👇👇MD MERCH CLICK HERE👇👇: FULL SHOP: md-fish-tanks.creator-spring.com This is my self sustaining ecosystem aquarium that I've built for my new betta fish and ricefish. The idea behind this aquarium is that once you get past the initial few weeks of "fish in cycling", the tank will not require water changes, will need minimal feeding as the shrimp will breed and micro fauna will populate the tank. All that will be required is to top up the water level as it evaporates and trim / replant the plants. Lovely!!! I will feed the tank with some quality flake food every other day though just to ensure there is enough food for the fish. The wood will also keep nitrates at a respectable level and provide nutrients for the plants. Equipment (all links affiliate): MEDIA BAGS: US amzn.to/34Kaf2N UK amzn.to/3lAj3z1 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 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 UA-cam: ua-cam.com/users/apifishcare 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 UA-cam: ua-cam.com/channels/NxaNWKoWr_ztSgXgPj9r8A.html Purchase AQUARIAN products here: aquarian.co.uk/where-to-buy/ AWESOME MEMBERSHIP COMMUNITY ua-cam.com/channels/3uQXzXSPspf2LoGdtYGiHw.htmljoin FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/md_fishtanks/ FOR BUSINESS ENQUIRIES: admin@mdfishtanks.com #plantedtank #aquascape #mdfishtanks
The link to your website doesn't work. What brand and type aqua soil did you use in this ecosystem build? There wasn't an individual link for it in your comment or the details of the video. The first link was for the mesh bags.
Here in NV I started “rescuing” Bettas from Pet Co and Pet Smart… I am struggling. I need help. THE BETTAS ARE STRUGGLING!!!!!!! THE BETTAS NEEDS HELP!
I would highly recommend above water plants also. Plants like Pothos you can hang in the back of the tank or filter. They reach way more oxygen being exposed to air and are also therefore consuming more nitrates. I use Pothos/aloe Vera in almost all of my tanks. You can get just a small cutting and turn it into a huge plant easily.
@@ddawg743 i'm not 100% sure they'd do well, since they're succulents they prefer drier conditions and may experience things like root rot etc so i personally wouldn't risk it
MD, I definitely think you have done your homework. Other fish channels I watch, I find myself wishing they did more research. This is a tank channel that does fish right and proven your methods. Always a joy to watch you create!
Hi MD. Just a quick note to let you know that I love your return to this type of video. Over the last couple years I have learned so much from you and have been continuously inspired to improve, in a (likely unattainable!) quest to have tanks as beautiful as yours. Watching your process in 'nano' tanks in your own studio works so well for me. Thanks again for going back to demonstrating the techniques and design of tanks I can aspire to! Cheers and I hope you guys cool down soon. John
I absolutely have loved to see you and Matt’s friendship grow over time. It’s been awhile but the two of you, if I remember correctly, were just fish store acquaintances at first. And now you guys seem so fun together ❤❤
I've used dirt under sand and also bio-media bags under sand...I'm now 6-9-12 months in, the bags are SO MUCH BETTER than dirt. ALSO....I've never heard such a direct connection to the Walstead (sp?) method and how this is a better approach -- looks AMAZING!!! BRAVO!!!
MD, you've literally inspired me into getting a planted Tank, they've always seemed a bit to complicated, but your way of doing things have literally been my go to., Just got my first tank, 300L heavily planted, no too much worry, fish seem to do great so far! Thank you!
Thanks so much for these 2 videos. I'm about to start a planted aquarium for the first time and want it to be as low-tech and self-sustaining as possible. These videos have been perfect!
Helloo.... Am from India..... I found this channel two three days before and I set up one self sustaining aquarium today.....And I was not a fish type person at all...😂 Thanks for such excellent videos.... Really great especially for beginners.... Thanks a lot man...
Ocean aquatics and father fish is an inspiration of how aquarium should be. I like how your following natural way with a modern twist. Walstead method is an extention of what you are all about. Dont fight nature use it to our advantage.
This tank is great MD! Have been looking for betta community ideas that work. I have been binge watching your videos for a couple of weeks now and I totally love your channel. Your nano tanks are all fantastic, so inspiring and perfect for people who want to enjoy the hobby, care for their fish, but don’t have tonnes of spare time. Hopefully my Betta will soon be loving life in an MD inspired planted tank!!!!
I cannot believe your talent with the setting up of new fish tanks. It's truly a gift. They all look different but so cool and natural. I am so glad I found this channel.
I use the API master test kit as well, and it is good, but there are some important caveats to be aware of with it: 1) when you buy a new kit, save the color charts from the previous one and compare them - they aren't always the same, and sometimes it can be different enough you'll think it's off by one (what is 0.25 on one chart will look like 0.5 on the other, for example), and 2) the type of lightning you put the results under can strongly impact what color you think you are seeing. Not all types of lights (LEDs, incandescent, natural sunlight, etc.) are equal, they all have subtle differences about them that can make a big different in your readings. The colors in the liquid might be consistent, but what you are comparing to it isn't going to be. (And of course, if you are experiencing a surge in nitrite or nitrate, it's nigh impossible to distinguish the various shades at the high levels, although that doesn't matter overly much since if you are at such high levels that you can't even distinguish what the level is, you clearly need to take emergency action regardless.) Also, I'm curious about how the pH level in a tank like this is maintained at a steady and appropriate level? Every betta tank I've ever had, the pH is always dropping all the time and needs daily reinforcement. Heck, every tank I own regardless of what is in it always has continuously falling pH levels that need constant upping. I might well be keeping API alive financially just on the enormous quantities of pH Up I have to buy all the time.
