DEEP DIVE: What is the BEST SUBSTRATE For Planted Aquariums? For Anaerobic & Aerobic Filtration Also

What is the BEST SUBSTRATE For PLANTED TANKS? For Both Annerobic & Aerobic Filtration + Plant Growth
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Thanks friends. Cheers.

[@Fishtory]

All the links to info about setting up and cycling planted tanks How to Add Nitrogen Active Aquasoil to an Existing Aquarium substrate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enbPdX2Hnpd7epI To cap or not to cap substrate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqDXi6xqgdt2bqc Understanding nitrifying and de-nitrifying bacteria cycles kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHe7hHh_qM-pf6c A seasoned tank vs a merely cycled tank: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqvYkpiehLKsZqs Creating a balanced, filterless," no tech" ecosystem in a bowl, jar or nano tank kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWPLqaNrhbmfi9U How to safely convert your aquarium into a filterless ecosystem kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGOzkmWpirqKZpY Why Aquarium Plants Melt and or Die & How to Prevent it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4q5Zp-qdthsd9k When to add plants to an aquarium. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH_Xqa2qZ5unoK8

[@MrSwifty21]

Hi Alex Another awesome info dump! I have an idea for you for a video series. Build a new tank from scratch, your "ideal/perfect" tank. Take it slow and talk through EVERY aspect. Selecting substrate, plants, tank size, aquascaping, water parameter monitoring, when to add stock, how you decide what to stock, etc, etc. The idea is to get insight into your thought process and problem solving

[@MrSwifty21]

And then do weekly updates on the progress of the tank. How the parameters shift over time, how you manipulate or counter that shift, plant growth, future plans, live stock progress, substrate stratification, etc...

[@myhobbiesgalore]

Also do start to finish on starting white worms blood worms and daphnia and skuds cultures

[@myhobbiesgalore]

Sorry I also would like to know I have a planted darted tNk 2 inch organic potting soil with sand capped and some river peoples for some contrast...how can I tell if I need to add those additives liquid and pills or even add more soil into the tank...I have stopped gravel vacs once I realized mulm was good and then just learned that it will create its own layers

[@myhobbiesgalore]

Need to watch all videos apparently

[@jenninebyron7224]

❤ This video is awesome. I have been off of alcohol for 13 months now. I was drunk daily for 15 years. In the last year, I have started 4 nano aquariums that I'm really proud of. I have so much to show for my sobriety. I'm getting ready to plant my new 46-gallon. I've learned so much from you. Thank you for your content. I can't even begin to express the dopamine I get from looking at my aquariums. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@Fishtory]

Right on my friend! My new "high" is literally learning things that im curious about. It works well long term, after the acute withdrawals slow down. Maybe you should journal your tank and aquarium hobby journey for others too?! Cheers and have an awesome week

[@giftofthewild6665]

It's great that you've become sober, congratulations 🎉 but you've basically just replaced 1 addiction for another (albeit a less damaging one) 😂 Be prepared to suffer from multiple tank syndrome and have every spare surface covered in aquariums soon 😂

[@emilyray8344]

Congratulations on your sobriety. Life is so much better when you are awake and alert to enjoy it. Aquariums are a great hobby.

[@BLIND_BEAR]

O m g, I love ur story. Congratulations!!

[@Mango-h5h]

I hope u get dopamine from ur cute dog too

[@brineblood]

Finally! The first aquarium/aquascape-enthusiast I can stand listening to! Thank you for not using a million smash cuts with stupid graphics and obnoxious voiceovers. So glad the algorithm finally got me here. Subscribed and alerts turned on 👍🏼 Love love love these deep dives and listening to a person who knows what they're talking about without injecting unnecessary ego, instead approaching topics with the genuine curiosity of an actual scientist, and is clearly very passionate about what they do.

[@Fishtory]

Aww oh why thankyuh! You jist made my day! Im glad you're here as well! Welcome 🙏. Dont be shy if you have questions or thoughts...corrections or critiques. As long as its the truth, as far as science knows it.. it never hurts my feelings to make a correction. I strive to put out unique and solidly researched information here. The algorithm often hates it lol... but just stop by the channel's main page or search a subject with "@fishtory" before it on youtube search bar, and perhaps you'll enjoy one of the 1400+ videos I've created

[@GlingGlingON]

I have to agree that despite being mainly a "talking head" you're very easy to listen to and stay engaged; the mark of a good presenter/lecturer. I prefer to watch at 2x; it super concentrates both the enthusiasm and the knowledge! I usually "skip around" videos with the 10-second button but with yours I find myself thinking that I don't want to miss anything. Quality, nutrient dense 😂 content.

