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Worked for a local breeder back in the 60's. He taught me tons about keeping and maintaining an aquarium. All my children were in the hobby as well. And they also learned the things my teacher taught me. And when I would set my tanks up I never, ever did water changes. What I did do was clean the filter every 3-6 months depending on conditions. Never had a problem with fish dying or adding new fish. And to this day I do things the same way. If it's not broke, don't fix it. To many people trying to sell you what you do not need. Don't over think the issue and do not add things when all is good.
absolutely!!! , I'm still breeding tropical fish with old water for 30 years as “no water change” but It has been running very well without any major problems. just need to give a little feed to the fish from time to time. Sometimes weed trimming is necessary. But After trimming ,I don't change the water. People tell me “you crazy” But I'm not crazy.
@@FatherFish I had to re-evaluate water changes when I moved to the desert. I recognize that not everyone is willing to take the time to slowly set up a fully balanced ecosystem. I'm not going to shame the people who don't have the knowledge or understanding.... Completely agree that the water out of my tanks is better than what comes out of the spigot! I actually use plants to clean the water out of the spigot before I put it in my tanks with animals (thank you Kirkland Air Force jet fuel leak). Keep doing what you do, and sharing how to continue keeping fish as life changes us!
The fish keeping hobby has many opinions and when I look to the elders, they have this different opinion and rich in wisdom. This is a lesson I will never forget. Thanks father fish for this insight.
This guy is amazing, when I first started I watched other videos that told me to keep changing the water and adding stuff to make it clear, I accidentally found his videos and he said "stop cleaning your tank" and I did just that, the water cleared and haven't had any issues with my fishes so far, now I have 3 aquariums because of this guy... Amazing!!!
I gave up on aquariums 15 years ago because I got fed up with the constant cleaning, water changes and general ruckus I was told I have to do. I was told keeping an aquarium was laborsome and difficult... and it was, with how I took care of it. But it only makes sense. Nobody goes to the ocean or lake to change its water, nature has its ways always and I should've known better since I was so engrossed with biology and all things living as a young teen that I was back then. I'm very extremely happy that I've ran into your videos while researching for my new small tank that I tentatively thought about getting. Now I feel more secure than ever, thank you, sincerely.
Father fish,i am83, I love my fish and worry what will happen if I pass ,i. Follow the experts who say 20% minimum water change every week ,so I carry heavy buckets of water which I shouldn’t do. Thank you for your knowledge and making my life easier.
I understand the concern. Yes, no buckets for me. I am making special efforts to include young friends and family members in my hobby, sharing with them, going to the fish store, collecting, and all. Hopefully some love of the critters will rub off and they will continue my passion.
Yay! Now I know my laziness has paid off. Dove into fish hobby head first without knowing much. Took advice from pet store employees. Started keeping fish knowing nothing. Tried to follow 1/3 weekly water changes, but quickly got fed up doing it. My oldest fish that i bought in 2008 is still swimming strong even though at the pet store I was told it will live 5 years max..... So I take that as a sign that I am doing something right. Last year I was given a 3 year old betta fish to live out its last days in my care. The owners didn't want to flush it down the toilet but didn't want to care for it either.. its colour was dull and it had some swimming issues, its spine curved to one side and the poor guy struggles to go deeper in the water, it couldn't dive, it would just flop around near the surface of the water... All these issues were attributed to age. All i did was pop it into my community tank of peaceful fish and changed its food. Within two weeks little betta boy brightened up into beautiful bright peacock shades from dark purple to turquoise blue. Its fins got longer, its spine straightened and it started to dive without any problem.. seems like he made a full recovery without any effort from my part. He has more space to exercise in,, he has a planted jungle to hide in and rest. I even took videos of him and sent them to the previous owner to show them he is in good hands and doing much better. He has been in my care for 8 months now and going on strong. Even though I know bettas don't live long, I am glad I could give this fella some quality of life.
yes folks he is right cant tell you how many times over the years ive packed this hobby in with frustration. been following his teachings and my tanks have been running amazing no water change's for months just top ups he is a God send to this community thank you!! .
I love this! Finally, someone with authority and lots of experience confirms what some of us were secretly thinking about all that water changing nonsense. I have a ten gallon planted tank with a few Cherry Barbs, two Nerites, an Amano shrimp, and a bunch of Dwarf Cherry shrimp. People think I'm kidding when I say I haven't touched the water in over three years, except to add a tiny bit every few months for what has evaporated. I recently became curious about how long Nerites and Amanos generally live, and what I am finding is 1-3 years. Imagine how shocked I was, because mine are going on 6 years old! The water is crystal clear, the plants grow and the leaves that die back are super snacks. I just watched a berried mama shrimp grab a piece of melting Tiger Lotus leaf and swim it over to the rock pile! No illness, algae blooms, films, or other problems. The Barbs and Cherry Shrimp are breeding (the Nerites need brackish water and there is only one Amano) and life is good! Thank you Father Fish! ❣🐌🐟🦐
@@FatherFish Dear Sir, your videos and approach to aquarium is really great. I have a question on Snails. Have you ever experienced excess Snail population , Since Snails lay 30-40 eggs ? Snails in my aquarium have started eating Guppy grass after finishing all the algae. I am wondering whether I should start removing Snails. Thanks,Yash
I'm at least a year out from my last water change (I'd have to pull my notes to check when the last one was on any of my tanks), and I've been amazed at how stable my tanks are. I keep them lightly stocked and heavily planted. Top off each weekend, to whatever degree is needed to replace for evaporation. Other than maintaining the plants (trimming & thinning on occasion), all I have to do is feed and enjoy my fish. I love it! Being I live in the desert, the water conservation of NO water changes has been phenomenal, too, so that's a side benefit of ecosystem tanks. 🙂
People don't do water changes in ponds as it's not practical, I don't on mine. They just get topped up by rain or from the tap during hot summers. Fish grow massive and are usually very healthy. I don't know why the mentality for aquariums is so different.
exactly. the outdoor artificial pond is the blue-print for the indoor aquarium. we are told endlessly that ‘natural systems’ have regular water changes (water moving through the substrate, inflow water after rain) BUT what they don’t explain is WHY the artificial pond with liner (which does not behave like the above) outside in a tub is such an effective habitat for wild organisms? They love it. Why? There is no movement of water through the walls, and new water inflows in very large reservoirs (farm dams) may not happen. You do not use a hose to refill a farm dam. They only get rain. Yet some are ideal as a habitat. So the ‘natural system’ argument is not necessarily relevant to the aquarium imo.
I bought a 10 gallon tank 10 months ago. I have yet to change the water. I use a sponge filter, some snails, an albino dorio catfish and my water has never clouded the pH is near neutral. My Danio’s, Tetra’s, Oto’s and Loach’s are thriving. I use water I keep in a 2.5g jar with snails, substrate and some plants to refill the main tank when it gets low from evaporation. I hemmed and hawed about changing the water, but after much research and recently finding your channel, I’m glad I haven’t change the water. Thanks for you knowledge and wisdom.
I'm SO glad I found this video !! I always thought a well and generously planted tank, with a nice, (min.) 2" sand top layer and about 1" of soil underneath, could pretty much control / absorb the nitrites / nitrates ( ! ), and keep the tank balanced ? Like you said : NO ONE is doing water changes in nature ! The plants and the microscopic little creatures in it, do the maintenance, there ! It makes you wonder if so many 'experts' recommend water changes so they can sell their various ( expensive...) 'water conditioners / de-chlorinators' more often, to more people ???! Thanks for this info, Father Fish. :)
This makes me happy. I literally get assaulted and berated on Facebook when I tell people I had a guppy that lived 6 years in a 3 gallon fish bowl that sat on my kitchen table with no heater, aerator, filter or water changes. Only top off when it evaporates. Little aquarium salt and lots of rocks to let the poop and debris stay at the bottom with the ammonia until the plants grow enough to start taking care of that. (For those that don't know most guppys average 2 years) love this vdioe. This is my jazz.
Thanks, for your quick response. Your method of using dirt, sand and lots of plants, not to mention the “resurrection jar,” are counterintuitive to all what I’ve been told all these years, and my fish are ready to take the proverbial plunge, lol.
