*What tips do you have for cleaning a planted aquarium?* And if you don't have time to do a detailed clean, here's my 5-minute tank cleaning that I did for my betta tank: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-W3VV_c69CyQ.html
I learned nearly everything I know about plants from you. I’m having some algae problems atm but I haven’t killed a single plant I’ve tried to keep yet! I thought I killed my bucephalandra because they’ve been melting back for a while now, but a few days ago I saw a new little leaf! Thanks Irene! 🙏
I think this is a great video. Here’s a few side notes Low nitrates: Don’t worry about lower nitrated readings, unless you see nitrogen deficiencies in your plants. When you test, you measure excess nitrate dissolved in solution; but you completely miss consumption. What’s happening is your fish’s metabolic activity; as well as, fish waste and food decomposition is still producing ammonia (where some of it will convert to nitrate). But, the plants are always up-taking nitrate and ammonia as soon as it’s produced. You don’t have to have 20 or 30 ppm nitrate to be successful. You can easily be successful at 1-5 ppm, so long as you actively monitor it. If it’s truly in optimal balance (which is exceedingly rare), the plant uptake and bacterial load perfectly matches the fish load. In that situation, you don’t need to fertilize macro nutrients. It’s when we exceed either the plant load, or the fish load; then we have to act. If we heavily plant and heavily favor plants; you will notice deficiencies, and you must test and fertilizer. Opposite that, if we exceed and favor fish stocking; you will see nitrates and phosphates continually climb, then we need to chemically filter or dilute (water change). However, if you are near true balance: your tests can read almost no nitrate and still have thriving plants, as the bio loads match. What this means: watch for deficiencies. If you notice any: fertilizer. Because then you confirmed your tanks’ plant side of the biological equation is larger than the fish side. The Bubbles: people worry about bubbles coming from substrate because they worry about hydrogen sulfide. You likely don’t need to worry about it at all, that heavy plant load will keep the majority of your substrate oxygenated; given your tank size and substrate depth. When you have to worry is deeper substrate with low plant concentrations and low substrate porosity. In those situations, you can exceed aerobic and anoxic conditions and create fully anaerobic zones. You can see it as a very dark brown almost blackening in lighter substrates. However, even in anaerobic conditions, bubbles are a good thing; that is gas escaping to the atmosphere and leaving your tank. The worry starts when you disturb sediment, it bubbles, and then you see cloudy or turbid water emanating from it: that’s when to worry. If you have darkening spots in sediment and it emanates turbid or murky water: that is a sign the dissolved organics, that where fermenting in anaerobic conditions; reached your main water column. Which often results in toxic conditions, and die-off’s. (it's most often turbid, because most organics are clear. Other than odd light refraction, they are very difficult to see) But, you don’t have that. That tank is fine, and doing quite well. Great Job Your spread sheet is also fantastic. spotting trends is very difficult without recorded data. So that's awesome.
Oooh, new packaging on the root tabs?!? Great idea! Before I insert root tabs, I pierce them with a straight pin to let the air out. Keeps them from floating and makes them easier to use.
I still use the ol' bucket method for water changing using a syphon, as I like to know exactly the volume of water I'm taking out. My bucket has measurements on the side of it in gallons and liters. This allows me to know exactly how much water conditioner to add no matter the product (metric or imperial directions)
This was a great video! I’ve started to dread my water changes because of the buckets of water I have to lug around - I’m a little scared of the python system for some reason though. This video does make it seem really easy though! I have 8 tanks ranging from 5 gallons to 55 gallons, so I imagine this could make my life a lot easier ❤️
Yay, glad I could help! Yes, the lack of buckets really makes everything so much easier. I still have to use buckets with my 5 gallon tank though since I think this siphon is too fast for it. Maybe I should try it some day!
I glad to see that I'm not the only aquarium hobbyist who relies on a spreadsheet for aquarium plant and fish husbandry. Thanks for your videos reminding everyone that the work should indeed be fun.
I know this video is a little older but I loved it! I'm moving into a permanent house soon and I'm hoping to start my first ever fish tank. I can't stop binging videos and I want to give it a go, but the maintenance had always been super intimidating to me, but this video made it look pretty simple and I'm sure after doing it for a while it'll become easier
04:32 you need the sandwich bag trick in your life! You just gently shimmy a little plastic bag (e.g. sandwich bag, empty bread bag etc.) under and around the outside of the spongefilter, then carefully lift out the bag from the top catching the filter along with whatever water is in the bag - and all the debris that clouds off the sponge the moment you disturb it. Then you have a bag of tank water ready for cleaning debris from the sponge, and no need to wait two days for your water to clear up properly, or else half-clog your filter up again trying to clear all the debris from the water after you just got done cleaning your filter. :)
I am definitely going to use some of these tips because my brand new tank (which just finished cycling 4-5 times for the first time) is heavy planted...
