STEM PLANTS BUNDLE SALE - Over 75 plants - 15 Species for $59! Limited Time OFFER so HURRY! father-fish-aquarium.myshopify.com/ For Special Soil Supplements, Plants, FIsh & Merch in your country: fatherfish.fish/
@@afh9237 I loved the skit , it was on point to haha I can't leave my fish to anyone ,they always say they are u.der fed but I have my flowerhorns on a strict diet and fed at scheduled times
I’ve been subscribed for 2 weeks and have learned so much. So much in fact I’m redoing my 65 gal aquarium to follow father fish, thank you father fish!
I used to never change my water in the 80's! Never heard of it! My tanks were always clear.... got out of the hobby for about 10 plus years and got back in about 7 years ago and everyone screaming water changes so I have been doing them.😮 I think my water is clearer without them. I have lot's of plants and a low fish load. 2 big Angels in a 55 with a couple Bolivian Rams and some small Tetras. I'm going to add some more small fish. Ty for your knowledge 🐟🐠🐌
I loved the animation bit! My favorite part was the progression of friend exiling himself after casing death by overfeeding. Thank you for another great informative video!
I had a constant issue with cloudy water. As soon as it was cloudy I changed water, soon after the problem reoccurred. I stopped changing water and left it alone. Guess what? No more problems with cloudy water in the tank. Now it is super clean😊
How long did you have to wait before the water cleared out ? I just set up mine and as soon as I put the fish it became very cloudy and haven’t changed the water yet
@@ashikrafi290 After 1 year, I started getting cloudy water after every water change. Fish started getting sick too. After adding the sand, all the problems went away
Years ago I had a fish tank. Nothing but heartache. I banned myself from having fish after that, called myself a fish killer and decided to stay with air breathing mammalians as companions. I still have bad fish tank dreams. BUT, I have still am desirous of having a fish tank. Your advice has returned hope to my murderous heart. Perhaps I will try again, and my fishies will live. Maybe I'll just start with plants.
Hi father fish✌️✌️🇬🇧🇬🇧been a great fan for weeks now!! Had problems with brown algie for at least 6weeks,you gave me hope,so i persevered,put more plants as you suggested and after the 6week period it has gone and with your help in dirted tank advise,my tank looks fantastic,thanks father fish✌️✌️✌️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧peace to you and your family✌️✌️
Can't help repeating to myself every now and then: Crystal clear.... Love it lol! Wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I discovered your channel yesterday. Today I have a father fish tank ❤ I am revisiting my old hobby and when looked a bit on youtube I bumped into people that are doing 80% weekly water changes. I was feeling anxious of all the unnatural fweling of it all when one of your videos came up and man, what a relief. I have been wading a pond to recolect stuff. Love it. Thanks ❤❤
I always maintain a low level of sea salt in the aquarium water because Green Swordtails benefit from it. But the parasites don't. My water comes from my water butt (Rainwater) as nature intended. I have loved watching your videos, which were not available when I started fish-keeping way back when. Keep up the good work from Larry.
Situation- water started stinking (like rotten eggs!) 5 yellow labs started erratic swimming and dying before my eyes! Had powdered - activated charcoal- knew it’s medicinal properties for me- so I blended it with a cup of water- told them I was sorry and poured it in… turned off filter and air stone- let it settle for a few hours-- My tons of lovely plants had begun to crash before - looked awful!! Had got 8oz container well before- activated charcoal crushed pieces… Turned back on filter and stone- rinsed filter parts, kinda wiped plant leaves too… Took 4oz of AC from jar and put into a cloth vegetable bag- and stuck to the side of tank. Put in a Miracle Shell today-(bought a month ago) Think my 2 Mainganos and 2 labs that survived the crash are acting like happy little fish now- so glad for your videos- Maingano is gulping sand and spewing it off to side- never seen her do that- afraid she’ll get down to compost! I have 3” pool sand- they love that stuff! May need to get another inch in-- so this just happened when we got back from camping- not saying but I may of touched something with Neem on my hand- or like FF say never ever never ever let anyone feed your fish while your away- I buried my lovelies in my garden…
Man, YOU ARE NOT KIDDING about letting someone feed your fish while gone. I left for two weeks and a friend was watching the cats and I said she didn't have to but couple feed the fish a pinch a COUPLE of times while I was gone. I think she used about 6 months worth of food. Nothing died but the filter was just gunked and I had to do a 50% water change. Now there are enough plants and other things that I think NO food for 2 weeks will be fine. But yes, don't let someone who feeds your mammals to feed your fish.
The amount of true knowledge this man holds! Thank you sir for sharing what amazing info for free! Is there any way I could help support or donate brother?
I agreed with you 100 %,honestly I been having fish for more than 30 years, I tried to fallow those fishkeepr online and that was a big mistake because weekly water changes keep killing my fish so I decided to go on my old ways (not changes water)and now my aquariums are driving better than ever
I am unsure about one. In some previous topics we said that we need dead matter in the water. When any fish dies, and the tank seems fine, no cloudy water, should we remove dead fish or leave it to dissolve? Suppose we have everything done correctly, from 1" mud and 2" of sand.
