Creating A Tank That Will Last Forever! The Low Maintenance Planted Aquarium. THE LASAGNA METHOD!

[@Fishtory]

My Top 10 Essential Videos * DEEP DIVES, That I Recomend to Everyone Interested in Deep Substrate Tanks, Nature Tanks & Lasagna Method Aquarium Owners Need to See. Below is a Playlist Linked Individually By Topic: " The Nature Aquarium Master Class": Creating Holistic & Balanced Ecosystems and Not Simply Cycling Your Aquarium DEEP DIVE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX2WkpSEaJKSidk Part 1: how to a create a layered substrate AKA " LASAGNA Aquariums .Create a Tank That Can Last Forever. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6bJZoWkna53mKs DEEP DIVE: The Science of Lasagna Tanks / Layered Aquariums ( Lasagna Substrate Part 2) kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6KudpqQZ92cj9U Active vs Inactive / Inert substrates. DEEP DIVE kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZTGYmxtl7qGjaM Why Aquasoils are the most versitile aquarium substrate & the science of how aquasoil works. DEEP DIVE kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXy4hZehg6imja8 Fertilizing your aquatic plants with the food you feed your fish kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmPSq4OQpr51Z6s The Limits and Strengths of deep substrate. Lasagna & nature aquariums DEEP DIVE kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5C9g3yqnM6bqMU How to know if your aquasoil or substrate is depleated or needs replacing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpCzmqmsg750nqs Is it safe to add Pond Water to Your Aquarium? Micro Flora and Fauna Cycling Examined. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3iml2NmiNxjhJo Safely Creating & Culturing a Diverse Micro-Biome in Your Planted Aquarium kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXi3XnV_qat7n6s Safely Creating A Filterless Aquarium or Converting to a Filterless Planted Nature Tank kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGOzkmWpirqKZpY

[@peaoat3608]

Various pet store experts: "Your carpet grass will melt without CO2!" *Dwarf grass filled up the entire aquarium floor within a month. Secret: organic potting plant soil with lava rocks, root tabs, supplement (from Father Fish) all capped with inert sand.

[@Fishtory]

Totally :) it grows in nature just fine lol

[@giftofthewild6665]

What supplements?

[@mr.monitor.]

I'm not coming to your house for lasagna 😊

[@Fishtory]

Lol wise decision

[@angiebear8727]

😂

[@peaoat3608]

Lava rock is good for the teeth.

[@ffxfgxsfxxxg2419]

@@peaoat3608Can confirm have been adding lava rock on-top of the cheese layer and it makes for an interesting texture

[@rdred8693]

Reminds me of an undergravel filter. Something that never should have fallen out of fashion.

[@Fishtory]

I figured why not combine all those principles

[@jonathanschutz8563]

Yeah, my first tank had a UGF, but didn't know anything about fishkeeping, and just cleaned everything up every week, because I was told so. Now I want to setup a planted tank with UGF using this layered substrate method along

[@SarahMaeBea]

I've been bingeing your videos and I'm itching to make an ecosystem/no-tech tank! My empty 10 gallon is just staring at me. This video was super helpful!! I'm going to be rewatching and taking notes, as I'll probably do on many of your videos!

[@Fishtory]

Right on. There's a lot of videos If you use my homepage videos list as a guide...I'll make a Playlist on nature tanks later today too.

[@Thekaysun]

Love that you have old tanks to show us

[@shesellsfish]

I love the lasagna layer method. It just seems like the best of all worlds and the most like what you'd find if you dug down deep enough and examined the multiple layers in the bottoms of rivers and lakes. As always, I enjoy, seeing and hearing you, pass on some awesome knowledge 👍❤️👍

[@Fishtory]

Bingo! It just seems natural. I started for the looks of it, but over time I began to understand the beautiful science of it ( coming tomorrow hopefully lol )

[@dellseasandoval8187]

Sometimes I like playing your videos several times while do other things. Your videos relax me. I love hearing the science & how do you always understand all the perspectives are people that are “less scientific” . Keep up the good work.

[@daghettofoo7979]

same

[@Sue.5776]

This was an excellent video! Despite being in the hobby for many years and actively researching the topic I learned a few new things. Thank you!

