Father/Son Discus Project

Ok, I done did it, I bought my father a new tank 45g AGA



Ok, sumps, whos got the best bang for the buck?

heaters as well, I think 100% submersible.

hang on adapter for a sump?

and last but not least, water pump? maybe a marineland 660 w/ sponge?


thank you

also its got twin 36" 30w 6500K bulbs and we are also looking for planting substrate, he doesnt want to reuse the eco complete so I am going to tear down my guppy tank and rebuild it with eco complete and tons of live plants from a buddy on APC.

Thank you in advance for all your help.

I think its going to look very good. He has been into fish since the early 60's and was one of the top guppy suppliers in the fox valley area in northern illinois, he kept all sorts of fish from about 65 to 90 and Ive had em since 99 on my own, I think we have enough experience between us but outside insight is ALWAYS welcome.

 

I got over 400 here,guppies that is.

Its going in the sump, I use ML stealths on my guest friendly tanks and trionics on my qt's and bare bottoms.

yeah thats a sale they have a few times a year. none of the fish from there have lasted long for me, odd too because we are on the same water supply. He said he is going to get new stuff for the bottom and I told him the eco complete would be great, but how much is needed for a 45?

 

I dunno, im still new here. I might have her beat, I am going thru old websites ive bookmarked and found the old dirt cheap sites I used to use. I mean 5 bucks for 500ml flourish, the substrate is about 10 bucks cheaper then retail too

 

Yeah, Ive learned to take the whole LFS out of the equation when setting up tanks. walmart and menards have everything you need to DIY all of it. I mean 15 bucks for a double t-12 or t-8 or t-5 fixture and bulbs. you cant get double the wattage any cheaper. replace ballasts and your limits are endless.

I got a bunch of buddies in the hobby so when they do gravel changes at work, I get the free bacteriafied gravel and filters. Its neat to go out and be like yeah got my marineland stealth for 15 bucks, new in box.

 

I got mine at menards for 6.89 for a double t-8 and 3.99 for the bulbs at walmart.

I was at depot today getting a glass scraper and looked at the lights and the double t-8 is 23.99 and thats the lithonia cheap-o one.

I got 3 nice double t-8's in polished diamond plate in the garage I am going to use for the new fish room.

home depot and lowes by me are more expensive. Im in chicago, we pay premium for everything around here. pack of smokes costs over 7 bucks now

 

I got flourite about a year ago and back then it was under 20 a bag not its like 22 a bag.
My wife finally understands after buying the kids birthday gifts online this year, got 3 of the same thing online as we could have afforded 1 in store, (lego collections)

 

Shopping around means waiting for mail order catalogs to arrive, I got 1 LFS that carries this stuff but he charges double what internet and catalogs charge and wont match pricing.(weird cause he used to be a partner of my old boss when I was on my very first job 15 years ago and he now runs his business opposite of the way he ran the other one and well its kinda screwed him in his old age, he lost alot of loyal customers)

I have no problem with DIY but this tank is in his office so its kinda a professional appearance requirement. I got the stuff to build 10 sumps here and boxes but his money and his tank so I am going with his ideas.

 

yeah the small business owner pays slightly under retail, its a shame.

 

they are barely breaking even, thats why the independent shops usually run higher in price for boxed or dry goods.