The Platy Island: Low Tech, No co2, Ecosystem Aquarium (Aquascape Tutorial)

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In this video I make an attractive ecosystem island aquarium for my platy fish that's both low tech and no co2. I also make a LED light background to give it some extra pop. Hope you enjoy. 😊
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[@MDFishTanks]

👉👉MD MERCH CLICK HERE: THICC CORY: md-fish-tanks.creator-spring.com/listing/md-thicc-cory FULL SHOP: md-fish-tanks.creator-spring.com In this video I make an attractive ecosystem island aquarium for my platy fish that's both low tech and no co2. I also make a LED light background to give it some extra pop. Hope you enjoy. 😊 Equipment (all links affiliate): MEDIA BAGS: US amzn.to/34Kaf2N UK amzn.to/3lAj3z1 LIGHT: US (similar) amzn.to/3mK5z6S UK amzn.to/3pHDoaM LIGHT SCREEN LED: US amzn.to/3EKniRT UK amzn.to/3HoLFGr CANISTER FILTER: US amzn.to/32CdKve UK amzn.to/3Hr0Wqa 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 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

[@kikukkikuk9710]

Nice ❤️

[@NaturalBiotopes]

The harmony of this underwater world is impressive! The best gift for the new year!

[@MDFishTanks]

Thanks.

[@twunderaquatics1770]

I love how you pay attention to detail (moss on the light sides of wood). If you didn't take art in school you have a natural eye for it. Thanks again 😊

[@MDFishTanks]

Thanks Terry. It was my favourite subject and I got my highest grade in it.

[@travellife08]

This tank is so aesthetically pleasing. Even your gravel has orange/red rocks that pick up on the colors of the fish, really nice. Platys we're a great choice.

[@77slate]

So glad you kept the platys. Have to say this again but that sub bag hack is soo under rated!! Game changer for sure. Happy new year MD & everyone, looking forward to seeing what 22 has in store 👍🎉

[@nade801]

That casual hand flip of the substrate at 10:35 ending up with a perfectly even layer 🤯🤯

[@MKHobson]

The orange-y bits in the gravel are very satisfying with the orange of the platys. Excellent!

[@cloudwalk4566]

Pearl Weed (Hemianthus micranthemoides) or HM is such a versatile plant. You can make it a dense carpet in low tech, you need just a little bit more light (~0,6...0,7 W /l with T5 lights) than usual to keep it down, but it can grow to a full fledged fluffy carpet about 2...4 cm high. It has to be trimmed and maintained tho. HM carpet looks really cool in larger low tech tanks imo.

[@netcatfulful]

Quick comment while you are here MD. For your discus tank instead of a wave maker you can actually fit on your 16 steel pipes, with some wiggle, those transparent plastic "nails.." that comes with Oase filters (the one you fit on the outlet pipe)

[@MDFishTanks]

Thanks for the suggestion. Will look into it

[@Mediumdaddy]

This build was fantastic as usual but all I could focus on was how the driftwood looks like a face at 12:08 😄

[@NyssaMysteria]

Platys are so delightful, aren't they? They're the fish that got me into this hobby, they're such little goofs :D Beautiful setup, a wonderful little world for them!

[@Vulpes10]

I agree, sadly Platys are often just written off as "beginner fish".

[@Nick-lf7uv]

@@Vulpes10 They're basically the perfect fish. Easy to care for, colorful as all hell, and really peaceful. I'd definitely call that near-perfect.

[@stevecooper6653]

THATS WAS MY FAVOURITE TANK BUILD.OF WITCH IM COPYING,HAD A JOB FINDING A BONDING CEMENT TO FIX THE ROCKS TOGETHER AS I INTEND TO BUILD THEM UP HIGH.FOUND SOME NOW JUST FOR AQUTIC TANK BUILDS 👌🏻👌🏻

[@nancypatterson374]

I’ve watched others build tanks, but in my opinion you are the absolute best. I look forward to each new build. You are talented, but also entertaining. Keep them comings, you have beautiful tanks! Watching from South Carolina, USA! 👍🏻