My advice for the ph drop, is a small chunk of coral. I actually put crushed coral in my substrate now, but the idea is that any time that your water starts to get acidic it east at the coral and it lifts the ph, but it will actually keep it steady once it starts it’s magic. I learned the method from the UA-cam channel aquarium co-op
I did a fish in cycle for my first ever aquarium in a heavy planted tank. It was challenging as a beginner because of my tap water. I was testing my aquarium water twice a day, sometimes doing 2 water small changes daily if required. I had trouble with pH swings because my tap water is very soft. It would drop from pH 6.6 to 6 in a matter of a few hours. I fixed my tap water issues by adding crushed coral in a media bag in the tank and Seachem Equilibrium (for minerals, raising GH). You can use Seachem Alkaline Buffer but be very, very, VERY careful, that thing is POTENT and it is very harmful (even deadly) for fish if your pH rises too fast. I use it only to prep my new water so the pH rises to 7 and I have measurable KH (it registers at 0 from my tap water and GH is barely 1). I always mix the products in my clean water bucket and test the parameters (pH, KH/GH) before putting it in my tank because if I do a mistake, I can correct it and it will not impact any of my fish friends.
What a lovely tank MD!!! I've just finished my first ever tank, and did a fish in cycle! Seeing that beautiful bright blue on the nitrite test after a few weeks of purple was one of the best feelings! My betta and his cardinal tankmates are loving their home now!
Its been only 4 days i got my betta and its doing great jumping to bite my hand jumping to eat wet flakes building bubble nests sleeping coming upto me everytime i go up to him.Experienced fish keeper or breader but new to betta fish im glad its doing good
I find that its very true that goldfish change their colors. My brother got a black goldfish, he was just a little guy, obviously a younger fish. And then throughout a few weeks he grew, and his color turned gold. And now that hes a lot bigger, hes such a dark black that we can barely find him in the black substrate (we have a white goldfish in the tank, hence the black substrate)
African tank looking amazing as ever. Gotta be my favorite you've done. The layout, the wood. The stocking. Amazing. Kinda sad you'd probably be breaking it down soon.
Thank you for your comments on fish in cycling, I have taken much abuse for carrying out controlled fish in cycling from people on social media, they just don’t understand how safe and effective it can be if you do it with proper consideration taking the measures you outline in this video. Thank you.
Congratulations Matt! Not only do you surprise us with your knowledge on fish but you somehow the first man to have a baby Couldn’t even tell You was pregnant!
Cool vids! I like the dark start for a new tank because you dont need water change and this day we all need to be very careful with the water. I like your channel because of your ecosystem style. I’m agree with you, we dont need to have plants on steroids.
Thanks for the video. I’ve been looking for inspiration for a spare tank and a rescue Betta that’s in a tiny emergency nano tank. Send congratualtions to Matt on the birth of his baby. 🍼🍼
I did a cycle without fish, planted the tank, seeded with beneficial bacteria and dosed it with ammonia. Once the tank removed the ammonia quickly enough (and was stable about it) I added fish and had no issues. Don't remember cloudiness from dieoff, but it could've happened during the night. As long as the fish are happy and healthy I don't see an issue with what cycle you do. Also, ammonia stinks, in case anyone was considering that kind of cycle.
So I believe the purplish one is for uv susceptible fresh water fish. Not really a fish expert but I believe it's to make the fish scales look more vibrant. The one for the plants will be in a bluish white tint because this is the wavelength that they utilize the most. Cheers.
I've only actually had nano aquariums basically up too 20 gallons at max but I've honestly enjoyed having nano community tanks with a Betta Fish male or female as they honestly will doo great with a community and will honestly make the community tank have some personality and perspective of on learn that betta's are only aggressive after they've been removed from the grow out tank and they then completely forgot who's exactly family or not as they will co habitat with quite alot of fish if they aren't fin nippers, honestly have enjoyed your content over the few years
I just love your tanks, passion and style, you shine through with such joy. I've a really green thumb, and grow flowers, succulents and a salad vegi bar at home, and I've just recently set up my first tank....it didn't stop there, I've just got my 2nd tank, a fluval edge 46l and will create a natural tank which I'm very excited about. thanks for sharing your passion of the underwater gardening!! I'm in Aus, but made in UK.
