Cleaning aquarium sand, gravel and substrate.

I've had loads of people contact me recently having issues with waste building up in their substrate. It's the last thing you want to see when you have a lovely aquascape with a great group of fish and plants: dirty sand covered in fish poo and algae.
In this video I go through every tip and trick I can think of on how to keep your aquarium sand or gravel spotlessly clean.
Whether you're using a gravel vac, a piece of tubing or trying to get your fish to help do the job for you, I've tried to cover it all in this video.
Throughout the video I have snippets of some of my favourite fish, shrimps and snails that can help you keep your aquarium gravel or sand clean.
Once again thanks for all the support I've been receiving on here and over on my Instagram. It means the world to me that loads of you are enjoying and finding my content helpful.
Also, I now have merch!!!
my-store-d0bef...
Let me know in the comments any future videos you would like me to try and do.
#aquarium #aquascape #aquascaping #fishtank #aquarist #fish #fishkeeping #aquariumplants #communityfish #communityfishtank #matt_swfishkeeper #fishshopmatt #plantedaquarium #plantedtank #corydoras #algae

[@atlasgabriel5461]

Love this! Hearing your gorgeous Dalmatian’s click clacking on the floor and your wife apologising for offering you a sausage roll mid vid makes me love you guys more. Full of interesting and helpful tips as per usual 👍🏻

[@dynamicdeadhead]

Fish shop Matt!!! I’ve watched you on MD Fish Tanks for a while, and I just found out you have your own channel! You are by far my new favorite channel! Your videos are super helpful, and they’re put together really well. I’m learning stuff from your videos that I’ve not learned watching several different videos on the same topic. As you guys would say over there, you are “brilliant”!

[@ivanDaThug]

Another informative vid. Really enjoy your vids and the random events that pop up, dogs, wife, life, keeps it all real.

[@FishShopMatt]

🤣 thank you, I always laugh at the random events throughout my filming so like leaving them in ❤️❤️❤️

[@BigShrimpin416]

The turkey baster is my best friend for getting between rocks and spot cleaning! Especially between big cleanings and water changes! 😊

[@FishShopMatt]

Absolutely! It's such a great tool to have.

[@MyyllLing]

Sausage roll for lunch, what’s on for dinner? 🤗

[@antznnfx9922]

The new scape is maturing out very nicely Matt! Amazing tips through and through - definitely going to be implementing these tips in the future! I’d love a video on how to properly use houseplants in an aquarium, I can’t seem to catch onto the videos that are currently out!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you so much, that's a cool idea for a video I will certainly put it on the list to do soon! ❤️❤️❤️

[@antznnfx9922]

@@FishShopMatt Thank you for your consideration! Wish you and yours many a blessings! You deserve it!!

[@shirleyvidito9676]

What a great idea!

[@valeriee9532]

Hi, Matt! Great video as always! Your knowledge is so impressive, and I greatly appreciate that you’re sharing it with us. I learn something new each time you upload a video. I must say that I love the fact that your personality keeps peeping out more and more in each video as well. I can’t help but chuckle at times. Keep up the great work! Your editing is awesome also! 😎🥰🐠🌱😬🌱🐟🇺🇸

[@sandy123yr]

Boy this was really helpful ! I love the air tubing idea 💡 I’ve struggled with small bits for years Totally running to my little three gallon to give it a try 👍🏻💕🐟🐠🐬

[@MrAaroncissell]

Wonderfully spot on. Love the spot cleaning tips. I used air line attached to a tong handled sponge glass cleaner with about 40mm hanging off the front to get in and around rocks and plants instead of reaching in. It can seem such a little boring subject, but so essential for fish health. Thanks Matt as always.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️ Yeah getting in those little gaps helps with keeping the aquarium clean because once the gap is full it just spills out into your aquarium.

