4ft Ecosystem Tank: HUGE No Filter Aquarium With No Maintenance (Aquascape Tutorial)

[@MDFishTanks]

👇👇MD MERCH CLICK HERE👇👇: FULL SHOP: md-fish-tanks.creator-spring.com 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: www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/8944F2D0-1A19-446A-B103-48DE826BA3B6 Find @Fish Shop Matt here: KZbin: kzbin.info Insta: instagram.com/matt_swfishkeeper/ Equipment (all links affiliate): THE TANK IN THIS VIDEO: amzn.to/3EIblPB 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

[@CrazyAquariumGuy]

API or Aquarian does not even exist in Sweden. Weird. API Especially, such a big brand that has been around for ages. 🤔🤔🤔

[@toadpope2522]

I was JUST thinking “MD hasn’t posted in a while I hope everything is okay” and BOOM here we go. Now I’ve got my in-flight entertainment sorted for my flight in 2h 🤟

[@swastikarya941]

Blud used to upload thrice a week, now he's down to once

[@MDFishTanks]

Getting back on track. Been doing lots of family stuff

[@maxschultemusic]

@@MDFishTanks family first! But I love this channel more than anything 🙏 so relaxing 🎉😊

[@toadpope2522]

@@MDFishTanks enjoy the family time buddy!! Us KZbin goblins can wait a day for a fish-tank update but your kids need dad every day :). Work-life balance makes life sustainable and worth living. Much love and be well ❤️

[@lilDevoh]

@@MDFishTanksmissed the vids!! Family time is important too I guess 😂

[@seanelliott1762]

How about doing a series of aquariums on a budget? A $200 20 gallon setup, a $100 10 gallon. Would be interesting to see you challenge yourself to work on a pre determined budget and give newcomers a sense of how far a dollar goes. OG of the channel, love your work.

[@bryanwells4063]

I would really really love that, although it might need a slightly higher budget. I want to see a community tank similar to this but with the different layers clearly separated, maybe some hatchetfish at the top, corys at bottom and a showpiece and a schooling fish for the middle in a 29-40 gallon tank. Like a really nice beginner friendly tank. I would love to see how he starts it up and intoduces everthing. as well as the problem of a rimless tank allowing the hatchets to jump.

[@abbeyreeder5534]

love this idea!!! please md! :)

[@jimmynoname4089]

I mean, that isn’t to difficult to achieve. Just takes longer. :)

[@valleymykel-mq7gw]

Ive built aquariums for basically free minus the tank cost. And almost anything that holds water well can be used as a tank.

[@swirvinbirds1971]

I would bet this tank set up is $500+ and probably closer to $1,000 without the tank.

[@FishShopMatt]

How have you released this video but you are currently stood in my shop scaping 🤯🤯🤯 the power of KZbin and the internet 😂😂😂

[@AK_Aquascaping]

As he can't be on KZbin and your shop at the same time, which of the two is the imposter?

[@FishShopMatt]

@@AK_Aquascaping oh no now I'm worried 😂😂😂

[@bm3aquatic]

😂😂

[@littlenikki9539]

😂😂😂

[@jtkeepingfish]

Lol Matt that is funny! Can’t wait to see the tank!

[@glassberg5018]

Finally taking the jump and building my first aquarium so I'm binging your channel for inspiration.

[@Gidenkidenk]

I rebuilt 3 tanks after being on the channel. Plants now growing great and fish are happy. Best thing to learn is get the cheapest lights and filters

[@globalfamiliesfirst]

Hi Mr. & Mrs. MD ! This tank turned out stunning! I also wanted to say a quick thank you for the longer viewing time of the fish enjoying their new home! This isn’t just an ecosystem tank… you have created an entire new universe for these living creatures 😊. What a wonderful job you have! ❤❤❤ to you and your family! See you in the next video! Fran

[@aniketchakraborty5461]

12:18 you say hardscape is boring. i find that to be the most interesting. just going through various permutations to see what works and what not. love it.

[@MDFishTanks]

I think it came out wrong, I was refering to what we had just done...meaning the substrate system. The hardscape is great

[@claudeclawsonne4510]

You do tanks like I do. Been keeping them with Zero maintenance since Diana Walstad first wrote her book. I even did one with few GOLDFISH in a 100 gallon planted tank. I would vacuum the tank out once a year.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

This guy has obviously found his calling and is excellent at it. All of his creations are stunning - second to none. His passion for what he does comes through in every video.

[@conederaclement1368]

Watching your vid as im doing work in the lab gotta be one of the best moment of the week

[@jaypers232]

Just started my first 6 gallon bookshelf aquascape thanks to all your info and education!

