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I feel the need to chime in here. When I first got into this hobby I wanted to learn as much as I could and like many others used KZread to do that and what I discovered was shocking. The majority went on about the dangers of Nitrates, the importance of weekly water changes of 30 -50%, the importance of vacuuming your substrate, the importance of fertilizers for your plants and so on. Then I stumbled across father fish and he was saying the exact opposite of what almost everyone else is saying. So instead of dismissing what father fish was saying I did a deep dive into what he was saying and started to find that what he is saying is kinda making sense to me so I really started to dive deep, so much so that I adopted father fishes way of doing things. What I found out was that Father Fish was absolutely right, all the problems I was having started to fade away and my tank and the life in it started to thrive. When people see my tank their first reaction is wow what an awesome looking tank. I stopped doing water changes, I stopped worrying about Nitrates (you don't want to get me going about the whole Nitrate fiasco) and I stopped cleaning my tank. The tank is pristine, Nitrates are not harming my fish, the water is not going bad because I stopped changing water and you would think I spend a lot of time cleaning the tank because it's so clean looking when I don't clean it at all. I struggled with the advice of many others, it wasn't until I adopted Father Fish's way of thinking that my tank started to thrive. Now I get to enjoy the beauty of my tank instead of fighting the tank. Giving Father fish the benefit of the doubt was the best thing I ever did in this hobby, not only that father fish backs what he says up with expert researchers who have also been right and know what they are talking about. If your new to this hobby do yourself a huge favor and be open minded, it would serve you well to listen to what this man has to say. Best part is it won't cost you a dime you just have to spend the time to listen and learn. Father Fish has taught me to enjoy my hobby and to let go of some of the fears I had. I owe my success and a huge Thank You to Father Fish. If you come across someone who says father fish doesn't know what he is talking about then that's the person you should not take any advice from because they don't know what they are talking about. Cheers!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

You go Kosys. Thank you for the beautiful statement.

@kosys5338

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish No, Thank You sir, I'm just saying it like it is.

@Gracie-ln4ic

Жыл бұрын

I don't even know where I would be without FF. ❤

@kosys5338

Жыл бұрын

@@Gracie-ln4ic I hear ya, you and me both. He is a wealth of information and a great asset to the hobby, no doubt.

@robertbaker3174

Жыл бұрын

True but I have hard water and after getting away from frequent changes I found out my snails were dieing. No calcium left in the tank. I keep rainbows and religiously changed my water for years without incident. Then the city water changed and all he'll broke lose. Got a carbon filter system and the problems went away. If I go too long fish start having problems.

The dude has a 20+ year old tank, a tank whose inhabitants never have to be fed by him and the water inside gets 10% water change once a year....i think he knows how to make a healthy tank. Bravo sir!

I love the old timers. In a world full of basically fake everything, they are genuine, honest and truthful. It's refreshing.

@krazorspoon

3 ай бұрын

It's because they still have REAL experience in this fake world.

Nature is rejected by these other KZreadrs because they're sponsored by food, medicine and aquarium supply companies. It's hilarious 😂

Watched literally thousands of channels for thousands of hours about the hobby, and Father Fish has gave me literally EVERYTHING that I need to be successful in 3 VIDEOS! Just wow!

@FatherFish

10 ай бұрын

Impressive!

Hi Father Fish! I wanted to tell you a story. I am 26. 9 years ago when I met my girlfriend I already was in love with aquariums. So I shared it with her and placed an aquarium in her room at her parents house 😂 big layer of sand, bunch of plants and a good amount of fish too. But since then we were always at my house. So she was not home most of the time. My own aquariums at my house always had issues. Crazy algae all over the place, plants didn’t grow, cyanobacteria etc. Tried everything and bought everything the sellers offered me. Did waterchanges. But it never really worked out as it should have. But the tank of my girlfriend at her parents home, that tank was crazy. The plants were growing very well, the water was clear, no algae to see, the fish were happy and even spawned. But no one ever touched that tank. Only feed sometimes. We never knew how?? But now you’ve learned me why. Back at that time I wondered if it was because of not touching it. But apparently all those brainwashed people who told me to use this and that chemical, or to do waterchanges more often or use gravel instead of sand cause sand will get rotten over time, they didn’t know anything. Thanks you father fish. You are like a grandpa to me I never had. And also the dad I never had to share this hobby with ❤

@wilkojansenvanrensburg4825

3 ай бұрын

Well said brother!

I was very pro-plastic and pro-glow tank for a long time, and it costed me a lot of failure and innocent fish lives. I grew frustrated as I didnt know why my fish kept dying, and I came across Father Fish. I'm glad I did. I have been tuning into FF videos over the past month, and his advice has fixed my fish tank. My water was unhealthy, polluted, and was a death trap for fish - unbenounced to me. Since tearing down my tank, replacing the gravel with sand, and fake pink plastic plants with real breathing plants, I have fixed all the errors I was making, and finally have a healthy suitable home for my fish. My PH is finally stable. My KH is finally buffering out water acidity, my nitrate levels are finally in check, and most importantly, my new fish are fucking thriving in this natural, beautiful tank. Thank you for the help, FF.

I hope and pray Father Fish is mentoring someone in order to keep this channel to continue with his teachings. This man is legendary.

