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FF Don't apologize for long videos. I love all the information. Some people make videos that are too short and leave too many questions unanswered. I appreciate the work you do to keep us informed.🙂

@sylvesterskyes9558

7 ай бұрын

Sometimes I wish he could make a marathon about just one subject going very in detail and then to the other subjects and so on. I listen to FF almost all the time when i do maintenence in the aquariums.

@dangerjoe2203

7 ай бұрын

Well deserved top comment. Unfortunately today, the youth are only intrigued by quick/fast paced videos. I love sitting and listening to the wisdom of the old folks who have been in the hobby for a long time and seen a thing or two. Keep doing what your doing. You dropped this 👑

@braddishner8597

5 ай бұрын

Right I need something to watch at work

@DanijelL-ec1hs

5 ай бұрын

FF what diameter of sand is the best to be used? 1-3mm? Or smaller? At which diameter we are talking about gravel? Bigger then 6mm?

@vonmajor

5 ай бұрын

@@DanijelL-ec1hsI used pool filter sand. Well rinsed.

When I was just getting into the hobby, I went into a specialized shop to buy some plants for my aquarium. While chatting to shopkeeper, I told him that I had a dirted tank. He had never heard of this concept before and actually laughed at how ridiculous this idea was to him! I still can't believe how narrow minded this man was with regards to a concept that is in fact much more logical than a non-dirted tank...

@thesolaraquarium

3 ай бұрын

one day this hobby will realise that the Hydroponics Industry is ruling it. I grew up in the 80’s and I remember the hydroponics craze. Plants don’t need dirt! Yehh right lol… I use dirt in my garden and in my tanks. Can you grow plants without dirt? Yes you can, but I don’t want to have a science lab as an aquarium.

@AgxntOrange

Ай бұрын

@@thesolaraquariumPeople are always looking to reduce required maintenance but brush off the most effective method to do so. A little ironic.

@ColeoneAquarium

Ай бұрын

Start your tank on the good way and let de people talk in de shops

Father fish method works. 3 years no water change, crystal clear

@myckee

3 ай бұрын

How in the nitrate not spiking? How often do you feed your fish?

@anthonyarkwright7644

3 ай бұрын

@@myckee I think lots of plants and anaerobic bacteria in the deep substrate will both use up nitrates . At least that’s what I understand from his videos

@sammifruitbat

Ай бұрын

i've just started te beginning of this year and yeah no changes, my fish are fine actually I just got some new ones cos I only had 2, they iz happy.

@volcanixthanksyoufortheviewz

Ай бұрын

One year in myself and no need for water changes, just top ups. I have 2 ten gallons, a five gallon and a 2.5 gallon. Lots of plants, microfauna, dirt substrate and I have a hob for each tank. My hob is really just to keep the water cycling over my bb that I cultured in those filters. No carbon no additives. Top up with rain water ❤

@surajrastogi30

Ай бұрын

Hello father fish.. I m new here.. Pls my help.. The way you tell 1 inch soil 2 inches sand I have a polar parrot fish in a three feet tank, it keeps moving the sand here and there all day, so I am afraid that if I make a fish tank like this, the way you tell. What should I do if she removes the entire rate?

Father fish is the future of the hobby. Before I started watching you, I was spending so much money to keep my fish alive. Now I have know dead fish and their happy.

@RachyBaby

2 ай бұрын

Me 2

Now i know why the aquascaping community disagrees with this legend. Your tanks take a long time to mature where as these guys want their tanks to be perfect in a matter of months. Your tanks are for home use, enjoyment of the sitting room, slowly maturing, slowly changing looks, growing with the family and for that i give you thumps up. I love both ways so i have my 2 no tech dirted tanks that are so satisfying due to the changes taking place gradually, on of them houses goldfish with plants-talk about war. The other side is a hightech setup for my enjoyment not any one else

@gloriauselton9897

3 ай бұрын

You are right. I smiled when you said about the goldfish war. I love plants and goldfish sometimes yes we are at war!!!!

