Fish Room Tour: Master Breeder Mike Helford's Fish Room

Hello Fellow Fish Keepers,
In this video we look at Master Breeder Mike Helford's fish room. It is a high tech fish room filled with awesome fish. We will take a look at the fish he keeps and some of the systems in place to keep the fish room looking great!
If you like fish room tours check out this playlist - there are so many cool fish rooms we've filmed! • Fish Room Tours
If you want to see more behind the scenes stuff, exclusive videos and support the channel consider becoming a member! / @primetimeaquatics
Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimea...
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
Thanks for watching!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If you like fish room tours check out this playlist - there are so many cool fish rooms we've filmed! kzbin.info/aero/PL79yWtqvNd3WVb99ZvPbDhXwPOSOeO3am If you want to see more behind the scenes stuff, exclusive videos and support the channel consider becoming a member! kzbin.info/door/YVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics

[@justanghozzst8218]

That's the most sophisticated and well-designed water change system for a fish room I've ever seen and I've watched like a 75+ fish room tours on KZbin. What a work of art. Temperature controlled, huge valve size, custom underground drain, RO system, input digitized on a timer, numbered sections, and still simple enough to operate. Props to the team that did that.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Find myself wishing I had that too sometimes. : -)

[@audrisampson]

I love how bright and clean that fish room is!! Also so many Cichlids I hadn't seen before. Thanks for showing it to us.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks Audri. I enjoyed that about his fish room as well.

[@deftskg9547]

ocd at its finest and i love it

[@Trains-With-Shane]

This is one of the best examples i've seen of how a brilliant infrastructure setup can make upkeep FAR less cumbersome. I love his water change setup.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I agree!

[@savrip]

That is the cleanest, neatest, super-coolest fish room I've ever seen!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks Tim! Glad you liked it. : -)

[@Useruytrw]

The professionalism is like a nuclear submarine management

[@dynamicdeadhead]

Mike’s voice is like butter! It’s so deep! I could listen to him talk all day. 🤤

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I think he had a cold when we did the video. :-)

[@dynamicdeadhead]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics Well, he has the best cold voice ever!!!

[@JustAnotherAsianGuy2]

yea he is a master breeder ..... he has the best setup i have ever seen ..... and i seen alot .... amazing

[@LRBaquatics]

Great fish room! Loved his words of wisdom at the end!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! He is a really easy going guy. Great guy to learn from.

[@kevinbrown6769]

I definitely agree with you. And when a guy that has a fish room of your quality is really liking what he sees you know it's impressive

[@Texasbiologyhelp]

I like the blue color, brightens up the room.

[@suejudith2009]

😮 that fishroom tho!! #goals...I really appreciated when Mike said to “be kind and caring and share information”. ❤️

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya, I thought that was a great thing to say as well. : -)

[@plantsandfish5512]

That’s an amazing fish room. And the stocking is ridiculous! Not to mention, the owner of the fish room seems like a genuinely great guy. Another great video from Prime time aquatics.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! Mike Helford is one of the nicest people I've ever met!

[@christineketay3507]

Absolutely amazing!!! Extraordinary set up. Would love to see more details about how you set this up with the design, engineering and plumbing. Thank you for sharing this!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks for watching!

[@artichokez3270]

his tanks are all pristine and he knows SO much it's crazy

[@kevinbrown6769]

Great job on finding such an impressive Fish Room !!! Thank you for the video I am in awe over this fish room definitely top notch Head and Shoulders Above the Rest

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you Kevin. It is such a joy being part of clubs where people have so much experience and know-how!

[@peanut0578]

Amazing set ups!!!!only in my dreams

[@catfishcave379]

Neat, organized, pleasant to be in, welcoming environment... oh yeah,... what a great collection of fish!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! It was a very pleasant fish room. : -)

[@jackiebrownebridalhmua5536]

It looks so clean...just stunning

[@ufcguruofficial]

That's a clean setup! He has everything dialed in. Immaculate.

[@TMAquatics]

Epic fish room. So well thought out and organized. 😉👍

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks! Ya, it was really cool to see. It's a new set-up and a number of really experienced fish-keepers assisted in the design.