[@Fishtory]

Im honored, thank you for coming by. Cheers

[@marybrooks9098]

I really enjoy the hand drawn diagrams. I hope it didn't cause too much work on your end. They were very helpful thank you

[@tara_james-bosch]

Love the lasagna! 😊

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Thanks!

[@TheFurlock]

The closer to original soil the harder it is to replace the sand from the space. What that means is that black is rich in potassium and Basalt is the best form of potassium from it comes, iron, and magnese that is the basic component of growing plants. If you ever go to look at lava fields and see plants growing in them that’s, why. When you add water and air to the substrate you can’t grow coral directly but what you can do is grow carbon. Coral being calcium and carbonite the enzymes it develops are variables of silican carbon. SC for short is the elasticity in the base molecules of those animals and the manganese forming bonds to the substrate. Ever notice how buceaphalandra attaches to rock? It’s because it’s a proto plant or a transitional variety that came from silican carbonite species, it’s a dinosaur in essence. Any species that can grapple rock or woody substance has some of those components. What I want you to be aware of Alex is that the basics are cinder and carbonite. Cinder being the base process in soil which is similar to cinder volcanoes and carbonite the origin source of mineral content. If you have those basics you don’t need anything else. Remember how in the video on mosses you did everything attaches? That’s the key, they only need those basic components cinder and carbonite to attach, like bucephalandra. That is the soil source and why the base components works. Ultimately, god and the devil at work.

[@alisongoerner7457]

OMG! Thanks for making me want to rip up my tank and do this! 😣. Great video!!

[@nurrr2041]

This was interesting. I want to say though, crushed lava rock is so light it doesn't stay below sand, jumps up after some time. It made my tank look dirty bc the substrate was whitish sand. It does work great for plants though

[@giftofthewild6665]

I think that's why he suggested putting it in mesh bags, then you can weight the bags down with plant weights or heavier rocks and the lava rock will behave 😂

[@AlinefromToulouse]

I think I have a lasagna kind of substrate in my tank, but I swear I didn't make it on purpose! A video about basics is always good, even without the lasagna part. Waiting to see the "science behind it" part.

[@Fishtory]

Sounds great! :)

[@Apistoleon]

Amazing lasagna substrate tanks. How do you move your home with aquariums without disturbing substrates? Can you please tell me and make a video about it? This is a very important subject for most people! Thank you

[@anodyne.7024]

Yesssss! I AM interested in this! It's a lot of work and $$ to set up a planted tank and the idea of making it last a long time is very attractive.

[@Fishtory]

Agreed. I also save a lot on fertilizers with this method. It recharges itself continually after 6 months to a year

[@nirvanaquatics]

I’ve been using this method for years and have found awesome success with it. It does take some patience to get going, though.

[@Fishtory]

100% i find the peak growth is 1 to 3 years and then it kinda plateaus depending on your light strength and nutrients in the fish food or additive fertz ( which im trying more and more to avoid)

[@nirvanaquatics]

@@Fishtory worth the wait, though! For sure.

[@Darieus_darx]

I just realize that father fish's substrate was very simplified version of lasagna method. Tq for this video, gonna do this method in my 3l fishbowl

[@Fishtory]

That's exactly what inspired me to make this video :) middle ground sort of

[@Firestorm777666]

Information goldmine, looking forward to the deeper dive into the science!!!!

[@TheSalient1]

Yeah, man, common sense here ,layered just like nature and earth.

[@Fishtory]

Bingo

[@FishCapadesProductions]

Been waiting on this one thanks Alex chefs kiss! ❤ as always gold

[@Fishtory]

Plumbers kiss*

[@FishCapadesProductions]

@@Fishtory 🤣 sure whichever suits your fancy 😆

[@mikeycbaby]

I’d love it if you made a book that demonstrated different variations of tank setups with plenums, deep substrates, active vs non active soils etc with lighting and plant suggestions etc. I would buy that in a heartbeat 💓

[@Fishtory]

Maybe one day!

[@giftofthewild6665]

Oh yes! If you write a book I'd definitely buy it 😊

[@raycooper2287]

Awesome video, I use lava rock and pea gravel topped with clay , top soil then capped with sand.

[@Fishtory]

That sounds extremely similar... right on. How long have you had your tanks last ?

