On the topic of chlorine/chloramine for anyone reading this: You test for chloramine by buying some test strips that test for "free" chlorine and "total" chlorine. The free chlorine test will show chlorine, and the total chlorine test will be a combination of chlorine and chloramine. Long story short, if your total chlorine tests higher than your free chlorine, it means you have at least some chloramine. Also, you may hear that regular active carbon filters will filter chlorine, but not chloramine; This appears to be yet another copy-and-paste bit of aquarium gossip bs (or just flat out lies by people in the industry who know better) you'll find in random online articles on the subject. These articles say that only catalytic carbon filters will remove chloramine, but the truth seems to be that standard active carbon filters will remove both chlorine and chloramine; It's just that chloramine is a bit more difficult to remove, and requires more contact time with the carbon surface (basically requiring a larger filter). Catalytic carbon filters are simply a more effective form of activate carbon filter, meaning they remove chlorine/chloramine more effectively, but are also sold at higher cost. The cost difference may be minimal with a small tank, but it starts to become important for a larger pond, such as a koi pond, wherein you'll want to make your own large diy carbon filters for an automated top-off to massively reduce costs (unless you're in a decently rainy area). And just fyi, I have well water and city water, though I use city water because our well has a high amount of heavy metals, particularly cadmium, and I ended up killing fish in the past by using untreated well water. Even though heavy metal can be bound up by the EDTA in de-chlorinators, they can potentially be freed up in deep substrate and cause toxicity issues. That could just be fear-mongering, but by comparison, dealing with chlorine is a bit less worrisome.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

A remarkable post WhatisMisophonia.. Well worth digesting.

@WhatIsMisophonia

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish Much obliged 👍

@SamanthaNickole02

Жыл бұрын

The carbon won’t rob the plants of natural food in the tank? Like nitrates? Something I heard regarding using carbon in filters on a pretty popular and seems like a well- respected “pro” KZread channel.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

@@SamanthaNickole02 Yes. Carbon should not be used routinely. To remove chloramine during the initial phase of preparation, outside the aquarium, it is helpful.

@SamanthaNickole02

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFishAhhh, got it. Much obliged, sir!👍🏼

This dudes the Bob Ross of aquariums. The Santa Claus of fish tanks. The Mr. Rogers of aquatic life if you will.

"Father" is the right word...my Dad passed years ago...he fills that gap, it's like listening to my Dad again ...I can go to sleep now. 😊😊😊...... 😴

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Andrew. Very sweet.

@andrewnkunda7

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish A personal response..I am honoured.

Father fish is like a grandpa you have only heard in legends.

I saw a 19th-century book about aquariumistics. This is exactly how they recommended to set up fish tanks. There were some additional interesting ideas. Like, for example, set up a small island inside the tank with carnivorous bog plants like sundews.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Interesting! AH! YES! Wonderful idea.

@beastly_brisket_man6249

Жыл бұрын

What was the name of the book?

@dmitrimikrioukov5935

Жыл бұрын

@@beastly_brisket_man6249 That was a Russian book. As far as I remember, the author was Zolotnicki. The title was "An Amateur's Aquarium".

@yeders

9 ай бұрын

Wow interesting!!

@Banana34598

4 ай бұрын

Just yet another example of create a problem to sell the solution… If it wasn’t broken, they shouldn’t have tried to fix it

It’s very wonderful your advice father fish. You inspire me to get an aquarium in my home, now I have 3 of them 😅.

My son recently found your videos and we are enjoying them so much. My son use to love to care for his fish, but he had death after death. Then around 2 years ago he got into a dark place. I want you to know he saw one of you videos last week and he is all for setting up a natural tank. We went yesterday to our local creek and got mud and rocks. We sat it up yesterday and he is putting in tonight some baby guppies I had in my tank. I am setting up a natural turtle tank soon. Thank you for you advice.

YOU ARE A GOOD FATHER

Father Fish, I hope you know how much you are LOVED and ADORED by us! Seeing you wading through water, collecting things from nature, then going back and adding everything to your tank was priceless. Hearing you talk about nature with so much love and admiration was beautiful (and soothing to listen to). You really have touched so many of us! Lots of love and hugs to you ❤

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Stevie. That is very kind of you.

