Buying EVERYTHING You Need for an AQUARIUM on a BUDGET

Buying EVERYTHING You Need for an AQUARIUM on a BUDGET

Are you looking into buying your first aquarium? In this video I share how you can get a new aquarium going on a modest budget.

To learn more as a beginner fish keeper, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQfZ4SsSis1Plg36H_GnwhpGBI5UtWQw5&si=ELPmzJkDCLju2KnD5oyZMQ

Link to fish foods, plants, and aquarium supplies http://www.aquariumcoop.com
Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Tazawa_Tanks
Tazawa Tanks Merchandise: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/tazawa-tanks/all

Editor: Matt Gray at http://www.grayfamilyfilms.com/

Music Attribution from Soundstripe:
Everything You Need
Fleece Mob
TO5SYPZNSKZDUUGV

A Day In The Park
Liberty
DHYOHYJ8IM5WR6MW

Santa’s Little Helper
Ian Kelosky
8R7F7EAICIRQTLKU

Mail To:
Tazawa Tanks
58 West Portal Ave 235
San Francisco, CA 94127

Email (for business and sponsorship inquiries only – no fish questions or asking about buying fish): TazawaTanks@gmail.com

Disclaimer: This video and description may contain affiliate links. I am also employed by Aquarium Co-Op, LLC. Some video content may be sponsored by Aquarium Co-Op.

50 Comments

  1. @peixemineirooficial on August 9, 2025 at 4:45 pm

    Muito difícil. Aqui no Brasil um aquário como esse não sairia por menos que R$2000

  2. @qwertyuiopasdfghjkl4403 on August 9, 2025 at 4:46 pm

    for that budget I’m getting a 75 gallon planted tank setup. I’m lucky fishkeeping needs are fairly cheap here.

  3. @umfalcon1001 on August 9, 2025 at 4:49 pm

    Love this type of content. Keep up the great work!

  4. @ZargarART on August 9, 2025 at 4:51 pm

    Actually I’m just a kid who is on a budget to get a aquarium so yeah😅

  5. @BobBombadil on August 9, 2025 at 4:52 pm

    You had a whole 20 gallon and you didn’t get a few sturgeon? Come on man

  6. @aperson336 on August 9, 2025 at 4:52 pm

    More brackish videos?

  7. @bernoldychrispin1275 on August 9, 2025 at 4:52 pm

    This is so cool love fish 🐠

  8. @mattwest8073 on August 9, 2025 at 4:54 pm

    We have aquarium plants, so we need a light too. I recommend 2 clamp lights with a daylight flood light bulb from the hardware store for true budget lighting on a 20 gal. I would also recommend water test strips for ammonia and the multi test strips or a master test kit so you can measure the nitrogen cycle.

  9. @caseygray6028 on August 9, 2025 at 4:54 pm

    I love that store! Shop there all the time! Jeffery is awesome!

  10. @Chinhnguyen0497 on August 9, 2025 at 4:56 pm

    I’m living in the tropics. Is there a way to keep the water cool in summer? Or do I have to turn the air conditioner on all the time?

  11. @DOGMAN-ex4is on August 9, 2025 at 4:56 pm

    The only thing forgotten was a tank light, how do you expect to keep the plants alive?

  12. @Leeterthanthou on August 9, 2025 at 4:58 pm

    im looking to start and this helped me realize it wasnt gonna break the bank to get a beginner tank and learn!!

  13. @FTFSupremacyROBLOX on August 9, 2025 at 4:58 pm

    3:31 I will say a way cheaper way of getting substrate is by buying gravel from somewhere like tractor supply, it’s way cheaper and you generally get more of it, granted it does take a little bit more washing but just have patience and it will work out.

  14. @audrameyer9558 on August 9, 2025 at 4:58 pm

    It again was so awesome to see my local LFS in your video! Jeff, Jason and their staff are the best 🔥🔥🤗 Their Co-Op supply area looks real nice!

  15. @walkseeworld888 on August 9, 2025 at 5:00 pm

    great vdo thx u.😍

  16. @raullaguardia9424 on August 9, 2025 at 5:03 pm

    You forgot the light and lid

  17. @LuceTheSecond on August 9, 2025 at 5:04 pm

    you know what that means…

  18. @barbaracoleman6641 on August 9, 2025 at 5:04 pm

    I was trying to set up a 20 gallon for a year now bur something always happened and the money I set aside for it had to be used for emergencies. Well, a co-worker was getting rid of her 30 gallon so guess who got a new tank with custom built cabinet, top, heater, and filter for free? I can take that 150 dollars and spend it on decor and fish!😁

  19. @tealac81 on August 9, 2025 at 5:05 pm

    I think u need som kind of light to se the fish

  20. @masoompatel11 on August 9, 2025 at 5:07 pm

    Pea gravel from the hardware store is about $4 for a 50lb bag. Such an easy way to bring down the cost for a new small aquarium set up and you’ll have plenty left over for when you get multiple tank syndrome.

  21. @sarahwoodring5587 on August 9, 2025 at 5:08 pm

    Awesome video! I’m planning a presentation similar to this for our local fish club, and this gave me lots of great ideas.

  22. @aquariumhacksbymarcus5653 on August 9, 2025 at 5:09 pm

    Although I am an experience hobbyist I like these kind of videos b/c they help new fish keepers out

  23. @DaniloPaolucci on August 9, 2025 at 5:10 pm

    How about a bottom feeder catfish?