[@raycooper2287]

@Fishtory , I just did several tanks in different but similar, Peet moss in one, top soil in one, organic soil in another . Been 6 to 8 months now. Not seeing drops in ph at all.

[@flamingohurricane7602]

Excellent video, excellent explanation! Waiting for Amazon to deliver the rest of my goodies so I can start on my first aquarium in years. Love your channel!

[@Fishtory]

Good luck!

[@bambimccluskey]

Thank you Alex! 😊 Cannot WAIT to put all of this to use! Have a lovely 28 gallon bookshelf tank that's gonna get lasagne-d! Alex style 😁💙💚 Happy Thursday to all 💌

[@Fishtory]

Fantastic! Have fun and let me know how it goes

[@bongminx666]

omg this is so on point, i'm just starting my first tank and have been looking for "no till" aquarium substrate information as i come from a "gardening & soil ecology background" (ahem growing the devil's lettuce) so this whole video is music to my ears and has me so excited and very grateful to you that I now have a tried and tested method to start with!

[@Fishtory]

Haha right on. I grew that for 15 years as well ;) ps fish tanks dont have the nitrate kick to grow decent buds without poisoning the fish hahah...so skip trying hydro and fish, if it's on your mind.

[@PotooBurd]

Boosting for the algorithm 🙌 Love your work, keep it up! 🌻🐝

[@Fishtory]

Thank you! Will do!

[@evadethefae]

Thank you for sharing your time with us! This was extremely interesting and I now wanna try this method so bad

[@Fishtory]

You are so welcome!

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

I really like the banding…I know some folks cover it. I think it’s lovely and fascinating. The 8 year old looks like an agate. Saving this for Spring when I set up a tank, health cooperating. Btw hope you are feeling better!

[@TheNanoAquariumGuy]

The more tanks I set up the more I appreciate a good substrate layer, even for a Aquascape one can set one in the back. Great video!!

[@Fishtory]

Totally agree!

[@martiendenhaan9119]

Yes. No crazy amounts of ion additives that totally mess up the micro biome in the soil. That is why Father Fish tanks take so long to start up. He does not realize he kills off the whole soil micro biome using all those npk and calcium salts. Then it has to come back. Takes a long time. Better use soil only, or sand, or aquasoil, with or without lava rock and the like, and give it time. As long as you do not mess up the micro biome it will work.

[@Fishtory]

Yeah exactly. The aquascapes work for a short time even with less than an inch of soil

[@LadeanaWhite]

Love experimenting with my substrates. I have a Fluval Spec V tank I’ve had set up for 5-6 yrs. It’s had several bettas, guppies , caradina shrimp, CPDs(not together of course)and I’ve never changed out the substrate. I just keep adding to the layers. Starting from the bottom: Sand, small stones, Fluval stratum, sand, decorative river stones, mulm in all the layers. It’s quite the hodgepodge! About 3” deep in some places. I just wanted to see what happens and I think it’s fascinating. Grows unbelievable plants. I am currently awaiting my shipment of fancy male pond guppies from LRB. Yes I need guppies in my life again. just not all the babies😆Thanks for breaking your lasagna layering method down so well for us Alex. Hope you’re feeling better 😊☮❤🐠🦐🪴

[@Fishtory]

Of course! Sounds like you have most the core elements that i use, in your own tank too! They just get better with time as long as you feed the fish well and have some snails or shrimp to break up the smallest macro organics. Cheers

[@LadeanaWhite]

Never enuf snails! Hahaha! Got plenty in all my tanks. And cherry shrimp. I also forgot to mention 2 weeks ago I used your code on Dans fish to stock my 20long. CPDs, green Kubotais and reticulated Hillstream loaches. That is an active tank I’m telling you! So different from my others. Thank you for sharing your code with us! Have a great eve! ❤

[@hexagod1313]

How do you add more substrate without killing all our plants?

[@internationalartprojects8660]

Raw Terracotta clay and broken fired terracotta could be an interesting bottom layer. The raw clay would help you model your aquascape and the fired terracotta would work as a filter much like the lavastone

[@andicarson1339]

Thanks, Alex

[@dallasbrat81]

Yes I use the layered substrate

[@KentAJDK]

Great knowledge Alex. Sensi 🙏 😉

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Amshraw]

Thanks for the graphics 👍👍

[@Fishtory]

Sure thing. If you want to pause or screenshot, i figured folks could, but id keep it short and not fully explain it all

[@Big_Gourdo]

Thank you for making these videos

[@Fishtory]

Thanks for watching :)

[@michaelprince7825]

Keep up the great work Alex

[@Fishtory]

Thanks, will do!

