Share this video with anyone you know who is new to the hobby. Bookmark it for later, to share when you meet more people who are new. Join our forum! forum.aquariumcoop.com 🌱 Buy aquarium plants & supplies at www.aquariumcoop.com
Amazing video!! Just bought a 40 gallon and planning to do a planted community tank. This is gonna be my first tank and I’m doing tons of research before I start anything. This video has probably been the most helpful thing I’ve seen this far! Thanks to you and the great people at your store, I’m feeling more and more confident!
This would have been SO helpful when I first started out. My family and I are super powered with ADHD and having the steps laid out with daily and weekly tasks would have slowed us down. Great video!
The Kasa timers are great, I put them on everything from the tank to nightlights to the lantern in the front yard. The don't have any of the quirks that other timers have and if the power goes out it remembers it's programming when it comes back on.
Got some floating plants like hornwort and guppy grass FOR FREE from my local landscaping and pet store. That really brought some LIFE into my aquarium before adding fish. Thanks for everything you local fish stores do!
Oh man! I wish I'd seen a video like this before I added fish, ended doing in fish cycle n it was torture!! Put my tank together n got fish n new nothing about cycling, seasoning, etc. Then when i needed a video to help me use a manual siphon, u were there! It helped soo much i ended up watching more of ur videos! U guys are awesome! If i have a need help question, or just curious about things im not using (co2, canister, etc) yall are quick to respond! Visiting the store n bringing my water to test, i swear i asked a million questions when id go in! Thank u soo much for being kind n gentle w us newbys! 😂
Great video! A couple notes based largely on what I’ve learned from you and others (and some experience): (1) I suggest getting an idea of which fish you want first. It helps determine tank set up. (2) Watch for fish behavior (‘flashing, sitting at the bottom, etc.)-it may indicate illness. Good luck!
man i wish there were more people like you in the hobby ive recently been trying to get into salt water and its been annoying trying to find someone whos knowledgeable without talking down on the audience and expecting them to spend 10k on a tank and gear when i know thats not the only way
I am currently doing your 4 week plan to cycling a tank on a 40 gallon and a 36 gallon. But I love the 60 days to a seasoned tank! Thank you for such great content!
Awesome video! I just set up my very first fish tank (20 gallon long w/ a few live plants) and am on day 3 of the process after researching what I wanted for 3 weeks. This video is super helpful as a timeline guide for someone as new as me! One request: It would be awesome if you factored in quarantine time as well! I want to avoid buying my fish from a big box store, but being so new to the hobby, I haven't found my "trusted local fish store" to start building trust with yet! Thank you again for everything you do for the hobby! I have learned so much from your channel, website articles, and forum!
Hi Cory! I think it would be really beneficial if you did another beginner series video going over full setup options from start to finish. Meaning: tank sizes/materials, substrate options, filter options, planted vs non, lights, chemicals, startup equipment essentials, foods, heating, etc. Maybe focus more on 20 gallon and below as most newcomers are more nano-tank size budget and options. Like a budget option setup, mid-level, and then more advanced, 5g/10g/20g or so - I know you individually have lots of videos on all of these topics, but having it wrapped up into 1 video would be really helpful for newcomers. Showing the actual setup options step by step would be really cool to see and helpful - thank you very much for all that you do, hope you had a Merry Christmas!!
I used to hyper-focus on all of this type of stuff as a beginner. As I set up more tanks I realized you don't really need all of this 'paranoia' and waiting time. It's really not necessary. My most successful tanks are the ones I waited 5 days on with adding seachem stability and then add the livestock day 6, all heavily planted. These tanks are the ones that I do waterchanges on once every 3 months or so. It likely depends on your local water I'd say overall, because it's like the less I worry about a tank the better the outcome.
I am going to name a snail Gary in honor of you Cory. I love watching your videos! I always end up giggling. Only problem is I only have ramshorn and pond snails. How do I tell which one is Gary? haha
I have a 55-gallon tank that's stocked with 12 different rainbow fish. 50 different tetras, 5 clown loaches. I'm looking for a new canister filter to combat the larger bio load in the tank. Was wondering how big of a canister filter would you recommend? Right now, I'm looking at the new sicce mega filtra that is rated to 150 gallon tank.