Enjoying the discord. It’s entertaining to see people on there putting a marineland 375 hob in a ten gallon tank and asking why is my substrate is moving around? Lol
Total noob here having just set up my tank a few weeks ago using an almost coarse sand type of gravel, but looking fwd to trying a dirted tank asap, thanks for the inspo, @Father Fish, this was really informative 😀 👍 👌
Yea it's amazing I don't do maintenance or water changes just top offs and plants. Love it. Make sure u add lots of slow breaking down ingredients to the mud layer under the sand. Enjoy
I had a couple of goldfish that were tormented for a few days by a common pleco. The pleco was attaching itself to the comet and the fancy tail. They both looked terrible and I returned the pleco but the damage was done. I watched your video that said crank the heat for a few days. I also added some salt, API antibiotics and Seachem Stress Guard. 3 days later they were almost back to normal. The comet looked so bad that he looked like really bad chapped lips. I thank you for the video.
I had this when I set up my tank weeks before I added fish . I just started my internal micro canister filter and it was gone in a few hours. No problems since then.
One trick I know for dusty water or unsettled mulm is to add bentonite, that is clumping kitty litter. like 1 tsbp per 100l or so. that will make the water cloudy as hell for a day and when it settles it will take some dirt with it. i think thats something they do in natural bodies of water which have a problem with turbidity. it may not solve the systemic problem, but if the mayor is visiting tomorrow and your living room tank is looking cloudy, it may help save your rep :)
Your videos are so helpful and your aquariums are amazing! I’m curious if you’ve ever had turtles and if they could live in one of those ecosystems? I would love to see a video on that, Anyway, thanks for sharing your knowledge and approach in the natural way
I have had turtles. They are a bit of a problem because they are diggers and they tend to dominate a tank. Sp[ecial consideration for their needs ameliorates the problems
@@FatherFishjust followed one of your videos on setting up a tank and the turtle tank. I unfortunately failed to read the instructions on the sand was not aware the I had to wash it. Tank has been milky for 6hrs now. Anything you recommend?
I have learned so much from you this past week! Being fairly new to the fish hobby, I am excited to give the dirt and sand method a try! I have a couple questions If you don't mind. Do I need to treat driftwood prior to putting it in my tank? I also purchased Kellogg's all natural raised bed and potting mix. Do you think this is safe to use as a base for my tank soil? Thank you so much!
Father Fish, awesome videos! Watching these has been instructive and helpful. I have had a few nerite/mystery snails die in my small 3 gallon tank. I have removed them and done water changes, administered Prime a couple times and have two filters... but there is still an ammonia spike (as I understand it, the dead snails release a lot of ammonia...) and cloudy water. Interestingly enough, fish do not seem bothered and are just fine. Would you recommend just letting the cycle handle the ammonia?
Hello Father Fish!! I have had a 30 Gallon fishtank that has been running consistently for two and a half years. I decided to redo the tank. I removed the fish, added another inch of substrate. Ensured that the tank had plenty of time to cycle. I them changed the type of fish I kept in the tank. I changed the tank from tetras with little bio load and now have plenty of mollies stocked. Much higher bio load. Now I additionally admit what I believe could be a mistake, I poured an entire bottle of the beneficial bacteria in into the water. Enough the bottle says will treat 1,700 liters of water. After a couple of weeks, The tank became so cloudy that i could not see through the tank nor could I see any fish. My ammonia and ph indicators showed no harmful signs. I have been keeping up with regular water changes. I never disturb the substrate when adding clean water. But I tell you. Two months or more later, I still always have cloudy water? Could this be a long bacterial bloom? My filters always run and are clean? Any insight is appreciated. Fish are happy, well fed. Zero fish loss.
Hey father fish I've received found your page and absolutely love and agree with your content. My question is if you would be able to have an instructional video how to incorporate your dirted tank techniques into an existing setup, many thanks
Thank goodness I have common sense and follow the father fish dirted tank theory.. or I'd have these issues like many do .. live learn .. thrive teach... thanks brother
Idk if anyone knows but clams help filter out the water a lot you can find them in sand bars in rivers and lakes and they are free just make sure they arent protected, i use giant duckweed to help with algae, its easy to control unlike regular duck weed, but thank you father fish for showing us the way to really take care of fish without it being a chore and a struggle
Good evening Fatherfish First of all thank you for your very useful info, here's a question from the Netherlands. What is better as a ground cover. Garden soil from the store or potting soil. And what kind of sand do you recommend to put over it. Warm greetings from the Netherlands
I do not believe it matters. With adequate supplements the substrate will continue to provide nutrients to plants and the system in general until they are thoroughly assimilated and cycled through the system.
I've learn a whole lot in just a week watching your videos. In case you didn't know it your links to your website doesn't work for buying plants and or looking at what your selling. It comes back with a 404 error or unsafe. FYI.
I’ve had cloudy water in my guppy tank for months but it causes no harm to them,no deaths and they are all healthy and active but I’m not a fan of the cloudy tank
I am pretty amazed that almost all your solutions to cloudy water doesn't even include a plain change of water but instead keeping that "foul" water and just clean it. 😮 That is pretty interresting and I will try to do exactly that when times come. QUESTION - From your lifetime experience with tanks, do you recommend to always filter the water (I'm thinking sponges and activated coal) or is it better to try and have an healthy unfiltered tank and filter only when needed ?
I prefer to use sponge filters. In some tanks even the y are not necessary but I like the current and availability of bacteria on the surface of the sponge.
