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/

Thank you for making this video in response to everyone's questions about if your methods work for big fish. I've seen so many people reply, "Impossible! My tank of 35 cichlids would be dead in a week if I didn't change the water!". The problem was never the cichlids, it was always overstocking and overfeeding. I would have to change the water in my 30 gal tetra tank if I stuffed 70 of them in there. I think too many people use big fish as a means of display instead of a means as a pet you care for.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

That's right Elena. Jamming fish into a tank! For WHAT??

@cherryshrimp420

Жыл бұрын

Yes it's really disingenuous for some those bigger youtubers to paint FF as a nano planted tank keeper. I've been following this channel since the beginning, he had tons of BIG fish!

Жыл бұрын

Isn't this done to manage aggression?

@dantefuego

Жыл бұрын

Many people mention that Cichlids destroy their plants and this method would never work with their cichlids, what are your thoughts?

@voluntaryismistheanswer

Жыл бұрын

​@@dantefuego I wonder how they'd like a tank of marimos

This is the best KZread channel for fish lovers all around the world! ❤🌎🐠

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

You are very kind William. Thank you.

I had an Oscar when I was young teenager. When I would get home from school and walk through the door, he would swim back an forth like an excited little puppy. I had to walk across the room and give him a tickle and a snack. I really do think oscars have their own personalities. Great fish if you have the right tank.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

They are an aquatic puppy

They are friendly little buggers, till they're not :D love it

I have a pet alligator gar and I’ve been keeping him in a sterile tank since that’s what everyone had recommended to me but after watching some of your videos I can’t wait to give my gar a natural tank! Thank you so much

I would LOVE too see more videos about cichlids and african ones specifically because everyone thinks they are such a difficult fish and not worth having. Every time i go to a pet shop they try to convince me it would be easier to just go with salt water over cichlids. I personally find them to be easy to take care of if you can afford the right initial set up.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

I have had them since they first were imported in the late 1960s. They are easy to maintain but require space and are never fed properly.

@assassin3003

4 ай бұрын

It's not hard to keep saltwater fish or corals sometimes things like dinoflagellates creep up and that's what can mess up your saltwater hobby as there is no 100% treatment for it, freshwater is definitely a but easier and less time consuming depending how easy you make it for yourself, your shop probably just wants to sell you overpriced saltwater fish.

@scottbrigner6950

4 ай бұрын

@@assassin3003 I wouldn't doubt that a bit!

Just learned alot about my ciclids. Thankyou once again Father Fish for another simple and educational video

I was curious how Father Fish would approach this and learned quite a bit! Originally I did consider something bigger for my 189 gallon tank, but I went with a pack of Angelfish and some smaller fish, deep dirted bed and lots of plants. But definitely an inspiration for a later.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Big tanks are wonderful for small fish./

Thanks to you, I quit feeding my fish. I haven’t had a bloated fish since. I give a small treat 2/3 times a week now.

This is great. More information about keeping cichlids than I've seen in any other video!

Father fish you're booming worldwide now. Let's keep breaking this algorithm kind sir....

This is great. There are so many ways to keep fish big and small. Father Fish experience and knowledge always rules over populism.

Great vid!

I have just begun my aquarium world journey. And by an incredible luck I discovered Father Fish. One can learn from him a lot of things: how to grow fish, how to teach, how to speak English amongst others. Thank you, Father Fish

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

lol language teacher. That's good!

@MrBogdanTutuianu

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish Teacher. Of English. And pronunciation. But most of all, you teach how to teach.

Another great video thanks. May I suggest that the rocks are glued together, as if they shift when the fish start moving the sand under the bottom rocks, the top ones can fall, and might crack the glass....

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

good suggestion ASMR

It's in the specific details❤ Thanks Farher Fish... absolutely beautifully done!!!!!! Much love my dear friend!!!🌿 6:40 🍃🌾🐠🌳🐟🌱

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Nice to see you Mary. LOVE your rock likking video! kzread.info/dash/bejne/pYabs657YbLWd9o.html

Father Fish Love your Aquatic Knowledge. 💪 your name says it all. This is true Nature. There has been debates on FishTube about Cichlid fish keeping. And Amazingly enough. The true nature style was not brought up. You definitely get it😇💪 Thanks for the Honesty

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Most fish keepers have lost any sense of maintaining natural systems. Marketing strategy vigorously opposes natural fish keeping.

