Water Change or Not to Water Change? That is the Question I Have the Answers
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
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I followed Father Fish's way. Now pretty much first year over, no water changes. All good.
When you broke down the ‘cichlid guys’ and the ‘natural guys’ you said it all; so simple. I have a planted tank and an mbuna tank among others, but treat them so differently.
Second, when you said aggression with sugar coat bothered you; I felt the same and responded to all three channels. KG was the best example of this. I still enjoy Ben O’s videos, but it was hard for me to take Caveman too serious with his 90% water changes with pushing of sea hem products. Don’t get me wrong, his fish do look great.
Thanks for your video, it’s the voice of reason here. Keep doing what you do…
KG said nothing wrong, never thought looking after fish could turn into drama ffs
Watch everyone and enjoy everyone. Had 5 gallon tanks to my 310 planted, and 740 SA/CA. I keep YT on during game nights and cookouts sometime and FF video was on, talking that method. My friends start asking why I do WC. So I can see how his video could hurt average people. Ohwell. Drama sells whether it’s a video like this or a 105 minutes rant. It’s all good
@@SensorySeekerStories To me it’s not about the drama but the message. Yes the guys are all right on some things but many things are missing on all fronts. I’m just trying to share my perspectives on the various perspectives and possibilities which will open the door for more types of people to enjoy the hobby in the style they like and how to make it easier and not so complicated. That’s the biggest hurdle in this hobby is to try and get over overcomplicating things.
@LRB Aquatics -King of DIY 's Favorite that's fair enough, everyone does things different, and wants different things from this hobby. The entire thing has been blown out of proportion, just enjoy the hobby for what it is. It sounds miserable, but we'll all be gone one day. Just enjoy life and support each other.
What people either don't know or forgot is that people used to keep fish without filters, heaters and artificial lights not so long ago. During my 58+ years in the hobby I have successfully kept aquariums setup and functioning in many different ways. One thing I noticed was there's more to aquarium water than we have test kits for. Example: I had a 55G tank setup and occupied for about a year with just topping off all going great. I monitored the water parameters regularly. I bought some new fish and quarantined them for two months. No problems raised it's ugly head so I introduced them to the 55G. In less than a month the fish were exhibiting bad strange behavior. I talked with my favorite old timer at my LFS. He suggested quick somewhat large water changes for a few days. Sure enough they pulled through and lived a long and healthy life. I have always relied on the tank itself to house the beneficial bacteria; glass, substrate, rocks, driftwood, plants, etc... I only added either box filters, sponge filters or HOB's to polish the water and keep it crystal clear. I always cleaned such filters under my chlorinated tap water. My fry/grow out tanks were always bare with a box or sponge filter and heater. I kept the viewing panel clean but let the other sides form algae. I would siphon the uneaten food and debris from the bottom every two days with a 20-25% water change. I found that gave me best results in having larger survival rates and quicker growing. For three plus decades I kept a large community display tank utilizing an UGF, HOB and at the time the best plant growing lights. The plants and fish all did just fine with no issues or tank break downs.
I started in the hobby as a wee-lad and followed the advice from my favorite old timer. As I caught that MTS disease as I grew older I started experimenting with different ways of keeping aquariums. There are "many" ways to keep them successfully. I can not follow UA-camr's that preach "my way is the only way to be successful". Sorry Father Fish but your 6" deep substrate method may work but it is NOT the only way. And not feeding your fish, really??
The internet started as a good thing. But over the decades it went down hill. There are too many self proclaimed experts and bashers.
Lucas, you do you! I love what you do for the hobby bro. Call out the haters and don't let them get to you. 😉
Sorry for the essay.
FISH JESUS! 😇
❤❤❤
Father fish & secret history got me started 🙌🐟
And as soon as you said
"All natural "
I subscribed ✅
Hi Lucas, I wasn’t aware you had chimed in on this until John mentioned you in his live stream. Great stream. I too get “therapy”from water changes and general aquarium care. So true about fish keepers being vital to certain species, like the Paratilapia polleni which has disappeared in the wild. I’ve expanded into a variety of fish but still a big Cichlid keeper. If you’d ever like to discuss these different worlds in a collab, I’m game 😉😀👍🏻
I would love too
I would love to watch a conversation on the different styles of aquariums...
i have four tanks. two weeks ago, i broke one down and built it father fish style. then i went to phillips fish works and bought four bags of bugs. put three in tanks and one in a gallon pickle jar to watch it grow. think i'm going to put together a jar for my grandson. i think this is a great kid project. i don't do water changes on my tanks anymore. they are so stable. i was always going for the natural style, heavy planted w/o knowing about natural tanks. wish i was introduced to this when i started, sure would have saved me hella money! thank you for the awesome video! ☮️
This is why I try to teach what I teach. To save people money and to give them the perspective that you don;t need alot of money to enjoy the hobby and nature it brings.
