The exact places I buy fish, shrimp, plants, lights, and hardscape — and how I pay as little as possible.
A note on this list
I'm not financially incentivized to recommend any of these places. I get no commissions, bonuses, or kickbacks.
This list exists because I don't believe in gatekeeping great businesses and hobbyists. A better value means you can do more in the hobby — and support good people at the same time.
Lighting is the most expensive single item in most setups, so this is where a coupon matters most.
This is where I buy my Week Aqua lights and light arms. Grab a coupon code first (see below), then place your order.
Do this first:
Before you buy anything on AliExpress, check the coupon codes on r/AliExpressCode. Most of the time, I find a code that saves me an additional 20–40%.
Two sources cover almost everything: a dedicated grower and a hobbyist auction group.
The best combination of price and plant health I've found anywhere. Email is the best way to reach Chris, who will add you to the weekly email blast.
This is a sample from a past email blast. Prices and availability change every week, so treat it as a rough guide rather than a quote.
Minimum 12 of each type · 3–4 stems per bunch · priced per 12 bunches
$6 each · min 3 of each type
12 bunches for $21
$3.50 each · min 3 of each type
$5.50 each · min 3
$3.50 each · min 3
$4 each · min 3
Tank-raised unless marked wild
1¼ in
Minimum 12 of each mystery snail type
No matches — try a shorter search.
A Facebook group where hobbyists auction plants to each other. There are great deals in here.
One online, one local — both far cheaper than a typical fish store.
The cheapest place I've found to buy fish.
Every fish in the store is tank-bred, and the pricing on fish and shrimp is extremely good. They ship too, so you can order from them online as well.
In my experience, shrimp are the most sensitive category of livestock. They're the least tolerant of mistakes, so sourcing them means focusing on both quality and quantity.
I've raised thousands of shrimp and bought from most of the big-name sellers.
My favorite place to buy shrimp. They're a small, family-run business operating out of their home — great quality, better priced, and they ship directly to your door with a DOA policy.
It's a home-based, hobbyist-run business with some of the nicest people in the hobby. They're always happy to answer questions and take care of you.
Example: My LFS has Fire Red Cherry Shrimp for $7/ea — these are $3/ea (60% less!)
Driftwood and stone — both local to Houston.
Better quality than any local fish store, and about 50% cheaper.
I know the owner personally. He collects every piece himself with his family, so each one has a story behind it — and the quality is incredible.
At a fish store, expect to pay around $5 per pound for rocks. I'd recommend going to a landscape supply yard instead — you'll often find stone for about $0.20 per pound — about 95% cheaper.
There are tons of them around the city. Here's one as a reference: