Name the three tools of the trade you couldn't live without.

[MrsPancakes]

Share your go-to tools and maybe learn about some new ones along the way.
My top 3:
1. Python ( I can't believe I did water changes on a 55 with a bucket once upon a time)
2. 10ml syringe (I have used this thing from measuring chemicals to rescuing fry. I couldn't live without it)
3. Aquascape tool kit (Never again do I have to stick my whole arm in the tank to fix and uprooted plant)

 

[DoraCory]

1) Gravel vac
2) Long tongs
3) a 2-litre jug, it has been so useful for so many tank related activities

 

[Argos]

1. Aquarium
2. Water
3. Plants

 

[kallililly1973]

Aqueon water changer
Turkey baster
Long scissors n tweezers
The list goes far beyond those 3

 

[MrsPancakes]

Aqueon water changer
Turkey baster
Long scissors n tweezers
The list goes far beyond those 3

I had a hard time picking too.

 

[faydout]

Maxi jet for water changes, I prefer dosing prime before the water goes in the tank
Python nano tank vac with 6 foot hose, allows very thorough gravel vacuuming
Fluval plant tools, just the best planting tools I've owned so far

 

[mattgirl]

Turkey baster: I use this on an an almost daily basis

Extra long gravel vac: I had to join a shorter piece of 1 inch rigid tubing to the original rigid tube to reach the bottom on my 55 gallon tank. I can remove the extension for smaller tanks.

Buckets: 2 - 5 gallon for waste water. I can fill one and carry it out to dump it on plants while the second is filling. 1 - 4 gallon fresh water bucket that I use for treating and temp matching the new water and then transfer it to 1 - 2 gallon for pouring water back in tank.

 

[kallililly1973]

I had a hard time picking too.

Cause some days u need different things like when I do my small tanks I need my homemade airline with a bbq skewer attached to do WC’s and a small beach pail and a colander to add the water back

 

[martymulligan]

1. A razor blade for getting limescale off my tank rim (curse hard water)
2. An old credit card for getting the algae that grows under the substrate on the glass
3. Some thin string or cable ties to attach plants exaaaaactly where I want them

 

[BabsandLoon]

1) Turkey baster
2) old toothbrush (works wonders for cleaning algae off plants)
3) water vacuum

 

[ProudPapa]

Other than the ones mentioned above, I have a cheap set of different sizes of plastic measuring cups. They come in handy for a variety of things; not necessarily for measuring, but just in general. Everything from thawing frozen fish food to dipping water from shrimp tanks during water changes.

 

[Demeter]

1. 5gal bucket
2. Towel
3. Tongs

Honorable mentions: hands, arms, and legs for hauling those buckets up and down the stairs. RIP my poor right rotator cuff

 

[Elkwatcher]

1. Pipettes for dosing and feeding
2. Long tweezers
3. Turkey baster great for priming the filters on start up.

 

[MrsPancakes]

1. A razor blade for getting limescale off my tank rim (curse hard water)
2. An old credit card for getting the algae that grows under the substrate on the glass
3. Some thin string or cable ties to attach plants exaaaaactly where I want them

Great idea with the use of a credit card to get that gunk!

 

[kattiq]

1. Python WC
2. Tweezers/plant scissors
3. Magic Erasers- for that lovely water stain that forms around the rim of my tank.

 

[faydout]

Turkey baster great for priming the filters on start up

I've owned a few espresso machines over the years, so I've got a few of those stainless steel frothing pitchers sitting around. I've donated one of them to do this kind of general purpose stuff. I do use a turkey baster to get my cichlid pellets down into the plants so my tetras don't get it all first.

I'd also like to give an honorable mention to magic erasers. EDIT: And tarps. Inalvuable when you're working in a tank on carpet.

 

[StarGirl]

Gravel Vac
Kallilillys Airline Vac
Glass scraper.

These are the things I use most!

 

[FinalFins]

Towel,
Bucket,
Various syringes from 1ml-10ml

 

[Danny002]

Turkey Baster: I used it almost every day for feeding
Python: Great for water changes
Towel: I always have one or two nearby to dry anything off

 

[AsleepInYorkshire]

1. RODI water
2. Automatic water changes
3. Fluval FX4 filter with Biohome Ultimate media

No phosphates, not nitrates, no chores. Just complete enjoyment.

AiY'n'U
Or should I say "smug in Yorkshire"

 

[JamesVader]

1. Sponge filters
2. Easy Green fertilizer
3. Prime

 

[Wrench]

My siphon pump and buckets.
My hands.

