Thanks for what you do. You have made such a difference to my fish keeping. I now have fish breeding in my tanks and plants growing well. I'm enjoying this hobby more and more .Creating ecosystems not just aquariums is fascinating, thanks again and please keep doing what you do.
Every beginner fish keeper that I deal with at work I send them to your channel for education. You are so clear in your message and so soft spoken good on ya Alex keep up the good work. Happy Fish keeping! 👍🏻
I appreciate that! Feel free to haha 6 years of teaching this stuff. Ive seen and heard most issues ...and worked in stores also. Anyhow cheers have a great week
Always appreciate your videos! Aquarium Co-op helped me understand it all, they provided the foundation for me. Now, your videos help me refine and expand my knowledge, building off that foundation. Thank you.
I really enjoyed that video. Helps to truly understand what's going on in a tank at a micro level. I have been keeping fish for over 20 years and have learned more in the last few than in the first 15. It's people like you that are willing to take the time and teach people. I truly thank you for what you do. It will help save fish and people's mental state.
Thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful response. I simply love learning, and when you find out there are so many details you never knew in the past. It feels so exciting. I love how the hobby is always teaching us new things
@@Fishtory you are welcome. You and Lucas have opened my eyes to the benefits of working with nature and embracing the learning experience of keeping a tank and what each individual tank can teach you. Look forward to more videos and great knowledge tidbits of keeping aquariums.
Dans Fish is a perfect example. Constant flow through the entire system. No Ammonia, Nitrite or Nitrate problems for him. Entire flush many times daily.
"Beneficial bacteria are mostly in your filter, not your substrate." I read these a lot back when I was active on FB forums. It's whenever someone asks about how to transfer gravel or other substrate when upgrading tanks, and they don't want to start over the seasoning. I guess, when it's a bare bottom tank or the substrate is millimeters thin. What if the tank has a 2 inch thick gravel substrate and a very slim HOB, or an internal filter built to push water and has minimal surface area?
Thats hard. If you can try and cut/scoop away 20% or so of the substrate and then slide a spatula or putty knife under the 80% left. You can transfer the media sometimes. But yeah...unfortunately it's a but difficult
I'm so happy i found you early on when I got into the hobby. Your tips and teaching has made fishkeeping a much more enriching experience. Thank you :)
Timestamps for the myths, but recommend watching them all in sequence because a fair number related to the previous one just explained. Myth 1: 1:13 - You have to cycle your tank Myth 2: 2:30 - Our aquariums are a full cycle system Myth 3: 4:59 - Ammonia is toxic to EVERYTHING Myth 4: I can't find the timestamp for this... Did we only get 9 myths!? Myth 5: 9:18 - Different filters filter water differently Myth 6: 12:49 - There are only 2 types of bacteria in our aquariums Myth 7: 16:30 - When we filter, we are leaving the good bacteria in the tank Myth 8: 18:37 - Liquid carbon Myth 9: 19:31 - (Continued from myth 8) Activated carbon filters are needed Myth 10: 22:31 - (Follows on from myth 9) Fine mechanical filtration is needed for clear water Thanks for another great video!
This has to be one of favourite videos I’ve seen from you. You really broke things down and spoke to us in a way that most people can understand. Sometimes so many different opinions and different information gets complicated to follow along with, but this type of video content makes it easier for beginners and experienced fish keepers to understand. Great job Alex 🐟🐠👍🏼
Uhgt oh... you're going down massive rabbit holes...but you will open the door to a whole new world of how you see things lol. Safe travels my friend 🫡 haha
Great video! I personally tend to rely on filters for mechanical filtration only. My well water is super acidic (5.0 out of the tap, settles at about 6.2). I use a constant slow drip system for water changes. I have a 125g that I haven’t done a traditional water change on in a few years (have not gravel vacuumed it in about 5 years). I just have to tune the drip rate to keep the nitrates at a constant low level so as to change the minimal amount of water daily. I check and adjust the drip rate periodically. Been running rock solid. Healthy plants, clear, clean water, happy fish.
once you have more than 1 tank , cycling is a non issue I just add some used botanicals for bacteria , ive done that with 3 tanks now and added shrimp straight away . I feel overfeeding is a bigger issue than not cycling .
I use very limited "filtration" now. I use to over-filter with tons of huge canister filters. I use one large air pump now and that's it. and make my own under gravel plenum systems. It's all about how much food you put in your tank and your stocking. That is why people can do filterless tanks. I never hardly ever do water changes too. It's about limiting food, having as many plants as possible, how many fish you keep in the system and the air exchange (water movement). My tanks are filtered solely by slow plenum substrate method and that's it. All nitrates including ammonia can be recycled in a closed system as long as you limit what you put in it via food, ferts and have excessive amounts of low-demand, fast-growing plants. I think this new style is the future.
Fantastic video as always!!!! I have my natural ( extremely planted ) aquariums down pat. My biggest concern is the tap water. Starting a new aquarium or topping of an existing aquarium. I'm not a big fan of reverse osmosis. I dint believe sterile water has a place in aquarium setup. Would you please do a video on removing clorine, and fluoride from Tao water with simple filtration like inline activated carbon. Thanks 🙂
@@Fishtory I saw something on vitamin C just today. I'll have to check it and see what happens. I can see how it would separate the ammonia in cloramene. But clorene will gass off with a simple large airstone.
Great video with lots of information. Everybody wants a nice seasoned tanked. Thanks alex. Would like to see some more video from you for neo caradina shrimp!!!!.
I really love all your videos. I am new to the hobby so I have done what I’m told by people who know what they are doing. I really like to know why I do things and you, kgtropicals, and aquarium co-op has help immensely. I’ve watched a bunch of your older videos a few months ago and I appreciate the way you break every thing down scientifically but not complicated. Thank you very much.
I was just thinking about filtration last night. While lurking on reddit, I saw someone post about losing their fish after a power outtage because filters were off for too long. They didn't say for how long, but I've heard people say they see losses within hours. Since biological filtration is the most important, and the beneficial bacteria are there whether the filter is on or not, then why would you start to see deaths so quickly? I would think mainly the mechanical filtration suffers when you have a temporary shut-off like that. Is there something I'm not understanding? I was out of town a few weeks ago when I got a notice from my building saying power was out and I panicked, so I'm trying to understand so I can make more informed decisions. Luckily, no losses in my tanks this time. Thanks for making such timely videos :)
It depends. If your system relies mostly on mechanical filtration to move water, then it makes sense that the ecosystem would be heavily affected by the sudden lack of flow. If the system ostly relies on a little mechanical and heavily planted filtration, then it will easily adapt.
