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My local fish shop have a zebra pleco in, I don’t have your Twitter so can’t reach out any other way, not sure how close you are to the shop location though, would love for you to respond so I can give you this info so we can see a zebra pleco on this channel
I've got bacopa, jungle Val & hornwort started in a bog filter for my 110 gal stock tank I have goldfish in & they are growing like MAD cause of the ferts they get from the waist they put out, when I get enough of them grown out I'm going to start me a feeder GUPPY POND to feed my bigger fish with.👍
If you have a timer, a little trick I learned is to give the light a 1 hour break in the middle of the day. This allows CO2 levels to rise because the plants aren't photosynthesizing as rapidly, plants can also take up nutrients from the water and substrate during this time to replenish their nutrient storage. The algae isn't getting light so its growth cycle is interrupted, when the lights come back on the plant has more CO2 and is ready to photosynthesize again
Interesting. . . I'm going away for 2 weeks (I have a friend coming by to feed the fish and water the plants of course) but I'll try it and I'll see how it looks when I get back.
Great tip for sure...I do the same thing...I actually have the lights on for 2 to 3 hours late morning and then an additional 5 to 6 hours from early to late evening..✌
I believe this method is often referred to as a "siesta." I have actually been meaning to try it out since so many people seem to have success with it.
Love what you say about EXPERIMENTING. So many people are afraid to do it 'wrong', we are a control society. Gardening taught me how I could let go and just try stuff. It actually gives much MORE fun.
I've definately said it before but when I was trying to get into fishkeeping, MD was the one who made it possible for me! I was going straight in with planted tanks and ive used my lights for 12 hours since the beginning :) Wouldnt be doing this well without ya, man
Agree. I now have 3 tanks. So glad MD was my 1st video. I really like the simplist, no BS approach. I live in Australia and products are more expensive. Just enjoy watcing MD.
By far my favorite aquatic channel. You’re both personable and knowledgeable, and your friendliness doesn’t feel forced or uncomfortable. Thanks for the info and enjoyable content! 🥰
I started a new tank last week-I’m a new hobbyist but have been watching you for years! I broke out my notebook and started taking notes on everything I can! I have a 15 gallon fluval flex with dwarf hair grass, Java fern, ludiwigia, pearl weed, and dwarfwater lettuce. In there I have 6 rasbora hetermorpha (supposedly super hardy) to help me do a gentle fish-in cycle. I’m still learning about fertilizer, but I dose Seachem Flourish once a week, and feed my fish every other day. I’m thinking I need to get some root tabs! Still playing with lighting too.. I’ve been using the low to medium setting and doing longer hours. No algae yet, and I think my fish appreciate not being blinded. I think my fish also feel more comfortable with slightly softer lighting as well.
After watching your vids, I finally took the plunge and got a low tech tank up and running! Neons, embers, corydoras julii, blue dream shrimp, nerites, a few unintentional bladder snails and assassins to keep them in check! Thank you for your passion and inspiration!
I am so addicted to this hobby because of you man! I'm currently building my second tank. I've learned a lot with your videos as well! Keep doing this great job! Greetings from Portugal 🇵🇹
Totally agree with everything you said, MD! For me, a hobby is just a hobby. You just have to equip yourself with everything, knowledge-wise. After all, every tank is different. A hobby should be fun, it shouldn’t feel like a chore.
Wow, I have just realised that I've watched 12 hours of RU-vid aquarium videos (the sun just came up), and this was by far the best. I've been looking for clear information about setting up a planted tank, but I didn't expect to find such a well presented set of principles. My fish and I Thank you very much.
At 4:45 thanks for putting the warning about burning things if you cover your lights. Most people just don't realize or think about the fact that lights also produce heat
I’m totally blown away by your vids, found your channel a few weeks back, can’t stop watching them. I’ve always loved planted tanks but have never been brave enough to try one. In the next couple of weeks I’m making my first steps into the hobby, thanks to you keep it up man 👍🏻👍🏻
Wait. Are those Monstera & Easter Lily growing IN the tank itself @ 19.48?! I would LOVE to learn how to do that. Absolutely gorgeous. You're an absolute artist, sir! Thank you for your gentle, helpful content.