You can boil the water too get rid of chlorine. That how I used do it in Jamaica 🇯🇲

🥰This is father fish love you all 😌🤗

I wish I had these videos back when I started really getting into keeping fish. My first tank was gravel. I found out later that gravel is horrible. I switched to sand immediately. Awhile later I read on a forum of people using dirt and capping it with sand. Obviously this made me very curious so I got a new tank to try it. Something so simple of adding dirt to a tank opened my eyes to the beauty of the native plants and fish in my area. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Wondeerful to hear from you Nathan. We are all growing together in this deeper understanding of our aquariums life system.

I learn something new ( vitamin C) every time I watch one of your videos. I think it’s time for a Father Fish hoodie!!! Thank you sir!

@FatherFish

10 ай бұрын

I have one it teespring. Don't know how to display it.

Just found this channel and loving it. The videos are educational and have a calming effect on the viewer and for that I thank you 🙏

Good morning father fish I'm from India delhi and I love the steps you explained 😊 and I will follow them your knowledge is amazing I love to watch your videos keep making them ❤ thanks 👍😎

So cool

Sir, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with us. God bless you.

Hello, lovely message and teachings. We redid a hand me down fishtank with four goldfish with sand and plants from our nearby lake, we did put some shells and gravel on top. Maybe we should remove gravel and add more sand? We have 2 inches of sand with just a scattering of gravel and shells. Ok, but my main questiin is, what about the glass...it is slowly getting greenish brown. What does this tell us? I know you don't change water or clean substrate but what about the glass? thanks for your help! Do you have a forum place for questions?

Bless you Father Fish 🐟 ❤

Very nice video. I wanted to create my first tank, and this is kinda the way I was imagining doing it. It is so nice to see a video giving guidance and confirming that this is a good idea. Thanks

Thanks fish and BTW my tap water is healthy and clean for 🐠 🐠 fish

OK this is perfect teaching. Much appreciated

I'm from Seaford "slower lower" Delaware. I wish I'd known people like you when I was still there. How i wish i could have a face to face convo with you some day. This is true wisdom. Thank you for everything Father .

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Looking for fishy friends here now.

I'm inspired. Your Biotope style is the best. More powers this channel

You are the best guide to fish keeping! I am disappointed that I didn't find you sooner!

STEM PLANTS BUNDLE SALE - Over 75 plants - 15 Species for $59! Limited Time OFFER so HURRY! father-fish-aquarium.myshopify.com/ For Special Soil Supplements, Plants, FIsh & Merch in your country: fatherfish.fish/

I don’t have a tank anymore I have a peace of nature at home I wish I could show you😊 thanks father fish

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Yopu can show us your natural installation Joryali. Go to our Discord server and join. discord.gg/DZzGDA4A2v

This is one of the best videos you have done so far. Awesome. Thanks Father Fish. I wish I had found you 15 years ago when I started the hobby.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. I wish I had found me 25 years ago too. lol

Thank you, Father.

Still working through a tank I set up and had a minor ammonia spike (like to 0.25-0.5) and panicked, but it seems within 24 hours the natural plants in the tank cleaned it right up. The tank is still only about 6 weeks old and only has 2 snails and a betta at 10 gallons so swings are expected. Thanks for your knowledge and reassurance, it is helping me a lot. Even though I'm still fretting over it like a mother hen hahaha.

Love you too father fish 😮 you make me very comfortable and confident for do aqua scape and fish hobby with river and nature thanks 🙏 father fish love from Ahmedabad India 😊 welcome to India

Your video reminded me that when I was in college, we did exactly what you suggest in my first practical course of biology! It was awesome to study and observe this aquatic ecosystem throughout the school year. Now I started my first 35 gal tank. Observing my tank and the nature around me is therapeutic! Great video! Oh and it gives me the idea to start an other one with my 4 years old grandson! He will be so proud and happy to help me collect what we need in a water steam.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

That is awesome!

@Lardothefox

Жыл бұрын

What kind of experience do you have in the biology feild?

@martinepoisson6226

Жыл бұрын

@@Lardothefox Diploma of college degrees in Chemistry-biology. I first worked in a biotech company in Quebec, but after that in pharmaceutical companies.

@martinepoisson6226

Жыл бұрын

In fact I was specialized in sterile pharmaceutical products so more related to microbiology.

@FatherFish

8 ай бұрын

@@Lardothefox moi? scholastically, none.

