How To Keep Low Tech Aquarium Plants Alive - Comprehensive Guide 2022

[@MDFishTanks]

👇👇MD MERCH CLICK HERE👇👇: NEW ANGELFISH BEAST!!: md-fish-tanks.creator-spring.com/listing/angel-beast FULL SHOP: md-fish-tanks.creator-spring.com In this video I cover all the things I do to keep my aquarium plants in good condition. Many of you have commented that you have tried to create an aquascape only to have the plants all die off. Sometimes in the early stages, it can look like the plants have died off as they get covered in algae. I will help you to NOT get to that stage so you can enjoy your aquarium from day 1. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:15 Lighting 7:47 Plants 11:20 Floating Plants 13:10 Substrate 16:06 Filters 19:11 Fertilisers 21:26 co2 23:07 Stocking 24:02 Fish In Cycle 27:02 Clean Up Crew 29:36 Controlling Algae 31:38 Complete Run Down Equipment (all links affiliate): LED FLOODLIGHTS: US amzn.to/3m3cEz9 UK amzn.to/3orIdRv MAIN STRIP LIGHTS: amzn.to/3Qq7euI GOOD BUDGET LIGHT:: US amzn.to/2MDfjk1 UK amzn.to/3iYlfQQ SMALL HANG ON BACK FILTER: US amzn.to/2Mw63OO UK amzn.to/39rx3b5 NANO INTERNAL FILTER: US amzn.to/3oxGBWm UK CANISTER FILTER: US amzn.to/3iNeVtW UK amzn.to/2Fo774a GOOSENECK CLIP ON LAMP: (similar as product is now discontinued) US amzn.to/2IlwLVA UK amzn.to/2LNat13 MINI WATER PUMP: US amzn.to/2oAmf5y UK amzn.to/2mjHDez TANKS: US amzn.to/2SOocHG UK amzn.to/2SPA24i STRIP LED LIGHT: US (similar) amzn.to/2SNgbm7 UK amzn.to/2Fn9aW1 ASTA LED LIGHT: US amzn.to/3k9EmpY UK amzn.to/3p5XUPY AQUARIUM RACKING: Shelving: US amzn.to/2SrYZ5k UK amzn.to/2GFWKJ2 AIRPUMP (FILTER SYSTEM): US amzn.to/31z8FA9 UK amzn.to/37GIoUa FILTER SPONGES: US amzn.to/3dQLUfM UK amzn.to/3dS2k7K MEDIA BAGS: US amzn.to/34Kaf2N UK amzn.to/3lAj3z1 STAINLESS LILY PIPES: US amzn.to/2FqHpvR UK amzn.to/2RlfrnC BOWL AQUARIUMS: US amzn.to/2M4FwFO UK: amzn.to/2Vx73CL API® products Subscribe to API on KZbin: kzbin.info USA consumers purchase API products on Amazon: www.amazon.com/stores/page/2193F555-CE5F-4A6B-BDC4-F315CB7F175D?channel=MDTanks UK consumers purchase API products on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/25663644-6C8C-432C-9E6A-0A85082C3E3C AQUARIAN® products Follow AQUARIAN on KZbin: kzbin.info/door/NxaNWKoWr_ztSgXgPj9r8A Purchase AQUARIAN products here: aquarian.co.uk/where-to-buy/ AWESOME MEMBERSHIP COMMUNITY kzbin.info/door/3uQXzXSPspf2LoGdtYGiHwjoin FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/md_fishtanks/ FOR BUSINESS ENQUIRIES: [e-mail] #plantedtank #aquascape #mdfishtanks

[@tomoxj6s821]

Can you put a Croatian translation on your videos?We like your videos🤩🤩Is it possible?

[@durst101]

Video 17 of asking for a tank with some freshwater dolphinfish please.

[@busy_and_broke]

Speaking of clean up crews, I had a random pond snail get into my goldfish tank. No idea where he came from, but given he's been taking care of any algae growth and leaving my plants alone he's more than welcome to stay rent free.

[@_invertico_]

Cool

[@dtw1622]

The goldfish aren’t eating him? The goldfish in my outdoor pond go to town on snails.

