Things I No Longer Do Or Do NOT DO In My Aquariums

[@claudetteevert-dj9jt]

Holy cow!!! The tank with the winter picture background is so beautiful and different, absolutely love it!

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you, Claudette, so kind of you! ☺️

[@valeriee9532]

Last Winter I used Christmas wrapping paper that had ice skaters on a frozen pond with surrounding trees as a backdrop. I loved it. It wasn’t as pretty and the winter picture in this video, but it was different.

[@dr.andrisavots7422]

In my view, ABSOLUTELY TASTELESS!

[@FlowstateAquatics]

Such a good point on moving up sizing slightly. I think a 10 gallon is a great versatile size but I love all the rimless tanks in less standard sizing, 7,9, 14/15 etc. I feel like I will be able to make some cooler compositions in tanks of those sizes

[@Soccerchick66]

I am only 6 months into this hobby, but have resolved never to do a dark tank again. I was so excited to create a scape I named "The Enchanted Forest". However, the combination of the black sand, black background and the micranthemum melting has left it so desolate looking that my husband has named it "Mordor".😂

[@flameangel202]

🤣

[@DeaconBeanCooter]

Black sand ghang! ❤ Please do tell, what went wrong on the blaque water tank...did u boil the wood?

[@audrameyer9558]

Hi Joanna 🤗 This was fun, thank you. I don't paint the back glass of my tanks anymore. I use film that can be removed easily should the mood strike.

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Audra - happy Friday! I agree! Woop!🙌

[@wendihamlett105]

Me too! I love the choices, ease of use and of course the price!!!

[@stevecox8066]

For backgrounds, I'm still using the parchment paper with LED light shinning through on my 10 gallon shrimpy tank (based on a previous Small Scape video). Love the glow and changing colors as the mood strikes!

[@thesmallscape]

Love it!! So happy to hear it - it’s such a great look!

[@CK-solutions]

Absolutely. The filtration in a small tank determines whether it becomes an algae farm or not. I had a friend suggest I turn my small internal filter upside down, so it blows the debris from the bottom - circulating them up to the top to be sucked in. This was great, because the fish love to play in and out of the current but it also sweeps the floor. I did one better though. by placing a small hang-on filter next to the other filter, with a skimmer. So there's surface water movement for oxygen exchange while the skimmer catches depress too. This new system is making it harder for algae to grow, but not impossible and my little school of pygmy corydoras and CPD's are thriving.

[@LadeanaWhite]

Hi Joanna! I’m a dirted tank with pool filter sand cap lots of plants fan.Changed everything for me. Happy fish, healthy plants, minimal upkeep. Out of my 6 tanks the last I just set up (20long) I did change it up a bit. I added thin layer of natural pea gravel to top the sand. Loving the look with mopani wood, elephant stone and mostly crypts, Java fern and frogbit floaters. Sponge filter and air stone. Stocked with CPDs, Neon green Kubotai and my Reticulated Hillstream Loaches. Background is black aquarium film and a sunrise/day/sunset/ moonlight lighting. Before, in the 60’s, I had the charcoal/Angel floss box filter. And that tank was a 10 gal metal frame slate bottom tank! Wish I still had that tank! In the 70’s-80’s under gravel filter with gravel. Plastic plants ruled 😆 My how(my) aquarium keeping has changed thru the years! Love your channel and PrimeTime, never miss a stream. 😊☮❤🐠🦐🪴

[@SuperBoppy]

Yes!!!! Same thing. I struggled with my tanks until I switched them over to this method - a total game-changer (thank you, Father Fish).

[@ellaaqua]

I was a part of the "black sand gang" too. It had to be black. I now feel like it shrinks my scape. My new favorite sand is Crystal River from Petsmart. Its a med grain light color sand. I also no longer use filter cartridges. Such a waste of money. And lastly, no built in 3D backgrounds. You can't change up the backgroun and they are a pain to keep looking good. I am a new subscriber to your channel. Keep up the great videos!

[@Craig-777]

I absolutly love the picture of the snowy brook behind the tank, awesome idea!

