40 Gallon Tank Tips on making money off my tank?

Hello everyone! I know a lot of you guys sell plants, fry and other things from your tank and I was hoping to get in on this!
The thing is, rural Montana is not a fishkeeping hotspot!
I have some ideas on things I could do.
Sell rocks (Montana has tons of beautiful aquarium safe rocks) but shipping rocks is insanely expensive!
Sell plants. I'm planting my tank, you guys have any tips selling my clippings and stuff when I get enough?
Breed fish. I only have a 40gal right now. But next year I might set up my 20gal, could I breed platys or molly's? And how would I sell the fry? (I don't have any local pet stores besides petco and petsmart, who don't buy fry)
And here's the last one:
Selling aquarium water? Montana may not be a fishkeeping paradise, but there are tons of gardeners. Does anyone here do it? It's an amazing fertilizer, all of my house plants are verrry healthy! And I get 10 gallons per week! If anyone does it, how do you advertise, how do you pack it, and how much per gallon?
Thanks everyone!!

 

You could try breeding a strain of guppy’s or endlers. Moscow guppys or black bar (N class) endlers would sell for a good price.

 

You could try breeding a strain of guppy’s or endlers. Moscow guppys or black bar (N class) endlers would sell for a good price.

That would be with the 20gal right?
Also how could I sell the fry?

 

Hello everyone! I know a lot of you guys sell plants, fry and other things from your tank and I was hoping to get in on this!
The thing is, rural Montana is not a fishkeeping hotspot!
I have some ideas on things I could do.
Sell rocks (Montana has tons of beautiful aquarium safe rocks) but shipping rocks is insanely expensive!
Sell plants. I'm planting my tank, you guys have any tips selling my clippings and stuff when I get enough?
Breed fish. I only have a 40gal right now. But next year I might set up my 20gal, could I breed platys or molly's? And how would I sell the fry? (I don't have any local pet stores besides petco and petsmart, who don't buy fry)
And here's the last one:
Selling aquarium water? Montana may not be a fishkeeping paradise, but there are tons of gardeners. Does anyone here do it? It's an amazing fertilizer, all of my house plants are verrry healthy! And I get 10 gallons per week! If anyone does it, how do you advertise, how do you pack it, and how much per gallon?
Thanks everyone!!

Livebearers I only would sell online, and is a big investment since you want to get a rarer strain if you want really any money off it. I would rather suggest Rams or appistos, instead if you don't want to do shipping.

 

That would be with the 20gal right?
Also how could I sell the fry?

Yeah, a 20g is a good size for breeding either.
You could try shipping or also advertising on Facebook or Craigslist to see if anyone local wants them. The N class endlers are especially valuable because that means they’re pure endlers vs. hybrids.

 

Please enjoy the hobby and don’t try to make money. You’ll need lots of money to make back half of what you invested. And no rocks don’t sell! Most of us catch our own .

 

Hmm interesting! I would only be able to invest a small amount of money into it though. I just want to earn enough to pay for my tanks. Is breeding platys a good idea? I really love them, and I've raised platy fry before.

Please enjoy the hobby and don’t try to make money. You’ll need lots of money to make back half of what you invested. And no rocks don’t sell! Most of us catch our own .

Hm but it would be nice to be able to pay for some of what I spend on my tanks! Does the water thing just sound kind of dumb? My neighbor owns a professional garden and arboretum and she said that you can actually make a good profit from it. Idk. What do you think? There's not much investment in selling fish water, lol

 

Hmm interesting! I would only be able to invest a small amount of money into it though. I just want to earn enough to pay for my tanks. Is breeding platys a good idea? I really love them, and I've raised platy fry before.

I feel like they’d cost more to maintain than what you’d make off them. You could try breeding some shell dwellers, a small group would work in a 20.

