Thank you for the shout out @father Fish. I started doing the natural ecosystem about 4 years ago. First of all it was out of the challenge of it. I got the idea initial from Diana Walstad. Nowadays, with so many tanks in my studio, it would not be feasible to have that many tanks and run them on their own if they didn't look after themselves. I also think that once the tank is set up (i think I set them up a bit differently to you but the same overall concept) they are far easier and more enjoyable for the fish keeper. This will mean they are more likely to stay in the hobby and move onto more tanks and even have a go at high tech. I know this to be true because of the amount of people that tell me it's my fault they now have 7 tanks in their house 🤣🤣

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

YES! Perfect. This is the direction the hobbyist should be going, maintaining more varieties of plants and animals. MTS is our highest achievement. Thank you for all you do. There are many ways to achieve this kind of stability and minimal maintenance.

@Nomadistar

11 ай бұрын

Fancy seeing you here & yes! It is your fault! I got back into this hobby because of you and have 3, freaking 3 tanks now! Oh, and thank you!!!

@abfmkarin

11 ай бұрын

Now Matt , please, please tell father fish that he should not recommend to fish keepers to move their tank with 'anything in it! Because that simply money making because most tanks are not designed to be moved with water or substrate in it...

@MrsBasaran

11 ай бұрын

Three tanks in and now fixing up natural tanks for friends too, a massive thanks to both of you awesome gentlemen! Just finished buying more substrate for a new tank an hour ago 😂❤

@EuroGupper

11 ай бұрын

I started with MD Fish tanks, moved on to Fishstory and the past couple of weeks have discovered Father Fish. All 3 have about the same message. What i like about MD Fishtanks is the beauty of the tanks as a bonus and the European representation in the hobby on KZread For the opposite reason i like Fishstory. The tanks are so random look unmaintained that they would probably be found in nature. As for Father Fish. Its the preaching he does to go natural and how to go natural. Before i watched Father Fish i thought leaves were just for tanning the water and branches were for creating facevalue tank that looked natural

Thanks for the shout out buddy! Its nice having more people understanding the importance and beauty of truly connecting to the Earth we live on. Nature has been doing this for longer than we ever will truly know.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Thank you Lucas. You are an inspiration to natural fish keepers.

@voluntaryismistheanswer

11 ай бұрын

You and Alex and FF are my mentors and inspiration and the reason I'm still doing this

@vinniediego

9 ай бұрын

Def following you now as well....how I missed u, have no idea. Thank you Father Fish!

Thank you FF for using my tank as an example for the third time. I am blushing a bit. And a bit proud. I took a beer on it. ................. No no. Thats not true.......... I am walking the streets shouting FF used my tank again!!! :) ........... The truth is I took a beer to celebrate. :) :)

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Wonderful tank. Thank you for allowing us to use it to demonstrate the quality that is possible with a natural system.

Im so confused haha now Father Fish is doing history of the hobby videos... maybe i ahould start some rants next 😉 This was a nice rundown of all this on KZread recently though. Thanks for putting it all together. I should mention Dustins planted tanks pushed Walstad dirted style tanks for 10 years also...but didnt teach much of the detail or ecology. Hopefully we are all changing the missing info gap between experience and people saying " this is the right way" vs science / research and saying "this is one of the many right ways, and you can go more and more extreme if youd like". Anyhow, Cheers!

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Happy to be on the team Alex. Dustin is on my list.

So glad to see the OPTION of cultivating Natural Aquariums openly being accepted on YT. Keeping aquatic life is a wonderful hobby but not all people are interested in accumulating plastic "decorations", glittery or wildly colored gravels and subscriptions for various chemicals and filter media. There is a place for that for some people but for the others that prefer as natural as possible, this is a Blessed relief and now YT home(s) for us. Onward and Upward!

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

Seeing is believing. I have kept fish for years, both inside and outside in ponds. My fish are thriving and my plants are beautiful! As I have said elsewhere, the only complaint that I have is my fish keep having babies! I got babies everywhere! Thank you, Father Fish, for giving me the push I needed to have dirt tanks.

