so what's your 5 best investments in fishkeeping?

[FSM]

for me it was
1 python 25.00 new and never spills a drop.
2 marineland 150 gallon tank w/ stand, lights, glass hoods 400.00 used
3 fx5 189.00 new
4 100 lbs 3m color quartz aggregate
5 fish: 2 oscars@ 1.5" 8.00, 2 gold sevs @ 2" 4.00, jaguar @ 1.5" 5.00

after a long day at work, just waking up, or just sitting and watching my fish is just so relaxing and enjoyable. my kids enjoy the tank as well as wc time lol. besides its cheaper then a therapist and much more rewarding!

after a long day at work, just waking up, or just sitting and watching my fish.....priceless

 

[dmopar74]

1. my first tank, a 38g, got me hooked
2. internet so i can be on MFK and learn so much info
3. python, no explanation needed
4. a new widescreen tv, so that i was out of money and my gf was forced to buy me a new 180. now thats smart thinking!
5. a laptop so that i can view my new tv, MFK, and 180 from my recliner!

 

[James B.]

python
non glass heaters
bigger tanks
bigger filters
pot scrubbers instead of brand name filter material, saved me a ton of money

 

[ar0wan]

waste of money IMO... you are paying for water, I would invest in a rubbermaid tub or garbage can and mix in that...

found a pair in my own neighborhood with a big "FREE PLEASE TAKE" sign on em so my investment was low.

 

[Twicksisted]

hmmm let me see:

1.)Fluval FX5 (cut down water changing frequency three fold)
2.)Eheim Tank (looks the dogs)
3.)White river Sand (much better looking than gravel)
4.)30litre plasterers bucket (for water changes, extra big, good handles)
5.)Fire-Eel (amazing fish... great personality & size)

 

[amehel0]

undersink carbon filter (makes wc a breeze)
10' diamtre 2' tall pond (keep my barraz happy)
150w Metal Halide.(go it for 75)
My first sump(did really good bio filtration)
Aquafx 1800 filter(internal, works a charm never have probs mainteance so easy and loads of bio area!)

Things i would never buy again

FX5 not worht the price(500 over here is the cheapest price0
Aqau one heaters i had 5 now only 2 work and ive only been keeping sine march '07
Otto FBF, peice of crap didnt work.

 

[itzacraze]

no particular order of greatness..... r/o unit uv sterilizer co2 injection python and water parameter tests...

 

[Sic_Maggot13]

eheim canister
python
amquel +

 

[seamus]

Very timely since I just finished an experiment. I would have to say my UGJ system. It was alot of work for something I wasn't sure was going to make a difference till now. I was curious to see if the work was worth it so I unplugged the pump and my sand was covered in waste in a day. Vacuumed and plugged it back in and back to not needing to vacuum my sand.

BTW. With a powerhead I guess it's not much work but I have mine plumbed under the tank with a heater module, all plumbing painted to blend in with the background and jets covered in sand to hide them.

Other than that I love my Malaysian driftwood, sinks right off the shelf and the large pieces are gorgeous. And Purigen to clean up the tannins from the wood.

 

[vanimate]

Eheims are a good investment. They cost a little more, but I have some that have been running non-stop for 5+ years with minimum maintenance and no replacement parts