 

Like I said and try to tell people who think you can make money. It’s really hard. Shipping is so expensive. More than the price of the fish. So you need a lfs to sell to. But they already get there fish from Asia for dirt cheap. The day of the amateur fish breeder are over. Maybe you could join an aquarium club and trade with others.
As to selling water. Who’s buying 20g of used fish tank water? Maybe a couple of hundred. But what would they pay? Pennies to the gallon? I do water my plants with it .

 

On here you can definitely make money, many people advertise their plants here and get lots of sales, and some sell fish too, but usually not really common fish like livebearers (Unless a really rare species/variety), because it's cheaper to buy in person, so like cichlids, rare guppy/endler strains, or killis sell well on here.

 

Like I said and try to tell people who think you can make money. It’s really hard. Shipping is so expensive. More than the price of the fish. So you need a lfs to sell to. But they already get there fish from Asia for dirt cheap. The day of the amateur fish breeder are over. Maybe you could join an aquarium club and trade with others.
As to selling water. Who’s buying 20g of used fish tank water? Maybe a couple of hundred. But what would they pay? Pennies to the gallon? I do water my plants with it .

I don't know it sounds a little 'fishy' to me. Hehe. I guess I'll ask her next time I see her. She is a pretty great business person, and she knows her stuff! You'd be surprised what gardeners will do for their plants. Almost like us fish people haha!
It's mostly because it's organic I think

On here you can definitely make money, many people advertise their plants here and get lots of sales, and some sell fish too, but usually not really common fish like livebearers (Unless a really rare species/variety), because it's cheaper to buy in person, so like cichlids, rare guppy/endler strains, or killis sell well on here.

Yeah I'm just kind of scared of shipping fish!
I will definitely look into the plants though.
I should look around more to see if there's any underground aquarists here in montana, because breeding fish sounds really fun. I loved watching the babies grow when my platys and plecos had fry.

 

I've not tried to profit from fishkeeping, but when I used to keep reptiles I bred and sold monitor lizards. For me, taking the hobby and turning it into a business sucked all the joy out of it. It was hard work and became a job/chore. I wasnt enjoying my animals anymore which is largely a reason why I stopped doing it. This is why I have no interest in breeding my fish. I just want to enjoy them. I'm not trying to discourage you or anything, if you're certain it's something you want to do, then great. Just be aware of the good and the bad iyswim.

 

I've not tried to profit from fishkeeping, but when I used to keep reptiles I bred and sold monitor lizards. For me, taking the hobby and turning it into a business sucked all the joy out of it. It was hard work and became a job/chore. I wasnt enjoying my animals anymore which is largely a reason why I stopped doing it. This is why I have no interest in breeding my fish. I just want to enjoy them. I'm not trying to discourage you or anything, if you're certain it's something you want to do, then great. Just be aware of the good and the bad iyswim.

That's true. But most of the hobbies I have eventually turn into a business and it just makes me even more crazy about it lol. I really love being challenged. It is annoying when you have to much on your plate though. I usually end up cleaning my fish tank when that happens!

 

Have to agree with 86 ssinit
I have been breeding and underwater gardening for a few years now, and initially thought $'s. I have sold online, to LFSs even at local fish club auctions. Doubt I will ever break even. But it helps pay for food and new acquisitions. Unless you have the upfront $$'s, space and customers its the best you can hope for.

Best of Luck to you.

 

That's true. But most of the hobbies I have eventually turn into a business and it just makes me even more crazy about it lol. I really love being challenged. It is annoying when you have to much on your plate though. I usually end up cleaning my fish tank when that happens!

I see, I didnt realise you had previous experience. I just find that the concept of breeding your pets and selling the babies is often romanticized and seen as easy money ect and it really isnt. But as long as you know what to expect

 

I've not tried to profit from fishkeeping, but when I used to keep reptiles I bred and sold monitor lizards. For me, taking the hobby and turning it into a business sucked all the joy out of it. It was hard work and became a job/chore. I wasnt enjoying my animals anymore which is largely a reason why I stopped doing it. This is why I have no interest in breeding my fish. I just want to enjoy them. I'm not trying to discourage you or anything, if you're certain it's something you want to do, then great. Just be aware of the good and the bad iyswim.

