I'm not usually a big fan of fish or strange creatures like that, and I'm definitely more of a shrimp person. But still for some reason I found this video really interesting! You explain every little step so clearly-it's great to hear from someone experienced who knows every detail of their job
That's amazing to hear thank you so much! My ultimate goal is to make aquariums easier and more accessible to people. By explaining and showing all the boring bits I can make sure everyone succeeds. I'm so glad you commented as it makes me know I'm making the right type of content.
I'm a fishkeeper, I like little fish, but I enjoyed this build immensely. Always nice to see Quinn too. (I do not want an Axoltl, I do not want an Axoltl, I do not want an Axoltl, I do not want an Axoltl...)
I loved this ! But my happy-playful-mischievous-troll nature forces me point out a few things that made me giggle evilly (but never in a nasty way) I loved how Matt pulled out the huge tree stump, saying that it was huge, and a breeding ground for 'The bad stuff' ... then he put an equally huge piece of tree stump straight back in (though I LOVED the shape of the new piece. It looked like a huge creepy hand, and with Halloween just around the corner, I felt that it was very apt) 🤣🤗❤ Then he brought in a Huge pile of rounded slate, and I sat there thinking to myself ... 'Um ... How big does Matt think that tank is ...' ❤🙈🙉🙊❤ I really hope that Matt never changes. I love his content, and I love how he never tries to be perfect, or polished, and that he just bumbles along quite happily, having fun, and leaving in any little mistakes that he sometimes makes. I just love it
🤣🤣 I hadn't noticed the wood looked like a creepy hand! Thanks 💜 I do feel like I "bumble" about, at least it's good entertainment for everyone watching 🤣
Matt, the old scape looked so good - completely understood that it wasn't working, but I thought it was a real shame. But you have outdone yourself. This looks fantastic and is better for your axolotl and for maintainance. Experience really shows out! Nice job.
a very enjoyable trip through the axolotl's new home, and well done to boot. Absolutely brilliant use of the post-it notes I might add... brought a huge smile to my face!
In the kitchen cooking Sunday dinner, what better to watch than you & your tanks, keep it up, you've definitely peaked my interest in fish keep, alot more research to be done yet, hopefully this time next year I'll have my 1st tank. I had my heart set on axolotls, but what I've seen, unfortunately I won't be able to look after them properly xxx
So interesting and beautiful to look at - and what a paradise for the animals ❤️ You made it for them to be happy but an sure it will be so much fun to watch the wandering about int those beautiful caves and lovely calm and safe hidingplaces 🥰
Thank you for this! I’ve been thinking of rescaping my tank and had no idea how to go about it without investing in a second big tank for my current creatures - really helpful video 😊
Liking the 'Subscribe' post-it in the drawer - nice one. I think I've mentioned my planned betta waterfall rack before - the first tank is due next week. So happy to be getting back into fishkeeping again - it's been several years and without your channel it might never have happened.
Hahaha don't know what you're talking about, that post it has nothing to do with RUclips 😜. I'm so glad you've got your tank on its way! I look forward to hearing and maybe seeing it!
I am the biggest fan of your videos Matt! Thank you for taking us along in your journey! Could we do a short video on some of the equipment you use to film?
love these little guys and great video as always! i was super sad to learn recently that there's only about 50-1000 of these guys left in the wild now, but there's like, 1 million in captivity
Matt, I've also been dealing with massive blue-green algae in my dolmen scaped Superfish 90. I've set it up in May/June and of course it went through summer and it basically had too much hardscape and plants blocking the flow of the HOB-filter that came with the tank. And that was also one of the causing issues of course. I couldn't get that icky stuff out because it was all over the tank and I want it to be densely planted. What I did was boost the flow with a very small basic filter, also Superfish. But the little thing does produce a decent current. I also treated the tank with Easy-life Bio Exit Blue. You put in the indicated dose every day for 2 weeks and at some point the cyanobacteria disappeared. What it apparently does is boost some other bacteria which are supposed to keep a balance and keep the cyanobacteria away. I'm really glad it worked because it would be really sad to break down a tank just months after installing it. And the plants were doing quite well, just under a layer of dark green stuff. Now it looks brilliant! I also removed some of the wooden hardscape because it was too much. I was going for a sort of forest, but now it's down to 2 trees standing up and one fallen down.
