Channel Updates and NEW Projects.

[@RoyalMetal9]

Please stay the way you started. Simple, uncomplicated and relaxing. Your thoughts out loud are educational and definitely not rambling. That’s what brought you subscribers. We need this. Thanks for your efforts.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you and everyone for your support and guiding me through this journey. I honestly think I would have tied myself in a knot and given up by now, if it wasn’t for all the excellent advice and support everyone has given me. So much appreciated once again.

[@jonisolis9645]

"setting up a beast of a tank on a budget", yes, that sounds fabulous!

[@aquaticsbynature]

I hadn’t really thought of it that way, but maybe it’s actually a good concept anyway. It’ll mean a very slow patient build, but with everything else I’ve got going on right now, that would actually be good.

[@ShaunShearman]

As soon as I heard that I was all excited as that's me ! I am so looking forward to owning a 5 footer myself but the thought of the cost (plants, gravel, bogwood, etc) of the initial set up always detracts from my enthusiasm somewhat.

[@aquaticsbynature]

I see what I can do lol

[@williammcdowell6257]

Really enjoyed the clip of before and after in your creation of a Mediterranean styled garden. Fantastic garden, Monty Don would be proud if he had created it. James, I honestly believe there is enormous mileage in combining expertise in establishing and maintaining planted aquariums and establishing and maintaining gardens and ponds. I currently have loads of frogs spawning in my wildlife pond, which later in the season will be bursting with plants - largely rainwater and low in nutrients. I am no scientist, but the debate in the hobby around how best to achieve a balance, especially in terms of: fish health, plant health, realistic maintenance effort and carbon footprint; seems to me to make your content highly pertinent. Eutrophication, estimative index dosing, hard water/tap water, reverse osmosis and high powered lighting and filtering are all very 'live' at the moment, and then I was thinking of George Farmer's recent little comparison between 'low tech' and 'high tech ' on his channel. All in my mind, because my tank took a turn for the worse, and I realised it wasn't a CO2, nutrient or lighting issue, the ball valve intake to my external was blocked! My tank, rear access is not easy to 'work on', thus I settled on the easy option, I trimmed all my plants to the gravel, slow growing crypts and fast growing stem plants, my wife complained about the barren look currently, my defence, think of an African river, a Hippo has just chewed the plants back, the leaves often are dark and algae covered after a year or two. I am not sure claiming to impersonate a Hippopotamus will quite sell my argument, that you, as a terrestrial gardener, ex-fish shop owner and planted aquarium chap and low maintenance, that there are lots of issues for you to explore, experiment, and, expound upon. And, rest assured your technical production skill set may not be 'all singing and dancing' but is more than suitable for the message.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks once again William for your very kind words. To be honest I think I have too many hobbies and interests. I’ve been trying to cut them down, but now I seem to have inadvertently gained a new one with KZbin lol. I try and carry a similar ethos across my hobbies, one of the reasons I’ve gone for a Mediterranean style garden is because I don’t water or feed anything in my garden. Just like my tanks things are largely left to survival of the fittest or best adapted. I’m really not sure if I’ll ever do anything on my garden, but I do have a few pond projects that some people might find interesting. Largely my long term passion for hybridisation of Nymphaea. :) I have 10000 photos of my hybrid water lilies through the years lol One very long boring video lol. Thanks again for all your input, it’s always a pleasure hearing your experiences. :)

[@SoldierOfGod917]

Well done for keeping the same format for your videos. I've been watching your channel since George Farmer filmed your 28 year old tank and it's so refreshing to see a real KZbinr like back in the old days, who is driven by their love of their hobby and just wants to share their hobby and knowledge with others. Since most people have been posting on KZbin as a "career" the content of videos has gone completely down hill. Not with you. Your videos are extreemly informative, interesting and have helped a lot with my tanks at home. I appreciate your hard work

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you so much for your very kind comments. I’m very happy to be able to continue in the same way, it’s a real pleasure for me to share. It’s been such a long term passion of mine that it’s just wonderful to have an outlet for all the suff going round in my head. Very happy you’ve found them interesting :)

[@bjszoowildlife4148]

Second soldierofgod comments. Stick with it!