[@busy_and_broke]

@@dtw1622 No they leave him alone. They prefer to try to pull up my plants. 😂

[@anarchist_parable]

I mean he's paying his rent in snail labor. I don't know what else you want from him 😂😂😂

[@jawjagrrl]

I bought a single tiny live plant for a 2.5 gallon nano new setup last summer, could see no "hitchhikers" when I planted it. It was from a FL fish farm... A year later my 2 75gs, 2 55gs, 3 5gs, a 3g, the OG 2.5g and a no tech jar all have all the bladder snails they can handle - there was at least 1 scud too, which are also in 3 nano tanks and colonized in a 45gal pond tote in the basement for my Angel's to eat. Over the winter I got some red root floaters and there was apparently 1 tiny rams horn snail - every tank in the house has them now. They do a great job and if they multiply a bunch in any given setup, I know that tank is getting overfed and adjust accordingly. Some folks are anti-snail, but they are welcome in my tanks.

[@corvus0]

I just got done reading a chunk of Diana Walstad's book. She also advocates for 12 to 14 hour light cycles because anything less can trigger senescence in some plants - the shorter day would normally mean they need to prepare for winter in the wild. In her text she pushes for a slight variation though. She leaves lights on for five, turns off for four, then turns them back on for five hours. The afternoon siesta, she found, allowed CO2 levels to restore to their pre-dawn levels.

[@noahvansteelant9682]

How would that effect the fish tho , wouldnt they be confused with their day/night cycle, might consider reading it too

[@braddishner8597]

Ain't nobody got time for that

[@rebirthofthecool5619]

Her lighting was in black and white

[@batkat0]

​@@braddishner8597if only there was some sort of device where you could automatically time your lights.

[@universe1879]

@@noahvansteelant9682 hmm, id imagine they might think its a storm/some clouds passed by but im just bs-ing

[@island_Dave_KeyWest]

I’ve just discovered your channel a few days ago and have been binge watching like it’s Netflix! I’ve been keeping aquariums since childhood, but have been out of it a few years. I’m preparing a new tank now and you’ve provided such inspiration that I’m going in a entirely different direction than I’d expected. I’ve started purchasing and ordering things I’ve learned from your videos to try my hand at a heavily planted tank. Wish me luck!…. I want to create the happiest home I can for a contented group of fish as well as something aesthetically pleasing. So glad to have discovered your channel!

[@fordy19]

My tips would use the lowest tech plants possible for your first time - hygrophila, limnophila, rotala, Anubias and floaters

[@mikeb4824]

You should check out father fish channel........

[@lyndaspangler9654]

100% agreed with you, David! WoW, is a starting point.

[@cutes22]

Hope you didn’t do what I always do. Planting too much at once can be as bad as adding too much stock at once. Some stuff dies, sheds, melts, and you get a huge ammonia spike.

[@mikeb4824]

@@cutes22 interesting. I know of course once things start "melting" it causes ammonia and makes it worse (snowball effect)......but did not know that simply planting tons of plants at once, could cause melt in the first place......like adding too much stock at once. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@Bob_N2BOC]

MD, I've been watching and following your videos for a few months. I'm a newbie fish keeper and have gotten so much motivation and many ideas from you. That being said, for me, I think this particular video was one of your best. Loads of valuable info for this newbie. Keep up the good work and keep providing us with your experience and knowledge, good stuff!

[@KgTheGreat]

P

[@snapdragon2441]

I consider myself a newbie too as I have only had my tank about a year. Initially a couple of my plants failed and some looked really unhealthy but now they are all doing well. This hobby is brilliant for keeping motivated and grey matter active. Things are always changing in the tank. Did a bit of maintenance today with 30% water change as I have just upped my fish load. Good luck.

[@donnahartland8202]

I'm a newbie too! Bought my tank yesterday 25 gal, 4' x 3' x 3' looking for inspo and recomendations for lighting, filtration and of course plants :)

[@PatriotBrad]

Love your videos. My biggest problem is when your discussing plant names i have no idea what your talking about! Maybe toss those names on the screen so we can pause or in the description notes! Thanks!