[@hidden_noxa6670]

you should do a "my kids pick my aquarium/aquascape" where you let your kids pick different elements of the tank! i think it would be a really fun video. :)

[@musicandbooklover-p2o]

Just one opinion but I think I prefer your more subtle background lighting effect to the bright, in-your-face ones you see more often. It gently lights up the background and makes the island stand out more as a result and as a result they compliment each other rather than fighting for dominance to the observer. Fabulous effect indeed and interestingly, the more I look at the tank the more that background effect makes the tank look to be at least twice as deep - front to back - as it really is. A surprising and very effective method of, visually, making the tank look far bigger than it really is. A great end to the year, happy new year to everyone and I look forward to the new years efforts on behalf of the fish you look after.

[@FranNoesse]

[@cianlynch8546]

No better way to spend my isolation than watching a beautiful scape come to life 😁 thanks for the much needed entertainment and the inspiration that made me join the hobby 😀

[@cmonbroitsme]

Why are you isolated?

[@cianlynch8546]

@@cmonbroitsme I got covid

[@carolebraswell982]

Your choice of plants and their placement makes this your best build yet! IMO. I have platys and I plan to totally mimick this one!

[@Weyland_Yutani_Corp]

You did a beautiful job on this tank. Really lovely aquascape that is balanced and pleasing to the eye.

[@bubblerings]

I love the idea of having plant stock tanks... Buy some things you like and let them grow, multiply, and be pretty.. Not even worrying about more fish... Enjoy learning the plants and what they need, first. Its like money in the bank, and it grows!. 😊

[@g871]

Bought my 1st aquascape tank yesterday in Maidenhead Aquatics in Lisburn, inspired by you. Keep up the great work.

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

I enjoyed watching the fish, shrimp, and snail exploring their new home. Beautiful tank!

[@doggoneaquarist5635]

The grind never stops, you’re killing it! Beautiful tank man

[@vEGan1909]

Happy new year to you and your family, MD. If you want to keep the beneficial bacteria in a filter, it should continue running during your tank rescape i.e. in a bucket! Beneficial bacteria can die within some hours.

[@batkat0]

Nah. If a few hours of no power were that catastrophic then every power outage during the summer would destroy the cycle and plenty of folks loose power for 12-24hrs with no issue.

[@ryanliess3657]

We watch your shows on our TV daily, we have learned so much is simple compared to what we though... love the mesh bag use, shows that so much is not needed for a healthy planted ecosystem

[@cmonbroitsme]

Can't wait to see those crypts after they grow out. They're gonna look great

[@ithulah]

I was very sad when the frowny face of the large driftwood was covered by ferns. It was super cute. Can't believe you didn't comment on it!

[@bithplease1779]

Looks MUCH better than the last Platy tank.

[@dallasaquascapingguy]

Really like this style and thank you for adding the light kit. I have been wanting to try the same thing and now I see it works. Happy New Year to you and your family. Thank you for all the inspiration to get back into the hobby and to start making KZbin content aswell.

[@deandumbell8343]

12:04 I definitely heard “snail shit safe” 🤣🤣

[@Animalhouse22846]

I love all of ur tanks especially the heavily planted ones and your discus tank. I’ve just started a channel about my 200l tank and ur videos are inspiring me to do more with my tank and want more tanks. Keep going with your amazing tanks and channel!

[@samwang8129]

Wow loving this scape, especially that mossy wood and those ferns!

[@fjkhamdan]

That is a good amount of space for them, nice tank MD.

[@stevenbrady1381]

I find it so cathartic watching your videos you have serious talent my friend

[@udun84]

Crazy beautiful, like it much much more than the previous sorta iwagumi style.

[@steve852011]

nice looking plattys, and they really pop in their new tank

[@macaulygatenby5777]

Been obsessively watching your videos for a few weeks now! Set up a tank and hopefully will be introducing something to it over the weekend! Excited to learn from you and hopefully thrive with fish keeping this year!

[@adriancruz4699]

I love your aquariums! I've bin watching your channel for a while really a work of art. Much love from Albuquerque new Mexico🇲🇽🐠🐟

[@multipletanksyndrome]

I like the dimensions of that tank, nice & deep, front to back.