LRB always chill and grounded. Love it.
Hi guys, I only started aquarium keeping 3 months ago when I was diagnosed with an illness and am home bound. I found it very stressful when doing my research and nearly gave up because of all of the different and contradictory do's and don't. I live in tropical Queensland Australia and I have to cool my tanks and not heat them which is a pain but you guys and LRB have made me happy to have aquariums (I started with one and now I have 4 x 20 litre nano tanks.❤❤
Hey thats awesome! Love seeing stories like this one. Very cool!
@rowenanmattingley5677 wish you well with your illness and new beginnings in hobby again
Glad I could help you enjoy nature more! May god and breath give you strength! Yeah not easy keeping them cool and those chillers are expensive. If kept cool though they hold the cold more and more for the room if you get more tanks. Kind of like a radiators cooler or heater. On 30c/86f degree days I don’t even have to run the ac on my fish room because by night fall the tanks have kept it cooler in the barn then cool back down on night and morning. With massing more aquariums I’m able to self substation the temps to a suitable range.
How do u cool them? I need some efficient method that dont cost a million bucks.
@@neutronshiva2498 I have to keep the air conditioner on all day every day and it does cost a fortune. My son floats refrigerated bottles of water in his tanks to cool them but he has to change them often. Sorry I could not help more.
Have you watched all of KG Tropicals video? I didnt see him throwing shade at anyone. I could see how it was misleading if you didnt watch all of it. He even says Father Fish is correct!!!
I breed Guppies for a hobby, not for show. I'm also disabled. Weekly/frequent water changes are literally not physically possible for me. I also feel like they're complete drudgery. I do top offs as necessary and do big volume water changes quarterly (4 times a year). That meets my needs for maintaining my fish. My tanks aren't sparkling spotless clean. They have mulm and algae and occasionally green water and I'm ok with all that. It's beneficial for my growing babies. I keep floating plants. I feed moderately and don't push for huge growth because I don't need it. I breed for color and hardiness. So less frequent water changes works just fine for me.
Good for you bud.. I started fish tanks many years ago doing water changes and chemo treatment…lol now I enjoy my all natural dirted tanks with my substrates from my river and lake i live on..a natural biodiversity living in them with smaller fish..and ya thanks for sticking up for fatherfish❤..I noticed after his video on NO WATER CHANGES. I AGREE! Everyone came out and we’re debating it,,lol they don’t get it..’keep fish great again’ loving your tanks..😊 peace brother🎉..
100% LRB I was one of the lucky ones that got the last 5 mascara Barb’s and those fish came so healthy they didn’t give me one problem they were swimming around like they were born in my tank and never went through the mail, so heathy and happy I adopted your no filter method a year ago on all my 11 tanks and my plants and fish grow better than ever with rare water changes thank you for all the great things you have done in the hobby
Thanks for the support and sharing your experience!
Shrimp jesus your a natural world legend 😊 kg dont seem the friendliest to me apart from yourself i only watch father fish and aquarium coop.your most definitely the most compassionate chilled out fish/shrimp jesus dude keep it up
Thanks, I appreciate that! 💕
tanks are dirty? in our eyes only, if your fish is breeding its not dirty but a profitable tank
My water changes are based on the tank. Some tanks get a water change once a month, some could go months without a water change. My tanks have mulm and algae. I work a lot. I am happy to have algae and floating plants. They help keep my tanks balanced. My oscars' tank and my axolotl's tank need more frequent water changes than my planted community tanks. There is no 100% right way to keep fish. Lordy, people need to chill. Do what is best for your fish and the environment you are keeping them in.
Thanks Lucas 👍 4 All Your Wisdom 😘 Following your ways & recommendations (including 2 watch FF) enabled me to LOVE & Thrive in this hobby 💋🐟🦐🌿
so, I do water changes, I also have at least a sponge filter in every tank, and all of my tanks except one 29 gallon have deep darted substrate that are heavily planted. the 29 gallon has a little sand and a bunch of leaves in the bottom, it has an incredibly large peace Lilly growing out of the top and a real big pothos plant rooted in the hang on back, it also is almost entirely covered in pennywort and pearl weed. it is the only tank that gets frequent water changes , I do a 1/4 change on it weekly Because its the tank my bristle nose plecos breed in so I feed it a lot of green beans , zucchini etc. it also house 10 or so Cory cats.
