Every Fish Keeper Should Have These! 10 Things Every Fish Keeper Should Have! 

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I bought a five gallon bucket for my aquarium and literally the next day my parents let our contractor use it for washing his caulking tools while I was at work. And then they acted like I was overreacting when I told them I couldn’t use the bucket for my fish anymore. I was not happy with them.

*_#1 TIP FOR ADDING NEW FISH-_* *_ALWAYS QUARANTINE NEW FISH!_* Quarantine new fish is IMPORTANT!! Been in the hobby for years, I *NEVER* quarantined & *NEVER* had a problem. I picked up a couple new fish, acclimated them and added them, 1 week later.. a disease broke out & I lost ALL but one (14) of my beloved 7 year old fish! LESSON LEARNED THE HARD WAY! I was so devastated after trying to treat it, fix it & save my beloved fish, I almost tore down all my aquariums & quit the hobby completely!! Glad I didn't, but LESSON LEARNED!!! Now I always keep a 20g going so I can quarantine & for a med tank, I recommend anyone in the hobby to have atleast a 10g cycled quarantine/ med aquarium ready to go! 👍Learn & you will tank me later! 🤭🤭🤭 😉

Lol watching today and the whole world is out of toilet paper.

I use about 4 towels every maintenance day.

A quick note on Number 6 - having a test kit is only worth something if you're actually going to learn what the results mean and how to adjust them. In a lot of cases, especially people just dipping their toes into the hobby, you would be better off taking water to a knowledgeable employee at a good fish store. Get them to walk you through the testing procedure, show you how they're interpreting the results, what they typically mean, and how favourable adjustments should be made. As a perk, trips to the LFS are usually inspiring to new aquarists, and you'll come home more excited/interested in your tank. I'm not saying you shouldn't have one - but a test kit is only useful if know what you're doing with it, and water chemistry can be intimidating when you're just starting out. Spend some time getting a good employee from a friendly local fish store to hold your hand through the first few months until you figure it out.

16:23 if she only turned to the left and screamed. I'd be laughing. Love those bloopers.

I’m surprised a timer wasn’t on the list, I set mine up as my alarm and I see my tank first thing each morning when I wake up. great content keep it up please

3:27 Why is there a head in the bottom left corner of the tank lol

On water change days I lay a couple of puppy training pads in the floor next to the tank. They are great for absorbing any water spills quickly and don’t let the moisture lay against the floor while I finish cleaning the tank and they are reusable! When I am done cleaning the tank I just fold them up and tuck them away with my cleaning supplies for next time!

The idea of lugging buckets with a bad back has kept me from getting back into the hobby for years. That python has made the hobby possible for me, and I'm sure many other who have disabilities too

If only he knew about the toilet paper issues when he made this vid. HAHA

Good stuff! Just getting back into tropical fish. I’ve learned a lot from this video. I watch my fish a lot more than tv! Ain’t no stupid commercials when watching my fish 🐠🐟!⚓️☘️🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🐠✝️

I haven't had a test kit for over 20 years.when I used test kits and did everything like everyone said I was always having issues. I won't go thru what I do but I do nothing by the book and my fish never get sick my water is always clear and balanced.i know the water is balanced as I tested it for ten years when I started doing things my way. I'm not saying everyone is wrong but I don't lose fish and I can leave on vacation and turn on a feeder and come home a month later and everything is fine.

Most important: Patience! Haha! That's definitely what I'm having the hardest time with while doing a fishless cycle for my new aquarium. Thank you for reminding me of several things I hadn't given much thought to that I ought to have on-hand ahead of time!

I use a pond fountain pump with a hose attached to pump the water out, then I pump it back in from a bucket in the sink being filled with the mixer tap, with the digital thermometer to keep an eye on the temp, and water safe added of course

I found this tip years ago, I loved it. You buy plain white felt, run through washer and dryer no detergent fabric softener or air dry. I would cut and place on top of filter where water in going back into tank. amazing what it catches. don't be a fanatic about it. I liked results. good or no?