I think overstocked tanks of especially mid sized or larger fish can run outta oxygen real fast without a hob waterfall return or sponge filter breaking the surface and then a chain reaction of death happens,
Hey buddy 👍we just had a low pressure system hit ....bloodworm feed and cool water change and now my Cory Sterbae have just started laying ...I have baby otos just coloured up too ...Top tip mate thanks 👊👍
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video, you really explained all the ins and outs that are so confusing to learn when you’re new. This video should be seen by everyone just starting out.. or even long term hobbyists. You explain it so well. 🥹🙌🏼
Speaking of those big centrifugal foaming industrial setups for "foam fractionator" mechanical filtration, in the Fishkeeping hobby I know of 2 basic styles, "protein skimmers" which are generally optimized for saltwater density and surface tension, and the extra large designs for Koi Ponds like the Phoam Phraxionator popularized on the koiphen forum. The nice thing about foam fractionation is they usually are designed to separate the foam scum out of the water column, vs a water polisher or something that retains that detritus and dissolved solids and allows it to break down, fouling the water column. In a filter less or undergravel setup, that's very intentional, that mulm and detritus is plant food, but they are an interesting form of filtration for sure.
Hi Alex, great work as always dear fellow. Well done. I needed this one too. I have been plagued with some hair algae issues. Starting to get on top of it now though. You have confirmed some actions I have been taking.
Thank you for mentioning the RUclips trick about going to your page every few months to make sure to select videos from there more than just expecting RUclips to send via notifications as this method is in adequate based on the new RUclips thing. Good job keeping us posted. We are your fish fam. so good job letting us know.
What you said about filter floss made me laugh because that is exactly what I have done to my daphnia tank. The water has fouled (my fault) and I needed to filter that pretty quickly before the whole collony was gone. I just ripped an old pillow, took some of the floss out. Attached it to the end of an air pump's hose with a rubber band and put that in the middle of the bin. 24 hours later, water was pretty much cleared. There is still a bit of odor comming out of there but I will proceed to do partial water changes every day and change the floss as needed until it smells no more. That DIY filter saved the last ~30 daphnias just in time, just enough to build back the collony. 😮💨😵💫
I have the same exact sponge filters for my two 10 gallon tanks and they work fantastically well. Interesting note. I have some larger guppy fry that staked out territories on the sponge filter. 1 on the very top. And others below that in between the spaces along the sponge. I have never heard of that type of behavior in guppies
So they're my local fish shop. The one closest to my home. Also i was watching the channel anout 7 or 8 years ago and started off very pro-A.C. then as they grew and i started my own channel, there was some friction between the two of us. I like aquarium coop and respect Cory's business mind/ accument. But it also annoys me frequently, and for a while the fact that he was essentially saying " hey guys, im just a fish nerd like all of you, help my company". ... when he had become a millionaire / massive chinese importer and stopped a lot of the stuff i respected most...ie QT of a week or two on all fish (now many of the fish are just put out immediately and heavily medicated in storefront ). BUT Cory has said my channel is "half assed. Low quality or unprofessional" for years...and even 6 months ago he said i dont make hd videos or have sound equipment etc...which means he probably hasn't watched a video of mine in 5 years. So that really frustrates me... and people will message me and say " i found your channel because Cory was streaming and mentioned that it was low quality content...and now im actually glad he did, because im going to subscribe to your channel". ... so yeah all that is frustrating. I shop there, i think he is a net possitive for the hobby and even though he has generally said negative things or even insulting things about me and my content, yes, i shop there and think that especially his older content and the stuff people like Irene make, is great for beginners.. Tldr Its a complicated relationship, i have some gripes with the coop. But I also respect them and they're a hometown LFS that i think does more good than anything else. Also i shop there 2 or 3 or 4 ....or 5 times most months lol
The first few minutes about a cycled tank got me a bit confused as to what you were meaning. The latter half, I think my brain started engaging. Great Video, Thanks.
Great work I think you’re hollistic approach is the way forward I also build eco ponds and aquaponics. It’s really useful to see your filterless experiments. I would love to show you my work to see if anything needs to change.
@@Fishtory when I learned about the nitrogen cycle as a teenager working in a tropical fish store, Id see people come in with horrible water parameters. I never had that experience with my own tanks because I heeded the warnings.....I never had ammonia get completely out of control, and was able to maintain it with a little ammo rock and frequent water changes. I never ended up with a tank full of dead/dying or even sick fish because of it. The nitrogen cycle really isn't a big scary thing if you stock sparingly, and feed small amounts, being ready to dilute it with water changes at any given time.
That's very interesting that you either get bacteria disposing the ammonia at higher ph, or get it broken down by the acidity of the water (while having less bacteria, in variety at least).
I only keep carbon and hob in the rare case i have to clear meds orher times i use the sponge filter as my main filter and hob filter mainly for extra mechanical filtration
Hello Alex..Ryan here.from lake Nipissing northern Ontario..amazing Tutorial…❤ I share the same natural aquariums..I m doing exactly like your doing..haven’t had to do any water changes yet ..just top offs..and i can just walk out and dip my bucket in and scoop up seed shrimp and other critters..
I always learn something new EVERY video this channel is gold and I am so happy your home safe ❤ talk soon I hope ❤ also congratz on 50 k subs long over due and well deserved ❤
I set my planted tank up 3 weeks ago, and I'm testing 0 Ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 50 hardness 7 PH BUT my carbonate is 0, which started at about 80, three weeks ago [Mg/L] I have no fauna in there yet. Should I ghost feed first? Crushed coral or oyster shell? I just don't want to kill anything due to my ignorance 🙃
I enjoyed this video a lot I learned so much information and you broke it down to very easy to understand. I appreciate this video what a wealth of knowledge. 😊
Awesome video, I was thinking about another myth...replacement of water being same temperature as tank water,. False, I use cold water even on 75% water changes on all types of fish , 10 tanks, and do it this way for 3 years out of 6 year hobbyists . Yes community tank, yes rummynose, yes cichlids. Yes tetra.
This channel is near invaluable to me with the knowledge you provide Alexander/Alex! I came across your betta video when I was looking for stuff that didn't make me look crazy for my student research proposal on bettas. Glad to say it got approved and I hopefully I don't screw it up.
OK I watched this one and stood up a few times and applauded. You covered it all except for dropping the mic and walking out of the room-- well done... I would have been 1000% satisfied if you had taken a minute and shared with the following the story of ammonia ions leaving the fish at the level of the gill cells and what happens when the concentration of free ammonia in the water column begins to block the exiting/diffusion of ammonia being released from the fish's circulation. Gill burn and toxic blood as two examples.
Thank you. Also, I was torn... i could have gotten into that, and centerfugal or froth/Skimming filtration, as well as fluid/ liquid media matrices etc. But i figured 30 minutes was too much already haha
I've had a new fully planted deep substrate tank for about 10 days. Did partial water changes daily and the numbers of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate has been staying close to zero. However they obviously haven't been entirely zero because the plants need them and the process needs to unfold. The generic advice on google is "all numbers must be zero" or your fish will DIE! So now I'm obsessing over the nitrite test sample getting slightly blueish.