Thank you so much. Explaining how different colours and the causes really make things a lot clearer for me! Love you Father Fish! Happy Father's Day✨️✨️✨️
@@FatherFish i followed your tips and i got my crystal clear water. The fishes look very happy and more lively than ever. Thank you so much Father Fish ✨️
Thank you sir for your valuable information and guidance. Please advise if i make planted aquarium do i need to clean fish poop. I am sorry sir but i am very very new and internet is full of gurus without valuable knowlege. I am planning for planted bowls for my bettas
Hello Father Fish! I hope all is well. Greetings from Dublin, Ireland! I have plenty of fine sand available and John Innes No.3 Compost and would like to use both in my fish tank. I wonder if this soil is good/safe to use, what is your thought on it? I want to lay it as a base layer with a 2-inch cap of sand on top. If I were to use this particular soil should I rinse it under water a couple of times beforehand so that it is not so nutrient-rich? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Thank you, Sophia! An online website showed me this as the soil composition: John Innes No. 3 Compost Sterilized loam, peat, sharp sand, and ground limestone 8mm Loam: 55% v/v Peat: 25% v/v Grit: 17% v/v Contains Super Phosphate Contains Potassium Sulphate
I've got a 75 gallon that my sister left with me when she moved out. It has tons of gravel (I got rid of her plastic plants). I have added some sand, but I'm waiting until I can put the common pleco in a 300 gallon outdoor tank I am setting up to really fix this tank properly. I have to say, this tank with gravel substrate is the one I have the most problems with. The fish poop gets stirred up every time the fish get excited. It's a pain in the butt, and I can't wait to get the gravel out and some dirt and sand in.
Tannins don't last long in the water, a root can release them for 6 months, but then I need to start soaking almond leaves. There's a dark side to the tannins. Without previous leaching some roots/woods need daily water changes for a week (with optional help of charcoal or Purigen in the filter). Otherwise the water starts resembling purplish coffee or a paint in a can. When this happened to me, I had to replace half the plants and all the water (which smelled). Luckily it was a new tank with no snails or fish at the time.
Important to use well dried, fallen material. Of heavily washed with creek water for an extended period. If there are still organic sugars in the wood or leaves it can pollute the water.
Hello Sir. Thank you for the informativ video. Very helpful. I got back from 2 weeks vacation to find my tank (39Gallons) all cloudy, and with death fish in it. I'm sure it isn't because of overfeeding it, since I had my old dad to do that, and he knows already about not to overfeed them. So I want to ask, if it can be my Ansistrus Pleco (He is about 3-3.5 inches), that digs too deep in the sand, and then releases stuff from the soil beneath the sand?
They are not sterile. they are, however, shipping dry to insure they do not rot. Microbes would be at a minimum. I sell a muck culture that is loaded with microbial life.
Father fish your methods work! And my fish stopped dying after i added bacteria from another pound! Now if i coulr only get the turtle to stop chasing them😂
I never see anyone talking about adding a clam or two to an aquarium to act as a filter (i consider some particulates normal in my high flow aquarium). Is there a reason why they aren’t common in aquariums? I was considering adding a couple…
Hi Father Fish. I'm hoping to visit you this month when I visit my parents in Englewood. I'm very much looking forward to it. I have a 16 gallon tank with 1" of soil and 3" of sand. It's heavily planted with 5 amano shrimp, 3 nerite snails, 5 pygmy corydoras, 9 galaxy rasboras and 1 Bolivian ram. I'm having an issue with detritus, fish mulm etc floating around in the water column, settling on plants and getting stuck there in the form of brown algae of sorts. I have one suitably sized sponge filter. The detritus does not seem to be making its way into the sand and is gradually smothering my plants and mosses. Do you have a recommendation for how to solve this? Will I have to clean my aquarium after all? Thank you so much for all that you do!
Yes, add another inch of sand. I have closed the shop so will not be able to welcome you. Enjoy Englewood. Get into the water at Indian Mound with a dip net and catch a pygmy seahorse!
@@FatherFish Will do! Thanks so much. Sorry to hear that you closed the shop but I’m sure it was for the right reason. Be well and thanks again for all of the knowledge and positive energy.
Did anybody import fish diseases when '' seeding'' the tank with water from water that has wild fish in? Do you, instead, use water from a fishless pond?
Hello from Mexico Father Fish! Ok, so I live in a small beach town with no fresh water stream in the immediate area. is it ok to collect rain water from an old fountain? I'm thinking I can add some of that and leaves. What do you think? BTW: I took dirt from my yard and sand from the beach and created my 2 gallon tank. It's super clear and the Betta loves it! Yesterday I fed him fresh tuna - he's been so active since. Thanks!
Due to space restrictions, I bought a fish bowl. Can teach me, Father Fish how I can maintain it. Does the ratio of sand is the same as in aquarium, 1lb of sand to 1 gallon of water? How many plants to include? Last, what are the best fish to buy. Thank you so much.
I set up my tank using your method. , have rocks from the river and one piece of driftwood , , 8 gallon cube, one mystery snail, 1 beta and 3 small guppies. Tank is clear but tannin water. My ? Is a sheer film has covered the piece of driftwood …..what could be causing that? Thanks so much!