Gonna share a major fish saver for anyone using a hang on back or similar large intake pump... the slots in the intake tube are large enough for snails, shrimp, and fish fry to get pulled in and eviscerated. They sell sponge covers for them to help, but the cheapest way is to cut a piece of fish net material and hot glue to make a simple cover. It'll not only help prevent deaths but also keep the pump free from larger debris like leaf stems too
Wouldn’t it be great if the Big Box Stores Shared this Video with the absolute Beginner so they know how they can have Success and stay in the hobby! 👌
Hey cory love your videos your are very informative. I was wondering if i can use decorative rocks from out side? I have some neat looking ones in my backyard. And i clean them off and put them in my tanks?
Well there's a lot of different types of rocks. My official answer is, look up the type of rock, do the testing, and research online to see if aquarium safe. My unofficial answer is, give it a rinse under the tap and it'll most likely be fine in an aquarium. If you notice your water parameters change much over the next month, you may or may not like that and take it out. Most rocks around me are inert and not a problem when I've done it.
Hey Cory, that was a great Back to the Basic review. I was wondering if you have a current How to video on the Co-op Forum? I joined it last year and found people very friendly and trying to be helpful, but I found out my Forum user skills really are lacking. Maybe it would be a good topic for a discussion. Step-by-step from Forum set up to successfully using the tools and contributing to the group info pool. Thanks for giving it a consideration 😊 And Merry Christmas
Thank you! So while the tank is sitting with plants, are any water changes necessary? Do we need to add any source of ammonia like fish food periodically?
You don't. The fertilizer for the plants is the "fuel" the aquarium needs. Plants and algae will grow. In the absence of fertilizer, when you run out the fuel will be fish waste. So as long as you're fertilizing, the tank keeps pushing forward. Then you'll be adding fish and you'll have fertilizer and fish waste, but also have bigger plants.
Not really. technically they could have a chemical like copper they were using to treat a disease in the water. But this is a scenario that is unlikely to every play out. Instead they are likely to give you something from a thriving tank. Anything that comes with that, is likely something you want.
I'm round about day 90 of setting up twin 6 gal tanks same substrate, same hardscape, same everything and one is great clear water i have shrimp and snails going great and the other one is horrible, cloudy gross bad water, I only dare to put a couple snails in it. its amazing how different they are for being exactly the same.
Likely they are very similar, but our perception is very different of the two tanks. You could definitely post on the forums and we can see if there are some tweaks that can be done to get the one giving you problems closer to what you'd like.
If you're using the meds in the med trio, usually it doesn't wipe out all the bacteria. I can't speak for other medications. I suspect the tank would recovery from a majority of those as well, but I haven't tested that for 15 years straight. We use the med trio of meds every day in the store, and while some bacteria could die back, it's doesn't reset and have to start over.
Could have said a bit more on plant prep! Some times folks forget to take off the weights and other foreign material (rubberbands etc.) I made that mistake early on leaving sponge materials on. Otherwise absolutely love this video!
I could have, it would have made the video longer. And in my experience, plants can stay in the pot and continue to grow just fine. "bunches" of plants will rot, and that could have been explained. But I do believe if each thing was extrapolated, this is a 3 hour video. There are tricks to backgrounds, picking out a light, what to watch out for with hard scape, etc. Others have mentioned how to use meds, quarantine tanks, and more. The hobby itself is really hard to distill down to "essentials" when there are so many things that seem essential. It's a balance between will people watch a near 30 minute video, or just find something faster. Also they are encouraged to ask questions to our staff, or forum.
@AquariumCoop good point! I actually really liked how short and approachable this video was! Some of the longer videos you make I put on in the background while I do tank maintenance but this format was great! So see what you're saying to keep it to the essentials. I will probably come back to this as a "recipe" for my next build.
We only print labels at our store. With a label printer. Different colors based on local bred fish, or wholesaler fish. Different colors based on plant difficulty.
I would, if you have no local source, I'd ask on our forum, under the state you're in, to find another hobbyist, or your local facebook/club. Its not an absolute must do step. But I find it to be very helpful. I'm guessing someone will start selling "filter squeezins" at some point online if this method becomes more well known. Saltwater used to sell "miracle mud". You likely could get someone to ship you some from our forum as well for the cost of shipping if needed.
