Cost too high

[yhbae]

The hobby does get expensive, my electricity bills alone run between $60 and $100 more than they did before I got MTS!

Per month? Wow! I would have thought in Texas, it stays pretty warm most of the time? (Geez, what do I know, I'm stuck in the winterland... )

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Unfortunately, we don't celebrate Christmas, though I got $40 yesterday fro Eid and so did my brother. He'll probably give me his so I can get a gerbil and supplies for him and the rest for the fish. ($80 in all) My stepmom doesn't believe in paying me for chores, and we live in an apartment. Still looking for a job, though...

 

[joshua]

buying one testing kit here and i can buy 100 neons (you get my point?) fish here are usually dirt cheap but testing kits here n other stuff are very expensive so i just do without them

 

[wuvmybetta]

gadazobe is right on....get friendly with your lfs, ask if they ever get used tanks and such, if you find the right shop I'm sure they'd be more than willing to help a young hobbyist

I know BettaBoy'z volunteers at her lfs and they always hook her up with free/discounted stuff,maybe you could do something like that

 

[Jonah]

I know at my local fish suppliers, they will do a water test free unless it is a bank holiday. I do not possess a water testing kit (although I intend to ask for one at Christmas from hubby or mother) but water changes work (believe me). As for diseases, I am lucky enough to be able to afford the medicines but the deaths are still very sad. If you have a particular disease in your tank and I already possess some of the medicine, I would gladly send it to you free of charge to save your babies!

 

[Aulonochromis]

Just buy everything online, it's half the price of stores. I know some of the major stores sell way cheaper online and they will match their online price in the store if you bring in a printout.

Also if you want to score cheap equipment pick up your local Advertiser, Trader, Buyand Sell, or whatever it is called in you area. You know those weekly classified ad papers full of advertisements that you find near the newspapers in convienience stores? I look in mine every week and always see things like complete 30 gallon setups with stand, light, and everything for under $100. I only wish I would have discovered this thing sooner.


http/www.bigalsonline.com/

http/www.petsmart.com/

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I try steering clear of the internet when it comes to buying stuff from other people, but I guess I could give it a go as long as I don't try to buy the fish...

Wuvmybetta, how does the volunteering thing go? I tried getting jobs (filled out forms) at Petsmart, Walmert, and lfs, but I didn't get an answer. I guess I'll have to look for a job elsewheree to support my hobby, but how do I get the lfs to let me volunteer? That sounds pretty cool (both the discounts and taking care of the fish, mind you ).