DIRT *BETTER* THAN AQUA SOIL?? low tech planted aquarium || MD FISH TANKS

1 2 FILTER: onetwofilter.c...
JOIN THE BEHIND THE SCENES CLUB:
/ @mdfishtanks
FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM: / md_fishtanks
For business enquiries: [e-mail]
All my plants are from Tropica: www.tropica.com
All my hardscape is from Aquarium Gardens: www.aquariumga...
Items i use regularly:
Tropica Aquasoil: US: amzn.to/2JSU4qe UK: amzn.to/34GQsjp
Tropica Substrate Powder: UK: amzn.to/2JROmVT
Tropica Ferts Premium: amzn.to/2CaTakS
Tropica Ferts Specialised: amzn.to/2WLgOxV
Tropica Nutrition Capsules: UK amzn.to/36xqMau US amzn.to/2JQSfKp
Opti White Nano Tank & Light: amzn.to/2pwuy3h
You can buy the bowls i use here:
Amazon UK: amzn.to/2Vx73CL
Amazon.com: amzn.to/2M4FwFO
Gooseneck Clip on lamp (similar as product is now discontinued)
Amazon UK amzn.to/2LNat13
Amazon. com amzn.to/2IlwLVA
Mini Water Pump:
Amazon UK amzn.to/2mjHDez
Amazon. com amzn.to/2oAmf5y
LED FLoodlights:
Amazon UK amzn.to/31KQwgQ
Amazon. com amzn.to/359rp9J
#plantedtank #aquascape #mdfishtanks
PATREON: if you want to support future builds or possible help fund a bigger studio to make more videos, then you can here: / mdfishtanks

[@MDFishTanks]

1 2 FILTER: www.onetwofilter.com/products/one-two-filter JOIN THE BEHIND THE SCENES CLUB: kzbin.info/door/3uQXzXSPspf2LoGdtYGiHwjoin FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/md_fishtanks/ For business enquiries: [e-mail] All my plants are from Tropica: www.tropica.com All my hardscape is from Aquarium Gardens: www.aquariumgardens.co.uk/ Items i use regularly: Tropica Aquasoil: US: amzn.to/2JSU4qe UK: amzn.to/34GQsjp Tropica Substrate Powder: UK: amzn.to/2JROmVT Tropica Ferts Premium: amzn.to/2CaTakS Tropica Ferts Specialised: amzn.to/2WLgOxV Tropica Nutrition Capsules: UK amzn.to/36xqMau US amzn.to/2JQSfKp Opti White Nano Tank & Light: amzn.to/2pwuy3h You can buy the bowls i use here: Amazon UK: amzn.to/2Vx73CL Amazon.com: amzn.to/2M4FwFO Gooseneck Clip on lamp (similar as product is now discontinued) Amazon UK amzn.to/2LNat13 Amazon. com amzn.to/2IlwLVA Mini Water Pump: Amazon UK amzn.to/2mjHDez Amazon. com amzn.to/2oAmf5y LED FLoodlights: Amazon UK amzn.to/31KQwgQ Amazon. com amzn.to/359rp9J #plantedtank #aquascape #mdfishtanks PATREON: if you want to support future builds or possible help fund a bigger studio to make more videos, then you can here: www.patreon.com/mdfishtanks

[@hasinashrestha6307]

shoutout please

[@shubhankarshaw2182]

MD would like to help me please. I made planted tank but don't know what kind of hob filter use to in it. My tank size 1.5ft * 1ft * 1.5 ft.

[@cichlidbossies2499]

shubhankar shaw just from what I’ve heard and from experience if you have the money to spend I recommend the Aquaclear line as you can choose different filters for flow rate and their filters are very good.

[@cichlidbossies2499]

MD Fish Tanks would you ever get a flowerhorn as a show fish as they have great personality and it would be cool to have a main fish as well as aquascaping.

[@stina9659]

What is the pH of the soil you put in there? 🙂🤔

[@Zer-db1bp]

I’ve always had incredible success with organic potting soil capped by sand. It’s really the king of low tech substrates in my opinion. It’s cheap, easy to work with, and readily available anywhere. I’ve grown way better plants in that than I ever did in aqua soil or Fluval Stratum.