I like doing water changes, but all my other tanks get them about once a month I don't really have a set schedule.
no matter what anybody says I have learned more from you, Father fish, and Alexander Williamson in the last few years , than I learned on my own in the last 40 !
I got my first tank in 1984 , but long before that I was catching gambusia and crawdads out the local creeks and keeping them in any container that would hold water !
Thanks Lucas. Your insight and your honesty is more appreciated than you realize. Thank you!
I have multiple tanks and a 10 gallon. The filter stopped, and I didn't notice, so I just never fixed it now it's doing fine it has 10 of your blue rice fish in it, and it's heavily planted
I’m finding that lighting is crucial for plant growth to enable the natural balance. I love the deep substrate low maintenance method now 😍
So true it has always worked for me. Great for plants and fish.
That is so true about water changes killing fish. It all depends on the quality of your source water. People in our hobby obsess about their tank water. Source water is critical. I am blessed with natural source water - it is almost impossible to kill a fish with it. I also use rain water but that can be deadly if not used right.
Bad source water can be improved gradually over time (best not to change it too much) imo, depending on how many fish you have of course.
I’m in both worlds, I have a large tank with cichlids and can’t have plants in it, so water changes are a must intermittently. My others are small nano planted tanks. I do maintenance on them differently.
I never do water changes. Just top ups.
My fish are fine and plants too.
And saves me a lot of time
I agree 100%. Unfortunately father fish got mad at me when I tried to remind him that the "filterless" advice is not for beginners but more for a semi experienced aquarist
I’m semi experienced and I worry about no filter
75% plants rule all day… LOADS OF PLANTS and no issues.
FatherFish doesnt recommend filterless though? He does advocate deep substrate, minimal water changes, and lots of plants. But in the few videos I seen of him, usually he recommends a sponge filter and he does mostly tropical fish. His advice mostly works for beginners, aside from the advice of collecting wild pond cultures to seed your tank with. That one can potentially go very wrong
Yea he can be a bit eccentric and temperamental lol
Lucas, does Not surprise me that Kaveman or neither of them took you up on your co live stream to discuss the 'differences' in the styles of fish keeping of the two 'different kinds of fish that we are keeping. Like you Lucas, Father Fish and Alexander/Alex say, there are many tank set ups and different methods that you can you use to keep healthy fish.. Having said that, I have 1 cichlid tank set up out of my current running 14 tanks, that is set up the natural way and it does and looks awesome! Why does my cichlid tank succeed this 'natural way' because it is not OVERSTOCKED & NOT OVERFED and planted, I've created a food web etc. Natural way!
Doing a bit of maintenance on my big tank whilst watching this and found a baby chilli rasbora in the sump. Its mega 'dirty' so cant see much but he's now in the main tank looking a little bewildered. Super chuffed ... long live 'dirty' tanks :)
Thats awesome, congrats!
So unfortunate to have “drama” within the hobby for the sake of views. What you’re doing is obviously working for you and others and you’re not making videos telling people who use filters they’re terrible. This hobby is only where it is today because of passionate hobbyists being willing to learn from each other and try new approaches.
I have 4 nano, no filters/water change on them after killing all my fish during a water change. So lesson learned, no water changes for me only topping off what’s evaporated. The only thing is that I clean the glass of them. What I have inside is a lot of plants and snails in them.
Go all FishJesus - love that image:) You have a great message for everyone. Do what works for you to have healthy fish and enjoy the hobby. I've got a mix of hands off and hands on with 6 tanks and 15 nanos. The more plants and tiny critters I have, the better the water seems to be and better water means better fish for me.
Thanks for doing this video. I agree with the vast majority of what you said, and I love that you focus on the natural systems. I do want to say that Bulk Reef Supply is a relatively large company I really respect. They do their own experiments that they document. Not everything they do is amazing, but I do think they’re generally helpful and thoughtful.
I have been to Bulk Reef Supply and it is a great company, dont get me wrong. But a freshwater guy like me that knows what I know and from what was said, knows better. As far as salt goes its neat they all have their own lil reef tanks in offices plus like you said they do their own experiments. I have seen a few, which is respectable.