I saw that you are replying to all the comments so I just wanted to thank you for this wisdom. You are amazing and I am very grateful I found your channel!
I agree with you. I use well water in my house so i never have the additional additives city water has. When i set up a tank, it ends up the only time a tank gets new water. I agree with you that old water tends to be better than new. Ive got a tank that its been 5 years and never had to change the water. I do still test it to make sure there are no spikes. But every test always is the same levels. Rarely every fluctuate unless after a feeding. All are healthy. Happy, and flourishing. Only thing i do is clean out the filtration from time to time as with any filter it gets clogged with the usuals and needs the cleaning.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I started a 5 gallon for my desk. When I tell you that the past few weeks have been so stressful. I was ready to give it up, and then my 2 guppies birthed more than 40 fry. I feel responsible for them now. BUT I knew that I couldn't deal with the continued stress of maintaining a larger tank. Then I came across your videos. Here you are saying nature knows what it's doing. I just need to replicate that in my tank and let it be. Following and binging on your videos. I will follow your formula for the large tank and redo my 5 gallon too.
Just found this video, this is what I’ve been searching for, I’m a new holder of a 20L tank, planted the entire thing, and nobody believes me it’s going to work to have the smallest nano fish and shrimp in. The way you talk about water, made me cry as a diver ☺️
I didn't do a water for over 6 months and my fish where fine. But because I was told to do so, I did a water change and all my fish died within 2 hours. That's even when I added the water conditoner. Great video...
I forgot what book he bases his whole aquarium approach on but it was written many decades ago . When you have a deep enough substrate that can sustain anaerobic bacteria that remove the nitrates you basically have yourself a truly complete ecosystem in a glass box. This man knows a lot about a lot of things and everyone can learn something from him. I’d trust this man telling me something about an aquarium over some Rhodes scholar with 5 degrees in natural biology .
Will the deep substraight work if you didn't do the dirt portion. I used rough black sand. I made it deep because I saw that part then....Later I saw to add the dirt. 29 gal 3-4 inches of substraight. A large peice of drift wood and 13 plants that are doing ok with two baby Oranda Goldfish. It took a long time to cycle.
After i came over your channel, only few weeks before i set up my first tank over 1 year ago i haven`t had nothing but success. No chemicals (except dechlorinater), maybe 5 water changes total and no fish. lost Everything is thriving. Greetings from Norway God bless you Father Fish. ps.. Sorry for my bad english
@@FatherFish any chance you could make a video on how to get rid of Black Beard Algae. It’s taken over my tank and I’m so frustrated :(. I also set up this tank without any aqua soil it’s just a gravel that I bought that has “nutrients” and is for “plants” and 9 months later, my tank looks decent, but definitely not where I know it could be. Could I put some aqua soil in mesh bags and put it under the gravel? Thank you 💕💕
@@enfasia gravel with nutrients? Thats the first time i have heard about it. Maybe its the excess of nutrients thats feeding the algae and keeping it alive. Its either that or too much light. If you are keeping the light on for 8 hours try 6 for a while.
Hi! Father Fish, glad I found your channel. back in the 90's my father thought me "don't change the aquarium water" and so I did. took a long break on fish keeping (2 decades) now I'm back at the fish keeping hobby and things have changed a lot and brought a lot of confusion for me. happy to hear those words again and I'm back at the hobby just like how it used to be.
Dear Father Fish. I fully understand your philosophy about (no) water changes. And then again ... evaporated has to be replaced, I guess? If so, how often and at which scale? Thank you for .. yeah for you, Father Fish.
I think the main concern is if you have dissolved solids and you are adding water to your tank due to evaporation such that your TDS rises over time. If you are topping off with RO or Distilled water, this process is slowed down and delayed.
Hello Mr. Father fish. God bless you because I learned many things from you in last days. You saved my fish from ich with your ich treatment video. I have done like you described 2 days ago and all ich disepeared from all of my fish with your described method. God bless you again. Greetings from Romania. Alex
@@FatherFish by the way, I started my acvarium in Mai 2022 and did not changed the water since then. Also i have deep substrate but only sand becauze not cnowed you then but is not o big problem in a 14 galons acvarium right?
True. I moved a few years back and was forced to leave my 29g green sailfin molly breeding tank. The tank sat with no power to the pumps or lights, no food or any attention at all for 3 months. Not a single fish died. The tank had been established for over 15 years and heavily planted. Finally got down to move the tank and a few weeks afterwards the heater malfunctioned and the pleco was the only thing to survive the 102 degree water. ;(
Water is Life. When I was in middle school we had a bingo night at church and my favorite science teacher brought the series for a prize called “Water Is Life” and it teaches about all the ecosystems water comes in and the life forms from microlife to the top of the food chain that depends on it. My favorite to watch were triops in the desert! It’s insane how long I’ve been researching everything about everything in water. This video is perfect!
So nice to met you old man .. and I mean that respectfully. ~ I currently change about 30% of my tank each week.. Perhaps time to start rethinking this. Thank you
@@FatherFish thanks. I have a Reverse Osmosis system. I've historically used tap water and Prime to condition with some aquarium salts. 1.5ts per 15L bucket. Would it be silly to slowly - a bucket a week, change the water over to RO with salts ?
I just smile while watching this. looking at my 16 month old 75 gallon that's had 4 water changes in the beginning. 😊 you FF. Truly a life saver. Much love from michigan
I have to change out my water softener water for spring water in my 75 gallon tank. Having issue after issue. pH is higher in spring water than water softener water. Can't figure out how to replace the water, except doing 5 gallons at a time.
I usually change about 30% every 2 weeks, but my tank has an evaporation rate of about a half-gallon of water PER day, that I compensate for every 2 or 3 days. So I'm questioning my need to do that 30% change? You're a star, sir. Keep shining. Regards from Portugal.
Hello Father fish ! Thank you for the great video you are an inspiration. You actually gave me the courage to get back in the hobby. I'm sorry if I am hard to read, englush ain't my mother's tongue and I have a hard time with some technical therms. My first try wirh a tank a decade ago turned into a disaster, the tank was sterile and needed constant water changes. Fishes where constantly dying. This time I will try to follow your instructions to get a balanced ecosystem and let things thrive as they should. I gathered 8 different sorts of aquatic plants from a lake near where I live. Along with wood and rocks. My soil bed comes from a small river and the sand from a pit. I've also saved many animals from a swamp that will become my fishes only source of food. I have microscopic water fleas, at least 2 sorts of worms, aquatic snails, that I keep in jars just like you do. I'm pretty sure to find many other insect species popping up in those jars soon enough. . . . I did not put anything other than cotton in the filter, just to clear the water a little faster after setting up the tank. It took only a night. I will keep water circulating but without any filtration. I wanted to let the tank cure for a month before getting fishes inside but my wife has guppies in her own tank in which the babies keep getting eaten by their parents. So I transfered them in my tank after only 1 day. In 24 hours they got from 1/8" frightened tadpoles to 3/16" actual fishes that have a lot of fun to explore and hunt insects. We lost a great deal of them in the unnatural thank but so far not a single one died in my natural thank and they seem SO HAPPY ! It's just beautiful. QUESTION : Do you recommend activated coal in a natural tank ?
I hate I didn't find your channel before I begin pumping chemicals in my water to cycle it, and spending so much money! Just because I listened to the so-called experts. I'm just going to buy a new tank and start over with your methods! Thank you for making this less stressful!
Thank you for making this video. I’m new to fish keeping. Got a small 3.5 gallon top fin tank filled with two neon tetras, a mystery snail, a pathos plant and four moss balls. Your method makes more sense to me than any video I’ve seen on RUclips. Please keep sharing your knowledge with us. God bless you
Pure common sense by Father Fish . I have a well established Tanganyika tank and the fish are healthy and thriving and breeding . The one thing I did was put the water chemical test kit away to stop my self be coming obsessed with trying to get perfect readings all the time and stop the frequent water changes . Instead I used my eyes and observe the fish , this can tell you more than any test kits I have found. I do deklog the filter sponges every 6-8 months in old fish water . If its not broken don't try and fix it
Hello FF.... You are the only RUclipsr who will tell the truth about fish keeping. Myself and many other Cichlid Fish keepers have always doubted the weekly water change crap. I STILL DO WATER CHANGES, I THINK SOME WATER CHANGES ARE NEEDED, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF FISH YOU KEEP. I have 3 large Central American Cichlids that are very messy eaters - but, i only do 10% water changes every 6 months as opposed to that 50%-80% weekly water change garbage.
