UPGRADING my MBUNA Tank x1000% 

👇👇MD MERCH CLICK HERE👇👇: FULL SHOP: md-fish-tanks.creator-spring.com We decided to add a bit of pop to the Mbuna aquarium. Adding huge monstera plants brings the hight to 8ft tall! I think plants coming out of the aquarium always gives a massive improvement. Equipment (all links affiliate): LED FLOODLIGHTS: US amzn.to/3m3cEz9 UK amzn.to/3orIdRv GOOD BUDGET LIGHT:: US amzn.to/2MDfjk1 UK amzn.to/3iYlfQQ SMALL HANG ON BACK FILTER: US amzn.to/2Mw63OO UK amzn.to/39rx3b5 NANO INTERNAL FILTER: US amzn.to/3oxGBWm UK CANISTER FILTER: US amzn.to/3iNeVtW UK amzn.to/2Fo774a GOOSENECK CLIP ON LAMP: (similar as product is now discontinued) US amzn.to/2IlwLVA UK amzn.to/2LNat13 MINI WATER PUMP: US amzn.to/2oAmf5y UK amzn.to/2mjHDez TANKS: US amzn.to/2SOocHG UK amzn.to/2SPA24i STRIP LED LIGHT: US (similar) amzn.to/2SNgbm7 UK amzn.to/2Fn9aW1 ASTA LED LIGHT: US amzn.to/3k9EmpY UK amzn.to/3p5XUPY AQUARIUM RACKING: Shelving: US amzn.to/2SrYZ5k UK amzn.to/2GFWKJ2 AIRPUMP (FILTER SYSTEM): US amzn.to/31z8FA9 UK amzn.to/37GIoUa FILTER SPONGES: US amzn.to/3dQLUfM UK amzn.to/3dS2k7K MEDIA BAGS: US amzn.to/34Kaf2N UK amzn.to/3lAj3z1 STAINLESS LILY PIPES: US amzn.to/2FqHpvR UK amzn.to/2RlfrnC BOWL AQUARIUMS: US amzn.to/2M4FwFO UK: amzn.to/2Vx73CL API® products Subscribe to API on RU-vid: ru-vid.com USA consumers purchase API products on Amazon: www.amazon.com/stores/page/2193F555-CE5F-4A6B-BDC4-F315CB7F175D?channel=MDTanks UK consumers purchase API products on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/25663644-6C8C-432C-9E6A-0A85082C3E3C AQUARIAN® products Follow AQUARIAN on RU-vid: ru-vid.com/show-UCNxaNWKoWr_ztSgXgPj9r8A Purchase AQUARIAN products here: aquarian.co.uk/where-to-buy/ AWESOME MEMBERSHIP COMMUNITY ru-vid.com/show-UC3uQXzXSPspf2LoGdtYGiHwjoin FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/md_fishtanks/ FOR BUSINESS ENQUIRIES: admin@mdfishtanks.com #plantedtank #aquascape #mdfishtanks

an unusual tip, take a white plastic coat hanger, clip-off the straight section and one curved end. Now sand the ends round. ( optional ) You now have a 14'' long white plastic Chase Stick ! Instead of two nets creating uprooted plants and reduction in maneuverability you can place one net too remain motionless and effectively 'chase' the fish into the awaiting net. The white plastic creates a stark contrast against the environment and the fish avoid it's presence. I knew a girl from a petshop that made all fish catching look 'so' easy using this method that I've used and promoted it for years. I hold the loop end and chase with the straight portion of the stick, which moves between plants quite readily ! Just give it a try, if after a few tries you don't care for it then ick-snay the idea !!!

I usually ❤ the builds you do, and I'm an avid watcher of this channel but to be perfectly honest, I'm not a fan of placing the monsteras in this tank. It's the one tank that had the potential to very different than the rest, a proper malawi cichlid tank, and with anubias, etc. and now the emersed ones, it's starting to look like all the rest. Sometimes less is more... 😉

Considering how many houses plants you have might be worth changing those ceiling lights to full spectrum grow lights 👍

Please leave the Lymno in there. Love the light green contrast pop against the other darker greens.