@matthewnelson5699

2 ай бұрын

I am between. I want to get into the design more but love the dirt method discussed. Should I use the same method but also include filters to handle the urgency I have or should I pick one or the other. I struggle to believe me having a mid size filter on a 75G mattering.

@volcanixthanksyoufortheviewz

Ай бұрын

​@@matthewnelson5699I have hobs on all my tanks, it does provide a great place to cycle the water over the bb that cultures in the tanks. It's been beneficial to me, but I keep adding more tanks lol and having that bb built up in the HOB makes it easier to jump start a new tank. I've had mine for a year and I use a combo of natural dirted, as well as minor tech like a small hob and a light ❤ hope that helps!

Interesting video. I do remember Diana Walstad saying the initial nutrient content of soil would be exhausted after a year, but did go on to point out that due to the high cation exchange capacity of the soil it will gain further nutrient from fish food, fish waste etc and continue to support plant life for a good many years. I have one that’s been going for nine years, initially set up with an inch of top soil and a thin as I could get away with covering of gravel and continues to thrive. I think you are right about the industry not wanting to promote this method, I had an aquarium shop assistant warning me that I would just end up with a mess if I used soil! Well several tanks later I can happily report that has not been the case and I have been delighted with the results.

No need to apologize for a long video, you always explain in details and we love it because we learn and you're our great teacher, much love.

Just transferred my four survivors from my clean tank into a mud sand tank. Im absolutely in love and only cost me $8. I luckily live next to alot of water! My fishes are so happy!

Love your videos & advice. Unfortunately some aquarium hobbyists want crystal clear water. Although your technique is absolutely correct & how nature has intended things to be there will always be a slight tint in the water. (Obviously that changes up & down from clear to a slight tint depending on the phase of the natural cycle happening). I know that’s how it’s supposed to be & fully agree. There are just some hobbyists that want to super clear water & will never understand. They see algae as a nuisance. Yes some are but most are a normal part of the natural ecosystem. Great video as always. 👍

you're like David Attenborough, love your content, I setup 4 tanks following your advise.

@volcanixthanksyoufortheviewz

Ай бұрын

Omg me too 😂😂😂 I started with one little 2.5..... . . . Now I have 5 😂

I love you man. We need to support the Father Fish and spread the word. To me, his words are awakening a true love and passion for this amazing world. I had an aquarium not a long time ago which you can classify as the Father says "a dead aquarium" it was very stressful. Now, thanks to him I find it amazing and really enjoyable again.

You are the greatest “presenter” of any information on uTube. I just started a tank and haven’t wanted to drive a long way to buy plants so I found some in the river and they and some little critters are doing well. Thanks for your show. 🍁🍂🌿🐟🦐

Thank you for everything you do, we need more elders like you in this world.

Thank you for such wonderful information. I don't have a fish tank, but I love getting knowledge on things that I am interested in . And your knowledge is wonderful. I love to learn from you . Thank you.

Your video wasn't to long. Not at all. It actually seemed to go fast because it was very interesting. And I learned from your video. I was sad when it ended. Thank you so much for passing along your knowledge and sharing it with us.

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Pretty impressive, You pretty much figured out how to make a tank that supports itself for the most part. Seems part of the key is time. sure the initial nutrients will probably deplete but over time the mulm will make its way down into the substrate.

Started 2 tanks within the last 6 months.. wish I'd have watched this channel 1st. Going to start 1 large tank correctly, then introduce my 2 small tanks into it 😁👍

I started using dirt and sand 20 years ago against all advice telling me it wears out. In my experience they were right because over those two decades I couldn't get my substrate to last more than 30 months. If this channel can get me over this hump I'm all in.

@thesolaraquarium

3 ай бұрын

they are right and they are wrong. they don’t understand that a dirted tank after 1 year is a medium for bacteria, not nutrients. The bacteria produce the nutrients.

