I think bare bottom tanks look like shop fish displays. I love planted tanks, the beauty is the mini real-world look for me.

KeepingFishSimple you inspired me to create my own fishkeeping KZread channel!

I got my first fish tank and I just bought my first 29 gallon tank to upgrade it I'm watching your videos like crazy. You give us such helpful information on so many different topics helping out my learning curve for my fish babies

you made solid arguments on the pros and cons. Well done.

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

I love how long you made this video, I was entertained at every part. You are so underrated!

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Brad

@nadiyahurtgen8679

2 жыл бұрын

🤣👍I watched it couple times

@sherryp8967

2 ай бұрын

@@KeepingFishSimple Hi! Want to change from large gravel to the small gravel that you use. Are you allowed to give out brand names and specify exact details so I can find your gravel? Thank you so much!

Of all the videos I watch on fish and any other topic, you are my number one favorite when it comes to video presentation. Plus I have found your videos honest and full of useful information. On the negative side I do not know if I like your new tanks with the plants outside the tank. I understand you are mainly raising fish for sale and the plants outside the tank probably do a ton of cleaning of all sorts but the aesthetics are now gone. A person has to juggle their priorities, but do not forget the fully planted aquarium, as you do a great job and will inspire countless other future and present day fish owners. And remember a growth in fish ownership ultimately helps you too!!!

Thanks so much for uploading this video! Very informative and well presented :) Bravo!

Sand is good for stopping the dirt from coming up. A layer of organic compost can also be used under the dirt for more nutrients.

I'm glad to discover your channel. Thanks for all of your valuable information.

Great job man!🤩🥳

Great video. One consideration I would add is that the depth/thickness of the substrate matters. I've personally had good results with very deep substrates. I very much agree with you on the benefits of small size gravel. It works well for plants and bacteria. I favor the 1.0 - 2.0 mm size. For those in the North American market, the Carib Sea brand "Peace River" gravel, when done several inches deep, makes for a wonderfully stable system that also works well for plants. It's essentially just above sand in terms of grain size . It also makes a good "cap" for a bag of top soil for those wanting to pursue a dirted tank approach. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.

@dezrenee6863

Жыл бұрын

I am wondering if you need to use root tabs with the peace river you like. I have two bags. The kid in the video says he prefers fine gravel but doesnt say how he keeps his plants alive. any advice is appreciated.

@WhiteCloud746

Жыл бұрын

@@dezrenee6863 Yes, use root tabs or, ideally, a very very thin layer of soil -- the Diana Walsted method.

new subscriber❤ just found your channel and just found it very informative. keep it up

Thank you very helpful mate!👍

Your channel is AMAZING. you have already helped me with what live plants to use and even got me thinking about changing my substrate for my corrydora catfish. Thank you SO MUCH for your AMAZING video's. Sending BIG thanks from the UK. Your my 2nd favorite Australian after my goddess Kylie Minogue 👍 🙏 󾓪

Definitely one of your best videos for non breeders. I'll watch this many times. BTW, when you talk about 'dirt' - what do you mean?

Great video love it 💯💙

Thanks for this great vid! I've learned a lot from your channel. How would I go about changing out my 'newbie' gravel for the the more natural looking pebbles without bothering the little guys in the tank too much?

Such an awesome vid 😎

I did dirt with a gravel top layer for my first tank. It turned out great for me and every plant I've planted in it grew well. Currently trying to carpet dhg in it without co2

Good video that will help the beginner have success, coarse sand or very fine gravel is the best, tanks that have large gravel can be easily remedied by capping with coarse sand/fine gravel, also it will continue filling with nutrients and need to be capped again, live plants will take out excess nutrients and help balance the tank. Dirt works like a giant root tab that covers the entire tank, you only need about an inch with a cap of two to three inches, plants can be added immediately, plants should not moved around when using dirt, plant only in the sand/gravel and the roots will seek out the nutrients in the soil, the soil should be completely organic, soak overnight and remove excess moisture, a large fish net can be used, place dry substrate over the soil, cover with plastic bag or plate and fill.

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah completely agree

Thanks, Nick.

