I don't need big movie production. Just a cool relatable guy talking about the hobby and dropping super interesting and helpful facts on everything from the history and science of fish keeping, letting us know what's going on in the industry ect... is enough for me. You are basically the only fish guy I even watch anymore.
Your content is my favorite. The fact that you DON’T get ten millions views shows that you are doing something right, I could say so much about John Q Public and the masses but I’ve always taken a Cobain-esqe view that what’s generally popular with the masses is garbage. Your channel and information are gold man, keep it up. Keep up the scientific work and the passion. That’s the way. That pull towards the natural world and nature. That’s what we are in this for.
I think it’s objectively true that the intrinsic value of the most popular content is probably a lot lower than content like Alex’s but I think there’s a time and a place for pure entertainment as well.
@@Fishtory You’re so welcome! I love your focus on nature and the fascination that all of hobbyists seem to share with the natural world around us. I love the science behind things and just how down to earth you are my friend.
As for me what I want to see most are your nerdy deep dives into the details of a subject you've researched and want to share with us. That and your plants 😂 especially your hybrid experiments with plants!
Don’t forget that 70,000 like your stuff enough to stay with you. Tweak, don’t change. Just make little adjustments and see what you are happy with. love the channel
Dear Alexander. I use your method of "sandwich" substrate. And I succeed (if we will forgot the fact that Mystery snails don't like me). Anyway, I think you are super the best. If you want to level the channel up, well, as americans say: fake it till you make it. Invest in yourself, shine with success, and generic people will hear your. You can be a father fish for thoose, who don't want to listen to oldies. With respect, your fan.
Now depressurised weather loaches are in my head, thanks Alex 😂😂 I love the nerdiness. I was sat looking at one of my ponds earlier and thought about your channel. So many fishtubers set things up and give theories (as fact in a lot of cases) about how nitrogen is processed in their setup, got me thinking how much of it is nitrogen cycle, how much is plants nomming ammonia. Sooo many variables, just got me thinking and thought it must be something you've covered
You have a brilliant mind- that is knowledgeable and creative. That is rare. I am greatful that you go LIVE and freestyle information on literally dozens of Topics. No pre-packaged slick production content can touch that. Thank You.
You are fishtory. No one else is doing that. Yes, keep growing creatively; but please keep providing interesting historical information. Your audience will continue to grow and appreciate your knowledge and authenticity. I don't know why the algorithm took so long to show me your channel, but I'm glad it got there🙏💙
I love your content, it's filled with with very well-researched information and you are a great talker. I enjoy you take your time studying to share quality information instead of spending all the time making visually appealing shots! :)
It also sounds like you’re doing and experiencing what every creative person does and runs into. Don’t forget to step back and allow yourself a moment to notice where you’ve come from, look around where you are, and glance at the paths ahead. (Both figuratively and literally!)
ok, so to give feedback on your question on what do "we" want from your channel; i think the most important thing about what you create for us to consume is that it is what YOU want to create man... please please dont chase an algorithm or flashy thumbnails... think about your channel like a new tank that is still seasoning... you have to practice patience, because what you are already doing with your channel is amazing... YOU are the feature your ideas your thoughtful way of presenting the information.. YOU are what is so great about your channel so again i reiterate, please do not chase views but be patient and allow your channel to grow and season over time, it already has everything it needs to grow and thrive. thank you for your channel and i apologize for typing in only one run on sentence lol PS i am def down to help out in anyway as a fan of the channel and i also live pretty close to your area so if you ever need help irl im down as well
You are you and nobody else can compete on what you do in and within the aquarium community. I wouldn't worry about other people's views because you have the views and the support that you deserve than the other videos. You have an amazing channel and community so keep going g and just be you and we all support you and your channel. Much ❤ and thanks for all the help and information that you provide for new comers and veterans that have been in the hobby for multiple years or people that have just joined into this hobby!
Yes on the documentary-style on the ugly side of the hobby - especially when exposing something that hurts us all. Diversity is key, so I’m always looking at ways to make this hobby more accessible to all people from all levels of society. How do we get the worst-off-kids access to something that may turn ‘em on to STEM, the arts, or entrepeneurship? 1000x yes to what-can-I-do about climate change type of videos! Maybe you can collab w/ plant influencers like Pretty in Green or Kaylee Ellen and cross over your viewers. It could easily go w/ Serpa Design too! You’re gonna have a lot of playlists, my friend.