[@loris.6614]

Starting the research process before setting up a planted aquarium and your channel is by far the most informative I've come across. I'll keep deep diving your content!

[@Fishtory]

Thank you. Welcome to the community, and feel free to ask questions or join our facebook group for help from other memebers and viewers!

[@CatharticCurios]

Same. Absolute same. Your content kicks some serious butt my dude

[@laytonpenza5498]

@Fishtory - I’m new to the hobby and must say that of all the people making videos in this arena, you are by far the best! Very well spoken, extremely knowledgeable and smooth. Thank you for sharing all your years of hard work and dedication with us all.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you so very kindly

[@Miss.kittty]

I always had trouble growing aquarium plants until about 6 months ago, I dug a channel very carefully through the centre of my aquarium and back filled it with Aqua soil and then put my plants in, they have never looked back and they are now sending out aerial shoots. I love your video thank you very much for all your information.

[@Fishtory]

Lovely to hear! Congrats!!!

[@thesolaraquarium]

I only understand about 10% of what you say but I like it❤. Science gives me a headache 😂 Deep knowledge. Impressive. And also respectful of other people’s methods. New sub.

[@Fishtory]

Glad to hear that! Welcome to the community my new friend!

[@softaco3088]

Great informational video. However, I would argue that soil capped with sand is still king because of the price point per gallon depending on tank size. Aquasoil is great for anything smaller than maybe a 40 breeder, but you work your way to say a 125g (From my experience) you are spending $500-$1k on substrate... I've used both and honestly cannot tell the difference in plant growth. One downfall with soil is the soil getting loose above the cap over time, but I've found to fix that you can just put your soil in filter bags and then cap all the filter bags with sand. The roots still make their way into the filter bags. All that being said... If aquasoil was ever as cheap as organic soil, id use the aquasoil. Until then, soil wins me over personally.

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

This research is a game changer. There has always been one « deep substrate » / « natural » camp versus « high tech » or « green aqua » camp, and at the end of the day this proves we are all doing the same thing.

[@Fishtory]

100%

[@hebasedd]

Well well well how the turntables.... Father fish isnright after all. All these years of hate, guy has a strong gut.

[@mayb.3745]

I like this channel because he always go back to scientific research and applications.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you, I try my best

[@AnimalAce]

Organic dirt capped with black blasting sand for me. Haven't gotten shrimp to work with it but corys and guppys love it. Oh and the plants love it too.

[@AnimalAce]

hnmmm this video makes me want to try aquasoil as a third layer. Probably midway between the organic soil and the sand.

[@randykoch1807]

​@@AnimalAceyeah I have the same set up.why don't the shrimp work?and yes the plant love it!

[@AnimalAce]

I'm not sure. Its not temperature I know that. Water chemistry is fine. I even bought them local so the water should be fine. I might not of been feeding them properly maybe. We'll see though.@@randykoch1807

[@pierreeubanks3448]

I have dirt/potting soil, sand, then regular rock substrate. Still in the cycling stage of the new setup but water parameters nice, along with plants, barely have to do water changes if any only do it to introduce new nutrients and feed more fertilizer.

[@gryaznygreeb]

I dod this but with a mix of thoroughly washed (until water runs clear) play sand and black aquarium sand. I'm pretty happy with the result. Bettas, neon tetras, platies, guppies, bristlenose pleco, corydoras, and otocinclus have all done really well with it in multiple tanks. I'll never go back to plain gravel. If I try aquasoil I'll still use a sandcap.

[@howardhewitt1797]

Thank you! I really enjoyed the whole video. Very well put together. Cheers.

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

I had been successful with just gravel and root tabs for years, but tried something different with my 75-gallon tank. I only wanted a line of swords across the back with a few Anubis's on some shale in the front with decoative polished stones to create an open moonscape look for free swimming shubunkin and fancy goldfish. I started with volcanic rock deep in the back graded to almost bare in front, a layer of white gravel and white sand cap. I didn't know that volcanic rock didn't have nutrients, so I had to supplement with root tabs and it did well. I had 8 goldfish in a 55-gallon that I moved in one at a time as ammonia and nitrites allowed for as it wasn't first cycled but heavily planted with swords and pothos clippings. I was glad that I didn't have natural nutrients in the soil as when I wet up my 5-gallon shrimp tank with aquasoil and aquasand it was leaching ammonia and nitrites for a few days before the vallisneria, hornwort, frogbit, ludwedia and moss bridge reversed the parameters. I know the biolode from 8 shrimp, even in an uncycled tank, couldn't have spiked ammonia and nitrites to 2 ppm each overnight, so the sand (which looks more like gravel) must not have sealed as I thought it would.