Hi Father Fish! Currently setting up a small Southeast Asian themed dirted tank. Would love to see a video on discus keeping in the ff method tank. Thank you for everything you do!

This video is top notch. You should do more like this

This is the video i have been searching for thank you

I cannot wait until I can set up a 125 cichlid tank and i'll refer back to this video! Thanks FF

Love your work man! I've been binge watching your videos recently I love how you keep your tanks all natural, and I've been thinking about upgrading my 10 gal to 20 gal or more, but I just wanted to confirm some things first with some real fish keepers. Much love, keep up the great work!

I love watching the fish interact in the different setups. Very tranquil.

This video was extremely helpful and enjoyable to watch. Thank you for the high value you add to the fish keeping community!

Awesome video! Bravo ❤

I'm so glad you came out with this.

Thanks for wisdom old friend.

Great content and lots to learn, thanks again Father Fish! Setting up a 125 for hoplo catfish and this is perfect.

a new day and a new interesting video really awesome!!😘

Excellent

Just found your channel. Great info!! I’m wanting to start up a new tank but am still doing my homework on what type of tank and what size. Your advice is vital to the hobby, thank you for all you do!

Thank you so much for the info and always great content....

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Jabar! Thank you.

Thanks!

This is probably the best video I’ve ever seen! Father Fish, your incredible!

Great video father fish 😊

Cichilds love to dig, you need some kind of protection under any rock structure. We used to use styrofoam sheets. Its not the weight of the rocks, but when they fall or when dug under, all it takes is one sharp point. Ive seen it happen. Spirulina is cheap btw

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Means cementing the styro

@otallono

9 ай бұрын

Can't you put the rocks in first or push them to the bottom and sand goes in around them? Then they can't technically tip over

i love your videos Father Fish very educational i’ve always wondered if it was possible to have a natural aquarium setup until i came across your videos i didn’t think it was possible thank you for your videos ! 🐟🐡

I took another route, I went with big tank and small fish.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

I LOVE IT kosys

@kosys5338

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish Thank You! So do the fish.

Thank you ❤

Love it as always double F!

Thanks for making your videos I enjoy them very much and learn so much 😊

I will give this video a share on my community page. Thanks for the knowledge you share

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you stallion

Absolutely GREAT information. I can tell you have a true passion for these lovely creatures. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

500 gallon getting finished up soon looking sweet.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Looking forward to it. The tank displayed with big fish in the vid is a 500.

So fun

Father Fish, please do a video about setting up a discus planted tank. And breeding tank recommendations.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Working on it JJ

@jojyp

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish ❤

It makes so much sense

Love you too father fish. Thanks for all that you do

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Jasim

Thanks for the video. Nice perspective. Well no philosophy. My only non-planted tank is my 10 foot cichlid tank. When I started it I knew no better and put a gravel bottom . My plan is to just add a couple inches of organic soil mixed with the gravel then a deep layer of sand. But before I do I am testing what plants I can put in there that wont get eaten. My main problem is the 8 silver dollars I have in there which have eaten any plants I've tried. Once I figure that out it will be an amazing transformation. Any suggestions on plants for silver dollars is welcome.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

There are none to my knowledge. Silver dollars are the worse possible fish for a planted tank or for tank mates. When you put the soil in you must drain the tank or freeze the soil and press it under the sand/gravel.

very timely. I had a dream last night that I was wandering down a narrow alley, that turned into a flooded stairwell. There were hundreds of beautiful south american cichlids jumping around in the water. I thought, "I wish my discord friends could see this"

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Flood your house. You can do it!!

Hi ff can you do the same type video for koi

Love the legend

🎉 perfect answer for my future OSCAR AROWANA tank.❤❤

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

OOOH! Sounds great.

Hello I love the tanks you set up after you set them up do you use c02 plants always look so good how about a video on that subject thank you

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Deep substrate is superior to injected CO2 times 100.

I can't wait to try this with a Red Wolf Fish.

FF You own it ❤️

Yay! I found the video!

Great video did you get a new camera? It looks so crisp!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

reworked my equipment Thanks

Love you too brother

Great informative and helpful video FF! One question though: no plants but algae in the Cichlid tank. How are nitrates and nutrients managed and balanced in this set up?

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

That is what the algae consume.