[@lkawaiteacher]

Eat, sleep, and keep fish. Repeat daily. Sounds like my schedule. The tank looks great. Thanks for the info-nice video with real life behind the scenes.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks, yeah it's a great way to live 🤣🤣🤣

[@dilanmadusanka8568]

Personally its a vital video for me ❤ Thanks matt 🙏

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

[@seansmith5904]

Thanks for the help cleaning our dirty bottoms!

[@FishShopMatt]

You are most welcome! 🤣🤣🤣

[@rcruz6025]

Enjoyed this even though I’ve seen a plethora of videos on the same subject . Great content ! Thanks

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️ I want to try and cover every fish keeping aspect eventually on the channel! ❤️

[@kdr1048]

Just battled this in my 33 long. I added a 2nd filter on the other side and wow what difference! Great video 👍

[@FishShopMatt]

Sometimes that's the easiest option. ❤️

[@adrianhand57]

Hi Matt great video as always, I travelled up from Torquay to your shop yesterday and bought some fish, didn't get to say hello to you as you were all very busy but was great to see it in real life the Mrs was saying we should get another tank so happy days. Maybe up again soon.

[@FishShopMatt]

That's awesome to hear! Sorry I didn't get to say hi! Hopefully see you again soon then, now you need to make the hard decision of what fish for the next tank! 🤣🤣🤣

[@caiocesar1504]

I was legit wondering about this myself TODAY. My Amonia and Nitrate were building up even though i have a proper filter and do weekly water changes. Once i removed all my rocks and plants ( fake ones ) i could see the waste that had acumulated so i syphoned most of it. Some just wouldn't come out, too heavy for the syphon to pull... So i'll get a turkey baster for them and i'll add a adition pump to increase the water flow Thanks for the tips! Really helpfull

[@FishShopMatt]

This is why I make the videos, I'm so so glad I could help! Maybe get a couple easy to keep live plants to help you with using up the waste.

[@alaskangirl7675]

You’re such a natural at this. Enjoying your videos.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️

[@mdotschrody]

I love that shirt! I have white sand in my tanks and it used to drive me up a wall trying to keep it spotless lol. I do notice as they've matured there's less visible dirt because I have so many plants lol.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️ It sounds weird but if you are not to worried about the flawless look of white sand get a bag of gravel to scatter about on top. This doesn't get rid of the dirt but disguises it slightly in amongst the grains of gravel.

[@Kaityscichlids]

I first started seeing you on MD Tanks channel but I'm absolutely loving your channel and style! Thank you for another awesome video Matt 👌

[@cwillox4253]

Very informative and enjoyable to watch Matt 😊👍🏻

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@1Kent]

Nice looking tank. I like that gravel vacuum, I suck on that tube like I'm trying to get gasoline out of a '56 Buick!

[@bingbong6467]

Nice lighting on that tank !

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@XMS1212X]

Now I wanna gravel vacuum lol. Make a video specifically about algae , algae blooms , tank problems. Been battling an algae bloom for almost 2 weeks getting hard to see in my aquarium , like green tint fog water. Do also more fish profile videos !! You’re awesome man

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you, lots more on the way. ❤️❤️❤️

[@jamielisinski6820]

How do you currently clean your tank without a gravel vacuum?

[@billbush1270]

Your tank is so natural looking! I really like it. Question: Could you use a powerful airstone on a rigid piece of tubing to simply run like a wand around the floor of the tank, lifting debris into the filter's circulation so it could be taken out more efficiently? I know you don't want to disturb the bottom too much, so think of it as a reverse bidet!

[@toriwilson6961]

Love this idea!

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah this does work, we sometimes use something similar in the shop. Normally we leave the airstone in the aquarium and every day move it to a new location to help clean that bit.

[@nyteflyer5016]

Great Video, really enjoyed it, keep it light and informative.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you, I will never be serious in a video 🤣❤️

[@Inmemoryofsebastian]

great idea with the narrow hose to get into small tight area.

