This is the BEST SUBSTRATE for your AQUARIUM!

[@AquariumCoop]

Subscribe to get more consistent freshwater fish videos in your KZbin Feed. bit.ly/2Yez7yl

[@min2oly]

If I had to bob for an apple in glass... ouch! lol nice visualization. I'm never going to forget that one :-)

[@amandawitherspoon5225]

I have a lot of Cory catfish. Can you tell me which sand is best for them. I'm trying to grow plants too.

[@DevinTheRVDude]

@@min2oly pppppplpl

[@rochelled1215]

I did not think I would take any notes during this stream because I felt confident in the subject. I ended up taking notes...I love that you continue to pass on knowledge and the successful (and unsuccessful) things you have learned from years of experience. I have Ich in my tank right now but because of your videos I had the meds on hand and was able to treat immediately. I watched the tutorial video this morning to refresh and confirm the treatment process. Thanks Cory!

[@foodievlogerzz5114]

I love your comment

[@foodievlogerzz5114]

You are single

[@foodievlogerzz5114]

I love you

[@zaydenl.1449]

I can’t get enough of your expertise!

[@Samacama1982]

I feel smarter and smarter about the hobby with every video I watch. Thanks Cory and crew!

[@bluerun22]

Should do a stream about choosing driftwood and rocks. Some people say certain types are toxic some say the aren’t.

[@AquariumCoop]

Some wood and rocks are toxic.

[@bluerun22]

Aquarium Co-Op boom there we go! Would be a very informative video! Just saying. Give it some thought!

[@basu_fr]

Very good idea indeed

[@Linclightblade]

I want to throw in that I would also benefit from this :-)

[@acspomer]

That would be amazing!!

[@errk25]

Another informative live stream. Setting up my third tank now after getting back into the hobby last year. The Co-op has been so helpful and inspirational with it's promotion of the hobby, customer service, and great business model. Thanks.

[@chrispeters2645]

I'm a real Johnny-come-lately when it comes to KZbin, Facebook, etc. but even I have an account (and Aquarium Co-Op was one of the first channels I subscribed to/activated the notification bell for), so I was gobsmacked to hear you say something like 70% of viewers don't (haven't) !!! Excellent channel/shows, etc. and a big o7 to a guy who genuinely isn't in it for ego or popularity reasons, but to educate, advise and help fellow fish enthusiasts. p.s. I'm in the UK and while I don't get to see the live-streams... er, live, I always catch up, as with all the channel content.

[@mythrando]

I love that you talk about all of the experimentation that you have done! On top of getting to hear about what you have tried and how it worked, it also conveys a lot of confidence in the advice you are giving. I'd much rather listen to someone who has a passion for learning about what they love rather than just passing on the wisdom of the masses!

[@ianmalby7446]

still waitting for stocking ideas for a bigger tank 55 or 75 gal. love your channel. your knowledge and experience in this hobby is contagious im always learning and having fun thanks

[@lukewright9145]

me too 55gal what shall I put in there

[@meminustherandomgooglenumbers]

1 Electric blue Acara, 2 apistogramma, 10 Buenos Aires tetras, 5 Raphael cats or 10 corydoras cats, bristlenose 😎👍

[@meminustherandomgooglenumbers]

@@lukewright9145 1 angelfish, 1 apistogramma, 10 emperor tetra or hatchetfish, 10 corydoras 😁👍

[@randomizer3775]

9:11 he's right on point there, I regret putting Artificial colored substrate into my aquarium, one of these days when I'm able I'll replace it!!! Artificial Colored substrate is the worse.

[@franzvanjulio5523]

I saw the title. It piqued my interest. I knew what I was in for. :) Already subscribed and JUST changed my notification settings AND clicked on the bell in appreciation of you.

[@shesellsfish]

I like coming back and listening to shows a year or so later, I always hear something I missed the first time around. 👍💓👍

[@josejaviernavarro7542]

This streams are just so useful. Thank you aquarium CoOp. Keep up the good job

[@nathanbriner32]

You are such a blessing to us fish keepers! Very informative.

