EP2: SELF SUSTAINING TANK - no water changes, no cleaning, no filter 

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We're being spoilt this week

"Don't give up," is the best advice to tell anyone in the hobby and I'm glad you prefaced that. It sucks, but sometimes getting an ego check while thinking everything is going perfect is the best thing, it's happened to me a number of times this year with my tank and getting back to the grind to learn from my mistakes has made me a better hobbyist. Love the incremental vids and look forward to watching the rest!

10 seconds in and the intro music, lights switches, feels like im getting ready to watch Top Gun. Love this channel man.

At first I was bummed at how long this is going to take but I was wrong. It is a pleasure to have something from you every day because you are just so positive 😁. I think you should just call this a fish tank podcast that we get daily 😂 thank you from Texas

This series is awesome. This channel made me get into the hobby and this realistic approach is similar to what I've been able to do. I wish the plants were as cheap in the US.

Your aquarium designs are inspirational but I’m loving this series of sharing your knowledge, experience and advice.

This is a great video series. Thank you for doing it. Lol I love that you added bog wood in to simulate possible tannins others might experience. You always do a great job and I truly enjoy your videos.

If you are in America and in a tight budget, just mix some aquarium stratum (Fluval has 2 types) with some potting mix for garden plants (preferably flowers). Give it a rinse, put in the aquarium and cover it with sand (also rinsed). If your fish dig, cover the sand with a layer of gravel. You don't really need root tabs. I love API, but their root tabs are a hit and miss. It killed one of my amazon swords. I use a mixture of API Leaf Zone and Seachem Flourish instead. Plants are thriving now, not matter if they are rooted, floating...

i love this video with you going from scratch and not using that ton of available plants right from the start. really looking forward to developing and adding over time

Loving the daily upload, a lot more information and really enjoyable. I really like the fact that you update on all the little issues, adjustments, extra details and so on. One of your best scapes in my opinion! Love your channel and will be even more interested if I can watch daily or biweekly updates on new tanks, very fun! 🙂

Kicked it up a notch bruv, two videos in a week.. Yayy!! love it, your videos are a big highlight of the week. Keep up the awesome work.

I love your authenticity and honesty. Every video it just gets more pleasant to watch your videos, and not only learn about aquascaping, but also about your journey. Which is really very inspiring to me. Thanks MD for everything you do, lots of love and respect to you!

I love the way MD leaves a camera running all night just to capture when he firsts walks in the door. That dedication :D

Just used my API master test kit on my 40gal and 10 gal, while watching your vid! 40 gal is sitting at 0 for ammonia and nitrite and 30 for nitrate. The 10 gallon has been giving me problems for a while with 0.25 for ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 60 nitrate. There's been some fish losses in that tank and im probably over feeding it. I used the bag method for nutrient substrate in the 40 because my turtle likes to move sand around. His tank is a luscious forest of crypts and stem plants. Whereas for the 10 gallon I just used coarse gravel and root tabs with a cap of sand. The substrate wasnt deep enough to plant stems easily and the gravel is too large so the sand is settling under it. The floating plants and lilies do great but everything else is battling algae. It just needs to be redone but I cant afford new materials right now. Only have 3 fish left in my long fin blue danios and 2 panda corydoras. Probably going to wait until the rest of the fish pass from old age (they last max 2 years in my experience). I set up the 10gal at the beginning of my aquascaping hobby versus the 40 gal which updated every time i moved (it was too big to keep the substrate system intact). Sometimes larger tanks really are easlier because there is more water volume to make mistakes, theyre more forgiving. Ive learned so much from your channel MD, and look forward to the progression of this tank! Yes, i also buy one plant at a time at the end of my paycheck 😅 Also, discovered that my turtle will chase a laser pointer around his tank 😂😂

The Internet has been waiting for this. This video series should be the point of reference, for beginners, and enthusiasts, for years to come. Nice one MD. ❤

This man deserves 10M subs

maybe u can do a setup on a garden soil like this one thats under the grass in your backyard? It is popular in Poland and its working quite well its very cheap also. We also create our own root tabs kind of thing, we collect clay from the rivers and mix it with peat that you can also find near the rivers and then bake it in the oven. We are keeping fish for many years, since the 80s and thats the way the tanks were set up back then. Nice video

I admire your honesty in admitting that in the beginning, you didn’t have all the answers. I value your experience and look forward to all your posts!

This is one of my first comments ever on my 6 year on RU-vid, I'm sick to death of seeing people make videos and having all the latest equipment and scenery to make it look nothing like your avarage person could put together in there home. I mean it's everywhere even with DIY channels they have 100s of thousands of pounds of equipment making dowels planning timber, 3d printers and blazer cutters just to name a few, this makes what you do unrelatable and thus loose interest in what you do. Now we have come across your current series, using old or reusable things to build a relatable aquarium, things that are new are relatively cheap. It's been put together is a way that a fairly newbie like me is able to follow and understand. I've learnt so much and I'm only half way thru episode two. Keep up this great series and keep making relatable content. You earned at least 1 sub today

I'm starting my first planted tank this week (not scaped yet, just "gardening" to hopefully grow plants for a future tank), so the timing of this series is perfect for me!