That's awesome to hear you got on top of it! I was tempted to do a similar thing but didn't know if the treatments would be safe for the axolotl, plus I enjoy scaping tanks! Hahaha
@@FishShopMatt I haven't checked if the Easy Life is safe for axolotles but it is condidered safe for fish and shrimp and none have suffered. I did loose one otocynclus around that time but it must have been stressed out about something. The others are fine and eating plenty.
Love your videos, Bro. You do amazing work. I love your creativity and attention to everything that matters. Can’t wait to see what else you come up with!❤
Axolotls are quite chill, i can pick mine up by hand and just dump him into a bowl at the surface to easily move him during rescapes or big cleanings. Hes great fun to watch and care for😂
Yeah I'm hoping to be able to just push more water changes through because that vallis was stopping me from getting in there properly. Didn't like getting my hands mucky.
Nice job Matt, after my last comment about caves etc it is good to see you are giving it a go, once the plants fill in the tank it will look fantastic. Aquascaping, when you can excert your creativity and build worlds eh! I can't wait till you add a few natural caves to a fish tank for fish, I gad to pull apart my 560litre 5 foot tank the other day to get out all the Mollies and their baby's from the rest of the non live bearing fish and put them into my other tank also a 5 foot 310l tank with the rest of the young Mollies probably around 120+ Mollies in that tank I have caves in it so the fish can enjoy their zoomies around the tank but the other day I added a few extra rocks to add more caves the little blighters where in and out of the caves as I was altering them 😁 never a dull moment BTW you don't want over 120 sailfin/Dalmatian Mollies do you? They would match your dog's 🤔. Only problem is im in rural Western Australia! Love the video Matt as usual, great to see another animal lover who puts those who he is responsible for FIRST as well Tony from Western Australia 🇦🇺
I did remember your comment when I was building and planning this, so thank you!!! I would absolutely love some mollies and it sounds like you have a few spare hahaha. The Australia thing maybe an issue though! Hahaha Thank you so much for your comment!
@@FishShopMatt Matt you can have the lot! Regarding the caves and habitats for the fish I tend to look at the design of the tank as a chess type of game, you have to think several steps ahead as to how things work as you load the tank with the ingredients to bring it all together and how each item fits with the next and one before, and then depending on is the tank one sided (only seen from the front or 2 sided, from both front and back (mainly) Though I only have 2 x 5 foot tanks you have to work harder I think to get the scape right each time Love the videos Matt That's why I watch and recommend them, your knowledge is invaluable Tony from Western Australia 🇦🇺
Very nice scape Matt ! Very inspiring ! I can imagine that with some soil and more plants, this "cave style" could be very appreciated by Apistogramma or Ramirezi !
Matt, you and Katie have made me want Axolotls. I'm doing all my research first. Should there be two, or is one the loneliest number? L0L I love your videos!!
That's so cool to hear. It's a tricky question as some people get on with having groups, some with pairs and some singly. If you can afford the space I would say to get a little group, just be aware as they grow you may need to separate them. If you want to keep the tank space to a minimum go with a single and they will be just fine.
A single is fine, theyre not really social animals, it is though more enriching and mentally stimulating for them to live in pairs/groups. Just make sure you have plans to dispose of eggs if you get any females. They produce ALOT of bioload, so a good sized tank (40+ gal for one lotl) plants and a good filter is key to keeping the water healthy. Ive got a single, living with some mollies (changing to zebra danios soon, the mollies came from a friend who couldnt keep them anymore) And some cherry shrimp, they like to snack on their smaller tankmates alot so be prepared to that aswell as them risking a nip at eachother. Theyre not swimmers, so a longer rather than taller aquarium is best.
