Water pumps are a different story. I don't skimp on those - it isn't
worth it.
-- Irate Sarcasm - just another free service I offer! >-----Original Message----- >From: owner-nanfa-l-in-nanfa.org [owner-nanfa-l-in-nanfa.org] On Behalf Of >Jase Roberts >Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 12:45 PM >To: nanfa-l-in-nanfa.org >Subject: Re: NANFA-L-- Frugal fish transporting and keeping - cheap coolers >and more > >Aha, this brings up a topic I wanted to start a while back -- fish keeping >on the cheap. Maybe folks could offer suggestions and we can put together >a compilation? Sure, some stuff you need to get from aquarium stores or >other retailers. But a lot of supplies can be picked up *way* cheaper if >they aren't specifically marketed as aquarium supplies. > >I'll start with some examples: >- 4' fluorescent lights (to be used over a glass aquarium top) usually run >$80-100 at aquarium stores. These are virtually identical to 4' "shop >lights" that can be had for $8-12 at various discount stores. >- The filter pads that come with cheapo "over-the-side" filters are >basically just polyster batting sewn in a rectangle. That batting runs >about $2-3/yard at Jo-Anne or other fabric stores. Spend an hour or so >with needle-and-thread (or try hot glue to do it much quicker), and you can >make up enough to last a long time >- Dollar stores have all sorts of things that can be useful -- packs of >suction cups for positioning air lines, kitchen basters for sucking up live >foods. One that I've found to be particularly cool is a collapsible mesh >laundry hamper that makes a great free-standing "corral" for fish while >you're collecting. >- For aquariums where I don't have hoods, I've purchased "foam core" >posterboard at dollar stores and cut it to fit. Give it a couple coats of >spray paint, and it's waterproof. > >Where else have folks found stuff that's useful to fishkeeping, but not >specifically marketed as "aquarium supplies" (with the associated markup)? > >-Jase > > >IndyEsox-in-aol.com wrote: >> This goes along with the recent thread of the better ways of transporting >> fish. Bringing them home in plastic coolers is much better than the way >I used >> to do it. >> >> When I was in the wholesale business, I learned where many of the >Goodwill, >> Salvation Army and similar used goods stores were in central Indiana. >> Between sales calls, I would occasionally have time to check them out, >primarily >> for their used book sections. I have seen perfectly good plastic >coolers for >> $3 or $4. There are sometime assorted clear containers with lids that >could be >> used to segregate specimens. (I think the idea of breathable bags will >work >> out better.) I've kept fish temporarily in larger ones using a sponge >> filter once they are home. >> >> Used aquariums I have found to be overpriced in places like this. There >> have been exceptions. Garage and yard sales are usually better. >> >> In large cities I found the better socioeconomic neighborhoods produced >> higher quality goods and a larger book section at the local Goodwill >Store. >> Large college towns also had good selections. >> >> Chuck Church >> Indianapolis, Indiana USA >> /----------------------------------------------------------------------- >> / This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes >> / Association (NANFA). Comments made on this list do not necessarily >> / reflect the beliefs or goals of NANFA. For more information about >NANFA, >> / visit http://www.nanfa.org Please make sure all posts to nanfa-l are >> / consistent with the guidelines as per >> / http://www.nanfa.org/guidelines.shtml To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get >> / help, visit the NANFA email list home page and archive at >> / http://www.nanfa.org/email.shtml >> >> > >-- >Jase Roberts >Lewiston, Maine >on the Androscoggin River >/---------------------------------------------------------------------- - >/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes >/ Association (NANFA). Comments made on this list do not necessarily >/ reflect the beliefs or goals of NANFA. For more information about NANFA, >/ visit http://www.nanfa.org Please make sure all posts to nanfa-l are >/ consistent with the guidelines as per >/ http://www.nanfa.org/guidelines.shtml To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get >/ help, visit the NANFA email list home page and archive at >/ http://www.nanfa.org/email.shtml /----------------------------------------------------------------------- / This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes / Association (NANFA). Comments made on this list do not necessarily / reflect the beliefs or goals of NANFA. For more information about NANFA, / visit http://www.nanfa.org Please make sure all posts to nanfa-l are / consistent with the guidelines as per / http://www.nanfa.org/guidelines.shtml To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get / help, visit the NANFA email list home page and archive at / http://www.nanfa.org/email.shtml