[@JonnieB.]

Planning to make a tank of my own later this summer. Regular house plants aren’t enough and I miss having fish. Thanks for focusing on these ecosystem style tanks!

[@bartman5630]

Love the new tank! Turned out great. I also liked how you showed the way you used everything and displayed what was added on the screen. Very very helpful to people starting out and wanting to learn. I dont know all fish and plants available. This really helps. Thank you!

[@carolebraswell982]

I especially love the colors in this tank, from the decorative substrate to the plants and finally the beautiful fish!

[@cking8776]

Your new studio is stupendous!!! Glad Kate is with you; family businesses can be wonderful!!! Glad Timmy is getting new digs!!! 👍💯👍

[@peasantrobot]

WOW! Those Rasboras! In such a perfect environment! Job well done! I just love it!

[@ryan_bro265]

the hardscape looks insane, you killed this one!

[@Speedy-bf1fy]

Looks amazing! Would love to see how the plants grow in!

[@lanceowen8439]

You are my absolute favorite for my new aquarium journey. There’s plenty of other content creators and I can honestly say I appreciate yours the most.

[@haleymorgan9538]

LOVE this tank!!! How beautiful and awesome assortment of fish. Can’t wait to see updates on how it grows in.

[@pamlacey136]

Great tank finish. I love the new light behind the tank. Such a nice addition of the light peeking through the openings in the wood area and the plants. Love it.

[@sly-fi6502]

This would look so nice with those three bettas you fancied! With all the green going on they would really stand out

[@matthewblankenship7968]

You can tell by your aquariums the amount of work and experience you have learned over the years ..one of the best KZbin aquarium channels out there ..amazing looking natural tanks ..✌🏻

[@FatherFish]

Nice to see you displaying actually natural systems. Try supplements in the substrate to reduce the need for additives.

[@1RungAtATime]

What's the difference between his substrate of media/gravel/compost/sand and just dirt with supplements/sand?

[@gardian1701]

Every tank should be an ecosystem tank. 👌

[@Aquaboifishtank]

Im a biggest fan of MD fish tank and started channel to show my tanks I've been doing aquascape for a year and i learned so much watching you videos.. thank you so much

[@terrirodriguez8929]

WOW! The red and green light brought out the red and then green plants!!!

[@jacobjamaal8369]

The placement of those 2 pieces of wood is so perfect!

[@justmyway508]

Another amazing scape with a great stocking. I love celestial pearl danios. Such a great but often slept on and under rated nano fish. So definitely excited to see a group of them make it into this tank. Thanks for sharing MD.

[@onlywei]

They’re not underrated. They’re just expensive compared to most schooling fish.

[@justmyway508]

I have seen them with a pretty high price tag. But recently in my area they're going for about $4 each for captive bred and that's not to bad I don't think.

[@carrolgribble7669]

Absolutely LOVE your videos!! I have learned so much from you. I’m always saying to my hubby, “MD would be so proud of me”! 🤗 thank you!!

[@radiantlyshana]

I've never been this early!! So excited for this build MD!!

[@nathanhoveyaquatics]

The only thing better than an MD video would be 2 or 3 MD videos a week. 😊 Favorite KZbinr and a channel i go to for help when setting up my tanks. The only thing i don't do if the dirted method yet. 👍👍

[@chriscyr4982]

a 10 plus on this build, actually all your tanks are a ten plus. Really like the back lighting. Thanks for the video !!!

[@andiincali.4663]

They sponsored you! It's about time. Fantastic.

[@MDFishTanks]

They have sponsored me every month for the past 3 years 😂😂

[@andiincali.4663]

@@MDFishTanks Sorry, I'm new here, about 6 months 🤭

[@tedtots]

Finally! Been waiting all week for this new episode

[@br1382]

This was one of my favorite videos I've watched from you! great job :)

[@isaiahkaopua3329]

Love watching your videos. Like when Matt’s there too🤙🏻

[@nickwiseman7770]

I LOVE these tanks!!! Keep them coming!

[@lizzyanthus1]

The tank came out beautuful! I love how the wood loops around creating a sort of circle? Loving the fish choices as well. Those Celestial Danios are really pretty, as are the orange Tetras. Well all really, are lovely. Thanks for creating another gorgeous tank, MD! Good to see Matt and the gang too!

