Most bought driftwood has been cleaned and sterilized versus what you may pick up on the beach. As far as plants be sure that what you buy are true aquatic plants and not just cuttings off houseplants. I would also look for plants that do well in low light levels such as the crypts and some Amazon Swords. These will come closer to doing well in average aquarium lighting conditions. Most of the pond plants that garden centers sell won't do well indoors because light levels. They really need direct sunlight and to replicate that in an aquarium translates to very expensive. Keep in mind too that lots of fish eat live plants so if you want a live planted take choose your fish very carefully.

Lisa

Cutting corners to save money will only get you into trouble down the line. As Lisa mentioned, commercial driftwood is sterilized- using stuff you pick up at the beach may introduce who knows what harmful bacteria and parasites to your aquarium. Cheap substrate may not provide any filtering quality, and may also leech harmful chemicals into your aquarium. Pond plants from the garden center may be OK as long as you check out toxicity potential and size potential first. A cheap filter won't sterilize the water as a UV filter can. If you're not willing to spend the money to set up the aquarium properly, it may be best to reconsider and do a smaller, less ambitious bowl.

Thanks for your suggestions. Just to clarify, I am cognizant that you can't just throw anything into the tank. But if it's just a matter of sterilizing I think I can do that myself. I certainly wouldn't jeopardize the well being of my tank and fish just to save a buck. You know how it is, you walk into a pet shop and see the dizzying array of aquarium products. It's pretty overwhelming to the newcomer.
Anyway, it never hurts to ask people with experience.

The choices can be overwhelming. That's how you( ok-me) end up with seven tanks. The Angels eat the neons and the Oscars eat the Angels and dang that Clown fish is so cute. I finally did get them down to three tanks and a pond tho.

Lisa

I forgot if you still need some big ticket items, lighting, filters and the like you might check out Big Al's online.

Lisa

Oh, good! I heard about that store and wondered if it was worth checking out. Thanks!

Wow. 7 tanks? That's a lot. Speaking of Angelfish, I saw an enormous one yesterday at Aquariums West here in Vancouver. About the size of my hand (not including the fins!). The shop keeper told me it was a little different than the others in that it's forehead was taller and slightly domed. I had no idea they ate other fish, too. Their name is a bit deceiving!

You can use your own driftwood, but you have to soak it and sterilize it. You can boil it for sterlization. And soaking it can take days, you need to soak it hot water and keep changing the water until the wood quits bleeding, it no longer changes the color of the water... and of course by the time you have done all that, you'll wish you bought it at the pet store.

leafhopper, are you going to have a fresh water or salt water tank?

Seven tanks are not impressive if you fill them with fish that eat each other.

Sounds like those may be Altum Angels. They are the original wild species from the Amazon. Angels are one of my favorite smaller fishes. Them and Clown Loaches. I tend to lean more toward the big predators tho, Oscars, Clown Knives and Tiger Shovelnose Cats. Keep in mind tho that any fish will eat another if it can fit him in it's mouth.

gammyt, you are misreading or I'm not stating clearly enough , that's why I ended up with so many tanks, because you can't put them together without them eating each other.

Lisa