A little trick I picked up somewhere: when doing tank maintenance that is going to take more than half an hour or so, is to drain your filter of water - and might as well give it a clean out at the same time - and then put all the media and sponges back in and close it back up. As the filter is closed, the media stays wet and warm, but the nitrifying bacteria won't start to die off due to being deprived of oxygen which would happen if you just turned the filter off and left the water in (ask me how I know 🤦♂) I figure you are probably aware of this trick, but was just curious to see you didn't do it here with the excess media, rather opting to put it in buckets of water, so thought I'd mention it on the off chance you weren't (highly unlikely given how long you've been doing this!) Anyway, love your and MD's videos, you guys helped inspire me to get into this hobby!
Its rock thats been melted to a liquid, then slung around while cooled to make a wool like product. Basically, its candyfloss made from stones😅 which is why it itches when it gets on your skin dry, its tiny little rock flakes, not good to breathe it in either.
I love how your axolotls seem to really get along and like being around one another! Did they ever have any issues getting acclimated with one another? Thanks for the great video and the tank look awesome!
hey matt, i dont know if you have another fluval filter not in use or you could buy another hose kit, that way you can swap them over to the tub without having to swap the media over
Another channel I watch about vivaria and aquaria, SerpaDesign, often uses egg crates on the bottom of his tanks to help distribute the weight of set pieces over larger area's, preventing too much weight being concentrated in one place and cracking the glass. Such a solution might help in future reworkings of your aquaria.
I really love the ‘rock wall’. When I set up my fish tank I had planned on doing something like this. But I chickened out because I was worried about the weight. Not for the glass, but for the cabinet underneath. How do we know how much weight we can add? After watching this I’m more confident to give it a go. Thanks Matt❤️🇦🇺
Thank you! I've never really had an issue with adding weight in the way of rocks as it displaces a fair amount of weight in water. I'll be honest I've put double if not triple the amount of rocks into a tank before and it's been fine, that was also on dodgy old aquarium cabinets not like the ones we have today! So really it's all about how strong you feel your cabinet is really.
I love those creatures. The gold one looks like this 😮 I have a bubbler and a skimmer basically the same way.I just tossed about 5 pounds of valisneria. Still trying to talk the boss into another aquarium.
Crumbs, that looks like a lot of wait on the base of the tank. I would be looking at it every ten minutes scared it would crack rather than concentrating on a game of Hero Quest.
What a beautiful tank 😮 question Matt ? I got chichlids and I have had one glass surf for over two weeks now, it only stops when the lights are out I don’t understand my water parameters are great and temp etc I don’t understand.
Hi Matt. Awesome build. The nose dive into the sand cracked me up. Sorry to be a bother or sound dense but I don’t quite understand your jug method for working out the extra water you added so you can treat it. You timed how long it took to fill the 2L jug but I don’t quite see how that can be used to work out the volume of added water. I was thinking you could add say 10L (5 jugs) to the tank and measure how much the water level rose in the tank, filled it to the desired level and worked it out that way. For example, 10L raised the level 1cm, the total water level increased 10cm so 10x10= 100L (just an example). That might be a hard way to be exact. Anyway, curious as to how your method works 😊.
Thank you! No need to apologize. So I timed the 2L jug filling and then timed how long the tank took to fill. So for ease of math if it took a minute to fill the 2L jug and then 10 minutes to fill the tank I've roughly added 20L.
Axos are amazing. They have incredible regenerative powers. They can regenerate limbs organs even brains, so long as the brain stem remains intact. Pain in the but to keep though, but your setup looks pretty much hassle free, tbh. It's brilliant.
Thank you! They're amazing creatures, it's actually why one of my females has a bent leg because it was missing a long time ago and it grew back funny. Amazing animals though.