Well father you are damn right. The aquarium trade wants you to do whatever it takes for you to spend more money. If they told everyone the tricks of aquarium keeping, no body would simply spend much money on all sorts of treatments and medicines they create.
Good stuff :] I have a 75g tank done in your style and I can confirm it does not need water changes ty so much! 7 months old and it has had only one water change a week in. Solid as a rock tank! which of coarse it has needed to be topped up but is covered with glass. My water can change a lot depending when and how much you draw from the sink. Water changes are starting to feel like Russian roulette hehe Most cities take undrinkable water and add undrinkable chemicals to make it drinkable ...
You're absolutely right. I have found through trial and error, that simply leaving things ALONE has reaped far better rewards both in aquarium keeping and gardening. Of course I still do minimal maintenance if necessary, but I hardly need to.
You have changed all my thoughts and learning i gained over a period of time in managing my aquariu.. Ur videos made me think about what I have been doing all these years changing water , replacing old water and giving that to my plants and never saw that my plants were growing really well cause of beneficial bacteria.... That's what I call a complete experienced professional who knows all what he is doing. A grand salute to you sir.. I wish I could get an opportunity to meet and learn from you in person. You are my 🐠 🐟 AQUA GURU 🐟🐠 🙏
Very nice thank you just starting up a 120 gallon freshwater. I was told to buy used media, for the established organisms in the media. Learning so much watching your videos
I've kept ponds for years & so tanks were newer to me. I set them up & run them the same as my ponds, no water changes cause I didn't know that was a "thing" ! My tanks are better than fine =) Thanks for the video!
I have learned so much from you. I always had tanks with gravel fake plants and was always fighting ph and clouded water. I havent had a tank for 20 years now always wanted one. With your wisdom im goin to pull the trigger and get a small tank mabey a 20 gallon. My last tank was a 55 gallon. But i am dieing to set up a tank with your methods and will move up to bigger tanks. Thank you Sir for you time and expert knowledge
I've been keeping different species for around 20 years (I'm 35 now) and can confirm to never do waterchange unless it's needed for some reason. I've never had a sick fish and always have offspring (even with difficult to breed species). There are a few rules I keep to: - Only do water change if it's needed, else it's fill up the vaporized water - Don't overcrowd, - Use groundwater - Use a sponge over the inlet of the filter (get's the first filth => clean this when you see the flow lowering down of the filter) - Every other day a bit of food (the rest they get from algea) => they are not starving when the tank is established, but I keep an eye out for them to keep in shape That's it for me, for the bigger aquariums I got, I only "need" to clean it around once per year and thats more an aesthetic clean. The smaller once are the trickiest. And for those wondering, yes the tanks are almost crystal clear (I always get this question if I tell that I don't change water unless needed). During those years I've tried different water sources to start up a tank, ground, city and rainwater. And with groundwater, I've never had a tank start failure. Then 2nd best was city water to startup (need a long waiting period before you can add fish). Rainwater is 50/50, but when if it was a hit, then it flourished. So I kept with the groundwater for every specie. But this depends ofcourse of your location.
Thank you Kevin for your insights. Please visit us on Discord. Your experience is invaluable. We have lots of folks there who would love to hear about your hobby.
I really wish I found you 9 months ago when I set up my tanks, I've been having trouble maintaining them and with work has shorten the time I can spend working on them. I've only watched about 15 of your videos so far and now I am taking the tanks down to set them up the Father Fish way. your knowledge has me in ore. everything I've learned over the years has been a lie and only now I am seeing how wrong I've been doing things basing my knowledge off the questionable information picked up from others. I see the beauty in the tanks you've presented and what you do is incredible. so thank you for sharing your years of experience, it has opened my eyes and mind to the beautiful cycle of life and how it should be. you are God Father Fish!
I agree with you that not all tanks require water changes. My saltwater tanks get water changes very rarely and do great. I have an african cichlid tank though, and the only time I have had issues with it is when I don't do water changes. I've had cichlids grow to 10" in a year doing 75% water changes per week. Totally agree with you about your methodology, but I also don't think its a one size fits all for all fish and aquariums. Your tanks look great!
Good topic, I gently gravel vac my aquarium occasionally, I'll add a few drops of Prime or Aquasafe to neutralize any heavy metals or chlorine, I have live plants which are thriving! Father Fish I would love to meet you, I appreciate your knowledge and insight, much respect, shout out from New Britain CT!
We don't have lids on our tanks, so there is a fair amount of evaporation. We top off with water from the local creek. It's been going great, but I realise I do live in a very clean area compared to some in the US.
I have many copepods in my betta/snail 2.5 bowl with mini pump/filter and the water is pretty much crystal clear i dont do many water changes just top with more water as it evaporates and also i dont keep running the filter all the time . Copepods help clean the tank too
I have just recently found your channel. You seem very knowledgeable as well as very wholesome. You are the fish keeping world's official grandpa. I love that you include a personal touch along with great information put Into simple terms. Keep doing what you're doing. You officially have a new fan and supporter out of me.
Welcome aboard Ryan! Thank you for your encouragement. Come join us on our DISCORD channel where you can meet fishy friends and share your tank with others.
I have learned so much in a brief time watching @FatherFish and I thought being 53, I had learned enough through the many aquariums I’ve had. I know nothing…
I have a 29g tank. There are two angles and 4 cherry rasboras there. I have a big java sword some drif woods and rocks here an there. Sand substrate and 10,12 almond leaves in there. I have also put some pathos on the top. And I haven't changed water for almost two years now. Once a while every two months maybe when I am drinking water and pass by the tank I dump the water in there to make up for the evaporation :). Thanks for giving this to us. I owe it to you sir.
Please only dump with Reverse osmosis or rain Water . Otherwise you are concentrating your water with alkaline salts that will over time get your pH way over 8. Which will create ammonia!
Whether you should change your water or not depends on a variety of factors like filtration, number of fish, requirements of said fish, number of plants, experience of the fish keeper etc. I would argue that most people in the hobby will have more success with regular water changes. Not saying that it isn't feasible with profound knowledge and experience however.
I would really like to say that most of the US has hard water, especially the Missouri/Mississipi/Ohio river basins and the great Western desert basin regions. There are parts, like here on the Oregon coast where our water comes out of the tap nearly as fresh rain water. Because we have a clay soil and little to no alkaline earth bedrocks like limestone or Ca/Mg and it's really important to at least add a little Gypsum and Epsom salts so the plants and Inverts can thrive.
I agree as well I’ve realized that old water is packed with so much benefits for fish that it is so healthy for them and can actually promote rapid growth for them I’ve witnessed it
@Father Fish My substrate is sand but it's a natural colour. I like to just vacuum it every so often as I'm only using internal sponge filters. I can then squeeze filters out into the water removed, clean filters and nutrient rich water for my plants 👍 no beneficial bacteria was harmed in the writings of this post 😊
Absolut faszinierend ❤ Er macht alles richtig und es ist eine große Freude Seine Videos anzuschauen! Großartig ❤ sharing a lot and caring a lot! That‘s right, father fish 👍
when we bring new fish home, we do a two scoops out, two scoops in, method of slowly changing the fish store water over into mostly tank water. I have to tell you, my kids feel such a sense of pride in our two FF method tanks. They can't wait to bring new fish friends home and they tell them, "you're going to love your new home".
I'll say this. I took care of a planted tank for my Father for a couple of years until his passing last year. He loved fish. Anyway the substrate was straight silica sand only. Placed root tabs under an amazon sword and a few crypts. Lots of stem plants all over the tank. The growth in this tank was amazing. I could not get over it. I took cuttings from his tank to place in mine at home. The only thing I ever did was top off the tank straight from the tap...many times no dechlorinator. NO WATER CHANGES EVER. The tank was 40 long and had a double fluval T5 fixture. Not much algae to even notice. Both were 6400k 54 watt bulbs and were never changed out. As a matter of fact I would say the bulbs were at least 5 years old. One could call this a neglected tank when looking at todays "way to do it"..lol That tank amazed me. Father Fish you know what's up. Forgot to mention. I never ever added liquid ferts !! Couldn't understand that part..lol.
