ACHIEVE BIODIVERSITY IN YOUR AQUARIUM

[@akvaramet2433]

Hello Father Fish! :D Im a low-tech aquascaper from Norway and I really enjoy these videos! So much knowledge and sense here, I really appreciate it, thanks :)

[@FatherFish]

Thank you Akvaramet

[@aseriouslollygagger5734]

I really like these videos and how you explain things. Fishkeeping has given me a whole new appreciation for the delicate balance that exists in nature. It is a hobby that truly humbles me and challenges me to grow.

[@FatherFish]

Excellent insight Lollygagger.

[@dougzahlman6057]

You have helped me so much. I have some small tanks that are balanced and really don't need much help. Eat every other day and that is it. You make me love the hobby so much.

[@FatherFish]

A wonderful sentiment Doug. Thank you for your gracious note.

[@ecksdeedood562]

this is amazing everyone needs to learn this🔥👍🏼

[@TheDISSHonoredOne]

I agree natural food sources for growth is best for fish for fish keepers. I totally agree nature will provide and we only need to provide the means for that to happen! Genius Father Fish, ty for educating us to be the best fish keepers we can be 🐟

[@brandonbest8489]

A few days of watching these videos and I'm quite grateful for the knowledge and how it's explained.

[@zzospreyzz55]

Can you please do a video on the difference between a deep substrate planted tank vs a standard American hobby tank in regards to nitrates? Do you still need to watch nitrates in your tanks or is that more of a result of feeding too much? Do your tanks have a stability/break-in period where you need to watch water parameters for the first year or so while the nutrients work their way to the soil?

[@FatherFish]

I do not pay attention to nitrates from day one. It is my intention for standard American hobby tanks to be deep substrate.

[@aliogoi3187]

So much wisdom and lots to learn from this just one video. Almost a fresh new philosophical aspect of aquarium fish keeping for me personally.

[@FatherFish]

I am pleased to have reached your mind in a way that is helpful.

[@amyfiveaquatics]

Thank you! Cool story about the Jack Dempsey....:)

[@FatherFish]

Yes. TY Amy.

[@mikeethier8928]

Awesome, thank you again father fish. I’m so glad I found you on the Internet. I’ve tried your dirty method and it’s working fine. Also saving a lot of money on water changes and food. Thank you very much. Keep putting plants in each week.

[@herpdiversity9152]

Thank you father fish. Before this video I never thought about it but just like a healthy ecosystem an aquarium is more stable when it is biodiverse. Especially the self sustaining aquariums with no food added and no filter work best when there are less mass in predators as prey. It is basic environmental science but people miss it when I comes to aquariums. Because a diverse group of prey items means if something happens to one then the others can compensate.

[@FatherFish]

Excellent herp diversity. I appreciate your comments and support on our live streams. At some point in the chain all prey becomes predator and all predator becomes prey.

[@herpdiversity9152]

@@FatherFish You have built an online community that is very enjoyable to participate in, especially during live streams.

[@courtneycole5143]

Loving these videos so full of interesting knowledge about this hobby, thank you Father Fish for your exceptional knowledge 👌🏻👍🏻

[@jonathanrfisher]

This is my first of your videos and I’m loving it! Loving your wisdom and knowledge sharing here. Thank you so much!

[@FatherFish]

Welcome! Jonathan. We have an enclave on DISCORD that will provide lots of oppportunity to share and discuss. Hope we are able to support you in this venture into naqtural aquariums.

[@tombond6256]

Absolutely, great stuff FF 🐟

[@FatherFish]

TY Tom

[@sschario60]

Hello again, Father Fish. I have a 75 gal mbuna tank with a 4” substrate of 2:1 pool sand and aragonite. Been following you for a while and we’ve interacted before while I am trying my best to go natural. Java fern and anubias have struggled against assaults from the fish and for a time, diatoms. Vallisneria are getting a second attempt after the first round were routinely ripped from the sand before they had much opportunity to multiply. Just this morning I added new vals (and root tabs) to my 10 gallon in hopes of vigorous growth that will resist mbuna assaults when transplanted to the 75. I don’t vacuum the 75, but since I presently have no roots in the substrate, I end up doing 33% water changes every three days to maintain nitrates below 40ppm. I also added some java moss to the manzanita driftwood today. Plus, 5 or 6 nerite snails have been helping the mbuna with algae control Do you think I am on track, or do you have any suggestions?

[@FatherFish]

When nitrate exceeds 200 do a 10% water change. Root tabs are not needed. Add enough plants for the mbuna to have too many choices.