[@victoriahendren2505]

I found here in the high mountians of New Mexixo that the red ants provide the perfact substrate they bring out for the ant pile. I collect it clean it and even the corys love it! :)

[@Draknfyre]

Just wanted to add a note about sand and plants. When you see the lack of them at a beach, the density in regards to the roots isn't the real reason but rather the fact that beach sand has a TON of salt mixed in, which you should know is toxic to most terrestrial plants. As the sand/dirt ratio increases as you get further from the ocean, the salt level lowers enough for plants to survive. In North/South Carolina there's a species of beach grass which is one of the few in the world known to be capable of surviving in that environment, and it's actually a protected species with hefty fines ($500 if you so much as step on a sand dune, their native area, grass present or not.) In a sandy but freshwater environment you'll see many more plants. There's multiple recreational lakes in my area that have sandy beaches and they actually have to clear the plants out and keep them cleared so the visitors have an area to use.

[@bryangoer]

Im old school just getting back into the hobby again. We use to put soil in cheesecloth and put the plant in that like a package worked great.

[@clydevanwinkle7382]

consistently the best source of clear, cogent information...

[@Robert_K1]

The "necessity rant" made me hit the notification bell. 😃👍

[@ofishimas]

Thank you so much for your educational approach ! Live long and prosper !

[@p3teytran]

Can't believe I'm able to watch such long videos on KZbin about aquarium related stuff. You're doing something right if you can retain my attention for this long lol. Thanks for sharing!

[@EddieRuane]

I like the half inch dirt 2 inch gravel idea think I’ll try that in my 75 great vid!

[@Ruthitaina]

Thank you for this video! Your story at the end actually helped me identify an issue I was having with my tank. I didn't even think to test ammonia because I did frequent water changes. But turns out my fish issue was ammonia build up due to things being trapped in the substrate. I have since changed the substrate, and added plants. I've been testing daily and the ammonia issues seems to be resolved! Ammonia testing is now on my check list of things to periodically check for all of my tanks.

[@austinmorrison1198]

Hey Cory! Quick question regarding crushed coral. So I have a 75 with a PH of about 5.6. I’m wanting to raise my PH to 7. How much crushed coral to do that? Also can you add too much crushed coral. When does the crushed coral stop increasing the PH. Will it stop close to 7 or can it just keeping going up and up??

[@ashleychoi9379]

I love the way you think Cory,. Please always give us more advice I can't get enough info from you!! 💖💖💖💖

[@thebear6529]

woo-hoo lucky cory

[@mikem602]

Awesome video. I say go sour cream first layer then cheese followed by your hot meat so it melts the cheese. Other then that I agree with everything in this video. Great job man keep it up.

[@Tobias611]

Hey Cory, I just wanted to thank you for the information you put out there, whenever I had a question I just had to google it and boom, theres a video about it made by you. At first I didn't quite like watching you, maybe because it was an older video, but now I just can't stop absorbing all your knowledge! You are the go-to channel for every beginner in the hobby and heck, even for long time hobbyists! Keep up your great work, would love to visit your store one day though that would be a trip around the world...

[@Tobias611]

Just started watching your "top 5 tetras" and damn, you're rocking that beard!

[@chelseadavis2979]

Another great video, perfectly timed as I'm rescaping all our tanks now. Keep up the good work :D

[@Auroralotus22]

Thank you for this video! My ph is 6.4 and I’m having a horrid time adding seachem ph booster. Crushed coral is on its way!