[@mikecullis8401]

Great video. Had a tank 50 years ago when tanks were made of angle iron and putty glass! Just starting again. Have binge watched your videos and learnt so much - greatly appreciated!

[@suehiro107]

Is it just me or does everyone just want to hang out with this guy? Learning so much and enjoying the company. Thank you 😊

[@cherylharless281]

As someone who has always had plants in my tanks (many years ago) --- not to be confused with having a "planted tank". I appreciate the simplified how-to that you advocate. You've made me want to start again (once I'm back on my feet, that is).

[@DavidDavis311]

Whatever the situation is I hope you get back on your feet again soon and start a fantastic tank. Best of luck to you :)

[@86Kera]

I thought those were the same 😅 I need to do more research but good luck with your new tank

[@ryandodrill6904]

MD was definitely an inspiration to me to get into keeping a planted tank. I'm certainly no expert but one piece of advice that I wish I had when I started is stop over thinking things and just get a tank. Reading the internet it's easy to get you worried think it's impossible to balance a tank and all. I would say learn the basics then just get a tank setup and react to problems as they arise. Mine isn't perfect, it's got some visible algae, some plants could be greener, but I'm getting new growth on everything, enough so that I have to trim it now, no water changes, no filter, fish are vibrant and thriving, and the amano shrimp are happy too. So just get out there and do it and I think most people will find it's much more fun than they thought while researching on the internet.

[@SamPonjican]

Great video, MD! This will definitely help your viewers get some success at replicating plant growth in their own tanks. I do want to emphasize one thing you mentioned, though - your tap water with low ph/TDS enables you to get plant growth not typical of most low tech tanks. If someone doesn’t get the type of growth MD showcases, don’t get frustrated! Balancing lights and nutrients is just two components in the triad - which also includes carbon. Here’s the point: if you’ve got low pH/TDS (total dissolved solids), it’s easier to dissolve more CO2 from the atmosphere. So you can run brighter lights or longer photoperiods and elevate the nutrient levels. Hopefully this is helpful without getting too science-y and some more MD fans can have some better luck replicating the awesome plant growth seen in these wonderful videos!

[@jawjagrrl]

Great point. There was a reason I started with African cichlids many years ago - my water was almost identical to Lake Malawi in ph, hardness, etc. Plants doable but difficult by comparison. I always suggest to newbies to work with the water you have - and the more fish you can work with that are bred locally to you in the same water, the easier time you'll have at the start. You can always try discus in your 9.0 Texas tap when you've had lots of practice with fish more suited that that environment.

[@lilareyes8874]

@@jawjagrrl wait, so I live in texas and you know we have hard water. If my water’s pH is too high then I would either have to lower it or keep lights & nutrients down (compared to MD). On the other hand, if my water already has a low pH then the tank could handle a little more light & nutrients with less filtration?

[@heatherRebekah77]

I just had this video running over my home speaker while I did some tidying up to my aquarium, since I’ve been on a mission to help my plants grow better. Your videos always cheer me up and inspire me in the hobby. Ps. Would you ever share your skin care routine? Is that a weird question since this is an aquarium channel….I think there’s a bunch of us that are wondering about it, lol. Thought I would ask just in case.

[@jackm9566]

Commenting here from the tropics of South East Asia. People don't talk enough about the right temperature for sustainable aquarium plant growth. You can buy the most expensive fertilizers, soil, lights, CO2 injection, your plant will still die off if you can't keep the temperature 22-26 degrees Celsius. Invest in a temperature controlled room, chiller, or heater depending where you are. Amazing plant growth happen at the right consistent temperature.

[@chrisso1973]

Love the way you really encourage people to be patient and take notice of what’s going on in their tank. All situations are different and it’s crucial we actually look to see what’s happening. Thanks mate, awesome content. 👍👍👍

[@elexhud8089]

Got my first aquarium 8 months ago, and have been really struggling keeping my plants looking good and healthy. I NEED THIS VIDEO!

[@afrree5248]

New enthusiast here, only had an aquarium for a year but recently decided we wanted to get into planted aquariums. This video was fantastic at cutting through the chaos of information out there! We are a busy family and don't have time for high maintenance, and this summarises the route we want to go down! It's helpful to know you can do this with a low maintenance approach!