[@Miraklum]

How do you treat the soil? Do you sif then bake? And is the sand on top very fine or more coarse? Looking to get into dirted setup

[@TheSunIsMyDestroyer]

@@Miraklum why would you bake soil?

[@Miraklum]

@@TheSunIsMyDestroyer people say because of pests but I really am a noob in this matter

[@TheSunIsMyDestroyer]

@@Miraklum same

[@shortbreadfinger]

Do you also bag your soil?

[@TobyCreates]

MD: “Just this cheap light!” Me: *looks over at my $2 exposed bulb lighting* **chuckle**

[@WhatIsMisophonia]

The reason why you've got algae in your aqua soil tank is because the nutrients are right at the surface (not capped off by sand) so that they don't stay in the substrate.

[@DashDrones]

Exactly 👍

[@GEORDIESCAPER]

You should bottle your water up and sell it mate 😂😂you can grow anything without spending a fortune....been great watching your journey in the hobby, your enthusiasm is infectious 👍👍👍

[@seewithbrandon]

New life goal, to have a room filled with all the tanks lol

[@ratenfurlong1590]

Hi MD, if you’re looking at dwarf cichlids an underrated option would be a pair of Kribensis. They’re often overlooked and not commonly kept but they look great once they breed and are really easy to breed. It adds a bit of interest to the hobby & once they do breed they’re brilliant parents and you will have lots of babies in no time. Just a suggestion for something different.... Great video btw!

[@lucasc3502]

Go with a dwarf African cichlid tank. I think you’ll pull it off nicely.👍

[@MDFishTanks]

can you give me examples of the fish you would choose??

[@GEORDIESCAPER]

Here here totally agree, sorry for butting in, was thinking the same though.....Dwarf Mbuna I have or had are saulosi, red top Hongi, rusties. little buggers but bags of personality.

[@luisg1653]

Go tanganyikan! Get some shell dwellers and a bunch of big snail shells, I love Occelatus. Get some Calvus or Compresiceps, they're slow growing and absolutely the coolest looking cichlid. Get a Juli Transcriptus as well you'll love how it explores the tank. Then throw in some smaller cyps to cruise the top as a school, it will be very enjoyable.

[@rara5212]

@@luisg1653 very good plan, I totally agree to!

[@rara5212]

@@GEORDIESCAPER Isn't the length of the tank not still too smal?

[@alonnachshen7359]

I wonder if the difference between the tanks could have something to do with the light/dark substrates. Maybe the light sand in the dirted tank artificially creates more light by reflecting it back up?

[@ipolee]

Thats what i thought, at least it seems much brighter and that must be from the Sand reflecting the light

[@MDFishTanks]

if anything, the higher light tank would cause algae rather than be the reason there isnt any...

[@sazzybkk6664]

My thoughts too. The dark substrate would adsorb light and the sand reflects

[@ruicomprido2113]

Same idea. The reflection is growing healthier plants, therefore is taking all the nutrients. Algae can't grow

[@Anton-es2rr]

I'm only new to the aquascape world..I went for aqua soil to begin with. I struggled with the ammonia levels to begin with..probably took around 4-5 weeks to get the levels safe and that was with 2 water changes a week. It's looking great now through!

[@eddieington6243]

I visited WB garden centre on Wednesday, MD. That big blackmoor goldfish with the amazing fins would look great in the Ranchu tank. Love your channel, you really cheer me up. Wish I could grow a beard like yours.

[@Tobias611]

"I haven't seen my bamboo shrimp" I got mine about 10 months ago, I haven't seen it once since then except one time I removed everything from my tank for a rescape, apparently it grew quite a lot since then...

[@MDFishTanks]

Mine are out all the time now. Maybe it depends what is in the tank with them?

[@krispygreen108]

I would love to see betta fish in the soil vs aqua soil tanks I think u would make it look great!

[@xisotopex]

I set up two tanks at the same time, one with fluval stratum, the other with tropica aqua soil.... both are heavily planted, but the aqua soil has massive algae growth.