[@thesmallscape]

Oh, thank you so much! 😊

[@NamelessNancy1312]

When i got into tanks i wanted bare bottom or gravel (rainbow style 😂) and i wanted big filters etc. Now im dirted deep sandbed planted tanks using under gravel filters. Its fun going thru all the styles of media nd filtration. Artificial into natural ❤

[@abiskiier5985]

Something i never did when i started was quarantine new fish, i just brought them home and threw them in my tank. Lost a lot of good fish to various diseases before i learned my lesson, now its a 2 week qtine minimum even if the fish look perfectly healthy. I keep a 5.5 gallon cycled all the time just for this! Its saved me a lot of money from having to medicate some of my larger fish tanks. (I run the aquatic section at my LFS so i end up with a new rare fish to add to my collection about once a month ).

[@bonniegoodwin5653]

Great video! When I started I wanted to try a tank using aqua soil. I will never do that again. It has caused me nothing but problems. I know some people have good luck but that one tank has been the bane of my aquarium hobby! Thanks for the info!

[@GrumpyGillsFishing]

What issues did you have with it?

[@Chimichuru4782]

I’ve used it with good luck but I cap with sand

[@GrumpyGillsFishing]

One thing I used to do when I first started this hobby was constantly worrying about my livestock. I no longer do this at least not to the same extent. In place of this I’m just more mindful about where I’m buying my fish, and whether they look healthy or not.

[@Scaperoot79]

Fun video! Your tanks look great🤩 Something I used to do when I started was to buy plants just based on seeing them in someone else's scape, without any research into the requirements or others' experience. I learned my lesson and now I stick to easy plants like crypts, Anubias, Buce, Java ferns, etc.

[@Shadstar256]

The snowscape looks great! I stopped using the fake moss balls, which just made a mess. Same with the painted gravel. Stopped trying to keep fussy expensive plants and have gone to elodia, water wisteria, java ferns, and anubias. Way less hassle! I put in some silk plants if I want a color pop. Saving me so much money and frustration!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Nice 5 point review. I used to do hang on back filters, but not anymore. Back in the day when I was young, I did undergravel filters. I did 3 tanks with them. Back in the day, I used those plastic inside the tank filters with floss and charcoal. Now I just use them with the floss. I use sponge filters. I like using them because all that muck that comes out of them when I clean them goes to watering all my plants and bonsai trees. After all, for me, it is free organic fertilizer. Substrates are hit and miss with me, but I use different ones, like you do, just to get something different in the tanks. Stay well, Johanna and enjoy a relaxing cup of tea tonight.

[@AverageJoeTanks]

I also don't use black sand. Lately, I've been using pool filter sand with a couple of cups of black sand mixed in. It provides a nice contrast and looks very natural.

[@thesmallscape]

Ooooh - duh! Why didn’t I think of that?! Thank you!!

[@TheOnlyJMJ]

That’s interesting. I just started up fish keeping. I went with black sand, but think that maybe I should have mixed it.

[@FluorescentBetta]

I'm definitely not checking my water parameters like I used to. After about 7-10 months into the dirtied, planted tank I stopped b/c the parameters were so stabled. I just keep up with a 2.5 gal water change on the 20 long, every other week. And use the water for my house plants - it makes them flower 🙂.

[@VaDirtfishing]

Great video. As always!! Mr. Primetime is lucky to have you! Happy V day!

[@thesmallscape]

Aww thank you so much - I will remind him 🤭. Happy vday (week) to you too!

[@Atlas92936]

Recently saw your Hydrocotyle Tripartita video after I ordered some Hydrocotyle Tripartita tissue culture! So excited to get it in my tank!

[@thesmallscape]

Oooh how fun - enjoy! What a cutie little plant!

[@Shmu22]

I had an undergravel filter in my first tank in the 70's ... now mostly hang on the back with a few mini sponge filters (more as back up for ready beneficial bacteria). I used to only use gravel but now all my tanks are sand (two with pool filter sand and one with black diamond sand) ... it's nice to have a variety of substrate colors. I used to use black paper as a background ... more recently used some of my scrapbook paper ... one has a stone pattern and one has a paint peeling off of wood pattern. Love them both.