Haha thanks. Glad you're excited as well. The problem is I can ask questions 10000x faster than answer them in video form hahaha. I'd love to work with Tanner or any other botanical or ecological youtubers. But it's surprisingly hard to get ahold of certain folks sadly.
From watching some of your recent content, I am concerned with the overbreeding causing unhealthy fish. I'm concerned with the consumer economy taking a toll on my hobby. I think a great idea for a video would be a plan of action for aquarists to return to basics. Not just with a natural tank and substrate, but also back to basics with fish species. Contribute to fish health by breeding the healthy natural strains and growing their popularity. Keep up the great work because your content makes me think and inspires me to change.
Can you combine the creation of a mildly barometric tank with an attempt to breed something that has not been successfully bred in captivity before? (Mudskippers!) Can you collaborate with someone whose forte is building, who has all the power tools? (SerpaDesign?) On another collaboration, how about a series of videos in which Alex gets a beautiful new fish room? We don’t see enough of your tanks. Another building project could be a “fish room wall” to serve as a video backdrop. How can the view of each species behind you be maximized? Finally, please re-scape some of your own tanks! Empty one, put the fish, shrimp, substrate, and plants in buckets, clean it out, fix that tiny leak near the top, and scape it all new and fresh, but here’s the catch: Don’t reduce the density of plant material. Your tanks stand out because of their dense planting, and they are great examples of how dense one needs to go in order for a Walstad concept to succeed. But they’re basically solid green blocks, in which most fish can’t be seen. Please, show us how to do this level of density, artistically. I came to this channel looking for help with issues that cropped up as I started Walstad-style fishkeeping. Some of what happened to me still hasn’t been explained by any RU-vidr. When you go low-tech, things get a lot less predictable. Explore that.
Personally I love the videos that are more of a presentation. You are pretty much the only creator that I learn something new from every time. A lot of other creators even very good creators seem to have very much kinda flattened out. Regurgitating the same topics and releasing old videos with minor changes, and basically just click bait and advertisements for themselves.
Thanks for saying so. I'm Glad you are engaged with the content. I just try and share what I'm learning or excited about at a given time. But sometimes I forget that I need to cover basic concepts
We like you and your channel and your insights and reporting on current/past happenings/ history/future…… FISHTORY! We like it all Alex….but mostly you. Keep doing whatever YOU wish to do and bring us along☺☮❤🐠🦐🪴
You are my go to for research. And I always learn something every time. I also go back to videos I've seen to refresh my memory for a project. You are not not alot of fluff that many other channels. I appreciate you.
Hey Alex, you are by far my favourite “fish tuber” on the site. I really appreciate the scientific breakdowns and the amount of detail you go into explaining it. That being said, have you ever considered scripting videos? It would likely cut down your run time a bit and make editing a lot easier. Granted you’d be spending a lot more time in prep but I think it could really help the channel grow. You tend to go off on tangents a lot, and it’s a quirk of your content I quite enjoy, but it might be off putting to new viewers who were looking for a more succinct format. I watch a lot of edutainment videos and you have the gift for it for sure, it’s just a matter of presentation in my opinion.
Yeah some are scripted as of the last few years... I'd say they all have an outline written but some have a strict script. I need to get better at reading them naturally though
Thank you kindly my friend. I just want youtube to tell people who want to know...when I DO create nerdy time investing videos. Right now it is not doing that
I am well into the realm of being the crazy uncle who is an obssessive aquarium information pest. Alex you are one of the best YT channels on YT, you're caring and you do deep dives into some aquarium minutiae that I really appreciate. One of the reasons why I instantly became subscribed after discovering your channel. Fish geeks are the best geeks.
@@Fishtory Well you set the hook with your episode about Susswassertang, I had received a little piece of it with some shrimp I had ordered. You're welcome Keep doing what you do.
New to the hobby and you just talking to us like a person is so great and to know why and how things work together has improved my aquariums so much over the last few months my animals and I cannot thank you enough
I returned my product of seachem excel because it can kill Val. But my question is, does anyone think that seachem might not be safe for plants or shrimp that are extra sensitive to chemicals so does it really actually help the plants or can it actually just kill the plants and critters obviously accurate proportions? Keep up the good work Alex. Love your channel. You get me through the day my friend.