After about a year a substrate will develop a strong biological foundation that will balance the system. By leaving everything in the tank the nutrients never disappear. They cycle through the entire tank over and over. LRB Aquatics -Aquarium Hoarder who just commented above is a natural system Master. His tanks are a beautiful example of simplicity and perfection.
hello @@FatherFish Im starting the hobby right now, can I use distilled drinking water for the aquarium? I wanna do it a budget friendly and a dechlorinator here costs a lot too. I just stumbled upon your channel and I already learned a lot of things about fish keeping and a planted tank, thank you! Ive been worried about the 50% tap water and 50% dechlorinated water. I just hope you can clear things up for me.^^
Father Fish it has been a pleasure listening to your logic and balance in the fish world. If only we had more of you in the world it would be a far better place :):) You have a new fan, stay well and safe :):)
This is truly spiritual thing and the only way life works at all levels, being in tune with it is so effortless as the ownership is in creator's hands, so it works out, I only wish i had come accross these vodeos from father fish before, 6 years into this hobby and nothing ever felt right so i kept searching for some advice that's true and when we seek we don't have to find it, it finds us, absolutely grateful for these videos and wisdom shared here🙏
I just want to know how to find other reasonable and smart people like father fish here on RUclips. For years I’ve been fighting with the hobby. Water changes are just a stupid idea! That’s it. Btw I am a biologist and scientist. Good job father fish!!! I love your content!
Few people seem to appreciate the contained ecosystem, I've always loved animals and fish especially and a fish in a bowl or tank with nothing but plastic rocks and water always felt wrong. It's an amazing thing to see an entire environment thrive, so much more interesting than fish in a sterile box
I’m planning to start my first fish tank and I’m researching as much as I can. I was very confused by this people doing full water changes every week. My dad used to keep tanks when I was a kid back on 80s and 90s and he rarely changed the water. I remember he saying it wasn’t good for the fish and I only recall he doing one half tank changing. People nowadays complicate everything 😂 thank you for this video!! ❤
I only change the water if the parameters are off. I just do a top off to replace water that's evaporated. Why fix what's not broken, people don't realize they upset the biological cycle of the tank when they do these massive water changes.
@@corindusfanjoyz6301 MY! Such a fuss budgit you are. What else can you complain about? You have not watched my videos or you would know that I have given MANY people credit for what I am teaching.
Thats why i just buy a really good filter and top of my fish tank with water when ever. Cleaning my canister filters once a month and toping off water is all i do. And most the people dont go into fish hobby cause they thought its a time consuming thing to do especially maintaining water change. If only they know what to do. Thats whats inside my mind when ever i hear people say this. 😅
Absolutely incredible! Thank you for your input🙌🏼!! I’m an aquarist living off grid in New Mexico, where water begins as gold. I’ve just added my 5th aquarium to my living room and currently do monthly water changes, but needed your assurance that (in a healthy environment) water only gets better with time. Very excited to subscribe to your channel, keep up the great content!
Water changes can be done to remove excess of detritus or to export some excess of organics, BUT only if the system has an unbalance of those qualities. The reason why many of us see the "need" of doing water changes is only because most of us feed too much or have too many fish. Another unbalance is directly related to making mistakes when choosing the plants for that system and how we want to maintain them. There are other variables that could be addressed to avoid to do water changes, like unbalance of nutrients with the wrong light intensity, for example, but the good news is that a natural system, when time is given to it, will get in equilibrium and should be left alone after that, only keeping the fonts of energy (light and fish food) to maintain the system running. It's very simple. Listen to this man. Don't waste your money with so many junk things the aquarium industry offers just to get your money.
So glad to see your videos getting a lot of views, FF! This topic especially, constantly changing water is definitely “a form of insanity” and not necessary when we emulate natural ecosystems in our tanks. Thanks again for all you are doing on RUclips!
Great video! I never knew about this information, but I never change the water on my 2 aquariums. I just thought that they would sustain themselves with plants, gravel and fish. Thank you for everything and God Bless you always.🙏🏻😇🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
I totally agree with this but must add, this is only for well established aquariums not a new set up this will not apply. You will have to monitor your PH to maintain the tank water to be established over time. Partial water changes maybe needed if it’s not stable. I find catappa leaves help and others like peat moss if you need to lower your PH. Depending on your water of course, test water kit is vital to check where your water is at even after it’s cycled. Great info as usual FF just wanted to add that not only is old water is gold but just what you’re putting into your tank is also golden! 👍 🐠
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@FatherFish just got mines!!
We must protect Father Fish at all costs!!!
Worked for a local breeder back in the 60's. He taught me tons about keeping and maintaining an aquarium. All my children were in the hobby as well. And they also learned the things my teacher taught me. And when I would set my tanks up I never, ever did water changes. What I did do was clean the filter every 3-6 months depending on conditions. Never had a problem with fish dying or adding new fish. And to this day I do things the same way. If it's not broke, don't fix it. To many people trying to sell you what you do not need. Don't over think the issue and do not add things when all is good.
Loved your comment. Thank you. Please join us on Discord.
Absolutely! 👍
absolutely!!! , I'm still breeding tropical fish with old water for 30 years as “no water change”
but It has been running very well without any major problems. just need to give a little feed to the fish from time to time.
Sometimes weed trimming is necessary. But After trimming ,I don't change the water.
People tell me “you crazy” But I'm not crazy.
@@FatherFish I had to re-evaluate water changes when I moved to the desert.
I recognize that not everyone is willing to take the time to slowly set up a fully balanced ecosystem. I'm not going to shame the people who don't have the knowledge or understanding....
Completely agree that the water out of my tanks is better than what comes out of the spigot! I actually use plants to clean the water out of the spigot before I put it in my tanks with animals (thank you Kirkland Air Force jet fuel leak).
Keep doing what you do, and sharing how to continue keeping fish as life changes us!
@@Lazy_Fish_Keeper pretty smart to use plants to age water.
The fish keeping hobby has many opinions and when I look to the elders, they have this different opinion and rich in wisdom. This is a lesson I will never forget. Thanks father fish for this insight.
This guy is amazing, when I first started I watched other videos that told me to keep changing the water and adding stuff to make it clear, I accidentally found his videos and he said "stop cleaning your tank" and I did just that, the water cleared and haven't had any issues with my fishes so far, now I have 3 aquariums because of this guy... Amazing!!!
I gave up on aquariums 15 years ago because I got fed up with the constant cleaning, water changes and general ruckus I was told I have to do. I was told keeping an aquarium was laborsome and difficult... and it was, with how I took care of it. But it only makes sense. Nobody goes to the ocean or lake to change its water, nature has its ways always and I should've known better since I was so engrossed with biology and all things living as a young teen that I was back then. I'm very extremely happy that I've ran into your videos while researching for my new small tank that I tentatively thought about getting. Now I feel more secure than ever, thank you, sincerely.
Father fish,i am83, I love my fish and worry what will happen if I pass ,i. Follow the experts who say 20% minimum water change every week ,so I carry heavy buckets of water which I shouldn’t do. Thank you for your knowledge and making my life easier.
I understand the concern. Yes, no buckets for me. I am making special efforts to include young friends and family members in my hobby, sharing with them, going to the fish store, collecting, and all. Hopefully some love of the critters will rub off and they will continue my passion.
Great information does the same apply to salt water tanks thanks.
From this video I learned "OLD IS GOLD"
Yes indeed. OLD IS GOLD!!
Father Fish is GOLD just like my Pops he's 81..7/4/1942
Isn't that the truth😌♥️
@@rasabernota445 absolute!!❤
Indeed it is
Yay! Now I know my laziness has paid off. Dove into fish hobby head first without knowing much. Took advice from pet store employees. Started keeping fish knowing nothing. Tried to follow 1/3 weekly water changes, but quickly got fed up doing it. My oldest fish that i bought in 2008 is still swimming strong even though at the pet store I was told it will live 5 years max..... So I take that as a sign that I am doing something right.