[@Aquariumecosystem]

I think 1 big tank would be really nice. Something like one 75 gallon nature tank instead of multiple smaller ones 🎉

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks for your comment. I’d love more big tanks but unfortunately all the spaces I have only really only fit a row of smaller ones. I can’t have anything too wide :(

[@thewrxshop8213]

All those tanks look pleasing with all them plants

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you :) I will slowly feature them in videos soon :)

[@jeffschwartz3520]

Great video, as always. There is nothing wrong with your style of videos. Keep doing the same. They are both informative and entertaining just as they are. I stopped watching several KZbin channels because all they were doing were trying to sell me overpriced crap, or 9 out of 10 minutes, the video is focused on their face. I personally like 20 gallon aquariums. Why, because I discovered I had no friends when I needed to move an aquarium up 3 flights of stairs. Thank you again for all the help you've given me. People like you are what makes this a great Hobby. People that are helpful and kind. Keep your video style the same and please don't try to become an "influencer"

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you so much for your kind comments. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt that’s try not to get influenced by what others do. It just messes with your head and and ends up making the videos all weird and unnatural. This channel just evolved the way it is by accident, a lucky accident you might say, but it suits my rather pedantic personality. :)

[@jonisolis9645]

"pedantic" I had to look up that word. :) @@aquaticsbynature

[@kenrooke9047]

@@jonisolis9645me too. So I want to use it in a sentence. I just love this man’s pedantic rambling. 😊

[@panalakia]

Love your format as it is. Do what comes naturally as you say. Nice to have someone from here in the UK.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you do much :)

[@Sylvialovespink]

Looking forward to seeing what you do with that beautiful tank! We have a 29 gallon, dirted tank that I setup in early December. We’ve only done one water change and just tap off the water as needed. No fertilizers. The plants and fish are thriving! We even have baby fish and the cherry shrimp are multiplying. Thank you for sharing all your tips and knowledge.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you so much, appreciated :) It sounds like you’ve joined the wonderful world of the balanced aquarium very nicely . All the best :)

[@MightyMirk]

Looking forward seeing you setting up the "beast of a tank". Make it personal and don't let the comments guide you. I am honestly excited to see what you come up with. 👍🏼

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you so much, it’s definitely a bit of a challenge, so many options :) Watch this space lol

[@moonbear897]

great new about the beast set up. can't wait!

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks, can’t wait to get started, but I know it will be a long slow build. Some things you just can’t rush lol

[@6speed818]

I bought 5 more neon glowlight tetras after watching your last video. I have 10 now and there so much more happy

[@aquaticsbynature]

Awesome, wonderful to hear…..you just can’t beat keeping small fish in decent numbers. Enjoy :)

[@mr.tallow]

What a great channel! Found it today and subscribed right away.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Wonderful thanks. :)

[@neutronshiva2498]

Im exited for the new tank as I myself am planning new big tank in hopefully not too distant future.😊

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you, and good luck with your new project :)

[@jonathanschutz8563]

Man what do you think about doing a aquarium with UGF? I mean, you wish to do something on buget. And it would be really interesting to see if it would workout. Many people say that UGF is outdated, but thinking about it, this kind of filter has the possibility to go on for years (I guess haha😅). In one of your videos you showed the Juwel Bioflow, and said it filters the water through gravity, so I thought isn't the undergravel filter working with the same logic? That would be really neat to see something on how to setup a UGF for a planted tank that would last for years. If it is possible, i just don't know

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you for your comments. love undergravel filters, it’s where I stared back in the early 1980s. :) They take time to become fertile (6-12months) but you’d be amazed what you can grow. Amazing water clarity because of gravity lol. And just so simple:) At some point I’d love to set one up again and film it :) I think people would be really surprised just how well they work when done correctly.

[@jonathanschutz8563]

@@aquaticsbynature why does it take time to become fertile? Is it possible to jump start? Like, when we start a planted tank with dirty substrate it has tons of nutrients available. You have mentioned it in one of your videos about the stages in a planted tank with dirty substrate, that it blooms in the early months then it stabilises with a low rate of growth. So I was wondering, what if we could work UGF with a more fertile substrate at the beginning?