New sub here liked the video and loved that you included me😂❤

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Paulpro

Great information FF. I have some lovely Oscar's I'd like to get to spawn, and I was wondering how to get them started. I think you and the FF team are really evolving with this style of educational videos. Anyone challenging the zeitgeist always has an uphill battle, but I think your presentation and how accessible you're making this information is evolving at a lightening speed with every video. Keep fighting the good fight sir! Would you approach monster fish such as Rays, Arowana, etc in the same manner as the Oscar set up you discussed?

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Rays do well on a sand bottom and do not dig. Arowana do wonderfully in a heavily planted tank.

Great content! Always stuck with a strictly vegetarian diet for my mbunas; I will just bug bites or try. Also won’t worry about the insects who fall into my tank when they fail to complete the long journey in flight over it….

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

lol excellent plan Joseph

I used to do bigger tanks, now a days its nano, planted tanks for me!

I wonder if the kaveman is going to react to this video. 😅

@sebastianflores848

Жыл бұрын

Lol

Thank you for the video! I am wondering if it is possible to convert an existing tank with only big gravels to FF deep substrate aquarium?

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Add 2 inches of sand to the gravel

This is the way

I have been so tempted to put an oscar in a 210g (6ft version) with big plants. Everything on the internet says they will just rip the plants out. Just didnt make sense because they dont go around in the wild ripping them out, so must be a reason. boredom, size of tank, ect. With the massive heavy rooters, I can see them holding strong, but will oscars get so focused they will de-leaf the entire plant before it can grow back?

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

I believe fish become stir crazy like animals in a small cage zoo.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 hecks yeah I wish I could ship u out an help set me up I tossed in the towel last summer after doing this for more than 30 yrs bc I lost an Oscar I never had 1 die on me within 5mths of having it until I started listening to these big KZreadrs I always kept it simple I had Oscars jacks angles community fish an convicts African ACI peacocks 11 of them u name it never had problems, well sub to this huge KZreadr dump so much crap he suggested an bammm dead 💔💔 I cried so hard an left this hobby bc of him I started questioning everything I knew bc I miss it I enjoyed it been watching u for the last week it brings me BK to what I knew an right thx so much u got a follower 4 life 👍💯 love your way simple natural

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Happy to bring you back. Join the Father Fish Shoal for great support. discord.gg/GdakStEjAy

What a wonderful video! Thank you Father Fish. I already have an established 125g African Mbuna tank. I'm going to increase my lighting to 16 hours like you suggest! That actually really excites me because now I can enjoy my fish longer :). Question, my substrate is about 3 inches of aragonite sand. Do you recommend I just add some more sand? My rocks are pretty flat with lots of caves, similar to what you recommend. Also, if I want to add some plants, do you suggest adding a mudded substrate below the sand? I currently have some Jungle Val that is starting to root and spread out a bit. I've seen people make-up some frozen cubes using your dirt mix and put it under the sandbed, but want to see if you think that would work. Sorry for the long winded question :).

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

You can try supplementing the deep substrate. If you add a few inches of sand on top of the aragonited it will accomplish the same thing. Amazon swords are a good choice.

@AquaticDomain

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish I was able to add the rocks and aragonite like you suggested. I also have some Vallisneria and a couple different species of Ceratophyllum and some Pothos plants. The tanks doing great! These seem to be the only plants the mbuna cichlids don't eat :). Thanks again!

I honestly cant wait to try this. I'm going to start a New world cichlid tank soon enough. I am curious if this would work with flowerhorns as well? I've always been told that Flowerhorns should be kept in bare bottom tank. But that is so boring and I feel like my FH is missing out on some really good benefits. From what I can tell its so you can keep the tank super clean, and also they can eat the sand and impact their bowls? I dunno. I cant decide if its worth the risk if thats true. Would be open to any and all information!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Watch some of my 1500 videos on the subject. Join the Father Fish Shoad server.

Would this work for goldfish? Please help...

@FatherFish

6 ай бұрын

Yes. We have some goldfish experts in the Shoal. Join us there: discord.gg/father-fish-shoal

I have a fair bit of algae in. my cichlid tank but never see them eat it. Is it because I feed them daily with pellets? I added plecos to manage the algae.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Yes, certainly. Fish eat what is easiest and most available. the ;pellets are no work for them.