Updating some past quality content would be beneficial in the long run- even if not as flashy or exciting as some other topics. easier said than done, but try your best not to overthink it! It's next to impossible to fabricate sensational content, especially when you have the ethos of a scientist and humanitarian! Appreciate you endlessly 🙏
I think the question is if it's better to cover many different subjects with the risk that viewers don't watch every video, or be more specialized. I can't give any advice on how to do things, but the way the RU-vidr is is important too, and the talent and skill to make videos already exist.
Oh, no! I'm sorry, that sucks. Sometimes we just get extremely unlucky with the timing and other things, and hit those plants with surprises when they are the most vulnerable. Don't beat yourself up too much. I hope they start bouncing back quickly!
even if it is a fish i don't want to own. i enjoy videos learning about keeping those. because the more fish i know something about, their parameters they need for a good life and what happens when they don't have that perfection, the better i'd be at recognizing when my own fish are not doing their best. it also opens up future possibility towards current and future tank mates to be on the look out for if i can find them.
Dear lawt, I love the thumbnail. Excellent video as always 😁😁 I appreciate your honesty, your facts, information, and you! You're amazing! We really just want you to make the content you like or want to do because that passion draws us in, and we just can not stop watching! I've been around for a year, and I have enjoyed every video you've done! I've only been keeping fish for a year, and you and one other have been my go-to for facts, information, and personality. Just let your creativity flow! We would love to be drawn by that epic passion! You have a story to tell, and we want to join you on this journey! I always tell my hubs, gotta learn about the secret history living in my aquarium! He knows I'm gonna pop my earbuds in and watch some Fishtory! * * Side note; we can use hemp to make paper and clothes and plastic that is easily biodegradable! Would love to have a chat on this topic!! We can make a difference! 70k folks making a social movement is nothing to snuff at!!
Man I wish I had made the connection with you while I was still living in Lynnwood. I was an amateur, but I would have followed you around to local waterways with a camera quite happily lol. For now, I will help with the techy stuff whenever I can, and I can always help with topic ideas :) I think your content is great as is, though. I appreciate the depth you go into on the history and science, and I actually find higher production value channels to be less authentic these days. Everything on YT and social media in general is being dumbed down so that people can use it as a source of escapism rather than a source of learning and understanding. Your path is harder, yes, but I think that it also inherently has more value because of sheer amount of care and effort behind it.
You can always put up a poll of some of your ideas the people can vote on and let you know what they want ❤❤ just an idea but like I said everything you put out is pure gold ❤❤ I love your deep dives and have learned so so so much from you ❤❤❤
Love the channel. ❤ And love all the ideas. Conservation videos and the like are a particular favorite. Very interested in how aquarists are helping preserve some species. DIY ideas are also very interesting as the budget is tight these days. I haven't seen a lot of the content (even just peripherally) that you feel like you're competing against but please just keep being you. You are awesome.
Your channel is so educational and interesting. I have learned so much from your content. I appreciate you sharing your ideas and knowledge with us. Thank you.
Just keep doing what you’re doing. Watching stats is crazymaking. Do your work and step away. Review things a year or more later once zero emotional reaction remains. The one thing that does help new viewers is review summaries with a demonstration. Or maybe an assignment? Shared experiment?
I think you could make some really interesting videos about the rainforests. The idea reminds me of wendover productions videos so maybe you could look into his videos and see how he produces them? I also think the wholesale pricing structure would be fascinating and wouldn’t really undercut businesses.
Chasing the algorithm is a never ending endeavor because it is always updating in real time. Even people who have “successfully” cracked the code, have only done so temporarily and must continue chasing it. Don’t set yourself up for that life unless the chase itself is what you’re passionate about.
If, rather, you are looking to utilize a group think tank… The goal should always be to own your own content. Put your deep dives on your own site and drive traffic toward that. RU-vid videos become “if you’re interested in a deeper look into this exciting topic just follow this super convenient link below”.
Came across an abstract for an article on Swordtails while I was researching their care. They're interesting fish! Maybe I'm alone in this but I would love to see a deep dive video about swordtails!
You are my Joe Rogan and my Bill Maher for fish. Your videos have lead me to read more. So many rabbit holes. You'll get there in time. If I'm alive when your book comes out I'll buy it. Thanks Alex.
It's enough. I always find interesting nuggets of info in your talks. Different breeding methods would be great, although i'm sure you've done that before.
