Letting ALGAE grow for 3 weeks for our new fish! Community aquarium: big clean, new fish and more!

[@csharpe5787]

Matt, I love the way that you put the fish first, taking care acclimating and check the parameters. You go over above, that’s fab.

[@FishShopMatt]

I appreciate that! I do try and think about the animals first.

[@andromidia1]

I never thought of putting tube on filter lol. 20yrs of fish keeping and mouth fulls of dirty water. Good show old chap

[@megmills4798]

Love rinse out music

[@Chompchompyerded]

Brilliant video! I just knew it was going to be hillstream loaches. Once they get used to the new digs, they'll come out, and you have the perfect rocks in there for them. If you have more than one male in the lot, you'll get to see them going around and around in tight little circles to claim that particular stone or section of glass. When they are stuck to the glass facing you, you will be able to see their little hearts beating. Hillstream loaches are quite fun, and the reticulated is the easiest, and the most enjoyable to watch. I don't consider mine as being clean up crew which only get leftovers. I include them in my calculations of how much food I feed, and then if there is food left over after that, well, they just get to be gluttonous that day. I don't worry much about the concept that those who are gluttonous go to Hell. I look at it this way: at least I'll have fish to care for when I die and go to Hell. Choose Heaven for the atmosphere, and Hell for the company. As always, I'm looking forward to what's coming next. I always learn from you, and also it's always a wonderful experience. It truly makes my day when a Fish Shop Matt video drops!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you so much! 💜 I'm already seeing the hillstreams more and more so I think they're settling well. I whole heartedly agree all fish deserve their own food.

[@areacode911]

Oase is definitely a premium filter. I love them. High quality filtration. This is one of my favorite hardscapes of yours. The pond stones are so natural looking. OH the signature PINK FLAMINGO!!!!

[@FishShopMatt]

Couldn't agree more! They are great filters.

[@areacode911]

​@@FishShopMatt I have the OASE Filtosmart Thermo 100 absolutely worth spending a little more for a premium easy filter.

[@megmills4798]

Love the Hill Stream louches they are beautiful the tank looks great

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks 👍

[@ReneeMPTeate]

The flamingo cup (and proper acclimatization) is part of your brand, now!

[@mariastarr564]

Hillstream coaches are my favourite! I like it when they pla Y hide and seek with each other!!!

[@FishShopMatt]

Agreed they are super interesting to watch.

[@mungforever]

Awesome tip on the siphon start up

[@WhitePositive]

That is so relaxing, seeing you do the cleaning.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you!

[@TheRealTMar]

After rinsing the sponges in old tank water, that bucket contains a lot of fish poo and muck. Your garden or house plants will love it.

[@FishShopMatt]

Oh yes my houseplants received all the dirty water.

[@OllyBPlayz]

Absolute beautiful tank. I got some golden barbs about the same time you must have and they’re such a great addition to my tank. They’re so active and keep my tetras in a nice group as well. VERY HUNGRY 24/7 😂

[@msanne40]

I just LOVE the 🦩 cup. Everytime you say acclimate I'm looking for the 🦩.

[@FishShopMatt]

So many people comment about it I have to go find it when sorting out my new fish hahaha

[@wirtification]

Woot! Pink Flamingo Cup of Acclimation... and oh yes, the hillstreams! Woooo! 😂😂😂 awesome fish!!!! Now, I love all fish. Rainbows aren't a fav but it's going to look so good with the colors. My next nano, going with the hillstream loaches. I will get the flow pump too. This is the look I'm going for, more stone than wood, with plants. Great job Matt!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! That will be a cool setup!

[@vesawuoristo4162]

Water movement is very important and helpful for aquarium health.

[@FishShopMatt]

Totally agreed

[@samyardyoung]

Great video Matt! Thank you for keeping it real and going into detail of how you do it! Still learning and improving, every tip helps!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you so much! I like to show off exactly how and when things are happening in my aquariums!

[@giggiwidit5638]

I just love Matts videos. So relaxed, chilled, informative, and easy-to-follow

[@FishShopMatt]

Awesome, thank you!

[@nitemarequeen]

THANK YOU!!!! I am so excited for you and your AMAZINGLY CUTE Hillstream Loaches!!!! Enjoy their playfulness, their beauty and all the bliss your aquarium offers. Awesome job and I am so proud of you curating how peacefully it turned out. 😀 ♥

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! They are awesome little fish!

[@shel.b.1090]

I recently got a HSL, they are awesome and really do clean the algae brilliantly. I named mine Trevor 😂 xxx

[@FishShopMatt]

Best name ever.