Hi FF. I just watched this video again and wanted to get your opinion on using leaf litter in my 125g mbuna setup. I already have the deep sand bed using argonite sand and flat rocks that form caves that you recommended. I also feed seaweed on a clip as a supplement until the algae builds up some more. I did add some leaf litter when I started watching your videos. I also feed them big bites. Is it a good idea to keep added it and layering some sand on top as it start to decay? The leaves come from my local stream. Thanks again as always and keep up the great work!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Yes. Keep working on that. And keep me posted on your progress. You can post pics of your tank on Father fish Shoal: discord.gg/mRuTrYdG. I will be very interested in your progress.

@CEA046

11 ай бұрын

@@FatherFish Hey Father Fish. This is Dave @ AquaticDomain. My main account is no longer working from my computer, but I wanted to post an update on my 125g Mbuna tank. I recently started to get what I believe are diatoms on the acrylic. They looks like black skid marks... sorry can't think of a better explanation... I was able to get most of it off the front, but I left it on the sides and back. I've been running the light 16 hours like you suggested, but I haven't seen very much beneficial algae growing. Maybe the fish are eating it before it grows too much. I also was feeding sheets of nori like you suggested. I added some more leaf litter, rocks and gunk from my local pond. I just kind of dumped it into the tank. It wasn't too much. I also added some to my other tanks as well. It was amazing watching my fish swimming around eating all the things that were in the water. I was thinking I should start making weekly trips to the pond and do the same thing. I am hoping this will introduce more microscopic life into my tank. I can post of pick of the black stuff if you need additional info. Thanks again for everything you do.

Off topic here but what is your opinion on freshwater clams? I think in a mud table they'd be okay unless there was fertilizer in it and other chemicals added, but I've heard they are the best for cleaning rhe water. Appreciate any insight sir

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

A few are fine. More can become a pollution issue if they all die at once.

@jaymilo8425

Жыл бұрын

Appreciate the information sir

Repashy makes some excellent algae based foods that you can turn into fresh gel sheets at will. I have otocinclus that are absolutely voracious algae eaters, just a few completely scrubbed my jungle clean in a week, so I use Repashy Soilent Green for aufwuchs (algae/biofilm/wood) grazers. I have fat (edit: relatively, they arrived just skin and bones, now they're appropriately thickened up to match their wild kin), happy fish that are beginning to breed with next to no effort even though they're supposed to be an "intermediate" fish.

I got the 125 for my blood parrots and Severm since they’re going to get so big! Any suggestions ?

Thank you father fish! Any thoughts on a deep substrate pond that is heavily planted and primarily used for koi?

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

hard to do if the koi have access to the plants

@nathanielreichert4638

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish ohhhh gotcha :)

Aah.. the video I have been waiting for although you have answered me in the comment section of another video. Thanks for this! I want to do a 180 with Oscars but will need a new house for that lol.

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

rent a garage

@droeksonfishkeeping

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, that would be nice. If my channel gets bigger, maybe. For now, that may lead to divorce.

I’m about to set up a new 180 gallon tank. I would like to use your methods, but I have questions. The future inhabitants are 2 severums, 2 Nicaraguan cichlids, 1 gold saum, 3 electric blue acara, 2 rainbow cichlids, and 6 geophagus tapajos. This is heavy stocking and contains severums which I have heard will eat every plant. They currently are all 3-4 inches and live in a 75 gallon with 4 inches of sand, lots of driftwood, rocks, fake plants, and two very large sponge filters. Considering I probably cannot grow plants in the substrate without the severums eating them, would you still put down a layer of mud or mix leaf litter in the sand? My thoughts were to either to construct a bog filter in a large overhead sump with lots of immersed house plants or to try to create a pseudo-riparian zone by growing immersed plants in some sort of contained area that would allow for water flow on the roots, but inhibit fish from munching on them. I’m guessing you would not stock the tank as heavily, but that is the plan. How would you go about preparing a 180 to handle all of these specific fish?

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

That is not too many fish for a 180. 5-6" of sand. If you want 1.5" of soil first. Plant heavily with hard leaf plants.

👌👍

Would this work with goldfish too? Or can you make a video about keeping goldfish. Thanks!

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Yes. Goldfish are an open water fish that feeds on the bottom. A food web with swords and sag will be effective.

