Five suppliers I love
When entering or returning to the hobby, it is important to have the right stuff from the beginning. Why? The frustration of getting a weak light, sick fish or melted plants can be enough to make you regret the whole endeavor and throw in the towel. This is why I recommend working with small suppliers who are passionate about the hobby and can provide the necessary guidance and support for newcomers. I have used each of them in my own setups and trust that you will love them as much as I do! Here they are (in alphabetical order):
Why I love them: Aquarium Co-op is a powerhouse for supplies and has innovated better versions of staple products to create the best versions out there. For example, they have improved on the humble sponge filter so that it helps water circulation in your tank and runs without an air stone! They also have great merch and a comprehensive and informative blog that will inspire you. Check out their brilliant stocking ideas for 10-gallon and 55-gallon tanks.
What I recommend: “Easy Flow” sponge filters, air pumps with battery backup to keep your fish alive during multi-day power outages, and basics like food, water conditioner and root tabs. Perhaps most spectacularly of all, Aquarium Co-op is the source of my exquisite tiger lotus (Nymphaea lotus) – a night-blooming aquatic plant that features fragrant blossoms, which open at night to attract nighttime pollinators like moths and close during the day.
Why I love them: The first word that comes to mind when I think of Buce Plant is “elegance”. This is where you go when you want to elevate your tank game to the big leagues. Their refined products add a professional touch to any aquascape. They are the authority on CO2 and have all the full range necessary for a high-tech planted tank. Whether you are testing the waters with a mini-CO2 kit or are ready to take the plunge with a full-size regulator, they have what you need. They also carry some of the most exquisite rimless tanks and stands, which will likely require an upward adjustment of your preliminary budget.
What I recommend: Everything CO2: regulators, diffusers, drop checkers, airline tubing. They sell elegant (yes, elegant!) refillable CO2 cylinders, which are sold empty and will have to be filled at your local supplier. These are specifically designed for their mini-CO2 regulators.
Why I love them: Dan’s Fish has a commitment to fish welfare that is unparalleled. They do three things differently that ensure you get the best fish possible: holding time, shipping, water. They hold their fish longer than most stores before making them available for sale to ensure that they are healthy, eating well and free of common viruses and parasites. In terms of shipping, they ship each fish in its own individually sealed bag to reduce stress and ammonia buildup. Finally, they run their own water treatment facility that purifies Wyoming river water and pumps it through their network of tanks on a constant basis. The used water is then retreated and returned to the river “cleaner than they found it”. These factors result in higher-than-average prices for most fish, but I feel it is justified given the robust health of these fish. My very first school of green neon tetras is mature and thriving two years later.
What I recommend: Any fish or invertebrates – you can’t go wrong. Dan’s Fish is especially good with stocking an interesting selection of less common fish. From oddballs like various puffers and freshwater eels to unique strains of killifish and rice fish.
Why I love them: Quirky (think, “Cat in the Hat”) and fully committed to planted tanks, Dustin and his team grow all their own plants in a greenhouse in Kentucky. They also make homemade dirt that I use, which is the perfect base later for root-feeding plants like my Tiger Lotus, mentioned above. Their Korean-made double LED light strip is pricey but worth every penny. I have used it exclusively in my 20-gallon, 10-gallon and 5-gallon setups. In addition to working wonders on the plants, it emits the most aesthetically pleasing spectrum of any LED grow light I have encountered. PS Their Instagram content is addictive.
What I recommend: Standard Double LED, Dustin’s Dirt (base layer for soil-based planted tanks), any and all of their plant combos; especially, the “Can’t Kill It” and “Sexy Red”.
Why I love them: Landen makes beautiful rimless, low-iron aquariums, which offer some of the best value around. Yes, they will cost multiple times what the standard aquariums with the black plastic rims will cost at the big box pet stores. But they are worth it. Why? First of all, the low iron levels in the glass means that they are much clearer than standard aquarium glass, which lets 83-85% of visible light pass through and has a noticeable green tint. Low-iron glass, by contrast, features higher light transmission (91%) and true color clarity. In fact, you barely notice the glass at all. Furthermore, these tanks are made with angled corners (vs. flat for standard tanks) and sealed with a German silicon, which give a professional finished look to the whole presentation. The last piece is their lids. Their lids are inset using these little clips which hold it flush with the top of the aquarium, making your whole setup look put together and professional.
What I recommend: Any of their aquariums and lids. Their aquariums come in standard and non-standard dimensions. If you order one with non-standard dimensions (e.g., shallow or tall), please make sure beforehand that your other supplies (e.g., stand, lighting etc.) are compatible.