[@CJBlack265]

I definitely feel, at least, 20% more knowledgeable about substrate😎 Thank you, Cory💕👍

[@davidulrich5055]

I know this is an older video but I love using organic planting soil and cap with pea gravel from home Depot looks natural works great

[@bernhardteberhardt1678]

Just subscribed, am new to this hobby, find your videos so informative, keep up the good work

[@nwimpney]

the standard topfin gravel from petsmart seems to very quickly raise pH to 8.2 I had it happen on two separate tanks, with separate bags of gravel, in different sizes. One in the small cheap crush, and one in fairly large rounded pebbles, both natural colour. Once I realized what was happening, I took a handful of gravel and threw it in a large mug, tested the pH after a minute and it was >8.0 (from 7.4ish tap water) I rinsed it under the faucet swirling it in the mug for a minute or so, measured again, and it still came up fairly quickly. I then rinsed it in a collander very thoroughly (about 3 gallons of water through a cup of gravel), and then it seemed to have little effect on the pH. I think after soaking in the tank, it'll probably come down to match the tap water after a few large water changes, so it's not a big deal for me, but I would be wary of adding any of their gravel to an established tank without some extended washing/soaking in buckets of water first. I'm guessing by the consistent pH, it must be some form of bicarbonate, possibly used when washing the rocks?

[@ACockatielsSong]

At 26 minutes, plant substrates, finally!

[@jerseybound717]

THAT NEON TETRA LIGHT IS AMAZABALLS!!!!!!!! You look like a friend i grew up with i swear i know you irl

[@FruitTreeAddict]

Cory, You are the Steve Irwin of the fish world❤️❤️

[@polarbare1]

Just sat down after making some homemade guacamole 🥑 in preparation for fried steak tacos in just a few moments,…and you bring up your substrate taco analogy. Getting good vibes! Thanks, Cory, for sharing your wealth of knowledge & experience. Keep it up 👍 #Aquariumcoop!

[@GoldfishCorner]

Depends on what type of fish. My personal choice for indoor tank is bare bottom with Green Carpet Algae and clean water

[@MacHamish]

Just a thought...The old fashioned undergravel filters worked well for decades.

[@meminustherandomgooglenumbers]

Good bang for your buck, no cartridges to replace 😁👍

[@andrewyeverino6764]

Love the tacos lol and all the other goodie info!! Thanks Cory!

[@fabienneisore7831]

Thank you so much for your presentations. Best source of info: clear, concise, and well explained. Appreciate your dedication to the hobby. :)

[@zub305]

Ha ha, you do look Dang good today your in high Definition.... love the way your colloquial accent peeps in here there and everywhere.. well done Cory!

[@candicewingert6290]

Got one at your store with Murphy in it. Love it for sick tank.

[@juliestevenson9151]

Certainly a wealth of information that’s for sure

[@nikkifoofoo3353]

I'm so bummed I missed the live stream!!! I have only been watching you for about 4 months now but the knowledge I've gained from you is invaluable!!! Thank you for sharing your brain with us. I do have a question about fish poop...lol. if you've already done a talk about this I'll look for it but, my question is. What should the poop look like? Are they all stringy? Or is something wrong with my fish?

[@elisalaubenstein3040]

I've only kept small fish so I'm not sure about large ones but small fish should have long thin poop. As long as your fish's poop is brown strings and not clear strings everything is fine.

[@nikkifoofoo3353]

@@elisalaubenstein3040 all poop is same color as the food I feed but my common pleco.... poop is soooooooo long it's crazy!!! That is what has me a bit worried.

[@DankDaHerbalist]

Almost every community or peaceful fish has stringy poop like a pleco would. Also smaller cichlids would. only fish I have that has rounded pellet poops are my flowerhorn. So long as the poop isn't clear or white ur good and even sometimes then could just be stress. Enjoy the hobby its a labor of love

[@elisalaubenstein3040]

The Common Pleco I used to have did the same thing. The more they eat the more they poop and since they aren't constantly swimming around the poop doesn't break off in pieces as much as with other fish.

[@Bekindallways]

Hahaha! You're great. Love the truck comment and I own 2! But I haul my own water to fulfill all our homes water needs and own and operate a residential repair and renovation business... so.... I "scored" a free canister filter just last night and am now not going to bother switching over. Seemed like a hassle.

[@HoteaMarian]

After I heard you alot of times about air stone in aquarium I got one to, idk if that is the reason that my aquarium is going so well, but last time I did a water change, was after 22 days, even if water parameter didint change, were stable. And I have plants and an inside filter pump.