@Just_Lurking8

11 ай бұрын

Hi, what do you do with so many babies ? That’s my concern… Can you tell me more about your pond , more details how you set it up, FF system ?TIA

@andyrussell5177

11 ай бұрын

I just started mine. It's rather small though. I went to the pawn got some dirt got some rocks and after planting some grass seed switchbru I put the water in. After a few days the water is pristine it was beautiful. Two days ago I noticed the water was less clear but it smelled funky as heck. What am I doing wrong

I think everyone has forgotten Dustin's Fish tanks was the original Natural aquarium youtuber, way back 15 years ago promoting natural planted tanks. He does use gravel to cap his soil but he has been promoting natural tanks longer than anybody on KZread. Shout out to Dustin's Fish Tanks. I really do believe he deserves a little more recognition or maybe even a spotlight episode. OG Natural fishtuber for 15 years strong and still going.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

I have met Dustin and chatted with him. Even bought many of his plants. He is a very unusual fish keeper.

@northpond4052

11 ай бұрын

​​@@FatherFishI agree he has his own unique style of presentation which is why he doesn't have the biggest following after all these years. He was the first person I ever seen on KZread doing dirted tanks with beautiful plants. He got me started 15 years ago.

@thomascrohan7810

9 ай бұрын

In the beginning he was growing extremely fast, but when more fish tubers starting coming along he fell off a bit, but still an accomplishment to reach more than 100k. I remember he wa one of the first channels I started watching, the other ones around that time fell off a bit or stopped doing youtube lol. I think Rachel O’Leary was pretty early on too

@tylersingleton9284

5 ай бұрын

Dustin was the first fishkeeper I started following after a few years of doing aquaponics. I watched him, Pectec, and Rachel Oleary almost exclusively. When I found Father Fish it all clicked together for me and I'm starting my first tank next week.

" maintains itself with minimum maintenance " I strive to have this kind of natural aquarium, thank you father fish for the guidance

Natural aquariums are simply the best that’s all there to it .

In 1974 my mother got a 20 gallon fish tank.. she didnt listen to what the fish store said. Oh no. She hall off and got substrait from the nearest lake. up rooted plants from that lake. kept water in tubs for a week to let the things they add to water to disapate . went to the store got fish and added them.. the plants and everything was beautiful for many years... she never did huge water changes either just added what was needed to top it up. today her tank would have been considered over stocked.. but Mom had it going on.. I now have a "natural tank" 55 gallon tank. 3 common gold fish . i adore. they are fine with the dirt bottom topped with sand.. and plants...

❤❤❤ Thanks for the name drop! You were the first dirted aquariums I came across when looking for that kind of information! At the time you were the only one I could find talking about biodiversity in the aquarium... Thank you for spreading the message!

I'm happy the word of nature is getting out there. You have done a marvelous job spreading it. You have amounted quite an amazing legacy. I look forward to carrying this knowledge with me for the rest of my life and continuing it on. You've made quite an impact on the hobby, and a good one at that!

Every " other" aquarium channel I look into, I ALWAYS toot your horn! ❤

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

You're the best!

now i ran 5 tank with your system. very cheap and low maintenance. thank you sir

Well said Father Fish, "Differently". "Natural as it can get" 💓🐠🐟🐠🐟🐠

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Absolutely leaves!

I love your channel. I could listen to you for hours. You have so much knowledge. Thanks for sharing it with the masses.

The Natural movement is also present in herpetoculture. Many amphibian and reptile keepers are moving toward "bioactive enclosures." I'm trying it with one of my snakes and have so far seen good results.

@THandP_org

11 ай бұрын

My ball python in 1993 was a wild caught reverse color morph. She thrived in a natural habitat recreation (nobody had coined "bio-active" yet). The vet who worked with me was worried about her being able to maintain her health...at the beginning. By 6 months, she had filled out and had excellent muscle tone, and none of her parasites or health issues came back. Part of her tank got natural sunlight for ~45 minutes each day, she had plenty of live plants, and she ate fresh food. Vet was worried about her consuming plant leaves or substrate, and developing a blockage.... instead she climbed her dracaena, occasionally caught her food with a leaf and left the leaves behind as she swallowed, and the clean up crew kept the terrarium smelling like fresh, forest floors. All animals deserve a safe, stimulating, healthy environment to live in.