I love the idea of putting nature inside the tank, thank you so much for the inspiring videos ❤

This would be fun to do with the kids!❤

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely

The way you explain and transmit passion is incredible! After 10 years from my first aquarium, I'm learning so much from you, and I'm learning a new way in this hobby, far from the commercial products and more close to the Nature! This channel is simply a wonder! Bye from Triest and Thank you

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Great to hear from Triest!

@angieb2007

10 ай бұрын

I have a freshwater aquarium. Does this apply to me ? Or is it saltwater aquarium?

great video father fish

Thankyou so much, father fish! Everything you’ve explained in this video is so doable, that I don’t even have to stress anymore

Thank you for this video! Trying to teach my 2.5 year old son the importance of connecting with nature and this is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you for the wisdom!!

seriously what an amazing video Father Fish, so sincere, simple and thoughtful and just inspiring me to get out in nature and make a natural tank 🐠🐟🐠

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Happy to have struck a nerve Bacon man.

Excellent Video ❤

Grand paa you really change my view to see an aquarium. Thank you Somnath Pandey

Love father fish so much true knowledge 🐠

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you dominick

i love this guy !

You are the best. Just discovered you and I’m about 3 videos in. I have learnt so much already. Appreciate you father fish. Keep em coming please. Love from London!!

I have a hiking trail I go to and it has a beautiful stream that’s crystal clear. I’m making it my spring endeavor to go and observe the stream, not just hike by it this year but find some natural beauty in it that I could bring to my tanks. I set up my 1st FF tank and it’s doing well so far. It needs more plants but other than that it’s looking good. Great inspirational video FF! Thank you! Much love ❤

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

That is awesome Janice! Keep us posted on Discord.

thank you!!!!

Wonderful.

I love this man.

Love all your videos

Best video for me

I just love the simplicity of all of this! Thank you Father Fish 🐠

Absolutely amazing thank you

Thank you 💓

Excellent video...thank you for all your advice

thank you FATHER FISH for that wonderfull idea.

Thank you, so much! You are the best❤✌️🐟🐌🌱🍂

Thank you

Pure wisdom, many blessings to you Father Fish 🙏🏼

Thank you so much, im a fan now!

I absolutely love Father Fish!!! We are learning more & more with each video!!

My 4th pond I set up was all from a natural creek we had flowing near our house. Now 36 years later I still prefer Nature's water system over pet store.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

The pet store is a poor replica of nature.

I'm gonna try it!

Thank u father , wish u happy healthy life

God bless you, father fish It is admirable what you do!!!!

Positive vibes from you grandfather Make nature your best friend most and always needed in today world Love from India

That was refreshing 😊..reminds me of yesteryears..those were the days ..before all these technologies...

This is a very interesting topic. This is akin to collecting live rock and sand to seed a reef tank. The biome of the living organisms is essential to stable ecosystems. It is fantastic advice, and I always wondered why more freshwater fans don't do this.

@Admiral_tintin

Жыл бұрын

This is exactly true! Unfortunately due to over harvesting the natural resources we have caused disaster in alot of Natural Reef systems.

@seannunes2041

Жыл бұрын

@Admiral Tintin Good point. I do agree with your statement. Back in the late 80s and 90s, collection of live rock and sand was abused. Now, with ocean planted man made rock sitting in the ocean for years to grow all that good life. Now that sterile man made rock is live filled with organisms needed to balance a tank. More and more reefers and realizing the benefits of nature and long term stability. Father Fish principles are sound. The fact is that bacteria in a bottle definitely cannot substitute nature.

@FatherFish

8 ай бұрын

@@Admiral_tintin major fishing yrawlers have created substantial problems with populations of wild fish. Poaching and destructive harvesting practices have created damaged biotopes. By and large, however, it is the non harvesters - miners, loggers, farmers - who have devastated biotopes.

Thank you Father Fish for helping me with my new hobby and keeping it simple. Just how it should be. I love you!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Lauren. Love you right back.

Thank you Father Fish for all of your knowledge. What a difference a natural tank makes. Putting a plastic bag on top of the sand and filling it on top of the bag is so easy. I am so glad I found your channel❤

Put your tank where it gets sunlight. Wow alge city . I got to try mud

wow!!!!!

You teach me more and more by the day, even videos I’ve already seen it seems there’s still gems I had not found before.

❤ Love your information. Thank you so much JD.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome Joe.

absolute ledgend! love your channel Brisbane,Australia!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated David!

Thank you for shareing your experiences!

Beautiful video 🙏

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Cheers Bikram!

