Your Questions, ANSWERED!!!

[@BoguZzNL]

I envy you Matt, for the amount of joy you find in what you do for a living. You are a walking encyclopedia when it comes to fish and your eyes light up when anyone has a fish question. I can tell you just love fish.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! I do really enjoy myself and glad that comes across! ❤️❤️🎊

[@lblodwell2025]

@@FishShopMatt Could always try trawling through the KZbin comments for questions :) I'd love to know more about different ideas for tanks/themes - you and MD have done some different region specific ones and it would be great to hear some more ideas.

[@dynamicdeadhead]

Such a cool video idea! The tip at the end about the glass of water determining whether the cloudiness is particles or bacteria is BRILLIANT! Your tips and tricks are always so clever and helpful! Thanks for another great video Matt!!! 👍

[@glassboxfish]

Your sage wisdom from being a fish keeper/fish shop manager for years is always appreciated Matt!

[@FishShopMatt]

I appreciate that!

[@giggiwidit5638]

9:45: I find that strawberry plants grow very well with their roots in an aquarium too, and with a strawberry plant, you also get fruit to eat 😋🍓😋. The only downside, is that (as we all know) strawberry plants are actually quite pervasive, and invasive, so you will have problems with new plants growing off from the original one. However, as most strawberry plants also only produce fruit for about three years, you can swap out a barren one, for a new, fruiting one. I also plant extra ones out in tubs on my patio too😋😁🥰

[@cherylmartin9994]

Thank you for doing this. It's great content. I've had tanks for 14 years now but always something new to learn.

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad to help

[@kevincollins5382]

Answering questions I didn’t even know I had!!! This is brilliant! Everything you talked about in this video is relevant to my setups. Thanks and looking forward to the next Q&A video. Thanks.

[@lindacooper4893]

Another great video I’m learning so much, sorry but I’m 76 and starting over again and I so love your in depth of explaining things, it helps me anyway. Thanks again I’m already starting to dismantle my 4 foot ❤❤

[@liddybird3608]

I like the question and answer format. Would love to see more. Would also love the house plant comparison video you mentioned. One of those could be enough for several videos if you revisit the results over time. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! Yeah I think it could be a really interesting series!

[@johannenslin4136]

The way I resolved cloudy water in my new 600 litre tank is as follows: 1. Drained about 60% of the water. 2. Added a double dose of flocculant to the remaining 40% of water and just let a small air pump run. 3. Left the remaining 40% of water for an hour or so and the particles settled on the substrate. 4. Filled up the tank slowly. 5. Placed filter floss in the filter and ran the filter at maximum capacity. After a day or so the water was very much clear not 100% though, but cleared after about 2 days. With good filtration I have not experienced cloudy water ever again. Hope this helps. Nobody advised me to do this, and I figured this out myself based on logic. Regards from Centurion South Africa

[@FishShopMatt]

Hey 👋 Super job on that regime and thank you for sharing! ❤️

[@walterotiepka1460]

Matt I've put panda garras in my 125 gallon planted tank put in 8 of them never stop cleaning the glass, gravel and plants best I've ever utility fish

[@FishShopMatt]

Panda garras are amazing!

[@mattdowling955]

The glass of tank water hack is a great tip I've never heard mentioned before! 👌

[@amandaphillips7651]

What’s the best way to stop loaches hiding? Have 6 kuhli loach in very heavily planted tank with dragon stone and driftwood. 90% of the substrate is planted. Low flow. House plants above the water. Rarely see them.

[@andrewmurrell4962]

What a great idea, you and MD with a few cans doing a live Q&A. 😀

[@FishShopMatt]

Great idea!!!

[@andrewmurrell4962]

Although seeing you two after a liquid lunch it might have to be a longer video lol

[@-AndrewR]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@Only1Sosa.]

I get so much enjoyment watching you, so much knowledge Thank you for deciding to do youtube 😊

[@Aron-mo3ml]

For more kind of app based community building i would suggest discord. Can create your page there and then have separate places where you could have people post Q&As, video recommendations, picture show offs, tech reviews. All sorts of stuff and you can make it whatever you want. Super cool app.

[@FishShopMatt]

Yes this is exactly what I've been looking into, watch this space!

