STEM PLANTS BUNDLE SALE - Over 75 plants - 15 Species for $59! Limited Time OFFER so HURRY! father-fish-aquarium.myshopify.com/ For Special Soil Supplements, Plants, FIsh & Merch in your country: fatherfish.fish/
So, I've been watching several channels of younger fish keepers and all they say is water change, water change, water change. I recently came across you tank I love your ideas or should I say wisdom. I should have know to learn form an older guy who has done it all. Starting my first tank because of you.
I just "found" Father Fish two days ago! Because of him, SO MANY questions I had about how my grandmother jet fish without even seeing to try have been answered. This is an incredible channel for this hobby and absolutely should be required watching for anyone who desires to do right by their aquatic pets
This guy deserves more subs! I never EVER comment on youtube but watching this old timer encourage me to be more relaxed in this hobby. If u are new like me, u will face many stressful challenges like dead fish, plants dying, cloudy water, etc.. The amount of tips and knowledge he shared are PRICELESS! 1. Deep substrate 2. Feed less 3. More plants Father Fish, thank you for everything and I pray for your good health. 😄👍🏻 Lots of love frm Malaysia 🇲🇾
This algae thing is what I have been telling people for years. Algae is the best tank balancing tool we have available to us, it really helps the beginner. Thanks for listening!
FF speaking facts right here. Every time I set up a tank algae comes in for about a month until the plants grow in and take all the excess nutrients. At night plants give off CO2 (CO2 in the water is turned into Carbonic acid (H2CO3)) and so the pH shifts towards the acid. They use the stored sugar as an alternative energy source to the light to perform the growing and 'burning' this sugar causes CO2 to be released. Meaning plants will grow at night and give of C02 for tomorrows photosynthesis period. Look at your dwarf lilies and banana plants before you turn the lights off, the plant will have grown many inches throughout the night. I call em "night growers" :)
I agree. Algae is a vital ingredient to a healthy tank. Many newbies get caught up with trying to have a spotless clean tank. I have found over the years that the more you mess with a tank, the more problems you will have.
Very enjoyable FF, this is you at your best, you have a wonderful gift as a public orator. Glad you're better, God bless, people like you make this such a wonderful world ❤️
This is the first Father Fish video I've watched and it's awesome...you're awesome, a wealth of knowledge. Thank you so much for sharing it. Add me to your sub count.
I subbed today !!! 😇 Algea has grown on me since I've been in the hobby for many years and always learning about it. The look if algea IMO is a natural effect that looks good in the tank but black algea has caused many problems atm on my plants and tank equipment. I'm happy you explained this topic understandably for me but I would like to see this black algea type go. BTW NO one says God bless as much any more it was real nice to hear that from you..God bless you too brother Stay well and may the blood of Jesus covers you and protects you.🙌
Another topic covered perfectly 🎯 in my journey of learning about a balanced Aquarium. It can be frustrating for a beginner when you're trying to dial in a new tank...then all the sudden you have algae growing everywhere. Your advice of a deep sand bed, feed less, and lots of plants makes lots of sense.. then being patient to let the aquarium balance itself! Oh I love that rock at the end.. that is gorgeous.. Very enjoyable and informative.. thank you so much for sharing!!👍🌱🐟🌿
The " common sense " part is what most people are lacking. They want to just run to petco and buy a bunch of chemicals, and don't bother to think about what is causing the problem.
Here's hoping you continue to be feeling better. Scary times we all are living in the last couple years. I'm hoping you and all of us avoid this 'plague' as well. Thank you for another lesson on fish keeping, and all it intails. Even though I don't have any tanks right now, it's still a great pleasure to learn. I absolutely love those rocks your friend collected! Yes, they are gorgeous! I love rocks anyway, and these are now top of my love list. :) Thank you for sharing.
I TOTALLY agree with you on algae , especially on rocks. I have a tank that gets very little growth but it literally turns 3 larger anubias nana black. Nothing else gets it. None on rocks, sand and just a smidge on glass. Why would it be so heavy within weeks of cleaning plants but so little everywhere else. Thank you.
You can get the carpet algae from fry food! “Sera micron nature” I found out by accident taking care of my yellow lightning cichlids fry and tore it up!. Now I won’t.! Thank you sir. Your a great man
Hello father fish, the other day I was in a river looking for plants. I found a floating seaweed, so beautiful that I have put it in my aquarium. Thank you for your teaching, you help me lose my fear. Thank you
I love to have substrates with a mix of fine sand and larger chunks of rock and shells. The various sizes of the particles is more natural and keeps the pH buffered. Algae blooms saved my tanks several times and fish love green water.
I just found your channel. I have been thinking about algae for a while... I am not particularly against algie. I mean I even like Manino Balls and they are a form of Hair Algae if I remember right. As long as it stays on the back and decor I don't mind algae. I would really like to know how to grow that Mamino Ball style Algae on the back of my tanks for background.
There is a small village in rural Japan where all of the inhabitants go down to the lake every morning and roll the hair algae into balls. Sale of these popular balls is the sole source of income for the villagers.
If you get B-Grade moss balls it's pretty cheap, and the big ones are more hollow. You can cut them open, flatten them, and attach them to almost anything with aquarium safe superglue. Glass wouldn't be ideal, but you could attach hobby mesh with suction cups or just gluing it to one of those fake rock walls.
Great points! I’m glad to hear your are advocating the rethink of tank algae! The more and more fish keepers realize to think from fish perspectives but not just viewers. I like the term “Algae Management” instead of “Algae Avoidance”. Algae benefits our fish and water quality, but we need a balance. Thank you Fish Father for sharing your experience and wisdom!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I found your channel yesterday and I've been watching your videos one after another and enjoying them. Take care and stay safe.
Father Fish I just discovered your channel and I have learnt lots today, you have answered the questions I had and I will approach algae in a totally different way from today on, thanks!