We all have our ways. Your way cuts out profit for some. Keep being you!!!!
Great video mate.
I’ve kept tanks for years now and unknown to me always have used the walstead method. I just wanted to make my tanks as natural as possible trying to see the fish as wild as they could be. I thought it would be a happier place for the fish to live.
I tell anyone new to the game who comes round and sees my tanks to use dirt and have more plants then fish. Always worked for me.
My personal opinion was a few years ago that kg Tropicals was the most patronising fish videos on UA-cam.
Keep up the great work dude and soon I will have the courage to set up a tank with no filter.
Peas out bro.
I dont do them nearly as much as I was told but all my tanks are crystal clear, inhabitants are healthy and the plants thrive. I've lost more fish and shrimp after 75% water changes than anything else including a cat peeing in the HOB.
I appreciate the video. When people argue about their way of aquarium keeping being the “right way”, it’s like arguing that an apple is better than an orange.
I think the cichlid people are incorrectly concluding that this is a cichlid vs nano fish/planted tank issue. It's not. Cichlid tanks and monster fish tanks benefit all the same from microbial communities growing on surface area like deep substrates. Newcomers may not know that Father Fish kept many cichlids and monster fish in his shop which can be found in his earlier videos.
Personally, I've kept tilapia-sized fish and small fish, and I fail to see how there is a divide in fishkeeping "principles" between them. Theyre all the same. A larger fish may eat bigger food, but it eats less often (which hobbyists tend to overfeed). So the water quality is not unmanageable for it's size.
Can you put together a pond tank with all water plus animals and organisms from your ponds out on your property? I would love to see that.
One day I plan on it. I would like to have a bigger tank for it 125 or bigger and maybe do a 40 and 20 with the different types of fish and fauna.
Nano Vs. Cichlid
Neolamprologus Multifasciatus, when worlds collide!
Healthy debates bring better solutions. As long as there is no serious outrage, nothing but good things can come from conversations.
Made me realize I have 6 tanks: 55 gal planted w/goldfsh and guppies, 10 gal "foodweb," 5 gal planted betta, 2.5 gal aquatic turtle deep substrate "tank" in his habitat, 1 gal "resurrection jar," 0.5 gal glass cylinder planted w/guppy.
Thank you, LRB. I’m glad you took care of that 🙏✌
I have found that I need to change water often on my killifish growout tanks. If I don't, they don't grow. It must be a hormone thing. Most of my other tanks, I don't need to change the water very often. It usually changed because I just don't like the way it's starting to look. I just use a bare airline and no filtration on almost all my tanks. Lots of plants are the key for me.
100% AGREE 👍
we all need to get along.we have mason jars to 275 gallon tank with a 55 gallon filter.
Scuds-to 35 sunfish
spot on. need to spread more of these videos
Good video & well said. I’ve converted 3 of my 5 tanks to deep substrate & cut my maintenance by 75%.
Always so level headed, appreciate your knowledge.
For my tanks with the fish I keep I do the natural method. Never do water changes except when I take some water from the established tank and jump start the new natural tank. No chemicals other then dechlorinator when I top off my tanks.
Because I value your opinions, but especially for calling out a few of those "other" UA-camrs, one of which (Neanderthal Man) doesn't know his a - - from a hole in the ground about fish keeping!!
Thanks for the support, much appreciated!
I have both styles of tanks setup(planted and large cichlid s)
My 125 is a Frontosa colony(6 large/medium) and 2 large Angels. Use to do water changes weekly but now i grow house plants on top with roots in tank (pothos, monstera, peace lily, lucky bamboo). Doing this i change water once every 2 months or longer now.
I watch all your stuff, and youre the only channel I really never ever disagree with! Especially on this topic
I found this channel after watching Father Fish earlier and it turned out to be very good, friend. You want to reunite with this hobby.
Im in the no change, lots of plants, have done so for years, everyone should just do what they like and enjoy the aquarium....
I'm on your side 😜 I like your natural style 🐠🎸
100% mate, there is many ways to get the same outcome. Lace man is throwing rocks at glass windows.
Love your work , from Australia 🇦🇺
I've had tanks forever. I've been listening to you for a long while now. I don't do water changes and just top off now because salt is sometimes in my tap water. I live on the East Coast and this place is surrounded by fresh and salt water. I try to continue a natural balance. To each their own though. Take Care and Stay Safe.🖖
Thank you shrimp jebus. Everyone has their own version of truth. it's all about the beneficial bacterial. It's like the fight against good and evil. Asking as we keep neutral like our PH everything would be balanced. I noticed being too much of one thing is human growth regress.
