Jennifer V Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 (edited) I've had so much fun with my tank so far that my mom decided to buy one for my dad for his birthday. I started with all Tetra brand products -- heater (which already broke), flake food, chemicals like safe start, aquasafe, easy balance (I still don't know what that one does). My question is, what are your top recommendations for what I should put in my dad's care package to get him started? What would be in your survival kit? Edited January 23, 2021 by Jennifer V More info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenFins Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 It really depends what your dad wants to do with it. Does he want to do live plants? or fake plants? etc. For Live Plants I would do stuff like Easy Green, Root Tabs, Water Conditioner, Heater, Filter, Planted Tank Substrate, API Master Test Kit For fake plants I would do do everything above that is bolded 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 @James Black he'll probably end up with mostly fake plants, although I want to send him some marimo moss balls. Do you have a water conditioner and heater you like best? It's a 10g tank. Should I get him a sponge filter or have him keep the hob the kit comes with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenFins Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 9 minutes ago, Jennifer V said: @James Black he'll probably end up with mostly fake plants, although I want to send him some marimo moss balls. Do you have a water conditioner and heater you like best? It's a 10g tank. Should I get him a sponge filter or have him keep the hob the kit comes with? the sponge filter and the hob will do fine, it doesn't matter. I like the seachem prime as a water conditioner and as for the heaters, fluval makes some nice ones. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanTruth Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 A thermometer might be good for the kit. Makes sure the heater is doing its job correctly. I have one in a tank I don't run a heater in too, just to sort of know what's going on in the tank. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 4 minutes ago, OceanTruth said: A thermometer might be good for the kit. Yes! I totally forgot about that. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fonske Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 In my survival kit, the most important item would be a water testing kit. Then a good siphon, and some sponge(s) and/or algae scraper. The rest (filter, heater, air-stone, light, food, substrate, decor, net(s), dechlorinator, etc.) would depend on the fish species and the water parameters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChefConfit Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 I'd suggest easy strips for water testing (the easier testing is the more he'll do it), a gravel vac, fritz complete from the coop (so you get the pump top and 1 pump treats his whole tank), the med trio, aquarium salt, new sponges for in his HOB and a prefilter sponge or a sponge filter to replace it, an air stone/pump/tubing/checkvalve and a variety of fish foods. That's pretty much the shopping list I'd give anyone who just set up their first tank minus any stuff for plants. You also mentioned his heater broke. If he has fish that need one you can get him a small preset one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDukeAnumber1 Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Aquarium tweezers and a Lees specimen container are both tools I think anyone would be glad to have whichever way they decide to setup their tank. And I would include a usb nano air pump too with tubing and air stone, aeration is king. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 A last minute gift could be going with him to the LFS to pick out fish based on the setup you've picked for him, giving him tips on various fish (this species could be too shy, this species grows too big, that species and the other one that you like will get along just fine, that fish will color up and look gorgeous, etc.). Good luck, what a lucky Dad he is! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 15 minutes ago, Maggie said: A last minute gift could be going with him to the LFS to pick out fish based on the setup you've picked for him, giving him tips on various fish (this species could be too shy, this species grows too big, that species and the other one that you like will get along just fine, that fish will color up and look gorgeous, etc.). Good luck, what a lucky Dad he is! Love this! He lives states away and I haven't seen him in quite awhile so this is my way of connecting with him. I just want him to have the best of everything! I don't think I started with the most amazing supplies because I just didn't know any better and hadn't found all of you gurus yet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 2 minutes ago, Jennifer V said: He lives states away and I haven't seen him in quite awhile so this is my way of connecting with him. If you can't be with him, maybe you could do a "local fish store zoom fish meet and greet" 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingFishKeeper Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Maybe some beneficial bacteria, I've had my cycle crash before and it's probably a literal life saver. I personally love the Tetra Easy Strips. Also one or two buckets since they're a huge help with isolating fish for medication. Plus they're good for water changes. A pipette is also a huge help, especially once bottles get empty it can be hard to get exactly 2 ml for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 2 minutes ago, Maggie said: If you can't be with him, maybe you could do a "local fish store zoom fish meet and greet" 😀 Yes! I was just thinking that! This is going to be so fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 2 minutes ago, FlyingFishKeeper said: Maybe some beneficial bacteria, I've had my cycle crash before and it's probably a literal life saver. What brand of beneficial bacteria do you use? Also, when you say your cycle crashed, does that mean the ammonia, nitrites, etc just went haywire all of the sudden? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingFishKeeper Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 (edited) Personally I use API's Quick Start, but I've heard good things about Fritz's. I had some ammonia, then dosed some bacteria and overnight it took care the majority of it. Might just be a fluke though, I would probably also decide if it's completely needed since I treat it more as a precaution and sometimes it's not needed for months. Edited January 23, 2021 by FlyingFishKeeper Added more context 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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