[@DesignRobPearce]

Nice explanation mate all makes sense to me. Gravel changed for me as soon as soil came in but MD bagging soil made life way easier splitting the two. Notice he doesn’t do that now…

[@BGN_Aquariums]

Great video Matt. Cant wait for the next one

[@FishShopMatt]

I've spent some time trying to catch up and get ahead of myself so hopefully soon! ❤️

[@andypne5454]

Good knowledge and clearly explained. Thanks.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

[@bernardcheang]

Informative as usual. Thanks. Look forward to the next video!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you ❤️

[@anandasouthard7760]

This is exactly the video I needed! Thank you Matt!

[@qpqp2339]

great vid, i just got a new longer siphon which helps in gravel cleaning. i slacked on it before because my siphon was very wide and short, good for removing water fast but not great for cleaning the substrate. here's to nice clean bottoms!

[@FishShopMatt]

🤣🤣🤣 awesome, it's always good to have a clean bottom! ❤️

[@BlackNoteStudios]

Gordon Ramsay has Kitchen Nightmares, you should have Aquarium Nightmares. That. Would. Be. Amazing. Thank you. I was just looking at siphons online and you came out with this. I'm also looking at upgrading to an Oase BioMaster Thermo 350 and appreciated your review. Nice work Matt. Cheers

[@FishShopMatt]

🤣🤣🤣 that would be amazing but I'm not sure I could ever be as mean and loud as Gordon but I'm sure I could give it a go. Thank you, glad the review helped! ❤️

[@BlackNoteStudios]

@@FishShopMatt Yeah, I can't see you yelling, "You stupid @#!$*%& idiot! Look at this detritus!"

[@FishShopMatt]

@@BlackNoteStudios although now you say that I quite like the sound of it 🤣🤣🤣

[@johnjwedrall4290]

Found your channel today and subscribed today 👍

[@quki3]

Hey Matt!! I’m so happy you have a KZbin channel all your own. I really enjoy the collabs you’ve done with MD Fish tanks- I have a question for you ( I have a million questions for you..) how do you have that monstera in your tank? What’s holding it? I have a couple tanks with monster as leaning and falling over and I hate it. I need to figure out a decent plant holder.. thank you 🐡🤗🪷

[@SS3paranormal]

Love this, everything explained perfectly well.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you ❤️❤️🫤

[@Sedition-]

Hey thanks for the video, I've been having a detritus build up issue in my 10gallon betta tank and rather than disturb the sand with a gravel vac, I decided to just introduce a ton of cherry shrimp instead based off this video, luckily I've got a 100 or so in my shrimp tank and the group of 5 I added as a test are still alive and well because my betta is too slow to catch them.

[@Ertealve]

I was not ready for sausage blooper, I had coffee in my mouth! Really like the video though, good job! :)

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you, I can only apologise about the sausage! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Donkeyteapot]

I think you can be forgiven for being distracted by a sausage roll 😂

[@valeriee9532]

Great video, Matt. Thanks for the tips.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@carolebraswell982]

Thanks for the maintenance tips! Greatly appreciated!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@kaptinkitten4911]

another bangin video, good job matt 👍

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️

[@oretho6406]

Didn't know about the 'shaking-method' to start the syphon, much obliged! I take it Flo was in today, huh? ;)

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah as long as your vac has a valve in the top every shake traps more water in the pipe, works an absolute treat! ❤️❤️❤️

[@delirious_bacon]

Cheers for the upload. Knowledgeable and informative.

[@rogueape8091]

Thanks for selling the platys today Matt love the vids keep it up 😂👍

[@FishShopMatt]

Hey 👋 you are most welcome, hopefully see you again soon! ❤️

[@clairedoherty1579]

You explain things so well! I am in love with this tank. Could you pretty please do a review of your kessil light? It looks amazing

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! I will certainly do a review very soon! ❤️❤️❤️

[@clairedoherty1579]

@@FishShopMatt legend! Thank you!