The very least I could do is thank you for all you do. It’s been 2 1/2 years now since I set up my 75 gallon using your method and it is truly balanced and teeming with life. While the computer has given us access to vast amounts of information unfortunately it has made it easier to be disrespectful to anyone whose opinion differs. Your response to the negativity and bullying was handled in the way you always take. Head on,factual,and respectful. So lucky to count you as a true mentor.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Ken. You honor me.

@micknufc5011

3 ай бұрын

@@FatherFish so what about cleaning it how alot of people hoover the bottom do you do any thing like that thanks

@juliamartin1962

3 ай бұрын

i can tell you with the upmost security..no no messing with the substrate if you have a dirted deep substrate planted tank @@micknufc5011

I feel sick that I have been deceived for so many years. How many more precious years could I have gotten out of my fish family had I adhered to these teachings. The lesson is MUCH MUCH appreciated Sensei.

We live in a society based around making money. Setting up a natural tank doesn’t cost much money. Leaves, rocks, wood and dirt are free if you get them from a stream or pond. That’s what I did. My tanks have come alive! I used to do weekly water changes and fight with my tank almost every day. Now I just sit back to watch the life explode in my tanks. I love the hobby more than I ever have thanks to Father Fish. Please keep delivering your wonderful videos on Discord and KZread and we will keep on listening and learning. Thank you FF.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Dave.

I discovered your method by accident. I have been keeping fish my whole life. my tanks would last 1 year then everything would die. One day I was hiking in the jungle (I live in Hawaii). I noticed that the river soil looked like ada soil. The pools here are full of prawns and fish all year around. My brother decided to go get some soil and take it home. We set up a tank and then abandoned it. I maintained my tanks like crazy but the algae never stopped. But then it hit me his tank was amazing. He never changed the water never only topped it off. From that point on I've never had a tank crash. My tank only has a small pump feeding a waterfall.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

I will never visit Hawaii because I will never leave if I do.

I'm 60 years old and have been keeping fish pretty much my entire life. Found the Walstead method about 10 years ago and between that and Father Fish I have fallen in love with fish keeping all over again after tiring of doing constant water changes as I thought I had to do.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Tejas. This is an old man's hobby, done best with a mint julep in one hand and a fish net in the other.

@redarmysoja

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish Exactly, the secret to life is learning to relax. There is nothing more relaxing that sitting watching my tanks so why let them stress me out to begin with? Fish keeping doesn't have to be stressful and in fact should not be stressful.

@quki3

9 ай бұрын

@@redarmysoja”The secret to life and a learning how to relax” so true!!

I had a few tanks but gave up the hobby over twenty years ago. About six months ago, I was going to create a new tank so read a book which made everything so complex, I decided it was too much work. A few weeks ago, I found this channel and cannot wait to set up an eco system aquarium. Thank you Father Fish for passing on your knowledge and igniting my interest in this wonderful hobby 😀

@seachangeau

Жыл бұрын

Well good luck!

@kosys5338

Жыл бұрын

You will find that once you get it going that it will be a lot less work than you think. Yes it was little bit of work in the beginning but now I do very little. I add top up once a day and change a small piece of filter pad. Oh and I feed every other day, that's it. I just enjoy the tank and keep an eye on things. Good luck and welcome back to the hobby!

@HappyOne2017

Жыл бұрын

You can do it! It's not as hard as other aquarists make it out to be...

@Hashishtani

Жыл бұрын

Good luck! It will not be easy, there is no magic, it will anyway go through all the cycles aquarium must go through. You will have to solve problems and learn a lot, that's is what this hobby is for... if you think you can do it without learning, it's wrong. As every individual Eco-system, each aquarium is different, only common rules are the same. One plant can thrive other can die, algae booms will happen for sure. It is not just put some soil, sand over top, plants and tree leafs and all will go fine. You must understand the processes that are happening in your aquarium, and learning and trying to understand this is best part of the hobby. It is learning nature... And most importantly patience... in natural aquarium all things go slowly.

You Go!!!!!!!! Preach that truth!!!!! Love the message. You never stop learning, at 72 yrs old and never had an aquarium I was given the responsibility of keeping my 5-year-old granddaughter's 25-cent feeder fish alive she won at a school fair. Well, 4 years later and 3 tank size upgrades our beloved Cupcake is going in a Father Fish dirted tank. Cupcake is 9 inches long now and here's hoping her many more years to come.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Goldfish can live to be 100. lol. Look forward to the pics of cupcake's new digs.

@EireFirst1916

Жыл бұрын

​@@FatherFish goldfish can live to 100??.. I'm starting to think you're half goldfish pappa 😍😂

Wow! I had aquariums in my teens. Then in my 20's I got a 55 gallon. Always did plastic plants, water changes etc. I swore I would never never get an aquarium again. Now I am about to retire and am contemplating getting back into it. After watching numerous videos of aquarium care, I had decided I didn't want the hassle to keep a tank, even if I have time. After watching this video, I am once again thinking I will give it a try this way. It all makes so much sense.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

go for it

@DeeGee-mv6eq

11 ай бұрын

If you don't want the hassle of keeping an aquarium, maybe you should try sedoku or crossword puzzles instead.

@dns9643

10 ай бұрын

@@DeeGee-mv6eq You literally didn’t read his comment.

@richardgouda-rn1lq

Ай бұрын

@@DeeGee-mv6eq go kick rocks 🪨

I love your way of fish keeping because I love nature ❤. I have five tanks. My oldest son came home for a visit and was shining the flashlight on his phone at the bottom of my biggest tank. "Mom you have worms in there!!!", he said. I said, "Do I look at your garden and tell you you have worms?".... 😊😂😂

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

EXCELLENT my dear!!