  24. @caewalker9276 on August 9, 2025 at 5:10 pm

    I love the video. But it should have been about the cycle instead of picking up a cycled sponge. There’s not many places that sell cycled sponges. God , sorry Zenzo. I sound like all those haters.
    Maybe if we talk about getting the whole set up except for the fish, take our aquarium home to set it up just right with the plants,gravel, scape. Then head back to the fish shop in 2weeks. Honestly in my opinion if you are too impatient to wait for the cycle you probably will end up killing the fish in the long run. Fish keeping for me has always been a waiting game.🙂. Once again sorry for the comment. Love your work.👍

  25. @TheAmazingEJK on August 9, 2025 at 5:10 pm

    hiii

  26. @delaineld7766 on August 9, 2025 at 5:13 pm

    Was very excited to see that the Co-op has partnered with my lfs – April’s Aquarium in Vancouver BC. No more driving down to Bellingham to pick up my Easy Green!

  27. @TheJenibird on August 9, 2025 at 5:14 pm

    Started out with a 5 gallon so that once we get a larger tank, I will be ready

  28. @FTFSupremacyROBLOX on August 9, 2025 at 5:17 pm

    $50 budget buy a walmart 10 gal for $15 tractor supply gravel for $5 food and water dechlorinater for $10, filter for $10, a plant or two for $10, have patience to wait two weeks for the tank to cycle, go and catch wild minnows for free.

  29. @TazawaTanks on August 9, 2025 at 5:17 pm

    If you are new to keeping fish, was this video helpful in understanding what you might need to get started?

    Check out this playlist for related videos: https://youtu.be/yYtaycWBXbc

  30. @wadeb.5509 on August 9, 2025 at 5:17 pm

    Good info for the beginner
    Might want to add a hood and light
    Thanks

  31. @LuckAqua on August 9, 2025 at 5:17 pm

    On a budget means I have to create everything from my styrofoam boxes 😅

  32. @bunnysparklzbunnytime5117 on August 9, 2025 at 5:18 pm

    I hadn’t had fish for like 20 years. I got a wild hair and got a couple fish tanks. Started off with 2 female guppy’s. My wife asked if I wanted anymore fish for the tank. "Nope they are garaunteed to be pregnant. I’ll have more than enough in a month." She was surprised that in a months time I managed to stock 2 tanks with 2 guppy’s haha

  33. @ivygarcia6878 on August 9, 2025 at 5:20 pm

    Great video! I might suggest mentioning things that could be used for cleaning the tank as well, like a net, buckets, and a syphon. All of these things are also things a new fish keeper will need.

  34. @Mushroom_dust on August 9, 2025 at 5:20 pm

    I’m new to freshwater fish keeping and I don’t know why but I’m freaking out that I’m gonna mess it up even though I’ve kept several saltwater tanks in the past 😅 thanks~

  35. @WhatHowWhenforWhomWhatpurpose on August 9, 2025 at 5:20 pm

    20 US gallons is about 76 liters, right?

  36. @habibijan on August 9, 2025 at 5:25 pm

    Weird question, but would the guppies eventually be inbred? Are they already? Is that a concern? Thanks.

  37. @kimu.6227 on August 9, 2025 at 5:26 pm

    Pool filter sand from your hardware store is $5 for several tanks worth. Also for livebearers you would want some guppy grass or Java moss free floating for babies. OR you can use plastic Easter grass or yarn tassels for giving the fry someplace to hide.

  38. @chri8482 on August 9, 2025 at 5:27 pm

    great content as always 😀

  39. @SouthPMCserpent on August 9, 2025 at 5:28 pm

    Forgot the lid+ light and stand.

  40. @Cosmikstudios on August 9, 2025 at 5:28 pm

    How freaking cool to see my old haunt. Lived in Northside Sac circa ‘15-‘18. Even worked at AquaWorkz for a year. The depot used to be much smaller. Two rows, one salt one fresh, and then an array of oddballs and trade ins towards the back. Mateus (hope I spelled your name right my guy) was so helpful and got me going. He didn’t want to make a buck off of some inexperienced college kid- he challenged my budget, offered cost effective alternatives, and educated me. I still follow some of his guidelines today. Great to see the depot getting some love. ❤️ Steven

  41. @kennethmarrow3131 on August 9, 2025 at 5:32 pm

    You forgot the net, siphon, heater, thermometer, test strips, glass top, lights, and a bucket totaling $279.50 ?!

  42. @SantaMonicaFiltration on August 9, 2025 at 5:34 pm

    A low cost setup really helps get new people into the hobby. Easy maintenance too.

  43. @allauricia1985 on August 9, 2025 at 5:35 pm

    What happened to the light
    You gotta have a light

  44. @Pennysfishkeeping on August 9, 2025 at 5:36 pm

    Those are beautiful aquariums!

  45. @sapphireheart7547 on August 9, 2025 at 5:37 pm

    Two years ago…. That explain why I Paid over two hundred without animals😂😂😂

  46. @seangray00 on August 9, 2025 at 5:37 pm

    Hello my brother… your setup is unreal. Great work. Where do you get your rimless tanks?

  47. @rantsandreviews on August 9, 2025 at 5:39 pm

    The onscreen link went to "Any given Sunday" LOL!

  48. @sodoberman on August 9, 2025 at 5:40 pm

    first timer for our kids!.. thanks for this video

  49. @pierre-alexandregrondin3677 on August 9, 2025 at 5:42 pm

    When you start with three guppies and then you have twenty, that’s cool but how do we prevent to have like a 100?😅

  50. @nabokovfan87 on August 9, 2025 at 5:44 pm

    Very necessary video. Nice topic

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