[@creezycoconut9853]

I love how frequently you upload! Keep up the good work!

[@91chine]

Am I the only one who just can't stop looking at the main piece of wood thinking about the fact that it looks like sad wooden Patrick? 😂 big up MD! Lots of great ideas and inspirations!!

[@jessicabrown8158]

I love platties so much

[@TripleJAquatics]

Lol the second i seen you stick that shopvac hose in the front of that tank i yelled NOOOO YOUR FERTS hahahah

[@milesnapue]

I love that DIY stand with the magnets. How do they even work? I was surprised by rimless and no leveling foam matt though. Seems fine to me, cheers from Minnesota.

[@kurt1460]

In the new betta fish tank with all red plants I think emerald eye rasboras would look great. They stay very small and school very tight and I have personally loved them in my 40 breeder aquarium.

[@androckon]

Thank you for putting the tank measurements and equipment info on the screen. So helpful for people like me who are looking to get into the hobby 😊

[@dr-k1667]

Wishing you all the best for 2022 MD. Your channel has been one of my best new channel finds of the year. I look forward to what you will create next year. Stay safe and have fun with your family.

[@SlimShady.com235]

Same

[@robertgilkerson8517]

The makeover looks great.

[@issaiss631]

этот аквариум у тебя самый красивый получился для меня, спасибо за труд и за красоту! привет из чечни=)

[@andreasmaul3958]

Hey greetings from Germany….I found your Channel yesterday and you make a fantastic job…so kreativ..so much Heart in you beautiful work. I will start again after 5 Years with no Aquarium ..-and you inspired me really. I follow you. Thanks Andreas

[@vEGan1909]

Frohes neues Jahr. Was für ein schöner Start mit einem neuen Aquarium. MD baut wirklich ästhetische Becken. Nur sind sie manchmal zu klein für den Fischbesatz 😕. Aber als Inspiration sind die Videos top. Grüße aus dem Bergischen Land - Esther

[@kweenkitten6207]

I love the effect the light in the back gave! It looks so good 🥰 I love all the tanks the platies have been in, they pop out so well!

[@TequillanSunrise]

Whoa the guy from UK speaks in feet and inches! I like it lol

[@TheMrDarius]

I swear you’re a wizard when it comes to aquascape

[@multipletanksyndrome]

You also should have put some moss on that branch coming towards the front on the left.

[@kamyk5215]

MD when another 10l tank?! It was your 'real start' in YT!

[@neilt1524]

New tank is cool too tho! I was bummed at first but MD never lets down!!!

[@Sapphire2021]

perfect timing, I was just thinking about an island style for my 20H 🤔 this will be the inspiration just need to get that many plants lol

[@apss5736]

Always excited for your videos

[@MDFishTanks]

Thank you

[@alisonnicholson]

Purely inspirational, gonna plant my siamese fighting fishs tank and my main tank. Will keep watching to get some plant ideas. So want to do plants but not sure what to use and where. Suppose its trial and error at first? You have such beautiful tanks, newbie to your channel having saw you on either prime time or kg tropicals simple fish keeping video. So glad I found your channel, keep up the awesome content :)

[@simobeats1565]

I love the concept of underwater islands cause its like a clump of concentrated hardscape and then clear swimming space. Early happy new years mate!

[@acquatrix]

MD, you're an artist. I LOVE your builds.

[@flavours22]

The tank looks great although I loved the platy mountain scape ❤ Happy new year MD and everyone

[@KE-hr4sb]

"MD: "So what you do is you take the fork, and gently, run it all the way through the roots..." Also MD: Breaks half the roots off.

[@Eprice-em2vj]

Attempting my first proper planted tank today! Hopefully all goes well :) great video as always!

[@sunaymukherjee7576]

Good to see the 7g bowl doing well , I did doubt it to do well at the start :p

[@Hebrewhammer305]

This seems off topic but I love the music.