This is one of the best videos Ive seen mate I'm going to do a tank with the information you have given and quote your channel on my video as soon as I get round to doing it... I love algae lawn I had it in my tanks because I over feed my guppies to make them breed and grow faster but I do loads of water changes like every 5 days or so... Thank you I'm going to binge watch your videos!
With all you're knowledge and only a year or two starting out with RUclips I'm surprised there aren't more subscribers but that well come with time.. I love you're content and come here to learn everyday! Keep up the great work and stay safe!
I’ve always been taking out algae and my plants have been doing terrible, when I buy more plants they melt. I think my plants are going to do much better now, thank you.
Very interesting! I plan on setting up a 20 gal tank after returning from a trip this summer. I intend to have a Betta once it is cycled, along with my corydora, otocinclus, and a couple varieties of tetras. Will your plant methods work the same in this case? And do you know how many of these fish is be able to house? Besides the Betta, that is. So happy I found you, being the newbie I am. What you say makes total sense to me and I've been doing a ton of research. Any input you could give me would be so very much appreciated. And I'm glad you're feeling better, too!
Coy from Aquarium Coop preaches gravel substrate for plants because it allows for fish waste, food, etc to get down into the bottom layers better thus making it better for plants. What you’re saying is contrary to him and I like your channel, but he’s an expert imo.
I had a hair algae problem, I tried everything to fix the imbalance in the tank but no success. When I exhausted all my options I replaced 90% of the substrate with high-tech stuff and that got me on track. I have not tried a "low-tech" aquarium but I'm looking to set one up. Thank you for the video
father fish may i ask, my dwarft floating lettuce cant grow, they multiplying but the rate of multiplying versus melting, melt is higher. if it nutrient my aquarium have lots of hairy algae
Now you tanks are loaded with plants do you have to supplement iron and potassium? Im growing houseplants and aquatic in mine and struggling to keep nitrates up and believe i keep running into these defiencies
Finally, I got green water in some tubs in my backyard (summer is coming) but I forgot for what this green water is good. So the question, for what is that green water good?
Great but simple tutorial on algae. Glad to see you have your whimsical sense of humor back, and that you feel much better. I'll be watching for the rock on GetGills.com. Best Blessings.
Father Fish you say it doesn't matter what type of sand. in my freshwater tropical tank already established, quite well planted. Do you mean I can go to my local sea beach and get sand from above water line and add it slowly on top of the fine substrate I have? also, one of the Ember Tetra is not going to live much longer - you suggested to bury it under the substrate?
Hi, Adding a layer of algae in the sump o ly with fish waste and water is it good for water, and will it do any good to improve the quality of water for fishes? Thanks
Glad I found your channel. Were cycling a 33 long for our Apistogramma Cacatuoides triple reds and now I need to go get some more sand. 45 lbs gave us about 3" I think another 20lbs should be sufficient. New subb. Great information. Stay well.
Thank you so much for your videos, glad that you are better... I just set up 3 tanks for the first time and I a layer of soil with sand over it... I just found your channel and am excited that I did something good... phew... Thank you... my tanks have finally cycled but I am battling what someone said is "Hydra"... help???
Yep im using algae to balance, anything is good front glass I'll just scrape it but welp I hate bba and staghorn if it ever appear on plant leafs. So I combat staghorn by clipping them away and letting the other algae in my tank stay now staghorn is gone lol
What do you suggest I with a 10 gal tank that already has gravel? It’s very small gravel from New Zealand. Should I replace the gravel? Which would be tedious, but I’d do it if you suggest I do so. Or can I just add sand on top of the gravel? The reason I went with gravel is because I’ve read articles and watched videos stating sand isn’t good for Betta fish. But I couldn’t go with the big and ugly “common” gravel. And after watching just two of your videos I have an overwhelming feeling that you know exactly what you’re talking about.😉 You had me at “don’t cycle your tank”.😂 I’ve never believed in cycling, and my multiple tanks I’ve had and have now were never cycled. I was told my Betta fish were going to die.🤣 Marcus has been with me a year and still going strong. Leopold has been with me for 6 months and is doing just fine as well, lol. I’ve subscribed and will be supporting you by grabbing a shirt or two. Thank you for your videos and knowledge! God bless you, sir. Thank God you’re back to good health!!!🙏🏼
Thank you Samantha. Yes, add sand to the gravel. that will be perfect. Bettas love sand. they just hate foul, stinky tanks. Join us on Discord. You will love it.
Gravel is the worst substrate one can use in an aquarium. A lot of crap gets trapped underneath. I have seen many novices start off using gravel, and they wonder why fishes keep dying even when they clean the tank often. Well, unless you take the trouble of taking all the gravel out, the bottom doesn't really get clean enough. Pool filter sand is the best I've tried.
I don’t get what u mean cause I have a Gravel tank And the last 2 years I have not do Any water change for 3 years have not clean the Gravel and it’s working great for me Clearwater have algae on the glass and I don’t clean it very little
@@ThanhNguyen-xx3gr A skilled fish keeper can use ANY substrate successfully. For a new fish keeper I al;ways strongly recommend deep sand and soil substrate. I KNOW they will be successful.
Before finding you Father Fish, I sat up my 10 gallon tank with Pure Water Pebbles Premium Fresh Water Substrate, with filter. Can I add 2-3 inches of sand, more live plants eventually have pretty clear water that you talk about. If not what do I need to do? Appreciate you and your wisdom. Thank you! Marie
Thank you yet again father fish.. Since I've found your channel, I have been absorbing all your fishkeeping wisdom, and i cannot thank you enough.. Just would like to express my gratitude..
I like algae, the problem is when he is "doing bad" to plants. Is a ecosystem, of course all the things that appears are for a reason. Algae save my fish a lot of times.