[@seannunes2041]

Great video! I am looking forward to more on this subject.

[@Fishtory]

More to come!

[@toddbigeasy]

Awesome. I. Planning a 110 and plan to use eco complete, and stratum topped with black sand. Total of about 5"

[@gamer1672]

Great video !!

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it my friend

[@patrickjvanhuffel]

My fish love sand. As it works its way downward into the lasgna, i like to add a bit on top.

[@Fishtory]

Definitely. A lot of catfish, pleco, and cichlids sort of demand it hehe

[@heatscore77]

Luv this thank you Looking for another tank now

[@Fishtory]

No problem 👍

[@ubermausse306]

I don't think you need all that fancy substrate, just a thick layer of sand-like material and some guppies will do it... My substrate is just a layer of dollar store river rocks covered by 2 inches of crushed quartz, with a little bit of moss covered dirt from my yard on top of that... The plants had a small struggle in the very beginning 2 weeks, but as the guppies went from a 6 count to 60+ and the moss decayed away, the plants got a super boost that has them growing like weeds! Through a combination of the ammonia they produce and slight overfeeding, that weak substrate has become a super soil that can support every type of plant i've tried so far!

[@Fishtory]

If you feel the fish well- totally! It just takes time :) but that'll work fine

[@VonRyanAlovera-wg8uf]

I love this information! I never imagined the potential of duckweed on food production both for human and animals...

[@Fishtory]

Right? And it's seen as a nuisance

[@BrodysBettas]

I got confused with the "pot" ash, I think I used the wrong thing 😅

[@christopherlamar9285]

😅Best comment 😂🎉

[@Fixup1000]

Im doing a dirted tank with sand cap . 3 weeks in and i added more plants because of a diatoms bloom. Hoping for balance soon for some shrimp

[@Fishtory]

Nice. Nerite snails will help eat diagoms big time too, just fyi if you are wanting more cleanup crew

[@jeffkane4391]

I have missed the educational and species spotlight videos and live streams 😉😊

[@Fishtory]

It's only been one a week latley unfortunately, but hopefully youtube will start sending alerts out again

[@jeffkane4391]

@Fishtory when you watch all the content, KZbin will always notify you. People do still have to make the choice to watch. Sometimes KZbin is a little slow on live streams, but that's why we have FishFamLink and a live stream schedule 😁 People are people, and they tend to do people things for better or worse 😉

[@audrameyer9558]

Great info! Thank you, Alex.

[@Fishtory]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ingu.z]

Would love to see a build as well with this

[@Fishtory]

So ive done several. One is a" fish bowl" filterless vase. And also i did one on setting up my inle tank aquascape ( high light originally, but its the long hairgrass covered tank. ) Then also with the second tank shown i did a "hardscape deep substrate" build video 5 years ago or so. But ill be doing another this week and film it

[@juli8vdberg562]

Would you please also tell us in a video how you would create a best HOB filter? Like what sponges and bio media or purigen etc etc?

[@karelvo]

Very helpfull video. And clearly explained. Thanks Alex!

[@karelvo]

BTW. I always receive your notifications. 🙂

[@Fishtory]

Glad it was helpful!

[@keysersose638]

Thanks man, great info!

[@giftofthewild6665]

Exactly the info I needed! Thanks so much!

[@Fishtory]

You are so welcome!

[@tonygomez573]

A deep layered substrate like this really does create just the right amount of co2 naturally. I have bottled co2 but using it would be detrimental because the drop checker already reads perfect without it!!

[@moffitdrew]

Thanks for all this info my man

[@Fishtory]

Gladly!

[@MrMarcelGilber]

Olá Alexander. Sou fã dos seus vídeos! Estou montando o meu segundo aquário, de 100 litros e vou montar com o sistema lasagna. Tenho muitos alfaces d'água em casa. É melhor colocar o alface d'água desde o início da ciclagem ou espero as bactérias usarem a Amônia primeiro e depois colocar? Em tempo, você está convidado à conhecer o Brasil!