Truly appreciate this content. Gives great advice in how to APPROACH the hobby, especially in the low tech area where I believe everyone should start off with. Doesnt tell you what to do but rather gives tips that might work for you as well as how to deal with things if it doesnt. Thank you for this 🙏🌱
Just found your channel... Started a fish tank (a small one) after stopping 20 years ago. So needed to learn everything all over again. I love your tips and video's and to do it on a low budget.I learned a lot already... I actualy have my whole family exited about fish tanks now... were hoping to put in a 2m tank after we're finished adding more room to our home..
I've been binge watching your videos and your one of my favorite fish tank RU-vidrs now. Your personality and what you do with your tanks are what sets you apart from everyone else. The way you scape your tanks has inspired me to start planning what I want to do with my 90 gallon next. Right now it's boring looking and only has a bunch of plants randomly planted. I really want to try to replicate one of your scapes because there all so beautifully done. So thank you for your hard work MD keep up the amazing work.
This video is just what I needed! I already have a low tech nano tank that is doing pretty well at the moment and bought a slightly bigger tank. But I started thinking that I have to have Co2 injection in it because that's what everyone says... But now I know it is just fine with a low tech setup. I feel much more comfortable with it as well. Thanks MD!!!
I've been struggling with low tech set up for months now and i am doing my best to avoid getting c02. This video of yours is very assuring and it gave me motivations to keep trying! thank you so much for this!
Started the video doing f**k all; finished the video doing a 50% water change and plant trimming session in my tank 🤔 the part regarding popping one of your videos while doing maintenance was definitely spot on!
I watch everyone of your videos and love them, I can't decide what I envy more, your ability to visualize a tank and make it happen or the fact that no matter what you do, your plants always thrive and look amazing.
Few other pointers: if you have a nano tank especially, consistency is key (water temperature, lighting, water changes) because there is much less room for error with less water. When I started off I had such a had time keeping my 10 gallon tanks consistent temperatures in the winter here causing my shrimp population to stunt. When I moved to a 20 gallon things got much easier because everything happens more gradually
I have to say this MD channel has to be my top channel to watch...he gives me a chuckle and enjoyment. MDs tanks are inspirational. Have to upgrade some of my lighting options on a few of my tanks...
Just a thought here: The problem with underdosing fertilizer is that algae can utilize single nutrients where plants need nitrogen, potassium AND phosfor. underdosing ferts can therfore cause an algae bloom because fishwaste only gives a big amount of nitrogen. I have had this problem in 2 tanks already and dosing more ferts was the solution there, because I was starving my plants. Also I found floating plants work well as shade against high light too. Love your contend MD! Keep up the awesome stuff!
This is the video that everybody in the freshwater aquarium hobby needs to watch. You have the most beautiful tanks, the best looking videos, and the greatest advice. What I love about your channel is that you present these amazing aquariums, but you do so in a way that helps us believe and understand that we can do it too. And I appreciate how you tell viewers to have patience not to give up. On the wall over my desk and my aquariums I have framed the one-sheet movie poster from the film Galaxy Quest. I have it there partly because I worked on the film and it is a memento from that project, and partly because of the famous line from that movie uttered by Tim Allen's character, "Never give up, never surrender!" There are going to be times in this hobby, in our careers, or life in general when we feel like giving up. I like having that constant reminder to never give up. So I am very glad you mentioned patience and encouraged everyone not to give up. Thank you for your terrific videos. Blessings to you!
@@ella-and-her-cup-of-coffee Just speaking from the heart. As an actor, visual effects artist, animator, and voice-over performer I am privileged enough to be able to do a fair amount of mentoring, teaching, and public speaking. I'm all about encouraging people. And that is what I love about MD and his channel. It's all about encouragement. I try to do the same with my channel as well. This hobby of fishkeeping & aquascaping can be a challenge sometimes, but it doesn't have to be difficult or daunting. MD proves that with each of his videos. Never give up, never surrender!
MD, I've loved seeing your videos constantly improve not even just from a content prospective but also from a quality prospective. I've learned a ton from you and it's awesome watching you learn. Keep up the good work, my friend.