I’m new to all this but I’m quickly becoming more obsessed lol. One thing on trying to wrap my head around is the idea that some people never have to vacuum the gravel. Is this true ? Is this common and what conditions would one achieve this ? I see the carpet plants and other rooted plants and wonder how the heck does one vacuum if they they have plants woven into the substrate. It seems it would disturb the roots and cause havoc. I’m falling in love with all the videos here ! Love the information !

Regarding the cost... a 50 lb bag of Blasting sand costs about $9. Can't find a 5 lb bag of gravel for that!

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

True!

@rockfella27

2 жыл бұрын

Sand will quickly screw things up too.

@adamwindsor3268

2 жыл бұрын

@@rockfella27 , I haven't had any issues with my sand. I have it in a tank and a half, and the fishies seem to love it!

Nick what i like to do is do a layer of the fine gravel then a layer of the special substrate and it really works good

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Nice!

I was wondering if you’re using any root tabs or anything with the small gravel to get the answer by the end of the vid haha. Your displays look really nice, proof that aqua soil is not mandatory, great video!

Over the almost 37 years so far. For my purpose's poolfilter sand and fine (2mm) gravel with roottabs works well. I am tempted though to try out a dirted deep sand set up. Ass the base of a no or very low tec planted experiment. I am happybwith how my tanks are doing like i gotten used too but it seems like a challenge to try and get to the lowest tec system i can while still having decent results.

My 37 gallon planted tank is based with Black Diamond Blasting Sand. The fish seem to enjoy it, and the plants are coming along nicely.

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Good stuff

I have been keeping planted aquariums for over 40 years and I agree totally with small gravel. I have never used CO2 and my plants grow in the small gravel setups. I keep Corys, Plecos, American Flagfish, and guppies in my community tank. In my smaller tanks I keep shrimp, bettas and Corys. I have successfully bred plecos, Corys, guppies and shrimp in my small gravel tanks. Every time I do a new tank I think about using a different substrate and then I end up using the small gravel. It just looks good, and I have had great luck with it, so why mess with success.

You need a million subs dude, probably the best fish content on YT and go QLD!

i used a very fine type of sand and it destroyed 3 filter impellers before i knew it. i have to change the impellers but not before remove the sand and use a much coarse one so it doesn't float and get sucked by the filters, its a huge pain. the fine sand eventually grinds the impeller shaft and it become very noisy, very. impellers are cheap but not so cheap if i have to keep changing it every month or so. so keep on mind the grade of sand you adding, my is extremely fine, the corys and loaches love it but i will find something a bit more coarse so it doesn't interfere with the impellers. great channel. thanks for your sharing

Awsome nick

There is a hybrid that I've done between bare bottom and substrate. I've done like a centimeter or two just for aesthetic reasons. Easy to keep clean. And areas where the glass is exposed after water changes don't look weird. Sand, gravel or both thinly applied. But don't use rocks in such a setup. (Thick gravel absorbs impact of accidental dropping).

Barebottom with great light and rock or log formations and ofc which fish u pick is awesome tbh😊

I love your videos ❤️🤩

Nice job describing substrates. What are you going to do in the new room? All the same, or a variety of substrates?

I’ve had sand for two years and to be honest it’s amazing ❤️

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@berto3883

3 жыл бұрын

only problem is poop sits on top

@ironfae

3 жыл бұрын

@@berto3883 Get snails. They’re cheap and eat that sh!t. 😂👍

@nadiyahurtgen8679

2 жыл бұрын

@@ironfae omw to the aqua store!

Thanks!

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks too!

Very Helpfull Video,Ive had my first tank for about 3 months,I added coloured gravel and wish I hadnt I want to change it for more Natural look was thinkinging of Aqua soils but bit nervous about using it so may better sticking to your Idea of Natural small gravel,just not sure weather to plant it or stick to pots.?