[@saranystrom9732]

Great idea with Q&A! Looking forward to upcoming ones! Here's a question: my plants have started to look yellowy-white and not growing very well. Amazon swords, hygrophilias etc. 200liter tank with 10 cherry barbs, 2 apisto Macmasteri, 1 ancistrus, 9 corydora sterbai, and 9 rummy noses. Filtration Fluval 307, and ph 7,1. No high levels of Nitrite och Nitrate (testing water regularly). Tank just about 10 months with aqua soil in media bags, gravel and sand. What fertelizer should I use? Thank you for great content and all knowledge you are sharing!

[@FishShopMatt]

If it's old growth I would try a liquid carbon, if it's new growth I would go for iron tablets put in at the roots and see how it goes. To be honest no harm in doing both.

[@saranystrom9732]

@@FishShopMatt Thank you! So much! You just made my evening ✨ Will try both suggestions.

[@ronlafond5288]

I've got a question for you @fishshopmatt and perhaps an idea for a future video: Have you had any problems with Seiryu stone causing excessively high pH in fish tanks? And if so, what would your suggestions be to take care of that? And there's my suggestion for content as well: maybe talk about different hardscapes and how they might affect water parameters as well as how they can be used in aquascaping. As always . . . thanks!

[@JoP444]

Happy New Year to you and your family Matt 👪 I really enjoyed this and I still don't keep fish lol 💚💚💚

[@Cassundera]

Could you do a video on woods I see go into tanks, what are the differences or how do different species effect tanks? are there any to not use?

[@kevinlock3179]

"just realized you can see my elf" .... how many times you used that line Matt???😁😆🤣 Happy new year mate

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahahaha 😜 happy new year buddy!

[@cathyhendrix7552]

Hello Matt. Hope you and your family have had a great and wonderfully blessed holiday season. Now I really love this video. And I definitely think that you should do more. I always learn something new from you with every video that you make. And by doing Q&A videos the information is more targeted to specific topics that people need help with. But please don't just pull the questions from Instagram. I don't have an account there, and there's probably a lot of others that don't either. Please pick from KZbin as well. But I must say that every time I've asked you a question here, you've been spot on in answering them. So thank you so very much for all that you do for us. I get excited when I get a notification that I have a video from you and can't wait to get to see it. 😁

[@FishShopMatt]

Awwww thank you! I hope you had a wonderful time too! Absolutely I will take questions from all directions going to set up a few avenues for you all to send them in! ❤️❤️👍

[@AnnekeRaeymaekers]

You could set up a facebook group. I am a member of a group started by a fish shop. Members can ask questions there and everyone can answer them, but you can also answer them, or remove answers that are incorrect. That way the community can help you save time and I noticed that in this hobby people like to help each other out. I bought a 2 meter tank second hand and did the first water test yesterday and no leaks! The goals is to have angelfish in it by Christmas 2023 !

[@ShrimpCity]

Great video Matt! Hope you have a great year and I'm looking forward for future videos 👍

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️

[@fredverkade1]

Hi Matt, I want to thank you and your mate MD for all the info you gave....I had a few tanks before and they almost all failed because of my little knowledge about water,plants etc. Now I'm almost beginning with a new tank and I think it will be the 90l super fish...in that tank I will use everything I learned from you guys..I hope I can share a picture of the whole set-up and how it's grows. Thnx and keep the videos coming

[@carolebraswell982]

Thanks for the q&a! I can always use gathering more knowledge!

[@FishShopMatt]

Happy to help!

[@CeCee-no8bg]

Thank you, Matt. Always learn something from you. Your hair looks awesome!

[@FishShopMatt]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@flipsonfire101]

All your content is good Matt. Keep it up!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks! Will do!

[@juliesmart9255]

Great video Matt, happy new year. X

[@FishShopMatt]

Happy new year and thank you!

[@jenpink4298]

This was so interesting! And you are absolutely charming! Happy new year to you and your family!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! Happy new year to you too! ❤️

[@BGN_Aquariums]

Fantastic work Matt. Really good insight on all the questions you answered. Your gonna have to employ someone to do your instagram now. 😂

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahahaha thank you!

[@friatankar]

You're Great Matt.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you!

[@cayteowands]

Syngonium, Monstera, most Philodendron & Pothos will all root well in fish water🥰

[@FishShopMatt]

All great choices!