Thanks for all the information. I just want give you a hug. Your energy is just like my grandpa

Hi Father Fish..I have set up my tank now for a week..and it's beautiful..fish are happy.. plants are growing...Thank you so much for your wisdom 🙏

@Strangedaysonearth

3 ай бұрын

Need to do the ten year test I'm afraid

Best episode imo. Learned a lot and as a biochem major back in the day i find it so interesting how far this can go in the future!

Nice to hear someone with their hands dirty and a long history of fish keeping. It can never be to long of a video!

Coming from high tech aquascape I enjoy the level of patience and education we’re gaining from you. Keep it coming

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

I appreciate that!

Awesome video Father Fish!

Fantastic!! I'm in the process of setting my first one up now!

Totally fascinating. Many thanks!

I love the long videos, I could listen to you teach all day! How can you tell when the tank is producing enough that you don’t have to feed the little fish?

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

Perform a poop atrol. If they are pooping they are eating.

I enjoy listening to you talk about the aquarium hobby. Thanks for sharing

I absolutely love watching your videos FF. You have so much knowledge in between those 2 ears, and I just want to thank you for sharing. Thank you muchly.

I love your channel so much and I love how much I've learned from you prior to setting up my next tank!

Thankyou for sharing this information.Helps so much and deepens my understanding in this wonderful hobby.Love keeping it natural

Baba vidyolarını ve ögretilerini defalarca izliyorum herkezin anlatmadığı bilgileri senden duyduğum için çok teşekkür ediyorum .

That’s my tank at 1:07. Learned so much from this man

@zeb33369

7 ай бұрын

It looks great 😊

His methods always works I have watched hundreds of videos for my ill fish but nothing worked But when I watched his videos his methods worked and saved my money. thanks FATHER FISH.😊

Great video! Father Fish! Thank you for the inspiring content. Blessing to you and your fish, 🎉🐠 🐟

Keep the videos coming just like watching fish I can watch these videos for hours. You’re great! Those jags in that huge tank with all the fish! Someday I’ll have a huge South American tank just to keep those fish. Had one named Rock that actually turned out to be a female for a good 14/15 yrs. Thanks for sharing what you know.

You revived my love! Thank you! And greetings from my aquarium's

Thank you so much for sharing this information.

thank you so much for sharing that info. Just started my walstad tank through your videos :))

Can't get enough of this. Godsend.

Great video ❤ Man I miss that great beard!

Hi, people who grow bog plants add activated charcoal to the substrate to deal with anaerobic bacteria. The charcoal has a very large surface area and tiny air bubbles/ pockets that harbours aerobic bacteria which keeps the anaerobic (stinky) bacteria in check. Activated charcoal helps maintain the balance between the two really well. I tip (soaked and sinking) charcoal in first. I pour every thing else over the top. Peat moss is a good additive too..

Thanks Father Fish! Because of you I now have a beautiful aquarium, my fish are happy and healthy.

I love all your videos FF... THANKS 👍👍👍

Love your info! My Walstad is now 3 years old and no problems! 🤷‍♀

Thankyou Sir FF! I learned a lot from you specially on planted tanks.

Maybe you've already done this, but it would be fun to see you and Diana Walstad chat. I'm fairly certain she's still alive.

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

She is alive but not accessible.

Thank you sir for sharing your knowledge.

I’m planning a 700ltr tank, your videos are vital to my goals. I really appreciate the explanation that has confirmed my experiences with 5+ yr old aquariums that were L deep” gravel beds they got to this stage that the tanks were especially stable and plant would grow like weeds. This is what I’m aiming for - to shortcut the 5 years to 1. Thank you.

EXCELLENT VIDEO AS USUAL FATHER FISH 💯💯💯

Fantastic, thank you for these informative videos

Thank you for explaining these issues with a derted tank.