We thinks lava rock is the best substrate and have used it for years and it’s super cheap👍

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Didn't think about that

@alyssadavis5128

3 жыл бұрын

KeepingFishSimple and lots of pores/ surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow :)

@jackanddan

3 жыл бұрын

KeepingFishSimple check out our 220 aqua cave.....just did a video a couple weeks ago about its filtration....we will be doing some more updates on it again soon too....you can buy it super cheap on sales at places like Lowe’s and just rinse the dust out first....plus makes a great places for babies to hide 👍👍

@davidcroussore969

3 жыл бұрын

Do you use just regular lava rocks like what people use in gas grills ?

@jackanddan

3 жыл бұрын

David Croussore ....not sure what people is for grills but we buy the ones used in landscaping and they are only a few dollars a bag especially on holidays and such kind of like this weekend which is Labor Day Weekend in the states....they have black red and brown and we currently have red in our 220 but the black is also nice and we have used it in the past.....we have many videos posted of this as well.....

Ahh the lovely sound of air pumps

good video please show substrate packages in next

I do like fine gravel, and even course sand (Except cleaning sand before you use it SUCKS) And yes i have to agree, not deep cleaning those substrates have given me amazing plant growth and happy fish. As for specialty substrates, they have their place, you gain all the benefits straight away (Nutrients etc) I find fine gravel takes a little longer to become filled with nutrients but once its established it just lasts forever. As usual a very informative video. Love your work.

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bobby!

Sticking to dirt/soil capped with aquasoil from now on, this way if I forget to dose liquid ferts the plants won't suffer so much.

@Aquafinity

3 жыл бұрын

Can totally agree

I have been using a mixture of sand and gravel for years for my planted tanks.

Hi new subscriber here. Just wondering in you can use both sand and gravel in the same tank? Also, we have quartz here in Australia, do you have an opinion on that?

I set up a bare bottom tank to hold potted plants that I intended to use after moving and redesigning a 55g tank. I also used it to temporarily house the fish from the 55g tank. The plants did not grow as well in pots as they did in a good substrate, but it was fine for salvaging a good selection for the next planting. The fish seemed very stressed all the time in the bare bottom tank. Every time I walked by the tank they would all go psycho with fear. I am thinking that the next time I use a bare bottom tank, I will first paint the bottom a dark color to reduce fish stress. The 55g was a "dirted" tank, and it grew plants like crazy for a decade. I only changed the substrate because I had to move the tank.

@raisinggoldfishonabudget7058

Жыл бұрын

How do you put your plant's in the dirt substrate without Disturbing it ? do you add the plants B-4 adding sand or after the water? that's where I'm not sure which to do this.

thanks for the info, what's your thoughts on black diamond coal slag for substrate ?its foe blasting realy but alot of people use it in there tanks and since its coal they say it helps filter water

I’m trying to find this “fine gravel” and having trouble. What do you recommend

@ironfae

3 жыл бұрын

Fine gravel is just another term for sand. If you’re looking for something specific, try home improvement/garden stores instead of pet shops.

@jase1252

2 жыл бұрын

TBT MTG im also having a hard time finding "fine gravel" any luck? If not what have you used and has it worked for you?

Question, I have ( bought by inexperience) large gravel. Is it still possible to grow plants that you recomend in different video?

I started with only pebble rocks and found I had to do water changes more because of high nitrates. So, I mixed in sand to the rocks and it made a difference. Another benefit is plants stay in the substrate and grow better.

@mamaj3016

6 ай бұрын

if you have enough plants in your aquarium you shouldn’t have to worry about nitrates at all cause they will use them as fuel to grow. i haven’t done a water change in my shrimp tank for like 6 months and its been doing really well.

Thanks for the info very interesting. Can one use river sand from a hardware store (obviously giving it a good wash)?

@Bobby11

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, ive used that in one of my tanks. It is not super fine either. but good luck washing it before you use it :P took me forever!

I like bear bottom for non display tanks, for my display tanks I like to use a mixture of different size gravels and sand. I find dirt a good option to get a planted tank going and then once established the fish waste will keep the plants going other wise use tabs.