[@DjPsYcOtIc]

Thanks for sharing, cheers.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you!

[@LordChumbley]

Love the content. Looking forward to what you have planned.

[@FishShopMatt]

Awesome, thank you!

[@nathanhoveyaquatics]

I find attaching certain plants with the smallest zip ties possible. Like anubias and then plants like Java Ferns is best with thread or thin fishing line. Braided line works best in my opinion and you can get green or brown braid.

[@FishShopMatt]

Ooooo nice I'll check that stuff out!

[@stephenlaw1782]

Superb advice as always

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@space_ghost_z941]

Thanks Matt! Happy new year!

[@FishShopMatt]

Happy new year!

[@rettag2020]

Thanks Matt!

[@FishShopMatt]

You're welcome! ❤️

[@jrperez1840]

You always have some great info 👍

[@lewisgreener6081]

Hey Matt could you do n information video on axolotls? I was curious whether you’ve had experience with them in a shop you’ve worked in. It would be cool

[@FishShopMatt]

I actually secretly own axolotls they just don't appear in my fishy video yet. But new year has lots of new plans so watch this space!

[@lewisgreener6081]

I own a copper one and he’s great

[@friatankar]

House plants, strawberry!

[@marcaustin]

Great vid. Great idea to make these an occasional series.

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you like them!

[@gidge6260]

Fantastic video Matt! Love the idea of Q&A videos 👌🏼

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markzig1429]

I love your aquarium!

[@JenniferDoRego]

PLUMP!!!! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣Love you, from Georgia is the US

[@stephensmith6791]

Hi Matt. You’ve reviewed both an Oase and Fluval fx filter, which do you prefer?

[@awollsd]

1st great vid i was just thinking "i have seen a matt vid in a wile maybe i missed one" checked and no then an hour later i see you post one! great timing ;) 2nd have you (or you and md) thought of making a discord all your viewers could join, could have a questions channel there (also something that could be neat would be video suggestions, ppl can request info they would like to see a vid about or a species profile idea or maybe a build idea) but this would partially help with the questions as other viewers would be able to help answer things they know to help ease the amount you feel you need to get to ;)

[@FishShopMatt]

Good shout! I've been looking into this so it maybe the way to go! ❤️❤️❤️

[@MrLurchsThings]

@@FishShopMatt agreed. Between yourself and MD, I reckon you’ve got a good little, non-a-hole community. Just don’t stand for those argumentative purists, keep it relaxed and friendly and I think you guys would on to a winner.

[@sarahwoodring5587]

Love this video format!

[@marktopp745]

Only just got around to watching this video. It’s July the 24th but Happy new year. Just seeing whether you know about the one fail safe way of sexing a Bristle nose. Went into one of the Maidenhead stores (Wilton) and saw some beautiful Super Reds. And they were only maybe an inch or less but the lady showed me the Rubbing there noses. Did you know that one.

[@vfmnx]

Love your videos!

[@simonbuys]

Happy new year Matt! The Q&A is a great idea. I have a question also: If someone wants to work with fish, is it important to avoid transfering diseases from your home tank to the tanks at work or the other way around? If yes, what precautions should you take? Thanks in advance! Love your content!

[@FishShopMatt]

Happy new year! Not really an issue as most things that will infect the aquarium won't last outside for very long. There are a couple of issues that come to mind but they are super aggressive and very rare.

[@ronlafond5288]

Happy New Year! @fishshopmatt!!! This was fantastic! It really needs to be a regular part of your channel. Monthly maybe? Always great content! Thanks.

[@FishShopMatt]

Happy new year! Yeah definitely the plan to make this regular!

[@ronlafond5288]

@@FishShopMatt Great to hear, Matt. I'm in Palm Desert, California near Palm Springs and struggling to find anything related to freshwater tropical fish around here. I may have to figure out how to order fish online. Plants won't be too difficult, but fish! Not a clue how that'll go. Be well!

[@cichlidsid]

Your tank is looking great, Matt. I am in the process of setting up a tank and would like to go with an open top, but with the potential negative consequences to the room (evaporation, condensation, mold) I have erred on caution. I have just found out that Blue Emperor Tetras rock!