[@ShaneZettelmier]

A couple things to consider when comparing the two. One is the dirt is broken up more and releases its nutrients into the water quickly but may not last as long as the aqua soil and the other thing to remember also is you used white sand on that so light is reflecting off of that sand and hitting more of the plants than the black aqua soil probably. But dirt works great, aqua soil is basically man-made dirt. also you have to consider where you get your dirt and make sure it’s not a yard where they’ve been spraying pesticides and herbicide‘s a lot and dirt is going to be different quality all the time, some areas might be very rich and perfect and some might be very washed out and have almost no nutrients. I know a lot of people use miracle grow organic potting soil and that would be at least a little more consistent.

[@juliuskrippahl8463]

Thank you for your videos! I'm from Germany and I love them.

[@dumoulin11]

I've always been a fan of South American cichlids from the Aequidens family because they make really fun pets. They're alert, recognize their humans and have lots of character.

[@alimery07]

Every fish recognizes their owner

[@bdbunes]

The aqua soil is usually compressed volcanic soil which is going to be the one higher in nutrients than backyard loam. Either way I do agree they both look great!

[@MDFishTanks]

The thing is, I rarely get algae from aquasoil....but you can bet your life i would if any of the dirt was exposed??

[@Discokid316]

Every episode has a very great background music plus the best aqua scape I ever seen😎😎😎😎. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Honolulu,Hawaii😎😎😎😎

[@ll_kmnhkm]

10:47 Hope you can make Betta Sorority(6-9 female betta) Planted Tank.. This is just my idea..

[@MDFishTanks]

I really like that idea...

[@elizabethgiles2158]

That's an awesome idea since cichlids do uproot and destroy plants

[@ae86hachi]

@@MDFishTanks Interested in selling the piece of toad wood?

[@fantasyfanvii4449]

@@MDFishTanks Remember how you said you didn't want to get 2 turtles because they can be fine for years then one morning you wake up to a blood bath? Same risk with betta sororities. Or a lot of African cichlids as far as I know. I'm not saying it can't be done, just be aware of the risks.

[@MDFishTanks]

@@fantasyfanvii4449 ok cool. thanks for the advice

[@kwahanui]

I lurrrrrved that black goldfish at the shop. Pls get it MD. I'm not really emotionally connected to the others but that beauty will definitely lock me in. But no pressure. Just do it! Also keep up the mispronunciation of the different plants in your tank. Much appreciated.❤

[@cannondale97]

Go for the Tanganyikan cichlids if you intend to keep cichlids. Get 3 different species in there. You'll love it !

[@danielfridlington1141]

could you maybe do a ph test on your garden soil? i like this idea but i think the clay mess i call soil here in yorkshire might not have the same results. great channel btw big fan

[@nicksexotics5229]

If you’re looking into getting reptile you should definitely do some research into bioactive vivariums, I think it would be right up your alley! It’s basically using the right substrate,plants and clean up crew to create a functional ecosystem within the vivarium vertically eliminating the need to clean up poo etc. You can really create some beautiful naturalistic habitats for your reptiles using this method. A great channel to see how this is done is the biodude

[@sullivandunn508]

So exited for the future! You inspired me to start scraping my tanks

[@Huipie81]

Yes, aquascraping is the best ;)

[@rifraf6135]

@@Huipie81 i love scraping tanks. Theyre so beautiful

[@niku-ni5880]

Gotta do a dirted Tank now! Thanks MD!

[@midnull6009]

You can also freeze some cubes of organic potting soil and use that as fertilizer for your substrate/gravel.

[@chongkimsan7284]

Keep up the good work brother. Lovin your tanks, makes me want to start one of my own.

[@wave._.hunter]

Do it.

[@kristyburton6058]

A group of Blood Parrots!! They’re so much fun and have THE best personalities! Watching them all cram into bed of an evening is always lovely 😊

[@jacquesvictor4232]

Love your videos. I wonder what affect the lighter vs darker substrate has on plant and algae growth based on light reflection from the substrate.

[@ludvigsaquariums5801]

I really think you should go with pecock cichlids since you don’t really want to keep saltwater fish but you like the coloration, these guys would be perfect since the are very colorful don’t get that big but a little. And are easy to care for! And just saying love how much you listen to us in the comments! 👍

[@MDFishTanks]

yeah sounds good. Would be nice to have some colour fish

[@ludvigsaquariums5801]

Some more! Don’t forget pumpkin!