Last year I was given a 3 year old betta fish to live out its last days in my care. The owners didn't want to flush it down the toilet but didn't want to care for it either.. its colour was dull and it had some swimming issues, its spine curved to one side and the poor guy struggles to go deeper in the water, it couldn't dive, it would just flop around near the surface of the water... All these issues were attributed to age. All i did was pop it into my community tank of peaceful fish and changed its food. Within two weeks little betta boy brightened up into beautiful bright peacock shades from dark purple to turquoise blue. Its fins got longer, its spine straightened and it started to dive without any problem.. seems like he made a full recovery without any effort from my part. He has more space to exercise in,, he has a planted jungle to hide in and rest. I even took videos of him and sent them to the previous owner to show them he is in good hands and doing much better. He has been in my care for 8 months now and going on strong. Even though I know bettas don't live long, I am glad I could give this fella some quality of life.
Delightful story Dragoness.
I love your story ! Let me guess : they had him in a smallish fish bowl ?!!
Seems to be the home of choice for so many. It's just sad.
yes folks he is right cant tell you how many times over the years ive packed this hobby in with frustration. been following his teachings and my tanks have been running amazing no water change's for months just top ups he is a God send to this community thank you!! .
You go orando. Thank you for the encouragement.
Do you have to vacuum the bottom of the tank or will the plants and soil process the waste fast enough? Also, do you use a filter or bubbler etc
@sethburkhart1021 don't vacuum sand. No need. Sand doesn't hold detritus like gravel.
You don't want to disturb the soil under the sand cap
@@kbeadle23 thanks so much!
Kss
I love this! Finally, someone with authority and lots of experience confirms what some of us were secretly thinking about all that water changing nonsense. I have a ten gallon planted tank with a few Cherry Barbs, two Nerites, an Amano shrimp, and a bunch of Dwarf Cherry shrimp. People think I'm kidding when I say I haven't touched the water in over three years, except to add a tiny bit every few months for what has evaporated. I recently became curious about how long Nerites and Amanos generally live, and what I am finding is 1-3 years. Imagine how shocked I was, because mine are going on 6 years old! The water is crystal clear, the plants grow and the leaves that die back are super snacks. I just watched a berried mama shrimp grab a piece of melting Tiger Lotus leaf and swim it over to the rock pile! No illness, algae blooms, films, or other problems. The Barbs and Cherry Shrimp are breeding (the Nerites need brackish water and there is only one Amano) and life is good! Thank you Father Fish! ❣🐌🐟🦐
You are 82 years young and amazing!! Thank you for all the wonderful information about the hobby 🐠🐟🐡🍥🎣
I appreciate that Abby!
@@FatherFish Dear Sir, your videos and approach to aquarium is really great. I have a question on Snails. Have you ever experienced excess Snail population , Since Snails lay 30-40 eggs ? Snails in my aquarium have started eating Guppy grass after finishing all the algae. I am wondering whether I should start removing Snails. Thanks,Yash
I'm at least a year out from my last water change (I'd have to pull my notes to check when the last one was on any of my tanks), and I've been amazed at how stable my tanks are. I keep them lightly stocked and heavily planted. Top off each weekend, to whatever degree is needed to replace for evaporation. Other than maintaining the plants (trimming & thinning on occasion), all I have to do is feed and enjoy my fish. I love it! Being I live in the desert, the water conservation of NO water changes has been phenomenal, too, so that's a side benefit of ecosystem tanks. 🙂
Yes Dawn! Thank you for the post.
People don't do water changes in ponds as it's not practical, I don't on mine. They just get topped up by rain or from the tap during hot summers. Fish grow massive and are usually very healthy. I don't know why the mentality for aquariums is so different.
exactly. the outdoor artificial pond is the blue-print for the indoor aquarium. we are told endlessly that ‘natural systems’ have regular water changes (water moving through the substrate, inflow water after rain) BUT what they don’t explain is WHY the artificial pond with liner (which does not behave like the above) outside in a tub is such an effective habitat for wild organisms? They love it. Why? There is no movement of water through the walls, and new water inflows in very large reservoirs (farm dams) may not happen. You do not use a hose to refill a farm dam. They only get rain. Yet some are ideal as a habitat. So the ‘natural system’ argument is not necessarily relevant to the aquarium imo.
I bought a 10 gallon tank 10 months ago. I have yet to change the water. I use a sponge filter, some snails, an albino dorio catfish and my water has never clouded the pH is near neutral. My Danio’s, Tetra’s, Oto’s and Loach’s are thriving. I use water I keep in a 2.5g jar with snails, substrate and some plants to refill the main tank when it gets low from evaporation.
I hemmed and hawed about changing the water, but after much research and recently finding your channel, I’m glad I haven’t change the water.
Thanks for you knowledge and wisdom.
Sounds excellent.
I'm SO glad I found this video !! I always thought a well and generously planted tank, with a nice, (min.) 2" sand top layer and about 1" of soil underneath, could pretty much control / absorb the nitrites / nitrates ( ! ), and keep the tank balanced ? Like you said : NO ONE is doing water changes in nature ! The plants and the microscopic little creatures in it, do the maintenance, there ! It makes you wonder if so many 'experts' recommend water changes so they can sell their various ( expensive...) 'water conditioners / de-chlorinators' more often, to more people ???!
Thanks for this info, Father Fish. :)
This makes me happy. I literally get assaulted and berated on Facebook when I tell people I had a guppy that lived 6 years in a 3 gallon fish bowl that sat on my kitchen table with no heater, aerator, filter or water changes. Only top off when it evaporates. Little aquarium salt and lots of rocks to let the poop and debris stay at the bottom with the ammonia until the plants grow enough to start taking care of that. (For those that don't know most guppys average 2 years) love this vdioe. This is my jazz.
You go John.Those FB crowd are troll junkies. We like to do things in a civilized way over here.
Thanks, for your quick response. Your method of using dirt, sand and lots of plants, not to mention the “resurrection jar,” are counterintuitive to all what I’ve been told all these years, and my fish are ready to take the proverbial plunge, lol.
Six months with no water changes and my tank is doing amazing! Thank you father fish. :)
Fantastic!
Did u get the algae out? Or just leave it?
@@BotitoyConcha4701 Leave it!
I saw that you are replying to all the comments so I just wanted to thank you for this wisdom. You are amazing and I am very grateful I found your channel!
Thank you Isaac.
I agree with you. I use well water in my house so i never have the additional additives city water has. When i set up a tank, it ends up the only time a tank gets new water. I agree with you that old water tends to be better than new. Ive got a tank that its been 5 years and never had to change the water. I do still test it to make sure there are no spikes. But every test always is the same levels. Rarely every fluctuate unless after a feeding. All are healthy. Happy, and flourishing. Only thing i do is clean out the filtration from time to time as with any filter it gets clogged with the usuals and needs the cleaning.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
I started a 5 gallon for my desk. When I tell you that the past few weeks have been so stressful. I was ready to give it up, and then my 2 guppies birthed more than 40 fry. I feel responsible for them now. BUT I knew that I couldn't deal with the continued stress of maintaining a larger tank.
Then I came across your videos. Here you are saying nature knows what it's doing. I just need to replicate that in my tank and let it be.
Following and binging on your videos.
I will follow your formula for the large tank and redo my 5 gallon too.
Join us on Discord and share the journey;
This is what i keep telling to my mom and to everyone in our house .. I am happy that i am aware before i found your channel, love you grandpaaaa
Just found this video, this is what I’ve been searching for, I’m a new holder of a 20L tank, planted the entire thing, and nobody believes me it’s going to work to have the smallest nano fish and shrimp in.
The way you talk about water, made me cry as a diver ☺️
Thank you Steve. I too am certified and love diving. Too old now to try it again.
I didn't do a water for over 6 months and my fish where fine. But because I was told to do so, I did a water change and all my fish died within 2 hours. That's even when I added the water conditoner. Great video...
Thank you David. We have all been there.
A lot of respect to father fish. Thanks a lot for your life experience.
Exactly the video I needed. And the pace I needed. When I got an ad in the middle, that felt way too quick. The world is running too fast.
I forgot what book he bases his whole aquarium approach on but it was written many decades ago . When you have a deep enough substrate that can sustain anaerobic bacteria that remove the nitrates you basically have yourself a truly complete ecosystem in a glass box. This man knows a lot about a lot of things and everyone can learn something from him. I’d trust this man telling me something about an aquarium over some Rhodes scholar with 5 degrees in natural biology .