So nitrates can be up to 80ppm or so...but you want the ammonia and nitrate at zero ... that means the bacteria of both species exists and in large enough numbers
Any ideas on how to plug the skimmer on the tidal 55 i keep getting duck weed in mine and geta past my plant corral. I have seen the skimmers blocked off without sponges
Hey Alex Love your knowledge even more so your ability to teach and even more than that the inspiration you give each video.. I am working on a 250 gal inside stock pond for Shebunkin Gold fish I am looking for cold water tank mates would love a few suggestions.. as well as plant suggestions they already are eating everything but anubias. I will have a bog filter and air stones In the tank as well as bamboo and Montseria.. i am learning new inside smaller pond plants
Great topic and video Alex! Surprised that in video you go from myth 3 to 5 and in description you go from myth 2 to 4. They cover the same topics though both are missing a myth. Is there a missing myth? Or is it a myth that there is a missing myth?
Haha well i think i started with 2 myths there and then i combined the whole ammonia at low ph and plants wanting ammonia vs nitrates....and fish being safe at low ph values. But editing i think i cut it off when i say myth 3
I've just started listening to your videos and I have been asking why do I need carbon with no instructions regarding what to do in regards to a alternative methods. Your video really explains it. Should I toss out the carbon pad? Will it hurt to just keep the carbon filter because it still has my bacteria right? I was throwing it away and replaced about 1x month. My hob want hold the black pads I purchased from aquarium coop and charcoal pad and polishing pads . How do I transfer my bacteria from charcoal? Also can I use a peace Lilly on hob ? I saw a video saying I could but I'm afraid to do so. Your very awesome in explaining things
So yeah, unless you're cleaning medications out after treatment- toss the carbon/charcoal id just go get filter floss or polishing pad to use... and wash it in a few gallons of clear tank water in a bucket. The polishing pad is just a fine mesh filter like a strainer...but anything with surface area will have that bacteria on it within a month or two. You can always put plants in a open filter...or into the tank directly, plants and roots in a tank from a lily all also will become covered with healthy microbes for your tank. The polishing pads are really about getting water crystal clear if you have a high filtration and turn over rate ( say 4x an hour or more) but i just toss the guts of my filters once theyre dirty....get a filter media mesh bag and fill it with bio beads of ceramic or terra cotta, then put filter floss over that, like a nest...once it clogs a bit, it actually catches more and more debris as the surface becomes an " awfuchs "...aka multi-organism biofilm
Thanks for a great in-depth video :) If you see this - can you explain why all RUclipsrs say about fish keeping "in the hobby"? Is it lag of better words or is it because people tend to say what others do. It is just funny to me to claim fish keeping as "THE" hobby like taking a patent on what a hobby should be 😅 Danish people do that too... And I ask them, so do you watch youtube a lot? 😂 And most of the time they say yes.
Hello bro ! In My heavily planted aquarium I see lots of worms going on when I stir up the sand they swim like vinegar eels I'm so afraid to clean it 😫 Is this good for them ? My parents are saying to clean the tank because of them they don't like wormy things in aquarium! Although when I stir up angels and barbs eat them ! So what's your advice? Huge love and respect from India 🇮🇳
Id probably keep your parents happy haha. The worms arent harmful. They are detritus worms, but they do indicate perhaps more water filtration or some gravel vaccuming may help reduce in excess organic debris. If the tank smells muddy, fishy or like poop or swamp...definitely clean it....if it smells earthy and good like mushrooms, plants or potting soil/ mulch...then its healthy and it should settle. Im guessing the tank got over fed and there arent enough snails, shrimp or clean up crew fish to keep it balanced. Good luck!
Absolutely spot on, 👌 I gave up 30 years ago (under gravel was the thing in the UK back then)? With help from you & others, have a complete understanding of how it all works, sand cap & lot's of fast growing plants. My 20 gallon jungle guppy tank is beautiful. 👍
Well id suggest water changes and lots of filter media with surface area. Filterless and no water change tanks only work for heavily planted small fish from still water for the most part
@Fishtory ok I'm new to the whole natural thing....they have filters...they are not small fish....i plan on starting tank over to to a layer of soil then sand... do I need to keep some of the old water?
@ Fishtory. Hi, Alex. Thanks for the in-depth knowledge. How can I send a short video clip to you? I have worms protruding and wiggling back and forth, and submerging into the substrate at the sign of shadows and light. They are burrowing through 2” of sand from the creek substrate. They’re the things horror movies are made of. I believe that you know what they are. Can’t find them on-line. 😳🤪
Probably detritus worms, black worms or freshwater britsle worms of some sort. But ill take a look if you want to email me or post it in our fb group too. Alexanderjwilliamson@gmail.com
HEY YOU GUYSSSS I'm moving about an hour away on the 22nd and I'm really starting to stress about moving the fish and their tanks(55gal, 14, two 10s, and a 5). All but the 55 and one of the 10s are heavily planted, and the 55 gals livestock is coming with me but not that aquarium (that livestock will be moved to a 75gal I'll need to set up upon arrival, but its filter will be coming)... Anyone have any tips? I'm starting to become super anxious even though I feel like I've been preparing a lot😬
Catch fish. Remove hardscape and put into buckets or totes, then add airstone...then drain your tank to the substrate level...and if its not too heavy fot your tank glass, lift that whole thing and move it to save the substrate and plants. However for tanks over say 5 inches deep substrate...its usually too much load for the glass. But also go onto amazon.com and you can buy 100,150 or 200lb suction cup clampdown handles, and those help a lot with using 4 people instead of 2 (one at each end)
Just reminded me of a funny story, which by the way began my love of this hobby. I was dating this guy back in the 70’s, couple years out of high school, got my own apartment. He decides for a birthday present to gift me with his friend’s 55 gallon fish tank! Fish included!!! lol. So here we are driving with a stocked tank, water about 25% full. I was freaked out. Had NO IDEA about keeping tropical fish! This tank came with the stand and everything. We drove probably 20 minutes to my apartment and set it up. Pretty sure I just filled that sucker up with tap water and dechlor, which came with it. Long story short, every fish survived! I had a big catfish that I named Jaws, who was really gorgeous. He was light gray with a white belly. The other big catfish was ugly as sin. Wasn’t at all the same species. I had a rope fish I think he called it, looked kinda like a little snake. Eww. Fancy goldfish was beautiful. Many other weird looking and pretty fish. I had to learn the hard way. Never forget, one night, I’m by myself in the apt and I decided to clean the tank, water change. I am grabbing the fish with my net and putting them in pots all over my floor as I’m going back and forth from my kitchen sink to the tank. All of a freaking sudden, there’s a power outage!!!! Omg talk about hysterical! I can’t see a dang thing. And I’m there trying to slide around the floor not to step into a pot! lol. I was panicked and crying at the same time. Thankfully I managed not to kick any pots over as I slowly inched my way to the bedroom for a flashlight! Luckily the power came back on after 15 minutes or so and I was able to carry on. You think I’ll ever forget that??! I’ll be senile but will still remember that one. Hahahaaa. But anyway after all that said, I think you’ll be ok! 😊
In regards to carbon. If you were setting up a new aquarium, would it be worthwhile adding carbon for the first few days to remove unwanted chemicals? Also when carbon ages in a filter I was under the impression that after a while it starts releasing captured contaminates back into the water. Is that true or not?