[@Bomber411]

@@MDFishTanks I thought green algae was a sign of good water quality, no?

[@alioop7237]

I'm in the middle of doing a paludarium..... I have minnows in the water and green anoles lizards are going into the top. I found of all lizards these are small enough to house 2 comfortably and have plenty of top movement to watch and fish are fish, always awesome to watch regardless haha

[@AleeshaSattva]

Doing a tank with anoles, endlers and lots of plants would be amazing! I had an aquaterrarinm set up like that years ago. Anoles ate the endlers and the endlers bred like crazy.

[@duzmano8161]

I think the sand capping reduces the amount of nutrients leaching into the water, the aqua soil has a direct contact with the water so nutrients leach straight into the water column, the sand cap limits what the soil releases

[@adenbrady2132]

I could definitely see you keeping Appisogrammas!!! Keep up the amazing work MD, I’m only 18 yet you inspire me through your fish tanks I plan to do a dirt tank soon because I just live the way yours looks :)). Also for my 10g what light would you recommend that grows plants real well that is affordable?

[@The3boredguys]

MD you’ve inspired me to make my first planted tank for my goldfish. Maybe it’ll have enough space for me to get my own rancho crew

[@jurriandavelaar3107]

Man u made me want to expand my aquarium even more and improve. Thanks for a lot of fun and information, keep it up!

[@keehan2586]

YAY NEW VID! Why am I also so fascinated and in envy

[@77slate]

Because we all want our tanks to look like his?? 😊

[@vEGan1909]

catherine morton yep

[@milkweeddreams8828]

Always a learning adventure here and yes that black goldfish would be amazing...I love your swift water tank, they look like there coming in and out with the waves...fun stuff...!

[@Anton-es2rr]

Haven't had any algae problems yet either...touch wood......low light has worked for me and I started with a pretty heavy plant based tank. That may have helped as well. Keen to see those bamboo shrimp!

[@barryoreilly5908]

Loving the videos pal keep it up . I have been keeping cichlids 15 years and in my opinion i would go with mbuna exclusive tank and overstock it. I have a 240 litre woth 24 mbuna in it at the moment with 2 externals and 60kg of texas holey rock . 2 Anubias plants between rocks also .

[@nightowl760]

Maybe do shell dwellers. I think you'd enjoy them work their parental care and what not

[@MDFishTanks]

Yeah i want to but I think this tank would be over kill??

[@nightowl760]

Nah they can be territorial and they'll move their shells around how they want and guard their little areas. Just a couple larger rocks in the middle to break up line of sight and they'll do the rest. From what I've seen 20 grade pool filter sand is really good size, not too small that it'll clog your filter but small enough for them to move. You could do like 4 pair in there I would think.

[@jonashenryz1781]

Malawi Mbuna for chiclids tank, lots of rocks and hard lights, so the hair algeas grows on the rocks, they love it. Keep in mind that they dig like... excavators 🤪The gravel needs to be chosen with care!

[@AmandaComeauCreates]

Shelldweller Paradise!!!! Towers and caves created with rock with a deep sand bed and multiple types of bottom dwelling shell dweller colonies with fast swimming cool schooling fish above!

[@dopeness_drops]

I just planted an aquarium with dirt from my backyard. So far so good.

[@wmarian5027]

The river tank is the best! For the new big tank...Maybe focus in on a particular cichlid flock for a breeding tank? Cichlids as a mixed group are pretty and active...but I think show much more interesting behavior in a species specific tank. Kribensis for example have interesting parenting behavior...but the ones I like most are dwarf Cichlids, so that huge tank might be sort of wasted unless you did the big mixed flock. I think, someday, that tank would be great as an amazon darkwater biotope pauladarium with dart frogs. Ha!,challenge set...

[@MDFishTanks]

sounds like a cool idea!!! Love the idea of dart frogs. Would the top need to be covered??

[@danieldoherty8805]

It’d help, but i mean once you have high humidity, and some means of not letting them jump out then it could work

[@christianshipley7472]

That goldfish looked awesome, like a flame brilliant orange and black. If y'a get it name it dragon or something cool like that. And a cichlid scape would be banging!