[@Fishtory]

Sounds like you sorted it out.

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

@@Fishtory Thanks, after 2 days ammonia was gone and nitrites dropped from 2 to .2ppm. The coconut moss bridge probably had a decent amount of biofilm and bacteria from 6 months in another tank which helped.

[@danielsummerville6799]

14:22 that's a pretty massive positive at this point in time, lol.

[@SpinsterSister]

Thanks for the complete comparison of methods - makes it easier for the rest of us!!

[@Fishtory]

My pleasure! Thank you so very much for your support 🙏. It goes a long way! Cheers my friend

[@JasPR1000]

Congratulations, you have really nailed another one! This should be required reading for all new budding planted aquarium hobbyists. High class, enlightening, science based knowledge. Kudos and thanks for the contributions to the hobby,

[@Fishtory]

Im honored and humbled. Thank you. I was fascinated by talking with all these people about the history and engineering of it, and just had to share part of the excitement and details that i felt I've missed until now, and probably many others have also

[@Fishtory]

ALL THE LINKS AS PROMISED! How to Add Nitrogen Active Aquasoil to an Existing Aquarium substrate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enbPdX2Hnpd7epI To cap or not to cap substrate: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqDXi6xqgdt2bqc Understanding nitrifying and de-nitrifying bacteria cycles kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHe7hHh_qM-pf6c A seasoned tank vs a merely cycled tank: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqvYkpiehLKsZqs Creating a balanced, filterless," no tech" ecosystem in a bowl, jar or nano tank kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWPLqaNrhbmfi9U How to safely convert your aquarium into a filterless ecosystem kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGOzkmWpirqKZpY Why Aquarium Plants Melt and or Die & How to Prevent it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4q5Zp-qdthsd9k When to add plants to an aquarium. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH_Xqa2qZ5unoK8

[@animablo]

Hi, I'm a new subscriber from Indonesia. I'm happy to see you guys creating content about nature aquarium

[@Fishtory]

Thanks for subbing! Welcome my friend 🙏

[@evergreenpsyche]

Watching this through again after a few months and i realized i'm actually learning and noticing things that were above my head before. Brilliant video, thank you 😊

[@Fishtory]

Awesome. Thats what i love about learning about large systems in science.

[@kennetheroh4052]

You could use root tabs in the Aqua Soil when it loses it vitality

[@adambushman2928]

This guy and father fish have made me look at fish keeping in a way more interesting light. Only problem is now I look insane to all the people in my family for how interested I am in it😜. Oh, and my wallet is kinda hurting too

[@Fishtory]

You and me both! ... oi lol

[@jerryash3329]

I like planted aquariums. I found that instead of adding potting mix directly into my tanks, which will require water changes to bring down the nitrate and ammonia levels from spiking. Instead, I pre wash my potting mix, thus reducing the amount of fertilizer from the mix, thus eliminating any spikes, as my tested levals are now at a low level. Pre washing is far easier then doing water changes, and everything is happy.

[@Fishtory]

Thanks for sharing

[@deneng0259]

Try using organic potting soil. No fertilizers.

[@Fishtory]

@deneng0259 works well! Just gotta be a little patient and or looove plants 🪴 ! Which I do as well

[@cheriewilson8191]

Had a horrible time with Aquasol....got a tank of black water which I had to empty the whole tank, clean everything, and start over. Restarted with sand topped with gravel and now I have clear water. 5 gal tank with 1 beta fish, plants with fertilizer tabs down in the sand. Getting a better light to help the plants grow and it looks good so far....happy beta fish!

[@brandonhorwath6351]

One good thing about keeping goldfish, I never need to worry about substrate being undisturbed for too long.

[@audreycooper4860]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us! I’m fairly new and to make sure I was creating a safe and thriving ecosystem for my fish, snails, etc I wanted to get all the knowledge I could so I could offer them the best life possible! Also bringing a slice of nature and its beauty to my home is such a blessing! It brings me so much joy to see my aquatic pet thriving in the environment I created. I’ve realizing that they seem the happiest when I have a low tech setup and recreate their natural habitat (to the best of my ability). I have learned so much from your videos!!

[@Fishtory]

Right on! You do what works for you and your fish, the fact you care, means youll do great

[@NewJerseyTom]

13 minutes in..liked..and shared..Jersey fish friends❤

[@Fishtory]

You are a rockstar

[@globalist1990]

It seeps slowly in sand, but that's why you have soil at the bottom when you setup the tank. I'm not sure if you commented on this, I'm halfway through.

