Frugal Fish-keeping Tips!

[Melody]

I'll never remember all of these for one post, but following are the frugal fishkeeping tips/strategies that I can recall at the moment. First, let me say that I did not come up with all of these ideas - I've picked some of them up from other frugal fishkeepers along the way :-).

:tropicalfish: Trades - I have obtained many things I need and a whole lot of things I just wanted...lol...all by swapping for something I had but didn't need/want. Take a look around your fish room and list your stuff in our Swap (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=32) section!

:tropicalfish: Rocks/Gravel - My 90G is done entirely in Whiterock Beach rocks. Admittedly a lot of work to clean, but I love the look. Be careful of the rocks you collect as some contain metals or may raise your pH (Limestone). The other option is your local landscaping retailer. They often have decorative rocks such as Lava Rock or sand at 'rock-bottom' prices.

:tropicalfish: Flaked Magnesium Chloride is a cheap substitute for Epsom Salts, without the sulphur!

:tropicalfish: Tank Dividers can be made with eggcrate. You can also pick up those report covers that use the binder which slides on, secure to the sides of the tank, then cut crafting grid to size and slip it into the report slots.

:tropicalfish: Do it yourself! There are great projects in our DIY (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=40) section. Everything from filters to backgrounds to decorations and more can be done yourself.

:tropicalfish: Need a quick cover for a tank? A plastic dishpan (dollar store) covers a standard size 10G perfectly. You can pick up a cheap container and use the cover as a temp hood for smaller tanks. Rubbermaid tub lids cover tanks wonderfully too, either singles or lined up together.

:tropicalfish: Need a temp tank? The aforementioned Rubbermaid tubs are awesome as a temp. tank, as are other solid containers. Even Kiddie pools can be utilized.

:tropicalfish: Hardening water - Prestone De-icer is 98% Calcium Chloride. Impurities are Potassium Chloride, Sodium and magnesium. Oyster Shell is excellent for bringing the pH up and you can get it at most feed stores. Only purchase it from feed stores outside of the pet store, as the feed quality is safer.

:tropicalfish: Buy used - Tanks can be had for a song, often with all of the accessories, if you keep your eyes open and act fast. Some places to watch are our Auction (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/ClassAuction/), the Buy & Sell (http://www.buysell.com) (all Provinces), your local newspaper, Craig's List (http://www.craigslist.org), Kijii (http://www.google.ca/aclk?sa=L&ai=B327wk1caSe6hHJvosAPa-KyiAdqe_m60xrniA4Dw09cMoJwBCAAQARgBOABQ8dyOxwJg_ej 6gMwDyAEByALYo6EH2QOCOaXGmz_KAw&ggladgrp=18408194454388744445&gglcreat=1403741156902764687&sig=AGiWqtyYRO6J_298vnmHgL9AdYEe6-xjCg&q=http://altfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/5152-27838-3512-715%3Fkwd%3Dkijii) and your local fish club (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=46) publications. Be sure to check the tank/equipment over well and if possible, view the tank filled with water.

:tropicalfish: If metals and chloramines aren't a concern, age your tap water rather than using dechlorinator.

:tropicalfish: Propogate your plants & trade/sell them.

:tropicalfish: Breed your fish and trade/sell them.

:tropicalfish: Do both of the above two and take them to your neighbourhood LFS for cash or credit.

:tropicalfish: Buy in bulk, be it food, fertilizers, etc, but keep an eye on the prices. Sometimes the larger sizes work out to be more - I've been noticing that at the grocery store lately.

:tropicalfish: Initiate group buys when ordering from suppliers which have a minimum purchase. However, it is best to partner with one person if you're just trying to share shipping. If you have too many people it will only put your shipping up higher.

:tropicalfish: Quilt batting or Fiber Fill in the department stores is perfect filter floss. Big bags are around $4.

:tropicalfish: Stock up during sales and use coupons, but don't drive 30 miles to save $1.

:tropicalfish: A quick, cheap and humane breeder trap can be had in a large dollar store collandar with styro pieces wedged up under the lip. Float it in your fry tank so the fry can escape the brooding female. The female is in a big trap which is largely opaque and she won't get so stressed trying to escape. Make sure you anchor it away from your filter.

That's all I can recall at the moment. Please share your own frugal fish-keeping tips!

[Pamelajo]

Don't like wasting water. Use old tank water to water indoor plants. In warmer weather have your python run outside to water the lawn.
Mel do you have a pic of the collander/breeder?

[Melody]

Good one! Not only does it utilize water, but fish water is EXCELLENT for plants. One year I bought fish fertilizer and it was the most gross stuff I have ever used:Eeewww:, but MAN did my flowers take off!

I am working on a DIY breeder trap / fry saver thingy so it will be posted soon :-). I prefer to leave the fish in the tank to brood, but sometimes I need to establish the population or they're particularly cannibalistic, so I use it.

[Melody]

I finally had to buy another bag of 'filter floss'. The other bag did me for a couple of years and I use it often for both filter media and shipping snails. I know people can be a little nervous about getting the right thing, so here is an example:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/MM-PolyesterFilterFloss_Stu.jpg

[Pamelajo]

Not sure if I mentioned this in this section.
Want a bare bottom tank, but with plastic plants or tired of those plastic plants getting loose and floating.
Take a clay pot for plants and plastic plant, remove the base of the plant (the part you bury)not the piece that holds the stems. Place aquarium silcone around the stem holder and push down into the pot as far as you can. Let cure for 24 - 48 hours and now you have plants that will stay were you want them.

[Laura]

I made a DIY pond filter this summer for a 50 gallon pond.

I took a couple of plastic berry baskets, pulled off the handles, lined them with a blue foam air filter (from Canadian Tire - It was called 'Permanent Air filter - Cut to Fit' by Duststop Air Filters Inc) which cost about 5$. Make sure you get one that isn't treated with an antibacterial. Mine said 'bacteria and germ resistant', but others were clearly labeled that they were treated.

Then I put some plastic kitchen scrubbies inside with a foam from an established tank, and popped in a pond filter, cutting a hole for the out-take. I attached them together with the plastic tie-pulls.

It seemed to work pretty well and I plan on using it again next year. Since I had the pump and fished the plastic baskets out of the recycling, total cost wasn't more than 10$.

My only problem is how to camouflage the white plastic in the black pond. I tried putting rocks on top, but the racoons like to mess with the pond too much and knock them over.