So would you say a split photoperiod of say 5 hours light, 4 hours darkness, 5 hours light is actually not a great thing? I read it helps replenish CO2 and aids plant growth, and I'm not concerned about algae growing but I just don't want it killing the plants....would you say it's more beneficial to do 10 hours straight of light and letting what happens happen? Wouldn't CO2 levels be really low after 5 hours of lights being on? As you can tell I've done a lot of googling and need some father fish knowledge to solve this lighting mystery
The idea of a split cycle is based on a 12 hr growth cycle with algae. Ostensibly it breaks the algae growth cycle. That may be the case but if it is true then all other plants are similarly affected. That means a broken cycle will inhibit plant growth. Maybe, but it most certainly is marginal. If you have good reason to do so then by all means. Personally I prefer to leave lights on 24/7 wherever possible. Light intensity does not begin to approach sunlight levels and plants do not require dark, nor, for that matter, do fish.
@@FatherFish 12 hours on it is then! I'd try 24 hours but the tank is in my kids bedroom and it'd keep them up all night watching fish....maybe not a bad thing if they didn't fall asleep at school haha
Hi father fish i have two of those rocks but once a week they keep getting brown algie,should i leave it on or remove it as you said life needs life.👍👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Today I noticed Algae (ive also lost 6+ Goldfish in my 1yr of starting this beautiful hobby which shouldn't be the case). I asked the question why algae whats it telling me? Whats nature saying? I came across your channel, thank God. Most channels say clean glass do water changes/ this that etc I had a little gravel and zero plants red flags immediately. Today i topped up 20kg of natural sand from my local aquarium and 3 real plants as a starter, ill add more 🪴 plants (180L tank). Today i learnt so much, thankyou Father fish. God bless your wisdom. I had zero nature in my tank (accept for the algae trying to teach me lol) today ive added so much natural materials in and i hope my 3 goldfish will thrive. Im learning. 👍🙏 And cutting my feeding down, every 2 days instead of daily.
Thank you for the wise words father fish . That stone seems similar to Texas holy rock but much more spooky . So glad your feeling better just in time for good Friday and Easter my friend
I've been actively trying to grown algae on my wood and rocks. It's a balancing act. Algae doesn't always grow where I want it to. LOL. Nice rocks. My calvus would love some of those rocks to use as hides. I'll look for them on getgills.
I've been setting up all my new tanks using your method. You and I disagree on politics, but we can agree on fish! Thanks for sharing your fishkeeping knowledge. Also, thank you for the masks. So king of you to share!! I'm planning to order some of your plants off getgills soon.
At the beginning of the video you said something about giving algae to someone who already has an algae outbreak. Have you had success with using neat algae species to outcompete the messy ones? If so, could you share a few competitive and unobtrusive algae species? Sorry if you addressed that in the video already.
When you say feed less, how much less? I do not want my fish to die of hunger? I am already feeding too little. Like 30 pellets for 8 fish = 4 pellets per fish or so.
Hello - Love the channel - love the Philosophy and apply it here at home in Montreal. I just started a 90 gallon, 1.5" dirt (50% peat 25% black earth 25% compost) covered in 2" of sand. It is loaded with multiple species of plants, I mean loaded. There are no fish, and I have been cycling for 2 weeks. I used cycled water and many sponge squeezes from other tanks I have. I have two large sponge filters. There is lots of hair algae and the type that is on the glass. I am thinking of a water change, but am wondering what could be causing the bio load. Compost???
Well, started a new aquarium 8 days a go, 1 inch of dirt, well actually it is humus for flowers, than about 2 inch of sand. Have 4 snails for now (quite big ones, orange :) a lot of aquarium plants and a few from the nearby river. There is algae on the glass but not much and I don't mind 'em it will be a great start for the next step and this is getting some algae eaters. The water is pretty clear. I have an old branch in it, and it can be that is a bit of tannin in water and maybe some floating algae, but I would like to have a piece of nature in my room not an aquarium, you know what I mean. Big external filter (not modern, the old type one, with gravel and sponge). No mud in the water. The snails seem to be quite happy, they took some leafs from the plants but maybe this was not needed ones, who knows :) snail business hahaha. I'm not going to take out these leafs btw. they will stay in the aquarium. I wonder when will be good time to start with adding fishes? I am thinking to start with some algae eaters than after some time with guppies and something similar and with some "dirt eaters" You know that funny little vacuum cleaners on the bottom :), So the questions,,, what do you think when will be a good time to start with adding fishes? Is it anything that I have to pay a special attention? Or just, let it be and see what will happen?
Discord: discord.gg/h3Y3xKNJ Play sand is not too fine but it is very dirty. Rinse it OR put it in the tank dry to cover the dirt, then carefully add water without stirring up the sand. It will clear in a day..
I set it up before I saw ur comment. Did exactly that. Had a little bit of stuff floating but when I hooked up the air it dropped down. The water is crystal clear right now. Usually I'm getting an algae bloom already while the plants acclimate to the new tank.
Interesting...I see this as I just got an mild explosion of black beard algae. I have treated it for 4 days with Flourish....because of ...well...purely aesthetic reasons. Should I just leave it and my tank will eventually balance out? I'm mainly worried about my plants health.
Right after I posted this...I went to check to see if it has had any effect after 4 days of dosing. It hasn't...on the plants. However...I just did a medium water change because Big Mama....my 5year old striped Raphael catfish...is out of her cave (highly unusual)...and seems to be having trouble out of the blue.
I have two Ancistrus and two Silver Foxes and no algae! I have to ask my local fish store for hair algae which they are battling with Flagfish to feed my hungry brood.
I’ve had problems with black beard algae for a long time, because it keeps invading plants. I have tried so many different things, but it seems resilient. I reckon that because my ph is 7.6-8, and the higher the ph, the harder it gets for plants to get CO2 because it forms carbonates instead. But BBA seems to thrive in high pH, because they can get that CO2 from carbonates more easily than plants. So I guess because my tap water is 7.6 and I have Tanganyika fish living in 60 gallon, I can never get rid of BBA. BBA seems to be a different sort of algae then others, because I never get any other algae blooms. Just BBA slowly growing no matter what.