[@teddnaing6851]

Hey Alex, thank you so much for this knowledge!

[@MindBodyAtom]

I have a black water set-up super low maintenance... no water changes 18 months ...

[@Fishtory]

Love it. Those are great since they usually dont need filters at all too

[@MindBodyAtom]

@Fishtory i have a back sump with sponges some bioballs and seashells

[@justinz2084]

2 questions: 1. Can I use quarter minus for the bottom layer or is river rock better for pockets of air? 2. Do the lava rocks all need to be in net bags or is it just a layer u put down?

[@Fishtory]

It's all subject to change and whatever you prefer. I just like the media bags If I'm trying to build up a slope or hill display.

[@dumbfishtanks]

Have you ever tried using natural clay kitty litter in your aquariums? Someone suggested it to me a while back and on a whim I tried it. Seems to be growing plants pretty well so far but I'm curious how it will work in the long run... I have a layer of sand, a layer with dirt mixed with kitty litter, another layer of sand, and then kitty litter on top. Wasn't my intention to do it like that but I ran out of sand LOL

[@Fishtory]

Thanks for commenting. Yes! Clay, some kitty litters, and some akadama style,-;hydroponic pellets or jDiatomaceous earth are all very similar. They are all have the ability to behave like a sponge for nutrients... so many people will soak it in the all-in-one style liquid pump bottle type fertilizers. However. Ive seen algae blooms and even fish and shrimp deaths from over dosing these growth enhancing nutrients.

[@kevinavellaneda3577]

One question, is there some sort of difference for height of each layers depending on tank size? What if I only have say 10 gallon tank? That would be very helpful and would complete this guide thank you in advance!

[@Fishtory]

Check out the update deep dive video. Lots more advice and details. It's like 35 minutes long though

[@Getsitdone]

As always, love you brother. I hope you're feeling good lately! Do you have an article written regarding the lasagna method? Also was looking for a visual step-by-step video as opposed to your latest graphics. I will be setting up a 40 gallon for sure very soon. Also, what kind of filter would you recommend? Thanks so much as always, good health! Just saw the list, thanks so much!

[@Fishtory]

I like HOB or canister filters. I like oase or fluval aquaclears or ill gut tetra filters if they're on sale. Also theres pretty detailed step by step graphics posted on the community tab for you members. Its a google drive link to all the files ive made on it. But there isnt really one paper on the lasagna method....there are dozens on each layer and what it does when covered vs oxygenated ...and almost all of it is talking about in nature. Also there will likely be a video of setting up my papua new guinea lasagna tank soon. I filmed timelapse

[@joeyhanna1634]

I was kind of thinking. What if you put some dead stuff on the very bottom layer? Like some small dead bugs. Some dead leaves. Or dead worms? Something that decays. Assuming it's a deep substrate. Would the dead things provide some extra nutrients?

[@JamesDeGaris]

Other than shrimp and snails that can be bought from a fish shop, where would I get the rest in step 7? I live in the UK, and I don't think I could get this from overseas.

[@Fishtory]

From your local vernal or seasonal ponds. Check out my videos on culturing an ecosystem in your aquarium... i discuss the method at the end. ..but ill make a shorter video soon about it. simply leaving a bucket of leaves and water outside in a semi forested or planted area, like a suburban back yard area , will eventually foster these little guys like gammarus, seed shrimp and daphnia. Even the wind carries dormant eggs

[@JamesDeGaris]

@Fishtory Ah yeah, I remember that video! I remember thinking it was risky though, not knowing what was in that water that might be harmful. Should I be concerned? Thank you for replying by the way, I really appreciate it.

[@lukepefley1659]

Hey live ur videos but I Was curious what is pot ash is it a product or the remnence of the plant that I love to roll up and smoke😂?

[@ScottieMckinley787]

I'm setting up a new 20 gallon long. Can I put Fluval stratum on the bottom, about 3" deep and nothing else? For plants, I like red root floaters and many 6 Rumynose fish.

[@JonasMcGee222]

Other great video Alex!

[@Fishtory]

Thanks again!