Is it crazy that I didn’t even know who Matt was but instantly recognised that fishtank behind them from a UA-cam fish binge just the other day. I’m going to sub to both of you right now 👍🏼
Congrats to our mate Matt! ❤️🤗 Undoubtedly a miraculously wonderful spawn of his - parenting is an absolutely terrifying, beautifully rewardingly exhausting, clearly mystifying, and cry inducing miraculously wonderful, perfectly meaningful endeavour! Give up and find yourself again - and again and again! Hang in in mate - as long as you do it with the respect of the love of your heart - it's ok! ❤️🤗 Putting yourselves and your businesses aside is hard! And you will fail again and again - and that's ok! Just give in, give up - and find yourself again! Enough advice on meeting the life change it is to become a parent! This scape is wonderful! 😄 And thank you so much for all your beautiful and rewarding revisits! Loved seeing ❤️🍒🦐👀 again!! Soooo looking forward to see all of you lovely beings (plant/animal) again 🥰 and hoping 🤞🏼 one day, just perhaps one day, you'll dare to open your tanks - to a clam! puppy eyes 🥺🐶👀 Molluscs are just so surprising - and even sedentary ones so oddly conscious! I hope ❤️🤗 Loads of love and blessings from Denmark 💚
I had a 55 gallon with 6 various fancy goldfish and sand as a substrate. The only live plant I had any luck with that had decent growth was the amazon sword. Luckily they left it alone. What I didn't count on was even with my massive weekly water changes, they were still such good fertilizer machines themselves one of the swords grew to occupy 1/4 of the tank and became a massive mother plant, producing offshoot after offshoot, which I then was able to profit from. Don't know why I mentioned this. I've had dirted tanks as well, and this is obviously next level.
I love your channel and find most (all) of your tanks to be beautiful, but I will say that this particular aquarium is, in my opinion, the most beautiful one. It's simply stunning. I like the little splashes of color scattered throughout the lush green, and even the red root floating plants carry that on through the surface. So lovely. (If I die and come back as a fish, can I live in there? Haha.)
I have always done a fish in cycle. When I first started I did it wrong and lost some fish, but I keep bacteria on hand to help reduce spikes when/if it happens. If you have a spike, water change, dump in some bacteria and it settles quite fast. I love my bacteria boosters 🤣
Hi MD✋. You are my inspiration for everything about the aquarium and fish. I watch all your videos and I am very happy and enjoying. You are my number one. I wish I could travel and meet you one day❤️. Badr. From Syria
I got my first fish a month ago. I had my tank going for a month before I added my fish cos I wanted to have established plants in the tank first and not have to deal with plants dying while my fish was getting used to her tank. I assumed the tank cycled in that month based off of the stuff in quick start and my fertilizer. If not, then I did fish in cycling. I still neurotically test my water parameters and do a small water change every two or three days. My fish seems happy. I think that I’ve got bacteria in my tank taking care of things.
Totally agree! Love the Twinstar S & C line lights. They are still too purple or warm for my liking, though. A & B lines are total garbage. ADA solar & UNS Titan provide the perfect, cool white light. Just cost a ton of dough
Ngl I attempted your African river and it seems like a success. Just waiting for a few days to test the water prior to putting the fish in there. I’ll now be attempting this for my 1 male and 3 female betta fish 🙏🏿. Much love bro
first things first..excellent content, very captivating...I think I've watched almost all your videos over the weekend, some even twice.. just got my first tank today..super excited
Guppies are the best for fish in cycle, my mate has a spa outside and he put a red belly guppie (don't know the name) in it to eat mosquito's larvae and now he has at least 200 + . And this is full of soft water they love it .
You can just call it cardinal flower if you want lol! I had no idea you could use it in this application, I've got it growing out in my rain garden. Though the normal-sized variety.
I'm absolutely loving these videos. I saved a beta fish from that small cup in the petstore. He's now in a 20 long aquarium. But I want to learn how to do the aqua soil in zip bags, then substrate and sand. Then picking the best live plants to have. Floating plants too. I really want my beta fish to have an amazing mansion. I'd greatly appreciate any information you can share. ❤
Quick Start ftwI I know this video is a couple of months old, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed watching it. I'm moving around so not really in a position to start with aquatics (though I was very into the hobby years back), so thank goodness I can get my dose at your channel. Your tanks look stunning. The fish and plants are just thriving. Keep 'em coming!
Great job @MD Fish Tanks on the setup and video! I messed up a few things in my setup and didn’t test enough right after setup and lost three fish due to a nitrite spike. Things are better now.😞
@MD Fish Tanks Hello! I know other people have already said this already,but thanks for teaching me so much. I have to admit this past 2 months I have stopped watching because I got out of the habit😭. Please forgive and don't arrest me🚔lol. But I'm back! I even created my own aquarium channel. It's small right now,but hopefully overtime it will grow. Thanks again! P.s. I've watched your videos for about 2 years.....love them
I have a betta and chili rasboras in my filterless tank AND THEY JUST HAD BABIES!!! I’m so excited. I’ve been waiting and hoping for this! (Except now I have to get a tank set up to transfer them in so they survive 😅)
I love your channel. Im a newbie and ive learned so much from you. I just hope ill soon have enough for a bigger tank (56L atm). Kinda want around 100L would be so cool, more room for plants and some more scapes!!
MD thanks so much. This video was awesome, even though it is labeled "No water change" but do a water change every day for two weeks.... Anyways, gonna give it a go for my daughter, might be a total fish kill, but should be an adventure. Thanks for your videos. I truly appreciate your hard work. Cheers.