[@Julie-ib2ti]

Loving the voices you give Timmy and Pancho :)

[@outdoorfreedom7897]

Hey I’m impressed by the garden soil growths, IV done it myself and now I see between my tow tank a big difference with how fast the plants are growing !! I think you really should do a cichlids tank there is so much fish to choose and so much colour ! Wish I could sent you some pictures of my cichlids tank !!! If you have a email !

[@Gangrid]

The tanks and fish are looking great MD! I would like to see a cichlid tank, I know you will rock it.

[@Aquagold.goldysingh1313]

So beautiful vedio ..dirt tank looks fantastic...plants well settled and so healthy...all tanks are so beautiful..

[@bradleyjones5932]

those little corner filters work great.

[@likeone0000]

Mmmmmmmmmmmm have a question here, do you plan having sa saltwater tank????????? None the less gud video and i will wait for the new gold fish to arrive. The potential names though.

[@keithcroshaw]

I got so much algae when I tried a dirtied tank... I also had a crazy light. I switched back to CaribSea and lower light and my tank is beautiful again. Just using root tabs for my rooted plants. Cannot be bothered with CO2...

[@genesis1_20]

Great information, just what I needed to watch. Ty MD

[@Quiston]

Apistogramma cacatuoides!! Dwarf Cockatoo Cichlids, they're well cool! You should totally get a wee cockatoo crew, the males have some of the most amazing dorsal fins /fins in general, they look like some sort of old school 80's punk rocker with a wild mohawk! the females also have a really lovely golden yellow colour with black highlights. Apparently they breed easy, could be cool to see the progress of a wee school of baby cichlids. (think of the CONTEEEEEEEEEEENT) Also really like small caves and such would love to see what you would build for them. I've got a male and a female but I dont think they're that into each other, but you've defo got the room for a squad of them!

[@jimothyj2638]

Get some basketmouth cichlids! I've never seen a big youtuber keep them but they're so unique and underrated

[@Oogbae]

Aside from perhaps CPDs, Ram cichlids are one of my favourite fish. They have so many different colourforms and are such fun to watch all with the advantage of not tearing up the tank :P

[@simmozone]

5:11 How I pronounce all the plant species at my local fish shop and somehow they know which one I'm on about 🤣

[@JonnyMetalhed]

the best dwarf cichlids are south american and woudnt really suit the rocky scape (imo). plus they can be funny to mix species. i would recommend a malawi style set up for your cichlid idea. colourful, busy, and easy. pancho could put on another inch or two and still be fine in the current set up. great progress on the new studio man. well done. you gotta clad that rainbow river stand though man. all the other stands have fronts or doors and it stands out as looking like a framework. thanks for making the vids. hope you enjoy the feedback. great work dude. oh and yeah, deffo get that black moor with the orange bits. peace!

[@toshonhillery]

Hey MD how do you think that filter in the ranchu tank would do with axolotls since they are super messy as well?

[@MDFishTanks]

I think it would do very well with axolotls tbh.

[@aussiejjdude3066]

You mentioned lizards, have you thought about a chameleon? A 'green walled' open setup where it could interact with various aqua-terrariums would look awesome, and provide some good space to climb around on - DIY green wall extension of the aquariums! - would look awesome and help tie the tanks together?

[@mikef3300]

I really enjoy your videos and part of the reason I subbed up is because of the variety of fish and animals you keep. If you want to introduce some reptiles into the mix I say go for it. I’d be interested in checking them out and learning a thing or two. 🌱

[@GlassBoxAquatics]

I love your videos! Not trying to criticize your experiment becuase I love these types of videos, but I think for this to be a fair test you would need to cap the aquasoil also. Or you could just run the dirt tank without a sand cap. I believe the algae in the aquasoil tank comes from the aquasoil being directly exposed to the aquarium water, if the dirt was directly exposed to the aquarium water i feel like there would be either the same amount of algae or maybe even more in the dirt aquarium. Definitely looking forward to seeing what these tanks do long term!!🙌👌

[@tomfreeland3165]

Think it would be cool, if you used those two smaller tanks, in conjunction (big word) with the big tank. You know turn them upside down fill them with water, kinda like a tank within a tank. Seen it once in an outside pond display. Just a thought, great show ...now go get that black fish with the big tail, no waiting go now (if shop is open) lol 👍

[@katiemcintyre9640]

Cichlid tank sounds awesome! Have you ever though about doing a bonsai tree scape with monte carlo? I'm looking into doing it when I upgrade my 50 to a 90l, wondered what your thoughts were.