When you buy your master test kit, buy the GH/KH test kit as well!

Great info! Thanks for all the hard work and patience you guys share with us! I always look forward to new vids!

#11 Just for safekeeping set aside $10,000 dollars for those just in case moments. "trust me on this one, all you have to do is make this mistake once, then you will know what I am talking about."

My recommendation for the sponge thing is to just keep extra clean sponges on hand. My mom always has extra sponges for the kitchen so I always grab a new one when I clean my tank and throw it out after. That way you know it’s gonna be free of soap and stuff. You go through a lot of sponges but in my opinion it’s totally worth it

For those with an acrylic aquarium, forget the sponges and algae scrapers and get magic erasers. They do not scratch the acrylic and will remove spot algae. I use generic unbleached with no issues and no scratching.

Great videos! Informative and well presented. Thanks very much. I've been keeping aquariums for 46 years now, so I'm probably quite clued-up, yet I love watching your clips - even it is just to feel inspired about my life-long hobby. Yes, yes... I'll admit it; I have picked up some bits of advice!

I love the blooper reel at the end, nice touch guys.

That was so cute of you Lisa about "talking about our fish" and you giving out different names/types..........Or shrimp and micro fish :) too.

I never have enough new nets or new sponges. I've taken to buying them online by the dozen. Peace of mind...priceless. 👍💕👍

I'm Glad John and Lisa are back I learn alot from your channel😊 since early 2016 ...I love doing tank maintenance while tuning to your channel..happy fish keeping ciao ciao grazie mille 😉

Takeaways for me: 1. Get another gravel vac. I had stopped using them many years ago. 2. Battery-operated air pump. I have had at least two blackouts over the many years that have killed off tank occupants, and one recent mishap where I forgot to turn the water pump back up to operational level while cleaning the tank. The result has always been the loss of most or all of my largest and most prized specimens.

Thank you for all the great information you always give us. Love the channel, great work.keep it up thanks we appreciate it.

Thanks for the info guys... Please continue your good work 🙏🙏🙏

I really enjoy all your videos. I used to keep several large including a saltwater tank.. now I just have my one little buddy a betta fish.. ralphie.. LOL.. what brought me to your channel was just that I love fish and I enjoy all that yall do.. it keeps me updated on my fish keeping skills until I can have my aquariums back someday!!! Thanks you guys and y'all are awesome!!!

You guys are the best! The bloopers had me rolling! Good stuff thank you for sharing :)

Glad your power is back on or was it never off....love the bloopers..lol ...proves we are all human. Thanks for vid.

That python is a life changer. Amazing product

Great video Lisa and John. Thank you. Great advice. You guys have helped me alot.

Been in the hobby for years.. just now finally ordered the python water exchanger.. only regret.. NOT ORDERING IT SOONER!! Makes water changes relaxing! For all of my aquariums combined, it use to take 6+ hours to clean & do 40% water changes.. now I just sit back & let the python do its thing. Takes about 15-20 min to drain 50% & refill my 55g aquariums (each) It is so much easier & actually relaxing to do water changes now because I am not packing buckets for hours. I enjoy my weekly aquarium chores now, made it fun! The 50ft python is worth so much more than $50 because it completely changed my mindset to keeping my aquariums pristine & my fish friends happy& healthy! Yahooo!

Hi guys! I really like how you get us into this aqua experience and the way you explain head-to-toe. Wait for more video tips. Thanks!

Love the outtakes! Lol!! Thanks for sharing those too, very entertaining. And great information. Subscribed!

Thank you for one more of your always educating videos! I only have 1 heater and just got my first ever discus on sunday 26th of may and havent thought about getting another one for backup!😱

Please think also about a thermometer! One guys heater got a malfunction, didn't stop heating and almost cooked his fish... It's better to have an eye on the temperature. I also got a cooking thermometer to check my new water before the water change. A timer is also very convenient to set up the light periods. All this together was about 15€ but made my life a lot easier.