[@dexterbryant7255]

It's definitely 2 dinosaur shapes but as usual MD you killed it...... Great Job

[@aaronbecker5617]

I can't have a tank at the moment and watching you and Matt's channel makes my day 😊

[@StrawberrySodaSodaSoda]

You are very easy to listen to and you make a lot of sense ! I really love how Matt agrees with U even though he has classic fish shop ideas. He also stocks a great range. I have never seen purple rasbora so that was cool or the white sparkly danio. I learn a lot from you. I love how you said that the quick start and test kit make things fairly fool proof. I agree cos the problems can be fixed. I haven't been testing my water often enough and I did a fish filter recently but everyone is ok and I think it's cos I use roe water and or conditioned water and quick start and I have a lot of Aquaponic plants as well as planted. I know this is not great to not test but i honestly can't afford a master kit or even test kit at this stage. By the time I come to making a three or foot (my current is a two foot and I had an indoor pond that my landlord didn't love inside hence my two foot at a pinch which came to replace said pond) , I will have far more direction thanks to content like urs. Actually especially urs lately (no pressure). Question is Ur fish room basically a gallery ? Pretty cool and amazing and I'm sure endless opportunities for content. Anyway I absolutely love this four foot of urs. I feel like saying brain child but it probably be weird to say. I kind have said heaps of weird stuff already. Maybe it would be much simpler to say thanks for sharing and take care.

[@jtkeepingfish]

That is so cool, I absolutely love eco system tanks!

[@blackjackcwc]

Been watching your videons for 3 weeks and im inspired. Just ordered a 112L tank and im gonna give this hobby a go, thanks for your videos

[@katesmiles4208]

Adore my eco tank. No filter but during winter i put in a heater. as Tank drops to 15C too cold for my betta. My base is pure lava rock (pea size) with a few root tabs. Lots of plants with wood and rocks is a joy to watch. The fish are nice too 🤣

[@shivchanlakeram4234]

The purple colour from the lights makes those red plants stand out

[@stevenpavan327]

Great to see Matt again! More Matt please MD! Also, while a no filter tank is your thing, I think you cannot have success without water movement. Why don't you use small water movers. I use them in all my tanks. They are the small wavemakers that people use in reef tanks. Water movement is key to long term success.

[@wildfire8887]

The green background light make it seem like the ocean in the distance

[@horizonfishkeeping]

Love the old skool vibe of the video it's nice to see the home made light brackets and the media bags and old substrate been used this is an awesome video and the tank looks mint 👍👍

[@glennk.7348]

Your videos are so relaxing and positive. Thank you!!! 😎

[@codylyon5639]

I would love to see your studio. Your tanks are awesome. Cody from Texas 🤟

[@ren2704]

For the base layer of soil, i started to use Dennerle Deponit Mix. Very handy when you don't have ample supplies of mixed soil like MD ;)

[@etoro4270]

I love the "bits and pieces"

[@NadiaJordaan-sl7by]

You are so buff in that tank top🎉 aquagym!😎💪🏻

[@thenamesPRINDLE]

so excited you grabbed a few CPDs, by far my favorite nano fish. beautiful tank as always MD!

[@lakeshiamills1454]

Really love this! It has me considering rescaping my 75 gallon!

[@mellie4174]

So i was just wondering what should we at home be doing for heat on our ecosystem tanks?

[@tribbittyt]

You're looking massive my dude! The tanks look fantastic as well

[@browniewin4121]

that looks lovely maybe it's different in person, but I think the blue light in back was prettiest

[@THExPOPEXIX]

you did nail that with the second chunk of wood

[@Khaeris]

Beautiful tank. Would love to have CPDs one day.

[@andeekf4374]

Beautiful tank!!! Thanks for all the information you share in your videos.

[@katzolicious]

Fantastic!. Saved for when I make mine. Keep up the videos. So good

[@andreagalda28]

I would love a video talking more about your background (and Matt's background too). What did you do before fish and KZbin? What did you study at school?

[@stephaniegagnon2583]

Such pretty fish. I wonder what that light would look like in red or purple, behind your red tank?

[@glennk.7348]

Awesome tanks, great personality, fun to watch, super video editing = perfect!!

[@regant7064]

Watching your videos feels SO surreal after meeting you at aquashella dallas, ahh amazing video as usual!!

[@ilseschuttevaer4245]

I have dwarf pencilfish and they are so beautiful as adults.

[@Nizon]

CPDs are a favorite of mine. A must got nano or small tanks

[@adamjohnson3306]

Woukd love to see brackish tank. Archers, scats, monos etc. I love scats they grow so fast

[@GoodSamaritan1972]

MD please make " A day in the life of MD" video...we would love this

[@themermaidslairaquatics]

Gosh that is a stunning tank and what a great idea! Thanks for sharing this video!!