[@AckoMunze]

This!...is the best how to tutorial for a planted tank. Period. Over the last 18 years I did both co2 and the MD way, many many times and this video is 100% spot on, on all accounts. Thank you sir MD! 👏👍👌

[@thesolaraquarium]

Growing plants underwater without CO2 injection is possible, but like alot of things in life it is difficult and trial-and-error. I have had successes and failures, but I still don't use my old CO2 tank. When I fail I never think - oh it must have been a lack of CO2. There are way too many variables to be certain. Temperature, light intensity and duration, nutrients etc... I love low tech. It teaches you patience. Things happen VERY slowly. This channel MD Fish tanks has been an inspiration for a while. Incidentally I grow glosso carpets without CO2 injection or liquid ferts - it can be done but is not easy. Diandrum and elatinoides most definitely do not require CO2 injection to thrive but it depends on the setup. QUESTION: do you have problems with tank lids? For some reason I have had trouble with planted tanks and lids so all my tanks have no lids. Evaporation is a pain but I put up with it.

[@trevorcourtney7457]

Also, a big yes to your idea of loading substrate into bags. Did that earlier this year when I set up my 100 gallon. It works! Thanks MD. :)

[@sarahshafer8996]

Thank you so much for this one MD. I think more stuff like this is needed. Especially for those of us who want to do plants but haven't got the money for the more expensive equipment

[@annwebster14]

MD, I have been following you for a few months, and I am addicted to creating aqua-scapes. Just a beginner, and going to make sure I can get good plant growth from a variety before I set up a larger tank. I have been watching many of your videos and they are addicting. Please keep it up!

[@trevorcourtney7457]

In my experience, as far as stems go, you can't go wrong with Limnophila or Hygrophila. I have to cut mine back once a month. The problem is it grows so fast, but it is brilliant for the health of the tank. I would always recommend it to any new fishkeepers.

[@debnazario7226]

Thank you , was going to ask that, or research it

[@jonny2r]

I've killed more plants than roundup! I'll be following your advice. Cheers MD

[@debnazario7226]

Lol

[@PabloAfro]

Just got my aquarium and hard scapes today. Building my first ever low tech aquarium after watching lots of your videos. Thank you for the amazing videos always!

[@DaWaffleDog]

it still up?

[@SgtZem]

I never knew exactly what type of fish keeper I was until this video. I know now I am definitely mid tech going towards low tech. Thank you for your insightful knowledge! 🙏

[@creightonfreeman8059]

Good to see somebody else keeping aquariums the old fashioned way. I still think it is the best way, although the aquarium stores/suppliers will try to convince you otherwise so they can sell you a bunch of expensive, mostly unnecessary stuff. I used to keep marine aquaria this way too, and was growing sponges and gorgonians before reef tanks became a thing and all the water additives and liquid nutrients were available. If you get the biology right the "toys" don't matter so much.

[@Waverwreck]

@MD Fish Tanks You can clear the Cyanobacteria 0:59 from your Limnophilla by just adding a Hornworth colony in your tank. Ceratophyllum demersum - Hornworth - excretes substances that inhibit the growth of phytoplankton and cyanobacteria.| No added chems, no perpetual maintenance and as a side effect, the water column stays super clean.

[@adamwickenden5981]

MD, it's like you knew exactly what I needed with this video as I started my first ever planted aquarium last week!

[@Jwonni1]

Some of my favourite videos are when my two favourite KZbinrs get together (MD and Matt). Hopefully it won't, but I'm just praying that the change in relationship to technically being boss and employee doesn't change the amazing chemistry and dynamic you two have as the 'mates' having a laugh have always worked so well. Really looking forward to seeing more of you guys together

[@karenteasdale7341]

Love to hear the banter.

[@treysimmons2179]

Great video! I kept wanting to skip forward to sections I was most interested in, but I couldn't because every section was absolutley full of great information. Thank you!

[@vikkirountoit497]

I love that you love low tech tanks - and to me, you are an artist with a special flair for life under water. I'm not, but I love it all just the same and my scapes are improving. Really enjoy learning about your process to see what else I don't know that I don't know.