[@juancastaner2576]

Been doing this for over 50 years. The biggest tank i had setup was a 350 gallon acrylic saltwater setup. Now that i almost 60 years old the biggest i will go is a 60 cube. I recently sold 2 125gal setups and now have 2 60 gallon cubes because that is the biggest i can move on my own. But yes i love a huge tank!!! 😂 The 60 cubes are planted no filter set ups back to my as a kid living on a tropical island with small nano fish.

[@carlam.9529]

Thank you !!

[@carolebraswell982]

This is a great video today! And I agree with your take on substrates and filters!

[@xSilverFernx]

This is such a great topic/question. I used to NOT do: uv sterilizer (it makes the water so clear when there’s also adequate filtration); gluing/using multiple pieces of driftwood (instead of one big one); silk plants (i only like Anubias. Idk why I didn’t just stick with anubias+silk before). I used to: use/buy tiny tanks (now I prefer 15 or 20 long); try lots of plants that I didn’t particularly care about (ie ignore my personal preference); prefer a single betta (now I prefer a small group of peaceful fish).

[@thesmallscape]

Oooh I GOTTA try that uv sterilizer! It’s been on my list for some time!!

[@jay-remedy-plz]

I’ve had over a dozen tanks and never used sand because I always expected it to either stay cloudy or bunch up on one side. Gravel, Dolomite, Aqua Soil or glass bottom. Habits have a way of sneaking up on us!

[@flameangel202]

In recent times got back into the hobby. I have three Betta fish, I'm trying my hand at a bit of Aqua scaping so tend to use hob filters, which are new to me as mostly experienced internal filters and a sump when we had a 400 litres Marine tank. I have done opposite, gone from big tanks, although we still have a 4 foot tank with our Turtle in it, to smaller tanks around 6.5 gallons for the Bettas.

[@davidbaker6382]

Very helpful video, thank you!

[@elune43749]

i switched entirely to fluval stratum with co2 injection in every tank, lasts up to two years with liquid fertilization and my plants are happy and beautiful, no algae in sight

[@joestoddart772]

I gave CO2 a try, but used one of those small fluval kits with the disposable refills. After a year of buying refills, I gave up. I was pretty new at plants, too, but it never seemed to help me keep stem plants any better.

[@Peregrine1989]

My big thing is to consider EXACTLY what purpose I want the driftwood to serve. I have a habbit of picking very large pieces of Drift wood, that took up a lot of space, and it kinda misses the point. I see the fish less (because it blocks them), they only get 1 obvious line of sight break out of it and its not really able to be aqua scaped around. Instead smaller, more branching pieces of wood, or wood with holes in it, is the right call.

[@thesmallscape]

Yes!!!! I’ve NOT liked many a scape for just that reason. Excellent point. 🙌

[@saneshadow]

What fishes are those at 6:19?

[@corinnegunter3889]

Light sand is what I used to do and I loved it at first but my plants struggled and so I went to a finer gravel in black. The black makes it easier for me to see my red and yellow shrimps and I think its easier to clean up than the sand. My plants are thriving and Im trying to find places to put all the extra I now have!

[@Soccerchick66]

What is the name of your finer black gravel?

[@GabbyRocio]

Great tips.

[@cindymetcalfe1878]

I use window film. Frosted and led in the back 🎉hobf are the best

[@feliciaheater5548]

Mopani wood - it looks awesome in stores, but I HATE the tannins.

[@DeaconBeanCooter]

Do you ever boil them out or does that not help?

[@romeofernandez8608]

@@DeaconBeanCooterI boiled some pieces of mopani for 2 hours and let it soak for 7 days and it still darkened my tank within an hour lol

[@DeaconBeanCooter]

@@romeofernandez8608 maybe if you did that, but just moar than once ... Or more than twice.

[@Jstarr993]

Interesting video! I love the idea. Great video. When I first started I was okay with snails, now I will shut down a tank if I see one lol. Also when I first got into the hobby I never used house plants now I have a house plant in each aquarium! The backdrop was the same for me, didn't use it, but now I need it. Filtration was the same now I'm all sponge.

[@thesmallscape]

I agree with the snails - 🐌 especially trumpet snails 🤢. Might I ask, what are your favorite houseplants to use?

