Martian Malawi Cichlid Aquarium (aquascape tutorial)

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We decided to make a better and more interesting grow out tank for our Malawi Cichlids. It needed to be simple but more interesting than just flat bottom. We went for a design using several colours of rock which we haven't done before after seeing it utilised in an aquascaping contest at Aquashella.
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#plantedtank #aquascape #mdfishtanks

[@MDFishTanks]

👇👇MD MERCH CLICK HERE👇👇: FULL SHOP: md-fish-tanks.creator-spring.com We decided to make a better and more interesting grow out tank for our Malawi Cichlids. It needed to be simple but more interesting than just flat bottom. We went for a design using several colours of rock which we haven't done before after seeing it utilised in an aquascaping contest at Aquashella. Find @Fish Shop Matt here: KZbin: kzbin.info Insta: instagram.com/matt_swfishkeeper/ Equipment (all links affiliate): EHEIM FILTER: UK amzn.to/47RrihP SPOTLIGHTS: US amzn.to/3HClCgZ UK amzn.to/494TMWB LED FLOODLIGHTS: US amzn.to/3m3cEz9 UK amzn.to/3orIdRv 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

[@peasantrobot]

Brilliant! Great color palette!

[@kevine7390]

the tank is fully opti white, and you want a black background, so you turn the tank and later do it again :p why turn the aquarium? you could do the front and only turn it 1 time :D

[@MDFishTanks]

@@kevine7390 the back had more scratches.

[@reefkeeper94]

I tried to message you on Instagram about some advice. Is it possible to contact you via email?

[@Soulessdeeds]

You ever think about streaming your tanks to Twitch? Making passive income from copywrite free music and people enjoying the fish. And making income from people giving tips to the stream. Just a thought.

[@Meansi]

So, to avoid painting the tank you painted a different tank 😂

[@MDFishTanks]

Hahaha. Absolutely

[@comando8919]

Good idea 😂

[@tinajoan]

😂😂😂

[@Evelyne758]

😂❤

[@gusfarrell5336]

lol he literally could have painted the background and then just had one that he could peel off if they wanted

[@jonathanshaw9416]

Been keeping fish for over 40 years and got into a slump , but watching you has truly inspired me to get my 450 lt juwel tank sorted and get my mojo back into the hobby

[@silash.5535]

Nice to read that! I just started, got my first two little Tanks from eBay to cultivate water plants in

[@DragonLady465]

My first tank was a disaster when I set it up, I didn't know what I was doing. When I decided to retry I was doing research and found this channel and have had a lot more success using set ups like this. Now I have 4 tanks lol These 2 are inspiring and educating fish people everywhere

[@silash.5535]

@@DragonLady465 always so nice to watch people doing the things they love, especially if they are as chill and funny as these two!

[@silash.5535]

@@DragonLady465 haha, well gotta start somewhere :D

[@Mayb-ds7kl]

Love the change up from the normal planted tanks, the way the light hits the rocks is absolutely amazing. Cannot wait to see the fish grow into the tank!

[@Muddyspartan]

I love that yall go through your thought process for aquascaping. Alot of beginners doubt themselves or overthinking and seeing a good process helps a ton!

[@Drizzy2806]

I Got More Excited then usual because I thought it was time for the 8ft to get aquascaped :( Amazing Work As Usual , Great Work MD , and MATT

[@jeromehorn7333]

Me too. That 8 ft would look awesome filled with Malawi cichlids.

[@MDFishTanks]

Currently getting supplies. Nearly there and ready to start

[@surfer101ist]

It’s that thumbnail! 😅

[@judmurad2184]

​@@MDFishTanks Discus would be perrrrfect for it with it planted like the betta sorority tank

[@user-fm2ub8by3v]

Haha I thought the exact same thing!!

[@giggiwidit5638]

25:15: Oh please do lol !!! A half-and-half scape would be amazing, especially if it was across a 6 or 8ft tank. Different styles, rocks, plants etc on either side, and then merging together in the middle ... and maybe each gets to pick fish too 😁😁😁

[@nolanmcchesney6955]

only problem with picking fish is they have to be combatable, so maybe pick a style and each make there own version with the expectation of said fish group.

[@tonytraveller7218]

At last you managed to scape a tank with no plants… well done you 😉… looks amazing. Love it …

[@MDFishTanks]

coming soon....😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@iemp7165]

Man, I think the ending cinematic shot for this one was your best one to date. Absolutely beautiful tank.