[@hallofdata5569]

I've set up my planted tank because I binging watch all your videos. And here I am having problem growing out my aquarium plants :3. Thank you for this help MD!

[@joeyknuckelz]

My plants are finally growing in my tank after so many wrong choices. Its true you do not need an expensive light. Just use liquids fertilizer weekly have lots of plants change filter often and use correct substrate and tabs are needed. Instead of replacing dead plants now i have to trim rapid growing plants. I have a angel fish, cory and African frog.

[@MikeZak101]

A little tip with ammonia, been keeping koi for 20 years, ammonia is far less toxic at a PH of 7 to the point you would have to have a very high reading to cause an effect on the fish where as a PH of 8 or higher would only require a low level reading to have detrimental effects.

[@heymrdan]

Just a comment to help with the algorithm. Love waking up to fresh content.

[@liddybird3608]

Thank you for this. You're good at explaining why you're doing things when you're setting up each tank, but I like a dedicated video like this one, too, with information all in one place.

[@remyjune4518]

I’m new to the hobby and I’ve gotta say you are the best fish KZbinr out there. I love your style and this type of fish keeping. Inspiring. Thanks for all the education. I watch your videos just to relax lol. I’m based in Thailand so it’s different stuff here in the fish keeping world but also in the land of tropical fish so it’s cool too!

[@mirsad96]

You work 12 hours a day in there? Well that right there is the real reason your tanks look so good. Never ever neglected.

[@dgleitaocontratos]

I didn’t imagine by looking at your tanks you didn’t have co2 on them. Great results!

[@Tirfing88]

the soil on media bags is incredible trick... i htink you juts solved the problem everyone has with soil bed tanks looool

[@raymondcheung6995]

New to aquariums setup. Just want to thanks for all the useful videos, you make it a lot less intimidating then it needed to be. I also like your approach, letting the eco system to do most of the work, in term give us more time to enjoy. Keep up the good work.

[@stellapye]

Thanks so much MD ... I've just started to put live plants in my tanks ... this video is my go to!

[@eiyumats6218]

One of the best advice videos on low tech tank setting!

[@Stefnfurryfriends]

Definitely learned something here. Even after having aquariums for over thirty years, great running systems, new technics can change everything. In my case it was propably to little planting for too much light, since I got a great new LED over a small tank. It was always covered in ugly algae and nothing else grew great. It was frustrating and very negleted for long now. Now I’ll give it a new try 💪

[@michaelterry2615]

Beautiful set ups and it's awesome to see good looking tanks that don't cost 1000's. Thanks for the links to the equipment super useful 🙏🏻👍🏼

[@royalspin]

Great info and it should be mentioned that the bigger the tank ,the closer to nature it'll be regarding balancing the water chemistry .With regards to having no filter or just a slow dribble of flow ,I would think twice about it too slow especially if you have an open top tank and have your home heating set lower than what the inhabitants require .Ram cichlids for example like the temp around 80 ish as do other species ,so keeping the heat consistent is a must .Having a glass top and Styrofoam sheets in selected areas can reduce the amount of energy needed for a heated tank and it doesn't necessarily need to look terrible either .I use a sheet for the bottom of the tank as well as the back but with a solid background so the sheet is hidden .Having the bottom sheet in place also reduces any major temperature differences for the plant roots which is shown to be beneficial for the overall health of the plants . Gorgeous critters BTW .Blue Acaras were the first cichlids I kept many many years ago and way before the electric blue types were available .Love the channel,keep up the good work .✌️

[@DavidDavis311]

Thanks for answering my ph question. Love the advice of buying several plants and just leaving them in the pots to see how they do.

[@george398]

Great channel. It's been over 15 years since I had a tank and now I'm setting up my freshwater tank with one oranda. Back then there were only books to read but now it's cool to see it in action and what can be done on a low setup.

[@UncalBertExcretes]

I run my lights for 15hrs a day no prob with algae if you got a strong eco system with plenty of plants you can run the lights as much as you like.

