THINGS I WISH I KNEW EARLIER ABOUT ALGAE: I fully agree with the points raised here. I have a 200 litre mid range / budget planted aquarium with a soil base. I use Liquid Carbon instead of a co2 bottle. You can get 2.5 litre bottles of it from ebay for like £20 and thats about 7 years supply! The hardest thing about a planted aquarium in soil is fighting algae / bacteria on plants as they grow. My advice is to start an aquarium on cheap hardy plants for the first 6 months. Things like like java fern, anubias to attach to rocks if you want to give height. Also I have two really good tips for combating algea and even worse "green slime" algae... When you first set up a planted tank with fertile soil, excess neutrients in the water and it makes algae grow. The best / cheapest thing to help with this I found was to get A TON of fast growing plants to suck up the neutrients between regular 40% water changes. My favourite plant for doing this is Hygrophila Polysperma which is easy to find online or in shops. It grows super fast which enables you to you to cut it back every 7 days and re-plant the cuttings to make more for free! After 4 weeks you can have an aquarium filled with this stuff and it helps you keep control of algae. You can always remove it to make space once the aquarium starts to mature (maybe after 6 months or so). The key is patience and regular maintanance / water changes. Also keeping a "clean up crew" of fish like corydoras catfish, flying fox, and yoyo loaches is an absolute must for me. My best ever tip is: If you have a problem with "green slime algae" (which is actually cyanobacteria) use "Ultralife Blue Green Slime Stain Remover" I took me 10 years in the hobby to find it but it works REALLY WELL and I lost 0 fish when I used it.
DUUUUUUUDE how many pots of coffee have you drank today??? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 very informative video if you don't mind getting dizzy af🤣🤣.. But seriously great video
I have several 10-gallon tanks, all planted. I recently converted one of them to flora max substrate, and I bought these bulb plants from PetsMart. I now have a complete jungle, and I love it.
Great video! Thank you for covering so much information so completely without droning on and on. I got just what I needed to know without getting bored.
Laikin check for fishrooms that run a business out of their homes. You can often get a far better deal that way. I can by plants from my guy at at least a 50% savings, sometimes more.
False, you just need knowledge. He said if you pick low demanding plants you don't need special lights. In fact, you can get even just put at a window without a light. Then you can use topsoil with a full capped gravel covering it so the soil doesn't seep out into the water.
Swear. St judes sells led light bulbs every year for 5 buck a pop, no one actually sells them i buy them at 50 cents on clearance they are good and actually are a higher, but not too high, watt for an LED! They look green but that light up very yellow. Works fine for me!
Good to know. Ive had a fresh water tank for about 3 years. Just bought fluval 3.0. gona start with some easy to grow plants and dose excel and see how it goes.
Thank you so much. I quit smoking three months ago and fish and plants are my new hobby. I put three aquariums to use and I'm clueless. This helped so much.
Great video. I feel better now about my tank. It’s only been planted for a month and I see new growth it’s just not fast. I would love a video on quality co2 setups as I’d like to build one for my tank.
Hey Justin! Great video! I really like all the plants you’ve got, especially those red ones. I’ve just set up a planted tank and I’m going to set up another one soon. One on LED’s and one on T5 :) both with Co2
I FINALLY subscribed... Thanks a lot for the amount of information provided brother. I saw the other videos about non aquatic plants sold by petco... Yeah, I bought a patch of "Mondo grass" for $2.55 w/o thinking & having more info on it. Question is... I set up a soil planted tank with mondo grass by far. Just working towards a tank w/ less maintenance w/o Co2, filter and low led light. I bought a tetra 3 gallon tank from the Goodwill w/the concept of "The Giving Tree." What 3 to 5 plants or how many can I have, to coexist w/ a betta. Thank you so much!
Found you from King of DYI and look forward to buying some plants from you real soon, nice selection with fair prices an shipping. Question, do you ever do dirt based systems, that is all I keep so I don't need Co2, I am looking for ideas to change my lighting setups on the 20 plus tanks I keep since many are going into the 25 year old range or older with some of them.
