How Fish Keepers Can Save a TON of Money Using Gardening Supplies!🌳🐠🌳 - 10 Ways!

[@thesmallscape]

We have cool new merch! Check it out here: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch If you want more unique ideas check out my Instagram: @thesmallscape If you want to see some of my more traditional aquascapes check out Aquascapes by Joanna at Prime Time Aquatics: kzbin.info/door/YVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTA

[@shandke]

This is great! I got into fishkeeping because of gardening! It’s like a garden on a miniature scale.

[@thesmallscape]

I know!! It is - little bitty worlds!!

[@wendihamlett105]

Yay! Last fall I went to the landscape supplier to buy blue river rocks. Why you ask.. Because I could and they were sooo cheap AND pretty. Great salesman there also had fish tanks and pointed out the best bags. Spent the next two days in an old kiddies pool washing rock. Wonder what the neighbors thought lol Thanks Joanna once again great info!

[@thesmallscape]

That’s awesome! Isn’t it great when you meet a fellow fish keeper who can REALLY lend a hand? I can just imagine you washing all those rocks 😆😆

[@wendihamlett105]

@@thesmallscape Good Times! (BTW Just got my Prime Time t-shirt, pins and magnets. Happy Dancing all around!! Great quality sooo pleased.) Thank you!!!!

[@wendihamlett105]

@@thesmallscape Even more special when that someone doesn't give you the "You are a nut bag look." :)

[@feralon9570]

I rescaped my blood parrot tank with terracotta pots. I used 3 to put my bigger amazon swords in and then put some on their sides as caves all facing so they can't see each other. All three blood parrots picked a spot and now they have a place to cool off when one is being a drama queen. They were fighting over the two caves that we used to have and now we have harmony again! The ones I planted in I used stratum at bottom, then sand, then capped them with heavy stone that they can't pick up. It's been about a month and they haven't destroyed the tank at all. Sometimes you just gotta adapt to the craziness that is this hobby.

[@farmert9679]

My pond in my yard is a fiberglass coffin liner. Holds 300 gallons and my Koi survive the winters in it. My niece found it on line for cheap and she grabbed it for me. Still holding strong after 20 years. You have some great ideas on how to save money. Cool.

[@thesmallscape]

Nice!

[@pjp9383]

As someone who grew up next to cemeteries (my Dad was an Anglican priest and so am I) and whose brother works in a crematorium, I have to say that I love this suggestion!

[@PumpkinQueen1393]

You are definitely my favorite fish KZbinr, super informative, love your quirky demeanor. My favorite channel by far, we need more women who can represent the hobby ❤ keep doing what you do. 😘😘

[@thesmallscape]

🤭🥳😆 thank you so much!! Here to represent! 😆

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Joanna there's no choice 😂😂 if it comes to anything with flowers, plants, water and even fish shrimp and snails... Oh heck you know what I'm saying... we have to scape it 😂🌿🤣 Love this 10 things ❤️🙏 plus if we can save some bucks, I'm in, where do I sign up🤣😂🤣 Ponds🤔 good question?, I never really thought about it that way... who has ,"dibs" on it.. I probably would have gone with the garden side the first time I was ever in this hobby, when I was still doing a lot of landscaping... Now as a fish keeper though🤔 I can see how these natural environments can provide such beauty for our little fishy friends ❤️ hmmmm great topic! I have my foot in the fish keeping world I'm pretty safe to say that now 🤣😂 I've been visiting with my daughter for two and a half months in Kentucky and they have a garden tub that is not being used in the master bath and all I can think about is making it into a pond.. and I'm so 100% serious 🤣😂🤣🤔(side note there is a separate shower stall away from the bathtub so you can still cleanse yourself in there technically 😂🤣) I can't make myself stop thinking about stuff and I love the inspiration I get from you 🤣😂🤣!wouldn't it be amazing to enter your master bathroom and have a big pond right there first thing in the morning to sit and drink coffee by or get ready for work or live streams or life 🤔and then having all kind of plants incorporated into it 😁🌿🐟🌿 okay, you caught me getting carried away there 🤣😂 a girl can dream... Even though I'm like 50 something years old 🤣😂🤣 This is kind of stuff my mind goes to when I watch your Videos.. you guys get me thinking and I appreciate that! I like the twist ties idea 👍and of course always thank you for the tips about the super glue and how it can help us in our aquascapes 👍 If I make this comment any longer you won't be able to read it all 🤣😂 I hope you and your family are having a great day today thank you always for sharing and making us think outside of the box! Love you bunches miss Joanna 👍🙏😎🌿🐟🌿