I need help, i set up and new tank 2 days ago. The water is currently going through a bacteria bloom, should i run my airstone? Or do i keep it off until closer to the time of getting fish?
Just started a nano tank today using your soil/sand method. Added plenty or plants and floating plants too. Water is looking murky from the sand (I did rinse the sand many times), but it’s only been a day…how long should I wait before I should consider doing water changes? No fish have been added, but there are snails that hitched a ride on the plants.
Curious what the cons are of running sand on top of gravel? I've been doing it for the past month or so at your suggestion (2 inches of river gravel capped with 3 inches of sand) and it is working very well and my plants are doing just fine with the food my fish are providing them. Long term, what are some issues I will run into as opposed to your standard 1 inch of soil underneath the sand? Thank you again for your knowledge.
@@FatherFish That was my theory, glad to know it works. Already have the dead leaves but now I need to get some daphnia and other organisms to eat it. Hoping to harbor the ideal cold water stream ecosystem.
So I have a few questions if you could be so kind as to help me again. I am about to start two dirt sand tanks like you suggest, I am by creeks in the woods, the substrate there looks very sandy but it's not quite sand. Maybe some dirt and clay as well. Would this work as my sand or does it need to be pure sand? Also my second question is one tank already has fish in it, can I add sand with them in it or do i need to take them out?
The sand should be perfect. Do not pour it through water. Put it in before the water. To pour sand into the tank it most be clean,. If tere is clay it will turn the tank milky and may never clear up. Clean sand can be poured with fish in the tank No proble,
Hey Father Fish, you’re the best! I believe my new tank may have a bit of a brown algae overgrowth & so I’m wanting to try your advice for a carbon filter + sand, but the filter said on the box specifically not to use with sand. Should I go ahead & try the sand on the gravel anyway?? What do you think?
STEM PLANTS BUNDLE SALE - Over 75 plants - 15 Species for $59! Limited Time OFFER so HURRY!
father-fish-aquarium.myshopify.com/
For Special Soil Supplements, Plants, FIsh & Merch in your country:
fatherfish.fish/
That cartoon skit was the best thing I've ever seen. I died laughing. Please, more. Please. ❤😂
It was delightful. Lots of work. Virtually no response. VERY disappointing. IfI can figure out how to increase views I woulde love to do another one.
It was so so funny 😂😂
The female character with father fish's voice explaining feeding instructions was comedy gold. More people need to see this so it happens more!
@@afh9237 I loved the skit , it was on point to haha I can't leave my fish to anyone ,they always say they are u.der fed but I have my flowerhorns on a strict diet and fed at scheduled times
I’ve been subscribed for 2 weeks and have learned so much. So much in fact I’m redoing my 65 gal aquarium to follow father fish, thank you father fish!
Thank you N. Happy to help. Join us on the Father Fish Shoad. discord.gg/GdakStEjAy
Same for me :)
U won't regret it
I used to never change my water in the 80's! Never heard of it! My tanks were always clear.... got out of the hobby for about 10 plus years and got back in about 7 years ago and everyone screaming water changes so I have been doing them.😮 I think my water is clearer without them. I have lot's of plants and a low fish load. 2 big Angels in a 55 with a couple Bolivian Rams and some small Tetras. I'm going to add some more small fish. Ty for your knowledge 🐟🐠🐌
Welcome you have definitely found the right place❤❤❤
I loved the animation bit! My favorite part was the progression of friend exiling himself after casing death by overfeeding. Thank you for another great informative video!
I had a constant issue with cloudy water. As soon as it was cloudy I changed water, soon after the problem reoccurred. I stopped changing water and left it alone. Guess what? No more problems with cloudy water in the tank. Now it is super clean😊
How long did you have to wait before the water cleared out ? I just set up mine and as soon as I put the fish it became very cloudy and haven’t changed the water yet
@@hamzaferhat4627
About one week.
For some reason, Father Fish has a special place in my heart whenever he chuckles.😂 Love your channel😊
I recently followed your advice to top off gravel with sand. It made a huge difference to that tank. Thank you!
Can you tell your obsertions briefly....
@@ashikrafi290 After 1 year, I started getting cloudy water after every water change. Fish started getting sick too. After adding the sand, all the problems went away
@@oscarstrelkov4705 Did you use normal sand from the beach?
@@johncenainvincible no, I had some leftover pool filter sand from another tank
Been watching you for the past month. My tank is now crystal clear. And I have a lot more plants lol
Years ago I had a fish tank. Nothing but heartache. I banned myself from having fish after that, called myself a fish killer and decided to stay with air breathing mammalians as companions. I still have bad fish tank dreams. BUT, I have still am desirous of having a fish tank. Your advice has returned hope to my murderous heart. Perhaps I will try again, and my fishies will live. Maybe I'll just start with plants.
And a few fish. Go slowly. Be gentle.
@@FatherFish Thank you for the encouragement.
Hi father fish✌️✌️🇬🇧🇬🇧been a great fan for weeks now!! Had problems with brown algie for at least 6weeks,you gave me hope,so i persevered,put more plants as you suggested and after the 6week period it has gone and with your help in dirted tank advise,my tank looks fantastic,thanks father fish✌️✌️✌️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧peace to you and your family✌️✌️
Clear, concise and informative! Always a treat to watch your videos!
Thank you Nats.
Can't help repeating to myself every now and then: Crystal clear....