I'd love it if you could set up a aqurium for large fish such as Angelfish with plants that would be long-term aqurium. I would also like to see u make a plants only tank or a shrimp tank with long term aqurium. I love your videos! Like step by step with exact substrate for us new bee's. I did watch the lasagna video and didn't understand how I guess because I'm a visual learner. I do love your videos and knowledge, and that is why I joined your channel. Growing out fish outside and transferring to a inside aqurium and the opposite. U should pat yourself on the back with your work. I really enjoy your content!! I don't need upscale videos. The other thing you actually answer questions unlike most with me. Love your videos!!
Did you see both lasagna videos? One is short and just photo graphics, the other is long and I actually build the tank in a 40 breeder (for rainbowfish at the moment, but it's going to likely be an angelfish grow out tank.
G'Day mate! I enjoy any video you make, especially the out in nature video's, Seeing as I've never been to the US I find it all super interesting. It's hard to catch the live streams due to the time difference & running a business & all that but I watch what I can. That pressure tube idea sounds fun ha ha! Be caeful ha ha
I wish I had the means to just pay you a proper salary so you didn't have to think even a little about the number of views - personally, the more genuine Alexness I can get, the better. I love rabbit hole-Alex, because that's me, and that's what I'd be too overwhelmed to do myself, if I had a RU-vid channel 😅 Btw, one thing I have really wondered for the past year is whether UVB and UVA light sources like they use for reptiles, might just be heckin' useful for our fish? I have no idea how much makes it into the water, but I know the reptiles need it and there is some little evidence to show that it might just be a really good idea for rabbits and guinea pigs that are kept exclusively indoors. I wonder if it has been looked into for fish breeding?
Haha shucks...If I didn't have medical bills, honestly- I'd be doing okay for my lifestyle. I need to come to Europe where meds and medical care aren't 30% of my income and rent 50,% lol
@@Fishtory yeah...I mean, rent is 50% of income here too, but the fact that the healthcare system here is mostly payed over taxes is a huge boon for sure. I just wish the last two decades of politicians hadn't hollowed it out so much, at least here in Denmark. We're not at the NHS level, but I am honestly a little worried that we might get there if they keep at it.
Your deep dives and protecting ecosystems videos are my favorite videos and yes of course these aren’t gonna attract the masses, They are like cattle and have no interest into anything that doesn’t give instant gratification.
Saddly that is true. I'll still keep making them, but it's a bummer when even viewers like you don't get alerts because they do so poorly sometimes lol. But I will still keep making them !
I often think of telling content creators such as yourself what direction they should go, do this and don't do that etc. I don't like flashy gimmick stuff or infighty oneupsmanship. I don't like fake thumbnails. I do like straightforward information. The problem is, I'm not a guy with money, so I'm unlikely to really matter when it comes to your decision making. You have a tough situation, get more views by being flashy and manipulative, or try to get higher pledging patrons by specializing your content. All I can say is, if I had extra dough to spread around, I'd spread some your way. For now, all I can give you is a like when I like it.
Well beyond all that youtube has us screwed up, because they don't even show most our subs our " boring nerdy" stuff... they only push random videos that fit the mark...but if I knew my subscribers got the alerts I'd say screw the algorithm totally
I think the fishtory is what brought and kept a lot of fans and seems to be where your interests grew from. I personally enjoy the ecology side of it and you seem to be venturing more in the "hobby" side of things. I don't know if this is your intended direction. If it is not, maybe look back at your roots... Pun intended
If you look at the videos I've been making pretty similar topics ( non live streams). But youtube just won't even notify people with alerts on, hardly at all. Look through my "recently created" or date organized videos and see if you find more ecology type stuff too. But I appreciate your feedback, because that indeed is the stuff I prefer to make... or the interactions with humans and nature... fishing... aquaculture, economics and strange stories of fish and humanity colliding
Lol he and I don't speak. He made threats to me and my wife and got my channel canceled for the livestream argument we had . Thankfully youtube sided with me in my appeal...but he falsely copyright claimed dozens of my videos all over.
I enjoy the videos you do Maybe something on the great lakes and how the overabundance of algea has led to huge increase in daphnia which has led to a huge increase of fish
@Fishtory yes it's not been directly reported as such but it's pretty easy to see in the western basin of lake erie where since we had the bad algae blooms the perch population has exploded and they find them engorged on daphnia and early spring the mayflys it's pretty interesting
I love your deep dive content more than anything else. Its why im here. I understand that what the largest demographics on youtube and thus the algorithm wants is different than that. Frankly, though, that content is why I'm here. I respect you need to do what you need to do to make ends meet, but i fear a real danger of losing "your soul" if you will in the process. Its selfish. I love the content you make, and i dont want it to change, purely for me.