[@kevink920]

I agree! I could easily watch a 2 hour long video of all your tanks in the studio like this

[@lilikatebuggins374]

I love this tank, so bare and clear. The hardscape won me over in the end. The sun ray rippling was devine. Good job MD & Matt.

[@vanessacassidy6846]

Love this tank,even without plants there are lots of colour variations and the way the lights are positioned is creating a lovely effect

[@xPhil84]

Really enjoyed the piano segment at the end of the video

[@Numa92]

I really like how this tank turned out. It’s very unique looking. I agree with the marsian / moon vibe, or a piece of the deep ocean floor. The lighting sets the mood as well.

[@OWR_Mission]

The hardscape on this tank looks great!

[@fpvlegion]

That tank just made a R2D2 squeal sound... In music we have power trios, U guys just upgraded the term to POWER DUO!!! Keeps getting better an better!

[@Luke_Ray16]

This is such a 180 from the usual MD tanks. Interesting to see the all hardscape vibe 😊

[@SamPonjican]

Awesome work guys, as always. Definitely a proper environment to grow out these beauties. And thanks for providing a nice long Cinematic at the end. This is one of those tanks you can lose yourself in for a long time. By the way, if you did a compilation of all your Cinematic clips, I would pretty much keep them running on loop all day long. I think it could be your first 1 million view clip.

[@ggoannas]

I adore the way we finish each tank with footage of the fish.

[@AquaticEscapeUS]

​@@ggoannasI agree!

[@sandglowpets]

Yes agreed! Please always do the cinematic ends, MD. As viewers, it's like we get to pull up a chair and watch the details unfold.

[@PaNic99]

Just a channel for watching fish tanks!? Could be a money maker! 😉

[@codylyon5639]

MD I know you are struggling with this simple look, but I have kept these fish and I promise when they grow up you WILL love them . African cichlids are the most beautiful and fun fish to keep ❤ Cody from Texas 😀

[@peterww3106]

Gorgeous. Loving the cinematic ending Very natural looking scape and the low light makes it even more natural all the shadows and bright upward faces. That’s my favourite of yours for a long time 👍👍

[@pagewhite8177]

I really love how this turned out. You can see all the subtle variations in the rock colors and the fish look great in there because you can really appreciate them without competition from plants. I really like it. The ending is lovely. Great video, thank you.

[@faedoyle4147]

This tank relaxes me. There’s just something about the rocks and light play with the ripples. So great ❤

[@cseperegazesolefolyikazarcomon]

One of the most beautiful non planted scapes I've ever seen, I love the colours.

[@elc2468]

This scape build is a total MOOD! Love it, guys! It's always a good idea to venture out of your comfort zone occasionally.

[@rodster44]

I've been keeping a reef tank for over 17 years, but this freshwater build has inspired me. Great work. Your builds are beautiful but uncomplicated. Love the channel!

[@KeefesKoiHaven]

Loved the cinematic ending on this video. Piano music is perfect for relaxing watching this tank. Well done MD & Matt! 👍⭐️💯

[@greyeagle112]

I'm stoked to see this tank of fish grow out. Definitely give updates as time goes on and we get to see their colors develop!! Great job on the tank design and scaping.

[@Hazel-Hill]

What a great way to start the day. Coffee and you two. Always makes me smile. Another great scape.

[@tinchytarantula]

Absolutely amazing MD and fish shop Matt you two absolutely smashed it honestly you both have gotten me through a period of mental health problems ❤❤

[@andrewmiller3767]

Wow! I love the simplicity! And the music with the tank at the end was super relaxing. Loved it!

[@nobodytrz103]

love the scape, and its so different from every other work. New studio is looking so diverse, its amazing

[@lenagordon9349]

One of my favourite tanks of yours. I could sit and watch these guys all day.

[@mishao3215]

Gorgeous rock tank guys. Looks like a live water color painting. I love the different colors that show off the different types of rocks. The lightling really enhances the rock formations and color. Makes me want to try this in my tank now.

[@MyosotisSylvatica1]

This is really awesome! I loved the sun rays playing on the rocks and how you got inspired by it. The ending is really nice and relaxing. Thank you.