I roll pond compost into ~10Øx30mm sausages for root tabs (also use it as my substrate base layer). I add red clay powder in wet so they go harder when dry and for more iron. To dry I leave them on top of my LED light which gets hot, they usually retain structural integrity just long enough to shove them under the substrate with big tweezers, i shove them in at a shallow angle to get them as deep as possible.. Compared to seachem and API root sticks, which cost as much as 12.5KG of pond compost for 10 small tablets, they last longer and work a bit better, mainly beacause they are bigger and you can make loads of them. In ponds water lilies grow great in pond compost, so why not aquarium plants.

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

Really excellent husbandry.

@Mrsboncouer

4 ай бұрын

Pond compost? Like a fist full or 2 of substrate from a pond...if so...wonder if lake compost would work as well

dudes!! this channel has been so "eye opening"! i want to start a fresh water aquarium in a few weeks! with this method! i did try a salt water one for a year! i managed to not fail but it was such a stress! covid came! and it got hard to find all the stuff so i sold the fish and corals! and empty the water and now it holds collection items😅 but... i want to start a smaller planted aquarium with soil sand and just an air stone or small simple filter! small heater! good light! cause it is true that back in the 80s and even 90s i remember pple had fresh water aquariums with plants and they made no water changes nor used fancy things but the fish reproduced all the time etc! and few years ago when i started it was all about cycling for a month and sumps etc..

@jorgedawsonwetto25

5 ай бұрын

father fish! i have a question! i live in a volcanic island! (lanzarote!) do u think it would be a good idea to mix some.small tiny volcanic rock (they are less than 1/4 of an inch big they are like medium gravel BUT they have millions of micro pores! they are light weight! i think they would be good to house good bacteria years down the road! my idea is to mix some.habdfulls with the soil! also do u think beach sand would be OK for the sand? maybe rinse it to take salt off and ok? congrats and thanks for sharing your knowladge!

I wish I knew about you “Father Fish” before I made my aquarium last year.

I loved the video very educational ❤❤

I don't have a fish tank but really enjoy your informative videos

I luv your videos and do prefer a long videos, the more information it contains.

i preffer longer videos like this , keep it up please . thank you !!

Thank you

Thank you teacher

I have a 55 gallon fish tank and you have inspired me to set it up, I used to be a neat freak when it came to "how clean and clear" the water needed to be. I now realize that I can follow your example and have a beautiful tank and happy fish!!!

@FatherFish

4 ай бұрын

That is awesome!

Moving to my new house soon by end of 2023. Inspired by Father Fish to set up my own 20 gallon tank!

Thanks for this long video!!!!! 😁

I enjoyed this video alot I been in the hobby 20 years or better my new house has well water with low ph I was very skeptical n sad thinking man idk if i can have fish but for many reasons this video has given me hope iam going for it !!

I have a third idea for the perfect community tank: 1. Put dirt from the forest mixed with clay soil bought from the fish store. 2. Put some gravel over it. 3. Put some sand with already developed powerful bacteria and then a lot of sand over it. 4. Add super small amount of gravel on some places, just to look pretty and collect some ammonia around the plants. 5. Leave a place without dirt in the middle of the tank, where there will only be sand isolated with glass and lava rocks and then put clams in there (the isolation is so the clams won't escape from there). 6. Put sand, gravel, mulm and lava rocks with developed bacteria from other tanks. 7. Add tons of plants, moss, driftwood, leaves and even empty snail shells in the tank. Also add a lot of hairgrass and dwarf sagittaria except on the clam's territory. 8. Put a lot of small creatures like daphnia, snails, scuds and others. 9. Add cherry shrimps in it. 10. Wait for a day, so everybody can find a safe place, and then put different kinds of nano fish in it. This idea is for a 600L+ tank, that is next to a window with sunlight. I am still working on this project, and it will take some time until it's finished.

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

Join us in the Shoal: discord.gg/father-fish-shoal

@MasterBlek

7 ай бұрын

@@FatherFish I am already part of the discord server. I am just not active. 😀

@ugnejank

7 ай бұрын

Definitely would like to see this tank set up and working. Will you make videos?