Im sorry, Irene- I didn’t understand the correlation between gas bubbles in the substrate, & the air stone & sponge filter. What does the former have to do with the latter? If you get the chance to explain that further, it might help me understand. I know that I, for one, would really appreciate it! Love your videos and you’re an absolute doll!! Thank you so much!
I'm definitely not Irene but I can tell you the gas bubbles in the substrate can sometimes be harmful gasses that build up and when released can harm your fish in your tank. The air stone and sponge filter help mitigate this problem because they creat surface agitation which allows for more bad gasses to leave the tank and more good gasses to enter
I just use an old fashioned system for my tank maintence (I only have 2 tanks tho). I just use a notebook & write what I to each tank & the date I do it. I can never remember what exactly I do or when I do/did it, so all I have to do is look back at my notebook. Works for me & helps keep me straight & my fish healthy & happy !
I love the fact that you use excel to track your data. You have come a long way and have helped me in the process. Having a sucessful planted tank is a life goal for me. I'm living the dream!!!!!
I recently started a 5 gal. Betta planted aquarium and when I am finished cleaning I put the fish water on my out door plants an they are looking awesome. Thanks for your videos
Hi Irene, great video as usual. I just purchased the same wireless microphone for the videos I produce at church. Nothing wrong with keeping a spreadsheet - in fact I do the same thing, keeping track of weekly water tests. That way I can keep track of things, know what "normal" is for my tank, and detect when things go haywire. I use Google sheets, which is all in the cloud and accessible from my phone, easy peasy to record the data.
Thanks for the reminder to keep a record of conditions and dates. I always tell myself I'll remember when I dosed fertilizers but that's a lie! I definitely need to start keeping a record
Thanks for this video! I really appreciated all your experience even mistakes. I'm not very good with plants, and am planning my 29 gallon nano community plant tank. I haven't had a tank in a long time. I really enjoy your videos!
Thank you for this video. I really appreciate that you explained what you are doing and why. I would like to have a planted tank. I think I could do it now because of this video. I will also watch for your others. Thanks so much ♥
Thanks for another great video. i have approx 35 tanks and all planted and they do great. i am contemplating co2 on a couple of tanks but nervous. My Fish room is a lot of work and really enjoy your tips to try and save some time where i can. Eddie
Nice tank. All my stem plants need a hair cut. LOL. I recently set up a new planted tank. For the first time, I set it up with root tabs in the substrate. My plants are happy plants! I didn’t realize how much of a difference just adding root tabs would make.
@@Aquafinity I have a pico tank of amphopods, a dedicated snail tank, a turtle with a guppy 'pond' in her enclosure, I breed zebra danios, and I am working on developing a line of guppies. I have downsized over the past couple decades.😅
Irene, what a great video. Very informative and super helpful. I have been keeping plants for years and am learning new things from you all the time! Thank you! Also attack on Titan!!!! Let’s gooo!! Haha big fan myself. Tank looking beautiful, keep up the amazing work🙌🏼🙌🏼
Cheers just nice and a nice video as always, and i am in process of setting my 2x 3ft aquscape planted tank :D and attack of titans is super addictive as well
Totally useful idea to use a spreadsheet (eg Office Excel, Libreoffice Calc), they're great to see trends and keep long term records, in aquariums. Technical people will need little coaxing. For the non technical person, the benefits of the tool across many types of tasks (eg casual book keeping, fitness and health statistics, any kind of comparison tallying) make learning how to use spreadsheets a useful challenge. But it's definitely not for everyone.
Irene can you please do a video regarding nitrates and fertilizer? You have mentioned this in several of your videos over time and I don't understand what you mean by this. Thank you! Love your videos 💓
7:55 What is that quick-connect adapter that you have on the Python to connect it to the sink faucet? Where did you get it and how did you install it? Did you make a video about it?
I have a serious problem with Green Spot algae, I have a nerite snail aswell to help get rid of it because it takes a very long time to scrub it off with a toothbrush because I am too lazy to get anything else to clean it (I know it needs micronutrients and I’m supposed to go get them this week)
Gsa solution is upping your phosphate levels and/or lowering the light intensity (wattage not duration) Dont worry its not toxic, you can easily go up to 4-5 ppm. For scraping without ruining your glass with scrapes, I suggest filter floss and a fit and strong arm/fingers.
I’m going to give those root tabs a try…I’ve used another brand that resemble fizz tablets and they break apart and release a lot of particles in the water when putting them in :/
Aquarium Co-Op tabs are the best! And as others have said, good tip to poke a small hole at the ends to let the air escape so they don’t float up out of the substrate.
I skipped the python method as I saw kaveman aquatics talk about the pump method as an evolution from the python, and I hadn't even heard of the python. I was using a siphon with a manual pump in the middle from fluval brand, it's great, but with buckets, I didn't like the spills and carrying buckets manually, so the pump is great, put pump in the tank, hose end into the back yard, plug in pump and watch it drain. Fill large container in bathtub with water up to the volume needed (I use a 100 litre because my 60W pump is a bit large and must stay submersed, I usually need to refill 50l from a 90litre tank change, check temp with a thermometer, put hose end in tank with a clip to stop it coming out, plug in and pump back in.