[@stephenpearce4907]

Awesome Matt, good advice as always

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@jessicasizemore1420]

Hey Matt! I really appreciate how clear and easy it is to follow when you explain things. Would you be able to do a video explaining the nitrate/nitrite cycle and different variables that go into it? I've been looking it up and listening to a lot of videos but I cant seem to really understand it. I'm in the middle of a fish in cycle tanks and I just want to make sure I'm doing everything properly! Thank you - and keep doing what you do!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! I certainly have it on my list of things to do. Simplest way to explain it is Fish poo = ammonia Filter bacteria breaks ammonia down to nitrite Filter bacteria then break nitrite down into nitrate Plants or water changes then remove the nitrate Ammonia and nitrite are harmful and should be kept at 0 via water changes and dosing good bacteria Nitrate is less toxic but should still be kept as low as possible to avoid algae and fish losses Hope the quick run down helps! ❤️❤️❤️

[@jessicasizemore1420]

@@FishShopMatt Thank you!! I just set up a 10 gal for my baby betta Victor and have been watching the water carefully. It is fully planted with fluval bio stratum and sand. I've been doing fish in cycle. I have been staying on top of the water testing and water changing and everything is looking like we are getting to the end of the cycle now. I have some other fish in there with in, would I be able to run them by you and get your thoughts on the whole group?

[@FishShopMatt]

@@jessicasizemore1420 sounds good, go for it!

[@jessicasizemore1420]

@@FishShopMatt okay so.. I picked all these out with my friend that works at the local fish shop and have been doing a bunch of research along the way, so I know that it’s a lot so please don’t hate me! I have Victor, who is just over an inch long at this point. He is sharing his 10 gal home with: - 4 peppered & 1 julii cory cat - 5 glow light danios - 6 green fire tetras - 3 nerite snails I’ve had people tell me it’s fine, like my friend and my coworker who studied marine biology, and other like at me like I’m crazy. I was just curious at to your thoughts.

[@FishShopMatt]

You should be absolutely fine for a while but when they all start growing you may have issues with waste levels. It will be all dependent on planting, filtration, feeding regime and so on. Keep an eye on it and keep water changing and you should be fine! 💎

[@andrewmurrell4962]

Always great advice and incredible knowledge. 👏

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@rettag2020]

Hey Matt 👋 great topic!

[@FishShopMatt]

Hey 👋👋👋 my goal is to make aquarium life easy for everyone!

[@ernapichry7429]

Great news Matt

[@ronlafond5288]

Thanks, Matt!

[@glynnlitherland5466]

Hi Matt. Loving the videos. Very informative. You mentioned shrimp. What shrimp would be good wirh Angel fish? Wasnt sure if they would eat them. Cheers

[@IMW4VES]

Awesome info 👌 thank you! Was just what I was looking for

[@jkgcank9]

I would have to agree that keeping a clean bottom is a good idea. 😂😂

[@FishShopMatt]

🤣🤣🤣 I totally agree with you ❤️

[@jkgcank9]

@@FishShopMatt I just know MD would agree wholeheartedly. 🤣🤣🤪

[@lindacooper4893]

That is soooo helpful, thanks ❤❤

[@Schmittyapolis]

Can you do a video explaining what all the different aquarium types (Blackwater, eco etc etc) are?

[@laurag1076]

I need that tshirt!!!!!

[@FishShopMatt]

🤣🤣🤣 pop over to my store! 😉😉😉❤️

[@shirleyvidito9676]

Thank you!

[@SeaOfMadness]

Always wonder why filter companies don't make a filter intake that is spread across the tank a bit more - Kind of like the opposite of a spray bar. Some decent sized holes and some sort of grille to prevent stuff getting sucked up with shouldn't. Seems like that may catch more crud. The fact they haven't makes me think there's some good reason for it but anything that prevents us having to endlessly vacuum substrate would be handy for us and better for the fish.