The first water change is to let the good bacteria multiply in the soil and let the plant filter the water, at first the plant doesn’t do much since the soil is clean and not yet ready to do the heavy filtering .
Hi MD thank you so much for your brilliant videos you send me. I'm in the process of setting up a new fish tank. I'm not using the Colombo CO'2 Reactor refill its so good for my plants 7:03
Hi MD! I love your channel! Can't wait to see what else comes out of your relationship with Miadenhead Aquatics. I am setting up a ten gallon with plans to use really oddball plants (100% purple/pink/red leaved plants). Do you think you could another set up in the future based around a similar idea? There aren't a lot of resources for these types of plants informationally so I would reallly appreciate it!
same , i am also planning to setup one aquarium with all red/pink/purple plants. I have actually dry started red sphagnum moss carpet in a 17L tank as an experiment ,lets see if this works out. Unfortunately I couldn't find resources on youtube. @explosionxx
For my new aquarium, I did fish in cycle as well, and didn't change the water at all for 2 weeks, the water parameters did skyrocket but the fish didn't seem to be affected. I have guppies.
I'm not going to say that fish in-cycle is the same as turtle in-cycle because they're different animals with different sensitivity levels, but basically, the process is the same. I've been doing turtle in-cycle for my tanks for the past 14 years with zero issues.
I love your channel man, much love from the US, before finding your channel I didn’t think it was possible to have such beautiful low-tech tanks. I wish I found your channel before I invested in my pricey C02 setup 😅.
I LOVE that more channels are promoting in-fish cycles. Not only are fishless cycles tedious, take forever, and borderline require a chemistry degree, but they usually result in an environment with the same problems as a fish in cycle 😭
Lmao so if the problems are the same, why not choose the option that spares fish all the ammonia and nitrites. You know 90% of people are not heavily planting at the start. And using the master kit is pretty freaking simple once you do it a couple times. (And fishless cycle doesn't have to be tedious. Tetra safe start + and a frozen shrimp and you're good in a week. Ive done it several times.)
@@batkat0 Sort of the same but instead of a frozen shrimp i ghost feed with flakes (not the chocolate) every day. sometimes it takes a little over a week but i like to have at least a good water quality before the fish go in.
👇👇MD MERCH CLICK HERE👇👇:
FULL SHOP: md-fish-tanks.creator-spring.com
This is my self sustaining ecosystem aquarium that I've built for my new betta fish and ricefish. The idea behind this aquarium is that once you get past the initial few weeks of "fish in cycling", the tank will not require water changes, will need minimal feeding as the shrimp will breed and micro fauna will populate the tank. All that will be required is to top up the water level as it evaporates and trim / replant the plants. Lovely!!! I will feed the tank with some quality flake food every other day though just to ensure there is enough food for the fish. The wood will also keep nitrates at a respectable level and provide nutrients for the plants.
Equipment (all links affiliate):
MEDIA BAGS: US amzn.to/34Kaf2N UK amzn.to/3lAj3z1
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
STAINLESS LILY PIPES: US amzn.to/2FqHpvR UK amzn.to/2RlfrnC
BOWL AQUARIUMS: US amzn.to/2M4FwFO UK: amzn.to/2Vx73CL
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It looks awesome
What a lucky fish. That Betta has no Idea he has won the Jack pot.
@@cameronstoneadams1183 yep and that fish is very blessed
What is the media you use in the bags? Can you provide a link? Thanks
The link to your website doesn't work. What brand and type aqua soil did you use in this ecosystem build? There wasn't an individual link for it in your comment or the details of the video. The first link was for the mesh bags.
Here in the states, bettas are literally displayed in tiny cups. It makes me so happy that this shop actually takes care of their bettas!
I think they do that everywhere.
He just went to a specialty shop we have specialty shops like that in the states that don’t keep bettas in cups 🤷♀️
Some people leave them in those tiny 12oz cups after they get home with nothing but water, a daily feeding, and weekly water change.
Here in NV I started “rescuing” Bettas from Pet Co and Pet Smart…
I am struggling. I need help.
THE BETTAS ARE STRUGGLING!!!!!!!
THE BETTAS NEEDS HELP!
@@usuariohumano2179if you aren’t able to “rescue” all of them you don’t need to try to
I wish a fish shop like this was near me. I love that the bettas are in the big tanks and not tiny cups!
I would highly recommend above water plants also. Plants like Pothos you can hang in the back of the tank or filter. They reach way more oxygen being exposed to air and are also therefore consuming more nitrates. I use Pothos/aloe Vera in almost all of my tanks. You can get just a small cutting and turn it into a huge plant easily.
How would I go about this just plant it in the water or outside or on top?
I have philodendron in all my tanks. I think they help a lot!
Do aloe vera survive in water long term?
@@incredible421this is my question because my aloe Vera plants are huge outside
@@ddawg743 i'm not 100% sure they'd do well, since they're succulents they prefer drier conditions and may experience things like root rot etc so i personally wouldn't risk it
MD, I definitely think you have done your homework. Other fish channels I watch, I find myself wishing they did more research. This is a tank channel that does fish right and proven your methods. Always a joy to watch you create!