Informative video. I have had my planted tank for a while which has swords, tiger lotus, and s.repens. I have 2 good led lights, i have a fluval stratum as substrate and i fertilise the tank with the micro and macro nutrients however the plants just seem to be taking off. The s.repens arent growing tall for me to harvest and redistribute. Do you have any other suggestions please? Do you think i have too much light? Thanks
I've got the Fluval Plant 2.0 LED on my tank and love the results, and also tried DIY CO2 without any positive things to say about it either, excellent video for people with or planning planted tanks.
Great vid here Thanks for you time. By the way, this is great for not damaging your plants when doing water changes...Save-a-Fishy syphon cap by Mermaid & Pirate Aquarium Supply on amazon or on line...
I have recently brought a fluval m90 so obviously got the fluval 2.0 marine and reef light with it QUESTION IS would this still be a adequate lighting for a planted tank or should I chance it out for the fluval 2.0/3.0 plant led lighting ?? Many thanks thanks for all the information keep up the great videos dude 👌🏻👍🏻
Nice video , 1 question led do come with watts rate , what r watts of ur led light , I know u can't mention all ur leds watt but an average ! ?. Thanks
I made the mistake of using ordinary aquarium gravel in my 10 gallon, and I'm worried that the Banana Plant and Amazon Sword I put in there won't thrive. I'm wondering if I could move those plants into some sort of planter (filled with Fluval Plant & Shrimp) to create an isolated spot where they'll grow well, so that I don't have to replace all of the gravel? Or could I gradually swap out the gravel, a little at a time?
I saw on your Finnex light, it was raised up off the tank. How did you make the risers? Or where do you buy them? I need to raise my Finnex Fuge Ray2 up a little. I think it's a little too intense for my 5 gallon tank.
What is a good light timer? I bought a highly rated one from amazon but it makes my lights buzz really loudly and it irritates the fish and gives me a headache. I can’t really turn the lights on and off myself because of shift work.
given what you say about co2, im wondering if my situation would warrant a first attempt at dosing it. To keep it short, im simply trying to get my plants to jungle up so that i can provide more plant cover for any potential babies im expecting from my livebearers/shrimp, would this be a good reason to try dosing co2?
Lots of great information here! Thanks. You advised not to use black diamond sand or eco-complete with Cory cats. I want a planted tank with Cory cats. What would you recommend for substrate?
DYI C02 on tanks 20gallons or smaller are tailormade for it. Use jello, yeast & sugar & youll get 3-4 solid weeks. No more waiting to have a pressurized c02 tank refilled & costs involved, priceless.
Hi. I have a 37 gallon tall tank. It’s about 3’ bottom to top. I have had live plants for a few years but really struggle getting them to grow (or even stay alive sometimes). What light would you recommend for such a deep tank? (I am a very poor college student so budget friendly is a must)
I'm using your Vital X. I've heard that you need 1 drop per 2 gallons every other day. Agree? It says 1 pump per 10 gallons, but I'm running a Fluval Spec 2.6 gallon aquarium. I'm using co2
Learn how to grow plants without c02 and fertz, then move your way up. My worst battle when i started plants was just patience, and letting things come back. I must say its taught me how to leave things alone, and not all problems require a human being to intervene.
which light would you suggest for a 40 gallon breeder no CO2 set up with stem plants like ludwigia, rotala , cabomba , hygrophila , Telanthera and plants like anubias and java ferns.. would something like finnex planted + 24/7 HLC do the trick , please suggest whichever you think is better
What is your opinion about adding liquid co2 ( easylifecarbo) against a full set up co2 installation? I am consistently adding the liquid carbo,I think it works well but is it the same in the end?
Hello - I’m setting up a 170 gallon heavily planted (hopefully) community freshwater tank. The dimensions of the tank are 74 x 28.5 x 18. Do you have a recommendation for a good strong LED light? I used to breed African cichlids so this is really my first attempt at a heavily planted tank. I will have bottom dwelling fish so I have done the bottom with a good layer of Fluval plant stratum covered by some medium rocky gravel. Thanks, Mike
Removed Acorus..the hot window sun had sort of blanched it. Lemon grass did TOO well and was sending roots into the filter of my original design. I have replaced both with a Syngonium I had in the backyard and its done perfect..very dark green leaves,thick growth and looks tropical. Hot and dry window sun is fine for it..as long as those roots are in water.