Love it lol!
Wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I discovered your channel yesterday. Today I have a father fish tank ❤
I am revisiting my old hobby and when looked a bit on youtube I bumped into people that are doing 80% weekly water changes.
I was feeling anxious of all the unnatural fweling of it all when one of your videos came up and man, what a relief.
I have been wading a pond to recolect stuff. Love it. Thanks ❤❤
I always maintain a low level of sea salt in the aquarium water because Green Swordtails benefit from it. But the parasites don't. My water comes from my water butt (Rainwater) as nature intended. I have loved watching your videos, which were not available when I started fish-keeping way back when. Keep up the good work from Larry.
Thanks so much for the information , struggling with cloudy water in flowerhorn tank right now , loved the cartoon skit
Whatever questions I have I always come to father fish. I've watched a lot of channels on aquariums but father fish is the only one I turn to now!
Guess who's got crystal clear water thanks to Father Fish??!! I'm your latest patreon, woohoo, all the best from Ireland 🇮🇪
I really appreciate and admire your expertise in aquariums, you are truly the best aquarist on TH-cam.
You are very kind Riley. Thank you.
Situation- water started stinking (like rotten eggs!)
5 yellow labs started erratic swimming and dying before my eyes!
Had powdered - activated charcoal- knew it’s medicinal properties for me- so I blended it with a cup of water- told them I was sorry and poured it in… turned off filter and air stone- let it settle for a few hours--
My tons of lovely plants had begun to crash before - looked awful!!
Had got 8oz container well before- activated charcoal crushed pieces…
Turned back on filter and stone- rinsed filter parts, kinda wiped plant leaves too…
Took 4oz of AC from jar and put into a cloth vegetable bag- and stuck to the side of tank.
Put in a Miracle Shell today-(bought a month ago)
Think my 2 Mainganos and 2 labs that survived the crash are acting like happy little fish now- so glad for your videos-
Maingano is gulping sand and spewing it off to side- never seen her do that- afraid she’ll get down to compost! I have 3” pool sand- they love that stuff! May need to get another inch in-- so this just happened when we got back from camping- not saying but I may of touched something with Neem on my hand- or like FF say never ever never ever let anyone feed your fish while your away-
I buried my lovelies in my garden…
Great story. Would love to see pics. Join Father Fish Shoal: discord.gg/GdakStEjAy
Thanks for the advice as always, not just a chemical fix for every problem like many others
You betcha!
I don't even have fish nor fishtanks but I enjoy the great and straightforward explanation and appreciate the share of knowledge :] thank you
This is my favorite channel on the entire internet :)
I LOVE Father Fish!!! That animation with your words was hilarious!! It’s happened to us all
Man, YOU ARE NOT KIDDING about letting someone feed your fish while gone. I left for two weeks and a friend was watching the cats and I said she didn't have to but couple feed the fish a pinch a COUPLE of times while I was gone. I think she used about 6 months worth of food. Nothing died but the filter was just gunked and I had to do a 50% water change. Now there are enough plants and other things that I think NO food for 2 weeks will be fine. But yes, don't let someone who feeds your mammals to feed your fish.
The amount of true knowledge this man holds! Thank you sir for sharing what amazing info for free! Is there any way I could help support or donate brother?
Yes. Please join our Patreon group to provide support for our work: www.patreon.com/user?u=25478137
You are awesome! Thanks for teaching us dummies on how to have a thriving happy community of fish😀
Please continue to educate us
Philippines😎
I agreed with you 100 %,honestly I been having fish for more than 30 years, I tried to fallow those fishkeepr online and that was a big mistake because weekly water changes keep killing my fish so I decided to go on my old ways (not changes water)and now my aquariums are driving better than ever
You are SO right about fish-sitters. They booger things up EVERY time.
I am unsure about one. In some previous topics we said that we need dead matter in the water. When any fish dies, and the tank seems fine, no cloudy water, should we remove dead fish or leave it to dissolve? Suppose we have everything done correctly, from 1" mud and 2" of sand.
You r so helpful & cheerful! I love it!
Enjoying the discord. It’s entertaining to see people on there putting a marineland 375 hob in a ten gallon tank and asking why is my substrate is moving around? Lol
woops
Total noob here having just set up my tank a few weeks ago using an almost coarse sand type of gravel, but looking fwd to trying a dirted tank asap, thanks for the inspo, @Father Fish, this was really informative 😀 👍 👌
Yea it's amazing I don't do maintenance or water changes just top offs and plants. Love it. Make sure u add lots of slow breaking down ingredients to the mud layer under the sand. Enjoy
@@Boogerboys1990 sounds fantastic.. what sort of slow breaking down ingredients would you recommend?
I had a couple of goldfish that were tormented for a few days by a common pleco. The pleco was attaching itself to the comet and the fancy tail. They both looked terrible and I returned the pleco but the damage was done. I watched your video that said crank the heat for a few days. I also added some salt, API antibiotics and Seachem Stress Guard. 3 days later they were almost back to normal. The comet looked so bad that he looked like really bad chapped lips. I thank you for the video.
That animation was brilliant.
All great information thanks for sharing ✌️💗💯👍
I had this when I set up my tank weeks before I added fish . I just started my internal micro canister filter and it was gone in a few hours. No problems since then.
Awesome video FF!! This hobby will turn around with people like you.