[@TMAquatics]

Prime Time Aquatics I noticed heaters in the tanks. Did he have them in all tanks or just some. Was he also heating the room separately?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya, he actually heats each tank. It made the room soooo enjoyable to be in! At some point I want to go back there and do another video on his systems exclusively because the attention to detail is next level stuff.

[@ruthwalker5179]

I like the species tanks! A nice change from the male only Peacock tanks.

[@WeldonTanks]

An incredible fish room! The knowledge he has is amazing! Thank you for taking the time to film this and all the editing of the names.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! Was very excited to finally film Mike's fish room.

[@whinkley1]

Nice room. lots of work to be done. just moving on to my 3rd tank a 36 gallon. im learning alot from your channel.

[@keithmcgee1253]

Outstanding Fish Room, it gives me inspiration!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Headed back there soon! : -)

[@juliet_burke]

Beautiful relaxing fish room.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I thought so too.

[@BenBSeattle]

such a clean system and very well thought out

[@stevesaquatics165]

Great episode Jason. Really like your interview Style and boy is that fish room fantastic!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you Steve!

[@chucklucas6992]

That is a super sweet fish room - Super sweet video.... Definetly inspired me!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@darrylmoore5847]

That was fantastic. I will never have a fish room, but I sure do enjoy looking at them.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

and you'll probably save a lot off money because of it. haha : -)

[@ritenour12]

I can’t believe I missed out on these videos for years

[@Tasha13.]

Awesome fish room. That guy sounds just like John Goodman!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

He had a really bad cold at the time. 😀

[@mk_cichlids]

Incredible setup. I love how clean and organized the whole thing is! The air system and drain system seem extremely user friendly also. Theres a lot going on at first glance, but once it's all in place it's fairly simple to grasp with the way he has it all labeled. Even if someone had to help you out at some point it wouldnt hard to explain anything that needed to be done maintenance wise.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya, no doubt the organization was top notch!

[@anthonycoates1604]

Just.....wow!

[@laromethagreatpatterson9751]

Now that's a guy I would love too meet and buy from

[@jacobs.7205]

What an incredible collection of fish. Most I had never even heard of before.

[@barbkelly9604]

PRISTINE! Some people with large fish rooms just keep everything such a damn mess (not you Jason), everything in tank caked with God knows what, filthy glass, etc. This is super clean and beautiful, and I can actually see all the fish! Just WOW 🐟🐟🐠🐠👍

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank Barb! I certainly appreciate a nice neat fish room. : -)

[@ladyt1866]

OMG, the black orange dorsal sooo nice

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya, I liked that one too!

[@danielbarbee7712]

One word... Wow!

[@rahuls8764]

awesome video. ...out of the world fish room. thanks for sharing

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you Rahul! Appreciate you watching.

[@car77777]

He sounds like a very humble gentleman as well.'

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

He is an awesome guy. Seriously one of the nicest people I have ever met. : -)

[@SimplyBetta]

This might be one of my favorite set-ups so far

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The cool thing is we go there periodically for GCCA board meetings. Mike is super knowledgeable. :-)

[@briansfishtanks]

That is quite a fish room!

[@richardwilliams58]

that is an amazing fish room.

[@davidsharp5407]

Gotta say I like your set up better. Don't get me wrong, credit for an amazing fish room. It's just a difference in taste and function. I can see going down to your fish room cracking a beer sitting on the couch and just relaxing. This one seems more like an lfs in a house. Speaking aesthetically of course. I'm currently finishing my basement for a fish room, while much smaller than yours, your videos are pretty much the blueprint.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you David. It's kinda hard to see on camera, but there's actually quite a bit of space to pull up a chair in the aisles and just chill. : -) Something I did a few times!

[@michaelschmitz500]

hello David, I am from Germany, please tell me what is lfs…. ?

[@joshdeskin6766]

Michael Schmitz LFS means Local Fish Store. Nearby or within the area fish store that is frequented.

[@michaelschmitz500]

@@joshdeskin6766 Thank you Josh. So I can expand my knowledge.

[@jamesdarley8656]

Wicked fish room!!

[@margaretreed4521]

Amazing, Mike!

[@andyreminch6550]

This boy sounds like Heisenberg! Quality set up Walt!!👌👍💚

[@tyhunsicker1474]

What a dream room!