I added Lemon Grass to my tank. You might try hydro style growing of plants to eat with underwater plants for looks. I might try Basil next..as the Angelfish swim in its roots. Why not?
I’m new to aquariums. If you are not growing anything exotic, can’t you just put it near a window and use natural light? Saves space and electricity and no worry about forgetting to turn it off at night (unless you live in Arctic Circle). Please answer if you have time, this is a real question.
Direct sunlight is norm avoided in aquariums because the light colour propagates algae growth in eutrophic water (which aquarium water almost always is). The other problem is that the sunlight can heat up smaller tanks too strong. Heavily planted low-tech tanks with emerse plants can deal better with direct sunlight.
I'm thinking off adding some real plants to my 125L freshwater tank. Am still fairly new to keeping fish so excuse my question if it appears stupid. If I put plants in how do I keep the gravel clean. Do I just siphon around the base of it... also do I remove the pots before I put them in the gravel. Do I have t use substrate??
Hi justin love your channel. I'm in the market for a new light for my 20 long planted. Would you prefer the fluval planted 3.0 or the finnex 24-7 cc? Would like to try a carpet plant. Currently have a finnex stingray. Nice but just looking for something a bit brighter. Any info I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
Very helpful video. But omg the camera shaking was making me dizzy. I had to look away and listen to most of what you said. Though i am very glad to get some info to help me with my current tank set up
Great video. Just have some questions - how long should the lights be on?, if you are running a tank with all low light / slow growing plants is a very high light (at full power) bad for the tank balance?
Light is up to you if it very strong 8 hours enough, but strong light gives you algae which is not good. Your substrate have to breath, so send is not a good staff for it, many plants will collapse after spoiling roots.
That ceiling is an electrician’s nightmare and a fireman’s dream lol. Loving your videos though!
Thats the first thing i noticed too ⚡
THINGS I WISH I KNEW EARLIER ABOUT ALGAE:
I fully agree with the points raised here. I have a 200 litre mid range /
budget planted aquarium with a soil base. I use Liquid Carbon instead
of a co2 bottle. You can get 2.5 litre bottles of it from ebay for like
£20 and thats about 7 years supply! The hardest thing about a planted
aquarium in soil is fighting algae / bacteria on plants as they grow. My
advice is to start an aquarium on cheap hardy plants for the first 6
months. Things like like java fern, anubias to attach to rocks if you
want to give height. Also I have two really good tips for combating
algea and even worse "green slime" algae...
When you first set up a planted tank with fertile soil, excess
neutrients in the water and it makes algae grow. The best / cheapest
thing to help with this I found was to get A TON of fast growing plants
to suck up the neutrients between regular 40% water changes. My
favourite plant for doing this is Hygrophila Polysperma which is easy to
find online or in shops. It grows super fast which enables you to you
to cut it back every 7 days and re-plant the cuttings to make more for
free! After 4 weeks you can have an aquarium filled with this stuff and
it helps you keep control of algae. You can always remove it to make
space once the aquarium starts to mature (maybe after 6 months or so).
The key is patience and regular maintanance / water changes. Also
keeping a "clean up crew" of fish like corydoras catfish, flying fox,
and yoyo loaches is an absolute must for me.
My best ever tip is: If you have a problem with "green slime algae"
(which is actually cyanobacteria) use "Ultralife Blue Green Slime Stain
Remover" I took me 10 years in the hobby to find it but it works REALLY
WELL and I lost 0 fish when I used it.
DUUUUUUUDE how many pots of coffee have you drank today??? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 very informative video if you don't mind getting dizzy af🤣🤣.. But seriously great video
:) yeah I can't keep up with him an I've had 3 cups of coffee with extra caffeine :)
WAY more than 3 tips......BUT, a great source of information!!!!. This guy knows his stuff!!
I have several 10-gallon tanks, all planted. I recently converted one of them to flora max substrate, and I bought these bulb plants from PetsMart. I now have a complete jungle, and I love it.
Great video! Thank you for covering so much information so completely without droning on and on. I got just what I needed to know without getting bored.
