low budget

Hi guys, So I'm trying to start 2 Walstad aquariums for the first time using the equipment I already own. First, I'd like to try making a small, 1/2 gallon glass bowl with no heater, filter, and just the lighting from my desk. I'd like to use it to breed pond snails since I plan on...

I am new to the forum, want to share my aquarium. Please comment, Cheers! Click image for larger version. Name: IMG_0023_small.jpg Natural Style Aquarium Click image for larger version. Name: IMG_0014_small.jpg Filter System with Aquaponics Click image for larger version. Name...

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum, and have a few questions I need some help with. I have a 36x18x17 40 or 50 gallon breeder tank I am setting up for my 4 (3 yr old) fair-won goldfish (looong story with these poor guys lol). I have spent the last few weeks looking at lighting choices, and I am...

I got this tank from my in-laws over Christmas. It was destined for the dump, so I rescued it. I have been looking at tanks and really enjoying getting back into the hobby, so I decided that I would have a go at setting up a dirted tank. There are some amazing scapes that have been achieved...

Hey Everyone! I have been creeping around the forums now for quite awhile... really ever since My husband and I set up our first 5 gallon betta tank and I have been dreaming of more ever since. Finally my husband caved and we went for a larger set-up. I thought this was an appropriate time to...

After being inspired by all your jaw-dropping tanks on this forum i decided to start up a new tank. My goals for this tank are to setup a low-maintenance, low-tech tank for as cheap as possible, but still have something beautiful (The tank is going to be in my bedroom so it needs to look...

Hi all, we set up a very low tech dirt planted tank two days ago. I originally wanted to set it up using mineralized to soil substrate, but with the snow storms, I just soaked the top soil outside (without the wet and dry cycles) and decided to switch to the Walstad "El Natural" method. My wife...

Hello! I received my first aquarium when I was 8. It was a gift from my now late dad. I've tried to keep aquariums whenever possible because I feel it's a remnants from my father's personality. Plus, I enjoy the beauty! Now it's time for me to go to college! It's a new step in my life so why...

Hey everyone, I'm fairly new to all of this stuff. So far I've managed to put together 4 different Walstad-method bowls for bettas, snails and ghost shrimp. I've recently started experimenting with threading java moss to stones, wood, etc. Basically, I'm graduating college next week and...

I had many more cichlids than my 29 gallon setup could handle, and I could not keep up with the water changes / cleanings. The light and heater are 20y old. Literally. The filter is a Aqueon quiet something 30 purchased 2y ago. Last night I sold my cichlids and we impulse purchased some...

Hey Everyone! I'm in desperate need of new lighting for my 55-gallon freshwater (I'm currently running only 1, 32-watt florescent which is obviously not cutting it) , but I am on a very strict budget, so I'm really looking to get a lot of bang for my buck ;) I came across this lighting system...

Hello everyone! I'd like to call for a wide range of expertise to advise me on my current goal. Planted aquariums have entailed a long and expensive learning curve for me and I’m still not and will never be omniscient on the topic. Notwithstanding, collaborations of minds tend to provide the...

As is... Readily apparent by my complete lack of posts, I am fairly new to planted tanks. I had a standard ten gallon a few years ago (Two 15 watt incandescent lights and playing by ear) , and fiddling around, I managed to keep anubias, anacharis, and java moss alive. Well, I was just lucky...

I currently have a standard 29 gallon tank set up with a bunch of Jack Dempsey fry that are getting sold very soon. I want to start up my first planted tank. I want to stay low-tech. I dont want to mess around with Co2 but I am up to doing ferts either using root tabs or liquid. Currently the...

I have been in aquariums all my life, but this time I think I shot myself in the foot! I have been planning to do a large planted aquarium for a while, but the opportunity has never presented itself (a.k.a. short on $$$). Well, I got my chance. I have a 75 gal, 48" long aquarium! I have Anubis...

First post but I've been reading alot (without much success). I have a newly established 10 gallon with fluoramax substrate. It will be housing some mollies moved from another tank. Im needing some help finding adequate lighting for my first planted tank. Im looking for low cost and...

:help:Hi everyone, I have been reading your forum posts and have found it very educational. Thank you so much! I do have a question though, I was trying to decide on what to stock my 20 gallon tank with and I wasnt sure if this would work. Advice? School of 7 neon tetras 1 male fancy guppy 2...

Ok so here’s the deal I currently have a 6‘long X 1.5’wide X 2’deep 130 gallon tank with 2 36” T12 life-glo bulbs. I have some amazon swords that are doing pretty good I guess and I have a few other plants that aren’t doing all that well so I want to upgrade my lighting but I don’t want to spend...