According to the test strips, I have no nitrates, nitrites or ammonia. PH is high. I have 4 plants, 3 ember tetras and 1 betta. Lots of algae Ugg! The tank is a year old.
I hear ya, I love having a local fish store. I encourage people to go out of their way to support theirs. They are our best tool for growing the hobby.
I have a 15 gallon heavily planted low tech dirted tank that's been running for 4 yrs and all the fish i put there are on best health after a week in that tank i only get die off becaus of old age.
The mess of filter gravy all over everything always irritates me, so now if i do it I stick the filter gravy in a bucket of tank water and stick the filter im using in there, when the waters clear of gunk put the filter in the aquarium. No more dusty tank 🙂
That works for innoculating the filter, but doesn’t provide the jump start for the gravel. Especially if you are adding things like shrimp. By all means, season to taste, lots of personal taste in the recipe of aquariums :)
I could see that. Definitely could be a video around that as well. Would have to explain some things like what if they got. nymph in there and really explain why it looks so "bad" if there is tannins and such and how it could be beneficial.
Another excellent educational video Cory, thanks. You did not mention the option of using FritzZyme 7 Live Bacteria or better yet Fritz's turbostart 700 vs "dirty water" - and special reason why? While expensive, I swear by Fritz's turbostart. Thanks again.
I second this… it used to be an option. 4 payments, one every two weeks. Makes it a lot easier to spend that $100 I want to spend without a $100 charge to explain to my darling husband 😊❤
@@amayanutI literally just placed an order and that was definitely an option. Don't know if they fixed something or was always there, but.... It's there right this second 👍
Share this video with anyone you know who is new to the hobby. Bookmark it for later, to share when you meet more people who are new.
Join our forum! forum.aquariumcoop.com
🌱 Buy aquarium plants & supplies at www.aquariumcoop.com
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subscribe!!
Cory, that was so comprehensive, what a different hobby this would be if all new aquarists could see this video!
Amazing video!! Just bought a 40 gallon and planning to do a planted community tank. This is gonna be my first tank and I’m doing tons of research before I start anything. This video has probably been the most helpful thing I’ve seen this far! Thanks to you and the great people at your store, I’m feeling more and more confident!
Good luck! Don't be discouraged by some algae, you'll get there.
If only I had this info when I first started having aquariums as a kid over 50 years ago! Haha! Having patience is a key element of it all.
This would have been SO helpful when I first started out. My family and I are super powered with ADHD and having the steps laid out with daily and weekly tasks would have slowed us down. Great video!
Love that you see ADHD as a super power!
Perfect video for any hobbyist looking for answer when they are first setting up a tank
The Kasa timers are great, I put them on everything from the tank to nightlights to the lantern in the front yard. The don't have any of the quirks that other timers have and if the power goes out it remembers it's programming when it comes back on.
This is exactly the kind of information I've been looking for! Thank you!!!
Let it marinate is basically the best advice out there. Embrace the ugly stage, it means it's working!
Got some floating plants like hornwort and guppy grass FOR FREE from my local landscaping and pet store. That really brought some LIFE into my aquarium before adding fish. Thanks for everything you local fish stores do!
Oh man! I wish I'd seen a video like this before I added fish, ended doing in fish cycle n it was torture!! Put my tank together n got fish n new nothing about cycling, seasoning, etc. Then when i needed a video to help me use a manual siphon, u were there! It helped soo much i ended up watching more of ur videos! U guys are awesome! If i have a need help question, or just curious about things im not using (co2, canister, etc) yall are quick to respond! Visiting the store n bringing my water to test, i swear i asked a million questions when id go in! Thank u soo much for being kind n gentle w us newbys! 😂
Great video! A couple notes based largely on what I’ve learned from you and others (and some experience): (1) I suggest getting an idea of which fish you want first. It helps determine tank set up. (2) Watch for fish behavior (‘flashing, sitting at the bottom, etc.)-it may indicate illness. Good luck!
i loveeee videos like this. the basics 🙏🏻
Good information as usual. You are technically a guru of the aquatic industry 👍
man i wish there were more people like you in the hobby ive recently been trying to get into salt water and its been annoying trying to find someone whos knowledgeable without talking down on the audience and expecting them to spend 10k on a tank and gear when i know thats not the only way
We're all in this together, thats one of my favorite part of connecting with other fish keepers and channels. Nice one 👍
Well said, the next person you meet might be breeding that fish or plant you want. Or perhaps you're breeding that fish or plant they want ;)
Thank you for what you do and your love for the hobby. Awesome video with great information. Definitely a great video for beginners.