For water changes, I connected my gravel cleaner to a cannister pump intake and ran extra long tubing from the return out my window right to the gutter. For refilling, I bought a cheap garden hose and a faucet/hose adapter, got the water temp running where it needed to be then connected the hose and ran it straight to the tank. no need for hauling buckets (I was on the 2nd floor and the bathroom/kitchen on the 1st so hauling buckets was a real pain.

1. 5 gallon buckets or totes are handy for sure. 2. You don't need a syphon especially if you have a bare bottom tank and/or goldfsh with a single layer of gravel. A milk jug or a length of hose for syphoning is just fine if your tank isn't immense. 3. Nets can be helpful but some fish can be trained to be hand picked from the tank. You don't need to be constantly picking them up either but if you spend time with them then they will learn to trust you. It's also not nearly as damaging or traumatising to the fish. 4. Avoid disposable filter cartridges. You can get filters that take cut sheets and you can buy a roll of polyester woll for pennies. €3 for a years worth of refills on my 12 fish by just cutting my own filter wool. 5. Don't clean your ornaments. you will end up with the tank partially or fully cycling when you do. That bacteria layer is keeping your fish alive. Depending on your tank and the fish in it a small amount of green algae on the glass is also beneficial. Beware of brown algae and hair algae however. These can cause major issues. For the glsss you can get various tank mates to do much of the work for you from pleco's to snails. I prefer a naural environment. 6. Keep tank salts and amoxacilin handy and a spare tank ot holding tote to treat your fish when needed. Know when and if you need to use them. 7. I'm not saying don't use water conditioner but really they aren't one fix solutions. Depending on water hardnes you can dechlorinate water pretty fast with your airstone and a bucket or tote. No chemicals needed. If you do have really hard water you can use some conditioners but if your water is soft then add some limestone or quartz rocks to the tank. Takes time to learn but totally worth knowing when you find yourself without your chemical backups. 8. The API master test kit upsell is getting old. Affiliate link? Pay attention to your tank and read up on the warning signs and issues. It's helpful to have a test kit but it doesn't HAVE to be API master test kit. There are plenty of options on the market that aren't API and you can even get specific test kits if you need them. I find this option better anyway as when I do need to test something I don't find myself having to go out and buy a complete set just because I used up one specific type of test up first. 9. Absolutely quarantine fish from fish stores. They are riddled with disease and parasites from fish farms. 10. Spare heaters are a must for temperature dependant fish. Otherwise goldfish and some other species will usually do fine with some natural fluctuation. 11. Spare tanks or totes are really important. Also learn how to repair a tank and always keep silicone handy. 12. Wherever you put your tank be ready to move water in and out of it no matter where the source is. 13. You can absolutely upgrade your tank as you go just be sure you are ready to do so when you need to and have a plan in place. If the plan fails be prepared to let your fish go to someone who can take it.

Lol!!!! That "Here we go..." at the end. I feel you, man.

This video is sooo helpful! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

I use canisters from Laboratories - these used to contain sugar, yeast extract or similar. From these canisters I water the plants around the house. A bucket is awesome for temporary fish storage (you need a lid!) but also as a cheap treatment container. A water hose is something I haven't used in ages - I have sand. So much easier and the fish as well as plants love it. The same applies to replacement filter sponge - I have some but no need to use them in the last few years. Gave a few to a friend instead. Medication is useful, but checking he fish daily will help to spare you surprise illness. Severe sickness never happens sudden - wounds are always a problem though. Must have: Air pump, multi-usage for 1. aeration (can become critical druing medication!) 2. treatment bucket 3. makeshift filter replacement Test kits help to determine if the exchange frequencies are ok - and many other things. Must have: Thermometer. Heat has killed more than my fish than any disease. An air pump can prevent the worst of it. Must have: Insurance. Seriously, your fish is one thing, the house and furniture another. Instead of a generator, I recommend a storage accumulator, like the ones sold along with solar panels. In some countries these things also make money for you, by automatically storing cheaper (day) energy and selling more expensive (night) energy. Or just live in a country that has reliable power - It has been years since the power went out... ONCE...for 10 seconds.