[@otownslinky]

just finished a huge joint, layed back ready to watch. THANKS

[@otownslinky]

@Scapegoat and some kratom AHHHHHHHHHHH! So good

[@melsfreshwater6020]

Thank you for your time & knowledge!! You also make me laugh!

[@nikkifoofoo3353]

On another note... I just LOVE your realistic view!!! And because of you my girlfriend is letting me get more tanks and not only more tanks but.... a guppy tank!!!! And for that my virtual friend, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!

[@AquariumCoop]

nice!

[@razme2099]

omg didn't even know of the search feature for channels thank you very much!

[@noregrets8404]

cost and time wise i prefer to use gravel, the root feeding plants dont do as well but i know that theyre feeding off the water column waste and sunken detritus which is my main goal in using plants in my shrimp tank so that i dont need to use a filter with a intake sponge to remove the waste

[@huitrecouture]

What you're talking about with Aquarium Coop associates is like the concept that a Deva Curl salon does. They certify the stylists in their products and methods, after they attend their school and get to advertise their certification.

[@jamesmccabe8712]

Thanks cory for the helpful info found the perfect smooth river small size gravel for my aquarium my Cory'doras have no problems with it

[@KiotyJoker]

What did you find?

[@aljanecko]

I missed the entire stream, a minute after you started, we lost power and the tornado siren came on, thunder storm lasted to 0430, I’m gonna watch after work.

[@AquariumCoop]

Yikes! Luckily the storm here let me keep streaming

[@jeremylawrence9270]

When changing from Gravel to Sand, how long should I give it before putting the fish back in?

[@DOGMAN-ex4is]

Hi Cory, suggestion, speak more about substrate as it positively relates to particular fish ext: live plants with Discus and steps to build the substrate one by one. Keep up the good work.

[@Mentalhealth326]

Cory ! You the Bees Knees. Hi from UK.

[@bdub4480atpcola]

Love the channel, thanks for the education.

[@shesellsfish]

Always something new to learn...always. 👍💕👍

[@muchodangerous8451]

I noticed at the shop today the aquarium masters 18x6x6 set-up... its really cool. I had to buy one... I was told you guys have been going threw them. I would love to see a set-up video of the tank. I love the one you have out. Would be nice to see the process tho of the crushed coral and fluval stratum ontop and the process of planting. Keep up the good work man.

[@chia_pet7121]

Can you just add the crushed coral in a sump so you don't mix the substrate? How about add a couple chunks of coral base rock, have you seen any difference in the two?

[@ZzGamingRolezZ]

Hey Cory, not sure if you will see this message. Just had a question about the soft water you had back then. I am currently the same, ph 6.8, but pretty much zero KH and GH. I have limestone in my aquarium that raises KH and GH. My question is, how did you handle water changes back then? Did you carry out smaller water changes to not shock the fish with water with little to no hardness? If i carry out a 50% water change with my tap water, it will pretty much cut KH and GH in half until the limestone raises it again so that’s never good.

[@joshparsons2534]

Had me cracking up with the taco breakdown :)

[@kurtisstutzman7056]

At 50+ tanks, I have some with sand, both play sand & cichlid sand, most with gravel though... As far as bare-bottom, I only like my girls bare-bottom, not my tanks... My gravel is mixed with crushed coral and eco-complete... Amazon swords, ozelot swords and jungle Val are the only plants that I've successfully grown in sand with the help of tons of root tabs... Thanks for another awesome love stream video... The free education is priceless...!!! Keep up your awesomeness...!

[@OneCrankyFemale]

I want to put gravel on the floor. I wonder if some crushed coral can be mixed with the gravel? I plan on an under gravel filter.

[@AquariumCoop]

Yep, I mix in crushed coral for my tanks.

[@vanschermerhorn7167]

Can you use pebble gravel and sand together ?