Really nice. But do you think you should've used river round cobbles large and small? Do you think the rocks are rough and do you think it will cut them?
The true math would have been - given the tank is let's say 80cm wide and 40cm deep, and you wanted to increase the water level by 10cm - 0.8 x 0.4 x 0.1 x 1000 = 32, which is the water volume in liters. Now this is not exactly acurate because of the stones and the wood and so on, but it gives you an idea. Idon't want to sound like a smarty-pants, but I think this little formula can be very helpful.
That's interesting, I hadn't thought of it that way. I've always just timed how long it takes to fill the jug and then timed how long it took to fill the tank. So for ease of math if it took a minute to fill the 2L jug and then 10 minutes to fill the tank I've roughly added 20L of water.
I'm looking to buy the fluval shaker 345L but I'm nervous that it doesn't have a middle brace at the top of the tank. Have you heard of anyone's bowing?
Curious - could you not just run a larger air stone into the holding tank for the 6-36 hours you are using the plastic container as a temporary holding tank - do you need an *actual* filter.
Yeah it's crazy! It's like having a dog! I can't remember when I got my oldest two but it was probably around 8 years ago. I think I looked for original pictures when I first set this tank up.
What an amazing axolotl tank!!! 😍 If it were me I would keep the lights dimmer in their tank since anubias do not need much light and the axolotl’s don’t like much light either, plus you’ll get less algae!
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
It's great to see a channel owner who seems to genuinely love and respect the animals. 😊
His decorative skills are also getting better and better :)
I really appreciate that! Thank you!
Vary true that tank looks really big with them in it I really wish you could keep fish with tgem
I'm not usually a big fan of fish or strange creatures like that, and I'm definitely more of a shrimp person. But still for some reason I found this video really interesting! You explain every little step so clearly-it's great to hear from someone experienced who knows every detail of their job
That's amazing to hear thank you so much! My ultimate goal is to make aquariums easier and more accessible to people. By explaining and showing all the boring bits I can make sure everyone succeeds. I'm so glad you commented as it makes me know I'm making the right type of content.
I'm a fishkeeper, I like little fish, but I enjoyed this build immensely. Always nice to see Quinn too.
(I do not want an Axoltl, I do not want an Axoltl, I do not want an Axoltl, I do not want an Axoltl...)
Hahaha thank you. Yeah this is my issue my will power to stop getting more tank side rubbish.
The new aquascape is so beautiful, I love all the elements, you did a great job!❤
Love the subscribe post-it!!
Hahaha don't know what you're talking about 🤣
Yeah, I loved that too
@@FishShopMatt too humble to tell people they need to subscribe so find a way where you don't have to say it out loud. Brilliant
That's a stunning setup Matt. Love it. the little critters will love it
Thanks 👍 they seem to be really enjoying exploring already.
@@FishShopMatt Aw bless them. they are adorable little aliens
Who needs the gym when you have aquariums, a toddler, and dogs. The new axolotl condos look good. Thanks for the video. Have a wonderful week.
I agree those rocks were heavy!
Fish shop Matt is the coolest guy on RUclips.
I loved this !
But my happy-playful-mischievous-troll nature forces me point out a few things that made me giggle evilly (but never in a nasty way)
I loved how Matt pulled out the huge tree stump, saying that it was huge, and a breeding ground for 'The bad stuff' ... then he put an equally huge piece of tree stump straight back in (though I LOVED the shape of the new piece. It looked like a huge creepy hand, and with Halloween just around the corner, I felt that it was very apt) 🤣🤗❤
Then he brought in a Huge pile of rounded slate, and I sat there thinking to myself ... 'Um ... How big does Matt think that tank is ...' ❤🙈🙉🙊❤
I really hope that Matt never changes. I love his content, and I love how he never tries to be perfect, or polished, and that he just bumbles along quite happily, having fun, and leaving in any little mistakes that he sometimes makes. I just love it
🤣🤣 I hadn't noticed the wood looked like a creepy hand! Thanks 💜 I do feel like I "bumble" about, at least it's good entertainment for everyone watching 🤣
@@FishShopMatt Yeah we love it !