Hi MD. Just a quick note to let you know that I love your return to this type of video. Over the last couple years I have learned so much from you and have been continuously inspired to improve, in a (likely unattainable!) quest to have tanks as beautiful as yours. Watching your process in 'nano' tanks in your own studio works so well for me. Thanks again for going back to demonstrating the techniques and design of tanks I can aspire to! Cheers and I hope you guys cool down soon. John
thanks john
Actually your videos convinced me too to set up my first tank. Low tech 30 liters and it goes great, I started in February. Thank you.
Hey brother have you still been working on your tanks? I wonder how much greatness you have accomplished in the last 7 months
Bg
I absolutely have loved to see you and Matt’s friendship grow over time. It’s been awhile but the two of you, if I remember correctly, were just fish store acquaintances at first. And now you guys seem so fun together ❤❤
I've used dirt under sand and also bio-media bags under sand...I'm now 6-9-12 months in, the bags are SO MUCH BETTER than dirt. ALSO....I've never heard such a direct connection to the Walstead (sp?) method and how this is a better approach -- looks AMAZING!!! BRAVO!!!
MD, you've literally inspired me into getting a planted Tank, they've always seemed a bit to complicated, but your way of doing things have literally been my go to., Just got my first tank, 300L heavily planted, no too much worry, fish seem to do great so far!
Thank you!
how is it 1 month after?
How is it three months later
@@felixkeppy9849 it's doing really well!!
UA-cam keeps deleting when i post a picture ha ha
@@goodvishnu good to hear I’m exited to start my own tank
@@felixkeppy9849 good luck, don't worry about a the it's and bits, from my experience nature has a way of stabilizing itself.
Hi MD. I appreciate you listing the types of plants you are using. It gives me, and others, ideas of what to try in our set ups. Thanks.
Thanks so much for these 2 videos. I'm about to start a planted aquarium for the first time and want it to be as low-tech and self-sustaining as possible. These videos have been perfect!
Helloo.... Am from India..... I found this channel two three days before and I set up one self sustaining aquarium today.....And I was not a fish type person at all...😂 Thanks for such excellent videos.... Really great especially for beginners.... Thanks a lot man...
How is it?
Ocean aquatics and father fish is an inspiration of how aquarium should be. I like how your following natural way with a modern twist. Walstead method is an extention of what you are all about. Dont fight nature use it to our advantage.
This tank is great MD! Have been looking for betta community ideas that work. I have been binge watching your videos for a couple of weeks now and I totally love your channel. Your nano tanks are all fantastic, so inspiring and perfect for people who want to enjoy the hobby, care for their fish, but don’t have tonnes of spare time. Hopefully my Betta will soon be loving life in an MD inspired planted tank!!!!
I cannot believe your talent with the setting up of new fish tanks. It's truly a gift. They all look different but so cool and natural. I am so glad I found this channel.
With lights off the aquarium looks sooo amazing... Sooo Natural and beautiful contrast of colors
Your eco system tanks keep getting Betta and Betta.
I use the API master test kit as well, and it is good, but there are some important caveats to be aware of with it: 1) when you buy a new kit, save the color charts from the previous one and compare them - they aren't always the same, and sometimes it can be different enough you'll think it's off by one (what is 0.25 on one chart will look like 0.5 on the other, for example), and 2) the type of lightning you put the results under can strongly impact what color you think you are seeing. Not all types of lights (LEDs, incandescent, natural sunlight, etc.) are equal, they all have subtle differences about them that can make a big different in your readings. The colors in the liquid might be consistent, but what you are comparing to it isn't going to be. (And of course, if you are experiencing a surge in nitrite or nitrate, it's nigh impossible to distinguish the various shades at the high levels, although that doesn't matter overly much since if you are at such high levels that you can't even distinguish what the level is, you clearly need to take emergency action regardless.)
Also, I'm curious about how the pH level in a tank like this is maintained at a steady and appropriate level? Every betta tank I've ever had, the pH is always dropping all the time and needs daily reinforcement. Heck, every tank I own regardless of what is in it always has continuously falling pH levels that need constant upping. I might well be keeping API alive financially just on the enormous quantities of pH Up I have to buy all the time.
My advice for the ph drop, is a small chunk of coral. I actually put crushed coral in my substrate now, but the idea is that any time that your water starts to get acidic it east at the coral and it lifts the ph, but it will actually keep it steady once it starts it’s magic. I learned the method from the UA-cam channel aquarium co-op
This is sooo much cooler than interior decorating
I’m going to save a betta…this video is such a help. I’m disabled so the tank size is great for my side table. Thank you!