I would say the carbon wont hurt, so if you have extra, sure use it until it clogs lol. But after that saturation point, you are corredt that things will start to leech back out
I'm going to be of a well technically dickhead lol, but not all plants prefer ammonia. Echinodorus ranunculoides, littorella uniflora, lobelia dortmanna, and luronium natans are some examples of nitrate over ammonia loving plants given in PLANTS versus FILTERS By Diana Walstad. Personally I have found that some plants seem to like both, but do better with more nitrates and ammonia. Duckweed for example does a lot better in my filtered tanks then unfiltered ones. (filtered with an electric filter)
I mentioned that. I said rhizome plants and water column feeders may not prefer the ammonia. But i appreciate you keeping me on my toes and making that point clear, if i didnt! Thank you
@@Fishtory Oh I misunderstood that sentence. I thought you were talking about that rhizome plants would not prefer to take ammonia out of the substrate. Though even rooted plants prefer to take their nitrogen source from the water, rather than the substrate.
@@Fishtory I'm 8 weeks into "cycling" my tank. I cannot for the life if me get my amonnia to disappear. I don't know what else to do other thank daily water changes and hope my fish survive. I've had 2 deaths in the last week.
My understanding was that carbon chemically bonded to chemicals like antibiotics. Is that not true, and it's just a mechanical filtration? If so, then there really isn't any such thing as chemical filtration. It's just very fine mechanical filtration.
It will bond to ionic elements and under heat and pressure...or in microbes it can be used to bond or compound more complexly... but the carbon sitting on a filter media bag that is a wall of carbonated wood, is 99% mechanical. Not bonding to much becuase its not free carbon yet...but if its eaten by carbon loving bacteria and in the ecosystem and in various forms, then later after its been metabolized some of those compounds can indeed bond to organic compounds and molecules... similar to liquid charcoal for pumping stomachs on overdoses or alcohol poisoning. It does act like a sponge via capiliary actjon as well, since wood retains the micro-tubules of the vascularure of the source wood/plant
@Fishtory so chemical filtration is a myth in itself because there are no chemical reactions in the carbon. It is all mechanical or biological filtration.
Not actually a cycle? Sure it is. The aquarist drives to the store, they put things in the tank, some things die, they drive to the store again, they put more things in the tank; then they work a 9-5 to get more money to drive to the store and buy more things for the tank. I suppose it’s more of a constant loop around the beltway than a cycle. 😅
Thanks for what you do. You have made such a difference to my fish keeping. I now have fish breeding in my tanks and plants growing well. I'm enjoying this hobby more and more .Creating ecosystems not just aquariums is fascinating, thanks again and please keep doing what you do.
Well thanks for letting me know and tuning in! Cheers and best wishes for you and your fishes
Every beginner fish keeper that I deal with at work I send them to your channel for education. You are so clear in your message and so soft spoken good on ya Alex keep up the good work. Happy Fish keeping! 👍🏻
I appreciate that! Feel free to haha 6 years of teaching this stuff. Ive seen and heard most issues ...and worked in stores also. Anyhow cheers have a great week
Always appreciate your videos! Aquarium Co-op helped me understand it all, they provided the foundation for me. Now, your videos help me refine and expand my knowledge, building off that foundation. Thank you.
Perfect! And thank you so kindly for the support. Cheers my friend
I really enjoyed that video. Helps to truly understand what's going on in a tank at a micro level. I have been keeping fish for over 20 years and have learned more in the last few than in the first 15. It's people like you that are willing to take the time and teach people. I truly thank you for what you do. It will help save fish and people's mental state.
Thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful response. I simply love learning, and when you find out there are so many details you never knew in the past. It feels so exciting. I love how the hobby is always teaching us new things
@@Fishtory you are welcome. You and Lucas have opened my eyes to the benefits of working with nature and embracing the learning experience of keeping a tank and what each individual tank can teach you. Look forward to more videos and great knowledge tidbits of keeping aquariums.
Who is Lucas😀
@@Jovekralj lrb aquatics :) lucas bretz
Those are two really beautiful aquariums behind you. So overgrown and lush. I am sure the fish is enjoying. Cheers Alex
I think so ... i hope so haha. Thank you
@@Fishtory what schooling fish 🏊 swim behind you ?
Dans Fish is a perfect example. Constant flow through the entire system. No Ammonia, Nitrite or Nitrate problems for him. Entire flush many times daily.
Totally!
"Beneficial bacteria are mostly in your filter, not your substrate."
I read these a lot back when I was active on FB forums. It's whenever someone asks about how to transfer gravel or other substrate when upgrading tanks, and they don't want to start over the seasoning. I guess, when it's a bare bottom tank or the substrate is millimeters thin. What if the tank has a 2 inch thick gravel substrate and a very slim HOB, or an internal filter built to push water and has minimal surface area?
Thats hard. If you can try and cut/scoop away 20% or so of the substrate and then slide a spatula or putty knife under the 80% left. You can transfer the media sometimes. But yeah...unfortunately it's a but difficult
I'm so happy i found you early on when I got into the hobby. Your tips and teaching has made fishkeeping a much more enriching experience. Thank you :)
Glad to help. Thank YOU!
Timestamps for the myths, but recommend watching them all in sequence because a fair number related to the previous one just explained.
Myth 1: 1:13 - You have to cycle your tank
Myth 2: 2:30 - Our aquariums are a full cycle system
Myth 3: 4:59 - Ammonia is toxic to EVERYTHING
Myth 4: I can't find the timestamp for this... Did we only get 9 myths!?
Myth 5: 9:18 - Different filters filter water differently
Myth 6: 12:49 - There are only 2 types of bacteria in our aquariums
Myth 7: 16:30 - When we filter, we are leaving the good bacteria in the tank
Myth 8: 18:37 - Liquid carbon
Myth 9: 19:31 - (Continued from myth 8) Activated carbon filters are needed
Myth 10: 22:31 - (Follows on from myth 9) Fine mechanical filtration is needed for clear water
Thanks for another great video!