Edit: PS don't make shrimp jebus angry. Or his going to come at you with all his receipts. + His 1000's of fish videos. I think I know who I would listen too.
Thank you Lucas. I'm starting a cichlid tank and I can't do it like I normally do ( lots of plants and no vac). I realise there is a place for everything and everything in its place. Thank you for your time and advice. It's been valuable to me.
I was exchanging comments with Patty’s Aquatics since I am doing my research before I start my first dirtied filterless aquarium, and in between comments he mentioned your channel. I also commented that before finding his channel, and other channels like FF, I truly didn’t know much about dirtied filterless aquariums. This is such an important time in the hobby for me since I find this practice absolutely amazing and incredibly addictive! I love your comments on this video about the hobby, and I truly didn’t know there was quite some drama going on. This is so unfortunate. I’ve always experienced nothing but respect from this community, and when time of need came in the sense of information, this community has always been there to assist. Hope we all find a common ground and come to an agreement that we ALL need each other for the sake of the hobby. Subbed.
We do all get a long. Just some differences thats all. World would be boring if we were all the same. Glad that we have been helpful in your aquarium journey!
@@LRBaquatics
Indeed! I agree 100%! 😄😄
Thanks for your reply.
My thing now is nano fish in a big planted tank. I was 100% chasing big fish for my big tanks when I was newer in the hobby. These tanks are way cooler and more interesting now that they are filled with plants and shrimp and some fish... There is a ton of action!!
Best explanation yet! Thanks LRB.
You have awesome beautiful tanks man. You and father fish have inspired me to start doing natural tanks....
Lucas, you are breeding fish that no one else is breeding. Proof is in the pudding! Your fish and shrimp are strong and healthy. I still have guppies and shrimp from your lines from 5 years ago and still enjoying them.
I hate this bullying and in Father Fish's case, honestly giving false testimony against him whether they realize it or not.
I have seen him tell people there are times you do have to do water changes ...it just isn't necessary to blindly change water all the time in most cases.
I have seen him encourage people who do have gravel substrate in comments..giving advise to their set up. He's passionate about what he believes, but not tyrannical. He's just old school and still believes people should have their own common sense and critical thinking skills. Not counting his discord channel and all the time and effort he gives to the fish fam community.
Everyone needs to breath and regardless of personal methods or even who likes who cliques.....Can we Please remember what happened to the forums and not degenerate into that? 😒🙄😒
Thanks Lucas for being gracious. ❤️❤️❤️. Hopefully will have my membership back soon, and I can stay well. ☺️
Well said! In my opinion the forums were never as bad as the FB groups it’s when the corporations bought all the online forums and put ads all over it to where it wouldn’t even load that’s what killed the forums for me.
@@LRBaquatics When I fell down the rabbit hole of fish keeping and started searching for meat and potatoes advice about 6 years ago, I found the forums confusing and egotistical. As a newbie, there were too many opinions to sort though within a single question is a better way of putting it. I never fell into the FB groups, already knew from experience in other things, not to go there. Lol
Do you think some of this is panic because their incomes are so tied to all the extra gizmos? I don't think there's anything wrong with the gizmos, but times of plenty and times of not dictate our lives and what we spend our money on regardless. We've had a lot of years of plenty, and the market birthed a billion gizmos that can be fun or interesting but not necessary because of that. Likewise, uncertain times and I pray not but down right bad times cause people to use what they have, to be creative, and rethink what is necessary.
I can't help but think some of this is coming from fear, as more people look to simpler ways to accomplish the same things.
If this is true, I pray everyone looks to their own creativity to successfully adjust to the changes we are going through right now .
People like you are ahead of the curve, and obviously going to catch others frustrations. I know attacks are frustrating and it's hard not to get mad and indignant when you are just living your own life and successfully doing some amazing things. Maybe it can lessen the sting of it, if we can consider maybe some are just scared and may not even realize it themselves yet where all of this is coming from. Many are unfortunately just Sheeple and getting caught up and/or entertained by drama.