I did a fish in cycle for my first ever aquarium in a heavy planted tank. It was challenging as a beginner because of my tap water. I was testing my aquarium water twice a day, sometimes doing 2 water small changes daily if required. I had trouble with pH swings because my tap water is very soft. It would drop from pH 6.6 to 6 in a matter of a few hours. I fixed my tap water issues by adding crushed coral in a media bag in the tank and Seachem Equilibrium (for minerals, raising GH). You can use Seachem Alkaline Buffer but be very, very, VERY careful, that thing is POTENT and it is very harmful (even deadly) for fish if your pH rises too fast. I use it only to prep my new water so the pH rises to 7 and I have measurable KH (it registers at 0 from my tap water and GH is barely 1). I always mix the products in my clean water bucket and test the parameters (pH, KH/GH) before putting it in my tank because if I do a mistake, I can correct it and it will not impact any of my fish friends.
I think you should attempt a Australian themed tank. The rainbows over here are really nice and there’s lots of great plants
What a lovely tank MD!!! I've just finished my first ever tank, and did a fish in cycle! Seeing that beautiful bright blue on the nitrite test after a few weeks of purple was one of the best feelings! My betta and his cardinal tankmates are loving their home now!
I appreciate this bigger, community tank for a Betta 👍. Don’t forget to trim the pearlweed 😉 or take it out after the other plants are grown
Its been only 4 days i got my betta and its doing great jumping to bite my hand jumping to eat wet flakes building bubble nests sleeping coming upto me everytime i go up to him.Experienced fish keeper or breader but new to betta fish im glad its doing good
I find that its very true that goldfish change their colors. My brother got a black goldfish, he was just a little guy, obviously a younger fish. And then throughout a few weeks he grew, and his color turned gold. And now that hes a lot bigger, hes such a dark black that we can barely find him in the black substrate (we have a white goldfish in the tank, hence the black substrate)
African tank looking amazing as ever. Gotta be my favorite you've done. The layout, the wood. The stocking. Amazing. Kinda sad you'd probably be breaking it down soon.
thanks mate. It's going to be The Indian Tank soon so something new and interesting.
@@MDFishTanks are you going to have a sunken underwater scam callcenter for authenticity 🏢
@@KerbalSpacey Dead 😂😂😂
@@KerbalSpacey m'bruh
@@MDFishTanks wow definitely go with a school of pearl gouramis please! I love them
Thank you for your comments on fish in cycling, I have taken much abuse for carrying out controlled fish in cycling from people on social media, they just don’t understand how safe and effective it can be if you do it with proper consideration taking the measures you outline in this video. Thank you.
Congratulations Matt! Not only do you surprise us with your knowledge on fish but you somehow the first man to have a baby Couldn’t even tell You was pregnant!
Cool vids! I like the dark start for a new tank because you dont need water change and this day we all need to be very careful with the water. I like your channel because of your ecosystem style. I’m agree with you, we dont need to have plants on steroids.
That's actually pretty cool. I would love to have something like this but research is a number one priority first.
Thanks for the video. I’ve been looking for inspiration for a spare tank and a rescue Betta that’s in a tiny emergency nano tank.
Send congratualtions to Matt on the birth of his baby. 🍼🍼
Watching you has brought me back to the hobby and I have learnt so much it has made it easier and more enjoyable
I did a cycle without fish, planted the tank, seeded with beneficial bacteria and dosed it with ammonia. Once the tank removed the ammonia quickly enough (and was stable about it) I added fish and had no issues.
Don't remember cloudiness from dieoff, but it could've happened during the night.
As long as the fish are happy and healthy I don't see an issue with what cycle you do. Also, ammonia stinks, in case anyone was considering that kind of cycle.
I like this guy. He's talented, as far as his hobby, and as a presenter, too. All around great youtuber.
So I believe the purplish one is for uv susceptible fresh water fish. Not really a fish expert but I believe it's to make the fish scales look more vibrant. The one for the plants will be in a bluish white tint because this is the wavelength that they utilize the most. Cheers.
I work hard to maintain two tanks. Meanwhile, "let's go to my 697th immaculate tank real quick and harvest some plants from that"
@derp195 - just remember that this is his full time job
I've only actually had nano aquariums basically up too 20 gallons at max but I've honestly enjoyed having nano community tanks with a Betta Fish male or female as they honestly will doo great with a community and will honestly make the community tank have some personality and perspective of on learn that betta's are only aggressive after they've been removed from the grow out tank and they then completely forgot who's exactly family or not as they will co habitat with quite alot of fish if they aren't fin nippers, honestly have enjoyed your content over the few years
I just love your tanks, passion and style, you shine through with such joy.
I've a really green thumb, and grow flowers, succulents and a salad vegi bar at home, and I've just recently set up my first tank....it didn't stop there, I've just got my 2nd tank, a fluval edge 46l and will create a natural tank which I'm very excited about.
thanks for sharing your passion of the underwater gardening!!
I'm in Aus, but made in UK.
Is it crazy that I didn’t even know who Matt was but instantly recognised that fishtank behind them from a UA-cam fish binge just the other day. I’m going to sub to both of you right now 👍🏼
Congrats to our mate Matt! ❤️🤗 Undoubtedly a miraculously wonderful spawn of his - parenting is an absolutely terrifying, beautifully rewardingly exhausting, clearly mystifying, and cry inducing miraculously wonderful, perfectly meaningful endeavour! Give up and find yourself again - and again and again! Hang in in mate - as long as you do it with the respect of the love of your heart - it's ok! ❤️🤗 Putting yourselves and your businesses aside is hard! And you will fail again and again - and that's ok! Just give in, give up - and find yourself again!