Thanks for the video @Father Fish! Adding various video clips besides seeing your handsome face is awesome! 🤪

You've officially earned the title of "Dr. Fish" in my book. No more "father".

It’s a movement! So many happy and healthy fish and fish keepers because of your work Father Fish, amazing. My outdoor tank is profuse with life, love watching it in the evening. So life affirming!

The man's knowledge and passion is magnetic.

I've been SO glad to see natural aquarium keeping taking off. Keeping natural aquariums has definitely saved the hobby for me. Healthy fish, shrimp, and snails in low maintenance, heavily planted setups works great for me, given my chronic health issues. Also, I've got egg-layers successfully breeding for the first time! Without any extra care from me. The fry are growing and thriving on their own. I'm so happy with the results of going natural.

This hobby has me so excited!!! I am starting my ‘plant nursery’ tanks and start my own propagation… my next project is. 100 gal planted system…. Thank you for sharing the names and channels of others you showed me some new content ❤ hopefully by this time next summer i will have a fully sustainable world. PS… I not only visit FF for his abundant knowledge but for the fashion! Best shirts ever 🤩

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

That is awesome!

A great advantage for natural no tech tanks is you can have more than one my house has very few power outlets , this way I can have 4 covered by 2 lights . I found Lucas first and folowed his method then found you and Alex , and ran with the whole ecosystem .

I made a 1G tank Fatherfish-style with some mud, dead shit and plants I took from a local lake. Lots of critters are popping up after a month. I love it. The 1G has no pump or light. I use sunlight and it works.

I started dreaming of making my own planted tank last year when I started watching MD's channel. Then youtube showed me your channel, and I started binge watching both of you. I now have a 20 gallon with dirt and deep sand and tons of plants. It's my favorite tank to sit and look at. Someday I will get my other two tanks converted to more natural, but I've got to gather supplies. In the meantime, I've got a 300 gallon stock tank pond full of tadpoles and plants in the yard. Still haven't put fish in it. I have to figure out how to keep the raccoons out. lol

@sarahwong5592

11 ай бұрын

Hardware cloth solves everything!

We are a group of friends and local hobbyists in our local area who have gone the Father Fish way and are 8 aquariums strong now. Spreading the word one hobbyist at a time and have only had one person revert back to gravel.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Bravo Nathan. What a gratifying tribute. We must not let that one sheep be lost. Just keep sharing. Love you guys! Please join us at the Father Fish Shoal and share your joy. discord.gg/v6x5YVbc

Great video. All of these KZreadrs have their own style, methods they set their tank, sometimes unexpected which is always good food for thought.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Very true!

To be honest,the goal is to make the aquarium a mini ecosystem, but that needs a lot knowledge, I'm two years into the hobby and I learnt so much that correlates with so many other things around us things

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

It is important to start. We have made it simple and bulletproof to do so for beginners. Then you will certainly learn as you grow.

I've changed all my fish tanks now to do it the father fish way it's an awesome way of doing it you get way better results with your fish the tanks look better and the fish enjoy it more

Good content gets subscribers and followers who spread your methods further,now you are worldwide, congratulations sir

@earhartribay7191

11 ай бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/oWxqxLmimKbPYM4.html

Natural is the best! Far easier to keep fish and other creatures healthy in a natural, low-maintenance tank. This approach has made the hobby far more enjoyable for myself and my creatures :). Starting out with a shrimp breeding tank led me to expand more. I'm dabbling with keeping lots of different plants now...and eventually will work my way up to a bigger community tank!

I'm just about done setting up my third tank using this "trust in nature" mindset, and its thanks to you and other similar content creators

Greetings from Türkiye, following you for oveR a month. I've already learned lots of things, thank you dear father. I pray for you.

I love all the people you mentioned and I have talked to them all and gotten some good answers and advice back. There are some real boneheads on youtube right now, and they WILL lead you astray from the "natural" tank since they are trying to sell you stuff you dont need. Since avoiding those channels, more "natural" tank tubers have popped up for me! My parents have had an old enormous satellite dish they covered in concrete and its been wild and natural for probably 25 years now! Theres new fish and critters in there all the time. It's literally no maintenance as long as the rain falls in FL.