 

[MrsPancakes]

Turkey Baster: I used it almost every day for feeding
Python: Great for water changes
Towel: I always have one or two nearby to dry anything off

Oh yes...the much needed towel!

 

[mattgirl]

Oh yes...the much needed towel!

I agree, I keep 2 with my water changing equipment. I spread them on the floor to catch the inevitable drips.

 

[StarGirl]

I agree, I keep 2 with my water changing equipment. I spread them on the floor to catch the inevitable drips.

I just use the 2 from the bathroom on the way down to the laundry!

 

[RockinRy]

Not calling you guys tools, but the knowledge I gain from FishLore is invaluable to me!

 

[ProudPapa]

I wouldn't say I can't do without it, but I ordered some strainers from Amazon (kept one and gave the other one to my wife to use in the kitchen). It's the best thing I've found for removing duck weed and assorted floating plant debris. Here's the link if anyone else is interested: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R295ZFN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

Have a bucket with some water in it nearby to dip the strainer in to remove the debris that you've picked up.

 

[BigManAquatics]

Gravel vac, syringe, buckets and towels

 

[Dennis57]

Well everyone pretty much said everything, so I'll add
1-glass, some ice then scotch. Sit in my massage chair and enjoy the Fish.

 

[KribensisLover1]

I feel VERY strongly about this:
1.) PYTHON. I DONT CARE IF YOU HAVE A 5 GALLON. It is less messy and takes away the utter dread you feel when you have to do water changes. I bet TONS and TONS of people don’t change their water as much because it’s such a pain. And messy!

Bringing me to

2.) Cooper Atkins or Kizen thermometer (any meat thermometer). I used to spend SO LONG waiting for my thermometer to read the water temps during changes. It took so long I would run out of hot water! These read instantly AND they are much more accurate. This legitimately cut down my water change time by 33% Bc I was so worried about sensitive fish and making sure I was within 2 degrees and every tiny move of the faucet would greatly change the temperature so I spent so long waiting etc etc.


3.) microfiber cloths. Soak up SO MUCH and they don’t scratch acrylic.

Honorable mentions
4.)Hmmmm I would say Prime I think. I get a bit nutty about water parameters so when I’m worried (side note API LIQUID MASTER TESTS: A MUST) and if I’m running late and have to wait to do a change I can add prime. I do water changes with very great frequency yet I still worry. ALSO if your tank is not fully cycled it’s a must.

4.) a lid. Lost a few fish that way! Love the look, yet not the issues it brings.

5.) this is something I love—my SeaClear Acrylic tank. I have a glass tank as well (see photos below!) and look at the difference in clarity and the gorgeousness of having no seams. This isn’t a must, yet I won’t put a show tank in my new house, no matter what, until I have another Acrylic.

6.) safe and clear acrylic spray from API. You can’t use windex and this stuff works wonders.

Pics of acrylic Seaclear vs glass. Well worth the investment imho. Though I have to leave the acrylic tank at my parent’s house Bc I set it up there initially and I’m too scared to move it and scratch it lol.

Well everyone pretty much said everything, so I'll add
1-glass, some ice then scotch. Sit in my massage chair and enjoy the Fish.

I was telling somebody fish keeping is hard and a ton of work and they mocked me mercilessly. And somebody else said ‘yes it is if you have salt water’. I don’t have saltwater and I still feel like it’s hard and a ton of work. Needless to say neither of the people who commented have tanks.

 

[yeti79]

1. Gravel vacuum- Beats sucking water through a hose!
2. Pipette- Use for feeding, water test, adding liquids like prime, getting danio eggs/fry
3. Buckets- Can you own an aquarium and not have one?
Honorable mention planting tweezers- Trying to stick plants in substrate with big arthritic fingers does not work well.

 

[AlyeskaGirl]

Paper Towels (free of dye) work great for wiping inside of tank walls. Even submerge to wipe any of the soft algae away when needed. Wet but works great.

Tooth brush for cleaning canister and area etc.

Hydrogen Peroxide with a spray nozzle

Step ladder

Python for draining out the window and my setup for refilling from the kitchen faucet

 

[FishGirl115]

Bucket
Live plants
Seachem Prime

 

[AcornTheBetta]

Towel
Siphon
Prime

 

[BlackOsprey]

Buckets
Siphon
measuring spoon

Without the first two, this hobby would be such a hassle that I wouldn't bother. Measuring spoon just makes dosing all sorts of things a lot easier.