LETS FIX THIS! Axolotls, Algae, Cyanobacteria, Duckweed and a NEW surface skimmer.

We have struggled for a little while now in the Axolotl aquarium with a bit of a cyanobacteria and algae issues. This is due to the fact that Axolotls are hungry creatures and also can't be housed with other animals that may help with cleaning around the tank.
With a big water change, a cut back of the aquarium plants, and the addition of the new ‪@fluval‬ SK400 skimmer I'm hoping to be able to get back on top of this issue. It isn't really an issue health wise for the Axolotls it's just unsightly and annoying.
Fact file on Axolotls: • AXOLOTLS! (All Beginne...
The original build of the Axolotl aquarium: • Creating an AXOLOTL aq...
Video chapters
00:00 - Intro Algae issues
03:52 - Water changing & Cyanobacteria
08:04 - Trimming and sorting the plants
10:26 - Axolotl water treatment and top up
11:25 - Unboxing the Fluval SK400 skimmer
14:35 - Installing the aquarium skimmer
17:51 - Feeding the Axolotls
19:24 - Duckweed removal
20:17 - I think it has worked
Support the channel by joining the channel members area here.
/ @fishshopmatt
Find my merch below!
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All my aquariums run on ‪@NTLabsOfficialSite‬ products go check out their channel for all sorts of awesome fishy content.
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[@giggiwidit5638]

I remember watching this tank being built. The Axolotls have grown so much !!!

[@FishShopMatt]

Haven't they!!

[@dforgash]

28k to go! Let’s get FSM to 100k!!

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahaha thank you!

[@bobbybrownshoes940]

Love your collection of board games, children learn so much from interaction....

[@FishShopMatt]

Yes, thank you

[@lburgess3098]

Great vid for me as I hadn’t a clue how skimmers work and what they do. Thanks.😊

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad to help!

[@deannearmaya8090]

Just watched your video in my lunch brake sitting at my desk with the office axolotl 'ghosty'. We both enjoyed it.

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kateselley9047]

Just purchased two of these - you should be on commision 🙂🙂

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahahaha go tell fluval!

[@megmills4798]

Love that new wood piece😊

[@FishShopMatt]

Me too!

[@davidewart5524]

Amazing video Matt, your so informative and easy to listen to,chilled music, I've learnt a lot from your videos Matt would love to visit your shop. I look forward to the next one. 😊

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks! Means a lot!

[@peaoat3608]

Skimmer working independently from the filter inflow might be just what I need.

[@FishShopMatt]

They're very useful!

[@chrismucha2552]

Oase looks best. Cheers

[@dennisvanopstal7360]

​@@chrismucha2552 but it pushes the water down instead of forward. So it doesnt help circular flow at all.

[@chrismucha2552]

@@dennisvanopstal7360 under a certain angle i think but you are right

[@gigi3242]

Axolotls are such little cuties. Thanks for the video. Just planted some val a couple of weeks ago, hoping it will grow big and strong like yours. Have an awesome week.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! I'm sure it will grow well!

[@danm8004]

Perfect timing Matt, I've just ordered this skimmer for my Fluval Shaker 😅

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahaha you've made a good choice!

[@PBee8108]

So glad you've stayed true to your brand, and not gone 'corporate'.

[@megmills4798]

Hello Matt pray all is well with you and family glad to see you today😊

[@FishShopMatt]

Same to you!

[@Kyddoemiko13]

Excellent video Matt , comfort is everything 😅

[@alisterg3582]

I have the shaker 252 a 407 filter and was still getting dead spots with the flow. I fitted a cheap 4000LPH wavemaker and an Oase Crystalskim which has worked wonders - I have these on a timer for 10 minutes in the hour (day only) and it has virtually eliminated the need to gravel vac. The Cyrstalskim fits nicely in the shaker and I chose this over the Fluval for 3 reasons 1) The filter pops out the top to clean so I don’t have to take the whole skimmer out to clean the sponge 2) It discharges flow downwards and not horizontal 3) I think it looks slicker in the tank than the square Fluval.

[@megmills4798]

Matt you got me chuckling with how your filming sorry i am commenting so much😊

[@FishShopMatt]

Never too many comments!

[@maurinedoyle9964]

I did everything - eventually drained the tank, used the substrate for house plants, and sat the tank out in the sun for a week. Our water company was adding more phosphate to our supply. No sign of it since

[@FishShopMatt]

Oh that's annoying with the phosphate. Some times it's easier to start again.

[@Diospyros1985]

Informative video, as always. Tank looks great, but I think I'm more impressed by your family's game collection!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you so much! Hahaha this is a small collection compared to my brother's, I think board games run in the family.

[@plarkmoby]

I couldn't help but notice one of the best board games ever made behind you, HeroQuest. So many happy rainy days playing it.

[@FishShopMatt]

Couldn't agree more! This is the new version as I sold my childhood one many years ago.

[@plarkmoby]

@@FishShopMatt No idea what happened to the old one my family had. One day I'll buy the new one, and expansions. Love your videos Matt.

