, the plants grow great and they look fantastic with my botanicals i make sure to wash all the stuff and then put it in the oven for a couple hours to dry it out

[@derbie9758]

Greenhouse panels not sold individually

[@LushSaltyAquariums]

10 great hacks. agree with em all :)

[@sassytherabbit]

Thank you! Now I'm determined to make my own coconut hut. :)

[@thedirtytank]

You got it!

[@jonisolis9645]

Just one greenhouse panel costs: Multi-Wall 6mm Panel Clear 4-ft x 8-ft Corrugated Clear Polycarbonate Plastic Roof Panel $55.78 each! Where did you find them for $8 each?

[@thedirtytank]

amzn.to/4aqREJo

[@jonisolis9645]

@@thedirtytankThank you so much!

[@jameyregier8054]

Good stuff - thanks!

[@schilling3003]

You missed a really important step with using any rocks that you don't know what they are. Pour vinegar on it, if it reacts, don't use the rock. It's a sofr rock with lots of calcium, like limestone, which is going to raise your pH drastically.

[@falcolf]

Caribsea sand is for marine aquariums; it's full of calcium which marine invertbrates like crabs, urchins, shrimp, anemones and corals NEED. Don't cheap out on sand if you are building a saltwater tank!!!

[@laurabustos6560]

So, I clean houses and I've used the mr clean sponges/ magic eraser sponges forever because they're awesome! But they disintegrate. Are you only using the sponge once and done? I would never have thought to use them in my tank because I know they disintegrate in my hands as I'm using them and is that safe for fish?!?

[@travisdeshotel8894]

Man just buy bulk melamine sponges. Save your self some dough. Said with care

[@laurabustos6560]

@@travisdeshotel8894 for cleaning of course I don't buy brand names. But I'm still wondering if they're inert and fish and shrimp safe. I would've never thought to use them because they fall apart. That was my observation and question.

[@travisdeshotel8894]

@laurabustos6560 not sure but I've seen a lot of people use em. Never tried myself. Hopefully someone answers ya. Good luck with yours

[@laurabustos6560]

@@travisdeshotel8894 thanks, hope you have a great (was going to say weekend😮‍💨) week. ✌️

[@thedirtytank]

They last me months if I am only cleaning the glass, which is what I generally do. They don't last too long if you try to clean decorations/wood/rock etc

[@rocca7739]

realy good video, was not expecting that less viewers... but great work ✌️

[@bivan2]

Suuuuper helpful, definitely earned my sub

[@thedirtytank]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jamalwalker2104]

How do you cut the green house panels ?

[@frankcastle9991]

2$ spackle knife for alge

[@thedirtytank]

I haven't heard of this one. Gotta try it!

[@Handygrrl]

He's referring to the small plastic ones in the paint department of your local hardware store. Good idea!

[@heavyaf_deuce3791]

I buy 100 packs of the mel sponges for 8bucks on wish or temu

[@Apistoleon]

What is a mel sponge? How do you make filter out of tvem?

[@ngek202]

Whats the other name for greenhouse panels for lid? Cant seem to find in my place

[@thedirtytank]

Corrugated plastic sheets, greenhouse replacement panels

[@carybritton4178]

Love this video man thanks for all the info Dude, where can I find styrofoam sheets for packing and shipping? I’m starting to ship a lot and looking for these to size to the USPS boxes

[@JRprice25]

The sponges have cleaning chemicals in them… how is this ok for fish?

[@thedirtytank]

No, chemicals. The generic Melanine Sponge has no chemicals so safe for fish. I use it in all 30 of my tanks.

[@rhondafitzpatrick1646]

what do you use to cut the green house panels?

[@kindallnight1615]

Yeah my thought exactly

[@AshleyArmondi]

Most can be cut with a razor blade/box cutter, scissors or even a jigsaw.

[@laurabustos6560]

It's 2 thin pieces of plastic with corrugated pieces throughout to help with stability. So you can measure and then cut each side with a box cutter. Basically if you look at it sideways it looks exactly like a piece of corrugated cardboard. ✌️

[@rhondafitzpatrick1646]

thank you, I've seen it at Lowe's, and I have box cutters...😊

[@sidharthsoman851]

Can plant grow lights be used instead of the costly WRGB aquarium specific lights?

[@samsadowitz1724]

If you are willing to make the brackets/rigging for the lights yourself, then yes, they should work. Those grow lights have the spectrum of light plants need to grow well

[@yermailmain206]

Another great video. I always spend more at my LFS to mostly help support them. I’ll by stuff I don’t even need🤣🤙🏽

[@jaymilo8425]

Can you link where you get the lid material from?

[@thedirtytank]

amzn.to/4aqREJo

[@CandyflossCottonCandy]

Gold mine, what's your accent by the way? Sounds cool

[@thedirtytank]

Thanks! My accent...hmm, American? Or southern mixed with Californian? Not sure

[@thomasbarnes8827]

Great video👍🏽

[@MrHominid2U]

I don't think you covered enough how you have to be very careful buying sponges not specifically marketed for aquariums. So many of them have chemicals in them that will poison your fish.

[@Backroomaquatics]

Great video

[@providedjoker2649]

Excellent tips!!! Definitely gonna try a few of these ideas!! 👍🤡👍

[@LUCKY-uz6fq]

Excelente video with good información 👍

[@tracys.6033]

Great tips. Thank you for posting

[@janemarriott3389]

Great tips here. Thanks

[@gwdavidson065]

Plexiglass warps from the water evaporation of the aquarium

[@miniadventures788]

I like gift cards over razor blades

[@mbastos1000]

Fantastic! Thanks!!!!

[@rdred8693]

Ask a hardware store that cuts Plexiglass if they have any old pieces they want to sell to you. They will probably give it to you.

[@JRprice25]

The greenhouse panels are rigid and don’t flex like plexiglass

[@rdred8693]

@@JRprice25 Oh nice.

[@irshad365]

Excellent video but you talk a little too much. Would appreciate if you could post more awesome and shorter videos.

[@blank4700]

I disagree. I like videos that are more comprehensive.

[@Vingriss_]

Great video! Thanks for tanking time to explain too the folks who are new to the hobby where and why these work. I been doing this many moons and still listened and enjoyed

[@BigNoe-u7u]

This video isn't even that long

[@hoodroad9585]

Great Video