Thank you Alex , my experience has been discouraging and fulfilling . We need to fail before we can succeed ❤.
You got this! We've all been there
Thank you@@Fishtory , on my third try and it’s positive so far.
This has to be one of favourite videos I’ve seen from you. You really broke things down and spoke to us in a way that most people can understand. Sometimes so many different opinions and different information gets complicated to follow along with, but this type of video content makes it easier for beginners and experienced fish keepers to understand. Great job Alex 🐟🐠👍🏼
Glad you enjoyed it and it wasnf too nerdy haha. Cheers
Awesome info!
Now I'm off to research the potassium and carbon cycle(s) and also anaerobic and anoxic bacteria! ❤
Uhgt oh... you're going down massive rabbit holes...but you will open the door to a whole new world of how you see things lol. Safe travels my friend 🫡 haha
@@Fishtory I love it! Rabbit holes are my specialty 😅
The deeper the dive the better. Good job my friend. Keep up the good
work 👍🏻.
Thanks, will do!
Great video! I personally tend to rely on filters for mechanical filtration only. My well water is super acidic (5.0 out of the tap, settles at about 6.2). I use a constant slow drip system for water changes. I have a 125g that I haven’t done a traditional water change on in a few years (have not gravel vacuumed it in about 5 years). I just have to tune the drip rate to keep the nitrates at a constant low level so as to change the minimal amount of water daily. I check and adjust the drip rate periodically. Been running rock solid. Healthy plants, clear, clean water, happy fish.
Right on! I wish i had a well
once you have more than 1 tank , cycling is a non issue I just add some used botanicals for bacteria , ive done that with 3 tanks now and added shrimp straight away . I feel overfeeding is a bigger issue than not cycling .
Agreed
I use very limited "filtration" now. I use to over-filter with tons of huge canister filters. I use one large air pump now and that's it. and make my own under gravel plenum systems. It's all about how much food you put in your tank and your stocking. That is why people can do filterless tanks. I never hardly ever do water changes too. It's about limiting food, having as many plants as possible, how many fish you keep in the system and the air exchange (water movement). My tanks are filtered solely by slow plenum substrate method and that's it. All nitrates including ammonia can be recycled in a closed system as long as you limit what you put in it via food, ferts and have excessive amounts of low-demand, fast-growing plants. I think this new style is the future.
Very well summarized! Thank you
Show your tanks! 👍
Fantastic video as always!!!! I have my natural ( extremely planted ) aquariums down pat. My biggest concern is the tap water. Starting a new aquarium or topping of an existing aquarium. I'm not a big fan of reverse osmosis. I dint believe sterile water has a place in aquarium setup. Would you please do a video on removing clorine, and fluoride from Tao water with simple filtration like inline activated carbon.
Thanks 🙂
That's a great idea. I'll add it to my video list. I believe vitamin c is a method many are trying for chlorine and chloramine.
@@Fishtory I saw something on vitamin C just today. I'll have to check it and see what happens. I can see how it would separate the ammonia in cloramene. But clorene will gass off with a simple large airstone.
Great video with lots of information. Everybody wants a nice seasoned tanked. Thanks alex. Would like to see some more video from you for neo caradina shrimp!!!!.
So there are tons of older videos on neos... if you name a subject, ive probably got a video on it actually
@@Fishtory I've watched them all but I can't get enough...
I really love all your videos. I am new to the hobby so I have done what I’m told by people who know what they are doing. I really like to know why I do things and you, kgtropicals, and aquarium co-op has help immensely. I’ve watched a bunch of your older videos a few months ago and I appreciate the way you break every thing down scientifically but not complicated. Thank you very much.
Awesome! Thank you and WELCOME! i hope the hobby jist gets more and more fun for you
I was just thinking about filtration last night. While lurking on reddit, I saw someone post about losing their fish after a power outtage because filters were off for too long. They didn't say for how long, but I've heard people say they see losses within hours. Since biological filtration is the most important, and the beneficial bacteria are there whether the filter is on or not, then why would you start to see deaths so quickly? I would think mainly the mechanical filtration suffers when you have a temporary shut-off like that. Is there something I'm not understanding? I was out of town a few weeks ago when I got a notice from my building saying power was out and I panicked, so I'm trying to understand so I can make more informed decisions. Luckily, no losses in my tanks this time. Thanks for making such timely videos :)
It depends. If your system relies mostly on mechanical filtration to move water, then it makes sense that the ecosystem would be heavily affected by the sudden lack of flow. If the system ostly relies on a little mechanical and heavily planted filtration, then it will easily adapt.
Almost certainly their heater stopped and something died from shock, then that exploded the ammonia levels.
I think overstocked tanks of especially mid sized or larger fish can run outta oxygen real fast without a hob waterfall return or sponge filter breaking the surface and then a chain reaction of death happens,
Hey buddy 👍we just had a low pressure system hit ....bloodworm feed and cool water change and now my Cory Sterbae have just started laying ...I have baby otos just coloured up too ...Top tip mate thanks 👊👍
That is awesome! Right on and congrats
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video, you really explained all the ins and outs that are so confusing to learn when you’re new. This video should be seen by everyone just starting out.. or even long term hobbyists.
You explain it so well. 🥹🙌🏼
Glad it was helpful!
Speaking of those big centrifugal foaming industrial setups for "foam fractionator" mechanical filtration, in the Fishkeeping hobby I know of 2 basic styles, "protein skimmers" which are generally optimized for saltwater density and surface tension, and the extra large designs for Koi Ponds like the Phoam Phraxionator popularized on the koiphen forum.
The nice thing about foam fractionation is they usually are designed to separate the foam scum out of the water column, vs a water polisher or something that retains that detritus and dissolved solids and allows it to break down, fouling the water column.
In a filter less or undergravel setup, that's very intentional, that mulm and detritus is plant food, but they are an interesting form of filtration for sure.
Totally. Same with the dynamic liquid/fluid media matrices and things coming out in the hobby the last 5 years
Hi Alex, great work as always dear fellow. Well done. I needed this one too. I have been plagued with some hair algae issues. Starting to get on top of it now though. You have confirmed some actions I have been taking.
Glad to hear that. Cheers. Have a bangin week, mate!
Thank you for mentioning the RUclips trick about going to your page every few months to make sure to select videos from there more than just expecting RUclips to send via notifications as this method is in adequate based on the new RUclips thing. Good job keeping us posted. We are your fish fam. so good job letting us know.
What you said about filter floss made me laugh because that is exactly what I have done to my daphnia tank.
The water has fouled (my fault) and I needed to filter that pretty quickly before the whole collony was gone.
I just ripped an old pillow, took some of the floss out. Attached it to the end of an air pump's hose with a rubber band and put that in the middle of the bin.