I am currently doing your 4 week plan to cycling a tank on a 40 gallon and a 36 gallon. But I love the 60 days to a seasoned tank! Thank you for such great content!
Really awesome video! I love your content. It’s all very informative and filled with tons of knowledge for beginners and seasoned hobbyists.
This video is awesome 😎 I could name this “aka notes to my former self” 😅
Awesome video! I just set up my very first fish tank (20 gallon long w/ a few live plants) and am on day 3 of the process after researching what I wanted for 3 weeks. This video is super helpful as a timeline guide for someone as new as me!
One request: It would be awesome if you factored in quarantine time as well! I want to avoid buying my fish from a big box store, but being so new to the hobby, I haven't found my "trusted local fish store" to start building trust with yet!
Thank you again for everything you do for the hobby! I have learned so much from your channel, website articles, and forum!
Awesome and timely video for me. Currently setting up new 40 breeder tank and got my 1st live plants from ACO yesterday! Thanks so much!
Really enjoyed this video.
I love this!! Wonderful video very detailed.
Hi Cory!
I think it would be really beneficial if you did another beginner series video going over full setup options from start to finish. Meaning: tank sizes/materials, substrate options, filter options, planted vs non, lights, chemicals, startup equipment essentials, foods, heating, etc. Maybe focus more on 20 gallon and below as most newcomers are more nano-tank size budget and options. Like a budget option setup, mid-level, and then more advanced, 5g/10g/20g or so - I know you individually have lots of videos on all of these topics, but having it wrapped up into 1 video would be really helpful for newcomers. Showing the actual setup options step by step would be really cool to see and helpful - thank you very much for all that you do, hope you had a Merry Christmas!!
This is a amazing video!
I used to hyper-focus on all of this type of stuff as a beginner. As I set up more tanks I realized you don't really need all of this 'paranoia' and waiting time. It's really not necessary. My most successful tanks are the ones I waited 5 days on with adding seachem stability and then add the livestock day 6, all heavily planted. These tanks are the ones that I do waterchanges on once every 3 months or so.
It likely depends on your local water I'd say overall, because it's like the less I worry about a tank the better the outcome.
Awesome. Thanks for the video.
Great advice for beginner
Excellent advice
Great information 👍
I too like using black backgrounds.
Great info on the process and the long cycle... Long proper cycle .. slow and steady wins the race lol
I am going to name a snail Gary in honor of you Cory. I love watching your videos! I always end up giggling. Only problem is I only have ramshorn and pond snails. How do I tell which one is Gary? haha
Great tips
hey cory! could i add shrimp at the same time as the snails or should i wait until the fish go in?
I have a 55-gallon tank that's stocked with 12 different rainbow fish. 50 different tetras, 5 clown loaches. I'm looking for a new canister filter to combat the larger bio load in the tank. Was wondering how big of a canister filter would you recommend? Right now, I'm looking at the new sicce mega filtra that is rated to 150 gallon tank.
Hi Cory!🎉
Gonna share a major fish saver for anyone using a hang on back or similar large intake pump... the slots in the intake tube are large enough for snails, shrimp, and fish fry to get pulled in and eviscerated. They sell sponge covers for them to help, but the cheapest way is to cut a piece of fish net material and hot glue to make a simple cover. It'll not only help prevent deaths but also keep the pump free from larger debris like leaf stems too
Many already come with a sponge on the intake tube for that very purpose. I will say they quickly get clogged.
Wouldn’t it be great if the Big Box Stores Shared this Video with the absolute Beginner so they know how they can have Success and stay in the hobby! 👌
This guy taught me to not use a heater in a tropical tank. Legend.
Hey cory love your videos your are very informative. I was wondering if i can use decorative rocks from out side? I have some neat looking ones in my backyard. And i clean them off and put them in my tanks?