@ForestMan637

Жыл бұрын

ITS allive 😅 bei proud in your Aquarium they are good live food for your fish

This man has changed my life and my aquarium for the better, and forever. He speaks common sense and truth. The aquarist industry is vested in you buying and re-buying chemicals and additives while selling the false premise on what's a healthy aquarium. Yes, this info is for fresh water tanks. But this method works wonders. All I have to do is top off my tank every 10-12 days. I use 5 gallon buckets of tap with a capful of Prime to take out the chlorine/chlorine. My plants are healthier. My fish, more energetic, and the tank just looks better. Thank you Father Fish

@brettpid6416

8 ай бұрын

pure vitamin C works well for me as a chlorine remover

I have a 23gal tank, fully planted and botanical tank it’s a self sustaining ecosystem. I haven’t done a water change in months but the tank is so clean and healthy and my fish are thriving. Just goes to show what happens when you let Mother Nature take her course.

@victorvalderrama1167

10 ай бұрын

What do you do when you need to add water? Also, do you have a filter? I just started watching FF and I really like this way of going about a fish tank. I am about to get a 55 gallon tank and will be mimicking FF's way of having a self sustaining tank. I don't know if to get a filter.

@lambchoppyboy

8 ай бұрын

Sponge filter is all you need according to FF.

I'm stumped here, I've never spoken anything but high praise about you and in my video I stated you're absolutely correct. Maybe you're not talking about me here, I don't know.

@jjr2568

Жыл бұрын

I think he referred to the Kaveman clown that called Father Fish lazy and allowed mockery and disrespect in his comments. You said it right imo. Maybe it's best to just distance your name from the whole issue?

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

I referred to you as reasonable and thoughtful. What triggered you to be so distraught? The beginning of your vid sounded like you were going to blast me. You did not. You said that was intended as humor. Sorry, I do not know you well enough to understand your sense of humor.

Just stumbled onto The Good Father's channel... and my head is spinning! After nearly 20 years of struggling to keep tanks clean, nitrate-free, crystal clear, and free of algae using as many of the techniques and equipment from the modern Aquarium Industrial Complex that I could afford, I gave up. I couldn't keep a tank healthy for more than six or eight months. And I "knew what I was doing." Thanks Father Fish! I cannot wait to try again!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Your heart will be filled with joy.

@bigmonke3348

Жыл бұрын

Could you please come back with an update?

@63yearoldskater

Жыл бұрын

@@bigmonke3348 will do!

@angelikazak1392

2 ай бұрын

I did my first ever tank with the FF method and it's been a month since I set it and watched it.Didn't do any cleaning, or did I water change

Preach brother! I have a 125 gal with just a powerhead for circulation. I've had it for 5 years and I barely ever do water changes.

I found Father Fish early on in my aquarium journey and I am 100% sold on the natural method. I never do water changes and I stock my tanks with plants and a wide variety of creatures. It makes having aquariums so much more enjoyable!

Father Fish, the haters will always come when you’re doing something right! Not to mention the multi million$ aquarium industry selling chemicals etc.., will go out of business if, and when people finally catch on.. Blessings to you Father 🐠

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Thank you Exotic Water.

My mother is 94 now but when she was younger she kept tropical fish. And with my four older brothers, she didn't have a lot of money to spare. So she used what she had at her disposal, exactly how FF is describing. And when I started to keep fish, I, of course, went the opposite way and my tanks failed every time! And I was exhausted, spent a lot of money and time when if I had just listened to her, I'd probably still have my tanks. So glad I found your channel FF! Can't wait to show my mother!😁

@FatherFish

8 ай бұрын

Would love to meet your mother.

@davidmiller8030

8 ай бұрын

Fish keeping is trial and error, this is the longest time I had fish (about 2 years), I change 1gallon (I have a 10 gallon tank) every 3 months. I have scuds (small animals found in the substrate).

I killed so many shrimp when I did the recommended water changes and cleanings in my planted shrimp tanks. They only started to live when I stopped all that...My planted dirt tanks had the biggest plants and growth ever.

There will always be haters, don't mind them. Those who are curious and "want to", got everything they need, here on your channel.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Elli. Good advice.

I love this way of fish keeping. Haven't done a water change in months since first watching Father Fish, just top off the tank every once in a while. My fish have never looked happier. And they seem to live longer too

@victorvalderrama1167

10 ай бұрын

When you top off, do you put any chemicals to treat the water? or do you top off with a certain type of water?

I have been unsuccessful two times, losing all my fish while trying to maintain a sterile environment for the fish. I felt bad with cloudy water, so the next thing I did was change the water. I only replaced 30% of it, but within the next two days, all the fish were dead. I've just subscribed and will try to follow this; it makes much more sense.

@jbmjbm323

5 ай бұрын

You should have done a 100% water change. Whatever was in that water was still in there when you only did a 30% water change. What you should have done was clean out the whole ttank and start fresh to make sure the tank does not get cloudy again. And if you don't have any established water from another tank to use, I'd suggest getting those quick start bottles and use it once to cycle the tank and start it up again.