24 hours later, water was pretty much cleared. There is still a bit of odor comming out of there but I will proceed to do partial water changes every day and change the floss as needed until it smells no more.
That DIY filter saved the last ~30 daphnias just in time, just enough to build back the collony.
😮💨😵💫
Score!
I have the same exact sponge filters for my two 10 gallon tanks and they work fantastically well. Interesting note. I have some larger guppy fry that staked out territories on the sponge filter. 1 on the very top. And others below that in between the spaces along the sponge. I have never heard of that type of behavior in guppies
It could be to eat the algae or seed shrimp and microorganisms pulled to the filter. Thats interesting though!
Making contents like these is a fishTORY in the making love the info u provide
ALEX I THINK I LOVE YAH......"OLD COMMERCIAL ENDING VOICE"
Thank you, that was a really good talk on the whole filtration, Nitrogen cycle subject for aquarists. I really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Are you supporting aquarium co-op wearing their T-shirt? Just saying other then that brilliant explanation about cycle
So they're my local fish shop. The one closest to my home. Also i was watching the channel anout 7 or 8 years ago and started off very pro-A.C. then as they grew and i started my own channel, there was some friction between the two of us.
I like aquarium coop and respect Cory's business mind/ accument. But it also annoys me frequently, and for a while the fact that he was essentially saying " hey guys, im just a fish nerd like all of you, help my company". ... when he had become a millionaire / massive chinese importer and stopped a lot of the stuff i respected most...ie QT of a week or two on all fish (now many of the fish are just put out immediately and heavily medicated in storefront ).
BUT Cory has said my channel is "half assed. Low quality or unprofessional" for years...and even 6 months ago he said i dont make hd videos or have sound equipment etc...which means he probably hasn't watched a video of mine in 5 years. So that really frustrates me... and people will message me and say " i found your channel because Cory was streaming and mentioned that it was low quality content...and now im actually glad he did, because im going to subscribe to your channel". ... so yeah all that is frustrating.
I shop there, i think he is a net possitive for the hobby and even though he has generally said negative things or even insulting things about me and my content, yes, i shop there and think that especially his older content and the stuff people like Irene make, is great for beginners..
Tldr
Its a complicated relationship, i have some gripes with the coop. But I also respect them and they're a hometown LFS that i think does more good than anything else. Also i shop there 2 or 3 or 4 ....or 5 times most months lol
What another amazing video ❤ i. love the deep dives❤ you have taught me so much thanks for all you've done for the hobby!
Glad you like them!
The first few minutes about a cycled tank got me a bit confused as to what you were meaning. The latter half, I think my brain started engaging. Great Video, Thanks.
Awesome dude
Thanks 😁
Hey, I'm actually able to catch a recent upload!!
Wishing all who see this a radically positive and healthy day!!✨🙏✨✌️
Same with me. Finally caught up 🤗
@@Lee.Willcox I wish I was caught up! Alex has been uploading so often, and my migraines so frequent, that I'm hopelessly behind!! ✌️
@@laurabustos6560 Sorry to hear that Laura, migraines are filthy. Wishing you well my dear 🤗
@@Lee.Willcox 🙏 thanks✌️
Right back at you. Cheers
Great work I think you’re hollistic approach is the way forward I also build eco ponds and aquaponics. It’s really useful to see your filterless experiments. I would love to show you my work to see if anything needs to change.
Right on man. Feel free to email me at alexanderjwilliamson@gmail.com if you wanna chat about the ponds!
Awesome listening to you. Youve broadened the way I look at this. Thankyou so much!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for coming by
@@Fishtory when I learned about the nitrogen cycle as a teenager working in a tropical fish store, Id see people come in with horrible water parameters. I never had that experience with my own tanks because I heeded the warnings.....I never had ammonia get completely out of control, and was able to maintain it with a little ammo rock and frequent water changes. I never ended up with a tank full of dead/dying or even sick fish because of it. The nitrogen cycle really isn't a big scary thing if you stock sparingly, and feed small amounts, being ready to dilute it with water changes at any given time.
That's very interesting that you either get bacteria disposing the ammonia at higher ph, or get it broken down by the acidity of the water (while having less bacteria, in variety at least).
Yeah its almost like a beautiful algebra equation nature balances out as you slide the variables
I only keep carbon and hob in the rare case i have to clear meds orher times i use the sponge filter as my main filter and hob filter mainly for extra mechanical filtration
Alex i cant stop learning from u the wise one.........
Yes teacher
Hello Alex..Ryan here.from lake Nipissing northern Ontario..amazing Tutorial…❤ I share the same natural aquariums..I m doing exactly like your doing..haven’t had to do any water changes yet ..just top offs..and i can just walk out and dip my bucket in and scoop up seed shrimp and other critters..
Right on! So glad to hear it, my friend. Cheers
excellent
Many many thanks
Awesome, informative video as always! I learn so much every time I listen to your videos. So glad I found this channel. Keep doing what you're doing!
Thank you kindly 🙏 welcome
I always learn something new EVERY video this channel is gold and I am so happy your home safe ❤ talk soon I hope ❤ also congratz on 50 k subs long over due and well deserved ❤
Very soon ill reach out. Sorry life's been insane for the last month
@Fishtory you just focus on healing talk soon all my love to you and yours
Love learning about the hobby from you, 100% worth my sub!
Awesome, thank you! And welcome 🙏
I set my planted tank up 3 weeks ago, and I'm testing
0 Ammonia
0 nitrite
0 nitrate
50 hardness
7 PH
BUT my carbonate is 0, which started at about 80, three weeks ago
[Mg/L]
I have no fauna in there yet.
Should I ghost feed first?
Crushed coral or oyster shell?
I just don't want to kill anything due to my ignorance
🙃
You'll probably be fine. But I'd add maybe a cup per 20g of crushed coral just to be safe.
@Fishtory
Thank you!
I'm going to pick some up today
I'll report back once I get my shrimp and snails in there
👍
I enjoyed this video a lot I learned so much information and you broke it down to very easy to understand. I appreciate this video what a wealth of knowledge. 😊
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome video, I was thinking about another myth...replacement of water being same temperature as tank water,. False, I use cold water even on 75% water changes on all types of fish , 10 tanks, and do it this way for 3 years out of 6 year hobbyists . Yes community tank, yes rummynose, yes cichlids. Yes tetra.
Why do you use cold water?
Very well done explanations
Thank you kindly. 😊
This channel is near invaluable to me with the knowledge you provide Alexander/Alex! I came across your betta video when I was looking for stuff that didn't make me look crazy for my student research proposal on bettas. Glad to say it got approved and I hopefully I don't screw it up.