You have to emphasize in detail to us, and you did a great job. You just need a little bit of dirt. It's not a lot of work for a 10 gallon. 100%

I love your videos. I'm from Mexico, keep doing an excellent job. I have learned a lot. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge 🙌

I havent totally tried this 100% however I have just recently took a bunch of gravel and rocks from a local river with some drift wood a couple larger rocks with moss already growing on them and a couple river muscles and so far so good not to mention how awsome the real natural look looks imo. I am going to try it 100% in a spare 40 gallon tank. Thank you sir!!

Thank you Father Fish. You are a big inspiration for me :)

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear that Wojtek.

I'll definitely try this when I leave Los Angeles to buy my homestead.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Sounds wonderful Dante. where are you planning to homestead?

WOW IM SO HAPPY THAT A FOUND YOU. AS I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THIS ,SO HOW IS THE TIME WITH YOUR HELP I CAN DO IT,🙏

@FatherFish

10 ай бұрын

You can do it!

Thanks for this easily understood video 😊❤

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Most welcome 😊 John!

Three tanks, 10g, 15g, 20g. All have this setup, somewhat. 10g is top soil with play sand, sponge filter, rasboras. Crystal clear and only foiled when I had a plastic hide hole for a betta and one of the two driftwood collected shht under it. Both removed, no fouling. The 20g has top soil and colored aquarium sand cap with pebbles on one side and small spiderwood. Molly's, Cory's, canister filter. Crystal clear. Not sure when the last time I vacuumed the sand. The 15g has fluval Stratum for dirt, and caribsea sand. Sand washed heavily, started clear, got the BB cloud and has not gone away yet. Nano nano razzies. Canister filter that had carbon but heard was bad for fertilizer so changed to purigen. All started at the same time. Cannot get it over. I think it's the Stratum or purigen

This made my cry. Beautiful.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

You aare a sensitive soul Raphael.

Greetings from Mexico with tons of love, wise man.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Pericles

I’m having a lot of fun following this advice, thank you. I have set up one tank and I’m so happy with it, there is so much microscopic life in it! I can’t stop looking and discovering new life swimming and floating around in it, fascinating. Lots of dead leaves, lots of heathy green plants, decay and growth with tiny animals I’ve never seen before. I’ll have to look up the ones I’ve never seen before, 2mm white balls that swim so fast, daphnia, microscopic, worms, and larvae and crystal clear water.

@jewel65

9 ай бұрын

I'm still working up the courage to try! It's nice to know it really can be done by someone not an expert!

Thank you and Great video! You have so much knowledge and you're so humble. I have several native species aquariums. You inspired me to set one up another one. I love watching all your videos on KZread and on your Discord channel.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Mercy. I have not watched all of my videos, lol

Thank you so much father fish! Im redoing my 20 gallon with your method. Sadly for me to go to a pond or river with fish would take me hours and I don't have a car, so Ill use prepared soil that has compost, humus, moss and soil. I'm excited for the results!

Good Morning Father Fish. I love watching your videos and they are very informative. I looking at starting a natural aquarium using pieces of your advice from this video. My only question right now though is by using water or plants from pond or lake, would there be a cause for concern for harmful bacteria? I know driftwood can be sterilized by boiling it but what about plants and leaves taken from said body of water?

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

Bacteria becomes harmful in a super clean environment. because it has no competition. In a highly diverse environment bacteria is not able to become a monoculture.

I'm learning much from you. You talk logic. In a prior life you just had to be a famous storyteller with the way you project knowledge. Thank you!

@FatherFish

10 ай бұрын

Boom

Your videos are very inspiring.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that!

Father fish = the TRUTH.. We all love you sir ❤

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Love you back eire.

This is how I did my fish tanks when I was a kid... (minus the sand...) Plus tadpoles that would turn into frogs and hop under my bed... 😊😉

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Chirping? or drying up to become little statues?

@HappyOne2017

Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately the first few dried up into statues but then I learned to keep tadpoles outside in the small kiddie pool in the front yard instead of in my bedroom... 😊😉

Another enjoyable video Father Fish! Very informative as well. Keep it up!! You're the Bob Ross of Fish. I could listen to you for hours. 😊

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

Thanks!

@FatherFish

15 күн бұрын

Thanlk you Santhosh

Make nature your best friend! YES!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Truth!

As soon as I get my hands on another tank, I'm going to try this :)

it is truely nature in a tank !

Another great video. Love the message as usual. 😁

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

You're the best!