[@darrylmoore5847]

What a great video

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnnybest6386]

I like this video

[@Fishtory]

Thanks buddy

[@johnnybest6386]

@@Fishtory i truly like how u explain things but that in a simple form for DUMMIES TO UNDERSTAND

[@Fishtory]

@@johnnybest6386 it's pretty complex stuff if you're new. I was lost at first

[@tigerbokken6922]

Could the iron oxyde in the lava rocks have a bad impact on the shrimps?

[@blueflower2948]

Thank you for all the information, it’s really interesting! I should’ve watched this before setting up my tank though, I’m not sure if my layering will work well. I put a thin layer of aqua soil, a thin layer of sand, a thick layer of inactive porous substrate and then a thin layer of fine gravel. Do you think the plant roots will be able to reach the nutrients in the soil with the sand on top?

[@Fishtory]

Glad it was helpful! Also, yes that should still work. The deeper tap root type sword plants may have a little trouble at a few months, since they burrow a root deep then look for nutrients more exclusively. But I bet it'll all work out fine :)

[@blueflower2948]

@@Fishtory thanks so much for the response that’s a relief!

[@leobarbosa5013]

I understand the importance and wonder of aquasoil, but this aquasoil here in Brazil costs a fortune. So could I use common soil instead of aquasoil? Or as common soil is it better to use the father fish method, for example?

[@Fishtory]

Yes that will work well too, you just may need to let it cycle ammonia out longer at first 3 or 4 weeks

[@leobarbosa5013]

@Fishtory Thank you for your reply. I'm learning how to set up a natural aquarium and your channel is helping me a lot. Congratulations on your work.

[@2ftchopsticks]

All of my tanks were redone FF method but not that kind of lasagna. Could I theoretically achieve similar carpet results after substrate ages?

[@Fishtory]

Yes it should with enough light on it... by a year or two. The trick is getting carpeting to spread in his tanks sometimes, but hairgrass is probably the best species of glossostigmas... id be a bit skeptical if dwarf baby tears or monte carlo carpet in his style tanks though... and ive done both with a bit of extra potassium liquid fert and high light in this style... aquasoil and or light fluffy mulm thats rich in oxygen still, oh and high light - is the key, from my experiences

[@rosemiller9140]

Thank you for this great video. When adding aqua char do you mix it together with Amazonia? If so, what is the ratio? Or is aqua char its own layer?

[@salivadriven]

I’m about to make my first dirted tank….and I’m considering adding some rock dust for trace minerals….yes or no?

[@Fishtory]

Sure as long as it's at the bottom... so it doesn't get all silty

[@Jhholderfield]

Hey man, awesome video. I have a 75 that’s probably 25% planted and super hard water but my ph stays around 6 🙃 it’s only got like a 3 inch sand bed. Would it be beneficial for me to add a layer of active soil maybe an inch then another inch of sand? It’s been up and going for 6 or 8 months now so the mulm is working its way in pretty good but I just had the cycle crash on it so I’m thinking of starting over anyways. Whatcha think?

[@Fishtory]

Yeah i think if anything, it's got useful minerals. So either won't be needed or maybe be useful. Either way it won't be harmful though! Cheers

[@alexkardel1]

I have a 5 years old 180 gallon pond and recently the plants started dying only the floating plants are doing fine so i think it was the substrate running out of nutrients, can i adapt this method to reset the pond?

[@dubianade6715]

Could you explain why these types of tanks last longer than some of the other styles like the aquascaped tanks that use a thinner layer of substrate?

[@Fishtory]

Yes the next video is on HOW this style tank works and why i like it the most for a long lasting tank

[@helengardner9958]

Hi Alex, I was wondering if I could put aquarium sand on the bottom of my fish tank & cap it with gravel ?

[@Fishtory]

Well you can, but it won't save your fish from ammonia , the sand is your waterproof layer at 1 or 2 inches thick... gravel is also, but you'd need like 2 feet of it to separate the fish poo water from the clean tank water. So sand traps that... you can use aquasoil and or gravel instead as your Substrate, but then you want to gravel vacuum the fish poo and excess food or detritus weekly...