Funny years ago I bred reptiles. Bearded dragons are veiled chameleons. I did make money on them. Made my own incubator. Grew them to about 4” and sold to local pet store. I wonder if you could still do that?

 

So I was thinking about this for awhile, I really like the idea of breeding shell dwellers. The reason I want to is mainly to enjoy the challenge and raising the fry, (so cute and tiny!) I just want to make enough off of selling the fry to pay for most of the cost of breeding. I also want to sell cuttings from my plants, if they grow well.
I'm really excited about this!
Also, How much would I have to invest to start? So far I have 2 bubble filters, for the fry. I've got the 20gal, a baby saver net, and my sister is going to Washington for work, she said she'd pick up some shells at the beach!
What else would I need, and how many cichlids would I need to start?
Thanks everyone!

 

In my local area good plants and fish to sell are Java Moss, Neon Tetras, Otocinclus

Guppies almost never sell because everyone is trying to get rid of them. Same with Chiclids...way too many people trying to sell them....

Rocks and decor don't sell very well either unless really cheap.

I personally sell Painted Fire Red cherry shrimps but it's very difficult to get a high grade. If you can get your hands on quality red, blue, yellow etc cherries then you can probably make a tiny bit of money off of it. I say tiny bit because it takes money and time to do water changes, feeding, tank maintenance etc. On top of that, you have to constantly cull them which is really time consuming.

 

In my local area good plants and fish to sell are Java Moss, Neon Tetras, Otocinclus

Guppies almost never sell because everyone is trying to get rid of them. Same with Chiclids...way too many people trying to sell them....

Rocks and decor don't sell very well either unless really cheap.

I personally sell Painted Fire Red cherry shrimps but it's very difficult to get a high grade. If you can get your hands on quality red, blue, yellow etc cherries then you can probably make a tiny bit of money off of it. I say tiny bit because it takes money and time to do water changes, feeding, tank maintenance etc. On top of that, you have to constantly cull them which is really time consuming.

Yeah, that's the thing. My area (like I said before) in not a fish keeping hotspot. I am really going to start searching my local classifieds ect. for aquarists, most of what I find is just getting rid of fish. Any tricks that anyone knows on this?
I'm scared of shipping fish, but if I knew how to do it, it might not be so bad. Idk though!

 

Hello everyone! I know a lot of you guys sell plants, fry and other things from your tank and I was hoping to get in on this!
The thing is, rural Montana is not a fishkeeping hotspot!
I have some ideas on things I could do.
Sell rocks (Montana has tons of beautiful aquarium safe rocks) but shipping rocks is insanely expensive!
Sell plants. I'm planting my tank, you guys have any tips selling my clippings and stuff when I get enough?
Breed fish. I only have a 40gal right now. But next year I might set up my 20gal, could I breed platys or molly's? And how would I sell the fry? (I don't have any local pet stores besides petco and petsmart, who don't buy fry)
And here's the last one:
Selling aquarium water? Montana may not be a fishkeeping paradise, but there are tons of gardeners. Does anyone here do it? It's an amazing fertilizer, all of my house plants are verrry healthy! And I get 10 gallons per week! If anyone does it, how do you advertise, how do you pack it, and how much per gallon?
Thanks everyone!!

Are you out in Eastern Montana? I just started helping my dad build a house in Rock creek Montana this summer, its a pretty place. I was thinking of possibly going to college there.

My local pet

Yeah, that's the thing. My area (like I said before) in not a fish keeping hotspot. I am really going to start searching my local classifieds ect. for aquarists, most of what I find is just getting rid of fish. Any tricks that anyone knows on this?
I'm scared of shipping fish, but if I knew how to do it, it might not be so bad. Idk though!

My local pet store sells the styrofoam boxes they get their fish in, that might be an option if you have a local fish store.