[@laurag1076]

Amazing matt xx

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️

[@majesticcichlids1630]

Another great and very informative video 👍

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

[@powpowpowlo4080]

Thank you for the wisdom!

[@jayjayhooksch1]

Those magnetic wavemakers would probably work a treat, you dont even need to get your hands wet. Aim it long ways down your tank towards your filter and then just slide it slowly across the glass until youre satisfied that all the detritus has been blasted into thr water column or into the filter. Fish might even enjoy the periodic extra current, just dont forget about it all day or leave it on overnight lol

[@viviennematon3163]

Thanks!

[@mikesearle6868]

For cleaning a nano tank I use a metal straw with airline attached to it. Much easier to direct the suction than airline alone 7:07

[@Xeract]

Thank you for this video Matt! I'm just getting into the hobby (still haven't got my first tank yet - planning to get it in December!) and your videos, along with MD and MJ aquascsaping, have quickly become pretty much the only videos I watch. There's a lot to learn, but you guys have a knack of simplifying the process and making it seem doable. A quick question for you - what nano fish would you recommend for a first tank? It'll probably be a 70L tank. I like the look of rummy-nose tetras, but I'd be interested to hear which fish you think would go well with them. I wish your store was nearer - it looks much bigger (and better) than the Maidenhead Aquatics stores nearby. Maybe I'll have to make a trip down to visit at some point :)

[@mattphillips6714]

Xeract… any Tetra will mix with Rummy Noses, Galaxy Rasporas would do very well, you sound like your going for a simple no hassle community tank. A feature fish of a dwarf cichlid such as a pair of Apistos would also give you a potential breeding project where you could easily give young fish back to your local shop which would exchange for in store credit towards food, maintenance or potential new livestock such as shrimps as they prefer a mature tank and not new setups. You have such a wide array of options just keep up the research till your ready to dive in.. I wish you the best of luck as this is such a rewarding hobby.

[@FishShopMatt]

The reply from Matt above is brilliant, as he says any small rasbora species or tetra species would work well. It really depends what takes your fancy! Personally I love neon green rasbora and also chilli rasbora but that's just my personal taste at the moment. Don't forget to add some clean up crew to give you a helping hand! ❤️

[@curtism1741]

Hey Matt, Great video You have the best disposition I was wondering what name brand siphon was you using. I’m in the USA and never seen one like that. Thank you 👊✊👊

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! This one is an Oase gravel vac but the Fluval one is also very good!

[@majorbruster5916]

Wow, that cory in the thumbnail is enormous! Where can I get one, please?

[@FishShopMatt]

Generally near the outlets of nuclear power plants! 😉🤣

[@majorbruster5916]

@@FishShopMatt :-)

[@DjPsYcOtIc]

Thanks Mat, it still wont make me hoover my gravel :)

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahahaha then you're a lost cause 🤣🤣🤣❤️❤️❤️

[@darrenderousse4804]

Great video mate! How was that sausage for lunch? 😂 keep up the great content!

[@FishShopMatt]

I forgot it left it in the fridge at home and she ate half of it for her lunch!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@darrenderousse4804]

@@FishShopMatt 😂😂 classic!

[@johnjwedrall4290]

This video is helpful to me 🙂 thanks ❗️

[@awollsd]

TIp because multiple times you mentioned "having to suck to siphon" instead you can put the entire hose into the water, put your thumb/finger over one end and pull it out, release your thumb once it's below the water/in the bucket and no sucking required ;)

[@FishShopMatt]

🤣 yeah I think I meant to mention that method but then possibly forgot to add the clip into the video ❤️❤️❤️