[@helengardner9958]

@Fishtory Hi Alex, Thanks so much for your reply. I probably should have asked my question on one of your other videos. I am not so much interested in a low maintenance aquarium or the Lasagna method ...I just wanted to know if having approximately 1.5 inches of sand on the bottom of my tank & 1.5 inches of gravel on top is okay. I don't have a lot of plants in the tank & the ones I do have I feed with root tabs. I initially had the gravel on the bottom & the sand on top but the sand was speeing down through the bottom layer of gravel. I don't know if that mattered or not, but I assumed that the sand layer would mix with the gravel over time which might have been okay ...but not so sure.I thought that if the sand & gravel mixed it would be harder to vacuum the gravel to any depth without vacuuming the sand up with it. I am very new to making somewhat deeper substrates. Thanks for any help you can supply. I hope you can understand what I am trying to say. Certainly enjoy your channel, but not very good at understanding the science behind these topics, even though you explain them well enough.

[@hemkeshyeole4414]

so you need 2 inch of aquasoil , you said or non active substrate , what are that non active substrate

[@justinlenard6705]

I am wanting to set up a 210 gallon dirted tank. Any advice

[@STEVOGERS77]

Hi m8 I'm glad I've seen this video of yours ,around 8weeks ago I got back to setting up a 100litre tank with rear chamber ,fish store gave me the fluval ,lava rock which I put on the bottom full bag around 2inch ,then fluval aqua soil on top ,2inch ,so 4inch in total I planted quite a fair bit and put 6 guppies in to start with plants are doing great as fish to which I have 7 babies that survived that are doing great too ,my question is should I slowly add sand to top off the lava rocks soil or just leave it ,I'm just running 3 course sponges in rear chamber with floss and also have a spider house plant in back chamber that's doing really well only roots in water any suggestions would be appreciated cheers

[@Fishtory]

At this point just leave it, unless you want a sand look. It will stratify with debris over the weeks and months...by a year or so itll be an annoxic substrate on the bottom and then plants are essentially to "drain" and use up the ammonia that is sequestered... also its why iron, potassium and sulphur in some form...like woodash are important...since that annoxic bacteria needs those elements to live...just tiny amounts luckily though

[@STEVOGERS77]

@Fishtory thanks so much for advice from Scotland 👍

[@jrunagerj]

If I have a 10 i ch tall 10 gallon aquarium how much dirt and sand substrate should I use for a no or almost no water change setup?

[@lisamcgrath5774]

How much aquachar would you put in a 135 gallon tank if using the Lasagna Method?

[@Fishtory]

Probably a whole box or bag if it's under the sand ...half scattered around if it's up on the surface. It's just guesswork honestly

[@fishtropiccanada4747]

Alex showing people is one thing. You need to set up a cost effective tank and show these people. Use like a 5 gallon or something. Get people involved in what to put in it. And why ??? Cheeers Fishaziod

[@Fishtory]

Ive done that in 4 videos...but i will be doing it again. I didnt call it lasagna in the other videos but rather " how to set up deep substrate or annoxic and aerobic substrates without a filter".

[@NeoVeritas7]

@fishstory I like to cap my non-active Aqua soil with a small sand cap, maybe a half inch to Aid in planting. Do you think this hurts the process at all?

[@Fishtory]

No, not at all... i do that with hairgrass or monte carlo or baby tears, so theyll hold on better. I tend to use coarse sand for that, to ensure oxygen exhange with the soil for the first year or so. Then it turns annoxic anyhow and starts getting really rich

[@jakeawesome105]

@drpepper needs to sponsor you!!

[@Fishtory]

Ive. Tried to write them about sponsoring a co2 setup combined with a soda kegarator on under my tank.... but never hear back.

[@FarangDoingThaiStuff]

When do i plant the plants?

[@evergreenpsyche]

I'm sorry if you addressed this in the video and i missed it....but what's the reason we can't simply stir in new aquasoil into the top layer of substrate when needed? Is it due to compaction around the roots eventually killing them or some other reason im missing?

[@Fishtory]

Well nutrient rich aqua soil has ammonia and nitrates that spike ammonia in the tank for a few days and can kill fish. But if you use fluval stratum or non-nitrogen enriched substrate, it's fine to just slowly add more if you don't mind the look of it up top

[@evergreenpsyche]

@@Fishtory I see....what if we soak it in a spare tank and do a couple water changes till it stabilizes? I was kind of envisioning gently stirring the top layer and letting the new substrate mix in. Is that a reasonable solution (pre-soaking & leaching the fresh aquasoil) for shallow tanks that can't support deep substrates?