That's a kickass comment Kickassclone! 75!
Will the deep substraight work if you didn't do the dirt portion. I used rough black sand. I made it deep because I saw that part then....Later I saw to add the dirt. 29 gal 3-4 inches of substraight. A large peice of drift wood and 13 plants that are doing ok with two baby Oranda Goldfish. It took a long time to cycle.
@@manderson4803 fish tanks don't cycle... they mature.
@lolkotya yes that’s the author Diana Walstad.
@@manderson4803 Fish tanks continuously mature. Your tank has by now developed a nutrient rich substrate. Good to go!
After i came over your channel, only few weeks before i set up my first tank over 1 year ago i haven`t had nothing but success. No chemicals (except dechlorinater), maybe 5 water changes total and no fish. lost Everything is thriving. Greetings from Norway God bless you Father Fish. ps.. Sorry for my bad english
Your English is excellent MM. Congrats. Glad to hear the good report.
The fact that some of your tanks are as old as me is amazing, what a beacon of knowledge you are, thank you so much for sharing your wisdom
Happy to be here PL
@@FatherFish any chance you could make a video on how to get rid of Black Beard Algae. It’s taken over my tank and I’m so frustrated :(. I also set up this tank without any aqua soil it’s just a gravel that I bought that has “nutrients” and is for “plants” and 9 months later, my tank looks decent, but definitely not where I know it could be. Could I put some aqua soil in mesh bags and put it under the gravel? Thank you 💕💕
@@enfasia gravel with nutrients? Thats the first time i have heard about it.
Maybe its the excess of nutrients thats feeding the algae and keeping it alive.
Its either that or too much light. If you are keeping the light on for 8 hours try 6 for a while.
Hi! Father Fish, glad I found your channel. back in the 90's my father thought me "don't change the aquarium water" and so I did. took a long break on fish keeping (2 decades) now I'm back at the fish keeping hobby and things have changed a lot and brought a lot of confusion for me. happy to hear those words again and I'm back at the hobby just like how it used to be.
Welcome aboard Ice Wizard
Father Fish you are a breath of fresh air and speak sense your saying what my soul has always known to be true 👍 Big love from South Wales ❤️
Dear Father Fish. I fully understand your philosophy about (no) water changes. And then again ... evaporated has to be replaced, I guess? If so, how often and at which scale?
Thank you for .. yeah for you, Father Fish.
I think the main concern is if you have dissolved solids and you are adding water to your tank due to evaporation such that your TDS rises over time. If you are topping off with RO or Distilled water, this process is slowed down and delayed.
Only just found Father Fish and you are amazing. Has opened my eyes to how an aquarium should be.
Hello Mr. Father fish. God bless you because I learned many things from you in last days. You saved my fish from ich with your ich treatment video. I have done like you described 2 days ago and all ich disepeared from all of my fish with your described method. God bless you again. Greetings from Romania. Alex
Thank you Miagi. This is the miracle cure. Join us on Discord and share your story.
@@FatherFish by the way, I started my acvarium in Mai 2022 and did not changed the water since then. Also i have deep substrate but only sand becauze not cnowed you then but is not o big problem in a 14 galons acvarium right?
True. I moved a few years back and was forced to leave my 29g green sailfin molly breeding tank. The tank sat with no power to the pumps or lights, no food or any attention at all for 3 months. Not a single fish died. The tank had been established for over 15 years and heavily planted.
Finally got down to move the tank and a few weeks afterwards the heater malfunctioned and the pleco was the only thing to survive the 102 degree water. ;(
Water is Life. When I was in middle school we had a bingo night at church and my favorite science teacher brought the series for a prize called “Water Is Life” and it teaches about all the ecosystems water comes in and the life forms from microlife to the top of the food chain that depends on it. My favorite to watch were triops in the desert! It’s insane how long I’ve been researching everything about everything in water. This video is perfect!
Thank you Nick. For many folk there is a moment when they understood water as the foundation of life. It holds everything needed to nurture.
So nice to met you old man .. and I mean that respectfully.
~ I currently change about 30% of my tank each week.. Perhaps time to start rethinking this.
Thank you
yep. Reduce iot to 10% a week
@@FatherFish thanks. I have a Reverse Osmosis system. I've historically used tap water and Prime to condition with some aquarium salts. 1.5ts per 15L bucket.
Would it be silly to slowly - a bucket a week, change the water over to RO with salts ?
I just smile while watching this. looking at my 16 month old 75 gallon that's had 4 water changes in the beginning. 😊 you FF. Truly a life saver. Much love from michigan
HEY SNAKE> Great to hear from you. Thank you for your constant support.
Your knowledge blows my mind and is teaching my the right way to keep my gaint betta.
Thank you
You understand more and more.
I have to change out my water softener water for spring water in my 75 gallon tank. Having issue after issue. pH is higher in spring water than water softener water. Can't figure out how to replace the water, except doing 5 gallons at a time.
I usually change about 30% every 2 weeks, but my tank has an evaporation rate of about a half-gallon of water PER day, that I compensate for every 2 or 3 days. So I'm questioning my need to do that 30% change?
You're a star, sir. Keep shining. Regards from Portugal.
I think you got it. The increase in gh only serves to feed the plants and microorganisms. Problem solved.
@@FatherFish Thank you so much, sir!
Hello Father fish !
Thank you for the great video you are an inspiration. You actually gave me the courage to get back in the hobby.
I'm sorry if I am hard to read, englush ain't my mother's tongue and I have a hard time with some technical therms.
My first try wirh a tank a decade ago turned into a disaster, the tank was sterile and needed constant water changes. Fishes where constantly dying.
This time I will try to follow your instructions to get a balanced ecosystem and let things thrive as they should.
I gathered 8 different sorts of aquatic plants from a lake near where I live. Along with wood and rocks. My soil bed comes from a small river and the sand from a pit.
I've also saved many animals from a swamp that will become my fishes only source of food.
I have microscopic water fleas, at least 2 sorts of worms, aquatic snails, that I keep in jars just like you do. I'm pretty sure to find many other insect species popping up in those jars soon enough. . . .
I did not put anything other than cotton in the filter, just to clear the water a little faster after setting up the tank. It took only a night. I will keep water circulating but without any filtration.
I wanted to let the tank cure for a month before getting fishes inside but my wife has guppies in her own tank in which the babies keep getting eaten by their parents. So I transfered them in my tank after only 1 day.
In 24 hours they got from 1/8" frightened tadpoles to 3/16" actual fishes that have a lot of fun to explore and hunt insects.
We lost a great deal of them in the unnatural thank but so far not a single one died in my natural thank and they seem SO HAPPY ! It's just beautiful.
QUESTION :
Do you recommend activated coal in a natural tank ?
activated carbon will absorb heavy metals until it is saturated.
I hate I didn't find your channel before I begin pumping chemicals in my water to cycle it, and spending so much money! Just because I listened to the so-called experts. I'm just going to buy a new tank and start over with your methods! Thank you for making this less stressful!
What a lovely relaxing video, helped calm my mind ,so thank you very much.
Lovely, Welsh knight!
Thank you. You have changed the way I keep fish. It is easier and more relaxed
Thank you for making this video. I’m new to fish keeping. Got a small 3.5 gallon top fin tank filled with two neon tetras, a mystery snail, a pathos plant and four moss balls. Your method makes more sense to me than any video I’ve seen on RUclips. Please keep sharing your knowledge with us. God bless you
and here I was looking forward to giving my outdoor plants some fish water. Thanks for the tips!!
indoor plants will benefit more.
Pure common sense by Father Fish . I have a well established Tanganyika tank and the fish are healthy and thriving and breeding . The one thing I did was put the water chemical test kit away to stop my self be coming obsessed with trying to get perfect readings all the time and stop the frequent water changes . Instead I used my eyes and observe the fish , this can tell you more than any test kits I have found. I do deklog the filter sponges every 6-8 months in old fish water . If its not broken don't try and fix it
PRECISELY Malt!