Thanks for being a real Sheppard in our little watery niche and doing your best to always be calm Infront of the camera and inspire creativity and critical thinking encouraging people to forge their own paths. Things we desperately need in every aspect of life. ☺️❤️☺️
"I have seen him tell people there are times you do have to do water changes"
Yes! Even in the video you're talking about, he says that the water will tell you when it needs a water change. If the water (not the tank) is cloudy and murky, if the water smells, etc. then you can siphon it out. He even mentions that in order to prevent a drastic parameter changes, you can do other methods to salvage that water. You can allow it to age in a bucket for a few days, you can put some floating plants in the bucket with it and allow those plants to eat up the ammonia and nitrites. Any rotten debris that got sucked up will sink to the bottom and that's the stuff you can throw out after you've poured the filtered + aged water back in. He really breaks down understanding the chemistry of tank water that can help some fish owners to figure out what's going on in their tank at a microscopic level.
When other channels tell me to do water changes and to make sure to use water conditioner because of the metals + chlorine in my tap water, that doesn't really educate me. It just instructs me on what to do until it becomes a habit, like it does for many. Even in these rebuttal videos, KG + Kaveman don't really educate on why their method works for the fish they keep. They say it doesn't work and throw a bunch of parameter numbers around like it's a math equation. Other African Cichlid keepers have successfully kept them in planted tanks, so help me to understand why you can't, Mr. UA-camr.
@@Infusions Well said!
Your a 💯 percent correct ( there is no right or wrong way ) it depends on what your keeping imo💗👍✌️💯
Love it! I keep a ton of plecos..all that natural alge and mulm is fantastic. I do have an automatic change system but it's now rare that I use it. Once Every couple weeks.
Thanks To you for keeping it friendly and noting it all depends, I’m an in the middle. Air driven filters some power, greenwater tanks
There’s a reason I’ve been watching you channel for so long…
I like rivers better than lakes constant water changes. Plants do the same thing clean lakes up here in Minnesota . they both work same in your aquarium .
Havent listened in a while but keep up the good work and the MTS brother!
Appreciate you Lucas 👍 Those "dirty" tanks are far more impressive than any crystal clear co2 tank. Dirted tanks for life over here. Nothing better than good ol dirt. Mother Nature is undefeated
Your tanks are great. Father Fish always showcases your tanks.
@@Voyvoda1903 thank you!
Just ignore the ignorance from Caveguy, he clearly has limited experience with fish-keeping other than maybe keeping Cichlids for a few years and trying to create a YT job. Guys like that buy 2FX6's and a 125 and most of the time they quit after a large tank crash after 2-3 years at most because of a bad water change, people who stay in the hobby 20-30 years are the ones who breed and also own "dirty" tanks. Even at 14 yrs old I was able to breed all sorts of fish and changed my water 1 time a month 10-20% maybe.
KG Tropicals is John & Lisa. Prime Time Tropical is Jason & Joanna also with The small scape. Father Fish says don't use gravel or plastic plants, don't do water changes. I love these channel and your not far from them. Glass House Aquartics was in Florida this pass week, it would of been nice if you had met her.
Keep up the great work, I personally have tanks that are crystal clear, others, not so much.
I believe each one does well or different reasons. I have happy shrimps, I have happy fishes, that's what is important to mee!
Thanks for your educational vid's!
For people who have a bunch of tanks ... say anything over 10 ... this could be helpful. I have evolved to thinking about "the fishroom" this way:
YOU ... wearing hat #1... are the VIEWER/customer/enjoyer of a bunch of interesting fish and mini aquatic systems.
YOU ... wearing hat #2 ... are the OWNER of a fish-keeping operation. (and/or shrimp and/or waterplant gardens etc.)
YOU ... wearing hat #3 ... are the DESIGNER of a bunch of interrelated fish-keeping systems and environments.
YOU ...wearing hat #4 ... are the OPERATIONS MANAGER for the facility.
YOU ... wearing hat #5 ... are the FINANCE & BUDGET MANAGER for your faciity.
Hats #2, 3, 4, and 5 are the MANAGEMENT positions. (If you subsidize your hobby with significant amounts of sales, you also have a Sales dept, a Sales Fulfilment dept, etc, which I am not going to discuss. But that adds additional functions and complexity to the organization.)
Hat #6 belongs to the STAFF that does the maintenance and daily operations of this fishy empire. That is also YOU. In this capacity, you are (typically) UNPAID SLAVE LABOR. And it's your 2nd or 3rd or 4th job, if you are still in the working population and have family & kids, etc.
if MGMT provides bad or seriously unfun systems, or the time commitment becomes too large, STAFF will be disincentivized from doing all the grunt work necessary to keep the place running well, and the VIEWER/ENJOYER will be disappointed in the experience. STAFF could revolt, or become unreliable in doing their tasks. Or walk off the job entirely. If you have been in the hobby for a while, you're seen people become over-extended and burn out. Perhaps you've done it yourself.