Matt, the old scape looked so good - completely understood that it wasn't working, but I thought it was a real shame. But you have outdone yourself. This looks fantastic and is better for your axolotl and for maintainance. Experience really shows out! Nice job.
Thank you! I did love the old scape too but I do hope this one is going to be easier to maintain.
a very enjoyable trip through the axolotl's new home, and well done to boot. Absolutely brilliant use of the post-it notes I might add... brought a huge smile to my face!
Always happy to see a FSM video.
Thanks 👍💜
In the kitchen cooking Sunday dinner, what better to watch than you & your tanks, keep it up, you've definitely peaked my interest in fish keep, alot more research to be done yet, hopefully this time next year I'll have my 1st tank. I had my heart set on axolotls, but what I've seen, unfortunately I won't be able to look after them properly xxx
What a compliment! Thank you! Yeah axolotls aren't hugely beginner friendly but I hope you love whatever you end up getting.
Yeah, axos are super cool but they're a real headache
Love the music-selection in this one. ❤
That's great to hear thank you!
ooo Boy a beautiful tank! That wildflower grass makes a mega atmosphere
Looks great Matt!
I wish every Axolotl owner could have an aquarium like this for them!
I’m not a fan of axolotols, but I’m a fan of yours. Cheers from Chicago
Wow thank you so much! 💜💜💜 I visited Chicago once when I went to see the aquascape pond shop and do some training there. It's a really cool place!
I know this was a lot of hard work. The tank looks so much cleaner/ nicer now. You did an amazing job!! My granddaughter loves Axolotl.
What a great informative video with great helpful tips for axolotl keepers. Watched from start to finish and you are great Matt - really well done 🙏🏻
This scape is awesome, love it ❤️
Thank you
So interesting and beautiful to look at - and what a paradise for the animals ❤️ You made it for them to be happy but an sure it will be so much fun to watch the wandering about int those beautiful caves and lovely calm and safe hidingplaces 🥰
Came out great!!
Thank you!
Looks great! Nice new little tank for the Axolotls!
Amazing tank, I love the change up, well needed and you can actually see the axolotl properly now!
Totally agree, I much prefer this setup.
I love these axolotls! They are so cute. I love your channel-I'm learning so much about my own fish keeping! Thanks Matt!
Thank you! 💜 Really glad I'm helping
Love this set up and great work Matt😊
Thanks so much! It came out really nice.
Congrats on the crazy growth of your channel. Keep it up!
good to see that you value your beneficial bacteria so much 🙂
Always! Otherwise you open yourself up to all sorts of problems.
Thank you for this! I’ve been thinking of rescaping my tank and had no idea how to go about it without investing in a second big tank for my current creatures - really helpful video 😊
I'm so glad you found it useful!
Another great video. Thanks. Really enjoy the variety of subjects you cover.
Glad you like them! I try to make them all a little different.
Liking the 'Subscribe' post-it in the drawer - nice one. I think I've mentioned my planned betta waterfall rack before - the first tank is due next week. So happy to be getting back into fishkeeping again - it's been several years and without your channel it might never have happened.
Hahaha don't know what you're talking about, that post it has nothing to do with RUclips 😜.
I'm so glad you've got your tank on its way! I look forward to hearing and maybe seeing it!
Looks brilliant ❤
Thank you! Cheers!