[@aquaticsbynature]

It’s simply because gravel has no nutrients in it and doesn’t have any cation exchange ability. So it takes time to build enough mulm etc to make the substrate fertile and hold onto nutrients to recycle them properly. The only practical way I can think of jump starting one would be to mix a bit of ADA aquasoil in with the gravel. Not tried it, but I’m sure it would work :) Maybe one day lol

[@jay-remedy-plz]

@@aquaticsbynatureI used to keep an Mbuna breeding tank with a REVESE Flow under gravel filter. I used a sponge filter on a powerhead for mechanical filtration. The gravel bed was to help with the biological filtration. No plants of any kind.

[@jennyfelix4498]

Whatever you do. It will be wonderful! Looking forward to your build.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Wonderful thanks :)

[@douglasnoren3348]

How about 1-40 and 2 -25’s? Been loving your channel and your laid back approach! Keep it up as long as it’s enjoyable for you!

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I can already see I’m going to go round and round on this size thing lol My problem is keeping them all the same works best aesthetically where I’d like to put them 🤔

[@andicarson1339]

A suggestion for your new tank project is an environment that creates natural schooling behaviors of nano fish. Prey/predator balance, as in nature. My thought is to use predators that are actually quite poor at catching smaller fish (for example: fish strains with longer fins that would slow them down). Thanks for creating your channel! I have been a strong advocate of hobbyists moving the hobby forward instead of companies trying to maximize profit.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you so much for your kind and constructive comments :) One of the things I’m definitely considering is something small for the midwater and then maybe pair of dwarf Cichlids. I like to keep shrimps in my tanks, so I’ll have to choose with great care though 🤔 thanks again.

[@cococalm]

I am a new subscriber and I really enjoy your work. The only suggestion I wish to make for the videos is that the sound is improved as it is very difficult to hear you and make understanding better. I have natural aquariums for a long time now and love hearing other experiences and tips and tricks.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you for your kind comments and constructive advise. I think what may have happened is that as I’ve got more used to making these videos, I’m actually speaking at my natural level now. Which is naturally quieter than when I was less relaxed when recording. Next time I’ll see if I can turn up the volume maybe 10% without too much background hiss. I’d be grateful if you could let me know if it’s an improvement :)

[@cococalm]

@@aquaticsbynature Thank you, I have the video sound cranked right up as well as the laptop full blast and I have to strain to hear. I will be trying for a bluetooth speaker next to test.

[@aquaticsbynature]

fingers crossed

[@philcarlino6942]

Subscribed to your channel. I am very much looking forward to all the progress. Slow and steady. I am enjoying the hobby so much more now that I am focused on building an ecosystem rather than just something to look at. The microlife is so fascinating. Peace and blessings to you!

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you so much, appreciated :) I know I’m biased, but I find this style of aquarium just so much more rewarding and interesting :) It’ll be a slow process, but I never rush new tanks, as I plan to always try and keep them indefinitely:)

[@caroline_9180]

Looking forward to the new setups, whatever the tank size! Would you consider rimless tanks? I personally like them so much aesthetically (I have two rimless tanks and one with a lid). Actually I would also love to see a video about your mediterranean garden project :-)

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks for your comments :) I can’t have rimless tanks here because my house is old and poorly ventilated, the subsequent evaporation would cause way too much condensation and resulting mould. While aesthetically they can look really nice, I personally don’t think they’re very practical, and complicate the maintenance considerably. Which is something as you probably know I try and avoid. But everyone to their own :) I could do endless videos about my garden and ponds, but I’m not sure they would be appropriate on this channel. I guess I could start another one, but there are only so many hours in a day sadly.