Each to their own and Im sure you love it but that Mbuna tak was so nice as was… too busy for me now, but thats me.. prefer the clean hard scape look, you’ve got plenty of planted tanks..

Hope I'm not being a downer here: I must admit, this has been one of my favourite tanks. I've enjoyed the 'white space' in it. The island, the clear sand around the outside, the landscape of rocks. And that all allowing us to see the fish so clearly. It's been different from all your other tanks. ❤ And although i love your other tanks because of their greenery and landscaping, this one kinda looks the same now. 😢 I'm a bit disappointed to be honest. I'll admit, I’ve always loved your landscaping at the beginnings when they're defined and neat, rather then when they grow out and loose their definition. And become jungles. 😂 But i get that my thoughts are just my tastes. Honestly appreciate your channel greatly. And adore the 2 of you guys. My day is often made when you guys make me laugh.❤

I think it looks great! Re: the limnophylla- if you take half of the bunch on the left and put it in back on the right side- you'd have three small pops of that bright green and it would feels more balanced. I like small amounts as an accent color. A little hydrocotyle growing amongst the Monstera roots like you described would really balance it out. Also, that one plant in your rainbow tank you can't remember is the Purple Waffle plant.

5:19 oh man, this might sound weird, but for a long time now, I've been really hoping to see Timmy basking. This made my day.

Hmmm… Nice experiment but the original design was sooo beautiful 😍

@MDFishTanks, you should make a “living wall” that’ll filter an aquarium. They look so cool.

I know it’s been said a 100x but I do really love the dynamic between you and Matt ! You can tell your having a lot more fun having him around as someone to bounce off, discuss ideas and help around studio. It’s definitely shows in your content 😌

I hate being downer, but I loved the tank when it was just simple and clean with the rocks and a tiny touch of plants like 2/3 the fish just really popped and that’s where your eyes went the yellow swimming about blues etc, the monstera on top and the other plants just take away from the nice clean look you had

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius! You guys really have created the Platonic ideal of aquarium rooms. You can literally do anything you want to do! So glad I get to peek! GOOD SHOW, Gentlemen! Good show!

For the monstera in pots, use the emersion method. Fill a 5gal bucket with waste water from tanks, submerge pot about 3cm below surface of water, hold there until bubbles stop. Let drain. Repeat when soil is dry to depth of about 5cm. In the fish room, about every 10-14 days. Free fertilizer from tank water makes them thrive and explode with new growth. Mist them between watering, and wipe dust off leaves once a month or so. I use distilled water for misting and leaves. I do use this method with virtually all my plants.

Only fish keeping creators i see that entertain so much without struggling 😂 Binge watching on this channel is so good ❤

I'd love to have a room like this...I'd be careful showing outside too much if someone recognises that building.. you know what jealous people or neds are like.. I'm sure you got security but I'd hate for something to happen to your fish and livelyhood.. (and no this isn't a threat of any kind it's a genuine comment) keep up the good work

The Mbuna tank is my favorite tank in your studio. Love what your doing with it. In the future can you PLEASE give a update on the tank like how is the plants doing, what’s the hardest thing with the tank, and etc.❤

I think the lim looks fine...a brighter pop of green isn't bad

I like the lime green plant in the cichlid tank. 😊😊😊

I love it when the notification hits with a new tank video. My wife doesn't though, because then I wanna spend money on mine, lol. Well done fellas.

Definitely digging the plants in the tank looks great!!

I just realized that one of the appealing attributes of your channel is in its simplicity in the pursuit of fun. Bravo on the simplicity of enjoyment of the hobby.

Spraying those roots was satisfying. Absolutely cant wait for the salt water build hope you are successful just persevere through the ugly stage. Great video happy thanks giving

I think this tank is beautiful with all the plants and fish. Can't wait to see more new builds. Your technique is growing. Gotta love it.