[@BigFoot-158]

I totally agree with no sponge filter in a scape. They belong in a fish only breeding tank.

[@carnavalbaby]

I also moved away from the sponge filters… for now. Kinda like using small canister filters

[@paulbjork5976]

Pond mud and sand collected from the Mississippi river keep adding plants also collected from local canals and ponds

[@AkbarZeb-p6f]

All of my tanks currently have light sand, but I'm planning a black sand, lava tank for something different. I also find that no matter how much the sand is vacuumed, shrimp ALWAYS know where the black particles are & drag those front & center while staring at you, daring you to mess up their own freshly-made scape. ;)

[@happycamperslivehere.6101]

I use fabric for the back drop on my tanks. They are nano tanks, so I can hold the fabric on with clear tape. If it gets wet, no problem. If I want to change it out, easy to do. Not to mention it is inexpensive.

[@tapprs]

So what kind of filter do you prefer right now? I'm liking the internal filters (sicce shark) because it's all black, totally quiet, and easy to hide up off the "ground" of the tank with plants and aquascaping.

[@chriscyr4982]

Several of my tanks have UGFs in tandem with a HOB or Internal filter. Because I like UGF's I'm kinda obligated to use gravel. Many millions of years ago I'd buy black pebbles but they were painted and after a year or so the paint cracks and wears away. Yuk Now I use pea-gravel and pick away and white stones. There is a black gravel that's just right but it costs a fortune. I like the brown look anyway. Happy St. Valentine's Day

[@petroboomn7491]

One type of filter you didn't mention! My personal obsession: Internal Sump Filters! Ever since I bought a Fluval Flex Cube I've been hooked on this type of 3 Chamber (you can also make it 2 chamber or 1 chamber) filter design. I like it due to ease of maintenance, clean aesthetic, all filter components stay inside the glass tank, and no water leaves the tank ever! You do need some DIY skills, but I have made several now in 10 and 20 gallon tanks. You buy acrylic sheets in the sizes you want, add holes or slots, and then Silicone caulk the components into the back of the tank. Add a circulation pump to the last chamber and media to the middle chamber (sponges, bioballs, floss, etc.) The downside is you lose about 10%-15% of the tank's footprint to the filter wall.

[@pattykake7195]

I have a white flex..it is so beautiful..my favourite tank…👍🏽👍🏽

[@thesmallscape]

Good points! 😊

[@juli8vdberg562]

I have a beautiful blue light, black crystal sand (substrate under in the back), grey rocks and driftwood and wondering what one fish would do sparkle and jump out in its colours under blue light?! A honey gold gourami or scarlet badis or panda mollies?

[@cathyhendrix7552]

I'm probably gonna get some opposition for this, but here goes. I don't do weekly water changes anymore. BECAUSE I have to fill my tank up at least 15% TWICE a week and I'm adding water that totals 30% due to evaporation. I will vacuum the substrate as needed. My water parameters are perfect and I cut out a weekly chore that really wasn't needed. And with 0 nitrites and 0-5 nitrates, it seemed redundant to me. So fish are happy and I'm certainly happy, so it's a win/win for the hometeam🎉.

[@alexcarrier3604]

Same. No opposition here😊

[@drewzero1]

As long as parameters are good and stable, no need to overwork yourself! I do water changes more or less monthly and top off as needed.

[@lizettebusquets4305]

I used to do water changes weekly as well. I'm now doing them every 3-4 weeks. I have to top them off weekly due to evaporation and find that this enough to keep all inhabitants happy. The only one that gets a weekly change is the saltwater tank.

[@GrumpyGillsFishing]

Watch your TDS. The dissolved solids do not evaporate with the water. If all you do is top it off you will eventually end up with incredibly hard water.

[@melissaskinner4501]

I only top off

[@tinynina76]

Just got back into this hobby after a 10 year break. Had 4 tanks back "in the day", all with charcoal filters. Now I thought I'd try the sponge filters that I've heard so much about. I'll see how it goes...🤔

[@1997goldwing]

Another great video!