[@caroline_9180]

What I found most annoying in terms of maintenance were rimless tanks with a glass lid, such a hassle to carefully take the cover off each time you had to do something inside the tank! So by now I rather put up with the evaporation (it's not so bad since they are small tanks, 80 and 40 liter). You're so right about the importance of keeping things as practical as possible in the long term. With my Juwel tank I wish I'd invested in a Rio from the beginning, the lid design seems much more practical than on my Primo tank @@aquaticsbynature

[@aquaticsbynature]

Love Rio’s especially the 125 and 180, they’re just so easy to work with :)

[@jonisolis9645]

New tanks setup - Wonderful news! Maybe go with two small and two larger ones? The larger ones do give you move options for different larger fish and plants or just more of them.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks, this is going to be a tricky decision as keeping them the same would look much nicer aesthetically. But I’m with you on giving more options 🤔

[@wheelbite9]

Three 40s would probably be better for the fish. Give them room for fish stuff.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks, yes definitely, but there’s always that temptation to want more variety that more tanks gives 🤔

[@jonisolis9645]

That 5 foot tank is GREAT! Love to see what you do in it! For lower maintenance maybe add a few plants that grow above the rim.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Can’t wait, but I’m going round in circles trying to decide on exactly what to do lol Nice problem to have. :) Will definitely be using floating plants, but can’t run it open top because the condensation from evaporation would destroy my house :(

[@pieterboersma5518]

Hé James, make a Nice setup for the breast Juwel 450. You can do it..yes you can!!👍 Greatings Pieter Holland

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks again Pieter. It’s a bit daunting by comparison to my other tanks, but an interesting challenge to finally get to do a beast of a tank :)

[@jesseasher7520]

Have you ever considered setting up a marine tank? I'm currently taking baby steps into it and working with a brackish tank at the moment. Also, stocking ideas for tropicals, I absolutely love my giant african fan shrimp. Something a bit different/unique but they are a joy to watch and very social in groups.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks for your comments and ideas, I really loved keeping bamboo shrimps as a kid :) I actually have an experimental very low tech reef tank. It was actual the very first tank I started to put on this channel, so the videos are pretty terrible, but you can find them here kzbin.info/aero/PLhTW5Oy56aXVebxRWL0PZw9QuaRJEf67c

[@jesseasher7520]

@@aquaticsbynature bamboo shrimp are a different species to fan shrimp, the fan shrimps from ?arms? evolved into fans that filter the water column. thankyou for the link, be sure to check that out! :)

[@aquaticsbynature]

Yes I know bamboo shrimps are basically small versions of the giant African ones you have. Both are great though :)

[@Shredder7000]

Do the 40 gallons and a nano

[@socalsteve5460]

I'm extremely interested in your seemingly living wall backdrop. Can you please go into great detail about everything growing on the back glass, and along the top edges of the aquarium? I'm trying to figure out how to cover all the surfaces with life. Did this tank ever receive root tabs at any point? Love your work

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you for your comments :) A background video is definitely on my list for the future :) Definitely a fan of covering everything with life :) No this tank has never had any root tabs added, but in its very early days it used to get a bit of liquid feed.

[@collinmckeon107]

You make amazing videos! So glad you have motivation to keep going

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you so much for your support, it really helps :)

[@rogerlangford2836]

Another great video and like many others I like the simplicity of your presentations.... keep it up. Regarding the new tanks I would be really interested in your views on stocking level in the low tech type of tanks you are proposing; particularly as many pundits extol the benefits of having high turnover filtration if you want to go above the "inch per gallon" type of philosophy . I have a 28 gallons tank initially set up with a massive filter but suffered badly from algae. Having watched other videos on low tech tanks I have now throttled this down to a fraction of it's output, mainly to prevent the filter going sour and poisoning the tank. Not brave enough to turn it off completely but as the tank is absolutely thriving with plants, shrimps and day fish reproducing like mad I am contemplating removing the filter medium next and seeing how things develop. Interested in any thoughts..

[@aquaticsbynature]

Hi Roger, thanks for the comments :) Stocking levels are a bit of a mine field to be honest, just so many variables. I have in the back of my mind a video on this, but I know it’s going to be a really long tricky subject to get over everything I’d like to say. lol My god I’m rambling before I even start on it lol. But my main view is that it has little to do with how many fish you have and much more to do with how much you feed the tank (input) And them how much export in the form of water changes or plant removal. I’m not sure if you’ve seen them, but I have a couple of old videos from when I was still trying to find my way into this KZbin journey. Anyway they’re in the filterless tanks playlist if you’re interested. Having very nearly messed this up myself after all these years, I’d definitely say don’t remove the filter media. While I’m not a fan of high turnover filtration, in 99.99 % of cases slow gentle filtration is of huge benefit. Without it, and especially the circulation it provides you really have to be on the ball every day. Gentle filtration simply makes things much simpler in most circumstances. Far less tightrope walking. lol