The algea that wiil form a mat on the substrate is a type of Cladophora algae. I get it in my tanks. Covers substrate and rocks. Like you, I like the way it looks on the rocks. Not so much on the substrate.
Thank you for posting this information. I watched this video because algae is the current issue in my four month old 10 gallon tank. Likely, I've overfed the tank in a desire to assure that the fish were getting enough. Maybe you could do a video on when enough is enough :-) . I'll also need to add that 3 inch sand bottom you recommend. Currently I have a 1.5 inch gravel bottom. Thus far I've replaced dead plants three times. So I've increased the light duration to 8 hours as you recommend. Once the sand is added I'll try again (with cheap plants). Not sure yet how that will work out. I do 5 gallon water replacements but I'll reduce that to a 10% as you recommended. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. I'm glad that you are recovering from your illness.
Great video - the art of explaining such complex issues is keeping it simple and relatable - and you nailed it. I got a question though. I put Chlorella algae in my tank on purpose. Looks awesome - beautiful bright green, looks like a field of grass. However it kills all my plants. I assume there is no way to keep both algae and plant groth controlled? I got some snails and an armada of Armano shrimp but they rather clean the rocks or the filter instead of the leaves. Is there any way to slow down the growth of just the algae? Greetings from Germany!
Yes. The deep substrate, done properly, reduces nutrients in the water column. This will reduce algae growth. It may also be the reason your plants are dying, insufficient nutrition in the substrate and lack of anaerobic activity due to shallow bed.
All my tanks are full lush and clear, I do have a little bit of algea occasionally but most of it gets eaten by the fish. I've learned that if you have enough live plants then you won't need to worry about algea.
Yes Gary. That is the fundamental truth of fish keeping. AND more plants mean more fish will thrive. It is all based on nitrates of course. The more nitrates the more plants. The next video explains it all.
STEM PLANTS BUNDLE SALE - Over 75 plants - 15 Species for $59! Limited Time OFFER so HURRY!
father-fish-aquarium.myshopify.com/
For Special Soil Supplements, Plants, FIsh & Merch in your country:
fatherfish.fish/
@@FatherFish what is better for oxygen? Moss or algae ?
So, I've been watching several channels of younger fish keepers and all they say is water change, water change, water change. I recently came across you tank I love your ideas or should I say wisdom. I should have know to learn form an older guy who has done it all. Starting my first tank because of you.
I just "found" Father Fish two days ago! Because of him, SO MANY questions I had about how my grandmother jet fish without even seeing to try have been answered. This is an incredible channel for this hobby and absolutely should be required watching for anyone who desires to do right by their aquatic pets
💜
This guy deserves more subs! I never EVER comment on youtube but watching this old timer encourage me to be more relaxed in this hobby. If u are new like me, u will face many stressful challenges like dead fish, plants dying, cloudy water, etc..
The amount of tips and knowledge he shared are PRICELESS!
1. Deep substrate
2. Feed less
3. More plants
Father Fish, thank you for everything and I pray for your good health. 😄👍🏻
Lots of love frm Malaysia 🇲🇾
Thank you Bob May from Malaysia. Join us on Discord: discord.gg/8DmmRE9Nq4
@@FatherFish Joined! Thank you 🥳
I somewhat agree but plants aren’t always possible, for example plant’s wouldn’t last an hour in my rift tank
@Black Doug you might be able to find some that will survive in that ph but probably have to put a divider in to keep fish from destroying them.
@@NotSure876there's always over the top plants😊
omg....i like algae now wtf. what just happened
😂
😂😂
This algae thing is what I have been telling people for years. Algae is the best tank balancing tool we have available to us, it really helps the beginner. Thanks for listening!
Good job Jeffrey. Overcoming fear seems to be the most imprtant skill.
FF speaking facts right here. Every time I set up a tank algae comes in for about a month until the plants grow in and take all the excess nutrients. At night plants give off CO2 (CO2 in the water is turned into Carbonic acid (H2CO3)) and so the pH shifts towards the acid.
They use the stored sugar as an alternative energy source to the light to perform the growing and 'burning' this sugar causes CO2 to be released. Meaning plants will grow at night and give of C02 for tomorrows photosynthesis period. Look at your dwarf lilies and banana plants before you turn the lights off, the plant will have grown many inches throughout the night. I call em "night growers" :)
Lovely
Spot on!
As long as it's not on my front glass!
💯💯💯💯💯
🤣🤣
@@zimrianispresent8123 been missing seeing you in the mornings👋✌️
@@marypaigeflynn4512 I got promoted at work and I am busy! I miss the live streams too :(
That’s where mine was
I wish he was my neighbor. I could have a drink and listen to the knowledge for hours
Glad you’re ok! Your like the grandpa I never had. God bless you.
Thank you sagrath. You are like the son I never had.
@@FatherFish glad to hear that! I guess we’re family now 😊
I have the biggest crush on you Fatherfish! 🥰 I’m so glad you’re feeling better!!!! Please stay well and thank you so much for the great content!
Nothing like a real cutie with a crush to make my heart throb. TY Sweet girl.
I agree. Algae is a vital ingredient to a healthy tank. Many newbies get caught up with trying to have a spotless clean tank. I have found over the years that the more you mess with a tank, the more problems you will have.
They do take care of themselves given adequate resources
Very enjoyable FF, this is you at your best, you have a wonderful gift as a public orator. Glad you're better, God bless, people like you make this such a wonderful world ❤️
Thank you Kevin. Such a delightful sentiment.
Real talk, based on real experience. Love it! Such a refreshing contrast to the industry at large.
Keeping it real. Thank you EZ.
This is the first Father Fish video I've watched and it's awesome...you're awesome, a wealth of knowledge. Thank you so much for sharing it. Add me to your sub count.
Thank you Raeburn.