[@awollsd]

also (i posted this idea/suggestion before so wasn't going to again but you mentioned loaches and i'm really hopeful if you do it you do it with them since they are both so cool and very under represented on youtube but it's up to you all can do any family you want)) Video idea for you and MD to go together. (since you are both so close and already do lots of things together it'ld be a great idea) so... the idea.. ;) You guys decide on a family of fish (example "loaches" or "barbs" or well anything with variety of species within the family) you both decide on tank specifications (like can just say ok we both use a 30 gallon or can get more specific up to you) then keeping as much else secret from each other as possible you each build a tank using your own hardscape idea and using multiple species from that family of fish (uploading the build video on your own channels) using only species from that 1 fish family (can agree to allow 1-2 other species for personal flavor in the tank) and then once done you reveal the tanks to each other on the others channel and you each review the others tank while they give a detailed epxlination.. (Example: you'lre review MD's tank on MD's channel while he explains choices and build, then he does same for your tank on your channel) Lastly (optional just if wanted) could have viewers vote on the tank they prefer ;)

[@FishShopMatt]

I really like this idea! I'll have a chat and think about it and see what I can work out. The issue at the moment is I just don't have the time to do everything I want hahahaha. ❤️❤️❤️

[@dannyeccles1894]

Matt, where is your store? A mate and I are planning a bit of a road trip and we're thinking of visiting.

[@FishShopMatt]

We are based just outside of a town called Wellington in Somerset, we are called Maidenhead aquatics @ Taunton. Hopefully see you soon!

[@mattriggs.aquaria]

Informative! 🎉

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you ❤️

[@ianscott1812]

Hi Matt, what make of gravel cleaner is this ? All the best with your new venture with MD 👍

[@glennshepherd6915]

Hey Matt, really enjoying your videos. What tank and cabinet is that? I haven’t heard you mention it in your videos.

[@AlexIsModded]

I can never get the siphon in my gravel vac to work by shaking it, so I just suck on the tube and make sure to take it out of my mouth before the water gets all the way up the tube. Besides, I hate shaking it anyway because it stirs up everything I'm trying to suck up!

[@dantreuthart9146]

Thanks for the informative videos. I've noticed that my neon tetras tend to hide in the plants when the light is on. I've diminished the luminosity and they tend to come out more. It would be interesting to see your opinions of lighting upon fish appearance and mood.

[@barbarapearson1138]

[@stevenharvey2148]

Hey fish shop Matt, Is pool filter sand ok for substrate or would you say it is too sharp for Corydora's? Keep up the vids mate loving it.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you, it depends there are quite a few different brands of pool filter sand. Most images I've seen don't seem to be too sharp so should be ok for corydoras. Just make sure it's an inert sand and you should be ok!

[@stevenharvey2148]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Matt appreciate it.

[@silviamorales9855]

Hi Matt, thanks for putting out great videos. What do you think about the flu Al electric vacuum?

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! It's very good to be honest, it's a little bulkier to use than the manual ones.

[@silviamorales9855]

@@FishShopMatt Thanks for the tip.

[@dirtyoldfarmhand3]

Awesome

[@FishShopMatt]

❤️❤️❤️

[@CiW955]

I was watching this video but found myself distracted by the saxophone in the cupboard behind you! What is the story with that? Do you play?

[@FishShopMatt]

Unfortunately I do not play, not that talented 🤣. It's my wifes tenor saxophone. ❤️

[@CiW955]

@@FishShopMatt lovely! Tell her I have a silver Selmer Mk 6 but I don’t have a cabinet to display it in !!

[@FishShopMatt]

@@CiW955 she says wow! I'm still uncultured and clueless though hahaha

[@benpenman4989]

i swear i saw you in asda

[@FishShopMatt]

Depends on where the Asda is but it's possible.