Well there's a lot of different types of rocks. My official answer is, look up the type of rock, do the testing, and research online to see if aquarium safe. My unofficial answer is, give it a rinse under the tap and it'll most likely be fine in an aquarium. If you notice your water parameters change much over the next month, you may or may not like that and take it out. Most rocks around me are inert and not a problem when I've done it.
@AquariumCoop ok awesome thanks so much realy appreciate it!!
Cool video
Would it be possible to add the timeline breakdown in the description? 😊
Hey Cory, that was a great Back to the Basic review.
I was wondering if you have a current How to video on the Co-op Forum?
I joined it last year and found people very friendly and trying to be helpful, but I found out my Forum user skills really are lacking.
Maybe it would be a good topic for a discussion. Step-by-step from Forum set up to successfully using the tools and contributing to the group info pool.
Thanks for giving it a consideration 😊
And Merry Christmas
I don't currently have that. But I'll see if I can make something happen in the next month or so as it'll probably be a good resource to have.
@AquariumCoop Thank you 😊
Looking forward to it.
Thank you! So while the tank is sitting with plants, are any water changes necessary? Do we need to add any source of ammonia like fish food periodically?
You don't. The fertilizer for the plants is the "fuel" the aquarium needs. Plants and algae will grow. In the absence of fertilizer, when you run out the fuel will be fish waste. So as long as you're fertilizing, the tank keeps pushing forward. Then you'll be adding fish and you'll have fertilizer and fish waste, but also have bigger plants.
@@AquariumCoop Got it thank you! So no ammonia source or water changes are needed so long as I'm putting in fertilizer. Makes sense.
If I add mucky water from the fish store am I running the chance of adding something that could damage the tank, plants, and or fish?
Not really. technically they could have a chemical like copper they were using to treat a disease in the water. But this is a scenario that is unlikely to every play out. Instead they are likely to give you something from a thriving tank. Anything that comes with that, is likely something you want.
Newby here, do I need to quarantine the second add of the 6 new fish in week 7-8 first?
If you have a quarantine tank, sure! It’s a best practice. Not everyone had an extra tank though
I'm round about day 90 of setting up twin 6 gal tanks same substrate, same hardscape, same everything and one is great clear water i have shrimp and snails going great and the other one is horrible, cloudy gross bad water, I only dare to put a couple snails in it. its amazing how different they are for being exactly the same.
Likely they are very similar, but our perception is very different of the two tanks. You could definitely post on the forums and we can see if there are some tweaks that can be done to get the one giving you problems closer to what you'd like.
Let it marinate is now stuck in my head 😂
Is a 2 gallon aquarium too small for a few white cloud mountain minnows?
It's usually not recommended to keep any fish in a tank smaller than 5 gallons
Can i add seachem prime to water when i add it to eco complete planted substrate?
Yes, seachem prime is a dechlorinator. You'll add a dechlorinator any time you add water to the tank unless you're on a well without chlorine.
Hi, what is the lighting you were using on the app on your phone?
I use Kasa wifi timers. www.aquariumcoop.com/products/kasa-wifi-light-timer?_pos=1&_sid=26b180ec0&_ss=r
If I use medication for example fin rot medication which include stuff like formaldehyde does it mean I'm wiping out my beneficial bacteria?
If you're using the meds in the med trio, usually it doesn't wipe out all the bacteria. I can't speak for other medications. I suspect the tank would recovery from a majority of those as well, but I haven't tested that for 15 years straight. We use the med trio of meds every day in the store, and while some bacteria could die back, it's doesn't reset and have to start over.
Could have said a bit more on plant prep! Some times folks forget to take off the weights and other foreign material (rubberbands etc.) I made that mistake early on leaving sponge materials on. Otherwise absolutely love this video!
I could have, it would have made the video longer. And in my experience, plants can stay in the pot and continue to grow just fine. "bunches" of plants will rot, and that could have been explained. But I do believe if each thing was extrapolated, this is a 3 hour video. There are tricks to backgrounds, picking out a light, what to watch out for with hard scape, etc. Others have mentioned how to use meds, quarantine tanks, and more. The hobby itself is really hard to distill down to "essentials" when there are so many things that seem essential. It's a balance between will people watch a near 30 minute video, or just find something faster. Also they are encouraged to ask questions to our staff, or forum.