[@sumi4684]

I'm sorry I couldn't help myself at 08:20 ONWARDS THE WAY YOU KEPT PAUSING i never laughed so much, you forgot to edit out your pauses bless ya made my day

[@MDFishTanks]

I noticed after and thought it didn't really matter so left it in 🤣...I guess it did lol.

[@MilosStevanovic1]

Man I love listening to this guy, it’s like relaxation for me.

[@sacardevos]

Man, I really like your videos. You have the coolest aquascape channel on KZbin. Thanks for the tips!

[@fishfishfish9837]

Your humble af dude. Your tanks are beautiful.

[@RWAquariumPages]

love this video and love this style. I've been doing planted tanks for 25+ years and was always about blasting the light and co2, but last 7-8 years, i've went semi lower tech, lower lights (the lights these day are way too powerful), good substrate like ada or aquario neo and it makes a huge difference. can't wait to watch all your videos over and over again. keep up the great work!

[@gallardo20000]

honestly once I started using CO2 I cannot go without it. Literally boosted plant growth and form by 80% plants grow much more lush and wider foliage with CO2 not to mention it reduces the algae. The pearling is also something to watch at the end of the lighting cycle all the plants shooting up air bubbles is amazing.

[@paXua]

What a great video! Shines like a diamond!💎

[@naddyn685]

Your large tank with orange fish is absolutely gorgeous to look at. Those fish must have hours of fun in there! Nice work MD :)

[@ryanrogers8211]

Use the Father Fish method for longterm success. It’s basically the Wahlstead method with nutrients added to the soil before you set it up.

[@dizzypdddizzypdd2252]

If you are just topping up water, you need to keep an eye on TDS levels as they can build up quicker than you might expect depending on water quality in your area. 👍👍

[@mickulet3959]

I did not try chemicals on treating algae bloom rather i resorted to uv treatment and since then whenever I change water they never grow back. But of course I did buy a second filter since I don't want to kill the beneficial bacteria that is already inhibiting the old filter.

[@raymondcheung6995]

Thanks!

[@debwalls9405]

Dudes! I feel duped. Been watching your shrimp vids for weeks. Set my tank up following your methods, learned alot from you-Thanks. So, picked my cherry shrimp up from aqua shop yesterday and was shocked!! They are teeny tiny. Cant see them without my glasses on! Realise now that all the vids Ive watched from you and others have all been zoomed in on🤣🤣Any way, they've got a huge tank to themselves and they are gorgeous.

[@klypz8513]

Awesome videos pal. I've learnt a lot. I'm currently in the process of setting up my 75g and am glad I didn't fill it fast, I'm going to get some plant substrate and bag it ahead of time and put my gravel sand mixture on top and then plant and fill. Awesome. Best guy I've found so far

[@lyndaspangler9654]

WoW! Just WoW! And I've been swimming in your "work/passion/play with a purpose" since the 1st time I saw your great, and informative fun. WoW. Thank you. I repeat what Island David says. WoW, is my version of all of David's praise and excitement. Enthusiasm for all! ✌🏼🙏🏼🖖🏼🧜🏻‍♀️🐾🐠🐠🐠

[@bytabort4928]

Didnt you use like Root Tabs when starting up a tank? What where they?

[@ChrisByram]

Absolutely amazing video. So comprehensive and answered sooo many questions

[@PreiliMuri]

With my 0 knowhow on aquascaping, I'm willing to mention 1 thing that might also help with the plants, but was not brought up as a separate item in this video as it is just part of the normal for Your set up. Heat, You have mentioned you don't use heaters as you keep the room temp higher than many might consider normal, but what experience I have with plants (umm, tomatoes in the greenhouse) is that they do grow fast when they get to the sweetspot temperature wise and seem healthy but not putting on a lot of growth out before that. Might also be true for aquatic plants that mostly originate from tropical waters. I love the hybred aquariums, where flora is as as important as the fauna, fish in a bowl of empty just don't sit right with me. Evey single one I've seen you do, look mezmerising. Looking into how compositions work in photography might be a good strat for beginners. I'm so tempted to try myself, at last with plants...not sure if I trust myself or the Cat with fish.