[@benpenman4989]

@@FishShopMatt it was the one near Creechbarrow rd

[@cathyhendrix7552]

I'm so glad that you made this video. I have gravel substrate but in the center of it I have a circle of sand. It was a decorating thing. LOL. Anyways, I have been thinking about covering the gravel with sand because I believe that I like it better. I do gravel vacuum about every 2 weeks and just water change every week. So, would it be okay to just go ahead and cover the gravel or will I have to take it out? I really don't want to disturb my plants. I have a sword (don't remember what kind) but it's not an Amazon. And then I have a crypt. ( Don't remember what kind) LOL. Slow growing that's what they are. And then I have a patch of dwarf sage grass that has taken me 2yrs to get a saucer sized patch. So I really don't want to uproot them. So can I just pour the sand over the gravel? So sorry that it's taken me forever to get to the question. I digress ALOT.

[@Amanda-uc5jq]

I’ve found if you do that the sand just falls into the crack of the gravel and you end up with sand underneath and gravel on top (not a great way to have it) guess it depends on how fine the sand and gravel are how heavy. I love black iron sand and it always finds the bottom but my play sand while it falls into large gaps decorating pebbles and gravel will end up underneath the sand once they’ve been in there for a few weeks

[@cathyhendrix7552]

@@Amanda-uc5jq Ah, ok thank you very much. Will it do that if I put more sand in it? Or will it just keep pushing the gravel up? My tank has been set up for about 2yrs so the gravel should be packed down pretty good.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you, so you can put sand on top of gravel but larger grains will always raise to the top of the substrate. It depends on what you're trying to achieve if it's to block the gaps between the gravel to stop detritus getting in there then this will work well. If your goal is to have a sand bottom with no gravel on view then this will be nearly impossible. If you do end up trying to put sand into an already established aquarium make sure you wash it well first and use a cup or mug to lower the sand to the bottom of the aquarium and gently pour it into the bottom. ❤️❤️❤️

[@geraldoyo1]

Thanks Matt! Can you put shrimp with Oranda's? Any other clean up crew you can suggest? I have snails, a large Pleco, and a couple Algae Eaters.

[@FishShopMatt]

Depending on the size of the Orandas it could be very risky. Well fed juveniles will probably leave the larger Amano shrimp alone, adults may try them out as a snack. Other than what you have there aren't many others, but Peppered Cory and Bronze Cory will help stir up the bottom of a temperate tank.

[@uclajd]

What I learned: 1) Keep your bottom clean; 2) Learn to suck pipe; 3) Shrimp have hands.

[@T-Rexed]

Nice Matt! Which Gravel cleaner are you using btw?

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you, This is the Oase gravel vac but I also like the Fluval ones.

[@T-Rexed]

@@FishShopMatt Cheers Matt will definitely be picking one of these up at some point!

[@matthewsmith6374]

So I take it you often talk about your aquarium to yourself, so your Mrs finds it normal and didn’t know you were talking to the camera. Do you also do this to your son to practice lol. Thanks for the content

[@FishShopMatt]

🤣🤣🤣 yeah I constantly rehearse my lines off camera, can you not tell from how seem less the info comes out hahaha. Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@matthewsmith6374]

@@FishShopMatt they are always seem less.

[@aaronk4310]

I see since the last video he helped you fix you ammonia problem. Is that the same tank.

[@staceylee7958]

You say make sure not to do gravel vacuum with planting substrate underneath but isnt the planting substrate always underneath the gravel? What did you mean? Thanks

[@amandaphillips7651]

Attach the airline to the turkey baster with a cable tie. Puff the waste up with the baster and the airline siphon takes it away

[@muddymaker3721]

Nice vid Matt. My local fish shop has a nice Oblong Turtle for sale, they are asking $2,500.00 for it! Is this a good price?

[@FishShopMatt]

Tricky to say as these things seem to differ massively in price depending on where you are in the world. ❤️❤️❤️

[@guybuchanan2670]

We need a video on maintenance of larger tanks . My 600l Oscar tank would take 3 days to clean using these methods , any suggestion on keeping monster fish tanks clean ?