[@SArch-111]

Couple questions... (1) When you're planting, it doesn't look like you're pushing the roots down very deep into the substrate. Don't you need to push the roots all the way through the decorative/capping layers and into the nutrient layer? (2) How long can one of these "ecosystem" setups last? What's the longest you've ever kept one going?

[@DIYProjectX]

Dude! A tank top?? Love your vids, hope to see more stuff with Fish Shop Matt. 😊

[@MDFishTanks]

Been a heatwave in the uk

[@DIYProjectX]

@@MDFishTanks Got it. The same here in Czech Republic.

[@kyleemery2798]

suns out guns out! Looking good MD!

[@carlowles9852]

nice pair of apistogramma would look great in there

[@percymichaud8003]

MD, you have inspired me a lot in creating tanks, especially with plants, My crypt is growing well and beautiful. I noticed that you don't have foxtail blue eyes in your aquarium Keep up the good work, from the land of OZ Percy.

[@marie1990mood]

you are soo good att making nice tanks :) thanks for making nice content! its been lovely to follow you from the little shack in your garden to this amazing place :D

[@benjaminsmith-haddon7316]

🐌 and 🦐 are required! Yes! It is a nice tank with nice fishes. The little one at 40:53 doesn't like the flake! 😝 Look at him keep gobbing it out.

[@bsrrieadgie3040]

Glad you had a good holiday. You should do ikebana tank and go back for that betta fish you liked especially after losing hellboy.

[@pagewhite61]

Stunning tank!

[@gani22sgr]

I love how the rainbows just keep following him like puppies :D

[@w01f9ack8]

Dude, I've been watching you for around 3 years and you never cease to amaze all of us. It's been awesome to watch your career and collection of aquariums grow! 💯🤍🐟 I used a blackworm culture for my pangio khulii loach tank and they have been reproducing like crazy and i no long need to feed the khulii's or the white cloud minnows in the tank😄It might be worth a shot🤷🏾‍♂️

[@DieterHuckstedt-ey6oe]

U inspired me to come in the fish tank comunity

[@ricardocaliman2830]

Always enjoy your vids Amigo. A thought for you: you mention (a few times now) that you plant so that "it looks finished right away" for the videos.... Why not do one tank with what could be considered "beginner" amounts of plants, and show when you trim and replant? Could make for an interesting mini series, and show the process you mention.

[@simonclayton2038]

I have just set up some plants in my sump as my dovii is a menace. I’ve actually got a plant in the main tank as well but I’ll wait to see how that goes 😃 nice video mate 🥰👍

[@WackyEducation]

Absolutely love it Great build

[@cdub1955]

Have enjoyed watching your videos. I was particularly interested in the 'no filter' eqosystem. obviously you are keeping your fish room heated, to avoid need for a heater. How might you incorporate a heater into a 'no/filter' system as you have described? Would a small submersible heater across the back bottom suffice? Or is something needed to create more flow?

[@theawesomepython0693]

You should do red lizard loaches also know as saddled back hillstream loach. I think it would be cool as a bottom feeder for a possible tan tank or something.

[@the_jtown1952]

I'm looking forward to seeing the updates on this one.

[@Laura_milne100]

timys aqua looked like lava, nice

[@Neuri]

I noticed you timed the gravel bucket drop with the music bro!

[@PCK-bn6bb]

Smashed another 4ft tank… amazing as usual! Now that you have the larger studio, how about that 6’ or 8’ tank you always talked about?

[@stephenkrupa2901]

What would a minimum tank size would you recommend for an ecosystem tank?

[@kaliorify]

Thank you for the awesome video. Is there a tank where I wont have to trim the plants for a few months and that would be okay?

[@realangiechrist]

How about some Kuhli loaches for cleanup crew? Also some dwarf gouramis would look nicei the future. So many fish to choose from!

[@mellie4174]

Also gorgeous tank!

[@HappyFishlady]

Thanks MD for the channel -- I love it! However, as a biologist, I disagree about feeding routines. Fish need feeding every day, preferably several times. Science shows that fasting increases stress levels of fish and the levels stay up for several weeks even when food becomes available. So personally, I do not recommend leaving fish unfed during holidays or any other reason. This is also one of the main reasons why water movement and biological filtration is so important for long-term success of fish keeping.

[@gidge6260]

MD bringing the guns out again 😂 Great video as always 👌🏼

[@DokterIkanAquascape]

Amazing aquarium buddy 🎉🎉