[@thesmallscape]

You are just the best, loooove reading anything from you! Just makes my day! Lol - I would walk from pond to pond to pond all over the house and would be one happy camper. Ahhh..drinking coffee and listening to a little trickle or splash of water ...ahhhh... Best of both worlds you know!! Thank you for all your kind words and for being that so special “you” we all love! Happy Friday!!! ☺️☺️☺️

[@forteanfish]

Gardening and fishkeeping! Two of my loves coming together!

[@thesmallscape]

Woohoo! You’re in the right place then! 🙌

[@finnwiggles28]

Who are you kidding, a 50 gal Low Boy IS an indoor pond! LOL! :) If could like this video 10 xs I would, I LOVE blending the Gardening/Aqua-culture worlds!! Thank you Joanna!!! You're a ROCK STAR!!!

[@thesmallscape]

Why choose, ROIGHT?!? 😂😂 and you are SO right, that’s why I want one if my own!!

[@GeneralGP114]

😭😭 " heck I'd put it in the kitchen , if Jason let me " too funny . Love it

[@thesmallscape]

Lol! 🤭😆

[@wendihamlett105]

You mean you don't have a tank in the kitchen?

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

😂😂

[@Cnzxco]

@@thesmallscape lol i have 4 tanks in ma kitchen

[@angiebear8727]

Awesome ideas! Can’t believe I’ve never thought of this. Have bought lots of these things for my flower gardens.

[@xSilverFernx]

Thank you for these tips! The watering can in particular is such a game-changer! I love your work- both your beautiful aquascapes and your fun, informative videos. :)

[@joewwilliams]

Looking forward to the kitchen pond video!

[@thesmallscape]

Me too - might not be what you expect though... 🤭😆

[@finnwiggles28]

SO EXCITED for upcoming Pond Scapes! This will be my 3rd yr with a Patio Pond and Spring Has Sprung!! Last spring I put 2 Fancy Goldfish in my pond and in the fall, collected 60 back out!! LOL! They apparently enjoyed a great summer! My LPS loved the healthy, hardy offspring! This spring Imma put my WCMMs out there and see how they grow! :) :) :)...

[@thesmallscape]

Oh my gosh - and THEN you became a major fish supplier! Lol!!! Lovin’ spring and ponds!!!

[@faedoyle4147]

Oh my goodness!! A pond scape video will be right in time. ❤️❤️

[@thesmallscape]

Yay! Lots of different options coming up 👍

[@MridulSinghMusic]

I use all of these in both my hobbies! The terra cotta watering stakes are just perfect for ancistrus, and I also use slate tiling to either put on the bottom of tanks, or break up into pieces to create a scape, or even cut with a stonecutter and make angel/discus breeding slates! Thanks for sharing Joanna!

[@thesmallscape]

Hey Mridul! Woohoo! Hope you’re having a nice weekend ☺️

[@torirohey6064]

I'm excited to hear about the osmocote fertilizer that can be used in your tank. Some of the cost of the fertilizer tabs or substrate has been one of the big drawbacks to me having live plants in my tank I will definitely be giving this a try. THANK YOU

[@elc2468]

Excellent info! Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@EGlasofer]

Thanks for your tips Joanne! ALSO for water, plastic water pitchers from the Dollar store...

[@thesmallscape]

Yes!!! I use a pitcher too for our kitchen tanks. ☺️

[@denisekoenig9479]

The greenhouse siding i used as a divider in my tank

[@Bigglare]

All great tips. Thanks.

[@johnwood738]

not exactly gardening but getting fifteen chicks Friday that I traded some Super reds for! Two snakes out in the grass,one turns to the other and asks are we poisonous? The first replies,Why do you ask? The second,I’ve just bit my lip! FYI the sprinkler end of a watering can is called a rose ( John’s garden tip of the day).