@MasterBlek

7 ай бұрын

​@@ugnejank Once I afford to have that tank, I could record some videos, but for now this will only stay as an "idea". I am still preparing the bacteria for the bright future.

@philcarlino6942

7 ай бұрын

Second the call. Make videos whenever you get this project started. I think this would be an amazing experiment. @@MasterBlek

I like all your video I’m new into keeping fish thank you for all your information

Thank you. ❤

Its ok sir,long but so much helpful...

Hey father fish! thanks for all you do! I love your videos! I was hoping you could explain the best filter to use?

@FatherFish

4 ай бұрын

I use sponge filters

Love it!! Go longer!!😂❤

Father fish you should be teaching in college omg so much to learn thank you so much

You are cool old man! Thank you for the wisdom! ;)

I understand that you have hard water but not sure why you do the annual water change? I have no plans to do water changes on my tanks..

this is the most in-depth shit I've seen. initially i came for advice for my 10 gal. now i want to turn my 60 gal into a dirted thank as well

Just setup my first ever dirted tank! Used organic potting soil peat moss and black kow compost and mixed in some Andersons Humichar dg and biochar dg (I use it in my lawn…it’s just a proprietary granulated powder version of biochar and bio char with humic that quickly dissolves into a powder (so it can get down into the soil better) in this case it just helped it mix in easier.

@animablo

7 ай бұрын

👏👏👏

Great follow up to episode one. I have watched hundreds of videos on discus and their requirements and yet here I see quite a few in the community setting with very limited feeding and seldom if any water changes. Is this possible because of the stability of the tank and If so at what level of maturity would you recommend the aquarium be at?

@kenrooke9047

7 ай бұрын

Need an answer Father. Thanks

I love the simplicity and the science. Question: Over time water will evaporate and be replaced. If you are using tap water, you are slowly increasing the hardness of the water. H2O goes out and H2O with minerals goes in. How are you preventing the hardness creep? Distilled water?

@FatherFish

5 ай бұрын

plants absorb minerals from the water.

we love father fish best method : D

Thank you again for the amazing video and lots of valuable information to learn. I just have a little technical question. Sometimes the plants in my tank grow "out of control", they tend to take out the whole tank if left untouched. So I pull out some plants from time to time to make the swimming space for fish. When I pull it from my gravel substrate, the gunk gets up into the water, making it cloudy for a few minutes. How it is possible to pull plants with roots out the dirt substrate without making the water too dirty? Thank you for any suggestion.

@FatherFish

10 күн бұрын

Stem plants can be cut. I would leave the rooted plants. Fish do not prefer open spaces to swim.

Hallo aus Deutschland Allgäu. Vielen Dank für diese wundervollen und sehr aufschlussreichen Infos 😊

@beateschmitz8065

6 ай бұрын

Schade ich kann keine Kommentare mehr schreiben. Hab mich jetzt so darauf gefreut mit so einem tollen Menschen zu schreiben. Würde gerne noch Bilder schicken. Habe meine ersten Baby 🐌 🐌 Schnecken. Leider kann ich mir das Abo nicht leisten. Bin ne kranke Frührentnerin und hab auch noch einen todkranken Hund aus dem spanischen Tierschutz mit Leishmaniose. 2 Katzen. Wünsche Dir nur das Beste bleib der Menschheit noch lange erhalten damit du die Aquaristik revolutionierst. LG aus dem Allgäu von Beate

I can't wait until I can make tanks like yours!!❤❤❤😊😊😊

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

You can do it now. Study the system: discord.gg/father-fish-shoal

I missed the part u said mud I just got ready mix soil from my raised garden that worked great I have 10 gallon overcrowded and tank look so good plants growing crazy