Oh right on! Congrats my friend. Im so glad you're part of the community now. Welcome welcome. Please Let me know how your studies go! Cheers
OK I watched this one and stood up a few times and applauded. You covered it all except for dropping the mic and walking out of the room-- well done... I would have been 1000% satisfied if you had taken a minute and shared with the following the story of ammonia ions leaving the fish at the level of the gill cells and what happens when the concentration of free ammonia in the water column begins to block the exiting/diffusion of ammonia being released from the fish's circulation. Gill burn and toxic blood as two examples.
Thank you. Also, I was torn... i could have gotten into that, and centerfugal or froth/Skimming filtration, as well as fluid/ liquid media matrices etc. But i figured 30 minutes was too much already haha
I’m gonna have to watch this one a few times! 👍
Hopefully that is a good thing haha. Thanks
I did enjoy it! 😃 As always, informative and keeps my attention 😄.
Awesome! Thank you!
I've had a new fully planted deep substrate tank for about 10 days. Did partial water changes daily and the numbers of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate has been staying close to zero. However they obviously haven't been entirely zero because the plants need them and the process needs to unfold. The generic advice on google is "all numbers must be zero" or your fish will DIE! So now I'm obsessing over the nitrite test sample getting slightly blueish.
So nitrates can be up to 80ppm or so...but you want the ammonia and nitrate at zero ... that means the bacteria of both species exists and in large enough numbers
Another good one Alex, fishtory
Thank you chris
Thanks Alex
Any ideas on how to plug the skimmer on the tidal 55 i keep getting duck weed in mine and geta past my plant corral. I have seen the skimmers blocked off without sponges
I think a really coarse sponge may work or stretch cheese cloth/pantyhose over it...but yeah i had the same issue with that dumb skimmer
Hey Alex
Love your knowledge even more so your ability to teach and even more than that the inspiration you give each video..
I am working on a 250 gal inside stock pond for Shebunkin Gold fish I am looking for cold water tank mates would love a few suggestions.. as well as plant suggestions they already are eating everything but anubias. I will have a bog filter and air stones In the tank as well as bamboo and Montseria.. i am learning new inside smaller pond plants
Awesome science class. 👏
Thank you 🤗
Thank you 😊 for this information
My pleasure 😊
Great topic and video Alex! Surprised that in video you go from myth 3 to 5 and in description you go from myth 2 to 4. They cover the same topics though both are missing a myth. Is there a missing myth? Or is it a myth that there is a missing myth?
Haha well i think i started with 2 myths there and then i combined the whole ammonia at low ph and plants wanting ammonia vs nitrates....and fish being safe at low ph values. But editing i think i cut it off when i say myth 3
@@Fishtory mythtery solved:)
As always, incredible insights and info, thank you.❤
Love u bro....... keep up the good work
Thank you so much 😀
Thank you, great video:)
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome video! Thank you for helping me understand!!!
Great video I love the science!
Thank you...
You're welcome!
brilliant dude
Thanks
My 6 year old loves watching your channel. I have Discus- He has a guppy tank and shrimp tank. 😊
That is awesome! Hello to your 6 years old! Thanks for tuning in my friends!
Sounds like a great childhood!
Great video very educational🎉
Glad you think so!
I've just started listening to your videos and I have been asking why do I need carbon with no instructions regarding what to do in regards to a alternative methods. Your video really explains it. Should I toss out the carbon pad? Will it hurt to just keep the carbon filter because it still has my bacteria right? I was throwing it away and replaced about 1x month. My hob want hold the black pads I purchased from aquarium coop and charcoal pad and polishing pads . How do I transfer my bacteria from charcoal? Also can I use a peace Lilly on hob ? I saw a video saying I could but I'm afraid to do so. Your very awesome in explaining things
So yeah, unless you're cleaning medications out after treatment- toss the carbon/charcoal id just go get filter floss or polishing pad to use... and wash it in a few gallons of clear tank water in a bucket. The polishing pad is just a fine mesh filter like a strainer...but anything with surface area will have that bacteria on it within a month or two. You can always put plants in a open filter...or into the tank directly, plants and roots in a tank from a lily all also will become covered with healthy microbes for your tank. The polishing pads are really about getting water crystal clear if you have a high filtration and turn over rate ( say 4x an hour or more) but i just toss the guts of my filters once theyre dirty....get a filter media mesh bag and fill it with bio beads of ceramic or terra cotta, then put filter floss over that, like a nest...once it clogs a bit, it actually catches more and more debris as the surface becomes an " awfuchs "...aka multi-organism biofilm
Great video as always Alexander!! Question... Isn't ammonia also more toxic at higher temperatures?
Good question/point. To fish...
It is, because the warmer the water is, the less O2 in the water. Meaning fish wkll2frkemnƙ
@@Fishtory Thank you. Confirmation is greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much, I've had that stupid charcoal in the filter for over a month. Throwing it away now..
Thanks Alex I learned something's
Woot! Thank YOU
This really helped me out and made me understand so much more clearly!! Science rules lol
I am truly shocked
Hehe
Thanks for a great in-depth video :)
If you see this - can you explain why all RUclipsrs say about fish keeping "in the hobby"?
Is it lag of better words or is it because people tend to say what others do.
It is just funny to me to claim fish keeping as "THE" hobby like taking a patent on what a hobby should be 😅
Danish people do that too... And I ask them, so do you watch youtube a lot? 😂
And most of the time they say yes.
Good content alex
Why thank you
Hello bro !
In My heavily planted aquarium I see lots of worms going on when I stir up the sand they swim like vinegar eels
I'm so afraid to clean it 😫
Is this good for them ?
My parents are saying to clean the tank because of them they don't like wormy things in aquarium!
Although when I stir up angels and barbs eat them !
So what's your advice?
Huge love and respect from India 🇮🇳
Id probably keep your parents happy haha. The worms arent harmful. They are detritus worms, but they do indicate perhaps more water filtration or some gravel vaccuming may help reduce in excess organic debris. If the tank smells muddy, fishy or like poop or swamp...definitely clean it....if it smells earthy and good like mushrooms, plants or potting soil/ mulch...then its healthy and it should settle.
Im guessing the tank got over fed and there arent enough snails, shrimp or clean up crew fish to keep it balanced. Good luck!
You are so knowledgeable !
Love this!!!!!❤❤❤
Absolutely spot on, 👌 I gave up 30 years ago (under gravel was the thing in the UK back then)?
With help from you & others, have a complete understanding of how it all works, sand cap & lot's of fast growing plants.
My 20 gallon jungle guppy tank is beautiful. 👍
Fantastic! Haha yes i was starting planted tanks as those ugf were popular
Ok so how to control ammonia ?I have african chiclids.... tank is capped with sand
Well id suggest water changes and lots of filter media with surface area. Filterless and no water change tanks only work for heavily planted small fish from still water for the most part
@Fishtory ok I'm new to the whole natural thing....they have filters...they are not small fish....i plan on starting tank over to to a layer of soil then sand... do I need to keep some of the old water?