[@thesmallscape]

Cool! Haha and thank you for the info!😃

[@nacho7614]

Greenhouse siding! I love it! Yeah glass lids just not a fan of it. Good to know. Also! Osmocote! I’ll have to get some. I think you need that pond in the kitchen! 🤣. I definitely would love a pond one day. Good stuff Jo!

[@thesmallscape]

Yay! I’m telling Jason we’ve got one vote for it! 👍

[@aloratalyn]

I have ALWAYS wondered if you can use plant ferts in a fish tank. Thanks so much for all your tips, but definitely that one in particular!

[@thesmallscape]

Yay!!! ☺️

[@dylanneff]

Love the osmocote fertilizer idea instead of root tabs!

[@fishandfloral]

That caught my attention too!

[@SugarMapleForge]

Another great video! You guys put out some of the best content! Helpful, informative and entertaining! Thank you not just from me, but I will assume I can speak for many of your viewers! 👌🐠👍

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you so much, so happy to hear it!! 😃 x 2!

[@DidisFINDen]

Awesome. Hadn't thought of some of these . Especially the fertilizer. Thanks

[@angiemoore1741]

Wonderful tips. I didn’t know about some of these ideas. Great ways to save !

[@thesmallscape]

Yay!!

[@ST62382]

I’ve made the root tabs myself, using empty gel caps and Osmocote

[@thomaseskew8692]

Have a few bags of pea gravel holding down a basketball hoop. Guess I need a new tank hahaha

[@thesmallscape]

Lol! Heck ya!! 😆

[@2tardi]

I didn’t know about Fertilizer, lids (greenhouse). I need lids for my breeding tanks. Thanks! I use dirt (soil) from my ground. I put it in the oven (100-150°C) and dry it. Mix it with sand, gravel and mud (pond) and I have my soil.

[@jamesparadigm]

These are some great tips. I like the way you think! 💚

[@thesmallscape]

Thanks, James ☺️

[@bonnieeden228]

Awesome ideas Joanna. Thank you for sharing. You and Jason are the best. #1. Have a great week. Look forward to your live stream tonight.

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Bonnie!! You are sooo sweet - lookin forward to “seeing” you later!! 😌🥳😌

[@leahclouser]

Great video as always. Thanks Joanna!!

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Leah! Thank you!! ☺️

[@karenaubrey5737]

Good Morning. I am setting up a tub pond.

[@thesmallscape]

Good Morning! So excited for you!! ☺️

[@ironfae]

I have a half gallon glass vase I use as either a temp tank for single fish or a plant nursery for new plants. Definitely want to get some of that clear siding and build a lid for my bow front tank. 👍

[@thesmallscape]

Yay! Comes in handy. ☺️

[@josh.etheridge]

You always bring new ideas and inspiration to the hobby!

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you, Josh! Best compliment ☺️

[@madturtle8826]

So I came here from one of your videos over on Prime Time Aquatics because I wanted to know where you got those big rocks in your 55g African cichlid tank. The one that has driftwood in it. You actually showed it when you were talking about where you get your rocks. You did an amazing job on that tank!! It’s beautiful.. Thanks you for the great ideas. I subscribed and I am looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[@thesmallscape]

I’m so glad we could answer that question, glad you liked the new setup and thanks so much for stopping by here! ☺️

[@MBBTigger1357]

Hi Joanna. I too like black gravel. I use it in my 90 and 36 gallon tanks. My 150 6 foot is still a bare bottom with a few cool looking artificial plants. I would like to put a big piece of wood in the center of my 150. Thanks again for the reminder on how to attach Anubias to wood. Do you think driftwood would play with my ph? It’s a discus tank. Thanks for the thrifty video. Sincerely, Marty Borst

[@noelbrucker135]

You’re my hero ❤️ Creative AND economical 😊 Plus -2:52- yet another brilliant idea for super glue gel!

[@thesmallscape]

Lol!! Thanks, Noel! ✨☺️✨

[@paulhunt2888]

Great tips Joanna Especially plant fertiliser. I need to find an equivalent product here in the UK. unless you have a link for me here?