Enough advice on meeting the life change it is to become a parent!
This scape is wonderful! 😄 And thank you so much for all your beautiful and rewarding revisits!
Loved seeing ❤️🍒🦐👀 again!!
Soooo looking forward to see all of you lovely beings (plant/animal) again 🥰 and hoping 🤞🏼 one day, just perhaps one day, you'll dare to open your tanks - to a clam!
puppy eyes 🥺🐶👀
Molluscs are just so surprising - and even sedentary ones so oddly conscious! I hope ❤️🤗
Loads of love and blessings from Denmark 💚
Best betta tank I’ve ever seen! My little veil tail would be jealous.
You are so inspiring, I love all of your videos, and you’ve inspired me to make a tank of my own! Hope you see this comment.
That is awesome!
Just found this channel yesterday, but boy, those fishes are so chill! ☮
I had a 55 gallon with 6 various fancy goldfish and sand as a substrate. The only live plant I had any luck with that had decent growth was the amazon sword. Luckily they left it alone. What I didn't count on was even with my massive weekly water changes, they were still such good fertilizer machines themselves one of the swords grew to occupy 1/4 of the tank and became a massive mother plant, producing offshoot after offshoot, which I then was able to profit from.
Don't know why I mentioned this. I've had dirted tanks as well, and this is obviously next level.
I love your channel and find most (all) of your tanks to be beautiful, but I will say that this particular aquarium is, in my opinion, the most beautiful one. It's simply stunning. I like the little splashes of color scattered throughout the lush green, and even the red root floating plants carry that on through the surface. So lovely.
(If I die and come back as a fish, can I live in there? Haha.)
I'm just getting started with my first tank and I've been watching a bunch of your videos for ideas and tips, everything is so helpful!!
I have always done a fish in cycle. When I first started I did it wrong and lost some fish, but I keep bacteria on hand to help reduce spikes when/if it happens. If you have a spike, water change, dump in some bacteria and it settles quite fast. I love my bacteria boosters 🤣
MD can’t resist the lush look of pearlweed I swear
I love it! Also love that you gave all the name of the plants and animals.
You are the truth! Your videos have been very informative and pleasant to watch. I cant wait to start setting up my tank, thank you thank you.
Favorite thing about matt's shop is that they don't keep bettas in a cup.
Hi MD✋. You are my inspiration for everything about the aquarium and fish. I watch all your videos and I am very happy and enjoying. You are my number one. I wish I could travel and meet you one day❤️. Badr. From Syria
I got my first fish a month ago. I had my tank going for a month before I added my fish cos I wanted to have established plants in the tank first and not have to deal with plants dying while my fish was getting used to her tank. I assumed the tank cycled in that month based off of the stuff in quick start and my fertilizer. If not, then I did fish in cycling. I still neurotically test my water parameters and do a small water change every two or three days. My fish seems happy. I think that I’ve got bacteria in my tank taking care of things.
Totally agree! Love the Twinstar S & C line lights. They are still too purple or warm for my liking, though. A & B lines are total garbage. ADA solar & UNS Titan provide the perfect, cool white light. Just cost a ton of dough
Tears in my eyes, love the tank MD!
Ngl I attempted your African river and it seems like a success. Just waiting for a few days to test the water prior to putting the fish in there. I’ll now be attempting this for my 1 male and 3 female betta fish 🙏🏿. Much love bro
Everytime I see Matt I want to even his beard out so bad, like take off the long parts and make it even like MD’s. 😂
Absolutely wonderful video! I really want to try a tank like this. And it's always fun to go see Fishshop Matt!
first things first..excellent content, very captivating...I think I've watched almost all your videos over the weekend, some even twice.. just got my first tank today..super excited
Lol I’m a fan of the budget lights as well. As long as the plants grow and it looks good I’m in.
Guppies are the best for fish in cycle, my mate has a spa outside and he put a red belly guppie (don't know the name) in it to eat mosquito's larvae and now he has at least 200 + . And this is full of soft water they love it .
Love the new plant captioning style!
I like back to your studio videos! I use all API products because of you! 🐟🐟🐟I wish I could hit the like button over and over. 🤣
You can just call it cardinal flower if you want lol! I had no idea you could use it in this application, I've got it growing out in my rain garden. Though the normal-sized variety.
I've watched SO many of your videos. I'm super excited to do a filterless ecosystem in a 10 gallon tank.
your tanks deserves to be the legends.
Thankyou for this! I was only asking the other week for an instructional new fish tank start video. Legend 👌
Matt has the most accurate representation of a goat's beard I've ever seen in a non-goat
Congratulations to Matt on the new baby!!!
What a lovely video to watch, lovely fish/tanks, great music, and you are a really nice knowledgeable guy. Keep going with these videos!