Thanks for nothing!!! >: (
My Betta slipped off the handlebars!!!! x.x
Lol
Nice content
Why thank you
@ Fishtory. Hi, Alex. Thanks for the in-depth knowledge. How can I send a short video clip to you? I have worms protruding and wiggling back and forth, and submerging into the substrate at the sign of shadows and light. They are burrowing through 2” of sand from the creek substrate. They’re the things horror movies are made of. I believe that you know what they are. Can’t find them on-line. 😳🤪
Probably detritus worms, black worms or freshwater britsle worms of some sort. But ill take a look if you want to email me or post it in our fb group too. Alexanderjwilliamson@gmail.com
@@Fishtory Great! I know you’re very busy. So thank you. What’s your Fishtory email? 😊
Excellent!
HEY YOU GUYSSSS I'm moving about an hour away on the 22nd and I'm really starting to stress about moving the fish and their tanks(55gal, 14, two 10s, and a 5). All but the 55 and one of the 10s are heavily planted, and the 55 gals livestock is coming with me but not that aquarium (that livestock will be moved to a 75gal I'll need to set up upon arrival, but its filter will be coming)... Anyone have any tips? I'm starting to become super anxious even though I feel like I've been preparing a lot😬
Catch fish. Remove hardscape and put into buckets or totes, then add airstone...then drain your tank to the substrate level...and if its not too heavy fot your tank glass, lift that whole thing and move it to save the substrate and plants. However for tanks over say 5 inches deep substrate...its usually too much load for the glass. But also go onto amazon.com and you can buy 100,150 or 200lb suction cup clampdown handles, and those help a lot with using 4 people instead of 2 (one at each end)
Just reminded me of a funny story, which by the way began my love of this hobby. I was dating this guy back in the 70’s, couple years out of high school, got my own apartment. He decides for a birthday present to gift me with his friend’s 55 gallon fish tank! Fish included!!! lol. So here we are driving with a stocked tank, water about 25% full. I was freaked out. Had NO IDEA about keeping tropical fish! This tank came with the stand and everything. We drove probably 20 minutes to my apartment and set it up. Pretty sure I just filled that sucker up with tap water and dechlor, which came with it. Long story short, every fish survived! I had a big catfish that I named Jaws, who was really gorgeous. He was light gray with a white belly. The other big catfish was ugly as sin. Wasn’t at all the same species. I had a rope fish I think he called it, looked kinda like a little snake. Eww. Fancy goldfish was beautiful. Many other weird looking and pretty fish. I had to learn the hard way. Never forget, one night, I’m by myself in the apt and I decided to clean the tank, water change. I am grabbing the fish with my net and putting them in pots all over my floor as I’m going back and forth from my kitchen sink to the tank. All of a freaking sudden, there’s a power outage!!!! Omg talk about hysterical! I can’t see a dang thing. And I’m there trying to slide around the floor not to step into a pot! lol. I was panicked and crying at the same time. Thankfully I managed not to kick any pots over as I slowly inched my way to the bedroom for a flashlight! Luckily the power came back on after 15 minutes or so and I was able to carry on. You think I’ll ever forget that??! I’ll be senile but will still remember that one. Hahahaaa. But anyway after all that said, I think you’ll be ok! 😊
In regards to carbon. If you were setting up a new aquarium, would it be worthwhile adding carbon for the first few days to remove unwanted chemicals? Also when carbon ages in a filter I was under the impression that after a while it starts releasing captured contaminates back into the water. Is that true or not?
I would say the carbon wont hurt, so if you have extra, sure use it until it clogs lol. But after that saturation point, you are corredt that things will start to leech back out
@@Fishtory thank you. By the way I think the new name is great!
Alex!!!! "I think i love you"
Okay... i can be "in like" with you for now 😆
I'm going to be of a well technically dickhead lol, but not all plants prefer ammonia. Echinodorus ranunculoides, littorella uniflora,
lobelia dortmanna, and luronium natans are some examples of nitrate over ammonia loving plants given in PLANTS versus FILTERS By Diana Walstad. Personally I have found that some plants seem to like both, but do better with more nitrates and ammonia. Duckweed for example does a lot better in my filtered tanks then unfiltered ones. (filtered with an electric filter)
I mentioned that. I said rhizome plants and water column feeders may not prefer the ammonia. But i appreciate you keeping me on my toes and making that point clear, if i didnt! Thank you
@@Fishtory Oh I misunderstood that sentence. I thought you were talking about that rhizome plants would not prefer to take ammonia out of the substrate. Though even rooted plants prefer to take their nitrogen source from the water, rather than the substrate.
I would never tune out lol ❤
❤❤
Do you ever test your Amonnia, PH, Nitrate levels?
Only if i observed some issue im worried about...or if a fish is ill/ im simulating a spawning situation
@@Fishtory I'm 8 weeks into "cycling" my tank. I cannot for the life if me get my amonnia to disappear. I don't know what else to do other thank daily water changes and hope my fish survive. I've had 2 deaths in the last week.
@peterlavryssen7889 what substrate are you using? And did you check if its coming from your tap water?
I have about 2 inch sand substrate, alot of plants and rock. I have checked the tap water and 0 amonnia. It's a mystery why it won't fully equalise.
@@peterlavryssen7889 how many ppm are in the water?
My understanding was that carbon chemically bonded to chemicals like antibiotics. Is that not true, and it's just a mechanical filtration? If so, then there really isn't any such thing as chemical filtration. It's just very fine mechanical filtration.
It will bond to ionic elements and under heat and pressure...or in microbes it can be used to bond or compound more complexly... but the carbon sitting on a filter media bag that is a wall of carbonated wood, is 99% mechanical. Not bonding to much becuase its not free carbon yet...but if its eaten by carbon loving bacteria and in the ecosystem and in various forms, then later after its been metabolized some of those compounds can indeed bond to organic compounds and molecules... similar to liquid charcoal for pumping stomachs on overdoses or alcohol poisoning. It does act like a sponge via capiliary actjon as well, since wood retains the micro-tubules of the vascularure of the source wood/plant
@Fishtory so chemical filtration is a myth in itself because there are no chemical reactions in the carbon. It is all mechanical or biological filtration.
Not actually a cycle? Sure it is. The aquarist drives to the store, they put things in the tank, some things die, they drive to the store again, they put more things in the tank; then they work a 9-5 to get more money to drive to the store and buy more things for the tank. I suppose it’s more of a constant loop around the beltway than a cycle. 😅
Haha you made my week just now
Hi bro Please suggest, can we create food web in a sump system?
Of course
@@dimitrijekrstic7567 it would be very helpful if u guide or make an video how to create food web in sump system,
Fish in cycle every time, no losses.
Mythconceptions!
Snailed it!
Cycling again 😂
😉😊