Martian Malawi Cichlid Aquarium (aquascape tutorial)

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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....😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@LucasSteele-v4r]

Haha I thought the exact same thing!!

[@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.

[@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

[@mcnorcan]

As a crusty old geologist, I really like that tank.

[@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

[@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!

[@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 😀

[@jasonj9224]

It went from kinda weird to WOW by simply changing lights

[@Luke_Ray16]

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

[@cseperegazesolefolyikazarcomon]

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

[@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! 👍⭐️💯

[@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 👍👍

[@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!

[@faedoyle4147]

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

[@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! 😉

[@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.

[@d-chan1089]

Admittedly I wasn't sure I would enjoy this one as much due to lack of plants, but the end result is amazing. Between the rocks and lighting, the colors remind me of a sulphur spring, or maybe even oil slick, it's almost a rainbow effect. The fish look beautiful against those colors!❤

[@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!

[@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 🤯😍

[@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.

[@OWR_Mission]

The hardscape on this tank looks great!

[@pagewhite61]

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.

[@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.

[@Tikistribe]

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

[@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 😂😂

[@reigh_leigh]

This tank is gorgeous, guys. I love the scape without the plants. I really hope you leave it this way, MAYBE floaters. Lets see how it goes!! I just love it.

[@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.

[@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.

[@geraldinebs2785]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@UrTrife]

Baabe wake up! New MD fish tank dropped

[@GBLecci]

I lived to see MD building a tank without plants. I am genuinely impressed... LMAO

[@alanmorrison470]

The main rocks worked out awesome. One light one dark.

[@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.

[@Hazel-Hill]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@IndoorEcosystem]

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

[@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 😅

[@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 ❤❤

[@moniljs]

That sunlight glistening through was stunning❤

[@davidvento5481]

Eheims are great filters. My family has been using them on both freshwater & marine aquariums since the mid 1970s, so almost 50 years. The great thing is if a part wears out or breaks you can just order a new one, as long as you supply the model # of the filter.

[@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?

[@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?

[@Sap3r3Aud3]

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

[@lenagordon9349]

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

[@tinycactus4771]

I know that you want clean water, but seeing the rays of sun through it was GORGEOUS

[@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.

[@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! 👍🏻

[@Ethereal.18]

I think the catfish love the scape just the way it is. This is one you should keep for sure

[@twunderaquatics1770]

I like the mix of stones. Although I did like the 1st scape. This one is so much better due to having a break up of line to sight for the fish. It is amazing what lighting can do. Went from flat to a masterpiece 👌 ✨️ 🙌 👏

[@azgubii]

i dont have any aquirium, never had a fish. but i don't know why i keep watching your videos for hours. (probably seen more than half of this channel)

[@markreyes6911]

It would be great to see a live stream from the two of you. Something like a Q&A or even live aquascape would be different.

[@anthonybrown8158]

Love those lights I have them on my 20 gallon long

[@Babyluthi]

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

[@mew5178]

Hold on now Matt’s got a cool idea with that “split-screen” tank it would be cool to see how that’s done and even further what to stock it with!

[@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.

[@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.

[@scottmarquet1018]

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

[@serials11]

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

[@aquaracer65]

Very nice, also the lighting. I did prefer the light from the left angle though. But nice work.

[@jkellyid]

On lighting. If you have more colorful cichlids you want to pop. I recommend a light at the front of the tank, lower lumens, because they spend so much time at the glass. Then some interesting off angle high lumen spot lights at the back. This should create the light/dark contrast and light shafts while letting you still appreciate the cichlids when they rush the glass every time you appear.

[@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

[@sparrowsfish]

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

[@Ichthyofile]

7:00 I'm the one that created the scape at Aquashella (Hiep Hong) :)

[@MDFishTanks]

It was class mate. I would have shown your work and name but couldn't find anything!!

[@Ichthyofile]

@@MDFishTanks All good! Great job with the tank, I love the way it turned out

[@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.

[@WheelieStu]

Like the little tease shots of the 8 foot tank standing empty behind you. Fill it up and put in 1 pregnant Platy, see how long it takes to get it overstocked

[@dovasal]

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

[@alunaticwithashotgun9840]

You know, I got a female for my male African Butterfly fish today and I'm thinking that I would love to see you guys make an African Butterfly fish aquarium.

[@rhondafitzpatrick1646]

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

[@randystewart8895]

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

[@leonardodogevinci4501]

Im normally just here for the planted tanks. But this looks great without plants and with the spotlights.

[@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 😀

[@Deshon_Holmes]

That little bit of haze in the water kinda made it look more natural and cool

[@gitasevadasi1908]

The puffer fish are really curious so cute ❤❤

[@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 👍

[@skaliev6032]

I love those streaks of light in the slightly murky water. TBH I would keep it that way.

[@neilward918]

I love this scape it looks so basic that anyone could redo even in a smaller tank 👍

[@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!

[@MikeT808]

That lighting transformed that scape

[@luckkibehemoth6626]

Looks good, it is nice to see something different from the planted tanks. I wonder, how are the salt water tanks doing? I know your macro algae did not make it, but is everything else going well?

[@ggoannas]

I adore the lighting in this tank!

[@frittibreezedancer]

Martian is right! It's giving me Bill Watterson vibes, of every time Calvin was being Spaceman Spiff and especially on the full-page comics where there was a lot of background of the "alien" worlds. The light and shadow combination achieved by those spotlights really give this tank a whole different look as well, I love it! Now let's just see how long it will be before the first anubius and crypts will appear in there 😅

[@Damian-Davies]

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

[@joewhiting]

Hey MD + Fish Shop Matt! I have a request that’s a bit outside of what you guys typically do - but I would LOVE to see how you guys setup and scape a tank for an endli bichir! If you were to used garnet colored sand to bring out it’s best colors, it would be a nice stand out in the fish room for sure!

[@brianbrown2207]

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

[@xxsid1979xx]

Creating that opening between the two rock islands makes it way more interesting for us and the fish. I'm obsessed with that polka dotted catfish. I saw a video of someone keeping Millenium Rainbows and Silver Dollars and found them both mesmerising. Wondered if you ever thought about keeping either of them?

[@G.M23]

It’s always something about simplistic scapes man!!!