[@aronro1291]

@@plarkmoby only old ones i still have from my childhood collection is Stratego and electrictronic battleship advanced. You do have a great collection though. gotta admit ive been looking over those titles for a while now, feeling nestolgic

[@garageaquatics2023]

Your Axolotls sure look like they've grown since you set this tanks up. I do hope you tossed the Val prunings under the plants in the yard! That's fantastic mulch/compost. As always, great video, Matt! Looking forward to that garage video. Rain! Wow. I would love a bit of that. It may help cool things down a bit. It was 121F here the day before yesterday! Anywaym have a fantastic week ahead. Cheers, Mate!

[@FishShopMatt]

They have grown a fair amount recently. Yeah all the Val cutting went under my roses to give them a bit of food! I would like a bit more sun now please hahaha.

[@carltonbirds]

Very lovely and skimmer.

[@shonhatley541]

Nice update and repair job, Fish Shop Matt. Please keep'em coming.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks! Will do!

[@fin-tastic]

Hero Quest! Good man.👍

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks!

[@EdKenUK]

At first I thought the red cap would be a deal breaker but having got the shaker 252 (on your recommendation - from Maidenhead Trowel) it looks fine with the hood.

[@FishShopMatt]

I totally agree with you I was worried about the red but you can't really see it.

[@LordChumbley]

“Planty” lol love the videos

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahaha it did smell planty.

[@TalisaAquarist]

I love your axolotl tank!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you!

[@Matthew.Henley]

They’re very gentle looking creatures.

[@FishShopMatt]

Until a pellet comes by then BANG! hahaha

[@megmills4798]

Wow alot of flow i see😊

[@stoneysscapes7544]

Sweet !!! 😊

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks! 😊

[@Jonoskillz]

Great video Matt, but couldn't take my eye off all the games. Fancy a game of Wingspan sometime :P

[@FishShopMatt]

Always up for a game of wingspan!

[@jackparkin1339]

The output pipe pulls out so you could get it above the wood for better flow

[@FishShopMatt]

The wood goes all the way to the top of the tank so wouldn't really help unfortunately.

[@owen_oj]

This hit my tank a few weeks back due to too much light (sun light blaring through a window). Gave it the blackout treatment, and it worked amazingly well.

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah the blackout is my next step if this doesn't work!

[@yorkshiremanjim]

I have a few monstera, pothos and spider plants in my axolotl tank.. barely do water changes just top ups as they suck out all the nutrients 😊

[@peaoat3608]

I would like to axolotl of questions.

[@FishShopMatt]

😂😂😂

[@megmills4798]

I have a pond with alot of sun and fight against algae green brown 😊

[@sarpijk]

You might have found out by now but I just wanted to say that the red insert on the top of the skimmer is most probably the way to keep snails from getting stuck in the slits. I have a skimmer from Blau that lacks this feature and I have to unlodge the Ramshorn snails fron in there. Greetings from Greece!

[@FishShopMatt]

Oh interesting, yeah I think it's designed as a universal guard to stop anyone entering.

[@MandyJane123700]

Sunlight was the reason I had a cyanobacteria outbreak last year. I ended up using that Ultralife stuff, and then blocking the sunlight. Now I want a skimmer like that one. lol

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah I definitely think it's causing the majority of the issues. I worry about using anti algae treatments with the Axolotls as I don't know if they will react well to it.

[@KellyC.-zs1ec]

Thanks for the great tips. Random request: would you be up for a fish spotlight for the keyhole cichlid?

[@FishShopMatt]

I'm trying to find a group for a new tank I'm setting up so fingers crossed.

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1281">21:21</a> I'd like to get a good amount of Flo !

[@FishShopMatt]

😜😂

[@danielamalinowski2620]

Chemiclean will get rid of the cyanobacteria in just a few days, worked a treat for me.

[@judyallinson1281]

❤

[@-AndrewR]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@Nick-ct8vi]

Up the fish shop Matt

[@FishShopMatt]

Whoop whoop! 😁

[@joshjamesuk]

Not fish related but Catan is the best board game ever!

[@FishShopMatt]

Agreed!!!

[@duncanwilson-m1z]

spotted... Hero Quest!!

[@FishShopMatt]

Great game!

[@alanthecat59]

😻

[@aronro1291]

Would you be able to put in apple snails or and other larger type in with the axolotls? As a cleanup crew

[@FishShopMatt]

I've always contemplated apple snails, my worry is they would try and eat one and then get it stuck.

[@aronro1291]

@@FishShopMatt would they be able to get it in their mouths and ould they crush it up if they did is the question i guess. As long as they are large enouph snails they should be ok by my "guess", though my experience comes more from small lizards like geckos and such not salamanders or axolotls

[@aronro1291]

@@FishShopMatt would love to see all their natural habitats to see what they can live with out in the wild.

[@notkkd1786]

if only i could keep axolotls in my country...

[@FishShopMatt]

They are great creatures! Maybe have a look and see if you can keep any of the beet species?