It's funny that you said you experimented with the lighting and timing. I've been into houseplants/indoor gardening for about 10 years and one of the main things I've learned is that when using artificial lighting, it's better to have them on at least 12 hours a day at a lower wattage than *blasting* the plants with only 6 hours of light. You've really inspired me to start planted tanks, love your videos! (:
Just wanted to say this video helped me a lot. Thanks for uploading this. After hearing all your tips I got the confidence back to keep up this fun hobby.
Awesome tips mate. I've been in the hitech game for 2 years and I have a small tank I wanted to do light only. That light tip is what is going to save me headaches, glad I ran across this video. Also, adding the floating plants I was on the fence with but that's a definite now.
Since subscribing you've inspired me to scrap my old scape and do a planted one so yesterday I did exactly that! This video has come at the best time as I had concerns about lighting and fertilisers. I also have a nano tank so will be experimenting with a no filter tank soon. Thanks for the inspiration and advice.
This is the best video I have watched for low tech, smaller tanks. So much useful and necessary information! I feel like others don't go that in depth, but I need those extra details to ensure what I'm doing 😊
Brilliant video, I have kept tropical fish for well over fifty years and your channel has inspired me to return to this wonderful hobby after a three year break, your channel has to be the best on RU-vid, many thanks my friend, Terry.
I had actually kinda given up on trying any kind of fish or planted tank after watching most other youtubers in the hobby but I think I'll start again soon , Very helpful channel you've got here ☺️
Tip #10 is the best!! I struggled and lost fish from the beginning. Now I’ve got a happy tank. And this channel has REI soured me to get even heavier with planted tanks. Excited to find the channel. I’m hooked! Great job bro! Love from NYC! ❤️❤️💪🏼💪🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼. Cheers!!
This is helped me a lot today. I set up my first 10 gal a bit ago for my female betta and I lost her last night. I wanted to simply just scrap re-home my fish and scrap all my tanks. I have had a lot of luck in my other tanks but something just wasn't working in that one. This video has helped kinda give me a "pick me up" to keep going. Thank you.. I needed it.
I’m looking at my nano with just a heater and a desk led light....now I’m gonna try it with shrimp and no filter or co2. I feel empowered after this video haha
After watching this I'm going to experiment with moving my lights further away from the tank and leave them on longer. I've also got to get rid of the wood canopies on top of my tanks. All they do is get in the way. Your tanks are beautiful.
I've been doing so much research in the past two weeks on how to get started on keeping fish or what size and shape tanks I'll need, even looked into trusted filters and heaters, I forgot about plants, I want to do a planted aquarium, but I don't know what types of plants I'll need or want, or how to balance the tank with that in mind, started looking into them today, this video came at great time.
I'm new to your channel. I have been an on again, off again fish keeper over several decades in my life. I do enjoy creating a world for fish to live in and love to watch them. I am just not that great at it. I have only ever purchased tanks, equipment, etc. from my average pet store but, I always tried to find a "better" store for the plants and fish. I have to say, I am so envious of your tanks! Anyone who can create and maintain a beautiful, thriving planted tank has my utmost respect. It is a lot of work and does take some pretty good knowledge to be successful. Thank you for the content you provide on your channel. I found this video to be very helpful and encouraging. My husband would absolutely kill me if I got back into the hobby though so I am not sure if I should try it again! Maybe I'll go find your content on the nano systems. Start small and work my way up. We'll see. Keep the content coming and great job on your videos. You're a PRO!
Excellent presentation on the realistic way to look at your aquarium. Thank you for grounding all of us on how to set up and maintain your fish and plants. You have to adapt your actions to your unique situation and you made that abundantly clear. Great job, thank you!
The "experiment" aspect cannot be stressed enough. I have a deep tank (21in) and a great, top of the line light on it but it took me a year to realise I needed more hrs of MAX light to do better. Cause everyone is "afraid" of too much light and most advice comes from this view. BUT most don't have DEEP tanks. My water is great (hard) as well, so it balances well, in a deep tank with loads of light.... We need to try different things. Thank you so much for stressing this part of the hobby.
