I just bought some stuff at petsolutions.com

[Raimeiken]

got 3 bags of flourite for my 50 gal [not sure if that's enough :? ] but anyway, it was pretty cheap, only $10 per bag instead of buying it from drfoster blah blah .com

I also bought a triple strip light which costs $100 that total was $129 plus the shipping which was $10, but it didn't add the freight cost ?! wtf? i looked at their freight cost, for the 3 15lb flourite i order which should be an extra $23. The freight cost wasn't in my total 8O 8O dunno what's up with that but , i got $23 more in my pocket now

 

[madasafish]

Hm... that sounds like their computer or phone service is failing to factor in the freight cost. Usually you'll pay quite a bit extra for the bags, as I did when I bought Fluorite for my 55. 3 bags, incidentally, should be just about right, or slightly on the low side. I have 2 bags of fluorite and about 35 lbs of regular gravel mixed in my 55 (looks good, surprisingly, as the regular gravel is black and unobtrusive), and have about 2.5" of substrate. You might think of getting one more bag, as you'll appreciate the added depth for planting those resistent stems that like to come unplanted.

Sounds like Petsolutions has a good deal. In the future, I'd recommend a power compact light rather than a triple strip, as you'll more from each bulb and use up far less space. A 110W PC is a great alternative for another time.

 

[Raimeiken]

I got the triple light because it's the only thing i can afford right now and it's packing 120watts. Pretty good deal, but later when i get a job, i'll probably upgrade to one of those expensive ones that has the fans and everything 8)

 

[madasafish]

Ah, no... I certainly see how a PC light might be $$. I got my 110W PC for $70 on ebay--I def. recommend looking for used lights on ebay. Sometimes (as long as they're not too old) you get a great deal. This fixture was going for $120 on bigalsonline.com--and for much, much more elsewhere--and I got it "as new."

Actually, I'm going to be selling it soon--I changed to a brighter fixture with 220W for my 55! Hurray--I can have almost any plants in there with that much light. Planted tanks are so much fun!

 

[Raimeiken]

I've been searching through ebay and i can't find any good deals at all. So how much are you gonna sell yours?

 

[TankGirl]

Try aquabid.com, too, as they deal exclusively in aquarium hobby items.

 

[Allivymar]

Pssst madasa....lemme know when you'll be selling your lighting..I could use better lighting on MY 55g *hint hint*

Although, I forget; is it one long strip? May not work on mine; my tank has 2 hoods and a support bar in the middle.

 

[TankGirl]

Allivymar, I have long strips across the top of my 55, and just have glass in the spaces for the two hoods. It is long enough to span the tank and rest on each end, so don't let that stop ya!