It's MGMT's job to treat the staff well, and provide thoughtful, workable systems within the capabilities of the team.
D.O. Y.O.U.R. J.O.B. !!!!
Your staff will thank you. And stick around for the long haul. Nobody likes working for an abusive boss with unreasonable demands. (Edit/add:) Pogo said: "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
Low maintenance systems make your hobby effort more sustainable. If the maintenance burden per tank is less, you can have more fish (if you have the space), which pleases the Viewer and the Owner. It's the way to go ... IF ... and it's a BIG IF ... it's viable for the kinds of fish, and the scope of the breeding/grow-out things, you want to have/do.
HTH.
TLDR? Sorry.
Its the only way I can get away by doing as much as I do by myself, LadyLRB does help with some backend business stuff and making boxes but the rest I juggle. Takes alot of work out, alot! Plus makes me not shy to add more. Cause at this point Im playing aquarium tycoon lol.
Very well put. Keep doin ya thang !!!
I don't care what products they are selling. Cause I don't buy products.
Caveman Aquatics is just a sleezy salesman for Seachem. Nothing more.
You are my Fish Jesus and I appreciate it so much! You are my Marsh.
I'm working on growing more plants dialing in my aquarium lighting. Years ago my tank was near my window but i moved. now i have one of the 'fancy' led's and another tank just has fluorescent lighting. Both are doing well. My long term plan is to do very few water changes but my water is very soft so i need to do a water change every now and then or i lose fish slowly one by one.
I love how your plants are doing LRB! I'm planning on buying some of your plants soon to add and start up summer tubbing season soon.
"Ya filthy animal! Grrrrgh!!" 😂😅🤣😂😄😁😅😊🤣😂😅🙃😇🤣
😄
😂 right?! That one made me laugh even the second time around
I'm with ya lrb ❤thanks for this ❤️
Totally agree I’ve tank I keep crystal clear like aquascape that I change water weekly and I’ve another tank I almost never change great video ❤👏👏👏👏👏
You said it right, I think it depends a ton on what fish you are keeping
Heck I keep hornwort in with a 175 gallon tank with sand bottom, 50 koi, fed twice daily, and I STILL don’t do water changes.
The bacopa tank looks AWESOME, you asked how the
camera vision was doing & it was a little blury in spots
but if you moved too fast it'd mess up.
@raisinggoldfishonabudget7058 Ikr that bacopa! I totally want bacopa now, right now, get in my tanks 😁
Lucas, I am so glad that you touched on this. Over the past 4 years I have seen everytime a certain man syas something, the whole ACO affiliate team jumps to debunk him. All I know is that, if anyone knows this man, he is speaking from years of experience and if he is wrong, I think it's more on the aquarist part to research their particular set up.
This is like the 6th time they got at him over his experience but I can say KGTropocals actually did an amazing job contrasting the information that was presented by the first youtuber's video.
When I started having trouble with my 40g B., fish dying all the time. I wrote to FatherFish, Michael's Fishroom and MD Fish Tanks and they all said stop feeding the fish for a day every once and awhile. I followed their advice and found that lower amounts of food throughout the day solved it. Less deaths, less water changes and beautiful plant life. So, I don't know why all these people jump (actually I do) when he speaks...money, money, money.
I agree with you 100%. And even if father fish also has a shop, the difference is, his videos explain how to do stuff without having to buy anything from him and to spend as little as possible in any shop. It's like, if you want more convenience you can spend some more on his stuff other's. If you can't or don't want to, you can still do fine with his advice.
You can read about roping a bull and know everything there is to know about it, but until you rope one, you arent an expert. Same goes with aquariums. Ill take LRBs years of knowledge as reference from his actual application and what he shows us, not theories
.
No matter what I experiment on I always go back to a more natural way! It always seems easier plus they look more interesting and more of the natural way takes care of itself
I just built a father fish tank 2 months ago and so far the tank is doing wonderfully and fish are reproducing. I’ve done no water changes. I just use some giant tweezers to arrange stuff aesthetically to my pleasing and scrub algae off the walls and it looks fine IMO.
Thank you!!!!! For the (keeping it fun) and real!!!!
