Path: utzoo!hoptoad!mejac!decwrl!labrea!husc6!bbn!bbn.com!sjencso
From: sjencso@bbn.com (Steve Jencso)
Newsgroups: alt.aquaria
Subject: Re: cheap stuff
Keywords: stuff that is cheap
Message-ID: <24179@bbn.COM>
Date: 4 May 88 13:34:50 GMT
References: <3787@gryphon.CTS.COM>
Sender: news@bbn.COM
Reply-To: sjencso@cc6.bbn.com.BBN.COM (Steve Jencso)
Distribution: alt
Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc., Cambridge MA
Lines: 29


Now for my $.02. As I get more into the hobby, I am finding that what
Richard says is true. You don't have to pay that much for a setup.

I got back into the hobby about 1.5 years ago and spent about $150
for the 29 gallon setup (includes stand). The second 29 gallon I set
up was half as much since I got the tank and stand from someone who
got out of the hobby.

I have recently discovered the discounts available through mail-order.
The magazine 'Freshwater and Marine Aquarium' has ads from several
mail-order houses. I was amazed at the markup in the retail pet stores.
For example, the Hagen AquaClear 200 sells in stores around here for
$28-$30, I found it for $15. 

Also in FAMA are articles that give you ideas on how to cut the cost
by do-it-yoourself projects. There was a recent article on building
stands for aquariums. Also, why spend the $30-$50 for a hood when
you can pick up a flourescent light fixture for $10-$15.

The more money you save on setting up a tank, the more tanks you can
set up.


As for heaters, there are cold winters up here in the NorthEast and without
heaters my fish would end up doing the back float. As a warning, I have had
problems with Supreme heaters. The thermostat occasionally gets stuck and
you end up having boiled fish for supper.  The tank has to be monitored
closely when you use a heater to prevent this from happening.