Great video. I use a toothbrush for my Anubias leaves.

I had never heard of the python!!! Oh man guys, best tool EVER!!

Good advice. And loved the blupper reel.

Very helpful video, as usual. You guys are great.

Thank for the bloopers. Could always use a laugh.

Lol i think yall jinxed yourself saying "we bought a $600 genrator&power hasnt went out since-no really we havent had an outage since"....... I seen your post the othet night (fri or saturday) about your power outage(shoulda knocked on wood) and im assuming you filmed this beforehand or you wouldnt have emphasized about not losing power since you got a generator (which is how it usually goes lol). Love your guys and channel and though being a fishkeeper since pretty small, i always find out something new and many interesting facts. You can never learn or research enough, knowlege is power. Yalls sense of humor aint half bad either ;) edit: i was listening while driving home from work&couldnt see the subheading and just now am finishing it up and realized yall mentioned the outage

Great stuff. The outtakes were awesome!

I learn so much from these videos. Thanks for putting honest content out there.

Just starting my fish keeping hobby again, after having fish a a kid. I just introduced a Betta fish into an empty 8 gallon filtered tank. I found this video helpful. Definitely going to invest in that API master test kit, and extra meds!

Thank you for the info. I just started my 45.

I have found it very helpful to keep a small syringe w/o a needle to measure liquid chemicals or medications. Its a lot easier than seachem’s way of each thread equals about 1ml and one capful is about 5ml. You can easily measure the exact amount and not mess with oops I added 3 threads worth and only need 1, now what do I do. I then rinse the syringe by pumping it full to empty with fish water multiple times after each use.

Great Info👍 i need to update some expired things 😷your video reminded me Thanks guys

Thank you guys for your amazing videos really happy I found you I am looking to go.back in fish keeping hobby can't believe how much information I got from you guys your are just amazing keep up the great job you guys doing

Yep you have that right John. When I want something I want it now. Lol

I really enjoyed the bloopers. Cool idea!

I watched your whole video and it is great Thanks for the info it really helps 👍 by the way cool fish tank

I’m using the heater my grandad used since he started the hobby 30 years ago and it’s still going strong although I do have a spare one in case 😀

Hey guys ABSOLUTELY GREAT JOB on this video. So many aweful videos that you cant get the answer you're looking for. Very well spoken, great visuals, great information. I felt like I truly learned a lot from you guys. I have a 125 gal with two big ol suckers, variety of tetras, gold dust Molly's etc... about 4 of the tetras have swollen stomachs, one molly cant float so he chills on the gravel. I'm trying my best to keep them happy and healthy! Thank you for the great vid.

I love these videos so much, I feel so comfortable with getting a tank, now! Wish I could’ve shown these to my aunt years ago, when she put her kids gold fish in warm water in case they were cold while washing the tank 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

I love these two!!!

You guys are amazing! I’m just getting into the hobby and I’ve fallen hard for these fish! You guys are very informative! Keep it up! Thanks again

Burp was the best. I can hear eco in it too.... Lol. You have a funny and loving wife. Should be proud of her. Stay blessed.

Lol Bloopers were great

The bloopers were hella funny. LOVE IT!!

thank you guys. I have joined some groups on fb to ask questions when I hit a rough spot. Sadly, not the best way to go for me.

One more tip. I use washable bed pads to put around the tank while doing maintenance or setting up a tank. They keep water and debris off of your floor.

hmm think I have everything except for the full list of the meds. I have a small gene ready for power outages and have already used it once in 5 yrs so far... and I LOVE the last bits.. gotta love the bloopers.. great work, keep it up and I'm looking forward to seeing your new fish room.