@juliamartin1962

3 ай бұрын

no you are dead wrong @@jbmjbm323

Wow. My eyes have been opened. This approach makes TOTAL sense and all of a sudden the aisle after aisle in the big box pet stores seem like just another scam. Which they are. Creating problems then selling the so called solutions to the problems the original chemicals caused. Thank you for sharing this wisdom and approach with the world. Be well everyone ☺️🍃

@theladyamalthea

3 ай бұрын

I work as a cashier at one of those big box pet stores, and I’ve started recommending Father Fish’s channel to the customers buying fish. 😬 Might not be good for business, but it’ll make the customers happier!

This was the answer to my problems I haven't done a water change in two months and my 50 gallon has never been better. Thanks for the knowledge!

I get slapped by other retailers and product manufacturers just for advocating a natural methodology for setting up and maintaining aquariums. There are no arguments against facts. big hug my friend

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Yes Alberto. We must teach the retailers the money is not in product. It is in fish and plants.

@albertobacelaraquashowaqua1108

Жыл бұрын

exactly...❤️

TONS OF RESPECT FATHER FISH! YOU ARE THE GUY KZread HAS BEEN WAITING FOR. COMMON SENSE FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Salutations Gregory!

keeping fish should be a relaxing stress relieving hobby. Many have made it quite the opposite. Have a Betta 10gal heavily planted. No filter, and I've never had a healthier Betta fish before. I've always stressed on my paramaters. It's relieving when you realize nature knows what the hell to do.

Kg tropicals going off about water changes. 😢😢 I haven't don't water changes or maintenance in over 18monthd bc of you FF thanks a million

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

I would never maintain tanks the way he and Kaveman do. I have had many large fish in large tanks and did not do routine water changes. I did not need to. They do!

@Boogerboys1990

Жыл бұрын

@Father Fish I concurr. Old water is happy water. So balanced, the fish are so adapted to the water. I do top off with cold water. All my fish love the cold gets them going. Like the cold rains thanks again

I had the same issue years ago. I spent a lot of time reading and trying things out. Spent a fortune on test equipment and half my life on water quality and nutrients etc. The freshwater side of the community was so toxic every forum I went to had nothing but problems. So I left and got my own podcast. Never looked back. Was the best thing I ever did. You must have control of your own channel to prevent censorship by the idealists. That was years ago now. I don't keep fish anymore. In the end, I came to the same conclusion you seem to have. Nutrients are not the enemy. They are part of the ecosystem and keeping plants will take care of it :D

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thassit!

I AM BLOWN AWAY! And very excited to use this method! It makes complete sense. As someone who has spent a lot of time outdoors, I have seen crystal clear pools, vernal pools, tiny puddles of water in a tree trunks, THRIVING with life! I even came across a vernal pool with little brown freshwater clams in it! It was in spring & it was in a tire track (power line maintenance) in the mud on a mountain! While exploring an abandoned, dilapidated house I found a trash can filled with water.( and some trash, lot's of leaf litter) it had a beautiful green moss that grew under & outside of the water. (I actually took some home & added it to my paludarium tank, where it is thriving) That trash barrel was teeming with life! Little crustaceans, etc. I plan on following Father Fish's advice. No more partial water changes? Healthy thriving fish & plants? I'm in!

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

You have to see it to believe it. NICE!

@laurabilger8910

11 ай бұрын

@@FatherFish going to the local river today today to gather some MUD, sand & leaves to transform a 6 gallon betta tank. I am moving soon & will set up ALL my tanks with your recommendations. Very excited about this. THANK YOU!!

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

@@laurabilger8910 Sounds wonderful. Post some pics on the Father fish Shoal discord.gg/vQJvcQge

I've been operating my tanks the same way as you do and everything is better than it's ever been.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Excellent!

I stopped changing the water from my tanks for several months now because i was too busy with my university and to my surprise the plants and animals have flourished and look so much more vibrant.

I got lazy this month and didn't changed my tank water for 3 weeks, and what was my surprise seeing that nothing happened, not even a single algae had grown, or a single fish had died, the opposite happened actually, the fishes looked way happier in the ''old'' water, so that's it, i will not change water like i was told to do, that was 30% every week. And i also will keep following your teachings, FatherFish, hoping that i can provide a better and most natural life possible to my fishes and plants, no more wasting money with those fertilizers and coditioners, natural way is the righ way! Greetings from Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Allo Rio!! Happy to hear from you. Join us on Discord and share the joy. discord.gg/GdakStEjAy

These other KZreadrs get popular by jumping on whatever topic has gotten views recently on KZread just ignore them father fish and keep on creating these great videos . Cheers

Tree leaves are absolute pure gold It's quite hilarious how blinded ppl are by these general fish stores , and how others think they know it all only driven by their ego obssesed with keeping an aquarium soo sanitized it's insane yet they forget where these fish/plants came from. Thanks for all you have said , it's 100% true no matter how much these clowns try to complain and act like freaking chemists and some sort of aquarium professionals 😂

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

lol. Yes. It is amusing.

I started keeping fish in the late 70s when I was a kid. It is funny all the advice I got from the fish stores. Some people said you have to do partial water changes (back then it was more like of 10% of the water each week or daily partial water changes for Discus). An old Scottish shop owner told me never change any of the water. He said. "the older the water; the better". In any case, it is funny to see how things go full circle.

I've only seen the KGTropicals video, but I feel like they were very reasonable, they said they agreed with your methods, just warned people to actually watch the video and understand it rather than just read the title. Can't wait to implement some of your practices in my tank

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Yes. I agree. Although he did not start with that attitude.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

@@ericp_ski You can try hornwort.