Father Fish. You are one of the most amazing things that has happened in my life. Thank you so much for bringing my Fish hobby to level 99
I used to always leave algae on the back wall of my aquariums looked good and fed the fish !
Me too. I never clean the back and sides.
I subbed today !!! 😇
Algea has grown on me since I've been in the hobby for many years and always learning about it. The look if algea IMO is a natural effect that looks good in the tank but black algea has caused many problems atm on my plants and tank equipment. I'm happy you explained this topic understandably for me but I would like to see this black algea type go. BTW NO one says God bless as much any more it was real nice to hear that from you..God bless you too brother Stay well and may the blood of Jesus covers you and protects you.🙌
Another topic covered perfectly 🎯 in my journey of learning about a balanced Aquarium. It can be frustrating for a beginner when you're trying to dial in a new tank...then all the sudden you have algae growing everywhere. Your advice of a deep sand bed, feed less, and lots of plants makes lots of sense.. then being patient to let the aquarium balance itself!
Oh I love that rock at the end.. that is gorgeous..
Very enjoyable and informative.. thank you so much for sharing!!👍🌱🐟🌿
TY MP. There is much to like about algae.
The " common sense " part is what most people are lacking. They want to just run to petco and buy a bunch of chemicals, and don't bother to think about what is causing the problem.
@@btcbob11392 🙌👍❤️
God bless you father fish and keep yourself healthy and safe. ❤
TY Lady soto. God bless you.
Here's hoping you continue to be feeling better. Scary times we all are living in the last couple years. I'm hoping you and all of us avoid this 'plague' as well. Thank you for another lesson on fish keeping, and all it intails. Even though I don't have any tanks right now, it's still a great pleasure to learn. I absolutely love those rocks your friend collected! Yes, they are gorgeous! I love rocks anyway, and these are now top of my love list. :) Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! You too lizzy!
I TOTALLY agree with you on algae , especially on rocks. I have a tank that gets very little growth but it literally turns 3 larger anubias nana black. Nothing else gets it. None on rocks, sand and just a smidge on glass. Why would it be so heavy within weeks of cleaning plants but so little everywhere else. Thank you.
Had not thought about it. Interesting problem. The most desirable for the algae is plants. Typically they are old leaves of plants.
Maybe you need to put in fast growing plants like ancharis and java moss.
You can get the carpet algae from fry food! “Sera micron nature” I found out by accident taking care of my yellow lightning cichlids fry and tore it up!. Now I won’t.! Thank you sir. Your a great man
Yep. Foopd grows algae.
Algae is Mother Natures great equalizer!
You should rename your channel to FATHER FISH WIZARD🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
lol The Gandolf fish channel!
Hello father fish, the other day I was in a river looking for plants. I found a floating seaweed, so beautiful that I have put it in my aquarium. Thank you for your teaching, you help me lose my fear. Thank you
Sounds great!
More of a problem when leaf plants get covered in different types of algae.
I love to have substrates with a mix of fine sand and larger chunks of rock and shells. The various sizes of the particles is more natural and keeps the pH buffered. Algae blooms saved my tanks several times and fish love green water.
agreed
I just found your channel. I have been thinking about algae for a while... I am not particularly against algie. I mean I even like Manino Balls and they are a form of Hair Algae if I remember right. As long as it stays on the back and decor I don't mind algae. I would really like to know how to grow that Mamino Ball style Algae on the back of my tanks for background.
There is a small village in rural Japan where all of the inhabitants go down to the lake every morning and roll the hair algae into balls. Sale of these popular balls is the sole source of income for the villagers.
If you get B-Grade moss balls it's pretty cheap, and the big ones are more hollow. You can cut them open, flatten them, and attach them to almost anything with aquarium safe superglue. Glass wouldn't be ideal, but you could attach hobby mesh with suction cups or just gluing it to one of those fake rock walls.
Great points! I’m glad to hear your are advocating the rethink of tank algae! The more and more fish keepers realize to think from fish perspectives but not just viewers. I like the term “Algae Management” instead of “Algae Avoidance”. Algae benefits our fish and water quality, but we need a balance. Thank you Fish Father for sharing your experience and wisdom!
Very true Goldfish Corner! Thank you for your understanding.
Your informative content is great. Thank you
Thank you Mr. Wild Nature. Happy to have you on board.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I found your channel yesterday and I've been watching your videos one after another and enjoying them. Take care and stay safe.
"Well Boo"😂 good stuff
Father Fish I just discovered your channel and I have learnt lots today, you have answered the questions I had and I will approach algae in a totally different way from today on, thanks!
This is one of the best videos Ive seen mate I'm going to do a tank with the information you have given and quote your channel on my video as soon as I get round to doing it... I love algae lawn I had it in my tanks because I over feed my guppies to make them breed and grow faster but I do loads of water changes like every 5 days or so... Thank you I'm going to binge watch your videos!
With all you're knowledge and only a year or two starting out with RUclips I'm surprised there aren't more subscribers but that well come with time.. I love you're content and come here to learn everyday! Keep up the great work and stay safe!
Now we are beginning to see our voice being heard more widely day by day. Thank you Cody for your confidence.
I’ve always been taking out algae and my plants have been doing terrible, when I buy more plants they melt. I think my plants are going to do much better now, thank you.
You can do it!
I had beatiful Cladophora that started covering drirftwood but unfortunately Amano ate it.
A very fern like algae. Beautiful.
Very interesting! I plan on setting up a 20 gal tank after returning from a trip this summer. I intend to have a Betta once it is cycled, along with my corydora, otocinclus, and a couple varieties of tetras. Will your plant methods work the same in this case? And do you know how many of these fish is be able to house? Besides the Betta, that is. So happy I found you, being the newbie I am. What you say makes total sense to me and I've been doing a ton of research. Any input you could give me would be so very much appreciated. And I'm glad you're feeling better, too!
Once the deep substrate is in place you will be delighted with the variety of plants and animals you can have in your tank.