[@BC-uu6iz]

as always great knowledge and info, persons like yourself will make a better hobbyist tks

[@dazkiltlfc]

Seachem Flourite black is what I got for my new tank

[@adopteeinamerica2201]

What brands or kinds of sand are more coarse than pool filter sand?

[@YasharMalekian001]

Thanks man 👍👍

[@CC-wy1yb]

Love your channel. Thank you.

[@gerardosaa9396]

I had a mixed gravel and sand mix, i got it from a garden stuff store. I would pressume the sand goes to the bottom and the gravel stays on top, i have plants, if i just added more gravel would it make a difference? My plants are kind of struggling. If you say sand not ideal, them maybe just adding more regular gravel would help?

[@gerardosaa9396]

Note to self: make sure you watch the hole video before making a stupid question

[@damiendavisisraelcom8603]

Great show love your thorough talks,

[@FortuneZer0]

"that blue rock doesnt exist" Lapis lazuli: Am I a joke to you?

[@Suzyq6131]

Lapis Laziuli contains sulfur and pyrite which I don’t think is good in a tank. People don’t even realize that crystals can be harmful to them when they put them in water as a elixir.

[@mangala666]

One time I was chatting with a girl about her tank and we were trying to figure out why her fish kept dying. Eventually I asked to see a photo of the tank and she had all these natural crystals in there - I had her take those out, do a series of 75% water changes, and now everything is fine. So yeah, no crystals. ... with the exception of fake glass ones if you just like the look.

[@squeethesane]

"... SURE THING FISH SANTA" - azure saphire

[@ultraArcite]

someone Minecrafts

[@leroyhileman183]

I HAVE A 10 POUND BLOCK OF LAPIS

[@lkncatfish7586]

thank you for all the good information. one favor. do a written bullet point so the information is more organized and easier to follow, please,..... thx you so much for the videos

[@tonyhind6992]

Great vid as always.

[@nicolemadison1716]

Can you use aragonite sand in a tank with guppies, tetras, platies, mollies?

[@timmafee0]

Thanks for your great info corey

[@greenthumbaquariums1185]

This was great (as always). Thanks again.

[@breakingwind_sailing]

Love the taco build....👍👌

[@huitrecouture]

So excited!....NVM as I have very fine powdery Carib Sea sand cycling right now. Now how does crushed coral help your water changes since you can't just dump your 6.0 water into your 7.5-8.5 tank? You must be doing small water changes except for the big puffer. I have the opposite issue. 8.4 tap water and 6.6 tanks because I chose Fluval Stratum. I AM considering adding some Eco Complete into the Stratum which raises ph . Crushed coral sounds like a pain because you're still constantly having to check ph.

[@kerrypitt9789]

Cory, substrate even two years later is contentious. Probably not to you but a lot of us trying to cut costs a little are looking constantly. So I'm a late comer to this particular substrate hopefully I can rehash it without too many "Boos and Hisses." I recently started a dirt tank and after three months I love it. I know there are downsides to it, just like everything else, but my plants are happy and the fish are doing well. I'm using Worm Castings as the soil and playground sand to cap it. I know some people have said playground sand packs down too hard, but to date I have not found that to be true. I'm in Canada so maybe there is a difference? I noticed that both gravel and sand I buy here is not as dirty in a bucket with water as some of the American videos I've seen and the same goes for the small sized gravel put out by the same company. The problem with buying the specialty substrates up here is that the prices are double what you pay for them. There are Canadian supply warehouses here, not everything is trucked up from the US, our dollar is 30% less than the US dollar, but often we pay 2X+ than you folks do. This means we either use no substrate or we use what I am using. Several of us found black blasting sand that has no Coal Slag in it. Apparently that is a challenge, but there is a company in I think Pa that manufactures black sand with no coal slag. Anyway, your videos always get me thinking and I really appreciate you for that.

[@jmenta77]

Would like to see ideas for a 55g tank please.

[@mauriciaokieffe9950]

Can you use crushed coral in freshwater?