Master baiter 😭😭😭 so sly every time I love it 😆

The Monsteras do look beautiful in that tank like that, and I would just caution with cutting too many roots off, it could shock the plant and cause a lot of foliage to fall off and in a worst case it can cause total plant death

The roots will probably start to cling to the bottom branching it will look lovely and very natural you guys are lucky and do wonderful scenery ..fish all look pleased and very happy

It just isn't working for me that tank is my favorite but now it looks odd with the roots maybe when you do the tank behind it you can move them into that one and build them into it better while keeping the look of the front tank and getting the canopy that you want.

All your aquariums shown are looking great, great to see your Acara have paired up!

Lovely updates on how the fish are coming along. Love to see it. Think the tank looks brilliant as it is. 🙂Looking forward to the nest one, also Salt Water hype! 😀

Personally I think the mostera takes away from the simplicity of the tank.

Awesome video as always. Enjoyed it here in Brisbane. My only concern (as the Monstera grows) is the shear weight it will gain and the stresses it will put on the support around it. Might need reinforcing at some stage.

Just found out you two met one of my friends Sam skalz while you were in the states and got some of his drawings/paintings hope you like them he's a super intelligent guy that knows alot when it comes to fish he's helped me alot ❤❤

The pair of you are so funny 😂 Very entertaining 😊 Thank for continuously making great inspirational videos ❤

2:03 I don't usually actually LOL but I loled at that omg MD

That technique is basically a Florida weave in gardening. It's like a trellis for tomato plants

I have observed that Matt has a very high IQ. A very intelligent individual indeed!

U r doing it for a purpose Matt so we can all watch and learn ❤

Pro tip. Use the aquarium water for your plants! It’s liquid gold. Inside plants love it, and if you’re draining a tank water the landscape outside. 🥳

"With Matt here, there'll be more time to water the plants all will be good." Almost instantly........ Plants, water yourselves. 😂

Got to agree with your wife. Looks a mess.

The monstera roots are gonna go nuts!!!

I have monsteras and pothos coming out of all my tanks. A absolute must for me.

You guys are awesome and have a great space created. Next thought is how to truly differentiate yourselves even more

Love your videos made my own 75 gallon tank cause y’all inspired me

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius! You guys really have created the Platonic ideal of aquarium rooms. You can literally do anything you want to do! So glad I get to peek! GOOD SHOW, Gentlemen! Good show!😍

Love the addition of Monstera! Definitely something I have tried to do with my own tank, and will again

I love the Monstera in there! I can’t wait to see it over time. Thanks for the video.

I also grow house plants in my aquariums and they are thriving thanks for another great video ❤

Love the idea of the straps for the monstera plants.

If you put the house plants in a clear plastic pot you will be able to see the moisture or get a moisture meter. You can also try the chop stick method.

Tank looks dope bro! Now I am considering trying house plants too.

I have so many moments thinking about "that's what she said" during you guys' interactions

Monstera plants (and most houseplants) can be grown in clay pebbles (leca) in a wicking pots. Then just check the wicking pot for water/ferts once or twice a week.

Love the tank how it is! Love the addition of the monsteras

Matt dropping a f bomb gotta be my favorite part of the video

Looks nice but it doesn't look like a mbuna tank anymore it's just another planted tank

More plants in the tanks - LOVE it!

It would be really cool if you opened up your studio to the public for viewing! Your setup is Better than most public aquariums.

Get yourself a moisture meter for plants on pots and you will never over or under water again, game changer

Hey Monstera are from Australia as well! they grown HUGE and climb up trees.

Can’t wait to see the Paludarium Builds!! Great Addition Gents🌱

The electric blue Acara move their babies, so they have new grazing spots. They eat the micro organisms in the detritus.

Hello there 👋. You have an amazing studio ❤. Congratulations

You said that the Monstera looks good with the Anubis - this might be due to them being closely related plants (along with the buce and peace lilies).

I've defo missing something... Are you and Matt now an ultimate dream team?

I would definitely transfer those monstera into the hanging cups you ordered when they arrive. Affixing them to electric lights doesn’t necessarily bode well. They are already quite large & heavy and if those lights ever somehow come loose... well, you know electricity & water isn’t the best mix. Hate to see the Mbuna Cichlids (or you guys) get electrocuted, better safe than sorry boys!