Hello FF.... You are the only RUclipsr who will tell the truth about fish keeping. Myself and many other Cichlid Fish keepers have always doubted the weekly water change crap. I STILL DO WATER CHANGES, I THINK SOME WATER CHANGES ARE NEEDED, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF FISH YOU KEEP. I have 3 large Central American Cichlids that are very messy eaters - but, i only do 10% water changes every 6 months as opposed to that 50%-80% weekly water change garbage.
Extreme water changes are done by those who do not know how to establish a healthy tank.
Well father you are damn right. The aquarium trade wants you to do whatever it takes for you to spend more money. If they told everyone the tricks of aquarium keeping, no body would simply spend much money on all sorts of treatments and medicines they create.
The second video i see. Is a honour to be here. I'M IN! thaks so much!
Delighted to have you in the shoal Adriana
Good stuff :] I have a 75g tank done in your style and I can confirm it does not need water changes ty so much! 7 months old and it has had only one water change a week in. Solid as a rock tank! which of coarse it has needed to be topped up but is covered with glass. My water can change a lot depending when and how much you draw from the sink. Water changes are starting to feel like Russian roulette hehe Most cities take undrinkable water and add undrinkable chemicals to make it drinkable ...
Well said Cory. Old water is better than new water.
I've never understood the concept of water changes. You do so much to prepare your water, perfect it. Then toss it out. This video is perfect
Exactly!
Absolutely love this,totally makes perfect sense ⭐️🐟👍🏼
You're absolutely right. I have found through trial and error, that simply leaving things ALONE has reaped far better rewards both in aquarium keeping and gardening. Of course I still do minimal maintenance if necessary, but I hardly need to.
I’m a killifish keeper in NZ and have learned so much from you.Many thanks for passing on your wisdom
Killies are a favorite. Remarkable fish. Would love to share with you on Discord about your killies.
This is such wisdom! I always tell people with “ new tank” cloudiness just let it run its course!!
You have changed all my thoughts and learning i gained over a period of time in managing my aquariu.. Ur videos made me think about what I have been doing all these years changing water , replacing old water and giving that to my plants and never saw that my plants were growing really well cause of beneficial bacteria....
That's what I call a complete experienced professional who knows all what he is doing.
A grand salute to you sir.. I wish I could get an opportunity to meet and learn from you in person.
You are my 🐠 🐟 AQUA GURU 🐟🐠
🙏
Very nice thank you just starting up a 120 gallon freshwater. I was told to buy used media, for the established organisms in the media. Learning so much watching your videos
I've kept ponds for years & so tanks were newer to me. I set them up & run them the same as my ponds, no water changes cause I didn't know that was a "thing" ! My tanks are better than fine =) Thanks for the video!
Thanks for sharing Ad. Fine it is!
I have learned so much from you. I always had tanks with gravel fake plants and was always fighting ph and clouded water. I havent had a tank for 20 years now always wanted one. With your wisdom im goin to pull the trigger and get a small tank mabey a 20 gallon. My last tank was a 55 gallon. But i am dieing to set up a tank with your methods and will move up to bigger tanks. Thank you Sir for you time and expert knowledge
I've been keeping different species for around 20 years (I'm 35 now) and can confirm to never do waterchange unless it's needed for some reason. I've never had a sick fish and always have offspring (even with difficult to breed species). There are a few rules I keep to:
- Only do water change if it's needed, else it's fill up the vaporized water
- Don't overcrowd,
- Use groundwater
- Use a sponge over the inlet of the filter (get's the first filth => clean this when you see the flow lowering down of the filter)
- Every other day a bit of food (the rest they get from algea) => they are not starving when the tank is established, but I keep an eye out for them to keep in shape
That's it for me, for the bigger aquariums I got, I only "need" to clean it around once per year and thats more an aesthetic clean. The smaller once are the trickiest.
And for those wondering, yes the tanks are almost crystal clear (I always get this question if I tell that I don't change water unless needed).
During those years I've tried different water sources to start up a tank, ground, city and rainwater. And with groundwater, I've never had a tank start failure. Then 2nd best was city water to startup (need a long waiting period before you can add fish). Rainwater is 50/50, but when if it was a hit, then it flourished. So I kept with the groundwater for every specie. But this depends ofcourse of your location.
Thank you Kevin for your insights. Please visit us on Discord. Your experience is invaluable. We have lots of folks there who would love to hear about your hobby.
Will this also work for goldfish tank please without water changes every week
I really wish I found you 9 months ago when I set up my tanks, I've been having trouble maintaining them and with work has shorten the time I can spend working on them. I've only watched about 15 of your videos so far and now I am taking the tanks down to set them up the Father Fish way. your knowledge has me in ore. everything I've learned over the years has been a lie and only now I am seeing how wrong I've been doing things basing my knowledge off the questionable information picked up from others. I see the beauty in the tanks you've presented and what you do is incredible. so thank you for sharing your years of experience, it has opened my eyes and mind to the beautiful cycle of life and how it should be. you are God Father Fish!
I agree with you that not all tanks require water changes. My saltwater tanks get water changes very rarely and do great. I have an african cichlid tank though, and the only time I have had issues with it is when I don't do water changes. I've had cichlids grow to 10" in a year doing 75% water changes per week. Totally agree with you about your methodology, but I also don't think its a one size fits all for all fish and aquariums. Your tanks look great!
It depends entirely what is being put in the tank. Fish hare fed heavily with little substrate will require water changes.
Thank you Father Fish - I will take good care of my water! My babies rely on me to keep them safe!
Always! Yes they do dear Kathy.
Good topic, I gently gravel vac my aquarium occasionally, I'll add a few drops of Prime or Aquasafe to neutralize any heavy metals or chlorine, I have live plants which are thriving! Father Fish I would love to meet you, I appreciate your knowledge and insight, much respect, shout out from New Britain CT!
Thank you Precise. I will be attending some conferences in the NE. Maybe have a chance to meet. Thank you for your kindness.
I love the nice quotes in your background Father Fish, “Live, Love, Teach” very inspiring🌻
We don't have lids on our tanks, so there is a fair amount of evaporation. We top off with water from the local creek. It's been going great, but I realise I do live in a very clean area compared to some in the US.
Water in nature tends to clean itself. You are doing the very best available to you.
I have many copepods in my betta/snail 2.5 bowl with mini pump/filter and the water is pretty much crystal clear i dont do many water changes just top with more water as it evaporates and also i dont keep running the filter all the time . Copepods help clean the tank too
I have just recently found your channel. You seem very knowledgeable as well as very wholesome. You are the fish keeping world's official grandpa. I love that you include a personal touch along with great information put Into simple terms. Keep doing what you're doing. You officially have a new fan and supporter out of me.
Welcome aboard Ryan! Thank you for your encouragement. Come join us on our DISCORD channel where you can meet fishy friends and share your tank with others.
I have learned so much in a brief time watching @FatherFish and I thought being 53, I had learned enough through the many aquariums I’ve had. I know nothing…
I have a 29g tank. There are two angles and 4 cherry rasboras there. I have a big java sword some drif woods and rocks here an there. Sand substrate and 10,12 almond leaves in there. I have also put some pathos on the top. And I haven't changed water for almost two years now. Once a while every two months maybe when I am drinking water and pass by the tank I dump the water in there to make up for the evaporation :). Thanks for giving this to us. I owe it to you sir.
Please only dump with Reverse osmosis or rain Water . Otherwise you are concentrating your water with alkaline salts that will over time get your pH way over 8. Which will create ammonia!
I love father fish pure wisdom and loving personality
Thanks FF
Whether you should change your water or not depends on a variety of factors like filtration, number of fish, requirements of said fish, number of plants, experience of the fish keeper etc. I would argue that most people in the hobby will have more success with regular water changes. Not saying that it isn't feasible with profound knowledge and experience however.
Frankly it is a matter of setting up the tank for success rather than to use as a receptacle for everything the store can possibly sell you.
I would really like to say that most of the US has hard water, especially the Missouri/Mississipi/Ohio river basins and the great Western desert basin regions. There are parts, like here on the Oregon coast where our water comes out of the tap nearly as fresh rain water. Because we have a clay soil and little to no alkaline earth bedrocks like limestone or Ca/Mg and it's really important to at least add a little Gypsum and Epsom salts so the plants and Inverts can thrive.
Fantastic video.ive just stopped changing my water.i was wondering how often I should clean my filters
When they are too plugged to work. Most important is to feed minimally.