[@Fishtory]

Yes. You can definitely "charge your deep substrate" its limiting for carpeting plants, and or moving plants around frequently if you propegate....but it certainly is a workable method

[@johnnybest6386]

This topic never gets old

[@naegwut]

Yes! You got the name! ❤❤❤❤ perfect

[@Fishtory]

Hahah thanks

[@pillsnpiegaming]

WANT THE PINT GLASS DAMMIT!!!

[@taniamans2026]

Got it... understanding better 😅😅😅

[@Fishtory]

Nm you found it! Haha so glad. Cheers my friend

[@johnnybest6386]

Love how u break down knowledge for those like me with out knowledge could understand .........salute to you. Alex

[@Fishtory]

Glad it made any sense at all lol...it took me a while

[@oliisakitty1965]

I just started this hobby, i put inch and half of potting soil mixed with blood bone fertilizer. Capped with an inch of play sand, pebbles and grit stones. Planted, but need more. Some "Father fish" leaves and pond water. My Platies love it, wizzing around, already 3 babies. Gases occasionally bubbling from the soil. The fish only fed every other day with a pinch, but see them constantly hunting something in the water and nibbling surfaces, fascinating.

[@oliisakitty1965]

Nitrates low, ammonia still high, interesting to see how it stabilises.

[@Fishtory]

Great to hear

[@angel-369-u9v]

I've used half an inch of Nutra base by Colombo, mixed with 1 and a half inch of aqua soil, 2 inches all together. Used flourish root tabs pushed into the mix. I have then capped it with 1 inches of children's play sand, 3 inches all together. My tank is absolutely flourishing. I've had no algae issues, no outbreaks of disease, and it is completely stable in water parameters. Its growing hairgrass in low light conditions. I have bloody Mary shrimp and blue jelly shrimp in there, and crossbreeding the population is exploding. The tank has been set up for 4 months. When the tank evaporates 2in of water, I just top the tank off to the original level. No big water changes are the key. No drama, no fuss. It just does its thing 😂

[@johnnybest6386]

Hello i have been trying to get nutri base i am in newyork is their a site u know where i can buy nutri base

[@Fishtory]

Sounds very nice! I still love lasagna tanks!

[@adamek1xd]

Hi, how is looking the outcome of the cross? Do You have pics posted anywhere ?

[@dmoore0079]

I had extremely good luck with cherry shrimp the last time I had them. Made a good amount of money on the side rehoming them to other hobbyists. I'm thinking about trying kilifish at some point. Some of the African varieties in particular are insanely colorful.

[@chrisjames1409]

I've thrown Lowes peat under river rock and didn't really think about it again. My water wisteria stems are like tree trunk size, 8th month

[@vampgaia]

Interesting. Very interesting.

[@dougmanning3498]

This guy is genius

[@Fishtory]

I don't know about that... but i am obsessed 😆

[@jordanwilde9226]

Great education! I didn't realize how much engineering went into aquasoil, that was incredible to learn and makes me interested in potentially using it sparingly in my mixed substrate tanks in the future.

[@Fishtory]

I didn't know before a month or two ago... and i felt like it gets misused or under utilized, but for making tiered scapes, nursery tanks with things being moved, or just carpeting scapes, its the best out there in my opinion... all the top aquascapers use some form of it... without exception on ADAs 100 best list annually ( there are a dozen varieties and brands, but pelletized soil is the constant)

[@sarahpetersen6576]

This clarifies a lot for me! I had seen a few Father Fish videos and still wasn’t quite sold on a dirt/soil base. I got some aqua soil instead and still plan on a sand layer on top. This tank setup is my Christmas present but I want to have it up and running by mid-December so I can start adding the first fish right around Christmas. I haven’t had a tank in about 10 years and itching to get back into things :)

[@Fishtory]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy the tank. I'm friends with Father Fish and enjoy his overall message, but sometimes we disagree on things like aquasoil... he thinks it's a conspiracy/scam for money... and I've spoken to botanist and aquacultural engineers, to understand how the aquasoils work...and to my surprise they are very useful, more efficient and complex compared with just a humus type soil or dirt & fert.

[@cityslickadundee3720]

I’ve been making my own compost for years , I’m gonna start adding moss from the ditches here soon when it dries up , I’ve done really well in multiple types of gardens with the home made stuff I’m in the process of tanks working on soil under sand I’ve gotta 5 gallon going and I’ve gotta 29 in the process right now Somebody left a tank at an apartment so I took it home and the tank was broken at the base which was a 10 gallon that would’ve been nice I’ve got some ideas mustering this stuffs exciting

[@msbranen6261]

I love a good deep dive!

[@leahrodriquez1349]

Awesome that we can do your Amazon link to support you even if not buying any specific linked items!!!