[@gigi3242]

Like the way that filter keeps the yuck water contained; much easier than dealing with my current filter. Your Hillstreams have plump tummies, babies maybe? Thanks for the video, have an awesome week.

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah it makes it so much easier when a lot of waste doesn't spill straight back into the aquarium

[@MDBD2405]

One of the better internal filters on the market oase

[@FishShopMatt]

Agreed! 👍

[@SafiScapes]

Hillstream loaches and rainbows are beautiful , good work bro

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you like them!

[@LordChumbley]

Those biomaster plus filters are awesome. This is a cool tank setup.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you!

[@michaelagostino3483]

Awesome video. Fantastic combo of fish and colors in the tank now.

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you like it

[@Miniteich_Kröte]

Hey Matt 👋, Thank you Sir, i just found and ordered my Filter because of your Video. 👍 💐 Abolut great , thanks for showing. Carpe diem 🐸

[@FishShopMatt]

Hey 👋 No worries at all, glad I could help!

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

Beautiful combo of fish. 🐟🐟🐟🐠🐠🐠🐡🐡🐡🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌

[@FishShopMatt]

Many many thanks

[@megmills4798]

GN Matt😊

[@makjmakjs6146]

I want to see a paradise fish!

[@ImperialKneazle]

Fascinating and informative as always 🙂

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks again!

[@riyazmanandhar2622]

Add red color with 6 cherry barbs

[@miniscenesgb]

It's looking great. Glad you put hill stream loaches in too, I just adore those little guys

[@FishShopMatt]

They're such a great little fish aren't they!

[@markfranklin8831]

Awesome video. Great tank and fish combo. Thanks for sharing

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks for watching!

[@LA61582]

very cool video amazing work

[@pamlacey136]

Fun video!

[@kevinlock3179]

nice tank Matt, neon rainbows are good breeders, i moved a load of moss into a tank from a rainbow fish tank and few weeks later noticed i had rainbow fish fry 😁

[@FishShopMatt]

That's awesome

[@Dekraakjes]

Great tank and beautiful fish what I love was that Flamingo cup

[@WhitePositive]

That worked out well.

[@williammcdowell6257]

Matt, surprised you said there is so much sponge in the Oase internal. I have found the amount very limited and it is a sponge filter only filter arrangement. And though it is nice to hide the heater/stat it makes the filter smaller in volume. The blue plastic I find an eyesore (you have used a triangular layout to hide matters) and find the filter hard to dismantle, I ran them for over a year with increasing frustration. Honestly, I find a cheap box style internal filter more effective, easier to maintain, and if black plastic, easy to hide against a black background. Indeed I found the two Oase filters I experimented with so unsatisfactory they are for the recycling centre, and one of the heater/stats (Oase) proved unreliable within 6 months, maybe a feature of being so confined and thus clicking on and off more than a heater/stat in the open tank in the flow of a good external. Anyway, the tank and lights look like good equipment and your arrangement and choice of fish is very attractive.

[@green_oasis]

Love the setup. The plants looks awesome too.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks so much!

[@simonbuys]

Such a good looking tank. Maybe a pair of battis instead of a cichlid?

[@saltykraken9471]

Hey Matt, I recently "discovered" aquatic isopods and was curious why dont people use them. From what ive read they would make a decent cleanup crew and add biodiversity. Was thinking about adding some to my tank. Would love your thoughts. Great video btw! 👍

[@FishShopMatt]

I think that most of the time they get eaten or bullied by the fish. In the right setup they work well but you need to make sure your other inhabitants don't go snacking!

[@saltykraken9471]

Awesome man thanks alot for the reply I appreciate it. 👍

[@mcbabs7495]

Un grand merci pour la vidéo!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! 💜

[@graffic13]

Clown loaches would be cute in this tank.... till you upgrade them to a bigger tank or rehome them if they get too big... Do a giant danio/polka dot pictus cat/ blood parrot tank ... something big and graphic ... maybe tiger barbs😮

[@nightlite9009]

I never get that much algae on my glass, I think my Nerites hoover it all up. I use one of them algae sponges and it's pretty clean. I use a simple water changer hooked to my tap. Cost £20, it saves so much effort. Never waste your money on Oase's sponges. Get a sheet of carbon sponge online and cut your own for less than a tenner. I must be the only one that isn't a fan of that filter Matt. I think it's just a glorified sponge filter, but you like what you like. We can agree to differ.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks for sharing! That the joy of the hobby is that everyone has their own favourites. I just love the convenience and how easy it is to change. It does come with foam but you can easily change it up and put some different media's in there. I also like that it doesn't dump half the waste contents back into the aquarium when removing it. But as I say we all have our favourites and the world would be a boring place if we didn't.