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Nice! Thank you

I have two bare bottom tanks and I clean them at the same time I do the two with substrate. I will never buy glo gravel again, and did eliminate it from the tank I had it in. I am using Fluval Florite in the one tank because of my live plants, but like in hydroponics I am going to start growing live plants in my one bare bottom tanks. The 5 gal bare bottom is reserved for quarantine and hospital in case I need to medicate. I also discovered the trick of using rooting cups to plant my plants in, that way you can trim the roots as they grow to increase growth on the top, and it makes it easy to clean the substrate when you gravel vac etc because you can move the plants around the tank and rearrange your plant scape.

I will never go back to anything else, since trying dirt in 2012 - if it's plants your growing, dirt truly is the best! In the past, I've used E.B. Stone/Edna's Best Organic soil, Foxfarm "Happy Frog" brand, and also Foxfarm's "Ocean Forest" blend. Foxfarm was phenomenal. It contains composted forest humus, sphagnum peat moss, perlite, earthworm castings, bat guano, humic acid, oyster shells, and dolomitic lime for pH adjustment. Ocean Forest simply has additional crab-fish emulsion, +sandy loam. Both contain mycorrhizal fungi as well, which must have done okay submerged, given the success I had. On a third tank, I randomly tried the soil everyone was talking about - Miracle-Grow Organic Choice (?). It was just as good, but not any better or worse than the truly ORGANIC brands that I bought. Plus it's basically made up of "chicken coop materials" or whatever that means. Poop, wood chips, who knows? If you're down with that, lol. I cant imagine it's the most ethically- or sustainably-produced stuff... ...on another note, I've also had success with Oil-Dri, which is essentially kitty litter, or just little clay pellets (for soaking up spills in workshops, factories, etc.). It was so inexpensive for a giant bag, & it looks really good. I also used it outside in the garden, mixed in for drainage, or as a topdressing on soil, for succulent/tropical arrangements. So multiple uses is another good point, still I prefer Foxfarm or EB Stone brands.

Would you talk about cleaning gravel? Listening today I think my gravel might be too clean. I have trouble knowing how much to feed my fish and how often to clean.

I like the look of sand, but also prefer lots of rooted plants. So what I do is I put nice layer of aquasoil, then scoop it away from the edges. then I fill the edges with sand, and then cap the top with the same sand. This way, no matter which way you look from, all you can ever see is sand, but rooted plants have proper, rich substrate to grow their roots into. With a bigger tank, a little planning will save you big bucks as you only really need that rich aquasoil where you will actually have your plants.

The big takeaway with dirt for me - weekly 50% water changes. Now, I personally like it and enjoy the work, and it's part of it for me. I use the fish water in the garden too. Probably don't even need to be doing 50% wc's weekly; at that frequency, could likely halve that. That was the main "work" involved and I created a system, more or less. I used mere DROPS of Seachem iron, maybe once a month. Sometimes I used Flourish excel, but once you get growing with the soil, you kind of don't need carbon dioxide! Of course the plants need it, but they get a jumpstart with the special blend of ingredients in most organic brands. I had onion cranium thaianum six feet long!! Never would that happen in sand, or gravel, or just w root tabs. for ME, lol.

where did you buy the small grain gravel from? btw i live in australia

Hi. I am planning on having some corys with the fine gravel.that you suggest in the video. Please dont judge me but i plan on keeping just fake plants. I am good with tank husbandry. Do weekly 3 times small water changes. Do you think i can keep.corys like this please?

So what's the best substrate for outdoor tank? Having guppies and Corys. The wall full with algae, and I put 2.5 inch pleco to clean them. I will remove the pleco intil I found Oto fish to replace the pleco or if the pleco grow more than 5inch.. btw, have you tried a real soil from river and put river sand ontop of the soil?

What substrate did you use to grow hair grass and to aquascape with?

3:38 what a cool shot

Can you compromise and have corys and plants on fine gravel?