[@geraldinebs2785]

Just as I needed something to listen to before bed! Excellent timing 👌

[@joshuacasey3025]

Absolutely crushed it guys, I would love to try something like this. Also the camera work at the end is on point, had a great time watching!

[@Tikistribe]

Love the added video time of the fish interaction with the scape. What a lovely environment.

[@matt01506]

Absolutely stunning. Love the right hand side rock illumination with the lominie lights which are great looking lights themselves. My favourite tanks have always been "planted community" but please try and resist putting plants in this hardscape as its fantastic as it is !

[@sandglowpets]

Really was taken by surprise at the end, the channel between the rock piles and the different lighting created a really awesome viewing angle! I could really see the highlights along the fins as they swam towards the front of thev tank, it's quite beautiful. Great setup video as usual, love you and Matt together, many chuckles and great vibes.

[@rebeccaampuero2347]

This is quite stunning with just the rocks and the perfect lights! Should we start a pool on how long you last before "just one plant" goes in?

[@serials11]

The cinematic end with the music choice was perfect! Loved this!

[@osteosharon]

Love it! You've given me some inspiration to change up my mbuna tank. Thanks guys 😊

[@1990Jwood]

Probably one of my favorite tanks you've done recently. I really like the heavily planted tanks, but this one just looks so timeless.

[@randystewart8895]

Great vision and aquascaping project! Thanks for sharing with us.

[@Sap3r3Aud3]

I’ve used that Eheim filter for 5 years, very happy with it. Great video, as always!

[@antw23uk]

This has motivated me to finish off a tank I've been umming and ahhing over and get it filled and stocked. Great content, thanks.

[@moniljs]

That sunlight glistening through was stunning❤

[@sparrowsfish]

Love the look of this one. It is very nice seeing the rock only.

[@Babyluthi]

Those catfish are amazing creatures😊 Lovely and unique scape. Well done guys 😊💙🐠🐡🐟

[@scottmarquet1018]

That has given me the impetus to change my large corner tanks thank you so much it is truly stunning.

[@NinoMarcantonio-ry6mh]

I liked how you guy's used different rock's which added a nice blend of colours to your tank great job guy's.

[@pinedita08]

Loved the piano music at the end, great aquascape it's just like u see it and there's some type of meditation going on and everything is just clear.... Thanks for sharing this

[@dovasal]

I think is my favourite tank you have recently done. Thank you

[@ggoannas]

I adore the lighting in this tank!

[@jennie_aileen_03]

this is stunning! love the cinematic ending, so relaxing.

[@dedeyount71]

I absolutely love this build!!!!

[@Damian-Davies]

So different looking this tank I actually love it the different stones really do look awesome

[@brianbrown2207]

i love the mixing of stone, im gonna try this with my next scape

[@frankcapel4557]

Team MD love the video guys keep up the great work you guys seem to be having so much fun with the aquarium hobby love all the tanks in the studio. I get such a kick out of you and Matt doing things keeps everything fun and enjoyable. Keep up the great work guys hard work that is specially that eight footer. See you on the next one.

[@rhondafitzpatrick1646]

wow, stunning, I could watch that tank and listen to that music all day.

[@ShuggsComicsandStatues]

My favourite type of looking Tank, sparse! Love it! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@belafishhobby]

Loving the hard scape. awesome

[@bevwannamaker1119]

I really like the look of this tank in the final shots. Looks very moody and fits the scape and the fish. Great work guys. When will the 8ft be scaped?

[@charlottefisher1497]

Love the lighting!

[@verilliumfunk4886]

one of your best tanks ever imo. keep experimenting!

[@GodisTruth914]

I LOVE IT!!!! The lighting is perfect!!!!!!😊😊😊😊

[@davidvento5481]

I’m surprised this is the first tank they’ve spotlighted. My brother and I have been doing it all along, even with plant lights. It looks especially nice at night with just one spot casting ripples inside the otherwise dark tank, almost like a full moon might. Really nice work gents! 👍🏻

[@judyfalkosky-qf8tt]

I love this tank the colors are amazing

[@joeppathuis6548]

looks absolutely amazing! always love to see these videos!

[@corinnegunter3889]

Wow this looks incredible and its "just" a nice grow out tank! ❤

[@redcanyonl6636]

I think this is one of your best videos. Well done!