Thanks Anthony
@@FatherFish your very welcome
One trick I know for dusty water or unsettled mulm is to add bentonite, that is clumping kitty litter. like 1 tsbp per 100l or so. that will make the water cloudy as hell for a day and when it settles it will take some dirt with it. i think thats something they do in natural bodies of water which have a problem with turbidity.
it may not solve the systemic problem, but if the mayor is visiting tomorrow and your living room tank is looking cloudy, it may help save your rep :)
Never used it Josi. Will try.
Your videos are so helpful and your aquariums are amazing!
I’m curious if you’ve ever had turtles and if they could live in one of those ecosystems?
I would love to see a video on that,
Anyway, thanks for sharing your knowledge and approach in the natural way
I have had turtles. They are a bit of a problem because they are diggers and they tend to dominate a tank. Sp[ecial consideration for their needs ameliorates the problems
@@FatherFishjust followed one of your videos on setting up a tank and the turtle tank. I unfortunately failed to read the instructions on the sand was not aware the I had to wash it. Tank has been milky for 6hrs now. Anything you recommend?
I have learned so much from you this past week! Being fairly new to the fish hobby, I am excited to give the dirt and sand method a try! I have a couple questions If you don't mind. Do I need to treat driftwood prior to putting it in my tank? I also purchased Kellogg's all natural raised bed and potting mix. Do you think this is safe to use as a base for my tank soil? Thank you so much!
do not kill and use the dirt
Father Fish, awesome videos! Watching these has been instructive and helpful. I have had a few nerite/mystery snails die in my small 3 gallon tank. I have removed them and done water changes, administered Prime a couple times and have two filters... but there is still an ammonia spike (as I understand it, the dead snails release a lot of ammonia...) and cloudy water. Interestingly enough, fish do not seem bothered and are just fine. Would you recommend just letting the cycle handle the ammonia?
Hello Father Fish!! I have had a 30 Gallon fishtank that has been running consistently for two and a half years. I decided to redo the tank. I removed the fish, added another inch of substrate. Ensured that the tank had plenty of time to cycle. I them changed the type of fish I kept in the tank. I changed the tank from tetras with little bio load and now have plenty of mollies stocked. Much higher bio load. Now I additionally admit what I believe could be a mistake, I poured an entire bottle of the beneficial bacteria in into the water. Enough the bottle says will treat 1,700 liters of water. After a couple of weeks, The tank became so cloudy that i could not see through the tank nor could I see any fish. My ammonia and ph indicators showed no harmful signs. I have been keeping up with regular water changes. I never disturb the substrate when adding clean water. But I tell you. Two months or more later, I still always have cloudy water? Could this be a long bacterial bloom? My filters always run and are clean? Any insight is appreciated. Fish are happy, well fed. Zero fish loss.
Put 2” of sand cap and no water changes
@@FatherFish Shall do! Thank you Kindly Sir!
Thank you Father Fish! Loved seeing LRB in there! 😊
Lucas is an amazing fish keeper.
Hey father fish I've received found your page and absolutely love and agree with your content. My question is if you would be able to have an instructional video how to incorporate your dirted tank techniques into an existing setup, many thanks
EXCELLENT suggestion. There are constant questions about this.
I don't know why but I love to watch your videos than any blockbuster movies. Thank you Father Fish.
Thank goodness I have common sense and follow the father fish dirted tank theory.. or I'd have these issues like many do .. live learn .. thrive teach... thanks brother
lol Thanx blaznmax!
Great helpful video. I never change water. Thank you
Idk if anyone knows but clams help filter out the water a lot you can find them in sand bars in rivers and lakes and they are free just make sure they arent protected, i use giant duckweed to help with algae, its easy to control unlike regular duck weed, but thank you father fish for showing us the way to really take care of fish without it being a chore and a struggle
Good evening Fatherfish First of all thank you for your very useful info, here's a question from the Netherlands. What is better as a ground cover. Garden soil from the store or potting soil. And what kind of sand do you recommend to put over it. Warm greetings from the Netherlands
I do not believe it matters. With adequate supplements the substrate will continue to provide nutrients to plants and the system in general until they are thoroughly assimilated and cycled through the system.
I've learn a whole lot in just a week watching your videos. In case you didn't know it your links to your website doesn't work for buying plants and or looking at what your selling. It comes back with a 404 error or unsafe. FYI.
Had to create a new store. Up and running now: father-fish-aquarium.myshopify.com/
@@FatherFish Thank you
I’ve had cloudy water in my guppy tank for months but it causes no harm to them,no deaths and they are all healthy and active but I’m not a fan of the cloudy tank
Bless you too father fish 🐠
Thanks Father fish and the team
See y’all in the discord
I am pretty amazed that almost all your solutions to cloudy water doesn't even include a plain change of water but instead keeping that "foul" water and just clean it. 😮
That is pretty interresting and I will try to do exactly that when times come.
QUESTION - From your lifetime experience with tanks, do you recommend to always filter the water (I'm thinking sponges and activated coal) or is it better to try and have an healthy unfiltered tank and filter only when needed ?
I prefer to use sponge filters. In some tanks even the y are not necessary but I like the current and availability of bacteria on the surface of the sponge.
Thank you so much. Explaining how different colours and the causes really make things a lot clearer for me! Love you Father Fish! Happy Father's Day✨️✨️✨️
Wonderful!