[@Fishtory]

Yes! Thank you!

[@crawfordwice]

I hit the like button twice!

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

Alex is the Fishtuber that most often has me rapt and gawping- 'OH!'

[@Fishtory]

Me too! Lol i just get stoked and want to share it with everyone when i have those moments too

[@Thorned_Rose]

So long as the science is accurate (is this independently tested and open or is this just for-profit companies saying "we tested this and this is the result"?) is the TL;DR of this that commercial aqua soils have the advantage of being more front-loaded (nutrient-wise) and you can move plants around more? Diana's Walstad's Ecology of the Planted Aquarium is what got me sold on the Walstad method and my own Walstad aquarium has been three years running now and the only issues I've come across is the not being able to move plants around. But my personal observation from someone who likes to fiddle and experiment (I also have and had hybrid filtration systems that I experimented with) is that the lower layer substrate is actually quite stable and becomes that way fairly quickly. I messed around with moving plants and the sand cap within months of setting it up and apart from some dirt in the water column, it went back to crystal clear water within 24 hours. I always figured I would trigger a bacterial bloom because of putting so many nutrients into the water column but that's not happened. In fact, just last week, I completely removed the sand cap off my Walstad (wanted to change to a dark coloured cap instead) with the fish in the aquarium and then recapped it. In some spots, I accidentally removed some of the dirt layer so would have exposed the anaerobic layers. Anyway, after two days the water was back to crystal clear (not that it was bad, just very slightly tinged). I didn't have any spikes in ammonia or nitrates unless they were too low for API tests to detect 🤷🏻‍♀. And within days I could see new growth on plants despite some of them being almost completely uprooted (granted, my crypts aren't happy about the whole rearrangement so I finally get to experience crypt melt lol despite having add many crypts over the years.) My Walstad (and hybrids) have always had far better water clarity than the common place sand of gravel only substrates that need to be vacuumed regularly (even with water polishing). TDS has always been what you find with the aquasoils. So for me, at least personally, unless I was moving plants around, there doesn't seem to be any advantage to aquasoils. A lot more money spent for the same job as plain dirt and sand? Maybe I'm just too socio-anarchist and wary of for-profit corporate 'science' lol.

[@Fishtory]

I agree with you 100% im gonna upload my ideal tank build one of these days soon. And show what i fortify and add to soil, some tricks i do with adding iron and sulphur locked away and layering things for the plant roots and it seems to last about 5 years if i dose nitrates and potassium liquid here and there

[@VeryImportantPerson1234]

I noticed you featured Seachem's Flourite as a substrate when talking about quality aqua soils (@ 11:03) but I thought their flourite, being inert clay, was different than the aquasoil type of substrates? Can anyone clarify? Great vid by the way.

[@HeyItsCeeJay]

Ooh I'm in the top 20% 🎉🎉🎉 😂😂😂

[@Fishtory]

Well.thank you kindly!

[@andrewgoldfish]

Oh man I could have had part of a Japanese volcano in my new tank. Guess I’ll still use the eco complete since I already bought it.

[@boniw698]

This video is so informative. I love your videos. Now that I’m back setting up a couple of tanks after a devastating loss after hurricane last year. I needed to find the “love” once again. Thank you 🫶🥰💕

[@Fishtory]

You can do it! I hope the channel can help. Best of luck to you and welcome back, friend 😊

[@dellseasandoval8187]

Keep up the good work Alex. Absolutely perfect. Love your stuff as always.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you so much Dellsea ( Dell ?)

[@MrRenoman2011]

Awesome video thanks

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mattimoto]

Thank you

[@Fishtory]

You're welcome

[@EuroGupper]

@Fishtory Hi Alex, you might want to check out shrimp eye ablation and discuss that barbaric practice for your weekly segment. It might turn you away from eating shrimp 😢

[@Fishtory]

Yeah i don't eat shellfish, but the industry is nasty

[@Papa_Naka]

I went with father fish deep substrate method. I used ADA power sand at the bottom with ADA Amazonia aqua soil on top. In addition to this I added charcoal pieces, recharge mycelium mixture, 50 iron supplemented red clay balls, and father fish soil additive all mixed into aqua soil. I then topped it with black sand. I am happy with the results of my tank and all of my plants are fine. No big algae blooms. I only have one fish and a load of snails in it right now. 55 gallon with one sponge filter and an air stone. Been a month looks good. I'll add a CO2 generator permanently, probably when I fully stock the tank. In addition to this i have 80 tourmaline and maifanitum supplemented balls for shrimp next to my sponge filter to promote good bacteria and filter heavy metals.

[@Fishtory]

Sounds like a plan!