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you! 🏍️

[@James_NatureAquatics]

Definitely agree I went small but then went larger and larger but still keep small and shallow! However still want my 180P tank eventually 😅

[@thesmallscape]

I love shallow! So many more fun options with that. I do hope you someday get your 180p! It would be breathtaking.

[@Kais_Aquarium]

Awesome vid, I totally went through these phases haha

[@thesmallscape]

Did you too ! lol!! 🙌

[@diva555sg]

Can show the picture of the filter & aeration pump & maintenance when you mentioned it. Thanks.

[@pattykake7195]

I do agree with the backdrop thing…I now dislike my two black backed tanks and plan on selling them. I now just put the white frosted backing on as it can be removed if you change your mind…👍🏽👍🏽

[@thesmallscape]

🙌😊

[@sewerrat7612]

Used to keep larger tanks have gone smaller over the years. kept bettas and south American chiclids first 8 years or so know mostly tetra gourami and inverts.

[@SterlingStudios]

Something I seem to forget until I'm vac the gravel is gravel vac before root tabs. I know sounds ridiculous but it's just something I tend to forget

[@sinister1891]

Very fun vid

[@SleeperBBQ]

TY

[@zoenoel8166]

I definitely like the small tanks but unless it’s a temporary setup or for shrimp I feel bad haha cause fish definitely need more room I now have two 10 gallons and one 8 gallon tank

[@IsmaelTorres-k5b]

Back in the 1980's I only liked using undergravel filters and now 40 years later I still use them in combination with hob and sponge fillers as well.

[@thesmallscape]

There are a lot of folks who remain loyal to that type of filter 😊

[@terrymartins2552]

The main thing I do now is try to keep it as simple as possible, more time enjoying and less time stressing. I went worrying about algae to almost embracing it….

[@thesmallscape]

Very encouraging words, Terry, thank you 😊. I too have enjoyed embracing simplicity.

[@MeanOldLady]

My filthiest algae tank is now my clearest with no filtration. Not sure what magic finally happened, but am so glad the algae uglies are over with! ^^

[@Craig-777]

What time is it?!....... Small scape time, great video Joanna❤

[@thesmallscape]

🤭😂🙌

[@cherylbelott]

When starting the hobby I thought gravel was the only substrate option. I don’t exclusively use it on my planted tanks anymore.

[@angiebear8727]

Same here

[@thesmallscape]

Hello there! Gosh, I missed a BUNCH of comments last week. You and me both with the gravel. I sure do like mixing the pea gravel in with sand now. 😊

[@ruthwalker5179]

The one thing that I’d *like to* change is my heaters. I’ve never found a heater that I like for my small tanks. I got one of the small preset types but a 5 gallon tank is only 75°. Crazy.

[@shawncraib]

Black/bright white substrate Artificial anything Buying a fish for the size of the tank instead of putting a fish in a small tank And letting my kids touch my tank they love it and now I don't mind when the help.

[@IC_Hennessy]

Following stocking guides religiously. Thinking that I needed a centerpiece + schooling fish + bottom feeders to make my tank more balanced. Constantly changing water to keep things "clean," while not taking tank parameter stabililty into account.

[@davidglover7949]

I've decided to not do tanks smaller than 7.5 gallons. Unfortunately it's almost just as much work as a larger aquarium in the 10-50 gallon range for me. I'd rather spend that time on larger setups that don't evaporate in 2 days.

[@XionixZTV]

New tank? Dark start method. No constant water changes during cycling, no algae after cycling. It has worked perfectly every time for me.

[@ShirtPaintsGuy]

🐔💭She has a great channel📺

[@nabokovfan87]

Starting.... Use the cheapest things you can find, no research, just avoid what looks like the cheapest siphon or light or tweezers and go from there. Now... I only use certain brands because parts have lasted or because the use and feel is always much better. Also.... Not having a stand vs actually having a good stand.

[@waterlover]

Where can we find black sand now?

[@bonniegoodwin5653]

My fish kept dying even though my water parameters seemed normal. I used bagged pond soil, about an inch, topped with three inches give or take with sand. The one thing I noticed was that even though I had sand in the front of my tank there was some kind of black leaching. When I emptied the tank the smell was so bad it made me want to gag. So I know something was wrong just not what.

