Creating A Balanced AND Diverse Nature Aquarium: How Fish, Plants, Micro Flora & Fauna Truly Thrive!

[@Cananan-wm9xv]

I know you’re not a fan of the whole resurrection jar concept but it’s become my favorite part. 2 jars from a creek and my new 20 gallon has everything you’ve mentioned in this video and more. I feel like that’s better than just hoping plants you get from a fish store have everything after years of waiting

[@johnnybest6386]

Thanks!

[@Fishtory]

Johnny you are so damn kind to me. You are a stand up guy. Thank you again my friend

[@johnnybest6386]

​@@Fishtoryanytime my brother thank you for wat u do

[@johnnybest6386]

Congratulations 80k

[@Fishtory]

Thank you! I'm so glad so many people are joining the journey of understanding nature aquariums.

[@johnnybest6386]

​@@Fishtory i will try to subcribe new members if youtube wont already gift people who are subcribed already?

[@randlben]

I love these deep dives.

[@Fishtory]

Well you lucked out... it's basically all I can do without going insane competing with youtube fish content

[@randlben]

@ I’d love to see you on a project I’ve mentioned before. I’m still working on it.

[@vampgaia]

Interesting as usual. The nerd in me really appreciates these type videos.

[@Fishtory]

I'll do an shorter version of " add these" ... and culture these: ... and in this video i wanted to lay out the outline of how to approach the topic and think of the whole process... since picking and choosing algae and or bacteria as well as pest micro fauna is basically what time and a planted tank will do regardless... and if you rush it, the niche ecosystems are not ready for the various organisms usually

[@seannunes2041]

Thank you, Alex, for this excellent information on microfauna.and building a natural tank.

[@dellseasandoval8187]

Looking forward to this one Alex as always. Everyone should like, subscribe. Alex is far too generous with this time. I’ve never seen anyone with the dedication. He has even will sometimes even respond to your comment (if his time and severe medical issues permit) which KZbinrs don’t do especially those with his channel sizes like Alex even though the algorithm is always messing with Alex Totally screwing with his channel, not in good ways. Keep up the good work, Alex.

[@xanderthecharmander8365]

I just found little worms and critters in my new tank today! I'm sooo excited

[@Fishtory]

Awesome, you're on the right track!

[@johnnybest6386]

Well spoken and very much needed info for the newbies as well much like me

[@Fishtory]

I'll do an shorter version of " add these" ... and culture these: ... and in this video i wanted to lay out the outline of how to approach the topic and think of the whole process... since picking and choosing algae and or bacteria as well as pest micro fauna is basically what time and a planted tank will do regardless... and if you rush it, the niche ecosystems are not ready for the various organisms usually

[@johnnybest6386]

​@@Fishtory you are my favorite fish tuber because of i finally kept my fish keeping going stronger than ever Thank you!!!!!

[@scisher3294]

Alex: “those white jumpers are springtails. They likely came in on your clothing”. Me: “HA! Joke is on you! I brought them in and poured them out myself from my springtails breeding box 🐞📦” 🤭

[@Fishtory]

Haha

[@rodney6900]

Thank you sir, for all that you do.👊🏻👊🏻 my favorite channel to learn from the guys’s knowledge is unmatched!

[@Fishtory]

Thank YOU sir 🙏

[@AquaticMoose]

Always stoked for an ecosystem episode! This one was great, always nice to hear these thoughts through the lens of our well versed naturalistic aquatic hero 🌱 cool to hear more about how these lifeforms find their way into our aquariums, even without intentional additions. You rock, the channel rocks, your fish and plants rock! Habe a rockin day 👩‍🎤

[@jeffkane4391]

Thanks for sharing Alex 😊

[@marct138]

Thanks Alex for your awesome videos! 😊

[@snailsshrimpandmore5640]

Great video! I love watching how the different micro critters go through boom & bust cycles over time. Right now, my new big tank has a bunch of green hydra so I'm holding off on introducing any plankton etc for now. Don't need them getting any more food!

[@Fishtory]

Wait it out! They are probably just a temporary population.

[@RoyalMetal9]

Excellent video. Very informative. Thanks Alex. 👍🏻

[@Fishtory]

You got it! 😃

[@merty5713]

My first tank was the most diverse in microfauna, I believe it was because I used to live in the suburbs. I set up my last tank on the 15th floor of a building in a gated community, in the middle of downtown, 2 years in and there is nothing in it other than the stuff I deliberately put in. Never thought I'd envy having some detritus worms... Those were the days! (I hated suburbs though, worth the sacrifice.)

[@Fishtory]

Haha very very intriguing. I appreciate your insight on that. Thanks for sharing my friend!

[@chrishowell4775]

I didn't get a notification. Thanks for the stream. Great information replay crew 😊

[@pheart2381]

I started mine for the microfauna,but the hydra have taken over. I have quite a colony on the bright side of the tank.

[@Fishtory]

Some livebearers will eat hydra... but the hydra are eating tiny organisms, so perhaps adding filter feeding shrimp ( fan shrimp ). Will help remove those and starve the hydra. Water changes as well

[@beastfr0meast93]

I got a lot of feeder shrimps. I find it very easy to breed

[@beastfr0meast93]

And congratz on 80k :) The 100k mark is around the corner 🤟

[@Fishtory]

Totally!