You are now my go to guy. Your builds are ridiculous. Your advice is pragmatic and doable (I have the little mesh bags on order from Amazon now for my next tank build). I started with nano betta tanks...many mistakes were made...and to date my largest tank is a 29g. Too much fertilizer (thrive AND aquasoil) and too high light and I lost a LOT of plants to algae. Scrapped that and rescaped.. Now I'm going to DIY my own rimless tank (Aqueon 55 into a rimless...wish me luck) and incorporate that wave machine for my school of rainbows. Bogwood is proving difficult to find here in Michigan so I'm going foraging along a local river in the future. Sorry for just dumping all of that on you...lol. What I meant to say is... THANK YOU!!! Your tips and tricks and aesthetics are exactly what I've been looking for and, as soon as I get out of debt from all the substrate and hardscape and plants that I've purchased to fuel my love for this hobby, I'm going to subscribe so that I can get the insider stuff and continue to allocate what should be going out money for my fish (and reptiles). Cheers!! Thanks from Detroit!!!
Outstanding video!!! Love it. All over that is what life is. Life knocks you down, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move on. Thanks for sharing this.
Perfect video! I don’t have CO2 in my OVERSIZED nano tank and this video is what I needed to help ensure it looks the best it can! ( I have a 125 gallon nanoscale ecosystem) inspired by you my fellow hobbyist. Hope to show it off soon! Once more plants grow in
Lighting is a small issue for me too! It’s like it builds algae but it’s also not growing my plants enough to me. I guess it’s the cheap lights I got when I bought the tank.
We were wearing the same Sweatshirt today!!! LOL! Stumbling upon your channel a few months ago was THE singular BEST thing that ever happened for my tanks and this hobby for me! You keep me inspired every day and I'm getting more enjoyment from this hobby than I ever have.
I love this video, very down to earth and explain everything we need to know about aquascaping in general. That talk about algae made me remember the ‘family tank’ I have in my home. Once my brother was complaining about the greenish water and I was so fed up with it, I bought a higher lumen LED. Once it turned on, the water suddenly looks clear, even though it was greenish few seconds ago, and he finally understand that greenish water is actually normal as long as it doesn't affect the plant growth too much. I think people have too much expectation from watching high tech tank. They sometimes failed to realize that high tech means high investment, and when your tank isn't a ‘high investment’ one, then don't expect too high 🤣
I really needed this video. I just got back into the hobby and am trying a planted tank for the first time. Cyanobacteria has got the best of my first attempt and I’m in the process of starting over. Not gonna give up but I needed the moral boost.
I think all your videos are sooo informational and helpful. Mostly, you're presenting and explaining it where I can really find it helpful to use in my own experience as I try and get better on maintaining and creating more planted tanks. I appreciate all your videos and keep them coming as I am a regular viewer on your channel and have subscribed.
Your tips and channel improved my planted aquarium so much ! Such awesome advise unlike all the other people telling you that you need c02 injections to grow plants and only meed your light on for 6 hours and you need to buy 400 dollar lights and blah blah.... Thanks MD
I have comet goldfish so I usually hafta water change weekly for best water quality and try to maintenance when I do that. I only have two tanks, both planted, but my goldie tank takes the most attention. Still trying to make the plants happl lol but I'm getting there!!
You’re the Best! Not only are your tanks and artistic stylings phenomenal to look at your witty humor and happy demeanor intermingled with loads of useful information have me sitting here laughing and learning at the same time. It doesn’t get better than that! Thank you. Be well and keep it up!
Red plants need extra iron to stay red. I learned a trick from a man from Taiwan who use tiny bits of old iron nails place under the plants that needed the extra iron. The trick works and it save on having to dose with a iron supplement
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and your cheerfulness about aquaria -- and for not hiding its challenges! It appears to me that even if not a lifestyle, "submerging oneself" into the world of aquaria certainly captures the spirit of adventure. I have been reading and watching a lot, and I am well on my way towards into my first nano Walstad aquarium. Thanks again!
Loving the videos!! Just getting back into aquariums wife got me a nice 50 gal acrylic for Christmas slowly adding everything thing needed to start setting up. Your videos are awesome and and I am learning a ton. The timing on this video was perfect.