@@FatherFish i followed your tips and i got my crystal clear water. The fishes look very happy and more lively than ever. Thank you so much Father Fish ✨️
Good advice and love the cartoon.
Thank you Tom. Please share this vid. Help us get more viewers.
Quality as usual. Great video father fish!
Thanks Lebi.
I love watching father fish..why i just discovered him ? He's knowledgeable in so many levels...😅😂😊
Thank you sir for your valuable information and guidance. Please advise if i make planted aquarium do i need to clean fish poop. I am sorry sir but i am very very new and internet is full of gurus without valuable knowlege. I am planning for planted bowls for my bettas
The plants will eat the poop if you have sand for the poop to go in.
Ordering more sand tonight. ❤
I have known this channel. A week ago.
Helo from Indonesia.
Father fish! How do you manage Gill flukes particularly in discus or discus fry?
Initially, isolate and treat with garlic clove crushed and 1 tblspn salt pg. If worsens praziquantel, mebendazole,
What fish would you suggest keeping with shrimp to mitigate the microfrauna populations?
pygmies like scarlet badis, elessoma, endler guppies, there are so many.
Im going to check out your website now thank you
FATHER FISH IS AN ABSOLUTE JOY TO WATCH AND LISTEN TOO 😊
Hello Father Fish! I hope all is well. Greetings from Dublin, Ireland!
I have plenty of fine sand available and John Innes No.3 Compost and would like to use both in my fish tank. I wonder if this soil is good/safe to use, what is your thought on it? I want to lay it as a base layer with a 2-inch cap of sand on top. If I were to use this particular soil should I rinse it under water a couple of times beforehand so that it is not so nutrient-rich?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Thank you, Sophia!
An online website showed me this as the soil composition:
John Innes No. 3 Compost
Sterilized loam, peat, sharp sand, and ground limestone
8mm Loam: 55% v/v
Peat: 25% v/v
Grit: 17% v/v
Contains Super Phosphate
Contains Potassium Sulphate
Thank you for that Innes content. The sand you are suggesting is perfect.
I've been doing dirted fish tanks for 10 years but i didn't know the biology behind it until I watched father fish
I've got a 75 gallon that my sister left with me when she moved out. It has tons of gravel (I got rid of her plastic plants). I have added some sand, but I'm waiting until I can put the common pleco in a 300 gallon outdoor tank I am setting up to really fix this tank properly. I have to say, this tank with gravel substrate is the one I have the most problems with. The fish poop gets stirred up every time the fish get excited. It's a pain in the butt, and I can't wait to get the gravel out and some dirt and sand in.
The large pleco makes a nice meal. Cook in his shell
Tannins don't last long in the water, a root can release them for 6 months, but then I need to start soaking almond leaves.
There's a dark side to the tannins. Without previous leaching some roots/woods need daily water changes for a week (with optional help of charcoal or Purigen in the filter). Otherwise the water starts resembling purplish coffee or a paint in a can. When this happened to me, I had to replace half the plants and all the water (which smelled). Luckily it was a new tank with no snails or fish at the time.
Important to use well dried, fallen material. Of heavily washed with creek water for an extended period. If there are still organic sugars in the wood or leaves it can pollute the water.
GREAT VIDEO...I HAVE 3 IRRIDESENT 6 INCHES IN A 55 GALLON..HOW MANY POUNDS OF SAND TO PUT AT THE BOTTOM NOW? PLUS ITS VERY CLOUDY NOW.
100
@@FatherFish should i take the gravel out ?
@@FatherFish can i get the sand from a beach or the store?
@@RAZASHARP either place
Hello Sir. Thank you for the informativ video. Very helpful.
I got back from 2 weeks vacation to find my tank (39Gallons) all cloudy, and with death fish in it. I'm sure it isn't because of overfeeding it, since I had my old dad to do that, and he knows already about not to overfeed them. So I want to ask, if it can be my Ansistrus Pleco (He is about 3-3.5 inches), that digs too deep in the sand, and then releases stuff from the soil beneath the sand?
My money is on your old dad who overfed the tank and allowed the water to foul.
I need those plants 😮
If I buy your stem plant package, would those have lots of the micro-fauna included with it or are these "sterile"? Thanks!
They are not sterile. they are, however, shipping dry to insure they do not rot. Microbes would be at a minimum. I sell a muck culture that is loaded with microbial life.
Excellent 🙏 merci
Father fish your methods work! And my fish stopped dying after i added bacteria from another pound! Now if i coulr only get the turtle to stop chasing them😂
I never see anyone talking about adding a clam or two to an aquarium to act as a filter (i consider some particulates normal in my high flow aquarium). Is there a reason why they aren’t common in aquariums? I was considering adding a couple…
Nearly all chemical treatments kill them. A natural tank is perfect and they are wonderful to have.
Very informative as usual great content
TY Hester.
Hi Father Fish. I'm hoping to visit you this month when I visit my parents in Englewood. I'm very much looking forward to it. I have a 16 gallon tank with 1" of soil and 3" of sand. It's heavily planted with 5 amano shrimp, 3 nerite snails, 5 pygmy corydoras, 9 galaxy rasboras and 1 Bolivian ram. I'm having an issue with detritus, fish mulm etc floating around in the water column, settling on plants and getting stuck there in the form of brown algae of sorts. I have one suitably sized sponge filter. The detritus does not seem to be making its way into the sand and is gradually smothering my plants and mosses. Do you have a recommendation for how to solve this? Will I have to clean my aquarium after all? Thank you so much for all that you do!