So, in FF's method, you can't really have carpeting plants, right? I just don't see how Monte Carlo can grow on a thick layer of sand.
Join us on Discord and learn the secret. discord.gg/aZdhPasp
Coy from Aquarium Coop preaches gravel substrate for plants because it allows for fish waste, food, etc to get down into the bottom layers better thus making it better for plants. What you’re saying is contrary to him and I like your channel, but he’s an expert imo.
What is an expert?
Keep active father fish and you stay young and healthy👍👍👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
That's the plan David! Thank you for your encouragement'
Keep safe my friend and be carefull ok and dont over do things, father fish wizard👍👍👍😁😁😁🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
@@davidrix804 Bless you David. My days are peaceful. My nights are quiet. And God has blessed me with countless friends right here.
Thank you for sharing more of your amazing wisdom. So glad you are feeling better. Stay safe brother.
“What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.❤🙏🏽❤🍁
I had a hair algae problem, I tried everything to fix the imbalance in the tank but no success. When I exhausted all my options I replaced 90% of the substrate with high-tech stuff and that got me on track. I have not tried a "low-tech" aquarium but I'm looking to set one up. Thank you for the video
It’s like we only want the fish and nothing else from the lake but yet we expect are fish to be as healthy as wild fish in the lake.
Perfectly described Teetow. We need all the lake has to offer if our fish are to be at home.
Hello father fish. Thanks again for the insight. Can I add bottom feeders like corys to my food web father fish system?
Yes, absolutely
grandfather.........i am so glad you're doing fine. Stay healthy....we need you for another 100 years. Super hugs.
father fish may i ask, my dwarft floating lettuce cant grow, they multiplying but the rate of multiplying versus melting, melt is higher. if it nutrient my aquarium have lots of hairy algae
Needs more light.
Now you tanks are loaded with plants do you have to supplement iron and potassium? Im growing houseplants and aquatic in mine and struggling to keep nitrates up and believe i keep running into these defiencies
add fish, enough to generate the needed nitrate.
Finally, I got green water in some tubs in my backyard (summer is coming) but I forgot for what this green water is good. So the question, for what is that green water good?
For the health of the system.
It is a plant. Think of it as a plant.
Great but simple tutorial on algae. Glad to see you have your whimsical sense of humor back, and that you feel much better. I'll be watching for the rock on GetGills.com. Best Blessings.
Father Fish you say it doesn't matter what type of sand. in my freshwater tropical tank already established, quite well planted. Do you mean I can go to my local sea beach and get sand from above water line and add it slowly on top of the fine substrate I have? also, one of the Ember Tetra is not going to live much longer - you suggested to bury it under the substrate?
Yes. The purpose with the tiny fish is to maintain the ecology of the system by not removing anything without replacing it.
Hi,
Adding a layer of algae in the sump o ly with fish waste and water is it good for water, and will it do any good to improve the quality of water for fishes?
Thanks
Not sure I understand your question. Join us on Discord to discuss this. discord.gg/GdakStEjAy
What do you think about a thick potting soil base before cappping with sand ?
That is part of my formula.
I was just about to stock up on some algae eaters because I have algae growing on my glass. I guess I won’t now.
You can and should.
Wait a minute, you have videos stating water changes aren't necessary, but suggest them here
AS NEEDED!! If there is a good reason to change water then by all means do it. If there is not, don't!
Good to see you back! Wishing you Great Health Father Fish ...thank you for your time and wisdom 🙏
I want to have lots of plants, but i have american Cichlids and they eat the plants. What to do?
The do not eat them. They pull them up. Add heavier plants and hornwort.
Glad I found your channel. Were cycling a 33 long for our Apistogramma Cacatuoides triple reds and now I need to go get some more sand. 45 lbs gave us about 3" I think another 20lbs should be sufficient. New subb. Great information. Stay well.
Thank you so much for your videos, glad that you are better... I just set up 3 tanks for the first time and I a layer of soil with sand over it... I just found your channel and am excited that I did something good... phew... Thank you... my tanks have finally cycled but I am battling what someone said is "Hydra"... help???
is a carbon dioxide diffuser necessary for your system? I have not yet seen you mention that but maybe i missed it.
The deep substrate creates vast amounts of CO2
Yep im using algae to balance,
anything is good front glass I'll just scrape it but welp I hate bba and staghorn if it ever appear on plant leafs.
So I combat staghorn by clipping them away and letting the other algae in my tank stay now staghorn is gone lol
The main problem for me is that Americans cannot pronounce algae
as 'Algay'. 'Aljee'? Really?? 😁
Seriously. Very interesting video.
Thank you. 👍
We are trapped by our tongues
@@FatherFish
Probably by our cultures too.
Haha.
What do you suggest I with a 10 gal tank that already has gravel? It’s very small gravel from New Zealand. Should I replace the gravel? Which would be tedious, but I’d do it if you suggest I do so. Or can I just add sand on top of the gravel? The reason I went with gravel is because I’ve read articles and watched videos stating sand isn’t good for Betta fish. But I couldn’t go with the big and ugly “common” gravel.
And after watching just two of your videos I have an overwhelming feeling that you know exactly what you’re talking about.😉
You had me at “don’t cycle your tank”.😂
I’ve never believed in cycling, and my multiple tanks I’ve had and have now were never cycled. I was told my Betta fish were going to die.🤣
Marcus has been with me a year and still going strong. Leopold has been with me for 6 months and is doing just fine as well, lol.
I’ve subscribed and will be supporting you by grabbing a shirt or two. Thank you for your videos and knowledge! God bless you, sir. Thank God you’re back to good health!!!🙏🏼
Thank you Samantha. Yes, add sand to the gravel. that will be perfect. Bettas love sand. they just hate foul, stinky tanks. Join us on Discord. You will love it.