[@MDFishTanks]

Aquapros has a huge tank with that. He would kill me for copying haha

[@katiemcintyre9640]

Haha yeah the ancient gardens! Didn't know whether you'd thought about doing a variation of it in a future scape...would look amazing in the studio! I'm going to try and give it a go 🙈

[@spencer5082]

Not a fan of cichlids however I LOVE dwarf cichlids! I have a 75 gallon with the species of Apistogramma in it. Cacatuoides, Viejita, and Hongsloi. And I also have another species on order which will be the Agassizi! In total it 7 Apistogrammas! I love them. It's heavily planted with it of rock caves so they each have their territory. Works great. So that's what I vote for!!! Apistogrammas!!!

[@sunaymukherjee7576]

Just finished watching the video ... great one 👍... I am really excited for the angelfish tank if it's coming!!

[@MDFishTanks]

it's coming :) getting resources now.

[@stenbornebroek6486]

For the cichlidscape you can use valisneria as a plant so you don’t have only rock

[@ricikern400]

Hi MD, please give pancho more plants for to hide in the aquasektion (like the old tank), i think this would look better and pancho are happyer. Greetings from Austria

[@OR10N707]

I would love to see a cichlid scape, I know this is an old video, and I saw your newest videos where the ram freshwater reef tank didn’t work out, but I LOVE African cichlids, and I LOVE your channel. So I personally would really love to see how you’d do an African cichlid tank.

[@craigathonian]

I'm surprised you didn't realize that the algae was an aspect of difference between the two soils. Garden soil is already "digested" by microbes, so you won't have a spike in nutrients like the artificially made aqua soil that leads to an algae bloom. Also, I think you have a rare plant that's called Limnophila Sp. Dwarf Bonsai. The regular strain gets big...fast ! I've been looking for what you have for a while here in the states. Do you sell ?

[@nynkevanempel2146]

Maybe it is a good idea to use powder food for the bamboo shrimp, for them to filter out of the water. And I would like to know how Captain Redbeard and the puffers are doing. Love your chanel❤️!

[@kevindrennaidoo6969]

I think you should get some shell dwelling cichlids from lake Tanginika, that would be awesome, love your channel. you have an awesome setup and you are very entertaining to watch, take care dude.

[@PlantedElement]

I wonder of the sand cap is keeping the nutrients bellow the water column, while the aquasoil is just releasing them into it this feeding the algae? I also want to do a dirted tank, so I like seeing the difference. Thanks for sharing!

[@fishboi9736]

You should go with shell dwellers there behaviour is lovely and they breed quite good that way it keeps the vids nice with al the action and fry

[@JamesTHEKOIwhisperer123]

Looking good and top quality video once again md after seeing all your lovey tanks I had to do a little make over of my fancy goldfish tank and that black gold fish from the fish shop my wife is going to be well gel as she wanted me to get that one lol it’s a stunner

[@MDFishTanks]

it still there james?

[@JamesTHEKOIwhisperer123]

MD Fish Tanks I think it is mate but I told the wife we have got to many in the tank already she don’t understand me over stocking the tank lol will be nice to see it in your tank mate 100% get it 👍👌

[@daningebretsen6784]

Do a combo of everything. Do a ciclid tank(I prefer dwarf species) thats a paludarium with tons of plants coming out the top and just hardscape below.

[@SoTypicallyMeh]

I think that 270 liter tank needs a Senegal bichir in it. All these little fish are cute, but you need one monster. And when you start expanding your reptile collection, can't go wrong with an Eastern indigo snake. One of the most beautiful snakes in the hobby.

[@reece2479]

Have you every considered the colour of the substrate? The light is gonna reflect of the lighter substrate giving the plants more usable light. Just a thought!