[@pruittfarmswolfenterprises3573]

Cory, sir... LeAnne M Pruitt here. Thinking seriously about starting back into the hobby of keeping an small 39.9 gallon Dempsey tank and need to know what kind of plants to get. I've always liked the am Amazon Swords and various aquatic woods. Thanks always, LeAnne M Pruitt

[@leroyhileman183]

I USED HOME DEPOT PEA STONE, MY WATER STARTS WITH A PH OF 8.4-9 RIGHT OUT OF THE TAP, I BRING IT DOWN TO 7. CHANGE WATER, AND WITH IN DAYS IN A 20 GAL TANK WITH A 50% WATER CHANGE AND 1.5 INCH ORGANIC POTTING SOIL UNDER THE PEA STONE MY PH WILL WALK RIGHT BACK UP TO 8.2 -- 8.4 IN UNDER A WEEK

[@aquariumhacksbymarcus5653]

I HAVE used Quikcrete sand for years for planted tanks and I tell you the truth it work great for plants and is super cheap!

[@jgarvin6]

Did you wash it before use,and what kind of plants did you grow using it?

[@TuanCaCanh]

Thank you

[@drfter240sx]

Pool sand? Coarse black diamond sand? Torpedo sand ? Ive seen soo many vids. But can’t make a decision.What do u recommend ? It’s for a 40 gal breeder

[@KETAN1234578]

How much PH needed for goldfish? Can I use crushed corals on it?

[@AquariumCoop]

Minimum of 7.0, with 7.5 or higher being preferred. Yes you can use crushed coral.

[@johnatella8498]

Can you talk about what plants do well in sand - where thier roots are in the sand so not Anubias or Java Fern or other plants with their roots above the soil. Thanks.

[@AquariumCoop]

They are all pretty much equal except for carpeting plants. You're just going to have a harder time getting nutrients to them.

[@johnatella8498]

@@AquariumCoop Thanks! I wasn't going to use carpeting plants. Guess I'll be using a lot of root tabs. If there are any that are easier, please let us know.

[@adamkirkland4348]

So now the only thing I took from this whole video is how to layer a 🌮. 😎 jk. Love your content. And your stickers when ordering online def the coolest stickers from an online distributor.

[@jenniferbartell5583]

Hey Cory, My son and I are getting back into the fish hobby and we saw a video about Vallisneria and we are looking to either get a 10 gallon or 20 gallon tank and we plan on housing a Betta and some other fish. The question I have is what substrate should I get for it? I plan on having that plant and possibly 3 other root feeders like crypts, dwarf Lilly and banana plant along with anubias nana. We want to keep it low light and we will be using a sponge filter. We have ordered once from you in the past and we love the quality of your products. Your advice is awesome, we have been learning so much from your videos. So please help direct us into the right direction on a good substrate to get for our tank. Thank you we live in Las Vegas which has very hard water.

[@ee02108]

Good soil (or mix or layers) for a planted tank, some carpet in some places on front. Animals: nerite, shrimp, otto, guppy. I want a soil that I don't have to make everything again 1 or 2 years later, I want it to stay ok for 5 or more years. Maybe some soil with manado dark on top? Some root tabs.

[@myriad1973]

How would stem plants do with pool filter sand or black diamond as substrate? That was the route I planned on going because I will be having a nice shoal of corydoras.

[@pamhusak4433]

I lost my internet last night during the live feed but watching it now. As usual great information and video!!! Wish we had a store like yours near me. Not much in my area. Have you every thought about expanded? Where is a good place to buy a wild or wild hybrid betta?

[@engelsramirez4886]

What lights would you recommend for java ferns and amazon swords for a 37g tank. I have the default lights and I don’t think they’re working at all for me because the leafs are turning black

[@mikeb1800]

Wonderful video! I'm trying to come up with a good mix but am having trouble figuring it out. I want to have a planted tank with apistos and possibly some cories as well. (20gH or L) what are some recommendations for that? I live in a place where tap water is around a 7.2-7.4 pH with some minerals due to lead in the pipes haha

[@lizholland6860]

I have 10in golden loach and5 inch loach with goldfish what is best brand size etc of sandto use