[@thesmallscape]

Hi - I’m pretty sure it is available on Amazon! ☺️

[@CarolynnMc01]

Thank you Joanna...! The landscape store and Menards is a great idea! I buy my pea gravel from the landscape store and rocks which i paint for my garden. I have a question which has nothing to do with your topic but about one of the tanks i noticed in this video. Two little (sunset?) gourami in your tank with a betta. Do the gourami and betta get along? I have a new 14 gallon cube with a honey gourami and 6 little black neons. I was wondering what you think about adding a betta? Do i have to keep a close eye on them to see if they don't try to murder each other? I did consider a second gourami and asked in your live stream but Jason sort of giggled about that! HA! Thank you thank you for your thoughts and any recommendation about another fish for the tank, if you have the time. Take care and i love you guys!

[@JDfan3340too]

LOVE these videos! I'm obsessed with my paint can, and my little bucket, from the dollar store. I use both ALL the time now!!

[@thesmallscape]

Yay!! So glad to hear it! ☺️☺️☺️

[@snailteamsix8876]

Really digging these video's. Keep 'em up!

[@thesmallscape]

Yay! Thanks so much! 😃

[@freyarobbins4201]

Joanna! I've just discovered you and Jason, and as I'm away to set up my first aquarium I think you two are the absolute best to give me all the advice I could possibly need for it. Like yourself, I've come from the houseplant side and I'm away to delve into the aquatic side, with a great excitement to learn all about aquatic plants, as well as beautiful fish and scaping. I love Prime Time but your channel is also absolutely brilliant, this vid especially. You're so friendly and have such a positively wonderful outlook on everything. You're a real gem to watch. Also captivated by Jasons beard!!! Thank you for posting these videos, and I'll definitely be getting some of your lovely merch :D

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Freya! What nice things to say! We appreciate it very much! I’m so glad to have another gardener here, starting in the land plants I think we have a totally different perspective to the underwater realm! I hope you truly enjoy the world of aquaria! (and we are all in awe of Jason’s beard!) ☺️

[@BettaDaze710]

I have that exact green watering can but I got mine from Lowe's. Mine leaks...I got ripped off lol I do use terracotta pots in almost all my aquariums. My fish love them! On one I used a diamond bit to drill 3/4in holes so they have multiple entrance and exits (It was actually an old orchid pot I had made but it worked out perfectly lol) Thank you for another amazing video Joanna! You always have such great ideas, thanks for sharing them with us ♡

[@thesmallscape]

Oh man that stinks! Don’t you just LOVE that drill bit! So handy!! 🙌

[@MrGrombie]

Also, go out to the creek/lake and you can find free driftwood/rocks. Mad easy to clean.

[@thesmallscape]

Oh, ya! Lots of goodies there!

[@catherinesaulnier5448]

Love all these tips😊❤

[@rcjk1]

Thanks for the fertilizer tip!!!

[@thesmallscape]

👍you bet!☺️

[@kimberlybellinger3925]

Thank you so much I love these ideas!

[@thesmallscape]

Yay!☺️

[@hsifmoor9552]

i love all these tips.

[@lynnbonica4342]

Great suggestions! It's crazy the difference in prices. Just think of all the extra fishy stuff you can buy with the money you save! 🍄👍🌹😉

[@thesmallscape]

Ya - woohoo!! 😆😆 more fishie stuff!! 🥳

[@EyezLikaFox̌]

Question.. the black sand blasting sand (black beauty) is coal slag. Wouldnt coal remove the trace minerals from the water? If you have live plants, they need those minerals.. also black beauty is extremely abrasive, we use it at work. Wouldnt that possibly hurt scaleless bottom dwelling fish?

[@amandajoanbaker]

Ooh are we going to see a pond on the channel as the weather warms up? My summer is pretty short but hoping to set one up in a large planter or water trough.

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Amanda! Oh yes, you will be seeing many variations! 🥳

[@amandajoanbaker]

@@thesmallscape very exciting!

[@debrascheer4577]

Nice video, fish keeping can be expensive this tips may bring more people to the hobby

[@thesmallscape]

That would make me very happy because it is a very rewarding hobby! ☺️

[@laurabustos6560]

Unfortunately my Home Depot/ Lowes don't carry pool filter sand or sandblasting sand. But I just found a tractor supply store within a half hour drive that does carry black diamond blasting sand!! Just in time for my son's new birthday tank he's setting up next month! $11.99 for 50lbs vs $25 for 20lbs bag at local Petco.