@jonisolis9645

Жыл бұрын

@@FatherFish can I pot sword and sag plants in pond baskets and put them in the bottom of my small ponds? thanks

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

@@jonisolis9645 absol;utely yes.

My apologies for posting a stupid question in an old video but i assume these setups are supposed to be used with filters?

I need your help! I’m moving! I have an idea of what to do but I’d feel better hearing it from you!!

How much/many water change do you suggest on a havey stocked african chichlid tank ? I got a 10 cm deep zandbed.

@FatherFish

2 ай бұрын

what about plants?

@ronaldyhyo

2 ай бұрын

@@FatherFish they digg like machines. I had junge val but they digg everything up it was a no go. In my south american tank its fukl of plants and less digging

@ronaldyhyo

2 ай бұрын

@@FatherFish ok i added lot of jungle val gigantea. Beautifull. They realy like it. I put beggs of awua soil under the sand, so if they dig , it wont get loose

Hi father fish. Absolutely love your videos. Could you please tell me how to create a food web for silver Arowana? Is it possible to keep them in a self-sustainable aquarium without any external food? Can they thrive by eating small fishes only?

@FatherFish

9 ай бұрын

The best way is to grow them in a large pool or pond with lots of small fish.

@AkashGupta-nr9nh

9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much Father fish

You did not suggest any plants for the malawi chichlid tank…how would then their waste be converted? Will I have to do frequent water change then?

@FatherFish

8 ай бұрын

I HAVE suggested plants for Malawi cichlid tanks.

@AkashGupta-nr9nh

8 ай бұрын

Ok thanks very much

Any suggestions for an almost full-grown solo Midas cichlid? Mine makes it a daily mission to rearrange every aspect of the tank.

@FatherFish

8 ай бұрын

He is tank crazed. Not much to be done. Try adding larger rocks he cannot move.

Thank you. Will big fish dig right down through the 6 inches of sand into the dirt? If so this will cause problems?

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

not typically add a flat rock

Wondering what your experience and thoughts are about keeping Discus…

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Soon. I promise

@jeffreyhostekint1155

Жыл бұрын

Father fish did you ever raised discus from juvenile to 16 cm with no watwr changes i think its impossible i really want you to make a video about youre expertise with discus

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

@@jeffreyhostekint1155 working on it, Thank you

Hai Father Fish. Love your videos. Hare Krishna.

@kabanchan5768

Жыл бұрын

Learn allot from you Ty plant best with fish

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for friends around the world.

Animablo I feed my Channa once every 3 days with dried shrimp, is that enough?

Hi Father fish, do you have an advice for a deep substrate planted mbuna ciclid tank? I wanted to try it but I am worried mainly from the ciclids tearing out the plants and digging in to the soil, mixing it to the water. I want to avoid water changes so I am trying to put in as much as plants as possible. The other option is using sand only like you showed in the video, and using plants that doesn't need soil, as well as plants growing in the top of the tank with their roots in like pothos plants

@FatherFish

8 ай бұрын

Flat rocks are a major help with digging. They provide a spawning platform.

@snirnagola

8 ай бұрын

@@FatherFish Thank you!

Father fish I have an aquarium with tinfoil barbs and a upside-down catfish and I want to add plants but every plant I add they end up eating what type of strong plant can I put in that they will not touch

@FatherFish

Жыл бұрын

a few plants will not survive. You need to plant heavily.

👍

That’s why there digging to the bottom glass 🙏🏽

Hi Father fish. I have an internal sump filter in the corner of my tank. I want to put in the tank Malawi mbuna cichlids. The shop staff said that a sand substrate will stuck and disturb the filter pump since the water are going in from the bottom of the sump which will be covered by sand. What do you think?

@FatherFish

6 ай бұрын

Sand destroys pumps.

@user-il6jo9ru7w

6 ай бұрын

@@FatherFishThank you 🙏 so for big tanks with big fish and sand substrate as you recommended in the video, what is your filtration recommendation? a spong filter + some water changes ?

What about filtration for the africans do you have to vac and change the water?I noticed its no plants thats why I asked

@FatherFish

Ай бұрын

You can keep plants with most Africans.

@Extra_nose_fragrances

Ай бұрын

@@FatherFish what about the ones i cant?Is it a way to have the same results without plants or without them ill have yo vacuum and change my water like with (Severums)

This man is a damn genius