Leveraging Craigslist to Get a Discus Operation Up and Running Cheaply

Probably anyone that has ever seen a magnificent display of discus either in a public aquarium or private collection has aspired to ownership. It is difficult not to be impressed by a properly set up tank of thriving discus. The discus fish represents a powerful combination of: easy-to-raise, thick, plump, round, colorful, portable, colony-centric, and always-in-demand. Interestingly and perhaps surprisingly enough, getting a discus operation up and running cheaply (and even for free!) is entirely possible thanks to local websites such as Craigslist.

The biggest secret of succeeding in the discus hobby is keeping your operational costs down while setting aside budget for the best quality fish stock you can afford. This means that your primary objective is to keep your non-fish costs to a minimum. There is no better way to achieve this than to purchase pre-owned, well-maintained equipment. Since aquariums and other hardware very rapidly depreciate in value the moment they are purchased new, they are never a good investment. Unless you have an extremely custom setup in mind that can only be achieved via purchasing new, we rarely recommend it. Purchasing directly from the owner will also save you taxes and depreciation costs. One of the greatest benefits of purchasing a pre-owned aquarium in excellent condition is oftentimes the previous owner is willing to throw in tons of other equipment either for free or at a deeply discounted cost. This article show you everything you need to know step-by-step in setting up a serious discus operation for the lowest possible cost. Read on.

1) Find a freshwater aquarium tank owner in distress that matches your requirements.

A simple local search for “aquarium” on Craigslist will reveal dozens of listings for tanks, equipment, and even fish. Divorce, struggles with the fish hobby, relocation, and others are common reasons for fishkeepers to move on. Usually, the greater the urgency to dispose of an aquarium, the cheaper the price. I have seen expensive setups costing thousands of dollars new be listed in the Craigslist “free” section. Keep in mind that it is important to obtain the best possible tank for your discus goals and price is merely one factor.

2) Negotiate the best possible lowest price for the aquarium.

Upon meeting the owner and inspecting the aquarium, do not be afraid to start low and increase your bid. Oftentimes with distressed owners, they are seeking to rid themselves of the aquarium quickly and may even part with it for free. Having an earnest and serious discussion with the owner will not only help in obtaining the best possible price, but he may even be able to provide you with tips.

An example of a Craigslist listing for a barely-used aquarium listed way below retail value.

3) Transport your new tank home and set it up.
Thoroughly clean it with cold water without soap or harmful chemicals and complete the setup of your new tank. If the tank you purchased came with equipment, inspect it, clean it, and purchase additional items as ncessary in order to complete the setup.

4) Let the water circulate for two weeks before adding fish, and optimize conditions.
Once the setup is complete, switch on the filter, and begin circulating water through the setup in order to get the nitrogen cycle going. Leave the water circulating in the tank for at least two weeks before introducing any fish. During this time, ensure that PH, temperature, and lighting requirements for discus are met.

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Leveraging Craigslist to Get a Discus Operation Up and Running Cheaply