What I've noticed so far about keeping clean and clear water is a 25 percent water change everyday 2 days i do this 4 times a week and add my 3 treatments after the 4th change ..its worked brilliant so far and my fish seem to be happy and playful

ROFL!...seriously, great list😎..."oh, it's FedEx "😂 y'all are great💕👍

Yep. I have all of that! Even most of the medication that was recommended besides like 2

GOOD JOB KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!

Love your channel. You and your wife are extremely knowledgeable.

Excellent advice. I have all of those things now. I made so many mistakes when I started. I made all the mistakes. I am not proud of that. Your 10 things series is filled with excellent advice.

Well done both of you I am happy I have joined you page 👍

Very interesting video,i have a 50 litre tank next to each tank i have so each tank has water set at the same to cover the tank next to it great for water changes etc.

One of those magnetic glass cleaners work very well, and take only seconds to clean the glass. The handle with the sponge should be for hard to reach areas such as the back of the tank.

I watched the lights out video before seeing this one and laughed out loud when I got to the generator part on this one. All great ideas! I'm a new fish keeper and I appreciate you guys for these videos. Thanks!

I definitely agree with a generator for power outages. I have a generator because of this. The only thing the generator runs is my tanks. I'm in Maine where we get snow from September to May, and our "summer" only reaches to 50F/10C. From Dec to March we have multiple blizzards per week, and the ice storms knock out power all the time, which often is down for weeks before the power company gets the grid back up. A decade ago, we lost 73 fish due to an power outage, and we got a generator after that. Since than, we've had on average 5 power outages per year and the generator has kicked in each time, and we've never lost fish again due to power outages. A generator is probably one of the best things we invested in for our fish.

The Bloopers at the end were priceless. Keep'm coming

😂 The bloopers were great!

For saltwater, my must have is kalkwasser. It's old fashioned, but if there is a random dip in pH, alkalinity, or calcium, it's good to have in order to keep those things stable. You can't just dump tons of 2 part in at once because of the salinity and pH, so the kalk does in a pinch big time.

I one time had a 150 gallon Discus tank and after the live plant bulbs fully grew and formed a nice canopy on top of the tank and made for some nice hiding spots for the little scools of danimos the water quality greatly improved and the fish definitely seemed happier with the added foliage. And unlike any other fish I've ever owned the Discus seemed to watch me more than I watched them and never had a problem adjusting the ph after I bought the right chemical. It was a while ago so i completely forgot what the ph for Discus was but more than anything that was the biggest struggle but fish are sorta flexible with ph as long as the proper bacteria are in the filter media and water has no ammonia.

you can make a DIY watr change system, with simple plumming supplys. including an activated charcoal in-line filter that removes chlorine.

Great video as always guys :)

The "bloopers" are cute at the end. Love your videos.

Always need reminders! 😊😊

I haven't used buckets in years, I just use a inline pump and I have a hot and cold water faucet setup for filling the tanks

So while I was keeping fish I was also a miniature gamer (games workshop) this turned out to be really luck as it meant I had milliput on hand for when my tanks silicon failed it wasn’t the prettiest after but there was no way that join was going to fail again, a few years later the same tank was used to keep a hamster in and the joint even survived him trying to Chew his way out without him even scratching it. So ied recommended keeping some fish tank grade milliput (or other brand) on hand just in case.

Thanks for the tips!

Omg ! Lmao The bloopers are everything!😂 The Fed ex guy!🤣🤣🤣 Lisa? You should make, brand and sell an official KG Tropicals, towel that has your cute little cartoon face figure on it...that says..."SOMEBODY, get me a towel!?" With your KG Tropicals logo on it. Hm? People love SWAG =( Something We All Get) Great video. 👍

Lol on the generator!! I did the same thing 7 years ago... power would go out for a few days a couple times a year.... I got a generator hooked up, no power outages since. :)

Pretty good talk,thx👍🏾

The bloopers were great

Now that’s a beautiful betta right there.... I want one now

Quarantine tank. Knew I was forgetting something as i do this setup for the first time in years.