For USA alternative to Nutribase... APT Start by 2hr Aquarist is available on Amazon and some local fish shops. It has the dormant substrate bacteria. I mix it with a couple API root tabs and crushed lava rock as a more affordable and available substitute for ADA Power Sand. I hope that helps all who are building an enriched substrate for your planted tanks.

I was so excited when I saw this series start yesterday. Then deflated a little when I saw those 2 lights would cost 226 Us dollars. I just finally was able to afford two of the outdoor spotlights like you used to make lights from. lol Still haven't figured out how I'm gonna hang them in the area I have (40 gal breeder tank). Course no chance of getting awesome branches like yours. Rocks are everywhere so they are no problem. Then today excited to se the plants being added. SO wish Aquafleur would come to the US (but then the prices would be higher anyways). Have never seen a potted Java Fern or Bolbitis that huge... and even small ones are at least double your prices. The vitro cups are also at least double. I would kill to get those Bolbitis! My favorite plant. I love what you are doing (and what you are trying to show us) ... and I'm gonna keep watching the progress... but in reality I've decided I have no business trying to afford a nice aquarium. I'll just have to enjoy yours. :) Shirley in NH

I’ll definitely be saving this video for later once I get myself my own place! Cheers from the us!

Well that's a satisfying planting! Great choices with plants that will expand. :) it's so satisfying taking one cup of tissue culture and slowly propogating to get a bunch of lush growth.

Also your videos gave me inspiration to do a planted tank. My fish weave in and out of the corkscrew Val and shrimp love the wisteria. The method you share also makes sense and makes planting the stems easier as there’s a nice deep substrate layer in the rear and the sandy front of my tank is where the food drops to the floor and the cories snoot around and clean it up. My plants are exploding, my stems left a jungle of roots that the fish like to hide in and the cories like the ferns and rhizome plants with the driftwood creating shelters. My wife literally said she didn’t realize I could make something so beautiful and I just needed someone to show me some guidelines and demonstrate it’s not rocket science.

Hello MD. I love this every day process of the tank, I'm really glad you have some this as it shows more of what goes on in a tank along the way instead of showing us the finished result that you normally do, not that I don't like it because I do else I would not be watching your cool videos, but I think this is a really cool way of you showing everyone a different way of doing things especially when some done have much money and have no choice but to do everything in small amounts hear and there so thankyou, keep the videos coming your amazing.

Love the idea of this series. So good to see well done md. You are so spoilt the quality and fullness of the plants you are getting is awesome soo gooood that sets you up for a good start😊

I am gonna try and build along side this. This is the series i needed and wanted for so long. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

My absolute favorite videos so far. Love this series you are doing, makes it feel so much more possible to achieve and get going:)

Really enjoying this series. Thanks for showing a different approach!

This is such a great idea for a series! Loving it so far!

The editing that wetn into this one went so HARD especially the first bit!

That's very realistic going to the store 😅 I went every week looking at fish and plants and I still go about twice a month now, I have 1 large tank and 3 small planted tanks, loaded with plants. This is the best series ever for us beginners. 🎉🎉🎉 I am hooked. My husband greenlit a 55 or 75 gallon tank, I'm looking for a set up to go on sale. That one will be a predator tank.

Great video again 👌 most people think they are looking after fish.. but in reality you are a water doctor.. provide the right water, nutrients, light and food .. this is what keeps the fish alive.

@MD Fish Tanks. I like this approach and it’s very much more realistic and much more relatable. I’d love for you to explore how you deal with things such as fish bladder disease or what you’ve found causes it etc. no matter how perfect I keep my plants I’ve never really had one the lasted longer than 12-15 months without a loss of some kind. It becomes frustrating but also a very real part of the hobby.

Love from Indonesia🇮🇩🇮🇩 You inspired me to build mt first aquascape because your style is affordable for me with my student allowance xD I'm still learning and hope I can get to the high end build like yours because the hobby isn't cheap, and I'm at the same point like how you used to when you have limited money on hand. I want to show you my aquascape somehow someday 😅😅

Hey MD, I was in this hobby during my earliest childhood but now am working abroad with less space and time couldn’t get me along. Hopefully, I will restart soon and continue learning. I love your videos mate! I hope I can meet you one day and visit your studio

I do miss the good old days back in your garages MD 👌

Love this new series. Tbh I’d love to see this tank run into issues like algae, plant melt, etc. That way we can see how you handle them and learn from it.