[@thewrxshop8213]

Do you have a video about your fish keeping journey? Im curious about this shop you had or were working at, would like to hear how u got there and how u transitioned out of it all the way up to where u are now with starting your youtube journey

[@aquaticsbynature]

Hi again :) Yes I do have an early video which will give you some idea. You can find it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZWWoIJoid-BnLc

[@tomlawler8293]

Hello, I really enjoy your style of content. Many other creators on youtube "over produce" their stuff and I like the direct, kind approach you take. I have a question on your lovely crypt carpet... did you notice that the leaves stayed short and compact as it spread out, or did you have to trim them over the years to keep them low?

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you so much Tom for your kind comments. I’m very pleased you like the basic way I do things. My Cryptocorynes do sometimes get too tall, but their growth goes in phases according to what else I’m growing in this tank. Because I choose not to fertilise, sometimes the Cryptocorynes win out and at other times like recently their growth is less vigorous. When the time comes I’ll make a video showing what I do, but basically yes they get a trim occasionally :)

[@davidspangler-dk8ug]

Several sizes, please.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks :)

[@andreas.scholl]

What do you think about parosphromenus in a small peaty tank? Thank you very much for your videos! 👍

[@aquaticsbynature]

I simply adore Licorice gouramis, I haven’t kept them for 20 odd years :) I’d love to resurrect the blackwater in my avatar at some point :) But i want to upgrade my current tanks first. So it may take a while 🤔 Thank you :)

[@frankvermeulen4621]

Juwel Rio 450 on a budget, taking it nice and easy? Don't mind if I do! 😅 The biggest I can actually lift myself is a Rio 125, which I am setting up now. It's a 2nd hand, without an internal filter, and the cabinet needs some adjusting as well. Not sure about filtration and lighting, but I am taking my time as to not do things I might regret later on. Anyway, whatever you decide to do, I'm here along for the ride. 👍

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks again Frank, :) Good old Rio 125 :) Good luck with yours. Personally I’d have a look and see if you can replace the original filter. Second hand ones are often available here on auction sites 🤔 For me it’s probably either four Rio 125s or three Rio 180s 🤔 :)

[@frankvermeulen4621]

Ah, I already put in the wood, rocks and soil, so no room for internal filtration anymore. No biggie. I'm almost tempted to put a classic Eheim cannisterfilter in the cabinet, just for nostalgia's sake. 😀

[@aquaticsbynature]

Oh definitely go for the classic Eheim :) Still very difficult to beat, and economical :) And basically last forever !

[@frankvermeulen4621]

I went the "lazy"" route and got myself an Oase Biomaster 250 Thermo... Internal heater, 3.5 baskets, pre-filter cleanable without dismanteling the whole cannister... Not saying I'll never walk the "vintage" route again, but man, that modern stuff is just too good, sometimes.

[@84DavidM777]

Hello James. What size, how many? If it were me I would decide based on the space. I would put what goes best with the house plus I am sure the Mis will much appreciate that. What ever you do it will be great. Personally I am going for a 75gal and I want to experiment with a sump. As always, love your content!

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks for your comments. Still going round and round with the tape measure lol. Glad your enjoying my little videos :)

[@rahulratre7741]

Whats the water volume of your tank and if i want to make one can i use organic potting soil

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thanks for your comment and question. My tank is 180 litres or roughly 40 gallons. Organic potting soil is ok, but actual soil is exponentially better :) At some point in the hopefully not too distant future, I’ll make a detailed video about my experiences with choosing soil. :)

[@no-knickers-emma1112]

I would like you to attempt some breeding projects, other than that do whatever makes you happy. I will follow with interest.

[@aquaticsbynature]

Thank you :) One of the things I love doing is setting up tanks where the fish can reproduce in a self sustaining way. Not really breeding tanks as such, but when carefully chosen you can keep the same fish going for many many years in the same tank. Watch this space lol