Absolutely. And I've hooked up with the local fish club so now I get stuff even cheaper than Craigslist. Here are a few pics with my iPhone. Not great, but the detail is good enough. I upgraded my 55 to a 72 bowfront. Just planted the other day: Here's a closer pic: Here's my 55-gallon super-tall 'shrimp highrise' (these are freshwater cherry red dwarf shrimp, about an inch, max): 8-gallon biorb with ghost shrimp, which get to around 1.5 inches long:
Haha, I don't pay full price on anything if I can help it. The big one I paid $300 for the stand, hood and aquarium from craigslist. I priced that at around $800. It was saltwater and came with about $500 worth (resale value) of equipment, so I expect to make a profit on it. The filter I use is around $130 and the heater $20. The fish were maybe $15 total. The plants were free from other people and I found the driftwood at a lake nearby. Come to think of it, the most expensive thing IN the tank is the special plant gravel, which was around $65. The tall one I paid $120 for on CL. I priced that at between 800 and 1200. The filter I got via a trade. The driftwood I found, the plants were free. The shrimp were $30 for 100. There are also a couple of small algae eaters in it. The plumbing was maybe $25 for parts. The Biorb was $30 on CL. Priced new around $60. Comes with built in filter. Put a $10 heater in. Plants were free, driftwood I found. Ghost shrimp were 12/$3.
I suppose. It's relative, really. I've been doing it long enough now where I've adjusted my expectations. I've met people who drop $500/month and have 20+ aquariums in this hobby. The key to a nice aquarium is to realize that you need good filtration, which is $100+, usually. Craigslist is an awesome resource too. I love it- watching these things is the only thing I can sit and do, motionless, for hours.
I have one, an albino bristle-nose. I just gave away a regular one, which are super dirty and uproot plants. The albino stays relatively small. I also have some Otocinclus, which are small schooling algae eaters.
Flower horn and true gouramis are my favorite fish. The flower horn fish can become an asset. They can cost up to $500 dollars.
Massive fish for a home aquarium. There are some people in the area (dfw) that breed flower horns. I've got a grow tank set up with ten discus that range from quarter to half dollar size. Once they hit 6 inches I'll move them to the big tank. Also a breed that can fetch several hundred dollars a pop.
Simply awesome Xero! Glad you finally posted pics! . I'm in the midst of setting up a 40 gallon tropical setup. I've been wary ever since the ice storm a few years ago killed off all my tanks but hopefully all goes well with the new ones.
This. I started with plecos but they usually get too big. Oto cats were much better for keeping algae at bay.
Glad you're getting back in to it. I remember you talking about the ice storm. What a bummer. Let me know if you need anything.