[@joseph7105]

Hmm I grabbed a bucket of mud from a creek and dropped that in my tank, along with 2 inches of sand cap. 2 years later everything going strong only cleaned my sponge once and everything is thriving. Just make sure you have enough fish to replenish the substrate I would have spent over $100 if I were to track down every ingredient.

[@sahindemirer]

You guys having gas buildup in your substrates? That stinks and these are big bubbles. When will they finish?

[@pennyrichards8019]

Where were you able to find black sand? I'm having zero luck finding just sand turn off the fancy pre-packaged stuff that's $25 a bag

[@Fishtory]

@pennyrichards8019 its called blasting sand and for pressure cleaning / sanding. But its made from very hard crushed coal which is just carbon crystals almost like graphite. It should be at lowes or home depot. The most common brand is "black diamond"

[@rakiest]

additionally -- the work that goes into your videos is fantastic and worthy of applause. Enough for us nerds but not too complex for a new person (someone like me, not new to any of this in theory, but new to planted tanks!)

[@shesellsfish]

Tom Barr, and you both do deep dives into what you recommend, and I trust what both of you say, simply because I KNOW you have done hours of research before you just throw a video up. 👍❤️👍

[@Fishtory]

Yes indeed. Man, i dunno if ive earned Tom Barr approximation at all, but i do admire him, and have for almost ( yikes...2 decades?!) Lol. Thank you as always, though!

[@janemarriott3389]

Complicated topic explained so that I could understand. Thanks! I’ll reply several times.

[@Fishtory]

Right on. Thanks for coming by

[@donpettit7107]

Thanks! Your knowledge and ability to teach are unsurpassed…

[@Fishtory]

Thank you. Im honored to read this. Im just glad you enjoyed it. Cheers my friend!

[@donpettit7107]

@@Fishtory You remind me of Ryan Neil who teaches the fundamentals of horticulture as applied to bonsai. Knowing the why and not just the what/how are the difference between learning and understanding. If I may ask, are you self taught or are you a biologist by training?

[@Fishtory]

I have some biology, geology and meteorology due to an archaeology grad schooling... and then history and anthropology undergraduate. So i was taught the way to research and the way to find good info, more than anything else honestly. Im teaching what i learn often...the week after i feel i fully understand it, so in that way i think we are all learned together on this channel

[@alantooth48]

Alex, that was a amazing video I learned so much. Thank you for all the knowledge you bring to our community!

[@Fishtory]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers Alan

[@WTFoolproof]

thank you for reminding me to hit the like button. it is the least I can do. thank you for the hard work you do for us.

[@Fishtory]

I appreciate that. Thank you

[@myhobbiesgalore]

I love the fact that i can look up my questions just in your feed though i do look at other videos but i look at yours firstish

[@Fishtory]

Haha thank you for thinking of me! Feel free to let me know if im missing a topic too!

[@sydefect]

Alex always explains it in ways we can all grasp well done yet again❤

[@Fishtory]

Glad you think so!

[@johnnybest6386]

You are a wealth of knowledge

[@teamginger6359]

Thanks 🎉

[@anthonyhendricks7377]

Ok honestly I don't get it all but some is actually soaking in. Between Father Fish and your videos I'm getting an education. I've always had soil, and sand as a substrate. It's always worked fantastically. But now I'm getting a understanding of the mechanics.

[@Fishtory]

That is awesome! It came to me in waves as people explained it. So much to learn!

[@assiahinarkansas]

Really enjoyed this one Alex. Thanks

[@Fishtory]

Hey thanks Assiah

[@kbbtt]

Excellent video I listened to everything u said I didn't realize it was 38 minutes haha

[@Fishtory]

Excellent! My tap worked lol

[@Kingshukpalchoudhury]

So basically what you mean to say, is that dsb, or soil capped with sand/ gravel, or dsb with gravel, will all function the same as aquasoil once the mulm settles in and it gets matured..its just that it will take more time to do so than readymade aquasoils.. and from what i could understand, is that the mulm actually forms and traps the nutrient layer and/or anaerobic functions.. and 2-4mm gravel will help with the mechanical voids ( and will never break down like aqua soils) So in this case, it seems, if one has time, fine gravel about 3-5 inches will do the job perfectly..within a few months..and of one needs to kickstart the process a bit, one can simply add some organic matter beforehand like maybe soil or cocopeat below the gravel..and for the clay matter/CEC requirements..some soil/burnt clay materials like LECA etc should suffice.. At least this is what I understood from this..