Father fish I appreciate your advice! I am just now getting my iwagumi tank going. The dwarf hairgrass is coming along good. Thank you for the inspiration man.

i have tubs and ponds outside with nothing but clay mud and leaves and sticks no sand cap at all for years no deliberate water changes at all just top offs from rain or a hose. Bred hundreds of fish shrimp and tadpoles in them and grown so many plants Im having to pull them out to make space. Ive had tanks with just clay from the yard and a bit of fine gravel and had the healthiest most vibrant guppies in it ive ever seen. I have one thats not ever had a water change since set up only 15 gallons with plants and masses of guppies and shrimp fat and healthy and breeding like rabbits. I also have pure line guppies right now over wintering in an un heated bucket in the laundry with some plants tossed in it they came out of a pond. That laundry dosnt get as cold as outside but its in the range of 14 - 16 celsius most of the winter and they have slowed down and stopped breeding but still doing fine im trying to breed some tougher strains that can go without a heater all year long in my part pf Australia and I have a couple of un heated tanks doing just fine they have sat around 15 celsius now for a couple of months and the fish are doing well. It gets a bit colder outdoors in the ponds so I still bring them in for winter but slowly breeding the toughest and will take some years but I think I am on track to tough guppies back in the hobby. Someone else is doing it outdoors in full dirt ponds already in western Australia where it gets even colder. If I can do it I hope to breed some nice new guppy strains that handle cold water that can be nice small pond fish I could afford to breed a lot more that way because the electricity is getting too expensive haha and sunlight is free.

Nice of you to give shout outs and credit were credit is due.

My Father always had fish tanks, I in turn had tanks but stepped out the hobby for years, started thinking I'd like to start again. Looking at local fish shops wow its moved on, you need this you need that, why they making it so hard and of couse expensive.Years ago you set up a tank the left the thing alone. Dad and me never had problems, lovely clear water and the fish only ever died of old age. I do have a large pond and not touched it in years clear water fish are happy. Breath of fresh air finding you as I thought I was the odd one saying get the balance and leave alone

well said, i like the idea you getting your method out their, but not pushing the fact that your way is the only way, and their is other methods that work,

YOU. ARE. AMAZING!! Yr humbleness and honesty in truths being told is very well appreciated

YES! FATHER FISH LET'S GOOOOO! REVOLUTION HAS BEGUN! Time to show those who make profit from flooding us with their easy fix chemicals for aquariums what the real deal about aquariums is all about!

All I want said,nice to learning everything from expert people.That's good knowledge to much learn,how made a perfect aquascape like natural....

SO happy to see palawan fish hub in the video. my fellow countryman. Yes Natural aquariums are the way to go. I see other channels that practically want to STERILIZE everything.

Found your channel 3 months ago FF, watched a ton of your videos, you reminded me about nature and suddenly I saw everything so clearly. Anyway bought a tank a few days later, a dirted sand substrate, put some fish, shrimp, plants, snails and leaves. Feed maximum once a day and the water is balanced. Never done or will do a water change. Almost three months in. Yesssss❤

@wakingforbacon6439

11 ай бұрын

@@AwsimilateI keep angel fish a red tail shark, guoramis, serpae tetras, corydoras, and some swordtails and have never done a water change in over 3 years. So no it don’t have anything to do with only having guppies.

@DashDrones

11 ай бұрын

@@Awsimilate 11 neons, 6 rummy nose, 3(new to the tank) cherry shrimp and then the bladder snails who hitch hiked in on the plants. Was worried about it for over a month at the start, then I realised, calm down, leave it alone for a day or two and things go back to normal. Loving it 👍

@ryanrogers8211

11 ай бұрын

How do you guys get rid of nitrates and nitrites? The plants?