 

Plants.....the way to go. I bought $4 worth of Vals and sold over 200$ worth so far in a year.

 

Hello everyone! I know a lot of you guys sell plants, fry and other things from your tank and I was hoping to get in on this!
The thing is, rural Montana is not a fishkeeping hotspot!
I have some ideas on things I could do.
Sell rocks (Montana has tons of beautiful aquarium safe rocks) but shipping rocks is insanely expensive!
Sell plants. I'm planting my tank, you guys have any tips selling my clippings and stuff when I get enough?
Breed fish. I only have a 40gal right now. But next year I might set up my 20gal, could I breed platys or molly's? And how would I sell the fry? (I don't have any local pet stores besides petco and petsmart, who don't buy fry)
And here's the last one:
Selling aquarium water? Montana may not be a fishkeeping paradise, but there are tons of gardeners. Does anyone here do it? It's an amazing fertilizer, all of my house plants are verrry healthy! And I get 10 gallons per week! If anyone does it, how do you advertise, how do you pack it, and how much per gallon?
Thanks everyone!!

All pretty good ideas but no none of them are going to make much money at such a small scale I mean there are exceptions if u had a few rare fish or something but it takes time and money

 

Are you out in Eastern Montana? I just started helping my dad build a house in Rock creek Montana this summer, its a pretty place. I was thinking of possibly going to college there.

Oh cool! I am in Western Montana.

My local pet

My local pet store sells the styrofoam boxes they get their fish in, that might be an option if you have a local fish store.

You might have already seen it but unfortunately I only have a petco and petsmart here. They might do it though. I know people at petco!

Plants.....the way to go. I bought $4 worth of Vals and sold over 200$ worth so far in a year.

Wow that's a lot! And they're easy to ship too! If I made that much my MTS would get the best of me too easily xD

 

Oh cool! I am in Western Montana.

You might have already seen it but unfortunately I only have a petco and petsmart here. They might do it though. I know people at petco!

Wow that's a lot! And they're easy to ship too! If I made that much my MTS would get the best of me too easily xD

And I have only sold to forum members.

 

what about a nerite farm? so many eggs. probably get like a $1.50 for each but thats just rapidly replicating dollars. if they even sell. i dunno

 

what about a nerite farm? so many eggs. probably get like a $1.50 for each but thats just rapidly replicating dollars. if they even sell. i dunno

Nerite eggs will only hatch in brackish or salt water

 

Nerite eggs will only hatch in brackish or salt water

yeah i know. which is why there's a billion eggs in my tank, but i just read the title =) just thought id throw an idea

 

I would recommend joining AquaBid and selling on there as well as here. Easier sales and breeding would be Moscow, Mosaic, Cobra, Snakeskin Guppies, Nebula Steel or Panda Endlers, things like that. There is little to no money to be made off Mollies, Platies, etc. Plants definitely sell well

 

The thing is, rural Montana is not a fishkeeping hotspot!

This is your barrier, and likely an insurmountable one. I live in a city of close to 1.5 million people, and we're 800+ km (500+ miles) from the next city with a larger population. Even people who live a ten minute drive out of the city sell things for WAY less (and we're talking everything—plants, livestock, used gear) because the demand just isn't there.

I'm not saying you can't do it. There are likely ways to make it work. But I can throw an ad on the local Facebook group or a buy/sell page and have half a dozen responses within the afternoon if I want something sold, and that means never having to pay (or charge for!) shipping, and people get what they want as soon as they come pick it up.

The best advice I'd give would be to make regular trips into larger metropolitan areas and sell there. We get people on local Facebook groups pretty regularly saying "Hey, I'm driving into town on Saturday, here's a price list - I'll be in X neighborhood at Y time this weekend" and turn your trunk into a LFS. I certainly can't guarantee it'll be worthwhile, but it'll likely improve your odds hoping that someone will find your inventory and randomly want to pay for YOU to ship it instead of any other retailer, particularly one that's got a well established reputation.