Trying to grow some bright fresh water shrimp but can you with fish and plants. Can I use 1inch of substrate with 1/2 inch of gravel on top?Also can I bag a few medium mesh bag fill with substrate to change the bag and not the whole substrate out? the year just

I have 2 bare bottom tank that I use as quarantine/ breading/ acclamation for shrimp. I always associate them as a tank with a specific purpose rather then the fishes ‘home’ if that makes sense? I’m a lover of natural to the environment the fish/shrimp came from just because I feel like I’m getting a small glimpse into whole new worlds!

hey dude I'm gonna get some bristle nose this week I'm wondering how to breed em any ideas

Does the gravel help the plants grow? Also can you make a video of setting up a tank with plants? Thank you and love the videos ❣️

@Aquafinity

3 жыл бұрын

I dont think gravel helps plants grow. It is inert and doesn't contain any nutrients. However you can fertilize plants by using root tabs and liquid fertilizers. I have a video here do you want to check it out? kzread.info/dash/bejne/aJ-D0s9moNOcdpM.html Hope this helps.

@Bobby11

3 жыл бұрын

The gravel itself has no nutrients, however if you give it time it is awesome at collecting waste and giving bacteria a place to break it down, so after some time it will be filled with the nutrients from your fish waste being broken down etc. I think gravel ends up helping you get a more complete cycle in your aquariums. Just my opinion tho :)

@Aquafinity

3 жыл бұрын

@@Bobby11 Yes that is why before i got fertilizers, my plants were already doing good from the fish waste. It is a natural fertilizer. kzread.info/dash/bejne/aJ-D0s9moNOcdpM.html Hope this helps

@rukiyan2481

3 жыл бұрын

Simple Fish Keeping yupp I’ll check it out thank you to everyone who replied back ❣️

@jase1252

2 жыл бұрын

@@rukiyan2481 Are you using gravel? If so how are the plants doing and what type of plants are doing good?

I use garden soil without any additives. Clay and peat. On top of the river gravel. Great for plant👍👊🇨🇦

@molofishhunter7969

3 жыл бұрын

forgot🔔

If you start with a small layer of fine topsoil under your substrate, it’s really great for your live plants and your fish. The plants grow healthier and that benefits the fish.

great video... however it didn't clear my doubt... i'm planning to get neon tetras, mollies and panda cories.... can you or anybody suggest best kind of substrate please.? Thank you. :)

Ok. One problem with your take on dirt. You say at some point it will run out of nutrients, then you’ll have to figure out how to add nutrients to the tank....but then you have a flat bottom empty one that has nothing wouldn’t be much of a difference. Other than that odd take, this video was great and very informative and I appreciate it man!!!!

Great video! I've never heard anyone recommend not vacuuming gravel substrate. I've always been told that the excess food and fish waste would cause a spike in nitrate levels if I don't vacuum the substrate. Can you please elaborate on this subject? I would LOVE to stop vacuuming. lol

@janashellbug

2 жыл бұрын

I just asked the same thing

@rheashetty7059

2 жыл бұрын

Did you find the answer? I had the same doubt

@FG-hw5ep

2 жыл бұрын

@@rheashetty7059 If you have a planted tank, the plants will use the nutrients (nitrate) to grow. It's a balancing act, you can't let the nitrates get too high or it causes algae or too low because your plants need the nitrate.

i use very fine sand and it grows swords just fine, i believe the effects of compaction happen after a few inches of sand, think moving sand under water at the each, can be easily done.

Hi what gravel do u use it was around the third or fourth minutes I also love to watch your videos

I currently have a 125 black widow Frontosa natural rocks with caves. I do not have a substrate & have always been running the bare bottom tank for 15 years. I close this method because it’s faster to clean all the waste on the bottom.

What is the gravel at the 7:00 mark? I can't find anything that small.

You uploaded!Are you live streaming tommorow?

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

No sadly

@alyssadavis5128

3 жыл бұрын

KeepingFishSimple boooooooooooo!👎you’d better be working on that new fish room 😑

I agree on dirt. I've tried dirt with no cap of sand or gravel...Corys loved sticking noses in the silt. But eventually..all that is filtered out and you get..clay. Not good for plant roots. Potting soils are ok..lots of peat so it can be awhile before you have tint free water. But it too leaches out in weeks and you have inert fluff mixed with gravel. Back to fertilizing. Sands look fine- white sands...but plants dont root well in it. Vallisneria is an exception. Its best as ornamental in the front and gravel to root plants in back. I tell people,aquarium water plants and hydroponic plants are almost the same thing..a substrate for roots to hold on to and you supply the food.