[@TheFishNerd]

That water change system with RO integrated right into it (optionally!) is awesome!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya, I thought that was a really cool feature too!

[@leslierap6461]

Amazing so neat and clean and organized

[@Runnygraph20]

What a NICE setup

[@AngelosFishTanks]

Oh wow what a system. All I can say is wow!!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Funny, that's the same thing I was saying when I was there. : -)

[@heavenboundfarm2159]

Love the tanks they look like they should be in pictures ,,,

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

He does a great job with his fish room!

[@DuzzyDobbin]

Wow I absolutely love your fish/tank room between you and you family and Mike Helford it is truly special the work in conservation is something to aspire to. Oh and Kosia your dos tail and the creeping around corners busted you😜 Regards Duzzy from 🇦🇺 (Darren Dobbin)

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

You have a totally outstanding fish room and it shows with your awards. I just do not have the room unfortunately but have the rarest pure linage fish around breeding for me in a unique totally solar system controlling filters and heaters. I just wished that I had the space you do for that amazing set up.

[@newmexicoaquatics282]

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing his room with us!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@BigCityBettas]

It's just so beautiful. Amazingly well done! Thanks for sharing.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks Amber! Were the big tanks done when you were there?

[@michaelschmitz500]

wow, very professionel fish room. the blue painted racks look better than black or dark brown painted, from my point of view.

[@barryreynolds8416]

I would like to see a video on your water, air and heat setup

[@joealyjim3029]

This is the fish room i dream of having one day, id stock it differently but the water system is amazing and his tanks look great too. One thing id definitely stock is that otopharynx lithobates black orange dorsal though, im not particularly into cichlids but thats a stunning fish.

[@Jaywil07]

Mike Helford is the man!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya, he's a cool guy! : -)

[@TheFishRoom]

Wow the was phenomenal, so well planned, so stunning fish and ohh so clean. Thank for taking the time to bring us this video.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! It was the type of fish room that gets built when a number of people who have a lot of experience get together and talk about how to create a great fish room!

[@Cgraseck]

Wow! This place is amazing! I've seen a lot of fish rooms, but this one is really spectacular. Makes me want to take a backhoe to mine! Cheers, Chris

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I like this one too! :-)

[@Rews-fish-shed]

Wow thank you!!!

[@ben-gd9sh]

Hiya Jason, I'm watching from the Philippines

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's super cool! Thanks for being here. : -)

[@ben-gd9sh]

@@PrimeTimeAquaticsHiya again, cheers for the response😍

[@coventrydougherty-woodin7806]

This was amazing!

[@supriyoacharya6175]

This was one of my best 32 minutes ever spent!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@makiarn777]

Nice! Looked more like a fish store than room! Totally clean, fresh and awesome!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya, every time I go there it always looks awesome!

[@JaYoeNation]

Beautiful! Would have loved to seen some salt.. but awesome none the less.. thanks for sharing and JaYoe!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@CreativePetKeeping]

Lolol that moment where I'm randomy there :p

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yep, but you looked like a pro. : -)

[@Jaywil07]

Randomly profect

[@AngelosFishTanks]

Creative Pet Keeping you weren’t quite quick enough lol..

[@CreativePetKeeping]

@@AngelosFishTanks lol true

[@AngelosFishTanks]

Creative Pet Keeping 😂

[@adeelshaikh2129]

Very nice looking fish rooms

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@adeelshaikh2129]

Happy new year

[@redjack56]

Wow, such a great fish room and my favorite African Cichlids. I’m a little curious about the type of breeder boxes Mike uses any information regarding those would be great. Thanks for a wonderful tour !

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I'll be showing one off soon. Mike gave me one! Woohoo!

[@waniamis9338]

GREAT FISHROOM MATE! CHEERS FROM INDONESIA!

[@pondguru]

Awesome set up - thanks for the tour.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks Richard. Appreciate it!

[@pondguru]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics It puts some of the local breeders here to shame as they do manual water changes every day which takes them hours, most of the guys I know are retired but that's still a huge waste of time but they didn't set their tanks up to be automated / semi-automated. Strange thing is that some use biohome and have achieved a full cycle in the systems they're using it yet they still do daily water changes through decades of habit when once a week to freshen up the tank would do, lol

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's too funny. Seems like adding biohome would reduce water changes. : -)

[@abdennebinhaila9707]

Very nice thanks..