It's great to see someone finally teaching what I've been saying for 30 yrs! Thank you!

Daggum! Father Fish is HEATED 😮

I wasted so much money & energy on buying those unnecessary chemicals in the name of fertilisers and water changes last few years! Now i understood no money and hardwork needed to maintain a beautiful natural tank! Thank you Father Fish! 🙏

I was tired of doing water changes,I was doing RO water changes by the bucket. Now I can see how water changes hurt your aquarium. The RO water gets conditioned by plants , sand , leaves and fish waste build up the mineral content of the water , the deep sand substrate takes care of the bad thing in the water. This old aquarium water gives new aquariums instant life . I set up new tanks and by the next day they look like they been set up for a month already. This water is gold.

Teach them all, Father Fish 👍

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

That's the plan Buick!

@redarmysoja

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish Hello Father, what would you suggest for fish like Oscars? I've had quite a few in the past and they are a very rowdy lot. They tore up anything I put in their tank and plants would never work. I could only use hardscape like a rock and plastic tree ornaments, which they also broke.

@Giftig--Daniel-P

Жыл бұрын

​@@redarmysoja in that case you have basically two options (really three, I'll explain). Water changes, or a sump system where you have a dirted deep substrate system and plants in the sump. Keep a deep sandbed substrate in the tank with the oscars, but you can prevent most water change needs by having the sump full of plants. You can also maybe get away with some plants in the tank with the oscars. Father Fish says in another video that all freshwater fish, with the exception of silver dollars, will tolerate some plants. I used Bing AI to find a couple of articles for you to check out: aquagoodness.com/can-you-put-live-plants-with-oscars/ www.fishaholic.net/2021/05/Oscar-Fish-Tank-Setup-Plants-Filter-Lights-Care-Guide.html?m=1 fishkeepingadvice.com/oscar-fish-care-guide/ www.aquariumsource.com/oscar-fish/ From those sources, Bing recommended banana plant, java fern, java moss, and salvinia natans as options if you place them strategically in the aquarium.

@Giftig--Daniel-P

Жыл бұрын

​@@redarmysoja also if you want a reply from Father Fish directly, he doesn't always get notifications of comments on comments so he's unlikely to see your comment (personal experience). Make a comment on the video directly to make sure he sees it instead of replying to another comment.

@redarmysoja

Жыл бұрын

@@Giftig--Daniel-P Been doing this 50 years, I know all that. Never had Oscars that wouldn't wreck any tank.

As a disabled person who can only maintain this hobby by having low maintenance aquariums, I am so grateful to have invested so much of my own time into researching complex micro-organisms and the multi-facetted ecosystems that make up a healthy, primarily self-sufficient aquarium. It's always nice to hear you speak so passionately on this subject, as it bolsters my belief in myself to enjoy this hobby and succeed. Thank you for sharing your experience and insight and adding to the resources available for those who benefit from such knowledge.

Thank you so much for the interesting and wise advice. As I understand from my experience, you can keep the tank without water changes if it is understocked and heavily planted. Not everyone knew to start new aquarium with layer of dirt. My planted fish tank has natural gravel in it. It was established with weekly partial water changes. But at some point, I didn't have much time to care for my fish tank when my mom got sick and passed lately. I could only feed the fish, clean HOB filter when it got clogged and topped the water to replace evaporated. During a few years of "fish tank neglect" most of my fish got old and died, except two tiger barbs, and the plants almost took over everything. Of course, I didn't get any new fish for about last four years. And these two barbs just thrived in the "old" unchanged, but crystal clear water and still alive and well. But now, as I added new fish again, I will do some water changes from time to time, because the tank is not understocked anymore. And more fish load may require water changes.

I don't understand all the hype from other channels all of a sudden, your information has always been clear about how exactly to create a natural setup without water changes. Thank you for all you wealth of knowledge and wisdom as to how to connect with your aquarium and all the life it contains!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Correct Joao

Father Fish is the reason why my tanks are a success. I have been in this channel since it started. I am so proud to see how much this channel has grown. From 100 member to 54K!!! Amazing!!!

I set up my first aquarium 1 year ago and followed this guys advice. Haven't changed any water , never checked PH , never added any chemicals , just added lost water from evaporation and cleaned filters and fed the fish twice a week - PERFECT , thanks Father Fish

@FatherFish

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing

Father Fish all I am going to say you are a class act one of the best

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

You are very kind Cory.

I have learned that the palaudarium Style, low stocked and a ton of terrestrial plants that like to grow wet roots is the most stable enviroment that you can create. But its very important to always top up with reverse osmosis water!! Like nature does with the rain. I had 3 years with no water change and my fish are spwaning in the 5th generation now!

I’ve been thinking about getting a fish tank again after 20 years of not having them, but I remembered how much work it was to do water changes, and how hard it was to keep the water clean, and all the tests for all the different levels of whatever, and I really wanted plants, but I remembered needing a CO2 injection system… So I decided to come on KZread and see what developments there have been in the hobby. Well thank you, Algorithm, for suggesting Father Fish right away!! I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to have anything because of the start-up and maintenance costs (I work a minimum wage job) but I see now it will probably be possible for me. And instead of being a ton of time and effort, it sounds like it will be easy! I never would’ve thought my dream of a planted tank would be so simple. Thank you, Father Fish!

