Aquarium shopping essentials

[tigerino]

What's the most underrated piece of gear you'd never skip when setting up a new tank? I'm talking stuff beyond the basics like heaters and filters. Got a 20 gallon I'm cycling soon and wanna make sure I don't miss anything sketchy.

[bould]

Honestly, a gravel vacuum. Sounds dumb but I skipped it my first time and regretted it hard when the substrate got nasty. Got a Python one now, way easier than scooping crap out with a cup.

[guppyfin]

Honestly, a gravel vacuum. Sounds dumb but I skipped it my first time and regretted it hard when the substrate got nasty. Got a Python one now, way easier than scooping crap out with a cup.

Yep, gravel vacs are lifesavers. Also, test kits. Don't cheap out on strips, get the liquid ones. API Master Kit's pricey but worth it when your cycle stalls and you're staring at ammonia spikes like 'why live'.

[Aidsy]

Airstone. My fish were straight up gasping before I added one. Now they're chill and the water's way clearer. Cheap too, like ten bucks at PetSmart.

[founder]

Spare heater. Had one die at 3 AM in winter and lost half my stock before I could replace it. Now I keep a backup in the closet. Also, get a timer for your lights unless you wanna grow algae like it's your job.

[Kalani]

Spare heater. Had one die at 3 AM in winter and lost half my stock before I could replace it. Now I keep a backup in the closet. Also, get a timer for your lights unless you wanna grow algae like it's your job.

Big mood on the timer. Forgot mine once and came back to a tank that looked like pea soup. Adding to the list: turkey baster for spot cleaning and feeding shy fish. Weirdly handy.

[tigerino]

Solid tips, especially the test kit and spare heater. Gonna grab those before I start cycling. Thanks, folks.

[guppyfin]

One more thing: if you're planting, get tweezers and scissors. Trying to shove Anubias into substrate with your fingers is like performing surgery with oven mitts.

[bould]

True. Also, magnet cleaners. Scraping algae off the glass with a sponge gets old fast.

[Aidsy]

Magnet cleaners scratch acrylic though. Found that out the hard way. Glass only, unless you wanna ruin your tank.