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah you definitely get a bit of evaporation and humidity. Blue emps do rock!!

[@cichlidsid]

@@FishShopMatt I think I am going to return the Emps, unfortunately. This second week they have began to bully and chase each other around the tank. 🤨

[@Aralk13]

Love your stuff and MD. I laugh anytime i hear about Flow coming round. My tanks always end up with hair algae and while i can grow crypts, ferns, and anubias well my stems always seem to melt into nothing. Any tips? My best guess is better lighting? I use fluval aqua sky lights and dows NilocG ferts at root tabs while using MD's layering system of gravel-aquasoil-sand.

[@FishShopMatt]

So all your plants you list that do well are slower growing low light plants. So you are probably right in thinking lighting maybe the issue. Possibly look at slowing down on the ferts if you are suffering algae as like I say the ones you have are slower growing.

[@Aralk13]

@@FishShopMatt I dose only once a week of liquid ferts the day after a water change and replace root tabs if I see rooted plants having issues. I plan on getting some floodlights instead (30watt would be okay?) but I'll do ferts every other week perhaps. Thanks!

[@Greenfrog61]

Love your hoodie Matt! Whose design is that and where can I get one?/

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! It's actually a national marine conservation society one!

[@andrewwatson7348]

Hi Matt. Love your content and always watch your videos. I'd like to ask you a question. I have a 520lt tank with 2 fx6 filters running. One of the filters gives off loads of micro bubbles. I've changed the media, vaselined the joints and still no change. Have you got any ideas? Thanks Andrew and Gill.

[@FishShopMatt]

Hmm strange one as you've tried all the normal things. Go through every seal ring and connection and double check, look for any crack or breaks in the housing or piping that maybe sucking air in. Have you got any airstones near the inlet? Would only need a little bubble every now and then to cause it. There must be an air leak somewhere unfortunately it's just finding it.

[@joehare1151]

Hi Matt, great vid! Can you tell what's the best tank temperature to have the plants that grow out the tank??

[@FishShopMatt]

To be honest I've found most temps to be fine but they may struggle if you go for the really warm discus setups.

[@joehare1151]

@Fish Shop Matt hi mate thanks for getting back to me unfortunately that's exactly what it's for a pretty warm discus tank! So I might have to give them a miss! I don't suppose you know of any other plants I could keep in the tank as most plants iv tried can't handle it

[@FishShopMatt]

If you haven't tried the monstera and pothos seem to be the hardest I've found, but you could try Dracaena. I've been told to check out a channel from a couple of lovely people on here called the plantlife project as he does lots with house plants and aquariums.

[@joehare1151]

@Fish Shop Matt Thank you my friend much appreciated for your help il give them a try, Thanks again and keep doing the great work your doing, keep up the great video 👍👍👍

[@VanellaMead]

hi Matt, Happy new year, thank you so much, I found MD when i was trying to set up an ecosystem bowl and now I'm here as well, love your content and loving the QA session

[@FishShopMatt]

Happy new year and thank you! ❤️

[@geraldoyo1]

Haircut looks smashing mate!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️

[@guybuchanan2670]

As a general cure / quarantine what do you use in the shop ? Malachite green or methylene blue ?

[@FishShopMatt]

Mostly we use formalin and malachite green premix for parasite control and then acriflavine for bacterial. We do have harsher medicines but reserve them for special occasions.

[@juneturner7023]

Great show Matt really informative

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you!

[@gigi3242]

Happy New Year!!!! Be well

[@FishShopMatt]

Happy new year!

[@blindinshadow109]

Can’t wait for the BBA

[@chrisharvey9477]

Mail bag mondays!!!

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahaha yes!!!!!

[@sunilbagha746]

Another great video!

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevecooper6653]

Hi 👋 Matt happy new year,Here’s a question,does MD give you a cut from his income from his uploaded material while at your fish shop,when using your materials wood/tanks/fish/plants to booster his subscribers tally,probably a Qs nobody has thought about asking…steve tivvy 🇬🇧

[@FishShopMatt]

We're mates first to be honest. It's a mutual relationship where we get publicity for the shop and he gets content, works both ways.

[@dogmandoug1715]

Happy new year Pal ✊🏻🤜🏻👍🏻

[@FishShopMatt]

Happy new year!