[@mikeseidl1069]

Hello, I have a 55 gallon planted tank, it is heavily planted. The bottom layer is crushed coral, which has been in there for three years, then I have fluval stratum on top of that, and then sand on top of that. All of my plants are growing really well and my fish are healthy. I have a canister filter and a HOB and two sponge filters running in there. Would it be possible to remove all filters and let the plants be the filter at this point or would it destroy the tank if I removed them? Thanks.

[@Fishtory]

You could do this gradually. I just let a HOB clog over 3 to 6 months, by that time, most the bacteria will be in the actual tank. Perhaps run an airstone during the last part of the filter running at a trickle. Then leave it in another month or two. That's the safest way, and you will spot any troubles before they get out of hand. I have 2 other videos titled " converting existing tanks into filterless ecosystems. " or going filterless. Hope this helps! Good luck and let me know how it goes, please

[@mikeseidl1069]

@@Fishtory thanks I appreciate the information I will try that

[@julim9242]

Hello @FISHTORY Great video very informative! I'm having trouble deciding what substrate to use to start a planted aquarium with no CO2 but what I don't what is for my Ph to drop to the 6's. Last time I checked my KH, it was a 3 and I wanted to increase this a little bit by adding some Aragonite in my tank. I'm aiming to rise my Ph between 7.2 to 7.4 as well as my KH. I was thinking of using gravel similar to eco-complete as my bottom layer and the top layer use Fluval Stratum, while adding a bit of aragonite to raise my Kh and Ph , do you think this would work for me or is it not necessary to add Aragonite as the Fluvual Stratum will buffer the water or what Aquasoil would you recommend me? With your experience, what would you recommend me to do? How many years does Fluval Stratum last before it needs to be replaced? Thank you in advance 🙂

[@Fishtory]

You are on the right track in my opinion. Then you'll never get crazy hard water or ph swings...in either direction . It will require some periodical testing to dial it in, and know for your water and your Substrate, if every 6 months or year you may need to add some botanicals, or add more crushed coral etc. Once your plants are maxed out and your fish are settled, it should find a balance that works and the fluval should last 2.5 years if you're digging in it a lot and replanting...but you can make it stretch 4 or 5 tear,.0if don't disturb kh

[@julim9242]

@@Fishtory I really appreciate you taking the time to reply back to my comment. Thank you so much! I love your channel, your always provide great content, Take care!

[@realhusky]

I tried this, it tastes terrible. I’ve been having a lot of success in my tanks just using lava rocks and deep sand. It works for me because I don’t use stem plants, an overhead plant sump is how I filter.

[@sarahs9739]

What does it mean when you have hot pink in you In your substrate

[@Fishtory]

You used painted gravel?... oooorrrr cyanobacteria is blooming in usually hard water...it's harmless but it'll battle other colors of bacteria... watch out for any blue or blood red colonies though

[@jonathanschutz8563]

Hey Alex, I'm really interested in this lasagna style, a couple of years ago I started on aquatic ecosystem keeping. I did a "lasagna" but not as yours haha. And now I am really interested in setting up a new tank with this kind of setup but using a UGF. Do you think it is doable or the UGF won't work out properly because of the substrate thickness? I was thinking to set up the UGF between two layers of rocks. Sand, a layer of peebles, then the UGF, another layer peebles, rocks, lava rocks, dirted substrate, sand cap. Would I still have the anoxic layer? Or wouldn't it quite work? Edit. Since I found your channel I have paid close attention to what you say because I know there is a lot of research into it, and have shared so many times with other fishkeepers

[@kingj001]

can i use garden soil instead of aquasoil? and will it produce the same results?

[@Fishtory]

You sure can. But that is the " walstad method" and I'd refer you to looking that up. It requires settling and cycling the tank for a few weeks longer, due to ammonia in the soil

[@kingj001]

@@Fishtory thanks for the response! what i did is sand then 1 - 3 inches of lava rock like yours then replaced the aquasoild w loam soil then i cap it with sand... would it produce the same growth and rust layer and would i be able to run high tech plants?

[@kingj001]

or just carpeting plants

[@BrianTads]

Will a plug in mosquito killer in my room harm my aquarium which i also have in my room? Will it harm the Daphia, plants or frog tadpoles??

[@Fishtory]

Shouldn't be an issue