@@FatherFishThank you for the valuable advice! I will check out Discord.👍🏼
Gravel is the worst substrate one can use in an aquarium. A lot of crap gets trapped underneath. I have seen many novices start off using gravel, and they wonder why fishes keep dying even when they clean the tank often. Well, unless you take the trouble of taking all the gravel out, the bottom doesn't really get clean enough. Pool filter sand is the best I've tried.
I don’t get what u mean cause I have a Gravel tank And the last 2 years I have not do Any water change for 3 years have not clean the Gravel and it’s working great for me Clearwater have algae on the glass and I don’t clean it very little
But I modify my filter so I think that help with my water
@@ThanhNguyen-xx3gr , what filter system do you use? Are you using gravel filter? Because that is the only thing that would make sense here
@@ThanhNguyen-xx3gr A skilled fish keeper can use
ANY substrate successfully. For a new fish keeper I al;ways strongly recommend deep sand and soil substrate. I KNOW they will be successful.
Before finding you Father Fish, I sat up my 10 gallon tank with Pure Water Pebbles Premium Fresh Water Substrate, with filter. Can I add 2-3 inches of sand, more live plants eventually have pretty clear water that you talk about. If not what do I need to do? Appreciate you and your wisdom. Thank you! Marie
Simply pour 2" of clean sand into the tank. All will be well.
@@FatherFish thank
Appreciate and thank you so much.
Thank you yet again father fish.. Since I've found your channel, I have been absorbing all your fishkeeping wisdom, and i cannot thank you enough.. Just would like to express my gratitude..
Can I have a healthy betta bowl w/o an air stone, water changes, or filter with only ceiling office lighting?
do not need air stone. There are tiny, cheap goose neck spot lights perfect for that job.
I know algae isnt bad & doesnt hurt my fish but i hate it its ugly & makes the tank look dirty
I know. hehe
I like algae, the problem is when he is "doing bad" to plants. Is a ecosystem, of course all the things that appears are for a reason. Algae save my fish a lot of times.
So would you say a split photoperiod of say 5 hours light, 4 hours darkness, 5 hours light is actually not a great thing? I read it helps replenish CO2 and aids plant growth, and I'm not concerned about algae growing but I just don't want it killing the plants....would you say it's more beneficial to do 10 hours straight of light and letting what happens happen? Wouldn't CO2 levels be really low after 5 hours of lights being on? As you can tell I've done a lot of googling and need some father fish knowledge to solve this lighting mystery
The idea of a split cycle is based on a 12 hr growth cycle with algae. Ostensibly it breaks the algae growth cycle. That may be the case but if it is true then all other plants are similarly affected. That means a broken cycle will inhibit plant growth. Maybe, but it most certainly is marginal. If you have good reason to do so then by all means. Personally I prefer to leave lights on 24/7 wherever possible. Light intensity does not begin to approach sunlight levels and plants do not require dark, nor, for that matter, do fish.
@@FatherFish 12 hours on it is then! I'd try 24 hours but the tank is in my kids bedroom and it'd keep them up all night watching fish....maybe not a bad thing if they didn't fall asleep at school haha
Do you still have / sell some of those rocks ? If so, how can i get in touch with you ?
I do not have rocks. I have some driftwood, supplement, leaf mulch and dried leaves.
Father fish i have gravel and not mud and sand do i need to gravel vac?
That or add sand to your substrate, about 2".
Hi father fish i have two of those rocks but once a week they keep getting brown algie,should i leave it on or remove it as you said life needs life.👍👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Add more plants to compete with the algae.
Thank you friend and for replying👍👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Today I noticed Algae (ive also lost 6+ Goldfish in my 1yr of starting this beautiful hobby which shouldn't be the case). I asked the question why algae whats it telling me? Whats nature saying? I came across your channel, thank God.
Most channels say clean glass do water changes/ this that etc I had a little gravel and zero plants red flags immediately. Today i topped up 20kg of natural sand from my local aquarium and 3 real plants as a starter, ill add more 🪴 plants (180L tank). Today i learnt so much, thankyou Father fish. God bless your wisdom. I had zero nature in my tank (accept for the algae trying to teach me lol) today ive added so much natural materials in and i hope my 3 goldfish will thrive. Im learning. 👍🙏 And cutting my feeding down, every 2 days instead of daily.
Thank you for the wise words father fish . That stone seems similar to Texas holy rock but much more spooky .
So glad your feeling better just in time for good Friday and Easter my friend
Have hair algae on my sponge filter. At first I thought it was a disaster, but now I'm not sure it could have picked a better place.
agreed.
*God Bless This Man
God Bless you Shane.
What about fish tanks which has co2 injected in it?
A deep substrate creates more CO2 than a machine
I've been actively trying to grown algae on my wood and rocks. It's a balancing act. Algae doesn't always grow where I want it to. LOL. Nice rocks. My calvus would love some of those rocks to use as hides. I'll look for them on getgills.
I've been setting up all my new tanks using your method. You and I disagree on politics, but we can agree on fish! Thanks for sharing your fishkeeping knowledge. Also, thank you for the masks. So king of you to share!! I'm planning to order some of your plants off getgills soon.
At the beginning of the video you said something about giving algae to someone who already has an algae outbreak. Have you had success with using neat algae species to outcompete the messy ones? If so, could you share a few competitive and unobtrusive algae species? Sorry if you addressed that in the video already.
arggghh
!
How about plants with comet goldfish who are known to destroy plants?
Try heavy, thick leaf plants, like Amazon swords.
@@FatherFish Thanks
When you say feed less, how much less? I do not want my fish to die of hunger? I am already feeding too little. Like 30 pellets for 8 fish = 4 pellets per fish or so.
It is a practical impossibility to starve a fish to death. Aquarium fish are able to eat microscopically.
@@FatherFish thanks for replying to me! appreciate it!