[@stevesmith6022]

Very informative and enjoyable thank you Matt…

[@devindonovan8201]

Are you interested in getting a BN pleco? A lemon or "super red" bristlenose would look fantastic in this tank, and would keep the glass clean for u

[@FishShopMatt]

I'm tempted but I have lots of bristlenose in other tanks.

[@devindonovan8201]

@@FishShopMatt oh my bad, I'm new to the channel 😅 what about panda garra or otocinclus? Those both would look great too

[@geoffkuhl]

i just got a small batch of hillstream yesterday, what timing! 🐟

[@FishShopMatt]

That is awesome!

[@grahamhamilton6111]

I love Sewellia HS Loaches. Real characters. It is a shame that many are still wild caught. So I have set about producing as many home bred ones as possible. I have 2 x 90cm tanks stocked solely with Hillies. I have found that if you give them plenty of smooth river stones, places to hide, and good food you will be rewarded with a load of babies. The tanks are pretty boring initially with only adults because they hide a lot, but as soon as babies appear there is action aplenty as the young dart about scavenging for food. The adults also seem to be more adventurous when there are babies buzzing about. A couple of tips…..never vacuum the aquarium or you risk sucking up tiny babies (they are impossible to see on the substrate and a bit of muck on the bottom is good for the babies anyway) and second make sure you have a sponge or some other protection over your filter intake or you will likely lose a lot of tiny babies.

[@FishShopMatt]

That's awesome and super cool information! Thank you for sharing!

[@AkbarZeb-p6f]

If my tank looks like shit but the fish are happy, they get to keep their algae. 😎 But sometimes they get a little too comfortable & need a major cleaning from time to time. (I've got 5 10g or less tanks & 1 20g that looks like a disaster most of the time because it's the guppy breeder.)

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahaha I totally agree!

[@Jhholderfield]

Awesome tank as always, Matt! What’s your opinion on seachem purigen? I think it’s works way better than carbon imo. And the fact that it can be recharged is a big plus. Do you think it interferes with plant growth, beneficial bacteria, cycle or fish when used long term? I really value your vast knowledge so an in-depth answer would be greatly appreciated!

[@stringdonkey]

Nice update, Matt! Love the siphon starting trick. I’m running the Bioplus 100 on my 70L which I just rescaped and replanted. I have lambchop rasbora, CPD, ember tetra and female betta - I’m guessing a pump wouldn’t be advised for my stocking?

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! I wouldn't think you would need any extra flow. If you're struggling with slow moving areas and muck building up you could always put an air pump in there and turn it on once in a while.

[@snowleopard1831]

I love your videos, you inspire me daily! I had a pond for awhile with small koi, but had a car wreck and all my fish perished while I was in hospital. I haven't had the heart to try any kind of fish again, but I want to. The ph and water hardness is so extreme where I am that I'm very much limited as to the fish I can keep unfortunately. Do you have any ideas?

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you so much! So sorry to hear about your crash and hope you're recovered or at least recovering. Depends on how hard it is but cichlids spring to mind so Malawi, Tanganyikan or central American will all do well in hard water. Also most livebearers will thrive in harder water. Lastly have a look at some of the rainbow fish as certain ones can do well in hard water.

[@SSCAquatics]

Please make an African butterfly fish palladium

[@BTQ410]

What do you think of rinsing filter media in tap water treated with a water conditioner first? Vs straight tap water? Vs tank water? Isn’t it the chloramine and chlorine that kills off the beneficial bacteria?

[@FishShopMatt]

Yes in theory that would work, I always just go back to old tank water as it's reusing something you will just throw away.

[@davidewing3438]

Nice haircut 👌

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks 😅

[@BTQ410]

