If you had $200.00 that could only be used for equipment what would you buy?

[discuspaul]

I'd get a good UV sterilizer.
You'd be amazed at the good it can produce in any planted tank - and how it can improve so many things, e.g. - water clarity and quality, water circulation within the tank, providing access of fertilizers to the plants, reduction of algae problems, water purification, elimination or lessening of potential viral or parasitic substances in the tank, elimination of green water, clearance of oily films on the water surface - the list goes on.
I wouldn't be without one.
I've been fish-keeping for over 50 years, and have been keeping/raising discus for many of those years, and my best aquatic 'pal' in the tank is a UV sterilizer !
I run one 24/7.

[thebuddha]

Regulator.

[driftwoodhunter]

Originally Posted by gimmethatfish

Running a bunch of hamburg mattenfilters or do you use the foam for other purposes?

Yep! I put my first HMF in a 125, and I love it. I also have (not all are set up yet) a 90 on it's way, a 55, a 40B and two29s. They're all getting the HMF treatment now ; ) The leftover bits make great prefilters/screens on HOB intakes, as well as powerhead sponges. It was sewingalot's thread that got me started.

[Bettatail]

Originally Posted by discuspaul

I'd get a good UV sterilizer.
You'd be amazed at the good it can produce in any planted tank - and how it can improve so many things, e.g. - water clarity and quality, water circulation within the tank, providing access of fertilizers to the plants, reduction of algae problems, water purification, elimination or lessening of potential viral or parasitic substances in the tank, elimination of green water, clearance of oily films on the water surface - the list goes on.
I wouldn't be without one.
I've been fish-keeping for over 50 years, and have been keeping/raising discus for many of those years, and my best aquatic 'pal' in the tank is a UV sterilizer !
I run one 24/7.

+1, it is a "must have", this thing can prevent any disease for the discus or altum, better than stocking up medicine, but $200 is too much, for $50 you can get a good unit, .

[gimmethatfish]

Originally Posted by driftwoodhunter

Yep! I put my first HMF in a 125, and I love it. I also have (not all are set up yet) a 90 on it's way, a 55, a 40B and two29s. They're all getting the HMF treatment now ; ) The leftover bits make great prefilters/screens on HOB intakes, as well as powerhead sponges. It was sewingalot's thread that got me started.

Thats awesome I have definitely thought about trying one but havent taken the leap myself. I will have to reread sewingalot's thread for motivation.

[driftwoodhunter]

I'm curious - do uv sterilizers only work with canister filters, or can some be used in tanks without canisters?

[Bettatail]

Originally Posted by driftwoodhunter

Yep! I put my first HMF in a 125, and I love it. I also have (not all are set up yet) a 90 on it's way, a 55, a 40B and two29s. They're all getting the HMF treatment now ; ) The leftover bits make great prefilters/screens on HOB intakes, as well as powerhead sponges. It was sewingalot's thread that got me started.

when this foam start disintegrate, it is pretty nasty, used these pads as filter pads years ago, not strong against pressure and once clog with nitrification bacteria culture, that is when it start breaking apart.
you can diy air filter with this pad, but make sure replace the new pad in time.

[Bettatail]

Originally Posted by driftwoodhunter

I'm curious - do uv sterilizers only work with canister filters, or can some be used in tanks without canisters?

you probably don't need it, the main purpose of UV is to sterilize the water, is for people with high value fish, to prevent fish disease.

[gimmethatfish]

Originally Posted by driftwoodhunter

I'm curious - do uv sterilizers only work with canister filters, or can some be used in tanks without canisters?

UV sterilizers come in both in-line and hang on varieties so you wouldn't need to have a canister filter.

[driftwoodhunter]

Bettatail, how do you know I don't have a $300.00 solid gold ramshorn snail?

gimmethatfish; thanks!

[In.a.Box]

First ill pick up a filter or 2.
Whatever is left ill pick up a heater if where u live get cold.
If there still money left ill probly pick up a air pump and some air stone.

[GraphicGr8s]

Alita air pump

[Bettatail]

Originally Posted by driftwoodhunter

Bettatail, how do you know I don't have a $300.00 solid gold ramshorn snail?

gimmethatfish; thanks!

I will raid your tank for the snail, let me know your address


add:

a UV light is not expensive, but it is the (important?) equipment that you really need it or not.

a wild discus can easily goes up to $300 a piece, just imagine a tank full of wild discus, a lot of green swimming. For a tank like this, UV is necessary, to sterilize the water and prevent disease.
I need a UV because will get ready to get Altum angelfish in the fall, and a UV is about $50, not that much, that is the price of single altum angelfish without acclimating, after acclimating, the altum will be expensive because it is very common that all altum die off during one month acclimating period.

[driftwoodhunter]

Originally Posted by Bettatail

I will raid your tank for the snail, let me know your address

haha - I think we should wait for it to breed...

[Michael T]

pressurized CO2 or better lighting.