@DashDrones

11 ай бұрын

@@ryanrogers8211 yep, nitrates and nitrites are always low, I have 15-20 little plants like super red and cryptocoryne and it's the most crystal clear water. I never add any chemicals, just small water top ups when it evaporates every few weeks or so. I feed them live brine shrimp sometimes, but mainly micro pellets, the rummy nose go insane for them. I do have a heater and hang on the back filter too but no charcoal, just a sponge 👍

@DashDrones

11 ай бұрын

@@ryanrogers8211 forgot to say feed them max once per day. Definitely a good food web in the tank with leaves and on top of the substrate. All enjoying their little paradise (I hope 🤣)

Thank you for this amazing video father fish.

17 years ago I started my natural fish tank journey. Had to get out of the hobby for 10 years but I’m getting ready to get back in it. Starting with a 55 just to get my feet wet again pun intended lol. I go on KZread and seen this way of fish keeping blown up. 17 years ago I felt like it was just me. Heck yeah this is awesome to see this “ natural method “ take off the way it has.

really enjoyed this, will be sharing to a few forums, thanks Father

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

Glad to know you that I send one of your videos to my local fish store owner And he made a natural planted display tank. To attract the people to know it. Here's what happend His aquarium sales are booming from last 6 months. People like natural aquarium but the things is that the tools are expensive for the new people. So he convinced them to put mud in the tank rather than premium soils and all the stuff ! He just want to thank you father fish ! 😅 Huge respect and love from India sir 🇮🇳

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Bravo to India. I have a special place in my heart for the Indian fish keepers.

Elles Vivavrium (AKA Serpa Design) is actually on of the most well known names in the exotic pet industry...

Wow! I remember joining live streams with FF when there was only a couple thousand subscribers back in 2020. Learned so much and am now selling fish and plants out of my natural tanks. Congratulations on getting past 40000 subscribers.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

That's awesome!

A pleasure as always to listen to your approach and supporting your friends

I love watching baby fish turn up in my natural tanks where I have live food cultures and just toss eggs in. they just hatch and eat and I see them one day and go wow that is awesome. The tank has no water changes.

Great advice father fish. My tank is thriving with life thanks to you 🙏🐟

Old habits do die hard. Im still a tiny bit nervous still not using a filter. (I have been doing so all my fishkeeping life - so unplugging the old Eheim is tough! ) BUT... I began my 1st natural system based on FF teachings and so far so great. Its a power saver too! Fish seem to enjoy it. its quieter. The soil I used but have contained Tannins so the water is clear brown... but clear as glass otherwise. I took out the C02 as well. and Plants are still flourishing... fish are too! I do appreciate all you do for us in these videos. I am learning to trust the natural process.

The bottom of every pond I've ever seen is dirt. I don't see how dirt could hurt fish.

knowledge is power ❤ and shared to the 🌍 . God bless you all on a great hobby

My heroes in the hobby Diana Walstad, Father Fish and Aaron Talbot, the latter introduced me to mineralized substrate way back 2008. Thank you for the invaluable information my heroes. Mabuhay!

So not wanting to break down my exiting tank, I just added sand, from the local river on top of the existing "plant gravel" & some plant (wild ludwigia?) & aquatic grass from a lake I'd collected in a water bottle. The exiting plants have already perked up, my new plants have had minimal melt, but my fish absolutely love sifting thru the sand! My Kuhli loaches are always out, either climbing foliage or playing in sand now! Thank you! It's not perfect, as it lacks the dirt base layer, but such an improvement!

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Perfect

Also I planted my father fish plant bundle 11/2 week ago and this morning I tools cuttings off of 4 different plants that were sprouting roots on upper growth and replanted. I have had zero melt on anything so far. Maybe the river and well water combo.

I have been learning from your vidoes. My conclusion I have came to from your videos. Is I can take my organic gardening from outside and take it to my fish tank. Just add a layer of sand to the top of my organic soil.

@ryanrogers8211

11 ай бұрын

Absolutely, also it will help if you put some soil supplements mixed into the soil.

So we'll spoken. I've always told people about your channel. Must be over 150 people now. I always say "a father fish style deep substrate" thanks a million...