Thank you (nandri ayya) 😊

Thnk u sir🎉

Thank you Father fish for such a thorough informative video. It wasn’t too long! I’m still learning about the natural planted tank. I did deep substrates on both my tanks back a few years ago trying to follow your method. The thing that is missing in mine is the “supplements” that keep it going long term. Dang! I don’t think at this stage I can change what I’m doing. But, my 10g is lightly stocked and heavily planted. I have a hard time keeping nitrates in that tank, it just eats them up. I’ve been able to get rid of the contents of the power filter and just keep it running with a polishing pad (which I probably don’t need either). This system is very healthy but I fight the water increasingly getting more hard due to liquid ferts. Would it help if I added more inhabitants to help with produce nitrates so I don’t have to keep adding the liquid ferts so often? I’m trying to get closer to what you teach even though it’s already been set up a few years. I don’t want to start over. Any tank that I may set up in the future I know now about the long term supplements.

@FatherFish

Ай бұрын

build a food web.

@connie6705

Ай бұрын

@@FatherFish more education!😉 I’m not sure how that answered my question but I’m already searching your videos on food web :)

So for the nutrients in the tank to get richer i need to have patience? So that the mulm can precipitate down to the dirt layer ? Right ? And thats how it will last for ever?

GRATITUDE 💥🐟💥🐟

Thank You for Your beautiful work

7:59 Marko is a very gifted fish

Your tanks are beautiful

Thank you for sharing all this advise father fish. I have followed your advise and have setup the substrate with the sand on top and only feed 3 times a week. I have however had some fish dying on me recently and theres more sick fish in the tank. I have tried to turn up the temperature to 30c for 4 days but the problems were still there. Some fish have fin rot and I believe also TB and some also have a white spot on them. I tried water changes and turned the main filter on for a few hours sometimes. I am now considering a UV Sterlilizer Light which I have read about can get rd of the bad diseases and bacteria, can you please let me know if you would advise that UV Sterilizer light ? Thank you for your help with this and God bless you ❤

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

Please join us in the Shoal where we can help you diagnose the problems and work on a solution. discord.gg/father-fish-shoal

Estoy fascinado con los resultados obtenidos en sus acuarios. Muchas gracias por compartir su conocimiento! Yo apenas tengo 10 años en esta afición. Saludos desde Venezuela! Thanks!

tq ff 🙏

Very helpful! Thank you, no need to apologize! I do have one question though, what about when you add new fish, do you do the typical system of bag in the water, slowly mixing water in then poor new water+fish in? Is that going to mess up the ecosystem?

@dwarfhernandez6636

5 ай бұрын

I pour straight in. If your tank is balanced, that bagged water won't hurt a thing.

You are great!FF what diameter of sand is the best to be used? 1-3mm? Or smaller? At which diameter we are talking about gravel? Bigger then 6mm? I will start new 180l aquarium. Regards from Slovenia.

He was in Maryland at the fish group I belong to . Idk how i missed the event . Hope he comes around again

@FatherFish

6 ай бұрын

Had a wonderful time Jordan. Terrific club.

Hola Father Fish. Para crear un acuario saludable y que se mantenga solo, se hecha a la urna tierra del jardín y encima arena. Pero lo que no logro entender es porque no puedo echar grava envés de arena. Ya que al echar grava los desechos de los peces Irán al fondo de la tierra de jardín y se va a generar un mejor abono para mis plantas. Necesito que me hagas entenderlo. Muchas gracias

@zeb33369

7 ай бұрын

Hi there 😊 I'm a new to fishkeeping but from what I've seen FF says that gravel allows the dirt to still enter the water column as water flows too quickly through it, where the sand truly holds the dirt to the bottom of the tank

Thanks for the good instruction on how to set up an aquarium. I have a marine aquarium and would like to know if the same rules apply to soil in them? Thank you :)

@FatherFish

7 ай бұрын

I prefer a salt water substrate. Not soil but wild sand if possible.

@sigurdurbaldvin2145

7 ай бұрын

Thank you !@@FatherFish