[@FishShopMatt]

Good idea! Monster tanks are much harder to maintain, the only thing I could really suggest to make life easy is the following. Run less sand so you don't have as much to clean/get clogged up. Look at some tank mates to help keep the bottom clean, geophagus (if your Oscar is friendly) and bigger catfish would be good things to look at. You can still use the additional flow method but you would just need to go bigger! ❤️❤️😊

[@guybuchanan2670]

@@FishShopMatt there a breeding pair and don’t do well with other fish other than large Plecos which don’t help and they even suffer some mild aggression during spawns , I have been contemplating bare bottom but I’m a little unsure weather il lose too much beneficial bacteria in the process , I don’t do myself any favours as I feed muscles prawns and squid and as you know they eat like a food blender but there spawns slow don’t if I only feed pellets . I have thought about increasing flow to help but the tank is already on a 6x turnover per hour and I keep reading oscars like slow flow to almost still water , not sure how true that is

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah that's a tricky situation, I'm never a big fan of bare glass aquariums as it never looks quite right to me. A good species of catfish to look for would be the striped or spotted dora, if you can get them big enough they are super armoured and should stand up to an Oscar. Provide them with a few hiding spaces and they should be fine, they are also mostly nocturnal so shouldn't cross paths with the Oscars too much. Any amount of extra flow will help but as you say Oscars in the wild are from slow moving water. That being said as long as they are not having to constantly swim into a current they should be absolutely fine. I would try a couple airstones as this will aid flow and movement around the aquarium and also increase surface agitation which will help increase bacterial growth.

[@guybuchanan2670]

@@FishShopMatt I will look out for the spotted Corys , I did have a good shoal of bronze Corys but the group slowly faded over the years and just never bolstered there shoal . I have a few air stones that il start using the male oscar likes to fight it and it’s fairly amusing to watch , thanks for all the advise

[@-AndrewR]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@carmoscreations2802]

Hey Matt! I have sand in a 75g. The tank is level and I have angelfish. I use an oase bio master canister as filtration. The problem I have is the sand moves from one side to another and continues to pile up . I have to move the sand back at least once a week. I’m debating changing the sand to a gravel substrate to prevent this type of maintenance… I have no clue why this happens.

[@FishShopMatt]

That sounds quite annoying. You could try mixing in a bit of larger gravel to the sand as this may help hold it in place. It maybe fish moving it or it maybe your filter it's hard to say. If it piles up at the opposite end to your inlet it's more than likely that. If it changes to different places my money would be on the fish!

[@CaptainDCap]

I wish you would have mentioned that in a properly seasoned planted tank, the only gravel cleaning you'll ever need to do is the aesthetic kind. Cleaning any more is just starving your plants of NPKs.

[@557Charlie]

Im new to the aquarium hobby😊i

[@cinnamonoa]

I have an army of kuhli loaches that come out of a night time that sift the sand bed, so I rarely have to do anything

[@FishShopMatt]

Perfect!!! I'm tempted to get a whole group of Kuhlis for a future project! ❤️❤️❤️

[@CaptainDCap]

Also, anotheer way to 'clean' your substrate is to introduce detritovores like Blackworms or Asellus Aquaticus.

[@user-oz7oz3nz5f]

Hey Matt currently have a 73 litre for my Betta, some nerites, ammanos and corys. I have an external sunsun 1000 on it with a spray bar that I’ve turned towards the back glass to reduce flow for the betta ? Unsure on another way to use it to create more flow around the tank for the betta to be ok with it. It’s a planted tank with aqua soil with small gravel at back and sand at front.

[@FishShopMatt]

Unfortunately trying to get flow and keep a betta is a very tricky thing to do. Personally you're probably better going for extra cleaning fish or manual removal of detritus.

[@user-oz7oz3nz5f]

@@FishShopMatt TY. 4 more cories going in maybe a couple more ammanos.

[@davidharding1694]

You could always plant a few areas of the tank quite heavily so that the Betta has somewhere to rest when you turn up the flow. Obviously dependant on the size of your tank and what scape you want to achieve.