TY for the video. Where can I get that "widget" (at the to top of the faucet python green piece) that quick connects (chrome thing at top). Has a green lip at top chrome on rest
Perfect I’m cleaning my tank today! I had my 20 gallon filter off for such a long time that all the beneficial bacteria died. So I’ve got allot of ammonia in the tank and I hope all 17 fish survive :( I bout a python but I’ve got no idea how to use it or where to put in into. (I use a different brand of vacuum)
How long did you leave that off? My tank's pump died once and I discovered it only in the morning, so that was probably 7 or 8 hours. I hooked up my extra pump and everything was fine until I was able to buy a new one (the extra pump was a bit too weak for the 50 gallon tank). If your tank has a substrate your beneficial bacteria shouldn't all have died off.
If it was dried up I could see that killing off the bacteria but generally plants like to use up ammonia and nitrates, how do you typically clean your tank before you got the python? Also, with the actual python you can connect it to a sink or bathtub facet typically! :)
@@sneekyalexa2657 In my tank it was an overhead filter, so the media was no longer submerged in water for a few hours, but the bacteria didn't die off.
@@sneekyalexa2657 I clean it with a much smaller vacuum so it’s easier to handle and clean the tank. Plus the tank is in my room and our house is old so the sink is really shallow and I can’t hook it on to the faucet. But in my other tank where the filter broke I saw the dried white stuff. I do have live plants though
Hey, Irene! My 50 ft python siphon comes in tomorrow and something I've been wondering is how do you clean/disinfect it? I've watched videos of people talking about how they do it but I am having a hard time visualizing it.
Hmm, I don't think I've ever cleaned my 50 foot one, but for my shorter siphons, I basically clean them when I'm disinfecting a tank or quarantine tub. I put the tank inside my bathtub, make a diluted bleach mixture inside it, and then start siphoning out the bleach water from the tank to the bathtub. Then I flush the siphon with some tap water. Finally, I hang the siphon until it's completely dry. For my 50-foot siphon, I generally use it to siphon out dirty water. Then I connect it to a sink and flush it with tap water until the tank is full again. Then I store it in my dark, cool basement. So far it hasn't gotten moldy, but if it does one day, I may try the bleach method above and then not sure how I would make sure it was completely dry. My husband does have an air compressor... 🤔
Quick tip for fish keepers If u use poly fill for filtration and u decide to change it don’t throw away the filter floss . Instead clean it really well and use it to scrub/clean your glass of the aquarium. Trust me i have tried using razors and they clean the glass pretty well but they don’t give the side glass the mirror look i hope this comment helps u
@@GirlTalksFish when u use razors they leave marks when u don’t clean it properly But with filter floss it cleans with ease and it doesn’t leave any marks of lime or algea
We actually did one a while ago! I interviewed him for my channel about his experiences as a pet store employee, and then I taught about honey gourami care on his channel.
I like the jungle look as long as there is room for the fish. Question I have a bow front tank and I have tried mag scraper on the front but it looks like it is held out by the bow any tips?
@@joshuastover1047 I use them for household cleaning but always thought they must have a secret chemical mix to clean so well. Gotta say I'm still a little apprehensive to use it in my tanks but I've seen several people suggest them. I'll have to give it a shot
Irene, could you please link the connection you used for the python hone/sink connection. Im unable to remove my aerator, but still would like to uses the python!!!
I only have two really tiny java fern in my 5 gallon betta tank. Is there anything that I can put in my tank that is way bigger and cheeper because i got my java ferns for $12 and there probally the same size when I bought them.
I have always used isopropyl alcohol to clean my glass outside and lid (I take it off clean it let it dry and put back on.) I've never had anyone articulate why I need to use an aquarium safe fish safe cleaner for glass on the outside. Is there a reason I'm just not aware of? Or is it more so if you're working on the rim?
Hi Irene I have the same issue with super low Nitrate levels in my planted tank. Do you have any other solutions despite fertilizers and feeding more fish food?
I have a question.. Can I put plants with a hang on back filter. I have a 20 gallon aqueon tank with 6 glofish tetras. I want to redecorate their tank cuz it looks very artificial, I don't really like that look as much as green planted tanks. I really want to try plants but idk how to do it. I also want to get a 10 gallon tank with live plants and a betta fish. I don't know if a hang on back filter will keep everything clean enough, and idk how to deal with alge, I have never had that problem.. any suggestions?
Have you ever considered doing a comparison on the different gh boosters/ remineralizers that are out there. I don't often see videos of people showing when they add them or how much they add. I use gh booster from nilocg but used to use equilibrium. It's just not something I see talked about all that much