I wonder if you could setup a tank without artificial lamps close to one of your windows. Your studio looks so bright, maybe the light would be enough for some plant species? :)

It was only a matter of time until this tank became a jungle! 🤣

You should make a video about all house plants you know of that can be put in aquariums

I love what you did with monstera, looks great.

Looks awesome guys

Love the monstera tank they will pull so much nutriens ❤😮

We started following you with your videos a long time ago. You are doing an amazing job! It's great to watch! We have only one question; when you come with your own products? :D

You guys are awesome together

I am into planted scapes, specially natural jungle style, never been fan of mbunas or similar fish but this is really looking nice. And yea limnophilia looks bit odd there. I do think that some anubias or buce could look nice at the bottom of those roots and hydrocotyle triparita going outside of water would be cool to.

Very lovely fish room. I am very sure you must have put a lot of time into it. This is the first time I watched your channel. I would like to make a comment that your camera moved around too fast too much. It would be a lot more pleasurable to watch if the screen could stabilize a bit.

Greetings from Thailand I miss my fish tanks but now I'm retired and no longer live in the u k we travel about a lot now and no body here capable of looking after fish have a very small pond in our garden with a few fish in they seem to look after themselves

Monstera's are a great addition. Looks great 👌

Wow think this is the first time we've seen TIMMEY out of the water basking 😃

"Matt is a master catcher and a master baiter" 👀

U influenced me to do a build like one of yours. I got all the supplies wish i had ur help to scape it out

Luv, another MD Fish tanks video is out! On a serious note, been watching you for the past almost 3 years. Just a curious question MD since I can't seem to find how you keep your stocked plants especially the epiphytes (anubias java ferns buce) growing. Do you dose them with liquid fertilizer or just change their water on a certain schedule? I'm pretty aware that you keep them half submerged (half of their pots) in water then the rest is growing out and kept with lids on, with lighting. Also, how much light do these plants get? I'm planning to grow some epiphytes when I get my supplies and I need help with how you get them to look lush and growing. Thanks in advance!

Oh guys those plants are awesome I will have a go myself but I don’t have those type of lights

Looks great!

Always waiting for new video ❤

I really enjoyed this!😃

Wondering if you had considered using dolomite as a substrate for your marine aquaria? I heard you mention “sand” at one point however as you know “beach-grade” sand compacts easily and can cause anaerobic pockets fairly quickly. Dolomite was considered the hobby standard substrate for years in the US because it worked well with old-school under-gravel filters where the bulk of the beneficial bacteria culture thrived. It was also very helpful at maintaining PH and water parameters. Not sure which salt water “school of thought” you plan on undertaking (protein skimmers, UV sterilization, Eheim-type exterior drum filter, etc) and there have been many advancements in the hobby recently. Europe (particularly Germany) has developed amazing completely-closed marine systems but irregardless the basics (reducing nitarates at first) still must be adhered to. If you like shrimp I highly suggest a pair of Harlequin Shrimp. They remind me greatly of orchid mantids; pure white body with lavender spots outlined in lime green (color varying slightly with locale.) All are specialty feeders and can be maintained on one starfish for literally years. Mine also bred regularly but the planktonic larval phase made them impossible to raise to maturity in captivity. If they are still available in the hobby they make amazing additions to an invert tank!

I love that pop of color. Leave the limnophila!

Why was I so startled by the swearing beep 😂😂 I personally say LET IT FLY!! I’ve done lots of psych research on how swearing helps you with expressing feelings and is very healthy!

keep the limnophila there..i think it looks good

very cool, thanks for sharing!!💪🤠

Have you ever thought of getting the superfish patio pond? They look good and not that big

Looking great lads.

Hello MD, we know Matt’s first name but I think you have never mentioned your first name? Been a follower since the small garden shed 😉 love the videos mate!

That's an inordinate amount of sunlight for jolly old England this time of year.

like to see long term. if you run a high ph it may cause nutrient lock out for the monstera yet great experiment cheers

I think you'll find these Monstera are from the local garden centre. 😋

Cool! I Love Mbuna. Btw, I believe the proper pronunciation is EM-buna, not MA-buna. I could be wrong of course.