I'm about to take my first steps into this deep substrate world. I confess that even after watching countless videos of Father Fish, Alexander Williamson and Dr Novak, I remain apprehensive, because I know that there is still a lot to learn. I make an extra effort to overcome the language barrier, because, being Brazilian, I confess that my English is still very basic. So looking for the right information becomes a little more painful for me. But, for all the learning I'm having, I say that, without a doubt, I chose the right path. It is worth it. I've always considered an aquarium as a complete ecosystem and, as such, I've never been content with having to accept that it has an "expiration date", that is: that at some point I'd have to dismantle it and start all over again from scratch. And it was through these people mentioned above that I realized that I could set up an aquarium in which biology would sustain itself for decades. I thank each and every one of you for sharing this knowledge in such a brilliant way that it encourages us to try things out of the ordinary. Big hug from Brazil.

@Fishtory

11 ай бұрын

Hey there! Thanks for tuning in. Cheers

Father fish, your aquariums are yours lol an actual father fish tank 😅. Ur vision ur stocking ur expertise and ur methods of routine regimen of upkeep. These are all the experience and learnings that have worked and well if ur sharing it from the perspective that is ur word. I love natural environmental aquariums I have to say when ur getting deep into the hobby this is usually the end result, one day I will find more time and a good WY to relay my experience and techniques and data I've been messing around with natural aquariums for about 20years I don't think I've seen as much as you but have been studying all sorts of things lol this as gone kinda long its been a while since I had time to reach out and well hope all is well! Lol stay tuned I've been working with a aquarium company and hope to expand even more 😅

All these men at one point tuned into your channel and some still mention your name, I know because I'm subscribed in their channel. Little by little I'm buying my equipment and started with fluval stratum, sponge filter etc. I'm searching for someone who breeds endlers but with two bars in is tail. Father fish this vid is very informative and thank you for sharing.

About to setup my 1st tank (60cm/1.2g), and ended up with you, Alex, Serpa & the youtubers you mentioned. I want a natural aquarium - as much its possible that is - dirt+sand+plants+leafs. I will add some normal plants ontop of it to root into the tank, and DIY a filter/watermover system. Cheers Fatrher Fish!

With a name like George Farmer it's a given that you'll be born with a Green Thumb! lol

Yup i stumbled upon MD and started thinking about keepig fish then i found 'tiny minagerie' and her channel is great for deciding what fish to choose and then i found FF who completely changed my outlook and my 42 US gallon tank is much more natural and healthy for my fish and my 12 US gallon is all dirted and natural and been running for a month with four minnows and six neon tetras, theyre thriving. ❤️🇬🇧👏👏👏

Yes! I agree with the concept of a "naturally functioning system" For those who tend to get skeptical so to say "the water isnt cycled naturally, and the aqaurium is man made gimic of nature" yes sure, but we're using natutal substances in the tanks to try and mimic a natural environment for the fish

Experience matters.. u have clearly showed that.. great work sir

Natural fish tanks all the way! Glad to see the message getting out!

Love your content!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!

Really good video, enjoyed listening to this one! Also very good fishtuber picks.

I'm from Romania and I recently restarted a fish aquarium of about 1000 liters in which I now use the Father FIsh method. The tank is with African cichlids so we know the level of mess they make. I can say that after the first 14 days, the fish tank is more stable than ever. As for introducing dirt from the outside into the aquarium, I can only have positive feedback. Every time I collect a piece of wood, a leaf from the surrounding lakes, I can say that my fish are in ecstasy, just like Father Fish says, fish love outside messes

I'm one of the little KZreadrs lol I need to do some long form videos 😅

I was born in South America and no body of water i saw or visited in my country (Suriname, north of Brazil) had gravel in it. When i started with aquariums i naturally gravitated to what i saw in nature during my youth in South America. What i was used to seeing was (white) sand (and dirt underneath) or....just pure dirt/mud (no sand) and in both cases there were leaves and branches in the water sometimes to the point where the water was black. One of these bodies of water is so black it's official name is Cola Creek My only experience with gravel is when i saw the aquarium hobby industry selling it in pinks, reds, blues and other dyed colors

I have both the big African cichlid tank and big natural tanks I even took my son to get mud from the stream and a crawfish. The natural tank is much easier to take care of

I wish i would of done this from the beginning. Im getting my list of materials around now and cant wait to set up my 55 all natural. Thank you sir for all the valuable info much appreciated

You just got another subscriber. I've learned a lot from you and I wish that I had watched your channel before I set up my first aquarium about 20 years ago. Live long and prosper and keep up the good work!