Number one thing you need to have a successful planted tank: Money
* sobs *
Laikin check for fishrooms that run a business out of their homes. You can often get a far better deal that way. I can by plants from my guy at at least a 50% savings, sometimes more.
No its not if you use dirt in your tank and a couple of cheep garden LED flood lights.
False, you just need knowledge. He said if you pick low demanding plants you don't need special lights. In fact, you can get even just put at a window without a light.
Then you can use topsoil with a full capped gravel covering it so the soil doesn't seep out into the water.
Swear. St judes sells led light bulbs every year for 5 buck a pop, no one actually sells them i buy them at 50 cents on clearance they are good and actually are a higher, but not too high, watt for an LED! They look green but that light up very yellow. Works fine for me!
just plant a hornwort lol
This is a great vid on planted tanks. Thanks for the time and info.
Good to know. Ive had a fresh water tank for about 3 years. Just bought fluval 3.0. gona start with some easy to grow plants and dose excel and see how it goes.
Awesome! Thanks for all the info. Love you’re take on growing plants!!!
Just found your channel. Great info and easy to follow. Thank you. Im going to check out your other videos.
Thanks for sharing, very informative. I tend to keep undemanding plants because I don't have good enough lighting for the deep tanks that I have.
Thank you so much. I quit smoking three months ago and fish and plants are my new hobby. I put three aquariums to use and I'm clueless. This helped so much.
same here. Im just realising its cheaper to smoke lol
I'm still dizzy and all I got was led is energy efficient lighting compared to Florence
DUDE...STAND STILL!!!
I love the way you said dennerle made my day.
Great video. I feel better now about my tank. It’s only been planted for a month and I see new growth it’s just not fast. I would love a video on quality co2 setups as I’d like to build one for my tank.
Hey Justin! Great video! I really like all the plants you’ve got, especially those red ones. I’ve just set up a planted tank and I’m going to set up another one soon. One on LED’s and one on T5 :) both with Co2
Finally a video above lightning. Thank you.
This cat obviously knows his stuff. Makes me question my diy citric acid/baking soda setup. :) great video!
Great video! Very informative! Thanks!!!
Great video. Love the energy 👊😁🖐
thanks for the video, your tanks are awesome...
Great information. Thanks for the video.
Best 18 minutes Top 3 list ever!
I love that you don't mind mentioning other fertilizer products, most business owners wouldn't do that!
Alot of good info! Thanks
Shouldn’t have watched this at bedtime....I feel hyped 😥
Didn’t watch, just listened - motion sickness.
great vid, i was getting distracted by your short but fast and loud gasps of air while you were talking
I FINALLY subscribed... Thanks a lot for the amount of information provided brother. I saw the other videos about non aquatic plants sold by petco... Yeah, I bought a patch of "Mondo grass" for $2.55 w/o thinking & having more info on it. Question is... I set up a soil planted tank with mondo grass by far. Just working towards a tank w/ less maintenance w/o Co2, filter and low led light. I bought a tetra 3 gallon tank from the Goodwill w/the concept of "The Giving Tree." What 3 to 5 plants or how many can I have, to coexist w/ a betta. Thank you so much!
A great video packed full of good information
Watching while I’m planting our new UNS 40C lol love it but now I want more plants 🌱 Aloha
Awesome video! Thanks!
Found you from King of DYI and look forward to buying some plants from you real soon, nice selection with fair prices an shipping. Question, do you ever do dirt based systems, that is all I keep so I don't need Co2, I am looking for ideas to change my lighting setups on the 20 plus tanks I keep since many are going into the 25 year old range or older with some of them.
This guy knows his stuff
Informative video. I have had my planted tank for a while which has swords, tiger lotus, and s.repens. I have 2 good led lights, i have a fluval stratum as substrate and i fertilise the tank with the micro and macro nutrients however the plants just seem to be taking off. The s.repens arent growing tall for me to harvest and redistribute. Do you have any other suggestions please? Do you think i have too much light? Thanks
Very helpful!!!!
Great content
Plant Talk............deeply satisfying :)
I've got the Fluval Plant 2.0 LED on my tank and love the results, and also tried DIY CO2 without any positive things to say about it either, excellent video for people with or planning planted tanks.