What is the scrubber you are using to clean your glass? I am always looking for good glass scrubbers. Thanks! Love this tank. I have a few tanks that are bucephilandra heavy, and I usually will add one fast growing plant that pulls nutrients from the water column and the substrate. My favorite that I bought years ago is Hygrophila Angustifolia (Willow Hygro). It grows as tall as you want it, and when you trim it the stems can go back into the substrate. It also does good just floating. It pulls tons of nutrients out of the water too. I started it in my 40 gallon tall which is my community tank that has tons of guppies as well as some bristlenose, Florida Flag Fish, and Sterbai and Eversi Cory’s. Yes, I know it is overpopulated, but I love my guppies and the LFSs will gladly take them off my hands, but they resell them as feeder fish and I just can’t do that. So, I put a big Sicce Whale 500 canister on the tank along with a sponge filter and heavily planted the tank . The plant that made it all work was the Willow Hygro. I never have Ammonia or Nitrite in this tank and most of the time 0 to 25 ppm nitrates. I have had to add filtration to lower the phosphate, but only to help keep algae growth in check. Phosphate is not an issue for fish, but I do test for it in this tank because of the overpopulation. Phosphate and nitrate are the 2 nutrients that plants, and algae love, so when one or both are present, you can get some algae growth. Most people know about nitrates, but phosphates are never discusses (thank you for mentioning phosphates), likely because they don’t hurt fish. I added the Willow Hygro years ago, and the tank balanced out. I do water changes maybe once a month, and I clean the canister about every 4 months. The tank has now been up and running for about 15 years. I still have a pair of the original group of Sterbais that I put into the tank when I set it up 15 years ago. I also have one bristlenose that is about 14 years old and is from my first spawn of bristlenose in that tank. I also have 2 baby super red bristlenose in the tank that I picked up to grow out for another project. So long story, just to say you can always add a fast growing nutrient eating plant in with slower growing plants like Anubia or Buce to pick up the slack in using nutrients too.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you for your comment your tank sounds awesome and I have been tempted to add a faster growing stem plant but haven't fully made that decision yet. The scrubber is an algae sponge from NT Labs.

[@SSCAquatics]

Please make an African butterfly fish Palladium😊

[@wendydix5534]

❤

[@janluptak3854]

What about bamboo shrimps? :) Those would be cool in the flow :)

[@mariastarr564]

Agreed

[@FishShopMatt]

You read my mind! Watch this space

[@GSG-lc5zm]

How would the hillstream loaches do with neo shrimp?

[@FishShopMatt]

As long as they have a good amount of flow and food they should do fine

[@Steve_RobbieRaygun]

Matt, I notice the tank has a sliding top like a Shaker, what tank is it?...also, what do you run the water into when doing a water change, I'm tankless at the mo, but when I was doing a water change I was more concerned of the bucket overflowing because I was concentrating on the cleaning.

[@FishShopMatt]

It's an Oase Styleline aquarium, a really decent aquarium and the sliders are thick glass so keep the heat in really well! I do just use a bucket but the 25L jerricans that people use for saltwater aquarium or camping are always good.

[@Steve_RobbieRaygun]

@@FishShopMatt Thanks once again Matt.

[@grassnake7122]

Hi Matt, What size tank can the Oase stream max go on, what's the minimal tank size?? Great video 👍

[@FishShopMatt]

There isn't any real minimum size but if you want a really high flow tank a 60cm tank would probably work. Its a perfect size for this tank though.

[@teenagescaper6753]

Where do you get your big boulders from, can’t source any anywhere

[@FishShopMatt]

Generally I get them from garden centres landscaping areas.

[@barbaravivier5706]

I have a difficult time catching Hillstream loaches. They want to slide all the way up the glass and out of the water. Any advice?

[@FishShopMatt]

No advice they're a nightmare. But generally in the shop we used to put rounded pebbles in with them so we could just pick up the pebbles with hopefully the fish on it.

[@rebeccaampuero2347]

2,000 liters per hour sounds like river rapids! I assumed the effect is somewhat stronger in a smaller aquarium, so how can you tell when the fish need a little less? (Besides the obvious being plastered against the glass?)

[@FishShopMatt]

It sounds like a lot but once underwater it is actually fairly gentle. There isn't really any set number but around 10x turnover would probably be my maximum

[@pimneij2219]

Do you think the bioplus 200 filter is adequate for the 175 liter also? Depending on the stock level off course.

[@HalifaxCollect]

What kinda white sponge is that? I must order a bunch!

[@FishShopMatt]

It's an NT Labs algae sponge.

[@HalifaxCollect]

@@FishShopMatt Thanks, mate. Get at me whenever you are in Iceland.

[@bennystropicalswimmigwolf8691]

What is the name of the filter that you use with sponge please let me know

[@FishShopMatt]

it's a Bioplus thermo 200

[@jackiesmith8989]

Hey Matt! I couldn't help but notice that you had a scratch on your thumb at the beginning of the video. Do you ever worry about getting bacteria/infection when doing tank maintenance?

[@justbaquatics2512]

Matt what are you using to clean glass

[@IronArk65]

Hi Matt, I have a question about stocking my new 55g 4ft tank, I'm wanting Rainbow fish like Boesmans Rainbows and other Rainbows, would they be fine in a tank this size? Dimensions 120 long x 50 tall x 37 wide

[@FishShopMatt]

Hey 👋 Yeah absolutely! A nice mix of rainbow fish would work well in a tank that size. There are some really chunky rainbows that get a little bigger but most of your standard size rainbows will be fine.