Great video FF. MD started me down the rabbit hole of this hobby. But as someone who also wants to do a permanent tank, you’ve been my professor FF!

i was doing this well over 10 years ago, i used soil then sand over the top in my fully planted aquariums. i wasn't the first because i learnt it from my local store in Australia.for me its always been the best way to go for me as i like natural approach to everything possible. i never looked at youtube for fish until the last month or so as i want to get back into the hobby.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting

Always awesome the information .... all my set up currently are base upon your info...

Just subscribed. Glad to have found this awesome channel.

I am glad to have found your channel this late evening. I have been running a 40 gallon breeder planted tropical community tank for the last 2.5 years, a dream of mine since I was young. I have been fortunate to not lose any fish despite this being my first tank....four blue gourami, five Mickey Mouse platys (MANY offspring that I have given away), five neons, five lamp eyes, many shrimp, and countless pest snails. I can absolutely guarantee that it's because I had already been implementing many of the things you preach. Very rare water changes, no chemicals, just mainly plant trimming/cleanup, nothing artificial in this tank.....the one thing that I WILL change is adding sand on top of my gravel. I have thought about it and after finding you, I'm convinced it's the right thing to do. Shove the gravel and mess to the bottom under the sand, and keep it there where it belongs. I know my next tank will be soil with a sandcap. These are warm and wonderful videos.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Thank you mattis.

I started a salt water 55 gallon aquarium in 1999 as a Christmas present. I came with the 'state of the art' equipment for that time and small town pet store that also sold fish. So, I set it up, followed all the instructions. Put some fish in. it was the basic undergravel filter/power heads, rinky dink lights, crushed coral substrate. About two months after I set the tank up, cyano algae starts growing. Then all the fish came down with ich and died, except for one surviving Sergeant Major. So, before I bought any more fish, I started looking on the brand new internet about saltwater fishkeeping. The so called "Berlin Method". And learned about live rock, protein skimming, proper lighting, and the early rumblings of what this video was about- making sustainable aquariums that supported a range of aquatic life from microbes to fish. From that point till I took the tank down, none of my fish died because of anything but aggression. I added a HOB filer to my protein skimming, abandoned the undergravel filter and used it as a plenum. I stopped changing out the filter media on the HOB because it was covered with tiny wriggling bugs! I also realized that the more realistic my hardscape was, the less stressed the fish were. In 2014 I decided to try making a planted tank. It was an early success based on me seeing my cherry shrimp breed, my plants thrive, and having no nitrates or phosphate levels to speak of. Since then, watching this channel, Fishtory and a few other channels has helped me get some new information, wider perspective, a better understanding of what it takes to maintain these tiny worlds we create. But never forget that there are probably more of us old people who just support our local fish stores and aquarium clubs that have been thinking and working along these same paths. Love your channel!

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

absolutely true. Could not be more supportive.

Great video @Father Fish of my 4 tanks 3 are considered natural systems and are my easiest to maintain.

I've been experimenting with this kind of stuff in my native tanks. I never need to cycle them, because all i do is take some substrate from where im catching my fish, and the tank is instantly cycled. You can add fish right away if you do that. Also, I frequently feed wild mosquito larvae and bloodworms from my rain barrel, which my fish love.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

absolutely true!