New subscriber 👋 great informative video. thank you :)
Great vid here Thanks for you time. By the way, this is great for not damaging your plants when doing water changes...Save-a-Fishy syphon cap by Mermaid & Pirate Aquarium Supply on amazon or on line...
For cheap good LED light use garden flood lights.
The red clay substrate is used for discus planted tanks. Because it is more likely for discus to develop black powder with black sand and background.
Very helpful thanks =]
I have recently brought a fluval m90 so obviously got the fluval 2.0 marine and reef light with it QUESTION IS would this still be a adequate lighting for a planted tank or should I chance it out for the fluval 2.0/3.0 plant led lighting ?? Many thanks thanks for all the information keep up the great videos dude 👌🏻👍🏻
Nice video , 1 question led do come with watts rate , what r watts of ur led light , I know u can't mention all ur leds watt but an average ! ?. Thanks
I love the hype!
I made the mistake of using ordinary aquarium gravel in my 10 gallon, and I'm worried that the Banana Plant and Amazon Sword I put in there won't thrive. I'm wondering if I could move those plants into some sort of planter (filled with Fluval Plant & Shrimp) to create an isolated spot where they'll grow well, so that I don't have to replace all of the gravel? Or could I gradually swap out the gravel, a little at a time?
how long do I need to light my tank
I love the iquatics double and if you could do a review and see what it would grow
The Fluval Flex has an add-on option to double the LED output.. Do you recommend it for growing plants?
How do you feel about liquid co2?
Niceeeee aquariums! Now, I have a 38 gallon to get started on a planted tank. It'll be low/medium plants. What wattage in led do I need please?
Curious, have him used the Fluval 3.0 for planter tanks? How does it compare to the 2.0 in your experience? Great video!
What kind of finnex was that? I have a finnex 24/7 planted+ so wondering if thats enough.
I saw on your Finnex light, it was raised up off the tank. How did you make the risers? Or where do you buy them? I need to raise my Finnex Fuge Ray2 up a little. I think it's a little too intense for my 5 gallon tank.
What is a good light timer? I bought a highly rated one from amazon but it makes my lights buzz really loudly and it irritates the fish and gives me a headache. I can’t really turn the lights on and off myself because of shift work.
Good informative
Cool vid, but please slow down a bit. Was so quick fire I had trouble keeping up. Otherwise keep up the awesome work dude!
given what you say about co2, im wondering if my situation would warrant a first attempt at dosing it. To keep it short, im simply trying to get my plants to jungle up so that i can provide more plant cover for any potential babies im expecting from my livebearers/shrimp, would this be a good reason to try dosing co2?
Hi I have just play sand in my tank, I want to put plants in, which plants do you suggest?
Lots of great information here! Thanks. You advised not to use black diamond sand or eco-complete with Cory cats. I want a planted tank with Cory cats. What would you recommend for substrate?
Dirt
DYI C02 on tanks 20gallons or smaller are tailormade for it.
Use jello, yeast & sugar & youll get 3-4 solid weeks. No more waiting to have a pressurized c02 tank refilled & costs involved, priceless.
Great job' answered all my Questions, Honest knowledge! but you go to slow it down a bit keep it steady. ;).
I’m trying the ZETlight it’s water proof high light and cheap I saw them in Singapore
What happened to the super strong light that is going to blow all the other lights out?
can you guide in DIY led lights as they are very very expensive to purchase? would appreciate if you could...
Hi. I have a 37 gallon tall tank. It’s about 3’ bottom to top. I have had live plants for a few years but really struggle getting them to grow (or even stay alive sometimes). What light would you recommend for such a deep tank? (I am a very poor college student so budget friendly is a must)
If I construct a plexiglass lid for my 10 gallon grow tank, would it be ok to use it so I can use a better quality light like a hygger or others?
How many hours do you leave your lights on for?