@AquariumCoop good point! I actually really liked how short and approachable this video was! Some of the longer videos you make I put on in the background while I do tank maintenance but this format was great! So see what you're saying to keep it to the essentials. I will probably come back to this as a "recipe" for my next build.
Hi what’s the markers you use on the tanks to price em
We only print labels at our store. With a label printer. Different colors based on local bred fish, or wholesaler fish. Different colors based on plant difficulty.
I dont't have a local fish store to get dirty water from or no anybody that has aquariums. Should I still follow these steps for starting a new tank?
I would, if you have no local source, I'd ask on our forum, under the state you're in, to find another hobbyist, or your local facebook/club. Its not an absolute must do step. But I find it to be very helpful. I'm guessing someone will start selling "filter squeezins" at some point online if this method becomes more well known. Saltwater used to sell "miracle mud". You likely could get someone to ship you some from our forum as well for the cost of shipping if needed.
@@AquariumCoop Thank you so much for the information.
Nice
According to the test strips, I have no nitrates, nitrites or ammonia. PH is high. I have 4 plants, 3 ember tetras and 1 betta. Lots of algae Ugg! The tank is a year old.
Can i open the root tabs and put right into tank rather than put into substrate?
I wouldn’t. You may just end up with green water.
Wish I actually had a local fish store!
I hear ya, I love having a local fish store. I encourage people to go out of their way to support theirs. They are our best tool for growing the hobby.
❤❤❤❤❤
Whats the harm in introducing some ammonia right off the bat to establish the beneficial bacteria?
I thought a seasoned aquarium was one you've added aquarium salt to 😅🧂😂 happy holidays
👍🏻👍🏻
Please subscribe!!
I have a 15 gallon heavily planted low tech dirted tank that's been running for 4 yrs and all the fish i put there are on best health after a week in that tank i only get die off becaus of old age.
i am def a 60 minute, ADD THE FISH !!!
The mess of filter gravy all over everything always irritates me, so now if i do it I stick the filter gravy in a bucket of tank water and stick the filter im using in there, when the waters clear of gunk put the filter in the aquarium. No more dusty tank 🙂
That works for innoculating the filter, but doesn’t provide the jump start for the gravel. Especially if you are adding things like shrimp. By all means, season to taste, lots of personal taste in the recipe of aquariums :)
@@kymcosuper9polarbear62could you provide some context with your blanket statement?
Day 60 for mine tomorrow 🎉
Vhy put put ligth on before water!!
Resurrection jars/buckets/containers really speed this up
I could see that. Definitely could be a video around that as well. Would have to explain some things like what if they got. nymph in there and really explain why it looks so "bad" if there is tannins and such and how it could be beneficial.
Another excellent educational video Cory, thanks. You did not mention the option of using FritzZyme 7 Live Bacteria or better yet Fritz's turbostart 700 vs "dirty water" - and special reason why? While expensive, I swear by Fritz's turbostart. Thanks again.
guilty of sticking my hand in freezing water!
Please bring PayPal pay in 4 back Cory. 🙏
is this the paypal 4 payments option? I don't think we've gotten rid of it. but I can look into it.
I second this… it used to be an option. 4 payments, one every two weeks. Makes it a lot easier to spend that $100 I want to spend without a $100 charge to explain to my darling husband 😊❤
@@amayanutI literally just placed an order and that was definitely an option. Don't know if they fixed something or was always there, but.... It's there right this second 👍
@ !!! I shall try!!
I literally use the pay in four option monthly 🎉 I’ve never seen it gone away
Has anyone told you that you look like Rob McElhenney?
Hadn't heard that one yet, have seen Andy from the office a few times.
@ i forgot who andy was, its been a long time since I saw that, but always sunny was one I watched more times than i can count
Videolarınızda neden bir Türkçe alt Yazı seçeneği bulunmaz anlamıyorum yoksa izlememizi istemiyormusunuz ?
Hey a video that isn't 2 hours long
Instant thumbs down for the 3 ads before the video, and then 4 more throughout. Nope.
If you don't like commercials why don't you pay for premium TH-cam?