[@gracebromfield9070]

Congrats on 80,000🎉 Did you get a new camera? This video is noticeably higher definition. Great information as always, thanks👍

[@Fishtory]

Haha I actually used a new compression option youtube has... glad you can tell a difference. I'll try and see if that helps for the green screen or layering stuff I do too ( hoping)

[@bobbravo6310]

I needed this. “Just add microfauna” they say, but what microfauna?

[@Fishtory]

I'll do an shorter version of " add these" ... and culture these: ... and in this video i wanted to lay out the outline of how to approach the topic and think of the whole process... since picking and choosing algae and or bacteria as well as pest micro fauna is basically what time and a planted tank will do regardless... and if you rush it, the niche ecosystems are not ready for the various organisms usually

[@TheFishingNomad]

Question. I've been wanting to add scuds into my 10g aquarium with least killifish and bluefin killifish. Main purpose would be for the fishes to graze on them when I'm away for a week or two. I have an automatic feeder that I've been using, but would like something extra in there for them. Now the question, would the scuds harm the least killifish fry?

[@Fishtory]

That's a tough call... small scuds would be a great food.. but as you mentioned...the fry may be small enough that scuds would hunt them. ... also once established in a planted tank- they are hard to fully eradicate ever. I think seed shrimp, cyclopse, daphnia or black worms would all be more ideal... but I think as long as you have a hefty female to eat the largest scuds, you'll probably be okay... especially if the scuds have rotted debris or scraps of extra food etc... they prefer dead stuff anyhow.

[@nancybintennessee9624]

Ugh! I'm late! 20 hrs since Alex posted a video on micro critters and I'm just now getting here. I'll make better life choices 😂

[@johnnybest6386]

I love these topics?

[@themightycarl4398]

Father fish says to feed fish 3-4 times a week whats your opinion on it

[@snailsshrimpandmore5640]

Also, is there a current Discord link available? Looking forward to joining!

[@Fishtory]

discord.gg/D2HR4Yr6 Sorry dunno why they keep breaking and expiring even when I select them to last forever. Buuut, try that link hehe

[@cliffnorman8153]

I’m soaking some oak leaves in a jug by the window ,I prefer this than boiling just to preserve any life …hey my apisto cactoides are now defending fry …the male is on hood patrol and the female is a stunning yellow . I’ll post it to Your face book.

[@Fishtory]

Oh awesome!

[@thesolaraquarium]

0:55 yep every day you watch your little guy eat some algae. then the next day you watch him eat a little more. By the end of that year you decide to end it all. I don’t mean your tank. Your life😂😂

[@adonscadlock1704]

Just in time for my lunch break lol

[@Fishtory]

Why thanks! And have a lovely lunch

[@adonscadlock1704]

Discord says the link is expired or invalid

[@Fishtory]

@adonscadlock1704 discord.gg/bJvvYBgK sorry, stupid expirìllĺiì

[@adonscadlock1704]

@ I joined. Skully2006

[@adonscadlock1704]

@@Fishtory How do I show I'm a member or do I have to buy it on the server apart from KZbin

[@shelbytaylor4634]

Blackworms!!! I have culture tanks with them! Would love love a video on them. I have a species that I believe might be wild caught, because they appear to have two genders?! They definitely reproduce by division, started with literally one in that specific tank (by accident). But, now, the two slightly different appearances on them also act differently. I can only guess the differences are just male and female.

[@ovidiocorchero2795]

Will you do a video on saltwater aquariums?

[@Fishtory]

Maybe some day... I've only had 2 in my life though. I just don't know much about them first hand yet

[@EmperorTetraObsessedPerson]

Nice imperial lapis hypesso tetras :D

[@Fishtory]

So beautiful huh?! My favorites hands down. I got them for 6.99 each at Moonlightaquatics.com using code FISHTORY10 for 10% off

[@EmperorTetraObsessedPerson]

@ I gotta check that out btw, thanks m8! :)

[@RudyDwiHandoko]

❤

[@LushSaltyAquariums]

Other than for a science project I do not understand the concept of set it and forget it. I mean isn't maintaining our aquariums integral part of the hobby?

[@Fishtory]

You're right, there's a balance between appreciating the natural processes and active maintenance in this hobby. I agree it's a science project at that point

[@JasPR1000]

What can I say? Another home run. BUT I’d like you to acknowledge that all life, any life is a growing biomass and therefore a burden on a closed system. Rebalancing in nature is seasonal and creative destruction. But it’s pure trauma to the keeper. Be careful what you wish for.

[@Fishtory]

Oh for sure! Great point! I've mentioned that about evolution... wild fish vs tank raised and so forth, with rivers constantly moving and flooding and ofen 90% of seasonal small fish dying as forests flooding, the. Dying and the next year's fish surviving massive bottle necks or die offs... you better appreciate decay and detrivores / fungi and bacteria as much as the fish... if you TRYULY wanted a nature tank

[@andnowi]

Yeah I know that mozzie hardcore dilemma

[@Fishtory]

Haha bzzzzzzz zzzzz smack

[@andnowi]

@Fishtory The nice thing is, the mosquitoes in the tub by our back door are algae-green. This summer I'm going to get serious about breeding and freezing them, maybe even trying them on a dessert or something.