I'm using your Vital X. I've heard that you need 1 drop per 2 gallons every other day. Agree? It says 1 pump per 10 gallons, but I'm running a Fluval Spec 2.6 gallon aquarium. I'm using co2
Learn how to grow plants without c02 and fertz, then move your way up. My worst battle when i started plants was just patience, and letting things come back. I must say its taught me how to leave things alone, and not all problems require a human being to intervene.
which light would you suggest for a 40 gallon breeder no CO2 set up with stem plants like ludwigia, rotala , cabomba , hygrophila , Telanthera and plants like anubias and java ferns.. would something like finnex planted + 24/7 HLC do the trick , please suggest whichever you think is better
What is your opinion about adding liquid co2 ( easylifecarbo) against a full set up co2 installation? I am consistently adding the liquid carbo,I think it works well but is it the same in the end?
H2O Plants please make a video on why not to use liquid Co2. I never know if I should use it on my plants. Great videos! Thanks!
Hello - I’m setting up a 170 gallon heavily planted (hopefully) community freshwater tank. The dimensions of the tank are 74 x 28.5 x 18. Do you have a recommendation for a good strong LED light? I used to breed African cichlids so this is really my first attempt at a heavily planted tank. I will have bottom dwelling fish so I have done the bottom with a good layer of Fluval plant stratum covered by some medium rocky gravel. Thanks, Mike
I added seachem iron and I noticed that the carpet plant is dying. Does this make sense?
What light were u talking about that will blow away a BML?
Removed Acorus..the hot window sun had sort of blanched it. Lemon grass did TOO well and was sending roots into the filter of my original design. I have replaced both with a Syngonium I had in the backyard and its done perfect..very dark green leaves,thick growth and looks tropical. Hot and dry window sun is fine for it..as long as those roots are in water.
For fertilizer what you suggest..
Thanks
What are the small domes for, at 11.10?
What size led bar light you use for 20 g ?
What is are the settings you are drunnimg on the fluval 2.0
I added Lemon Grass to my tank. You might try hydro style growing of plants to eat with underwater plants for looks. I might try Basil next..as the Angelfish swim in its roots. Why not?
If you have alot of plants how often do you fertilizer ?
I’m new to aquariums. If you are not growing anything exotic, can’t you just put it near a window and use natural light? Saves space and electricity and no worry about forgetting to turn it off at night (unless you live in Arctic Circle). Please answer if you have time, this is a real question.
Direct sunlight is norm avoided in aquariums because the light colour propagates algae growth in eutrophic water (which aquarium water almost always is). The other problem is that the sunlight can heat up smaller tanks too strong.
Heavily planted low-tech tanks with emerse plants can deal better with direct sunlight.
You think crinum calamastratum is a high maintenance plant? I dont mine slow growing
Have you tried pumice or will it float?
Do you guys ship plants to Canada?
Is finnex planted + light consider medium lighting?
I'm thinking off adding some real plants to my 125L freshwater tank. Am still fairly new to keeping fish so excuse my question if it appears stupid. If I put plants in how do I keep the gravel clean. Do I just siphon around the base of it... also do I remove the pots before I put them in the gravel. Do I have t use substrate??
What's a decent site to order aquarium lights from? I have live plants and Turtles
My cories are thriving on black diamond, barbels are long, they are having breeding behavior, etc. Not a single issue with it.
The #1 thing you need is: a good electrician. #2 thing is: Insurance. Dude.
Hi justin love your channel. I'm in the market for a new light for my 20 long planted. Would you prefer the fluval planted 3.0 or the finnex 24-7 cc? Would like to try a carpet plant. Currently have a finnex stingray. Nice but just looking for something a bit brighter. Any info I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
H2O Plants 1 should be fine for a 20 long? I think i may go with one of these. The planted 120. Looks really nice. Thank you for the suggestion
Very helpful video. But omg the camera shaking was making me dizzy. I had to look away and listen to most of what you said. Though i am very glad to get some info to help me with my current tank set up
I love Goldfish!
Great video. Just have some questions - how long should the lights be on?, if you are running a tank with all low light / slow growing plants is a very high light (at full power) bad for the tank balance?
Light is up to you if it very strong 8 hours enough, but strong light gives you algae which is not good. Your substrate have to breath, so send is not a good staff for it, many plants will collapse after spoiling roots.
What if you need to use co2 because your pH and kH is high and your co2 content is 0.2ppm