[@sschario60]

@@FatherFish, 200... 🙀 Ok, I’ll give it a shot. Theres certainly nothing to learn if you never stray from the routine. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[@amberlady2428]

@@sschario60 the plants will take care of nitrate

[@peaceriveraquatics4308]

Try swords and crypts which have deeper root systems and add rocks around base of plants. My cichlids pull up my vals all the time but once established, haven't dug up the swords nor crypt wendtii. Like Father said, if there are a lot of plants, some will survive.

[@sschario60]

I can't be certain why three mbuna died within a week when I allowed nitrates to rise between 80-160 ppm, but I won't be doing that again. My African Cichlid planted tank experiment goes on undeterred. I've kept (procrastinated) hornwort, moneywort and anubias isolated since their arrival in February. While the live plants acclimated and thrived in their 10 gallon home, I introduced artificial plants to the 75 gal mbuna tank. After tugging and rearranging the fakes for several days, the mbuna seemed to have accepted the "plants" as another decor element. Last night, minutes before turning the lights out, the live plants went into their new home with the mbuna. This morning, half expecting the plants to resemble coleslaw, I was encouraged to find only a couple hornwort moved about. I'll add extra lead weights today and see how that fares.

[@amberlady2428]

Love love love this video! Beautiful tank behind you! I like to put in plants that my fish eat to make them happy. Kinda like you give a dog a treat. Just every other month or more, it gets expensive.

[@FatherFish]

Find a growth of plants in the wild that will serve the purpose.

[@fungitorix]

Thank you for the wisdom you possess, for your sensitivity to natural balance, and thank you for sharing it with us. Not many people possess this kind of logic. Can I ask you something? Can you make a video about artificial lighting for aquatic plants?

[@fungitorix]

You may have already made a video on this topic, but I only discovered your channel three or four days ago, so I haven't explored it enough.

[@DanielGonzalez-gd3dx]

Hello father fish I just saw this video. Wow so much info on this video. I’m learning how to understand my tanks and treat them like a living thing and all I have to do is help thrive to a awesome eceosystem.

[@FatherFish]

Thank you Daniel for your encouragement.

[@DanielGonzalez-gd3dx]

@@FatherFish you are very welcome

[@jishuridazenchi]

You have converted me. I recognized my errors during your tutorial. I am going to empty my tanks and start over. Unfortunately, my fish died after I cleaned my canister filter - every few years. It is a 400 liter deep style tank. I have a 110 liter tank with 2 goldfish. I am going to redo the tank according to your advice. I have a lake and river near me. I guess pine forest debris will not be good for the tanks so I will seek out other tree stands near the water. I wish me and da fishes luck. Thanks!

[@berenthebear1313]

Could you make a video discussing under gravel filters. I would be curious to know your thoughts using one, and if it would be good for beginners before setting up a natural aquarium. I'm planning to setup a 10 gallon tank to start growing plants, basically a seeder tank to take from to put plants in future tanks. Thanks for the video Father Fish.

[@Scouse.raver1]

Hi just btw I watched one of FF streams where he was asked this question he answered: he probably would not make a video on them and would not use an under gravel filter in his tank. But Good luck, I think internal, canisters, or hang on back would be good options

[@MrOnlymoin1]

yes please, videos on gravel filter or gravel filters used as under water plenum with very little flow as in dr novacks videos. will love to know fater fishes thought on those.

[@FatherFish]

Essentially useless and counerintuitive.

[@khoffmann1978]

I have Anentome Helena snails and they are good at keeping down other snails that tend to reproduce extremely

[@DidisFINDen]

Love these videos.

[@FatherFish]

Glad you like them!

[@vampgaia]

Father Fish, I’ve had to move a lot of my tanks. I’m trying to work out what will happen within the substrate. I’m reusing the substrate, but it’s all mixed up now. The tanks I’m having to move have been set up anywhere from 1-4 years. I’ve always had deep substrate. Not because I knew it was a good idea, but because it was easier for me to plant in and because I am too lazy to gravel vac. The substrate is a mix of Fluval stratum, Eco Complete, sand, gravel, and mulm. Is there anything I should look for while the substrate resets itself? Hopefully, the question makes since.

[@FatherFish]

Sounds like a good base. Add an inch or 2 of new sand as a cap. That will protect the nutrients and create an anaerobic bed for the waste to deteriorate. You do not need to do more. Sounds like you are in good shape.

[@cbcsucks2205]

​@@FatherFish do Malaysian trumpet snails actually provide aeration to deep substrate? I seeded all my tanks with them because I had something toxic going on in one. Funny instinctively I added a scoop from one of the healthy tank substrates also.