Love Love love this series. Very glad you made this decision 😊

It's coming along nicely. Not pictured: the amount of patience it must require. :)

This series is gonna so awesome to follow along with! And the timing couldn't be better, setting up my first substrate tank, will follow along with great interest 😊

You are inspiring me to try again with a planted tank. Before I had not enough nutrients, then I burnt my roots up with too many nutrients and not enough stem plants. Plus, I over fed my fish. My water was like mud!! I tried again. It was a little better but then just stayed murky water. I used something to clear the water. Didn't work... I used way too much product to clear the water. My tank is currently broken down. I took my fish that lived to my local fish store and they took them. I have nothing at the moment. I might try a fish tank from scratch after my vacation. Time will tell. You do inspire me MD. I am loving this series 😍 .

Great video ! I'm really enjoying watching this tank progress

I love this new series!

Love this build. This is really going to be educational. Thank you MD.

I’m really liking this step by step tank. Well done as usual!

I try to take my plants out and put them in the shade in a clear tote because they grow faster out in this full sun, so I keep them in the shade until they have worked on their tan a little bit faster you can then to whichever tank needs some. When I used to drive myself, I used to stop on the way home at the local pet store and try to get at least two pots. I figured if I got two pots so weak that would be eight pots a month just keep multiplying that until you’ve got that in a whole year.

My 1st build.... lol, did not go well. All my wood unstuck. I'll order the fast dry spray. When I was planting, my large wood piece fell back a little and came unglued, but I think it would have been ok if I had my plant order at the time but I had to wait a couple weeks. I am thinking about breaking it down and starting from scratch but it's going so well now I'm reluctant 😂 I need more of the plants that actually did well, a new lid with better lighting and take out all the wood except the one big statement piece as they love it because it has caves in it. My filter has been replaced twice, so I need to get a decent one, probably a small canister. Sigh. I over thought my build, trying to be very careful 😂 I learned though, and I didn't give up through my trials 😊 so, don't give up! Watch MD's videos and get his basic steps down, the substrate has been key. It may look like a flood hit my tank but it's absolutely healthy and sustaining lots of life, I have fish, shrimp, snails, and 3 crayfish living their best lives lol

Thanks for sharing a more relatable video for people like me, I've been keeping fish for about 20 years and I have a lot of house plants but no tank plants, I hope to use them when we move, strangely i did have a planted pond.

good work!! loved the video. about to start a 50 gallon build. i am taking notes!

I love the daily format, typically I'm often looking forward the see if you released a video, so daily for a while is cool. Because your wife is green and a newbie maybe you both can do a tank, then she can do one on her own. She'll probably say know, but twist her arm with a Disney World build, 2 weeks free in the Magic Kingdom while you're building a 12ft. tank in one of their hotel lobbies. Just a few ideas, you won't have to worry about affording plants, lol.

Du bist ein super "Aquascaper", hättest Gartenarchitekt werden können! 😉

Really like the scape, less is more sometimes. Great work.💚👉🏾✨

Diane Walstad explains in “Ecology of the Planted Aquarium” why plants can do better in clumps, see “Allelopathy”. You may also find that NOT disturbing the surface is better for plants as that will raise the dissolved CO2 level. Of course, the fish load must be kept light, and you do still need water movement (I found that out the hard way, but it’s also in the book)

Beautiful! 🌿

The editing in the intro was 👌

MD is the fish tank bae we all deserve 🤩

Very nice. You inspired me to make my own tank. After two years and have a ton of algae. Don’t know why. Fish are doing good. I love natural setups. You should try some unique fish like rainbow shark, empire gudgeons, and mabye some larger loaches like yoyo’s

I know it's for demonstration purposes but the mangrove wood kinda looks good where you put it. Also, I remember FatherFish talking about how keeping plants in clumps helps them grow faster because in groups they release hormones that tell the bacteria to make more of the nutrients they need.

Hello from Australia 🌏 🦘 I am absolutely loving this series you've started ❤️ Totally invested in it, and I am so excited to follow along with you! I Love all the tanks you make ❤

Love it, thank you MD.

Very much excited for this😊

What a week indeed👌🏾

Awesome video definitely good inspiration for my build this weekend

Really enjoying this. Just setting up a Scraper 60. Need to wait a couple more weeks to get the wood and rocks though - credit card is a bit thin this month. Just wish there was a better dealer near me for both hardscape and quality clean plants though :-(

Great intro!! Made me laugh! Still waiting for the day you do an ASMR setup ❤ love the channel and all the content!