[@martinjenkins6472]

Every new fishkeeper should be MADE to watch this video :D

[@carolebraswell982]

Thank you for sharing your expertise and all your tips and tricks... your style of tanks are exactly what I am doing at my home!

[@77slate]

Good stuff MD, thanks for sharing your experiences. Every tank and set up is different so your spot on in saying to be observant and to experiment with what works for each individual tank. It's also quite satisfying going through that process and then getting it all lock in. It's important to be patient throughout the start up phases.

[@unrealoneill]

Absolutely love your channel. Excellent tutorial and you are a joy to listen to. Editing is on point to. Thank you! Keep up the inspiring videos.

[@shanewiseman3554]

Just going through this vid again. Couple questions at min18:36 showing the filter in the neon tank - what is the fluffy ball like plant front left? And second question re: water changes - do you re-use the water you take out? If so how do you clean it up

[@PaulZyCZ]

Capped soil method FTW! I recently set up large tank with capped soil and slow start over the first several weeks (light, waterline, fish). Lights go with somewhat dimmer morning, siesta, afternoon going to full blast and long dimming in the evening. I'm growing even some red plants and Rotala Rotundifolia looks even better than in a gravel-bottom tank with CO_2 injections. So far there's only some diatom on the glass. As the cleanup crew goes, I'm still waiting for Java Moss to grow to survive SAE, because they love it. On the other hand I'm happy Angelfish and Black widow tetras ate all the duckweed in a day.

[@vezeris]

Took your advice on flood lights. Great results!

[@Lowdermoomoo]

I use light that’s free… 🤣 my apartment has a corner where two windows meet, and it took me a couple days to adjust the heater to keep the tank at 78°F consistently, and I did melt some floaters but the ones that survived are loving their little corner of light. For days that have less sunlight I have two cheap LED Desk lamps that have low light, but I keep them on longer and they do fine. I just have to keep an eye on the temperature those days but the desk lamps do a good job of keeping the water balmy like the sunlight does. I just keep them on a bit longer.

[@emilyjane61]

A tour of your home tanks, and how you might treat them differently, would be a fun video to see!

[@Marcelsk811]

I like how that fish is like "oh you're filming, why didn't you say so" 9:13

[@cristianraul3687]

Your electric blue acara look awesome. Love them!

[@sancraft1]

I literally put fish and shrimp in my first planted tank today and I'm already planning the next two tanks.

[@rebeccaampuero2347]

A very good refresher course! I really needed this right now. Thank you!

[@klobber17]

I randomly decided to grab a couple plants and throw them in my betta tank because they were almost dead and 90% off, that was two month ago and they are growing fine is just gravel, trimmed most of the off because it was dead but they are thriving now.

[@ZaenGamingHD]

I think there was supposed to be a cut at 8:21 ish. Made me laugh the neutral facial expression!

[@jillianbeene2508]

This has me dying 😂😂😂😂

[@ladydiane6839]

MD just stopping in to have a chat... love it...

[@BaadMotorFinger]

Always interesting watching your videos coming from a high tech, co2, inert substrate perspective that I'm used to.

[@gangstagamingtamil3550]

Ohh man u r 100% true to the heart❤️❤️❤️ u r really honest to ur viewers bro most of them recommend buy this buy that but u...u r another level man...luv frm india❤️❤️❤️

[@Immashift]

I have a tank that's balanced, no spikes in anything for months, minimal water changes, shrimp are happy. Thing is, high amount of both mulm and hair algae, plus the plants only give me marginally good growth. The mulm I think I chose too fine a substrate and it can't settle in between the layers so it's an issue until I rebuild the tank, but since it isn't affecting anything it's just visual. The high hair algae tells me lighting is too high, but the low plant growth tells me either not enough light or nutrients. I'm using a liquid fertilizer and I did the media bag filled with aqua soil trick when I set it up, so I'm not sure. My plan would be to cut the light back by an hour or so repeatedly until I notice either the algae gone or the plants being more melty. My instinct is that since my levels are balanced as they have been for months, there isn't that much in available nutrients. But I was overfeeding at one point and had a bladder snail explosion, so now I cut that back and the plants are growing less. Anyone have any input?