[@James_Hande]

@Father Fish - There's a large silver fish with 2 or 3 black spots behind you that keeps swimming slowly with it's tail down. Hope it's alright, might want to check it out.

[@FatherFish]

He is acting submissive to avoid conflict.

[@PaulC.494]

Wise words Father Fish, what is most beneficial to cycle through a tank, rocks, plants, sand, driftwood or fish ?

[@FatherFish]

I honestly believe all are necessary for adequate cycling.

[@jojyp]

Father Fish, instead of the submerged aquatic plants like Amazon Sword, Sagittaria...etc can we go with the emerged type of terrestrial plants like Mangroves or Peace Lilly, Pathos, Parlour Palm etc?? Which model do you prefer?? We did an experiment with terrestrial plants so far no issues water parameters are normal with this model (dirted tank with terrestrial plants on the top of the aquarium). Please reply

[@FatherFish]

The emergent pathos and the like draw nutrients from the water. Unless their roots get into the substrate they are not completing the cycle of waste breaking down and precipitating into the soil.

[@MrOnlymoin1]

superb superb video!

[@FatherFish]

Thank you Syed

[@KarunakaranNaresh]

Father fish great video.

[@FatherFish]

TY karunakaran

[@KarunakaranNaresh]

@@FatherFish welcome father fish

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

Hmm, I guess that answers my question from the last FF video I watched when I asked if your philosophy encompassed the big bodied cichlids as well as the small fish species I assumed you were referring to. 🤔

[@FatherFish]

Good insight Whip

[@stilesslosson7403]

I'm from Washington state not from Florida...we do have beautiful ponds n wild areas but vastly different than a tropical area...my question is can I do the same from my area...can I put some leaves n stick from our ponds w out hurting my set up?

[@FatherFish]

Yes. Mocro organisms are universal.

[@mamamiabenjamia]

this is exactly why so many of my betta fish tanks failed when i first started. i wanted to keep the fish and nothing else. time after time, i never caught on that this just isn't possible. it was only after i started a shrimp tank that i realized all of this. without the betta acting as a micro-predator, tons of small copepods thrived and i realized that the tank needs to be biologically active to stay stable. total game changer.

[@FatherFish]

Yes!

[@HippieJohn]

Absolutely 💯

[@bishop8000]

Awesome video, and great looking tank!

[@FatherFish]

TY bishop

[@maggotbrain6340]

How do you know what plants to start with? How do you know many plants are enough?

[@FatherFish]

The tank should be half filled with plants. At a given point they will achieve maintenance and stability.

[@vaughanjattan7475]

How do you get copepods and other microfauna into an aquarium?

[@herpdiversity9152]

You can buy them or they can come in with plants or you could collect them from outdoors and culture them for a little while to decrease the chance of disease

[@FatherFish]

see herp diversity for answer. Disease is a function of inadequate biodiversity. More is better.

[@worddunlap]

If I have to tinker with an aquarium all day, change the water constantly, make 1000 tiny adjustments, keep my hands in tank water then I would hate it. My enjoyment is in the enjoying. I 'watch' more fish tank than TV. That is my personal fortress of solitude. Although I do not do everything father fish advises DIVERSITY and experimentation is indeed how this happens in my tanks. Yes it is guided a bit by experience but it is something a novice can achieve without all the 'accessories' unethical people advise.

[@FatherFish]

A good hard hitting review.

[@strangefish805]

Does it matter what type of sand you use to cap the dirt? Is pool filter sand ok?

[@Scouse.raver1]

Pool filter sand is what most people use I think

[@FatherFish]

pool sand is perfect.

[@peaceriveraquatics4308]

Father Fish, are there any types of fish that are not recommended for a deep sand bed tank? For example, fish that dig or eartheaters like the geophagus?

[@FatherFish]

Geophagus are not diggers. They keep the top 1/2" clean but do not make pits in the substrate. Any large central American or Mbuna that is a pit spawner are not appropriate for a dirted tank. Kept in large numbers, however, they will not be able to pit dig anfdwill be fine.

[@Lnadler10]

thank you! this all makes sense. I signed up last weekend for membership that is $4.99 per month. does that include the Patreon membership?

[@FatherFish]

Patreon is separate. Membership through KZbin does include Discord as a member perk of both YT and Patreon. Special videos are also posted for membership on both.

[@FatherFish]

@@ericp_ski Potting soil is excellent.

[@stevencooper8182]

I live in Michigan and it is winter time here if I go to local pond and scoop up some sand and place it in my tank will the bacteria still be alive going from a much lower temp to a higher temp of course I will let it warm up before placing in my tank

[@mrs_moose3546]

Bacteria are generally more resistant to temperature change. If you let it warm up you should be ok

[@Scouse.raver1]

@@mrs_moose3546 I like your name lol

[@FatherFish]

Not a problem. Bacteria and organisms are not especially temperature sensitive.