Massive congratulations to Matt from all of us
I'm absolutely loving these videos. I saved a beta fish from that small cup in the petstore. He's now in a 20 long aquarium. But I want to learn how to do the aqua soil in zip bags, then substrate and sand. Then picking the best live plants to have. Floating plants too. I really want my beta fish to have an amazing mansion. I'd greatly appreciate any information you can share. ❤
Quick Start ftwI I know this video is a couple of months old, but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed watching it. I'm moving around so not really in a position to start with aquatics (though I was very into the hobby years back), so thank goodness I can get my dose at your channel.
Your tanks look stunning. The fish and plants are just thriving. Keep 'em coming!
Great job @MD Fish Tanks on the setup and video! I messed up a few things in my setup and didn’t test enough right after setup and lost three fish due to a nitrite spike. Things are better now.😞
@MD Fish Tanks Hello! I know other people have already said this already,but thanks for teaching me so much. I have to admit this past 2 months I have stopped watching because I got out of the habit😭. Please forgive and don't arrest me🚔lol. But I'm back! I even created my own aquarium channel. It's small right now,but hopefully overtime it will grow. Thanks again!
P.s. I've watched your videos for about 2 years.....love them
I have a betta and chili rasboras in my filterless tank AND THEY JUST HAD BABIES!!! I’m so excited. I’ve been waiting and hoping for this! (Except now I have to get a tank set up to transfer them in so they survive 😅)
congrats matt!!!! the tank looks amazing as usual MD!
I love your channel. Im a newbie and ive learned so much from you. I just hope ill soon have enough for a bigger tank (56L atm). Kinda want around 100L would be so cool, more room for plants and some more scapes!!
I need to learn to not step out of camera hahaha. This setup looks awesome! ❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations on your baby 💝
MD thanks so much. This video was awesome, even though it is labeled "No water change" but do a water change every day for two weeks.... Anyways, gonna give it a go for my daughter, might be a total fish kill, but should be an adventure. Thanks for your videos. I truly appreciate your hard work. Cheers.
The first water change is to let the good bacteria multiply in the soil and let the plant filter the water, at first the plant doesn’t do much since the soil is clean and not yet ready to do the heavy filtering .
Father fish has better process watch his videos and get educated on how to introduce all the right elements for a balanced system
@@karmenkittyify Awesome, thanks
Hi MD thank you so much for your brilliant videos you send me. I'm in the process of setting up a new fish tank. I'm not using the Colombo CO'2 Reactor refill its so good for my plants 7:03
Hi MD! I love your channel! Can't wait to see what else comes out of your relationship with Miadenhead Aquatics. I am setting up a ten gallon with plans to use really oddball plants (100% purple/pink/red leaved plants). Do you think you could another set up in the future based around a similar idea? There aren't a lot of resources for these types of plants informationally so I would reallly appreciate it!
same , i am also planning to setup one aquarium with all red/pink/purple plants. I have actually dry started red sphagnum moss carpet in a 17L tank as an experiment ,lets see if this works out. Unfortunately I couldn't find resources on youtube. @explosionxx
i love these natural scapes so much !!!!
Another beautiful setup. Thanks MD.
"One stick, one rock, that's what I'm doing over here."
Proceeds to put 3 rocks in
Btw, that 4th betta made me gasp out loud, it was so beautiful.
Yo! Father Fish has dirted tanks that are older than 10 years old BRO! His plants are awesome LOL
This build is so nice!
love all your videos! i set up a 30g using your method with silvertip tetra’s and pearl gourami with corys! more power to you!
ممتاز أخي الكريم استفدت منك كثيرا شكراً جزيلاً لك 🌹👍🇲🇦
you have made an extremely beautiful planted tank without filter and CO2, bet i cant make it even with all the things.
I have the B Line on a 45 U …very dope light….definitely worth the money
For my new aquarium, I did fish in cycle as well, and didn't change the water at all for 2 weeks, the water parameters did skyrocket but the fish didn't seem to be affected. I have guppies.
I actually like the purple look 💜
I'm not going to say that fish in-cycle is the same as turtle in-cycle because they're different animals with different sensitivity levels, but basically, the process is the same. I've been doing turtle in-cycle for my tanks for the past 14 years with zero issues.
Great work, this tank is beautiful!
I love your channel man, much love from the US, before finding your channel I didn’t think it was possible to have such beautiful low-tech tanks. I wish I found your channel before I invested in my pricey C02 setup 😅.
Could we maybe have an update on George and Sunshine? It would be nice to see there faces back on the channel again!
I LOVE that more channels are promoting in-fish cycles. Not only are fishless cycles tedious, take forever, and borderline require a chemistry degree, but they usually result in an environment with the same problems as a fish in cycle 😭
wdym chemistry degree
legit just put turbostart, ammonia, and wait a week or less
Lmao so if the problems are the same, why not choose the option that spares fish all the ammonia and nitrites. You know 90% of people are not heavily planting at the start. And using the master kit is pretty freaking simple once you do it a couple times. (And fishless cycle doesn't have to be tedious. Tetra safe start + and a frozen shrimp and you're good in a week. Ive done it several times.)
@@batkat0 Sort of the same but instead of a frozen shrimp i ghost feed with flakes (not the chocolate) every day. sometimes it takes a little over a week but i like to have at least a good water quality before the fish go in.
Spectacular looking tank MD👍