Fish Keeping works best when you keep to the basics and do them well. Good video!
You betcha!
Great video FF it was like meandering down a peaceful harmonious river of information. Much love
Much appreciated abs. Very kind of you.
I agree as well I’ve realized that old water is packed with so much benefits for fish that it is so healthy for them and can actually promote rapid growth for them I’ve witnessed it
Superb advice.. I only ever part water change due to doing a gravel vac or cleaning sponge filters.
I then use that water for my plants.
Add 2" of sand to the gravel and no more gravel vacs.
@Father Fish My substrate is sand but it's a natural colour. I like to just vacuum it every so often as I'm only using internal sponge filters. I can then squeeze filters out into the water removed, clean filters and nutrient rich water for my plants 👍 no beneficial bacteria was harmed in the writings of this post 😊
@@Andy_Underwood... Delighted to hear it Andy. If we do not stick up for beneficial bacteria who will?
You're the cutest Father Fish ♡
Golly gee whiz.
Absolut faszinierend ❤ Er macht alles richtig und es ist eine große Freude Seine Videos anzuschauen! Großartig ❤ sharing a lot and caring a lot! That‘s right, father fish 👍
when we bring new fish home, we do a two scoops out, two scoops in, method of slowly changing the fish store water over into mostly tank water. I have to tell you, my kids feel such a sense of pride in our two FF method tanks. They can't wait to bring new fish friends home and they tell them, "you're going to love your new home".
That's fun. Would love to share with your fam on DISCORD.
@@FatherFish I'm there-- under the name Gumbiecat42 :) it's been super helpful. I feel like i know what I'm doing!
Eyy father fishh, im new to owning my own aquarium and after watching this video i feel more knowledgeable and i just wantes to say thank you
Let' s see how you do Slayer!
I'll say this. I took care of a planted tank for my Father for a couple of years until his passing last year. He loved fish. Anyway the substrate was straight silica sand only. Placed root tabs under an amazon sword and a few crypts. Lots of stem plants all over the tank. The growth in this tank was amazing. I could not get over it. I took cuttings from his tank to place in mine at home. The only thing I ever did was top off the tank straight from the tap...many times no dechlorinator. NO WATER CHANGES EVER. The tank was 40 long and had a double fluval T5 fixture. Not much algae to even notice. Both were 6400k 54 watt bulbs and were never changed out. As a matter of fact I would say the bulbs were at least 5 years old. One could call this a neglected tank when looking at todays "way to do it"..lol That tank amazed me. Father Fish you know what's up. Forgot to mention. I never ever added liquid ferts !! Couldn't understand that part..lol.
After about a year a substrate will develop a strong biological foundation that will balance the system. By leaving everything in the tank the nutrients never disappear. They cycle through the entire tank over and over. LRB Aquatics -Aquarium Hoarder
who just commented above is a natural system Master. His tanks are a beautiful example of simplicity and perfection.
hello @@FatherFish Im starting the hobby right now, can I use distilled drinking water for the aquarium? I wanna do it a budget friendly and a dechlorinator here costs a lot too. I just stumbled upon your channel and I already learned a lot of things about fish keeping and a planted tank, thank you! Ive been worried about the 50% tap water and 50% dechlorinated water. I just hope you can clear things up for me.^^
First-time viewer and must say you are awesome ! Finally, real knowledge !
Thank you Frank
Father Fish it has been a pleasure listening to your logic and balance in the fish world. If only we had more of you in the world it would be a far better place :):) You have a new fan, stay well and safe :):)
What kind words BigSharkk. Thank you
This is truly spiritual thing and the only way life works at all levels, being in tune with it is so effortless as the ownership is in creator's hands, so it works out, I only wish i had come accross these vodeos from father fish before, 6 years into this hobby and nothing ever felt right so i kept searching for some advice that's true and when we seek we don't have to find it, it finds us, absolutely grateful for these videos and wisdom shared here🙏
I just want to know how to find other reasonable and smart people like father fish here on RUclips. For years I’ve been fighting with the hobby. Water changes are just a stupid idea! That’s it. Btw I am a biologist and scientist. Good job father fish!!! I love your content!
👋
Few people seem to appreciate the contained ecosystem, I've always loved animals and fish especially and a fish in a bowl or tank with nothing but plastic rocks and water always felt wrong. It's an amazing thing to see an entire environment thrive, so much more interesting than fish in a sterile box
Always got to say it.. May god bless this man!
Thank you Pesticide. Very kind of you.
I’ve been doing water change like once every 3 months….my laziness helped! Anyways thanks for the advices FF, greetings from Singapore
Happy to hear from Singapore Asura!
I’m planning to start my first fish tank and I’m researching as much as I can. I was very confused by this people doing full water changes every week. My dad used to keep tanks when I was a kid back on 80s and 90s and he rarely changed the water. I remember he saying it wasn’t good for the fish and I only recall he doing one half tank changing. People nowadays complicate everything 😂 thank you for this video!! ❤
You are very welcome. Stay plugged in. More advice about water changes to come.
I do 10% water changes once a week
I only change the water if the parameters are off. I just do a top off to replace water that's evaporated. Why fix what's not broken, people don't realize they upset the biological cycle of the tank when they do these massive water changes.
@@corindusfanjoyz6301 MY! Such a fuss budgit you are. What else can you complain about? You have not watched my videos or you would know that I have given MANY people credit for what I am teaching.
Thats why i just buy a really good filter and top of my fish tank with water when ever. Cleaning my canister filters once a month and toping off water is all i do. And most the people dont go into fish hobby cause they thought its a time consuming thing to do especially maintaining water change. If only they know what to do. Thats whats inside my mind when ever i hear people say this. 😅
Right that's it, I've subscribed 🤪, I'm new to the hobby, bought my first aquarium last August and look forward to watching all your vids. 👍❤️🇬🇧
Welcome aboard cookie.
Absolutely incredible! Thank you for your input🙌🏼!! I’m an aquarist living off grid in New Mexico, where water begins as gold. I’ve just added my 5th aquarium to my living room and currently do monthly water changes, but needed your assurance that (in a healthy environment) water only gets better with time.
Very excited to subscribe to your channel, keep up the great content!
You have my comp[lete assurance Jeff. lol
Hey Jeff!!!
Do you ever show up to the NMAS meetings?
Water changes can be done to remove excess of detritus or to export some excess of organics, BUT only if the system has an unbalance of those qualities. The reason why many of us see the "need" of doing water changes is only because most of us feed too much or have too many fish. Another unbalance is directly related to making mistakes when choosing the plants for that system and how we want to maintain them. There are other variables that could be addressed to avoid to do water changes, like unbalance of nutrients with the wrong light intensity, for example, but the good news is that a natural system, when time is given to it, will get in equilibrium and should be left alone after that, only keeping the fonts of energy (light and fish food) to maintain the system running. It's very simple. Listen to this man. Don't waste your money with so many junk things the aquarium industry offers just to get your money.
So glad to see your videos getting a lot of views, FF! This topic especially, constantly changing water is definitely “a form of insanity” and not necessary when we emulate natural ecosystems in our tanks. Thanks again for all you are doing on RUclips!
Yes! Thank you PlantLife!
Had to watch, again, there's something about fish that relaxes me.
Great video! I never knew about this information, but I never change the water on my 2 aquariums. I just thought that they would sustain themselves with plants, gravel and fish. Thank you for everything and God Bless you always.🙏🏻😇🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Glad I could help!
Great video FF , thanks for sharing 🐠🐟🙂✌️
Glad you enjoyed it Marky.
I totally agree with this but must add, this is only for well established aquariums not a new set up this will not apply. You will have to monitor your PH to maintain the tank water to be established over time. Partial water changes maybe needed if it’s not stable. I find catappa leaves help and others like peat moss if you need to lower your PH. Depending on your water of course, test water kit is vital to check where your water is at even after it’s cycled. Great info as usual FF just wanted to add that not only is old water is gold but just what you’re putting into your tank is also golden! 👍 🐠
Rather than shooting blind you need to test the system so that your opinion will have merit. The comments you made are simply not relevant.
@@FatherFish I think I realized I was meant to reply to another message and it sent as a general message lol. Technically challenged sometimes! 😂