Its true, i keep fish for almost 15 years. At start i had dozen of filters on 1 tank at the time for the best water quality and did every 2 weeks 50% waterchange. I always had trouble with my water.
Now i have a normal filter in my aquarium. Like 3-4 times the water volume per hour and thats it. I top my water off with new water just to fill it back up. I hold lots of Angelfish. BUT i do have good planted tanks. Never have problems with the water quality.
Thanks for the info. Being considerate of others opinions. 2 of my 3 tanks don’t need water changes.
Thanks for the frank commentary Lucas. You are so right.
Two of the three Tubers you mentioned offer literally no value. I hate to say that because I like the positivity of your channel, but I hate it when empty content gets over simply because it’s controversial.
I keep the tiniest of fish all the way to the biggest monster fish. I’m most cases, monsters need changes due simply to the manner in which most people keep them. Even so, I’ve kept a 20” dovii long term in a 300 gallon stock tank - no substrate and no decor, except for tons of hyacinth. The hyacinth did 100% of the necessary filtration.
That the point 100%, also watch those videos. You need to do water change when in your tank only background and fish;) just wondering how long his fish ok with 80% water change.
Where are the salt water guys to put this dilemma to an end! Lol😂
Lol might as well!
I think everything comes down to a person's perception of the hobby. Some are on the artificial/perfect look side of things and others want to recreate things in as natural a way as possible. In my opinion, and I am on the natural aquarium side of things, I wonder how anyone with ten different types of large fish occupying a tank would ever see the natural behaviors of their fish in such an unnatural setting in as much as they wonder how I would tolerate some algae, debris or other things that make the water look less than crystal clear. I have a comment on the no water change topic. One is that the notion that people are embracing it or promoting it as a way to become a slacker and do less work is untrue. In at least the case of father fish, I believe one of his reasons for promoting it is to let people know that it's actually possible to do very minimal water changes if any at all. If he doesn't put it out there, who will? The canister filter companies? His opinion on the marketing of gimmicks and products overtaking the hobby, well, that is the most unpopular truth in the hobby and the reason you can't find more than three tetra species at the major pet stores but there's a medicine section that qualifies as a fish pharmacy. People who embrace such a system, the attraction is the idea that things are happening in as natural a way as possible. Even in nature there are water changes. Seasonal flooding, rain, etc. Good vid Luke.
Great job! 👍👍🙂
@lrbaquatics Lucas your tanks are beautiful clean and healthy. You never have to defend their clear & clean healthy water they all have. I was excited to meet both of them, the 3 of them in Aquashella Dallas next month but now I will just walk past them unless I decide to tell them how I feel about their dumb attacks on our natural tanks.
I love your method. I’m using it for years. Do not worry about caveman or anybody else you do you❤
Algae isn't dirt. Algae are plants! Green water is clean water!
I never really thought of it. Cichlid between nano interesting. I have both kinds of fish 45 tanks and I do water changes and I do not do water changes.
Never heard of you until a "big channel" mentioned you. This drama just might help you smaller channels.... you all ought to say, "Thank you for the mention," lol
Not for nothing, this has all been a change from the everyday videos that are out there. It's been quite entertaining! And like you said, it keeps people talking and has definitely spiced things up! Just trying to follow along, and now onto the next drama video, Kaveman's. 😅
Lucas it's all water in the end and I love that you have basically that same philosophy. At the end of the day we all keep fish differently, we all do what works for us and try new things to see if it WILL work for us. I'm currently up to over 30 aquariums and counting in my little corner of fishness and just recently got into larger cichlids again after years of avoiding big fish. There's an aesthetic and a draw to every aspect of the hobby for sure, and the guys you mentioned are all in different aspects of the hobby. I think what pushes the "drama" is so called fans that instigate things that don't need to be instigated. A lot of the videos in resposne to father fish in my opinion are just like the other side of the debate so to speak. I personally don't subscribe to kave man aquatics but that's only bc his videos are not my style not because he doesn't have good content. I've followed you and KGTropicals for years, and I felt that Johns video was spot on. He made a great point and I felt he gave props where props were due without compromising his own conviction. I also love that you always tend to become the mediator 😅. I've started changing some of my tanks over to filter less, some to matten and sponge filters only, and I have my biggest tank with a canister bc I feed heavily and allows me time between water changes. I have several tanks that I haven't done a water change on in months, some I do water changes on every week. It all depends on where you are in the hobby.