[@555way4]

Best tank yet. The compilations of the mixtures in the tank correlate beautifully in harmony. synchronously coinciding with each other. The different types of rocks and textures along with the shimmering from the lights. The way it has it strong highlights with some darkness in places with medium lite areas as well. Along with the coloring of the fish, the over head lights and the rainbow coloring of the shimmering. A master piece I could enjoy for ages to come never getting tired of it. Bravo mate on taking your time. It shows how much you love your scapes and craft. Should do way more takes like this. Taking your time composing the right configuration for everything. Please do that for your big tank you just got. I would love to see you make a unique landscape for the tank adding techniques and possibly blends of other escapes in it since it has so much room to create areas for maybe a water fall over flowing a scape similar to this one with some plants. That would be nice! Having your overflow falling down rocks into the tank with plants above.

[@SomersetUpNorth]

i think doing a half and half tank would be great!!. bit of a devide to keep it secret. aslong as you agree on fish before hand so nothing gets munched.

[@steviedingledangle7982]

great call on the lighting

[@CamsAquatics]

Fantastic scape as always. I love the use of different stone types.

[@michaelnera7722]

Been waiting for a pure hardscape from you guys. Good.job.

[@carlwagers9829]

Great scape! I think this is great because it shows that If you have a bunch of different types of rock-you can mix it up and get something amazing! It reminds me of that Aquashella tank from this past year. And congrats on having 795 thousand subscribers!

[@melissadalke6548]

This was yet another amazing video ! Love the dramatic music at the end !

[@waynefisher4883]

love your work you two together works

[@farmerallis]

Such a cool scape! The fish seem to be much more active in this scape than the plain tank. GREAT b-roll footage too at the end.

[@Tonyflags3323]

What a beautiful tank for a grow out tank

[@amx1820]

Finally!! Full on hardscape tank. MD is one of the best hardscape designers out there...until he covered them with greenery 😅

[@MDFishTanks]

there's still time 😂😂

[@ricardotolosa2671]

Definetely a different cool vibe to it, kudos!

[@elishaestes3380]

I love watching your videos, you two are very entertaining

[@mikeward9039]

Matts been a great addition to the channel mate .. fantastic content yet again guys 👏

[@anthonybrown8158]

Love those lights I have them on my 20 gallon long

[@davidcoates9123]

Thanks for doing a rocks only tank guys. I love it.

[@JordanTait95]

At first I was like what on earth but then with the scatter gravel and subtle lighting I absolutely love it it’s so different and absolutely love it 🤯😍

[@ivanfahler]

It really looks much more harmonious now. Before I thought the tank was called Ankylosaurus because the hardscape reminded me of the back of this dinosaur 😅

[@IndoorEcosystem]

The two rock types actually go really well in this scape. I was pretty skeptical at first! Well played!

[@UnitedWAO]

Your videos never disappoint. Keep up the good work!

[@n.c.3137]

I really like this one. Not that I dislike any of the others. It looks like the bottom of a lake! Really nice 👌 Well done to you both for creating yet again a marvellous scape 👍

[@ericyeater7476]

Alien rocks, other-worldly scape, two suns... You've made Tatooine!

[@TheKevlarKitten]

Very different from most the other tanks and I love it

[@francescash8768]

honestly awesome tank

[@QCP615]

wow beautiful tank i love the escape i can't wait to see the finish results

[@Chinco_NL]

Thank you for using metric in the tank size!!! I love you guys, it's the light of the week when your video's come out!

[@Chinco_NL]

Oh, and I liked the stegosaurus. The end result was better, but still, I liked it.

[@ElfRagu]

Hello, I wanted to thank you for inspiring me, I always see the aqua scapes and the amazing builds, I am in the process of making a 120-gallon tank with live plants and am using some of your ideas that you have made in the past, along with your knowledge. thank you so much I plan to make a natural river kind of feel.

[@johnnydubbsaquascaping]

Wow, your grow out tank is better than any of my scapes :) This has turned out amazing and would definitely look beast in a living room/entertaining area or virtually anywhere in someones house. You have both nailed it yet again 😀

[@karlidomingo]

Love the different use of lighting! Makes me think, maybe you all should play around with different types of lighting or different angles- it looks awesome!

[@MerryMary79]

Me at 8:02- oh look! It's a stegosaurus! MD at 8:03 - I’m not happy with it. It looks like a stegosaurus. 😂 It's also so cool to hear you talk about Aquashella. I was there!

[@craig559]

Just what I needed to help me through overtime