I had stopped watching KGTropic(John is so adha) I actually just watched the new video of his wife with Diana Walsted. First thing that irritated me was the way she talked to Diana like she was too old!! Oh, I’m 60 yr old and feel like I’m 18 yr old 🤣 I’m going to try to be quick about this so what I’m gonna say about my new dirted, sand capped and planted, river minnows I actually caught and snails from river. And mud and leaves. And tannins. I use 50/50 river water and well water. I have sponge filter. It’s been up and running for over a month! I have shrimp, scud balls, and leaves from “Phillipsfishworks “ and the huge bunch of plants package from “Father Fish “ 60 gallon breeder with about 40 minnow along with the shrimp, ramshorn, periwinkle snails from creek, etc and some kind of suckers from creek (5) 1/2” long. Nobody has died, tank is clear, gorgeous and all life is happy. I’m feeding teny tiny amount every other day (making everything forage) along with once a week Tony’s white worms. I have never done a water change, never tested anything, two “Necrew “ plant lights on 12 hours a day, I have glass tops ( haven’t even had to top off yet (1 month) lids no evaporation. Tons of river rock (never rinsed off) barnacles and all went straight into tank. Tony’s shrimp are reproducing, I think minnows have had babies and not eaten them. The snails are working overtime. I am actually dropping two Hikari algae wafers in once a week and Hikari pellets that I feed my saltwater hermits I caught at beach year ago and also have never done a water change on! Only distilled water top off for crabs. Back to the minnows!! I don’t plan on doing anything other than top offs for my freshwater minnows, make sure my sponge filters aren’t clogged, and trim and replant my plants. I stopped watching the video I mentioned when they started talking about a 90% water change. If I have to work myself to death, then why would I want to continue? I’m so happy with my aquarium that I created thanks to Father Fish and Tony from “Phillipsfishworks “ my plants and scuds and shrimp and minnows are AWESOME!!! Over a month now!

getting my 2nd tank in a week or two and it will be named Father Fish Tank, and am try go all natural with it. Maybe not 100% just yet but you get the point . . .

Baba fırsat buldukça eski bilgi dolu değerli vidyolarını defalarca izliyorum.Akvaryum hakkında kimse senin gibi bilgilerini paylaşmaz , onun için tüm takipcilerine gerçek akvaryum sırlarını öğrenmek istiyorlarsa senin geçmiş vidyolarını tekrar , tekrar izlemelerini tavsiye ediyorum .İyiki seni tanımışım.

Oh and not to mention RED plants thriving and bright red under an 8w fluro no heat, no filter, no fertilisers no co2. Just dirt sand and shrimp. No water changes. Plants... RED RED RED thick lush leaves big roots haha and the tank cost me a lightbulb and a few dollars of sand. Too easy.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tips!

I'm so glad you did this video.... Ever since I found your channel I've been hooked... N guess what... I converted 3 of my tanks to the Father fish style... It's amazing how plants love it ..n the best part is you don't have to keep dosing ferts or keeping a close watch on an imbalance because of over fertilizing... I follow MD fish tanks too ... And every time he did one of his nature scapes with a sand cap, it reminded me of your style n thought that one of you should comment about the other... And there you have it ... This makes me feel so happy... I totally appreciate your efforts in helping people to get a clear idea of how to really set up an aquarium... And your discord channel too is fantastic... Many thanks 🙏🙏 Keep up the good work Love from Mumbai 😁👍💖💖💖

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for your kind words.

i have followed Father Fish advise my 400ltr has no water changes and no nitrates its perfect. Thank you.

Thank you for your videos. Very helpfull. I have just restarted this hobby after I stopped 10 years ago. This time I started by putting dirt in the tank 😊 an following your advice.

Thank you, Father Fish for this video. ✝️🙏🥰

Great video as always.. You can't forget about dustins fish tank tho. He's been doing it on KZread for 13 years. His second video he talks about his dirt/clay substrate.

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

OK already. I will get together with Dustin.

Father Fish THE MAN !

I have set up a natural system in a 50 gal (US) To experiment with your system. I left it unstocked for 3 weeks and then added 2 x three months old barramundi. If they survive I will replace them with pesos. I enjoy listening to you from here in Queensland Australia. Cheers Doug

@FatherFish

11 ай бұрын

WOW! Baramundi is the only fish I have wanted and never had. Send pics please: discord.gg/v6x5YVbc

@Desmond000007

11 ай бұрын

Once you have tried Australian Barramundi fish & chips, youre hooked!

I love your channel sir. I can't wait to try this. I've always used eco complete and stratum, but never dirt with nutrients mixed in it with a sand cap. I already have my list started. Unfortunately lost my job last week so it has to be put on the back burner for now, but most definitely will do this in the future....

You are a revolutionary 😉 in aquatic system 😌 you changed lot 😍