[@edwardsdeacon]

An amazing fish-room and some excellent advice.... thank you 🙏🏽

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@jamessfishroom3491]

Great fish room... So Clean...

[@steveallen3845]

Nice room!

[@wazzasstuff8899]

Awesome fish room love the organisation he has

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! I found it quite impressive as well. : -)

[@lisac5287]

Very nice.

[@danwilcox4183]

Awesome fish room and great video quality.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Dan Wilcox Thank you!

[@danwilcox4183]

What an awesome fish room! How does Mike handle the humidity and temperature in the fish room? Also, does he make available the designs of the systems to other hobbyists?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hey Dan, the humidity is quite low with all the tank being tightly covered. I don't remember seeing a dehumidifier, but I could have easily missed it. I'll have to ask him.

[@mikehelford1164]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics and Dan -- there are glass canopies/covers on all tanks, although each has about a 2" round feeding hole drilled but the humidity seems to keep low enough even with those. Temp in fishroom is a little warmer than rest of house due to all the heaters in the tanks but isn't too bad. Also, have two wall fans installed in opposite corners of the room which helps also, both for moving air/humidity around and getting some relief from heat when it's warm. Usually run those fans each day for at least a few hours.

[@ejfishes7610]

Awesome fish room tour, thanks for sharing.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! Glad you liked it. : -)

[@waniamis9338]

Great Video mate!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@TheFishNerd]

Over 300 species of cichlids?!?!?! Whoooaaahh!!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Made me realize I'm such a rookie. haha

[@hmrhuang]

he certainly has some rare fish in that room! e.g., Coptodon flava is a highly endangered cichlid!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Our club as a CARES program that helps maintain endangered fish which is cool!

[@hmrhuang]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics that's awesome! You guys coordinate with other groups for captive breeding programs?

[@Brantov]

Very nice video. Interesting. Happy new Year.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Happy New Year to you as well!

[@rathman4601]

Wow! My dream fishroom. Second to yours Jason 😘

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks Man! Ya, it's pretty cool. : -)

[@salvadorvelasquez8204]

Happy New 2019, boss from the Velasquez family in Houston Texas 😎👍

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! Happy New Years to you as well!

[@jeromehorn7333]

top two fish room for me; Rusty Wessel in Louisville, KY is up there too.

[@jeromehorn7333]

but Mike has the most fish I've never seen before in a video

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Cool!

[@trevormcmanis]

I really dig those DIY sponge filters. What are the exact materials (type of foam and PVC dimensions) that go into making them?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I'm not exactly sure, but they sell them at Swiss Tropicals.

[@kjeaquatics]

Thanks for the tour

[@susand6652]

Absolutely amazing collection, and spotlessly clean. I know very little about fish or tanks. Is there one water source for all these tanks, or do they each have their own separate intake? If shared, what happens if one tank has a fish with a disease? Actually, writing this as I'm watching and just now seeing the water system. Looks like each tank has it's own separate intake hose. Such an intricate setup.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hi Susan, each tank has its own bulkhead for drainage and its own fresh water. In other words, it would be very difficult for disease to spread from one tank to another unless it came from an algae scraper or net, etc.

[@RexDogDelivers]

By far the best fish room out there right now. Joey was the King in my eyes until he changed his room again.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

This is a great one - I've toured a lot of fish rooms I really liked in the last year or two!

[@CricketsMa]

WOW!

[@car77777]

That's a lot of money, time, and skills invested into that fishroom.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

For sure, but my goodness was it cool! : -)

[@jamesnorwood4084]

First impression? Near clinical in it's cleanliness; appears as sterile as a hospital lab. Lacks only one thing ... a lab coat and stethoscope for the proprietor. No joke this place is as clean as a whistle. And well organized as a designated fish keeping space. Obviously the gentleman takes his hobby/ business very seriously.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It's that way every time I've been there too! :-)

[@harisupriono736]

Good

[@seanootd3406]

Wow that was a incredible tour mate

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! I thought you might like it.

[@seanootd3406]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics oh ya i loved it sounds dumb I know but seeing them and listening to him explaining little things each fish does was like watching jewel of the rift but a updated version it really was a amazing tour

[@valdis913]

👍