[@ndbyers23]

For vases, are there any sizes that can support 1-5 shrimp?

[@farmert9679]

Nano shrimp in the container would look good also. You are great at planted tanks and the vases would work for you.

[@thesmallscape]

Yes! I didn’t mention them but that is usually my go-to for small containers - or the least killies too sometimes☺️

[@adkgaladkgal1799]

Great Ideas, applicable ideas, Thank you

[@thesmallscape]

Great to hear!! Thank you ☺️

[@endoroboto]

Actually useful information and without a clickbait title or thumbnail. I know I'm a year late, but thank you.

[@thesmallscape]

Wow, thank you. ☺️Hope it was helpful.

[@fbasantajr]

Great video, thank you from NYC

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you Frank - NYC! 🙌😆

[@darthtraya8305]

Osmocote tip is a game changer!

[@thesmallscape]

Woohoo! So glad ☺️

[@Christopher_Hampton]

These videos are amazing!

[@IsabellaM._]

Thank you for another great video. 🙂

[@thesmallscape]

Thanks Isabella! ☺️☺️

[@davidsamsell2031]

Hi Joanna, really good advice. Thanks for the wonderful video. 📺 I always wanted a small outdoor greenhouse for a few aquariums that would benefit my warmer water fish. Also, I have seen a few layers of "deer netting" material that may be useful, too. Was thinking that may help keep out some of the smaller animals from entering an outdoor fish tub or pond.

[@thesmallscape]

Oh yes! I would be scared of critters getting in the pond and lining up for little fish dinners - that’s probably a great solution! ☺️

[@bigjigg5672]

Great video as usual! But is there anywhere I can find inexpensive driftwood? 🤔🤔🤔

[@darrylmoore5847]

Awesome video as always.

[@thesmallscape]

☺️Thank you, Darryl! ☺️

[@kdinkel87]

Do you get enough light through to your plants when you use the greenhouse siding as a lid?

[@thesmallscape]

Oh yes!

[@FerrumBellator]

Bbq lava rock as filler to take up space under your substrate and as bio media in your sump/filter. In Canada you can buy a 7lb bag for around 10$.

[@thesmallscape]

Ooh - nice (and cheap)!

[@FerrumBellator]

@@thesmallscape I had a specific substrate I wanted to use and the lava rock saved me from using 2 bags in my main display. So returned them for mote plants.

[@eileenbowers6750]

Hi! I bought seachem flourish plant fert. It says 16 drops for 10 gal. Now I don't have a standard eye dropper, I have a candy makers pipette, kinda little, but will that size drop suffice?

[@lynzee9898]

I’m sooo gonna make some root tabs!! If you don't mind sharing, what size were those empty capsules?

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Lynzee! 00 size, I believe☺️

[@lynzee9898]

@@thesmallscape thanks!!👍

[@waynesaquatics]

Good afternoon Joanna, can you use lawn grass to carpet your aquarium?

[@thesmallscape]

I’m afraid not, that would be so simple though! 😃

[@waynesaquatics]

@@thesmallscape thank you

[@markhunter2244]

Super money saving ideas. I’ve already got a jar of Osmocote, only trouble is it’s for my heathers and it’s for plant that like acidic soil 🤪 . You definitely need to get a greenhouse, they’re great at this time of year for getting your seeds started early 🤓

[@thesmallscape]

If only I had the space ... ☺️

[@cherylbelott]

Happy Wednesday Joanna! Fantastic tips today! I too love great deals and dual purpose items. I didn’t realize Osmocote Plus could be made into tabs! Is it safe for snails and shrimp too?

[@thesmallscape]

Hi and a very Happy Wednesday to you, Cheryl! Yes it is safe for them as well, just bury the tabs deep into the substrate so they don’t pop up again, you want the pellets to stay in the substrate. ☺️

[@cherylbelott]

@@thesmallscape good to know, thx! 😊

[@melissafoster1228]

Hate choosing! That’s why I’m summer ponding this year. Garden and fishkeeping outdoors - mostly barefoot - my heaven. 😉 #southerngirl

[@petestockus1082]

Hello, Joanna! I love your t-shirt!