[@dynamicdeadhead]

6:21 What kind of fish is that?! ❤

[@thesmallscape]

Those are Rummynose rasboras! 🤩

[@jazzkatt1919]

Two things. No more gravel, I like sand much better. No more saving money by passing up frameless tanks. Sure, they cost a bit more, but when all is said and done, it's a drop in the final cost bucket. Now that I think of it, a third thing. I will never, ever again do a fish-in cycle on more than one tank at a time, no matter how impatient I might get. All my fish survived; I almost did not. 🙄

[@Lizardlafemme]

Bleach. I mean omg. It just goes to show you how platforms like yours make a difference. Your channel has taught me more than i knew i could learn about some thimgs.

[@VinzClorthokeymasterofGozer]

I'm pretty sure you said "new to the nano world", but what I heard was "new to banana world." I'm thinking, "did I miss something about banana plants?" 😅

[@thesmallscape]

😂😂😂

[@nattergalen1000]

I’m a Boomer so i have always used an undergravel filter, no school like the old school😂

[@donpettit7107]

No more canister filters. Too hard to clean, too easy to leak, too hard to monitor for cleaning. HOBs and maybe a sump or above tank trickle filter, but no more canisters.

[@wheelbite9]

Something that I'll never do again is dirted tanks. I was really into them a few years ago. It's such a mess when pulling up rooted plants, and all those nutrients in the water column always give me huge algae outbreaks. I still like black sand, but I'm really liking the active flora substrate from Petsmart. Also, those 2.5 gallon tanks are great for "pest" snails. Scape them with anubias, buce, or crypts and throw in some snails. It's fun and super low maintenance!

[@thesmallscape]

All great points! That’s an AWESOME suggestion on how to use a 2.5g !🙌

[@FinnegansFish]

I no longer change water.......with buckets. Python all the way!

[@chrissyjunker5930]

I bought a power pump to add to the python, it’s amazing and makes water changes so fast!

[@andreagalda28]

Black gravel... never again. Also, aquarium kits... they are often poor quality and I end up upgrading the components anyway.

[@thesmallscape]

🙌🙌 - good points!

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Ditto, I recently did a tank with Fluorite and dirt (for crypts) and this was a big mistake. I should have stuck with my usual way of fluorite on bottom, aquasoil and then sand or fine gravel. I thought I was being clever, LOL. NOT. Dirt is ok if you do it right, otherwise it's a big disaster. The other thing is don't be cheap, it will cost you in the end.

[@peetos-chan2835]

👍👍👍

[@jamesparadigm]

💚💙💜💜

[@thesmallscape]

😊😊😊

[@jennifermartin506]

I evolved to dirted tanks

[@thesmallscape]

I appreciate those like you who can maintain them 😊

[@thomasfarrow7053]

Add: Don't sleep with the fishes!!

[@thesmallscape]

😂

[@sammiiejayde9438]

plastic plants!! i cant stand to look at them anymore...was always scared of real plants dying but actually they are so much easier to maintain. Petition to ban all plastic plants lol

[@thesmallscape]

Haha - isn’t that funny, I think we all start there. 😊

[@jkim3323]

First time when i was thinking of getting a tank i thought 1 gal will be enough Did some research ppl said to get at least a 10g. So bought a 10g Took me literally 2 hours after setting it up to realize 10g is so small so boguth a used 20g Took me 5 min in my car back to home to realize that 10g and 20g is not that different in size 😂 I am going to stick with this 20g for awhile and upgrade many steps to a huge one instead of getting a 50g then 100g and so on 😂

[@mikelane4005]

Hi, Joanna, can't wait to see you and Mr. Primetime at the Quad City Fish Swap this coming weekend. I will definitely stop by your table and say hi. I don't want to bother you if you are super busy, but would it be cool to get a picture with you two?

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Mike! How exciting! Buuutttt…you will be seeing Jason and my sister there. I will be at the GCCA swap that same day. Please say hi and take your pic with Jason though no matter how busy!!! 😊

[@mikelane4005]

Well that's disappointing that you won't be there, but I will for sure stop by. 🙂