F15hguy Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 ok, have wanted to do this for a while. a fun fish tank for under $50 this has used a bit of luck and I Am not factoring in any staff discounts or freebies (except for the 1L of gravel I am using which I was going to throw away otherwise) one of my dreams has been to own a Dwarf puffer, and with my 21L marine setup closing down I thought this was a perfect time. This tank and Filter cost me $15 from the local markets (the 2 goldfish ended up living happily in a pond) so total budget so far is $15 Gravel is free due to me cleaning out a pond, but anyone can get 1-2L of free gravel anyways. my Light is a Desk Lamp from bunnings for $10 and the bulb is from by G/F;s closet (shhhhhh... I told her it was blown) Budget so far is $25 The fish will be 1x Puffer ($14) And 5 x Leopard fish (I have a breeding setup to evacuate to if required) Live snails provided by other tanks Budget = $39 including livestock.... pics once i've finished rinsing Gravel and tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 No heater? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted January 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 lol, woops, a old heater I have sitting around, 50W, made in NZ, Reliant. could buy an equivilent heater for arounf $10 on trademe total $49 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 Ooo $1 to spend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 my Light is a Desk Lamp from bunnings for $10 and the bulb is from by G/F;s closet (shhhhhh... I told her it was blown) won't it be too bright for the tank, at least you won't need a heater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted January 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 Tank setup and filled, gone for a 50/50 raised back section for a bit of interest, water all cleared and awaiting plants tomorrow. might stop off at local creek and see what freebies I can find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 Do we have to force photos out of you again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deaf_rattle Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 I want to see the leopard fish! i have got some myself. Very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted January 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 will be stealing cuttings out of tanks today at work and will introduce 5 young Leopards tonight, and install heater (and turn on filter, was supposed to this morning but forgot) THEN i might take a pic btw need help thinking of a name for my Dwarf puffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 What about Killer? Or Slayer? Or something else really befitting of a tiny wee fish :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgustipated Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 might stop off at local creek and see what freebies I can find i thought you said no freebies? i just set up a tank too, definitely under $50 120l tank and filter are my spares, flourite and sand from an old tank, rocks were originally around $10, terracotta piping found under a house. light was $10, plants $10, two gobies $8 and 5 kulhi loaches about $20... whoops, blew the budget. ah well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgustipated Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 still a bit cloudy, but filled it with mature/cycled water from my big tank, so threw the fish in straight away. will probably get a bacterial bloom soon but will keep an eye on it. such a silly fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted January 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 completely forgot my plants tonight, so here is some pics to keep you happy, have one small piece of drift wood im considering adding a bit of anubius to but not 100% sure i can fit atm (btw they are very low quality taken with my $50 underwater video camera) Base Scape best photo i could get to show my big girls size (so out of focus but she is about as long as my finger) Tannins for Drift wood im sinking atm, but give you a rough idea of how good my girl is (BTW only about 1/3 of the tank, the rest is as stocked, they are all hiding in the plants I pushed aside) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted January 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 my amazing photography skills continue to astound people, so i can't be bothered posting pics until the plants start up properly, added today, 1 x Ambulia stem (bound to multiply) (trimmed from a tank) 5x Hygrophilla polysperma stems (Trimmed from a pond plant) 1 x Crypt (I think Wendtii, long narrow reddish leaves with wavey outline) off shoot from another tanks plant 3 x Twisted Val (unwanted extra in a tank) some green Lud, 2 stems, currently floating to convert from emersed grown, (found in my local creek) and 6 happy little Leopard fish younguns (about 1cm long each, feeding and staring at me already) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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