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Pete! Thanks so much - limited run is on the website ☺️

[@debbiebamrick4020]

Happy Wednesday Joanna- I have tried most of your hacks and they work out great. I didn’t know about Osmocote so that’s a new one for me and I definitely need to buy some of the greenhouse plastic sheeting- is it sold at home improvement stores? TYFS and have a great day!

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Debbie! I’m so glad to hear it!! I think you can find it there although Jason got online at a greenhouse supplier..I believe. ☺️

[@krg9942]

Wow! ALL great tips! Love the top idea, rather than glass. For the glass cylinders, does it require oxygen for the plant to survive? Thanks again for another video that is full of useful information :)

[@thesmallscape]

Hi! Depends on the plant, I keep mainly Anubias (and, of course, moss balls) in glass containers of all sizes with no air and they do great! ☺️

[@jaredsmith88]

I wonder about putting those fertilizer pellets into ice cubes might be easier/cheaper

[@thesmallscape]

Hi! Nope, we tried that many years ago, they don’t freeze well, they get ruined.

[@andrescott2794]

Why do my Anubias tuner yollew I glue them to Rock and I youse super glue gal and I put Roots table when I set my 10g tank up and I had the tank setup for a 1yr and I yous Flourish plants food to but they still keep Die so can you help me with this

[@gtaeza]

Is Osmocote plus safe for fresh water shrimps and snails?

[@thesmallscape]

Hi, absolutely- just make sure it stays in the substrate! The capsules help keep and put it deep in the substrate. ☺️

[@brudleyarcellana1159]

Thank you for sharing..new friend here

[@thesmallscape]

Yay! Thank you for stopping by! 😃

[@andreeah1453]

2 questions...1 can't you just boil the rocks to disinfect? i wouldnt like poisoning my fish by mistake....2 what about metal content or other minerals that might leak from the gardening stones...i thought the stones at the petshop are somehow selected or treated to be compatible for aquarium use

[@thesmallscape]

Hi! We don’t recommend boiling rocks since there is a possibility they could explode. If you want to test rocks for calcium which would alter your ph, you can drop a few drops of vinegar on them and if it fizzes, don’t use them. ☺️

[@Sue.5776]

Cheap place to buy driftwood?

[@plumber1331]

Great video

[@SassyHippo]

I’m much better at watering my plants now that they’re in my fish tank 🤣🤣. I need a watering can for in the house though. That’s genius.

[@thesmallscape]

Lol! No fear of overwatering them in there! 😂😂

[@joesplif4158]

I got a 40 pound bag of play sand for 6 bucks thanks 🙏

[@thesmallscape]

✨🙌✨Woohoo!

[@btburzlaffbb]

So is it safe for snails an shrimp?? I know you keep both but for some reason I was under the impression it wasn’t safe for them?🤷‍♀️ btw..you are hilarious!! You make me laugh!!🤣🤣 I love that!!

[@maryrhoads4874]

Thanks, Joanne, you are a woman after my own heart. My first tank was scaped with pebbles and stones the kids brought home from beach holidays. I remember happy family times when I look at that tank every day. Here in the U.K., I like to go to Wilko and B&M for my gardening/fish keeping supplies. Another genius gardening item for you: trugs. I use them for dirty water from water changes, plus storage of all my maintenance kit! Keep up the great content!

[@thesmallscape]

That’s so nice to hear - yes, we think the same. ☺️ thanks for the tip!!! 😃

[@scottdoes6904]

I've heard A lot of people having difficulties with Black Diamond sand because of its sharp and abrasive edges harming bottom dwellers. I would like to hear from everyone if they Experienced the same issues???

[@Cichlid_4_ever]

Checked out Amazon for the capsules. 😬 yikes. Which ones are safe to use? I see there’s a gelatin and vegan.

[@idealchanful]

Ho. I am gardener😅 So I reused my grow lights, and a lot of my rocks, branch, sand, ect

[@christiandaniel8400]

Thanks for saving my wallet!