[@driftindriftwood7301]

Curious as to your fish policy at the store? Thanks

[@FishShopMatt]

Every case is treated individually to be honest.

[@IStarkI]

Oh is Matt in this one? Auto LIKE! :)

[@FishShopMatt]

🤣🤣🤣❤️❤️❤️

[@stevenpavan327]

Such a great video. I'm in a Fish Shop + MD video withdrawal. Help a bro out!

[@FishShopMatt]

Soon! Watch this space!

[@tims-fish-tanks]

Heya Matt I absolutely love Ur passion and all the knowledge u have!! It's awesome watching u in the store with MD too!! If u get time I would love it if u checked out some of the videos of my tanks (I only have one of the tank Vids up at the moment) especially if u have any advice for me with my set up!! I know the guppies will get eaten so I will return them to my planted tank this weekend I was actually amazed they have lasted about 4 months and just keep breeding.

[@andromidia1]

Ello matt..i live in a hard water area, what would suggest to lower me readings plz

[@friatankar]

I've been in the hobby since the 70s.

[@blindinshadow109]

The tetras calmly, swimming in the background swimming in the back ground took me at 5:40. So rewind time sorry Sir. Little critters.

[@thenamesfrog85]

If your tank is big enough u can get siamese algae eating catfish they eat black beard

[@jennlovesgod1]

I'm not on insta so I'm gonna ask my question here....how can I get rid of hydra in my shrimp tank?

[@FishShopMatt]

Not an easy one to be honest, I've found manual removal to be the best with a siphon. But I'll go more in depth on a video.

[@andreacasoli3371]

Hi Matt, how can i understand if an aquarium is overstocked?

[@FishShopMatt]

My honest answer is if you have things out of control i.e algae, snails and such like you're probably overstocked or not doing enough maintenance.

[@pandugofast]

You are the lad that knows the stuff, let's get it.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

[@naegwut]

Hi! New sub

[@FishShopMatt]

Hello and welcome! 👋

[@ernapichry7429]

Perfectly. Matt

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! ❤️

[@jayeshc4092]

Hello Sir..I am a huge fan of You and MD from India..I am trying to setup a new 2 feet planted tank and I am not able to find any aquatic compost that MD uses in his video in my country..is there any alternative solution to aquatic compost that you can suggest.. Please it would be of great help..

[@FishShopMatt]

Hello! 👋 You could use the top soil method that MD has used in some of his recent videos. This is just a low nutrient garden based soil that he then caps with sand. The other thing you could look for is pond soil for potting up pond plants.

[@blindinshadow109]

5:45 StemsStems

[@friatankar]

What is The best filtration?

[@FishShopMatt]

Depends what you're after but Fluval and Oase are my favourites.

[@dottiep2212]

Do you have a problem with snails getting out of the tank without a cover?

[@FishShopMatt]

Some snails can be semi aquatic some are fully aquatic you've just got to find the ones that like the water.

[@Zwarf1979]

How to become a fishshop/aquariumshop owner Or employee and how did you become one?

[@FishShopMatt]

Oooooo I like it definitely one for the next video! ❤️

[@friatankar]

Elf on the tree, not on the shelf?

[@FishShopMatt]

Keeps him controlled hahaha

[@powerfool650]

Hi Matt! Check out PlantLife Project channel for plants that like wet feet.

[@FishShopMatt]

Some one else said the same, I've added it to my list! Thank you! ❤️

[@friatankar]

Is it possible for me to import fish from your store to Sweden.

[@FishShopMatt]

Unfortunately not, that would be a lot of paperwork.

[@friatankar]

@@FishShopMatt ok.

[@Gaijinese]

Elf got a name?

[@FishShopMatt]

No he hasn't. What name would you suggest?

[@Gaijinese]

@@FishShopMatt It really depends on the type of tree you've got.. Fingers crossed we can name him Christ Pine or Spruce Willis.

[@stevecooper6653]

First ohhhhh yaaaaa 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@FishShopMatt]

Woohoo!!!

[@alanthecat59]

Gg

[@joevasquez1776]

Do you believe in hate speech ? Or compelled speech?

[@jtkeepingfish]

I’m really excited to see how the plans for the coming weeks turn out!🫣😂

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahaha same here!