I've seen a lot of people bagging out your videos because they take one piece of information out of context. No waterchanges only works when you have a balanced ecosystem so they would be right in complaining that you have to do them if they don't have enough plants and feed their fish heavily and often but they don't take all of the information that you share on-board with a holistic approach. In summation, after watching your videos and listening to the information, it just makes sense what you are saying. I fully support your vision and mission to inform people and improve the hobby and fishkeeping experience, and I thank you for that. Keep doing what you're doing and remember, the truth is often surrounded by much controversy.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Caleb.

After 50 years of being obsessed with this hobby, I'm loving being a new fan of your channel, sir! That's always so much to still learn, and I enjoy smiling at listening to fellow old-timers bring back things we were mostly all doing back in the 1970's, and the wisdom of the day was about stability and balance.

I've been following father fish for over a year, everything he sais is true, recreating nature in a glass box is the answer never had an issue with my tank since adopting his methods

Thank You Father Fish. My eyes have been opened, I see the light. A good diet and sand base , lots of plants, and some good lake water, oh , and no more water changes. 🙂

I understand & agree with the majority of what you have said BUT I have 3 shubunkins in a 55 gallon & I have struggled. They destroy EVERYTHING! I cannot put soil in the tank because they sift the sand. They have destroyed every plant I have ever put in the tank. I have had no choice but to resort to 'chemically' sustaining the aquarium with Purigen, weekly water changes & change the floss daily or every other day. I still have a few ideas I will be trying but until then it will not be a self-sustaining eco system.

@FatherFish

10 ай бұрын

stop feeding daily, maybe once a week and sparingly. Add hard leaf plants like Amazon sword, Java fern and so forth. Add 1" of river rock (gravel) to the top and build a food web on top of that.

I love hearing you preach not changing your water all the time and not siphoning the gravel once a month stuff. I have always maintained my planted tanks for years on end without doing massive water changes weekly or monthly and never siphoning the substrate. I only add new water when the tank evaporates too much. And my tanks have thrived. The Plants grow and spread my fish get fat are healthy snd start making babies. My friends always ask me how much time I must spend taking care of my tanks. Lol. The only time I spend is cutting back over grown plants or planting growth in a difficult section. I still use a filter but I also don’t change the media once a month. Depending on how much silt has been stirred up my filters can last 6 months or more before I start changing them out.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

You are responding to the needs of the tank, not forcing a rigid dogma on it.

I've been keeping fish tropical and marine and I've never seen anybody do a video that talks and explains it in easy to understand and so much sense I love this guy well done Father Fish thank you

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Lyndon

I was loosing fish pretty regularly and was about to get out of the hobby. I was dumping chemicals all the time trying to get the tank to live with zero effect. Then I came accross Father fish, I went to a river, dug up mud ftom the bottom, then found a sand bar along that river and gathered sand. I didn't wash the sand, never took the bits of debris out of the sand, and placed the mud 3" deep in aquarium and topped with 2" sand. Once the sand settled down in about 4 days, I put in my fish and plants, and incredibly I could tell how much happier my fish were. I have tossed out those expensive chemicals and use a air driven sponge filter. My fish are having babies, my tank is crystal clear, the water does not smell like fish, in fact its pretty much scent free. Im so happy I found Father Fish, YOU MUST DO THIS FOLKS! It actually works, no chemicals needed EVER! Thank You Father Fish, you made this hobby soo much more enjoyable.......Cheers

I had a slight ammonia spike and my plants and animals were all in good shape the water was a bit cloudy on and off first 2 months but all other parameters were perfectly fine I reigned in my anxiety and let it go. Almost all of my basic plants and shrimp are reproducing, after ammonia clouding it cleared up in 2 days, and I got more plants and it has turned out awesome and even though my anxiety doesn't help i have restrained myself and it worked out better than introducing chemicals and doing 30+% water changes. Water clouds a few days, my shrimps and snails and betta and plants didn't get upset and actually thrived. Water cleared in less than a week. Natural >than artificial. I had one leaf die from my anubias and was about to take it out, but just let it sink and my tank cleared up in less than a week.

@FatherFish

10 ай бұрын

Self control is the key! Congrats.

Thanks man I have been telling this to alot of people but they see me as a young kid who dosent know anything. I love fishes I have been in this hobby for 8 years. I started when I was 10.my father taught me everything before he died

I thought I've learned it all but Father Fish keeps me inspired! A pleasure to listen to him!

"You might as well have plastic fish!" I feel personally attacked. But it was very convincing. Good information

i got into the hobby 11 years ago when i was 14 and being young i absorbed so much knowledge from youtube that the typical aquatic creator would preach. the info i was receiving as to keeping an aquarium never seemed to work for me. everything i did yielded different results than what i was watching on youtube. i took a 5 year break from the hobby due to being stationed overseas and recently got back into it 2 years ago. i went back to my old ways of fish keeping and i wasn’t having success like i wanted, so i abandoned the “Fish keeping Purist mindset” and started keeping fish differently and i have been very successful since. I have basically let my tanks just exist(i do have to babysit my Tanganyikan tank more than the others since its newer) and i haven’t had any issues. I’m really glad i found your content as it’s definitely showed me that i’m not wrong, i was just getting bad info and that my more natural approach is actually better for the animals. People often forget that aquariums are their own complete ecosystems and don’t always need our intervention to survive. Love the content it’s not all about how much money is being spent on a build, setup or a super rare fish, It’s about the hobby and I’m learning more every video. Thanks!

the wizard of fishkeeping has spoken

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Luvit Helzing!