[@vy4004]

Yes mate cichlids please, Malawi, Victoria or Tanganica Lakes, big ones

[@JordanTait95]

If your doing cichlids it is to be a large group of Apistogramma there small colourful you have plenty space for them in that tank and you need to keep that lovely planted scapes it could have a rock only scale could be nice 👌😍

[@tjlovelady]

Love the videos MD! I have a cichlid tank and I think it would be cool. They do create a bunch of babies 👶 though!! Keep em coming brother!

[@RyanStonedonCanadianGaming]

Left side is reflecting off the bottom. (White sand) Right side is absorbing the light making the tank warmer.

[@vEGan1909]

Ryan StonedOnCanadianGaming In my opinion LED light doesn‘t make the tank warmer 😉

[@simonupex2628]

Hi M.D. here's 3 ideas for tank setups 1 African flooded Savannah (like the okovango delta)2 a marine setup 3 an Asian flooded tropical forest.

[@deletethemedia3445]

Glad I'm not the only one who can't begin to pronounce the proper names of these aqua plants 😁

[@Logqnty]

Loved the vid! What kind of light did you use?

[@Rossmancer]

I run 2 electric blue acara cichlids with some smaller dither fish in a 200 litre planted tank and I think the blue contrasts the green leaves quite well. Overall friendly and hardy fish

[@SpiritAquatics]

For the cichlid tank Id recommend yellow lab cichlids. They can be mixed with other African cichlids. If you wanted dwarf cichlids German blue, gold and electric blue rams are beautiful but they are not that Hardy, well established tanks with 26c-28c water is recommended for them. Apistogramas or bolivian rams could be other options and are quite hardy. (some apistos are really cool) you could probably put some apistos in the angel tank. For angels my favourites are the koi, gold and platinum ones. ;)

[@bryanluigi3955]

Agreed i have also dirt in my tank!! And the plants multiply so fast!!!

[@vEGan1909]

Bryan Garzon How long do you have this tank? I‘ve started mine yesterday. Very curious about the growth...

[@bryanluigi3955]

@@vEGan1909 i have this tank for a month now and in the start plant will lightly rotten because the tank is not stable yet but After 1 month you can do you 1st water change and then your plants will grow so fast will not even notice its fast growth 😂

[@bineoberrauter8249]

Maybe sand/soil color is a factor to. White sand has a way higher reflexivity level than the dark soil.

[@nathanial_summers]

Have you thought of doing maybe an non cichlid African tank next to the angel fish tank? Have a small shoal of Congo tetra a couple of leopard bush fish and a synodontis catfish or 2, be a nice comparison as it's not often you see an African setup that's not cichlid.

[@stevesmith1592]

Do you think it could be that the dirt tank has more limnophila which is absorbing more nutrients and keeping any algae at bay because it's a faster grower?

[@MDFishTanks]

It's possible ....but most of the algae was contained to that wood which is making me think it's screwing with everything. All interesting though...

[@stevesmith1592]

@@MDFishTanks Yeah, it could be that piece of wood is decomposing faster than the one in the other tank. I've had that happen to me before :) Looking forward to seeing how they develop. Enjoying your content MD!

[@DP-ym8zf]

Since you're big into aquascaping and African Cichlids are typically kept in hardscape only aquascapes, I reckon a dwarf cichlid/ American cichlid tank would be awesome. You can have a heavily planted nature type aquascape with various Ram and Apisto variations

[@azzomeister]

Loving your channel bud... cichlid tank will be cool... perhaps limited in scaping and plants when doing african cichlids but perhaps rams will look good... golden, electric blue and german blues....

[@mann1zee]

Yes please do a rock only cichlid tank with mbuna xx

[@iangoodwin1839]

OSCARS!!! Oscars are my favorite fish and your tank is just big enough for a pair if you do a relatively bare tank. They have a great personality and would be a great addition to the channel!

[@rhysisinok]

I've got a south American cichlid tack which dose have some plants that they haven't ripped up as they're meant to

[@moxizance]

So funny, the last few videos I was wondering how long it was going to take you to mention that black goldfish..hehe. I think it would make an excellent addition to the crew, it was so pretty!!

[@SteenfottAquatics]

I want to do a monster dirted tank. I think it would be fun.

[@MDFishTanks]

Hi mate. Welcome. Yeah I'm really toying with the idea. And just dutch it right up with only a couple of pieces of rock...