[@peterbriggs3408]

Please recommend a freshwater phosphate test kit please? Can't say I've seen one despite looking.

[@FishShopMatt]

NT labs do a really good one that I use regularly!

[@peterbriggs3408]

@@FishShopMatt - Will keep looking - not spotted it in any of my local (Salisbury) suppliers yet

[@EasyVRider]

Do you have a video of you setting up this tank?

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah we do! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnTHoaWfnsuSf6Msi=GmFZ1UHt3tPgPEhM

[@tucker8951]

Hi Matt, hope you don't mind me asking but do you still work at Maidenhead aquatics in Taunton? I finally got to check out the shop as I live a couple of hours away but was passing through Wellington to get onto the M5 heading home. The fan in me wanted to say hi and thanks for getting me into the hobby. Set up my first tank a few months ago after watching your videos.

[@FishShopMatt]

I don't work there anymore unfortunately, still on a 0 hours contract if they need me but the channel keeps me so so busy!

[@xPhil84]

Hi Matt. I have the Superfish Scaper 60 tank with a Tidal 35 HOB filter. The filter is hanging on the side of the tank. Do you think it'll provide adequate filtertion for my betta fish, or have i created dead zones in your opinion? I'm not sure whether to buy a different filter.

[@FishShopMatt]

I think you will be fine. Keep an eye on it but Bettas don't like lots of flow, so as long as you don't overfeed and have enough plants and water changes you should be fine.

[@xPhil84]

@FishShopMatt Cheers, mate 👍

[@chrismucha2552]

As one guy said, and it make sense for me: even if you have low phosphate and nitrate it doesnt mean your Reftfield ratio is ok. Can Chemiclean be used with Axolotl? It works;) Cheers

[@GSG-lc5zm]

"An entire ecosystem contained in a tiny infantesamle speck"

[@grahamstevens9968]

Hi Matt, what skimmer would you recommend for an Aqua Oak aquarium as they have glass shelves around the inside of the tank?. Really like all your videos.

[@FishShopMatt]

Hmmm I think most of them should work, it just depends on the height of the water level and where the glass brace is. Either this fluval one or the oase one should work fine.

[@johnjrkean7008]

I have two small turtles in a 40B it has a fx4 on it and barely keeps up with all there poop lol and I do weekley water changes ....next week I'll be setting up my 125 gallon with a fx4 and a fx6 hopefully more volume helps they poop like puppys lol

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah turtles are awful for pooping! Lots of water changes are a must as no amount of filtration will deal with the nutrient build up so you will always suffer with algae unless you remove it.

[@johnjrkean7008]

@@FishShopMatt tje algae or algeee as my uk friends like to say lol doesnt bother me much I've tried plants of every kind nothing survives with them so something green at this point is nice to see hahah....great videos my friend my best to u and the family!

[@aronro1291]

@@johnjrkean7008 ive had my turtle for almost 40yrs now and the only things ive noticed is that if you feed them live fish instead of the jar turtle foods it will smell less but that depends on turtle breed/size if you can. That and weekly filter and water changes

[@johnjrkean7008]

@@aronro1291 I have a albino pink belly side neck and a eastern painter ....I try my best to feed variety of foods I just think it is what it is lol overload on filters n keep up with water changes there messy little guys lol

[@aronro1291]

@@johnjrkean7008 i have a american box turtle wild caught 40yrs ago and a red eared slider 32yrs old. They are messy for sure. The bigger the tank the more it get diluted but like you said... they're worth it.

[@lloyd011721]

hey matt have you ever heard of anyone having a situaton where every time they get java moss it always just turns brown and dies off?

[@Scumfrog74]

Oh! Is fillup coming by?

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahahaha YES!

[@lpoolck17]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="240">4:00</a> where do you find great driftwood like that? Was it a shop or direct from a beach/river?

[@eatmynoobfood7461]

I need , I probably dont but i do😂

[@FishShopMatt]

Yep so true! Hahaha

[@eevee_themeanie5883]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@TheBeano132]

Great video Matt, how did you find the skimmer's cable length? I have found sometimes with different tank hardware the power cables are laughably short!

[@anthonygreen4981]

Can you not get Quin in his diving suit to go around the tank with his mini pressure washer and blast it all off the rocks and dig the sand over job done

[@WonderFactoryOfficial]

Your work is amazing, how can we contact you?

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! You can contact me via [e-mail]

[@williammcdowell6257]

Add, to your list, possibly, higher summer temperatures. My tank has been hitting 26 degrees recently, outside the summer I can keep the tank at a constant 23. Flow is undoubtedly a challenge to maintain in many tanks. But above all, Phosphate above 1 ppm in my experience can be problematic, even fast growing plants struggle in high phosphate environments.

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah totally agree, it definitely doesn't help.

[@Bens-Aquatic-Fish]

First🎉❤

[@FishShopMatt]

Congratulations! I went for a walk in a forest and had no signal for ages so this is the first time I've seen the comments hahaha.