Appreciate the video. Wanted to ask more in detail about substrate cleaning. I understand it holds alot of the BB so you don't want to clean it often to disturb that but should you still clean it every few months (or maybe once or twice a year), or literally never clean it at all? Just don't want to be leaving anything unhealthy in the tank for too long just to try to help the BB.

@tajwarhaque12345

Жыл бұрын

Same ques

bare bottom tanks remind me of commercial fish stores

I loved my bare bottom tanks. Then, I accidentally grew a farm of Corys; they made babies and I was shocked to keep finding them. I always felt that with the bare-bottom tank I was being cruel to the fish, being uncertain. When I suddenly had a Cory farm, I added sand as folks suggest. The Corys were ecstatic, teaching me lots as I fell in love with the Panda Corys. Now, I want something different. I am shy to try dirt unless I use the media bags. But every substrate requires work. 🙄 sooo, I want my Cory farm back and I am going to try a tiered look with a thin line of small media bags where I want plants across the back of a 20 gal but covering the dirt with something. Then, a mid way strip of sand side-to-side, or half of the tank from the side with sand. Like a cove's beach, I suppose. Then bare on the rest of the floor. I love the look of gravel so I will probably cover those 'media dirt bags' (name a rotten politician for that wording 😉) in some fashion using the small gravel. What an experiment to see how seperated the media in the different areas will do, eh? One request, Sir? You flash the pics of your tanks so quickly, i request allowing the pics to remain a touch longer, please? You mentioned some interesting sounding tanks with no photo and it is too much fun to see your beautiful, and varied works. Thank you for sharing, and for your works! 🐠🙏🏼🖖🏼🐠 I will report how the seperated substrates do. Hey, if any substrate is going to require work, and they do, then why limit the chore? 😁🥰

Dirt with a pool filter sand cap done right is by far the best in my opinion

Can you make a video about changing substrate in a stable aquarium?

What size gravel would you recommend?

If done right bare bottom tanks look great imo.

would corydoras appreciate small particle gravel?

What gravel is that at 5:58 and what sand is that at 8:46 with the corys

Been using Black Diamond blasting grit for a long time. No "bad" mineral or heavy metal content that changes the water parameters and it doesn't adversely effect corys and other bottom feeders at all, contrary to widely disseminated "internet professionals".

I prefer light coloured stones, keeps the tank looking brighter.

I don’t know whether or not your going to reply but I really want to know how you clean out your fry tank without losing fry. Nice video btw

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Carefully!

Hi, erm what are the dimensions of the long tank behind you in the video mate?

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

4 x 1 x 1 foot

@tiptop235

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for replying!!

I have clay pellets in media bags beneath sand and use only a liquid fertilizer

Can you list, with links where you buy your different substrates in your bio? I am a struggling beginner🌿🐠✨

Yeah but a barebottom tank isn't very exciting. I'd use them more for a quarantine or transitional tank. Currently I'm restarting a dirted/sand capped planted tank to replace one that cracked a couple weeks ago. It was doing quite well up until it cracked. I used to have a gravel 55 gal set up about 25 years ago. I've always gone for the natural look with Native North American fishes. Good informative video though, thank you and I'm looking forward to seeing more.

@Aquafinity

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree

3:49 are those endler guppys? they look cool :)

I have gravel with no fets and my plants do fine, gonna set up a 5 gallon with ADA Amazonia and no ferts and see how it does

@KeepingFishSimple

3 жыл бұрын

Think it will be good!

okay also what about undergravel filters

Filter medium bags with organic potting mix works better then dirt TBH or just like the last 5 cm of a stocking filled with organic potting mix, but this is primarily for unestablished tanks from what i understand since even dirt loses its nutrients and minerals over time basically making it as useful as plain sand just dirtier lol. with the stocking or medium bag method you can hide it easily under the substrate and basically place it near where planning on planting the plants will root to the bag/stocking. snails tend to still go make a mess tho.

What brand air pump is behind you

My favourite is gravel :) I have black gravel in my Neon Tetra tank and it makes them stand out a lot.