Yes, add another inch of sand. I have closed the shop so will not be able to welcome you. Enjoy Englewood. Get into the water at Indian Mound with a dip net and catch a pygmy seahorse!
@@FatherFish Will do! Thanks so much. Sorry to hear that you closed the shop but I’m sure it was for the right reason. Be well and thanks again for all of the knowledge and positive energy.
Bruh, that cartoon.. If that was a running series, I'd be watching it hahahaha
Did anybody import fish diseases when '' seeding'' the tank with water from water that has wild fish in? Do you, instead, use water from a fishless pond?
😂😂 love the animation about the stupid neighbor 😅. saludos desde CDMX
Love ya back.
[my, wild catfish which is 3" long they keep everything clean bottom feeders]
That cartoon bit was gold
Hello from Mexico Father Fish! Ok, so I live in a small beach town with no fresh water stream in the immediate area. is it ok to collect rain water from an old fountain? I'm thinking I can add some of that and leaves. What do you think?
BTW: I took dirt from my yard and sand from the beach and created my 2 gallon tank. It's super clear and the Betta loves it! Yesterday I fed him fresh tuna - he's been so active since. Thanks!
Sounds delightfu. Yes the old fountain is perfect.
Due to space restrictions, I bought a fish bowl. Can teach me, Father Fish how I can maintain it. Does the ratio of sand is the same as in aquarium, 1lb of sand to 1 gallon of water? How many plants to include? Last, what are the best fish to buy. Thank you so much.
th-cam.com/video/TjiciGldnkI/w-d-xo.html
Can u add sand to gravel if u have an under gravel filter ????
and does father fish have a discord or any other medium that we can really deep dive into problems and solving them on a personal basis?
Yes and it helped (and still) me so much!! discord.com/invite/WeHwVjxJND
I set up my tank using your method. , have rocks from the river and one piece of driftwood , , 8 gallon cube, one mystery snail, 1 beta and 3 small guppies. Tank is clear but tannin water. My ? Is a sheer film has covered the piece of driftwood …..what could be causing that?
Thanks so much!
Biofilm and it’s natural
I need help, i set up and new tank 2 days ago. The water is currently going through a bacteria bloom, should i run my airstone? Or do i keep it off until closer to the time of getting fish?
a sponge filter would help. WHY bacteria? Is something dead in the tank? Probably just dust not yet settled. Put a cou[le of fish i the tank now.
Just started a nano tank today using your soil/sand method. Added plenty or plants and floating plants too. Water is looking murky from the sand (I did rinse the sand many times), but it’s only been a day…how long should I wait before I should consider doing water changes? No fish have been added, but there are snails that hitched a ride on the plants.
It will clear. Give it time.
My mulm just sits on top. It doesn't get down below the sand unless I rake it.
add an inch of sand
Curious what the cons are of running sand on top of gravel? I've been doing it for the past month or so at your suggestion (2 inches of river gravel capped with 3 inches of sand) and it is working very well and my plants are doing just fine with the food my fish are providing them.
Long term, what are some issues I will run into as opposed to your standard 1 inch of soil underneath the sand?
Thank you again for your knowledge.
NONE> The gravel captures and holds detritus and the sand makes it possible to convert to soil
@@FatherFish That was my theory, glad to know it works. Already have the dead leaves but now I need to get some daphnia and other organisms to eat it.
Hoping to harbor the ideal cold water stream ecosystem.
FATHER FISH IS AMAZING!
could you do a video on what substrate to use
I have probably 50.
So I have a few questions if you could be so kind as to help me again. I am about to start two dirt sand tanks like you suggest, I am by creeks in the woods, the substrate there looks very sandy but it's not quite sand. Maybe some dirt and clay as well. Would this work as my sand or does it need to be pure sand? Also my second question is one tank already has fish in it, can I add sand with them in it or do i need to take them out?
The sand should be perfect. Do not pour it through water. Put it in before the water. To pour sand into the tank it most be clean,. If tere is clay it will turn the tank milky and may never clear up. Clean sand can be poured with fish in the tank No proble,
Thank you for your help!
Hi Father Fish. Will your plants survive the winter in Ireland?
Hi,father fish,is it ok too add extra sand to existing sand,while fish are in the tank,cheers
yes
Thankyou dear sir,cheers.
I want to add sand to my tank, should I remove fish and water first?
You mention adding dirt in aquarium. Will it be ok to buy from locval nursery? Pot soil? Or what would you sugest?
I did same..its works well
@Ashik rafi did you add general potting soil, used for household pot plants or something else?
I buy ALL my supplies at garden supply stores.
Hey Father Fish, you’re the best! I believe my new tank may have a bit of a brown algae overgrowth & so I’m wanting to try your advice for a carbon filter + sand, but the filter said on the box specifically not to use with sand. Should I go ahead & try the sand on the gravel anyway?? What do you think?
A HOB? It will not be able to suck up sand.
@@FatherFish awesome! Wow, thanks so much for the reply. I’ll go ahead & give that a go today 😁