Love your content mate! Watching your videos for a long time - I make a decision about come back to freshwater aquarium after mamy years of reefing. Im enjoy this hobby all over again! Had lowtech setup :) Tank (xD) you :)

Nice selection ❤

Fish daddy never skips leg day 💪🏻💪🏻

I know it might be a bit of a ball ache but have you thought about adding home assistant to your fish room. To control/monitor the room/plugs/temp/lighting/Aircon ? It's a bit of a slippery slope and a bit of a learning curve to set up but it's a great thing to tinker with.

I agree for some reason stems do better grouped... Ive split them individually and they always struggle .. unless its the piece that plants itself right where you don't want it. lol

I love this series, im rather new to the hobby and just cycled my 75gal 4ft. I spent about 150 usd on plants and planted it up and saw some plants on sale at pet smart for 3 dollars for a bundle of anacharis elodea and they have been growing super fast, and i guess the worker was feeling nice because i got some other species also that i dont know the name of and it is also thriving. Currently i only have 3 butterfly hillstream loaches and they love it in there. The bioload to the amount of plants i have a pretty negligible. I have 2 sponge filters that hang on the back and a couple of air stones to keep the water wuality up for the loaches

Ye its nice with the slower pace tank

Caribsea in the US has a plant substrate that is crushed lava rock with nutrients in it. That would be a perfect substrate layer to use like nutribase.

Another great video, really liking these, everything is explained in such a simple way. When you mentioned having stuff off-centre, it's called the rule of thirds, it's used in things like photography if you google it. To be honest, I was disappointed when you went back to the build 😅from talking about having little money left at the end of the week, and accounting etc, behind the scenes on the channel would make a great one-off sideline episode.

I really like this style of video's. And cutting it in parts

The editing is next level

I've always wanted to do a high humidity terrarium with only aquatic plants. I see it having a pool of water in the middle (about a gallons worth). I'd release salamanders or frogs

Dude, my wifi plugs suddenly stopped one day, too, and now I just turn the tank lights on manually (only 2). "It's what makes us better, isn't it? Just having a go at stuff, and when you're not happy, you don't just give up. Just try again." Sage advice for everybody and everything.

Roots in a circle snap it in one corner 😂😂 that made me laugh 😂😂

Yeah, I'd expect to pay those prices if I was doing a huge tank or specifically aquascaping it, making the fish a secondary element. I like the tips for discouraging diggers in the planted area by making those unattractive to dig in & everything else far more attractive to them.

MD walks in the door at the very beginning with the dramatic music. My reaction: No explosions and sunglasses? Im so dissapointed

Really like the the new video series keep it up md

Awesome work

please use Java moss or any moss on the logs, it will definitely be amazing

I need that jug sieve thing 👏👏👏

The way I made my aquascape nearly free is i used potting soil and gravel i got from the beach as the first layer for the nutrients I also got sand from the beach for the capping layer again free hardscape I got from the beach again free the only things I spent money on was plants and the tank that my Dad made the plants i got very cheap only 3 dollars nzd for one pot the way a saved alot of money was fertilizer I made a diy fertilizer using bannana peels, green tea and egg shells which gave me potasium and other trace nutrients so in total i spent roughly 15nzd or 7.50 pounds also it was a 5 gallon tank wich probably made it way cheaper.

Cool😊

Thanks Md... Thanks a lot. You are on your way to become one of the greatest Really mean it. Because of THIS honnest, realistic approach of the hobby. As, as you said in our own private homes we don't have access to so many plants, Woods, rocks... And you were straightly honnest, saying you once began.❤ Remember seeing one of your first video in the garden with a G. Farmer visiting you.😊❤️ And you made your way, Remembering you can help people like me to dive into this wonderful hobby. And in this perfectly well thought series, you added the rock that missed the scape of your channel. So.... THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

mannnn i love your videos too much its not even funny. day made after 8 hours of restaurant work. with 7 tanks too :p

Thank you. Still on the outside edge of the price range 1/2, the plants to start with. But understand do it within your budget

great series! would love to see a bare bones poor man version of the same with a small tank.

I've just started a tank it's a big size 3ft , I don't have any soil in it yet just pebbles, a good amount of plants including some house plants just hanging their roots in but the water is quite green , it has 2 sponge filters a good light and a good clean up crew, 3 big snails, 3 Cory's and now one bristle nose ..?? I am getting soil and sand now so want to do a revamp of it with water change obviously.. hopefully it will work eventually..

haha same stanley knife as I use for work, although mine's probably older than you!

fantastic

6:45 I was absolutely shocked to see those prices because I managed to get 15 pots (not even all from the same supplier lol) for a grand total of 66,17 euros including shipping and 2 anubias. I suppose hardscape is quite expensive to compensate though

My LFS always have buy 3 get 2 free on plants. Usually like 10 dollars for 5 pots. Just gotta dip em cause it’s snailpocolypse 😂. I did get some nice ramshorn and a couple nerites hitchhiking.

It makes me happy that you and Kate are such a good team! 🩷💕