[@lindacooper4893]

Great md this was so interesting and informative you covered a lot, well I loved it. I can replay this over and over and I will not get tired of it. ❤

[@margaretsimmondswoodley3423]

Love all your very down-to-earth (or should that be down-to-plants?!) videos . However, although I moved from plastic to a well planted environment, my tank is a "standard" lidded tank (just 48L located in my bedroom) so a lot of the lighting advice for open top tanks doesn't work for me - and floaters I tried out certainly didn't survive being close under the bulbs! But I still love watching all your vids!!

[@delicacat]

Hi there. I have a lidded tank too, and my floating plants have really taken off luckily . I was having loads of algae issues. Hope you can manage to grow some more.

[@collincataldo]

Such a beautifully organized and comprehensive informational video on freshwater plants!

[@lindapeppin2441]

Great summary video. I wish I’d seen something like this when I started out.

[@kaloyankostov9523]

He said: " You won't have as many fish tanks as me, will you?" 😂😂 I got two tanks and a orb which is filter free, And that's way more than I should have. But definitely well inspired by MD. The ORB is the last addition which I really love, and it picks up nicely. Keep up the videos coming. We make the army grow thanks to egg head x. Power to MD 🌱🔦 🐠🐟

[@suehall1429]

This video was brilliant! Keeping it all simple and using simple terms, your videos have helped me so much in setting my tanks up and will be setting up a 3rd tank very soon 😁

[@jonmedlin7744]

no better timing !! just set up my tank and set back to start watching it grow :) thank u

[@p3teytran]

Love this. Thank you for sharing. Every time i get tempted to start getting into a high tech co2 tanks, you remind me that less is more sometimes. Do you have a video of list of your favorite plants that grow well in low tech plants?

[@chrisjones8585]

This video is exceptional! Thank you for all the work that you put into this as well as all of the other videos that you have created.

[@kouprey1]

Bravo! Very well explained . Thanks for including links re: lights, etc.

[@stefanijat7944]

I love your videos and set-ups! Your videos are really helpful and a great watch but I wish you would do an "Aquarium Plant Tours" series just introducing different plants and the tanks you can grow them in!

[@adamortiz5896]

What kind are the orange fish at 4:11?

[@TheStyraxmoons]

Just started watching your awesome videos, subscribed already as I can learn a lot with them. Albeit, most videos focus on two different, common situations, either you have massively planted aquariums with a few fish or the opposite, not so many plants and loads of fish... My doubt is, in my case I have a massively planted aquarium with quite a lot of fish. My aquarium is 300 lts. (already deducting the gravel), and approximately 50cm depth of water column, I have a Twinstar 120B LED, CO2 injection and a Twinstar Yotta Plus sterilizer. The biggest fry is composed of cardinals, then have smaller groups of Rasboras (Mosquito, Chilli, Exclamation dot and Emerald dwarf), also Threadfin rainbow fish (my favourite), Spotted blue eyes, Oryzias woworae, Pencil fish (Nannostomus beckfordii), a few Otocinclus, Rosy loaches and striped and dark kuhli's. Also have a couple Bamboo shrimps, Amano shrimps, Red Cherry, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue Dream, Babaulti, Crystal Red, Tiger Blue and Blue Bolt shrimps. Also have snails, Neritina's, Taia naticoides, Clithon Corona and Planorbis. Plants I am more successful with are Cryptocoryne's and most Moss varieties like Christmas, Nano, Creeping, Flaming, etc. Not really successful with red plants, already tried Ludwigia's, Rotalas, and so on. Already increased light, tried a few brands of fertilizers, Tropica, 2Hour Aquarist, Seachem... Also tried the pills you place under the gravel and clay balls (all in different occasions, not all at the same time. Is it feasible to inject liquid fertilizer in very small portions directly on more demanding plants? In the gravel underneath those plants I mean. I'd really appreciate some advice regarding this situation (lots of plants and fish). Thank you so much and keep making all these wonderful videos. ☺️☺️☺️

[@leegadsby290]

Another great video MD, I've always had problems with my plants going black so I can try and sort it out now 😁