[@Fishtory]

You got it :)

[@rebeccamandelos3164]

Well said ! 🩵

[@JasonSmith-ot5pq]

I use aquasoil capped with sand and find it a perfect combination after years of partial success and failure. Great information 👏🙏

[@Fishtory]

Right on

[@jasonvesagie]

Hi alex , i feel bad asking question without being a member , but after the last debacle i basically agreed i wouldnt use my bank card on youtube .. i planted 2 amazon swords in a dirted tank , alla father fish . My question is , how long does it take for the amazon sword to bounce back to a big size after melting all the leaves . Before i removed the dead leaves from the plant , there was new leaf growth in the centre of the plant on both plants . the one has 2 leaves roughly 2inch long and the other has 4 leaves roughly 1 in long . i planted them 3 weeks ago and are under a medium light . Thanks in advance

[@wheelbite9]

I definitely wouldn't have guessed the expensive stuff actually worked the best. Thank you for the knowledge.

[@Fishtory]

I wouldnt have either haha

[@rakiest]

This is how I kept my reeftank -- a full, rich, high input, high output system, lots of bio filter, lots of microfauna. A healthy tank makes healthy tankmates, be it fish, corals, or plants.

[@Fishtory]

Right on. I need to finally make my return to salt water hehe

[@Yourmomma568]

This may be dumb, but how would an inorganic substance allow for simple diffusion of water and whole bacteria, but prevent diffusion of a much smaller molecule like oxygen? Like, active transport in an organism makes sense, but how can that possibly be for something like a spongiform rock?

[@Fishtory]

Ionic bonds

[@somethingsfishy7662]

Thank you for this great info! I lost all my fish after a recent house fire. Fortunately, we didn’t lose our home, but due to the fact the power has been off and no heaters or pumps are active in my fish tanks, nobody has survived. That being said, I’m taking this opportunity to rebuild my tanks from the ground up. I’ve been debating between the Father Fish method of substrate or aqua soil for growing plants. I do believe I’m going to save myself a headache and go with the Fluval Stratum. Thank you! 🙏

[@Fishtory]

Honestly his tanks are great, but especially if you have more than one to do, the care and the looks, plus the diversity of plants that will thrive.... i think aquasoil is the way to go, and it took me 10 years complaining about the price and this and that to finally realize it lol. By the way, so sorry to hear about the fire. Keep your head up, and enjoy that fresh start as much as possible. Cheers. -alex

[@accionhero]

The more I learn about mulm the most I like it! I understand now that it’s good for my plants and after sometime it would not affect my fish (rasboras). Would the build up of mulm affect my neocarradina shrimp or would they also benefit from it?

[@Fishtory]

Shrimp looove it!

[@PaulZyCZ]

I like to do layers. Similar to FF method, but with with some aquasoil and active base layer. In my last tank I used layer of pond compost, Dennerle base layer, Japanese aquasoil and gravel. Several months later I'm seeing some algae buildup, so I'll probably add light layer of sand. Both aquasoil substrates have capping effect to a degree.

[@Fishtory]

I do the same type thing frequently also

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

Before I ever found Alex or Father Fish I did my first 20g hex like that, it's still the easiest tank I have- layers of layers, but mostly eco complete red with sunset sand on top. So clean looking compared to most of my other ones! (I struggle lol)

[@gailtenaglia4398]

Great video , must watch again ? Was going to goemwiith a dirted tank but i am not sure now ? MD fish tanks uses some of thes methods . I will look atcskme of tyd pellets .. thank you

[@Fishtory]

Right on. Use whatever works best for you!

[@manki_d_oumar6668]

Very educational video thank you!!

[@Fishtory]

Glad it was helpful!

[@arianbawana]

Haha, you're absolutely correct alex, i got like beach sand and the pH just so alkaline around 7,5-8 across my tank.

[@Fishtory]

Lol well... congrats its perfect for shellys and or livebearers?!

[@wildandwackywade]

As anyone done a sand then the mud like father fish says then sand on top or mixing sand into the mixture and have a complete dirt and earth type

[@Fishtory]

Yup we've been friend the better part of a decade and ive made many father fish style and walstad style tanks

[@Sierra12377]

Great informative video, deserves more views

[@Fishtory]

Glad you think so!

[@garystein9536]

Lots of good info. Cheers

[@Fishtory]

Thanks Gary

[@jenasteiner6611]

This is awesome thanks I still want to see sand sifting behaviors and have sand loving fish so I’m torn between going all aqua soil or trying separate sand and soil

[@Fishtory]

I think half and half looks lovely!

[@SM90X]

28:45 Hey :) Silt you mean the aquasoil ? Or a layer of mulm and waste ? I an confused and you mean its better to cap the aquasoil with sand to stop letting amonia diffuse into the water ?

