Dealing with inflation?

[gwand65 182]

Inflation is here for the foreseeable future. It is effecting all aspects of the economy including our hobby. My solution to mitigating the impact of inflation is to purchase items I don’t need now but will certainly need in the years to come. To this end I have purchased several Tidal HOB filters, light fixtures and heaters, and placed them in storage. With my luck, my current filters, heaters and light fixtures will never wear out.

 

[MattW66 182]

I agree with your thinking. I do currently have a couple of surplus internal filters and heaters, but no lights. I may look into that. Wallet permitting..

 

[Back in the fold20 5]

That’s a good plan . Regardless of economic conditions it’s wise to have spares on hand . Something I keep plenty of is airline tubing and tee’s , connectors and air valves . I don’t use dechlorinator but people who do might be smart to keep a half dozen bottles around . Nothing is ever going to get cheaper .

 

[Fishmanic65 182]

The only item that doesn't seem to ever increase in price are TVs. You can get a budget 50 inch smart tv for about 200. Competition among tv suppliers is fierce which is good for the consumer.
Insignia 50 inch tv
Back in 1988 or so, a nice 19 inch Sony color tv would cost about $450. $450 in 1988 is worth $1300 in today's dollars. Yikes!

The following song which is from the late 70s is even more true today with inflation going up and up and up.

 

[Naughts65 137]

The only item that doesn't seem to ever increase in price are TVs. You can get a budget 50 inch smart tv for about 200. Competition among tv suppliers is fierce which is good for the consumer.
Insignia 50 inch tv
Back in 1988 or so, a nice 19 inch Sony color tv would cost about $450. $450 in 1988 is worth $1300 in today's dollars. Yikes!

The following song which is from the late 70s is even more true today with inflation going up and up and up.

Do your fish really need a TV or have they just been spoilt?

 

[GaryE26 24]

I think Tidals are made in Italy, right? If so, there will be tariffs as well as inflation for some people on the forum.

I can see the wisdom in planning ahead with bigger ticket items. Still, a filter in its box is a project waiting to be added to. It would take great self discipline to avoid using them.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford65 181]

Can I buy fish now that I plan to keep in the next 3-5 years?

 

[GaryE26 24]

Can I buy fish now that I plan to keep in the next 3-5 years?

Are puffers immune to inflation?

 

[Fishmanic65 182]

I'm affected by inflation too. I've gained 10 pounds during retirement.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford65 181]

I just thought of this money saving tip.
Powdered dechlorinator. Last November I bought a jar of Seachem Safe Dechlorinator. It's the same thing as prime, sodium thiosulfate in powered form.
Directions say to use 1/4 teaspoon for every 300 gallons for chlorine and chloramine or 1/4 teaspoon for every 75 gallons for ammonia. The 8.8 Oz jar (250g) trears 60,000 gallons of water. If I do my regular 50% water changes the jar should last me 12 years. I think I bought it for around $13-$14.

 

[Innesfan61]

Inflation is here for the foreseeable future. It is effecting all aspects of the economy including our hobby. My solution to mitigating the impact of inflation is to purchase items I don’t need now but will certainly need in the years to come. To this end I have purchased several Tidal HOB filters, light fixtures and heaters, and placed them in storage. With my luck, my current filters, heaters and light fixtures will never wear out.

I do the same. I have a storage closet full of the stuff. But not only as a hedge against inflation. I like the current versions and I also see it as a hedge against questionable 'improvements' and cheapening of materials.

 

[fishorama57]

Except for heaters & lights, I probably have a lifetime supply many things. Finding them is another story. I know I have a big bag of crushed coral somewhere, also airline connecters in the bottom of a box. How many hours of searching = buying new? I'm a packrat by nature & Yankee cheapness but...sometimes it just doesn't work.

 

[Naughts65 137]

I just thought of this money saving tip.
Powdered dechlorinator. Last November I bought a jar of Seachem Safe Dechlorinator. It's the same thing as prime, sodium thiosulfate in powered form.
Directions say to use 1/4 teaspoon for every 300 gallons for chlorine and chloramine or 1/4 teaspoon for every 75 gallons for ammonia. The 8.8 Oz jar (250g) trears 60,000 gallons of water. If I do my regular 50% water changes the jar should last me 12 years. I think I bought it for around $13-$14.

Is there a shelf life on powdered? My API liquid has a 4 year use by date.

 

[GaryE26 24]

I found different info on thiosulfate's shelf life, but at that price, even 3 or 4 years is a positive.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford65 181]

Is there a shelf life on powdered? My API liquid has a 4 year use by date.

There is a lot # on the label, but no expiration date.