I would love more videos on things like fish intelligence and botanicals, creating a natural healthy ecosystem that grows amazing plants etc. I loved your mts funny video 😂 just be yourself and keep it up ❤ I will allways enjoy your content ❤
Thanks Mel. Some days I want to get all worked up and investigate some environmental issue...others I want to joke around. The editing im realizing - makes the free flowing or funnier stuff, much harder to do...all The planning and audio voice overs etc kills the fun. Maybe I should try and do them separately time wise... like finish one totally before starting the next
@Fishtory oh for sure I run into that same issue in life trying to handle a thousand things at once I realized one step at a time is always better and less stressful 😅 🙃
IMO great content speaks for itself. The algorithm likes fast paced sensationalism, clickbait, flashy moments (OMG Guys!), and cuts every 1.5s; which is directly at odds with thoughtful discussion. We're told to crop every thought we share to tiny bite-sized pieces, for the _robot's_ benefit, even if it hurts the message. And the trend keeps going even _shorter!_ Just look how many long-form RU-vidrs have quit or switched! This push towards smaller, 'shareable' pieces over means we're losing A LOT of important details, about _everything, _*_all the time!_* Which hurts society, but I think we all understand that at this point... What's weird is, even though we all know about the bias of algorithms, people still expect RU-vid/TikTok/etc to grow their channel _for them!_ *No other business is like that!* Bottom line: If someone is truly proud of what they've made, whatever it is, they should share it & stand by it. If the algorithm doesn't like it, find other ways of driving people towards it! Great content *_can_* float to the top naturally, sure, but if/when it doesn't, creators shouldn't give up or (worse) change what they're doing to something else that better pleases our Robot Overlords 💝🤖 Do you, dude. If you're proud of it, and your audience likes it (and we do) don't change. But also don't be afraid of trying new things either! Just so long as you're doing it for *YOU* & your viewers and *NOT* just for RU-vid. Remember, not everything has to be short enough to fit on a t-shirt✌️ (Though if you do want feedback, keeping your points high & tight might increase retention. Stream of consciousness is totally fine, but there's also nothing wrong with selective editing, or doing reshoots to tighten up the delivery...but I'm sure you already do that stuff anyway 😉)
Will you be uploading these are audio files for podcasts later? I love watching your videos but would be amazing if I could listen to alot (I work alot and get little time to watch youtube)
Working on it! There's a podcast feature here in RU-vid and I have 200 or so episodes in there now. Also under The Secret History Living in Your Aquarium, I had 2 or 3 episodes up on all platforms.... it should be under fishtory now
How about creating your own channel platform enthusiast, that can post videos all fish things considered that you don't have to post it on RU-vid. You would be the moderator then people can post videos and whatever they want and you would be in control of it? You said it earlier in your conversation. Fish tube
Regarding your lasagna substrate, could I do filter floss or a other type of matting rather than sand at the bottom? I planned to only build it up in one area and I don't want the sand to shift and let the lava rock go down to the glass
I'm definitely not a fan of the click bait trash on RU-vid, so I don't watch it. No video or channel is above exclusion. You do what you think you have to do, sir.
Think as you are, no need to over think---blues musicians played for the audience they had with the music that moved--glam rock stuff, managed by pricks, get all the glory . . . who heeds glory? We need your honest being . . .
I don't think there's anything wrong with chasing the algorithm a bit while also staying true to you are. If top 10 videos do well then why can't you do something like top 10 ways no filters are better or something similar. Take what brings in viewers and put your own twist to it. RU-vid is a visual medium. I don't know how to politely say this and I in no way intend to insult you. Your presentation is kind of sloppy. Get rid of the hoodie and button your shirt. Don't be afraid to monetize your audience a little bit. Make some merch. Wear your merch and mention it in a video or two. Give your audience a call to action. If you are making more money on the channel you can invest more into the channel and improve the production value.
One question 🙋 Is about the female endlres , all the female are same ? Because I saw a lots different type of endlres red , blue yellow but always I saw the same females like assorted that is normal ?
Yeah usually. Some newer strains do have females with color and pattern traits, but in the wild and until about 10 years ago in the hobby, all females were plain looking