As a person with a plastic tank and plastic plants this makes total sense...I will take this to heart...i have 1 fish...and it is a nightmare at this point...I'm Glas I found your channel...I provide quality information on Appliance repair...and this is quality information on keeping fish..I love the channel thank you for your service

I've been using common sense like this for years. Once you realize your fish pass away young from this harsh water with no bacteria. I figured out a long time ago I was stripping toooooo much of my babies slimy coat leaving them susceptible to disease or mal formalities. I have really old fish lol.

The biggest solution to this is to teach kids about this in school. We need to bring things like this into the classrooms to give kids an example of natural environment and what happens.

@FatherFish

3 ай бұрын

Amen!

I am sooo glad someone is saying this. If you have set your tank up correctly, it becomes it's own ecosystem. In 5 years I've never changed my water. People are doing these 70% water changes all at one time, then they wonder why their tank has crashed.

Based on my own experiences, everything he said is right. I barely tough my tank and it is really healthy.

People have kept fish since Victorian times as a hobby and long before. Back then they didn't have chemicals, just trial and error. If their hobby failed back then, there would be no aquarium hobby industry now.

You're so right Father Fish .They don't know what they are doing, but the sad thing is,they don't wanna know ,even with proof in front of their eyes still stay blind and still thinking you have to water change ,you have to check water parameters every week or month.OMG

saving people from being lost in this hobby is exactly what you are doing!!!

Father fish you are a force of nature. Thank you for your great content! I totally agree, long live mulmy goodness! ❤

Hello Father Fish, My mother always preached to me basically the same principles of aquarium care you do. 3 years ago bought a 10 gallon tank, water heater, air pump style filter and some bags of sand. Took a trip to the everglades that is near to me. Scooped up some mud, dead leaves and 10 gallons of water. Set up the tank, 24 hours later I bought a bunch of live plants. one week later after poking the sand with a stick I added shrimps, rainbow tetras, and some guppies. I have a tank full of life that's never had one single water change. All I do is add one gallon of water of target brand drinking water a month and give away baby fish and shrimp so they wont over run my tank. Also I have only fed my fish maybe a handful of times in 3 years. Fully self sustained aquarium Thank you father fish, Alex

I'm terrified by "aquascapers" who just assemble everything in a single day and then disassemble it behind the scenes because they know everything would die due to shock...

This is absolutely refreshing to hear. I've been keeping fish for 32 years in tanks and ponds. Koi, goldfish, tropicals and natives. Any time I've gone against the grain on water changes I get berated. The hobby and industry makes money by selling people chemical and filtration fixes. By telling people to change so much water that their tanks/ponds are in a constant state of turmoil. I refer to these types of tanks as "sterile systems." They never allow a true self sustaining eco system to establish.

I found your channel through watching Alexander Williamson's channel The Secret History Living In Your Aquarium and I'm so glad I did. Had a heart transplant and was told I couldn't keep fish because I could catch something like tuberculosis from doing water changes. I'm getting back in the game now! I'd heard a little about this but never tried it. After watching jar ecosystems, LRB, Alex's channel and now your's I'm convinced I can do this. Thank you! I'm so much happier with fish in my house! I appreciate the work you do!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

2 great men. Happy to be in their company.

Have you ever had a flower in a flower pot? My word! 😂 I love him, his education, his concepts, and videos. I'm so glad I found Father Fish!

@jbmjbm323

5 ай бұрын

Yeah people have plants in pots all over the world. What is the difference when doing the same in a fiah tank. You just need the right balance to make it thrive just like in a flower pot. When I heard that as well I was like, that is so true.

I agree with father Fish I got two different fish tanks one I made it like. father fish said To Do.the fish and the plants in that tank thriving they're.beautiful the plants are thriving and Literally do not touch the tank for anything only give the fish food and top up the water ....and I haven't touched that tank for 6 months. the other tank is ok it's not as good us the other fish tank. but I carry on with the experiment because if the tank Don't get better like the firs tank then I have to change the setup like Father fish Set Todo. thank you everyone for the information you're giving as .

I have completely switched to the father fish way of fishkeeping. I mean at least im trying lol. I have never been happier and my tank has never looked better. It has re invigorated my love for this hobby and i cant thank the man enough. I have learned so much and everyday i feel like i learn a little bit more. Thank you again

Father, I flipped my tank upside down just to follow your advice on how to naturalize the fish tank, and the result was astonishing!! My fish tank looks much healthier. Thank you Papa!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

That is awesome!

My grandfather passed on two years ago and I still miss him terribly; he was the only grandfather I know since my other grandfather passed way before my parents even met. Just hearing you sign off with "love you all, bye" hit me surprisingly hard. Thank you, FF.

finding Father fish is like finding the Hebrew roots of Christianity. Discovering the absolute right way to establish tanks and allowing creation to thrive in its intended way, only inside am aquarium. Amazing!