[@fjkhamdan]

Man U inspire me a lot every day , I love ur content keep up 🙂👍🏻

[@dennisvanopstal7360]

I am glad you kept the cannister. Swapping it for a little spongefilter feels like downgrading to me. I like the scape 👍🏻 Its a bit the same as several of the other scapes. Island nature style. But you are very good at it 😎 Best wishes for 2022

[@jc13781]

well if the youtube thing ever fizzles out, you will have a massive business with doctors offices XD - amazing scape as usual MD!

[@BullionaireUK]

Just bought a fish tank cannot wait to get it started this channel is so helpful!

[@darrellmcknight8326]

Just beautiful

[@Roosterscrow550]

I love watching your videos. You are my favourite aquascaper by far! My only gripe is with the definition of ecosystem tank. For me an ecosystem tank has no filter and heater.

[@johnmichaelabrenica8694]

MD made me buy Platies because its so damn cute fish, and months later I got 4 fries lol maybe it could be more, if the platy dad didnt ate those babies XD

[@YourGlucoseGuardian]

Funny enough I got that background sub led and it’s ok,wouldn’t buy it’s again but fun to switch up the tanks look

[@thesunflowerwarrior1]

MD you should do a vertical tank scape sometime!!! I just got my friend a vertical tank for Christmas and I’d love to see what sort of thing you’d do for one!!!

[@cooperderbyram123]

Was given a fish tank with pink gravel and plastic SpongeBob decorations. THANK GOD I found this channel haha.

[@vEGan1909]

😂

[@naddyn685]

Have a great New Year celebration MD and all viewers here 🥳🥳🥳

[@roedinger7634]

Bro your a beast man! Keep up the amazing peaceful videos

[@jonny3020]

A work of art as usual, I can watch your videos all day!!

[@LindaLawton]

I know I'm asking a lot but it would be great with a list of plants used in the description. Not that i mind rewatching to get the names :😁😁

[@AquaBenyStyle]

The best for the NEW YEAR 🥂 💥👍😎👌💥

[@Habdabi]

Why do you crush the root tabs? I always use whole and figure they last longer and easy to plop new ones in to replace. Thanks 😊

[@twunderaquatics1770]

2nd comment, It used to really bother me when you would take apart a Beautiful scape. Now I know you're going to make something even better. 😏

[@toastytopaz]

Love this!!! Have you ever considered doing a tank with African Dwarf Frogs? They're sooooooo fun and have so much personality

[@pantua07]

Happy new year from the team of Panturium... 🥳

[@vivernpadiachy3528]

MD will hang on back filter work better than internal for 2ft tank

[@brandirumpen]

Very, very well done. Looks amazing! Going to be an inspiration when I rescape - Thank you!!

[@Pinejuice521]

Happy New Year !!! 🐠 🍃

[@ThePeerreviewer]

Love this! especially the swam at 7:55 :) ... always an inspiration mate every time I watch I know that my bank account is about to be drained with a new tank!

[@flipthys9638]

I love all your planted aquascapes! I would love to see you do a rio xingu scape though

[@Eilewynn]

Seems like MD is playing MagicTG with his platy 😂😂 what's next plain, forest or swamp 😁😁😁 ?

[@akashpratimmukhopadhyay3803]

It’s a beautiful build ♥️

[@samwang8129]

Wow MD, I really thought the stand was one of the shop-bought Juwel ones. It looks fantastic!

[@SouthpawSatch]

What gorgeous set up, I'd love to give this a try some day.

[@frachiascio5027]

YYEEEEEEEEE🤣 Now this is a good morning🤣😎

[@MDFishTanks]

🙂

[@nikhilkharkar1753]

Come out really well, for a contrast some spurts of red plants with red and blue shrimps?

[@gsander4837]

Did you notice the center branch looks like it has a face with two eyes, nose, lips and a small goatee. Mid center. Noticed this at 28:28. Love your videos and look forward to more in the new year. Happy New Year! 🎆

[@Habdabi]

As someone with an internal filter that I modded with good quality media and only a couple of sponges at the front. Why do you prefer the internal filter, always assumed external filters are superior?

[@sahilrane9532]

Please make a video on tank maintenance about water change

[@zahirmillard8205]

i love the background film. They dont carry that background at my LFS