[@georgeballentine1045]

Very good information

[@Fishtory]

Thank you kindly

[@144928]

Congratulations- this is most helpful !

[@Fishtory]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kchun5515]

another bad side of aquasoil is that they break down over time. so.. does that mean i would have to replace the aquasoil with new ones eventhough there are plants rooted in there?

[@BigFadZ]

Your my favorite Chanel because you put every youtuber info into one informative video. Your method of explaining is the best. Question, can I set up a hybrid style as you call 'lasagna'. Porous rock on the bottom , plenum style. Dirt on top , walsted style. Maybe fluval. And then sand cap , father fish style. LOL this is what I gathered from KZbin research. Will it work ? Because it's confusing info out there. It's similar to what you mentioned in this video. Just wasn't sure why the plenum is ehh 😁

[@Fishtory]

Yep i have 2 tanks like that! So you're golden. I dont know if it's better or more diverse in microfauna/flora or whatnot...but the layered pourus rock is great for beneficial bacteria at first...then mulm fills in and itll be nutrients for plants all in between....while the soil or aquasoil above acts as an immediate plant fertilizer..and a sand cap will seperate the ammonia plus likley allow for some anoxic bacterial development ... so it wouldn't hurt to add a little iron, pottassium, magnesium and or even some compound with sulfur.. in that lower level of stone....then the bacteria can convert nitrogen compounds into trapped ammonia for the plants over 6 months to a year....and then onward. Lastly...make sure to use some stem plants, so the deeper substrate layers get utilizes and are biotically rich over the aging of the substrate. Best of luck and id love to hear how its going in 6 months or so... ( youll likely have one algae bloom about a month in... i have videos on dealing with that also) .

[@tanyawylie6750]

well said! thanks for researching and sharing it in a easy to understand way!

[@Fishtory]

Thank YOU. and im so glad it was understandable and not too dreadfully boring lol

[@NinniAquariums]

I'm just about to start my next aquarium, buying new substrate. It's SO difficult to choose and because of the cost I want to get the right one... So thank you for these videos. Hopefully I dare to buy something tomorrow 😅

[@Fishtory]

Good luck! I prefer half ADA Amazonia aquasoil and half fluval stratum or brightwell volcan aqua florin if im keeping shrimp

[@NinniAquariums]

@@Fishtory thank you ❤️ I will definitely take a look at those.

[@maddib1723]

You ever do mushrooms and just stare at the tanks 😂 bruh that would be a sick trip

[@Fishtory]

Duh 😉

[@Kwijiboi]

ASO? Too much Volcano! Reference aside, thank you for explaining this! I was having trouble deciding what substrate to use!

[@ann7882]

Good to see you again. Always, always excellent advice. I've learned so much from you.

[@Fishtory]

Thank you kindly. I keep making videos, but only some of them make it out of the gates and into notifications lately hehe

[@ann7882]

@@Fishtory that's what I figured!!!!

[@iainaquariumagic]

Great video Alex. I use aqua soil in some of my tanks and l also use a mud substrate in some of my other tanks. A brave and daring subject to deliver. You did a good job 👍🐠🐟💦

[@Fishtory]

Thank you kindly. I too like usong silt or mud as a boundary or cap

[@iainaquariumagic]

@@Fishtory definitely 👍🐠🐟💦

[@ericaennis3088]

Someone needs to try diy aquascape active pellets and get back to us. It would be cool to try and source as much of the materials from nature as possible too👌👌

[@Fishtory]

Oh yeah... it would be labor intensive I bet .. but maybe there's a trick?

[@ericaennis3088]

@@Fishtory true. It would probably be very difficult to execute properly. Either way it would be fun to learn about how it’s produced though. Feel free to use the idea if you or anyone else is ever looking for content suggestions. And congrats on the solid content you already have👍

[@jesselee3591]

love ya content bro

[@Fishtory]

Why thank you! Have a great weekend

[@ILIKEUALOT]

Thank you for the info Alex!

[@Fishtory]

You bet! Thank you for coming by!

[@BLIND_BEAR]

Honestly what I do, which has lived greatlyyyyyyyy with my no co2 or filter setups, is normal indoor plant soil, and then aqausoil on TOP, works wonders

[@Fishtory]

Hey, lots.of methods work. Do what's best for you and your hobby/fish

[@toetoe160]

They owe you....!

[@Fishtory]

Hehe ... yeah...ive bought enough of all those brands to build a freaking house out of

[@toetoe160]

@@Fishtory In addition, all the bags that will be bought by your viewers on your advice.

[@LaBeLsDistracted]

Thanks for sharing! Loving the editorial style content! 👍