Hello - Love the channel - love the Philosophy and apply it here at home in Montreal. I just started a 90 gallon, 1.5" dirt (50% peat 25% black earth 25% compost) covered in 2" of sand. It is loaded with multiple species of plants, I mean loaded. There are no fish, and I have been cycling for 2 weeks. I used cycled water and many sponge squeezes from other tanks I have. I have two large sponge filters. There is lots of hair algae and the type that is on the glass. I am thinking of a water change, but am wondering what could be causing the bio load. Compost???
This video went viral! Wow. Great information Father Fish!
Very nice speech.....Very informative...thanks a lot
So nice of you
sorry i will not tolerate algae in my tank i dont want my tank looking nasty
Guess that leaves out all the macros. Sad.
Well, started a new aquarium 8 days a go, 1 inch of dirt, well actually it is humus for flowers, than about 2 inch of sand. Have 4 snails for now (quite big ones, orange :) a lot of aquarium plants and a few from the nearby river. There is algae on the glass but not much and I don't mind 'em it will be a great start for the next step and this is getting some algae eaters. The water is pretty clear. I have an old branch in it, and it can be that is a bit of tannin in water and maybe some floating algae, but I would like to have a piece of nature in my room not an aquarium, you know what I mean. Big external filter (not modern, the old type one, with gravel and sponge). No mud in the water. The snails seem to be quite happy, they took some leafs from the plants but maybe this was not needed ones, who knows :) snail business hahaha. I'm not going to take out these leafs btw. they will stay in the aquarium. I wonder when will be good time to start with adding fishes? I am thinking to start with some algae eaters than after some time with guppies and something similar and with some "dirt eaters" You know that funny little vacuum cleaners on the bottom :), So the questions,,, what do you think when will be a good time to start with adding fishes? Is it anything that I have to pay a special attention? Or just, let it be and see what will happen?
What about introducing Duckweed to curb algae growth.
I believe duckweed is worse than algae.
@@FatherFish I am planning to do away with mechanical filtration by using fast growing plants like Duckweed and water lettuce.Will this strategy work?
Got a couple questions what's that discord link and is playground sand too fine??
Discord: discord.gg/h3Y3xKNJ
Play sand is not too fine but it is very dirty. Rinse it OR put it in the tank dry to cover the dirt, then carefully add water without stirring up the sand. It will clear in a day..
I set it up before I saw ur comment. Did exactly that. Had a little bit of stuff floating but when I hooked up the air it dropped down. The water is crystal clear right now. Usually I'm getting an algae bloom already while the plants acclimate to the new tank.
Interesting...I see this as I just got an mild explosion of black beard algae. I have treated it for 4 days with Flourish....because of ...well...purely aesthetic reasons. Should I just leave it and my tank will eventually balance out? I'm mainly worried about my plants health.
And yes...I have cut back on lights and feeding...
flourish will do nothing to control BBA. It will disappear as soon as you start enjoying it.
Right after I posted this...I went to check to see if it has had any effect after 4 days of dosing. It hasn't...on the plants. However...I just did a medium water change because Big Mama....my 5year old striped Raphael catfish...is out of her cave (highly unusual)...and seems to be having trouble out of the blue.
I have two Ancistrus and two Silver Foxes and no algae! I have to ask my local fish store for hair algae which they are battling with Flagfish to feed my hungry brood.
I’ve had problems with black beard algae for a long time, because it keeps invading plants. I have tried so many different things, but it seems resilient. I reckon that because my ph is 7.6-8, and the higher the ph, the harder it gets for plants to get CO2 because it forms carbonates instead. But BBA seems to thrive in high pH, because they can get that CO2 from carbonates more easily than plants. So I guess because my tap water is 7.6 and I have Tanganyika fish living in 60 gallon, I can never get rid of BBA. BBA seems to be a different sort of algae then others, because I never get any other algae blooms. Just BBA slowly growing no matter what.
While I agree 100% that algae is a symptom, and not the problem, at best I'd describe algae as my frenemy.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
The algea that wiil form a mat on the substrate is a type of Cladophora algae. I get it in my tanks. Covers substrate and rocks. Like you, I like the way it looks on the rocks. Not so much on the substrate.
Thank you for posting this information. I watched this video because algae is the current issue in my four month old 10 gallon tank. Likely, I've overfed the tank in a desire to assure that the fish were getting enough. Maybe you could do a video on when enough is enough :-) . I'll also need to add that 3 inch sand bottom you recommend. Currently I have a 1.5 inch gravel bottom. Thus far I've replaced dead plants three times. So I've increased the light duration to 8 hours as you recommend. Once the sand is added I'll try again (with cheap plants). Not sure yet how that will work out. I do 5 gallon water replacements but I'll reduce that to a 10% as you recommended. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. I'm glad that you are recovering from your illness.
Watch moreof my vids on natural aquariums
Great video - the art of explaining such complex issues is keeping it simple and relatable - and you nailed it. I got a question though. I put Chlorella algae in my tank on purpose. Looks awesome - beautiful bright green, looks like a field of grass. However it kills all my plants. I assume there is no way to keep both algae and plant groth controlled? I got some snails and an armada of Armano shrimp but they rather clean the rocks or the filter instead of the leaves. Is there any way to slow down the growth of just the algae?
Greetings from Germany!
Yes. The deep substrate, done properly, reduces nutrients in the water column. This will reduce algae growth. It may also be the reason your plants are dying, insufficient nutrition in the substrate and lack of anaerobic activity due to shallow bed.
Great video I hope you keep enlightening us with your knowledge of fish keeping
All my tanks are full lush and clear, I do have a little bit of algea occasionally but most of it gets eaten by the fish.
I've learned that if you have enough live plants then you won't need to worry about algea.
Yes Gary. That is the fundamental truth of fish keeping. AND more plants mean more fish will thrive. It is all based on nitrates of course. The more nitrates the more plants. The next video explains it all.
Big 👍! Hi Father fish, another great topic and explanation! Take care, happy fish keeping and God bless! Papa! 😎🐠👍🙏
Glad you enjoyed it Animal Papa. Nice to hear from you.