[@ChillCarnage_229]

Are air pumps best to use or hang on filters?

[@FatherFish]

I prefer air pumps and sponge filters

[@Kingshukpalchoudhury]

I understand snails add biodiversity..and they have an excellent function in aquariums.. My only question is.. They burrow in the sand and mix it up. They can go maybe as deep as a couple of inches.. Won't that mess up the different zones in a deep substrate?

[@FatherFish]

No. They only dig down about 1".

[@Kingshukpalchoudhury]

@@FatherFish how dig do cory carfish dig? Are they ok for a deep substrate? ( And maybe kuhli loaches , or bristlenose plecos ?)

[@FatherFish]

@@Kingshukpalchoudhury all are fine in a deep substrate

[@richcastro8990]

Great video!

[@FatherFish]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@2869may]

What about shrimp only tanks? they are susceptible to Hydra and Planaria... What would you do for a shrimp only tank...?

[@FatherFish]

Shrimp LOVE to eat planaria and hydra.

[@2869may]

@@FatherFish I've never seen this happen, I've never seen shrimp eat ANY living thing... even baby brine. Isn't it true Planaria kill baby shrimp.?

[@2869may]

@@FatherFish here it is.

[@omlet1231]

Is that a macaw in the back ground. Blue and gold ?

[@FatherFish]

yes!

[@laurag1076]

I've always been scared to go to local creek and put things in... is any kind of leaves or wood poisonous? Eucalyptus? Pinecones?

[@FatherFish]

Nothing you find in the creek will be poisonous. Be brave.

[@laurag1076]

😄😄😄

[@HisValor]

@@FatherFish Do I place these sticks and leaves in the soil substrate (under the cap), or in the water column? or does it matter to help with the microrganisms?

[@easternlethal]

There is so much advice out there saying not to place wild fish / matter into tanks to avoid introducing foreign bacteria it wasn't even something I thought about until this video... Thank you ❤️

[@FatherFish]

Good insight JC. All biology is foreign somewhere.

[@krg9942]

I added a plant (that I rinsed well) from a large, unspoiled lake. Within days my fish had Ich & fungus. Bad experience. Will not try that again. My advice: be careful and have meds on hand if you try this. Many years ago I added some wild flag fish to a community tank, the wild fish brutally attacked the mouths of my store bought fish and killed them. My son still talks about that traumatic experience 20 years ago. I will never again add wild fish to a tank with non-wild fish.

[@2869may]

@@FatherFish What's your response to KRG's comment in this thread...?

[@adrianbailey4986]

Listen to the wise father fish is spot on 👍

[@TheDISSHonoredOne]

@@krg9942 the plant needed to be more than rinsed, it need to be quarantined for a week or two just like fish needed to be

[@54davidmb]

The same goes for humans. The less you eat the longer you will live.

[@FatherFish]

I should have learned that lesson many years ago.

[@54davidmb]

@@FatherFish Me also.

[@ravingcyclist624]

Yes! Fasting is very healthy !

[@angelikazak1392]

So true

[@angelikazak1392]

​@ravinusedgcyclist624

[@gerlandkent6377]

👍

[@sarcohuman8147]

How do you get cichlids from pulling up your plants Normally those fish rip your plants up btw this wasn’t only available for patrons

[@FatherFish]

MORE plants. The video was available initially only for Patreon supporters, then KZbin members were added. Finally it was made available to everyone.

[@sarcohuman8147]

Ok i guess that means just plant plants and dont worry about it

[@theamjadjamousable]

is Planaria good in the tank ?

[@Scouse.raver1]

Planaria is usually harmless in fish aquariums but not good for shrimp tanks

[@berenthebear1313]

They make planaria traps you can add if you have shrimp.

[@FatherFish]

Not especially good but not truly dangerous.

[@sunsunsaxena6444]

U would be having so much more to share. Why not share Ur Facebook profile

[@Scouse.raver1]

Just search the father fish aquarium shoal on FB

[@FatherFish]

Check it out.

[@jeffschwartz3520]

I would love to finish watching one of your videos but I'm sorry the birds squawking in the background is totally annoying

[@FatherFish]

They love to horn in on the conversation.

[@jonathanrfisher]

You would learn so much more in life with a bit of tolerance and patience Jeff 👍🏼

[@adeptusmagi]

that half dead cichlid drifting around the tank behind him is a bit off putting

[@FatherFish]

Very peaceful green severum. Still going strong.