[@IronArk65]

​@@FishShopMatt alright sweet, thanks for the advice

[@sophianash4209]

Hey Matt, I have some stringy algae starting to grow on my plants. How would you recommend I get rid of it? Also, should I use activated carbon in a planted tank? I heard it can pull out nutrients for the plants. Great video by the way!

[@FishShopMatt]

Depends on the type of algae to be honest if it's long and stringy then it could be the lighting is on too long or there are too many nutrients. A few more water changes and then lessening the lighting period and seeing if that has an impact.

[@FishShopMatt]

As for carbon you can run it but it can strip nutrients out. I run it when I need too, so if the water is a bit discoloured or I've just used some treatment I want to remove.

[@Cozy-1049]

I would love to get some hillstream loach but I have mostly wood in my tank, would that suit them?

[@FishShopMatt]

They will still hammer around on wood, maybe just pop a few rounded pebbles in there for them too.

[@andreacasoli3371]

Good video Matt, if the theme of this aquarium is underrated species what about a couple of underrated cichlids?

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! Yeah this is what I'm thinking I just can't decide.

[@andreacasoli3371]

@@FishShopMatt since barbs are also misunderstood what about a also misunderstood cichlid?

[@Jhholderfield]

@@FishShopMattone single EBA (or a pair of EBR’s) as a centerpiece fish would be sick with the blues contrasting with the rainbows. I loved mine anyways. Kept both with mollies and plattys for a while with no problems.

[@TheSpectrumTheatre]

Hey Matt great video ! what would you consider good tank mates for Psuedomugil Gertrude in a 130L aquarium heavily planted with Cherry shrimp and amano's:) I was thinking some CPD's, hovering Zebra loach and clown Killifish ?

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! To be honest you've picked some fantastic tank mates. Stick to anything peaceful and small and you should be good. Maybe have a look at sparkling or croaking gourami if you wanted something other than shoaling fish.

[@TheSpectrumTheatre]

@@FishShopMatt Amazing ! Thank you appreciate the response :)

[@Hauntcade]

What Wifi timer do you use?

[@FishShopMatt]

I use tapo WiFi timers nothing overly exciting.

[@JoeyPierce]

Is there anything you can do if your plants start melting?

[@dashady187]

Is that a magic eraser?

[@paulawicks-farr3078]

Another great video Matt. What is the plural of Anubias? 😂

[@FishShopMatt]

I have no idea but I reckon anubiusisisis is as good as any.

[@wirtification]

Ok. Two words. Aquatic Isopods. Not terrestrial. Looked very similar to the dairy cows. Do the same thing in fresh water acting as detritovores. Not parasites. Molt, breed, eggs, babies... I just wached a video on them. So, if true, this is a new idea lol, perhaps a big planted bowl aquarium to try them out?

[@FishShopMatt]

Yes a few people have mentioned these now so I will be sure to check them out.

[@C-Sabien]

that sponge went from white to nasty so fast haha

[@timothyandersen1533]

Is that a magic eraser

[@C-Sabien]

@@timothyandersen1533 those things are the bollox for cleaning teaspoons

[@FishShopMatt]

It did get so grubby! I don't tend to use magic erasers as I don't know what chemicals they may have in them. These are specific algae sponges that definitely have no nasties in them.

[@jkgcank9]

I have 6 of the dwarf rainbow fish. The males show much more colour than the females. How about a small pack of 6 Panda Cory’s? Apparently the people who insist that they’re nocturnal are wrong. Mine are out and about all day long. I have 6 of them.

[@FishShopMatt]

They are a gorgeous fish! I always find that most of the tank bred corys are fairly brave as long as they're happy.

[@Flipping_mad_420]

Infected/infested same thing 😂

[@the186element9]

Liked / Algorithm

[@ilianstoimenov6619]

My experience with this same filter is far from satisfying. It never worked as it was advertised. And after all the inconveniences it finally killed my aquarium. So no Oase for me. Maybe it was just a faulty unit, but still very unpleasant.

[@FishShopMatt]

Oh interesting this is my second of these filters in the house and I've used a lot of them in other situations. Sounds like you were unlucky as I've found them to be brilliant!

[@SSCAquatics]

Please make an African butterfly fish Palladium

[@SSCAquatics]

Please make an African butterfly fish Palladium

[@SSCAquatics]

Please make an African butterfly fish Palladium

[@SSCAquatics]

Please make an African butterfly fish Palladium

[@SSCAquatics]

Please make an African butterfly fish Palladium

[@SSCAquatics]

Please make an African butterfly fish Palladium