This channel has been refreshing and vindicating; I used to do frequent water changes and always struggled maintaining a tank. Through happy accidents that are entirely too long to type out, I have several different substrate layers, the ones at the bottom being pitch black. I have as many live plants as possible, nothing plastic in the tank, and I fortunately live in an area where the water isn't soft. My fish have been alive and well for 8 years, and I never do water changes. They're nearing the end of their lifespan, so I've cultivated their eggs (they breed regularly) and have 10 healthy fry growing rapidly. I don't use charcoal filters, only mechanical and biological, and really more for surface agitation than anything. My plants are huge, my fish are healthy, and snails galore - its wonderful watching it taking care of itself. The only chemical I use is seachem prime to dechlorinate - I add a bit to a gallon jug, and then fill it up, let it sit for a few minutes and then top off my tank. I was worried about not changing the water 2-3 years ago, and then surprised how month after month, I saw no signs of distress or a failing tank. It was a little anxiety inducing in the beginning to watch my tank flourish in an environment that, according to almost everything I've read, shouldn't be possible. I do water testing and I have zero nitrites, zero amonia, and just a bunch of nitrates (100-150ppm). The only thing I ever adjust is if I start to develop hair algae, but that's been corrected by changing the the blue/red spectrum of light on my aquarium light and reducing my feeding a little - after a week or two it goes away. This comment has gone on too long and I'm sure my thoughts seem disjointed (this was going to be a one or two sentence comment), but I just wanted to thank you for your videos - its given me confidence and reassurance with how my tank is maintained.

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

Excellent. You have learned through practice.

This is awesome! I do monthly, not weekly water changes, don't own a test kit, & have seed shrimp that feed my bumblebee gobies! The only hassle is that my municipal water is pretty lousy & I have to pay $1.25/5 gal. at a drinking water filling station. My tap water is so hard, it rivals the crusty mineral buildup of a saltwater tank! I'll top off with it, but try to keep it at a minimum. This is so cool that someone is as hands off as I am!

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

You may not need to do reg water changes if you have adequate plants and a deep substrate of sand.

@firewoman7722

11 ай бұрын

@@FatherFish I couldn't afford sand, so I opted for "plant gravel" but I think I'm going to carefully start adding some sand on top after a thorough rinsing. My plants have been struggling I think due the hardness & I wish that I would've watched some of your DYI soil/substrate videos beforehand! I may just be stuck with floaters & epiphyte-types like Java ferns/moss, Anubias, & buces (not yet tried). Rooted stems & grasses just seem to disintegrate on me. I've got a challenging size: 40 gal TALL with a 20 × 22" footprint, a strong current & 5-6" plant gravel substrate. I'd like to avoid CO2 & artificial fertilizer. Advice welcomed! 🙏🏼

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

@@firewoman7722 Collect wild sands from a creek bed ot the sea. Cap with 2". It is amazing how that alone promotes plant growth. Join uws on the Father fish Shoal for more conversation in depth. discord.gg/BjgATHB2

Agree with everything except for more plants due to more carbon. Anyway, I personally like the ecosystem, and nothing can beat nature, but it takes TIME. The biggest issue in the hobby is impatience. Combine that with the lack of a desire to learn better and disaster awaits. Without understanding fully, many folks get into this hobby and want the tank to look picturesque on day one (nothing wrong there, the looks is what pulls you in). But that simply doesn’t happen. Even if it is pristine at start, it will get messy, before it clears up (if you do the right thing that is). Getting through the messy part and knowing when to actually panic is the key. Mixing common sense with science and knowledge is crucial for this to work! Nice video!

@FatherFish

10 ай бұрын

Perfectly stated!!

Can someone send this man to talk about carbon emissions and global warming discussions? This is exactly what I learned from my biology 101 which seems like forgotten by most.

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

Makes it obvious that global warming is not based on any kind of real science.

@beekay4848

7 ай бұрын

That is what I am thinking. We live in a very strange times. People in this hobby knew that nature itself has its own repair mechanisms. This world and a fish tank share this similarity

Best video I’ve seen in years. You nailed this. Everyone trying to improve nature. Can’t be done. Live in peace. I love you all.

I'm so happy that I found Father fish. My tank has never been healthier, my fish has never been happier and it kept me in the hobby and now I'm not constantly changing water and spending hours on hours taking care of my tank. Now I spend my time watching my tank thanks again and keep up the great work!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

A refined fish keeper is a meditative monk, learning the secrets of creation!

I started this hobby almost a year ago and I remember I did a lot of research on filter media, filters, solutions and what not. Over the months I realized that, and please correct me here, you just need to be sensible with what you do. You don't need expensive filter media, since you have all that bacteria surface on wood, plants and substrate. Add some leaves, branches, detail rocks and you just created more bacteria real estate. I think it really helps to build a more vertical scape, for increased surface. You also don't need a fancy filter, but instead a way to create water motion based on what the fish like. A sponge filter is probably the best, but if you don't like the sound and if the fish like flowing water, you can use a small pump / internal filter near the surface. Fertilizers and minerals are probably the only things that you should consider supplementing, but only based on how much plant matter and snails you remove. Empty snail shell could also be a factor, since those are elements that a locked and take a long long time to be released back in the aquarium. I think this is more important if you have a breeding colony of shrimp and snails together.

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

Nicely worked out. You are learning by observation and practical experience. Join us on the Shoal for more sharing and learning. discord.gg/father-fish-shoal

WOW! same message, with some incredible editing...finally has an impact. So well done. Happy to see you thriving, FF. Keep spreading the word.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Thomasin. Yep! Samee message. Prettier package

You should have millions of subscribers mr fish 🐟 you deserve it and the world deserves to hear you speak knowledge 🤟✌️🙏🌎