Love your channel Matt 💪🇬🇧
Thanks so much 💜
I am the biggest fan of your videos Matt! Thank you for taking us along in your journey! Could we do a short video on some of the equipment you use to film?
love these little guys and great video as always! i was super sad to learn recently that there's only about 50-1000 of these guys left in the wild now, but there's like, 1 million in captivity
Matt, I've also been dealing with massive blue-green algae in my dolmen scaped Superfish 90. I've set it up in May/June and of course it went through summer and it basically had too much hardscape and plants blocking the flow of the HOB-filter that came with the tank. And that was also one of the causing issues of course. I couldn't get that icky stuff out because it was all over the tank and I want it to be densely planted.
What I did was boost the flow with a very small basic filter, also Superfish. But the little thing does produce a decent current. I also treated the tank with Easy-life Bio Exit Blue. You put in the indicated dose every day for 2 weeks and at some point the cyanobacteria disappeared. What it apparently does is boost some other bacteria which are supposed to keep a balance and keep the cyanobacteria away. I'm really glad it worked because it would be really sad to break down a tank just months after installing it. And the plants were doing quite well, just under a layer of dark green stuff. Now it looks brilliant! I also removed some of the wooden hardscape because it was too much. I was going for a sort of forest, but now it's down to 2 trees standing up and one fallen down.
That's awesome to hear you got on top of it! I was tempted to do a similar thing but didn't know if the treatments would be safe for the axolotl, plus I enjoy scaping tanks! Hahaha
@@FishShopMatt I haven't checked if the Easy Life is safe for axolotles but it is condidered safe for fish and shrimp and none have suffered. I did loose one otocynclus around that time but it must have been stressed out about something. The others are fine and eating plenty.
Lovethat piece of wood
Love this setup! It is giving me ideas on what to do with one of my aquariums.
Thanks 💜 glad it's inspired you!
Love your videos, Bro. You do amazing work. I love your creativity and attention to everything that matters. Can’t wait to see what else you come up with!❤
I appreciate that!
32:15: You could almost hear the 'Boof' lol 🤣🤣
🤣 he hit the sand hard!
@@FishShopMatt Yes ... Yes he did. But he's fine, so its alright lol
Hi Matt, kudos mate, that´s a pretty cool aquascape for any kind of habitant..........simply cool.
Thank you!
Not going to lie, was expecting them to be much harder to catch and net! Great video!
Nah axolotl are the slowest and silliest creatures to catch. They can move if they want to but most of the time they just give in haha.
Axolotls are quite chill, i can pick mine up by hand and just dump him into a bowl at the surface to easily move him during rescapes or big cleanings. Hes great fun to watch and care for😂
@@DanishButterCookie that is so cool! I had no idea...not really familiar with their behavior and care.
Love the tank. Be careful with nutrients as only anubias isn’t going to soak up much in the water column from the poop food etc
Yeah I'm hoping to be able to just push more water changes through because that vallis was stopping me from getting in there properly. Didn't like getting my hands mucky.
Much as I love vallisneria the clean look of the new set up is fab❤. Might do something similar for my pea puffers
Go for it! I much prefer it and look forward to the easier maintenance hahaha
Love axolotls Thanks for this fantastic video Matt. Really enjoyed it
Looks great!
Nice job Matt, after my last comment about caves etc it is good to see you are giving it a go, once the plants fill in the tank it will look fantastic.
Aquascaping, when you can excert your creativity and build worlds eh!
I can't wait till you add a few natural caves to a fish tank for fish, I gad to pull apart my 560litre 5 foot tank the other day to get out all the Mollies and their baby's from the rest of the non live bearing fish and put them into my other tank also a 5 foot 310l tank with the rest of the young Mollies probably around 120+ Mollies in that tank I have caves in it so the fish can enjoy their zoomies around the tank but the other day I added a few extra rocks to add more caves the little blighters where in and out of the caves as I was altering them 😁 never a dull moment BTW you don't want over 120 sailfin/Dalmatian Mollies do you? They would match your dog's 🤔. Only problem is im in rural Western Australia!
Love the video Matt as usual, great to see another animal lover who puts those who he is responsible for FIRST as well
Tony from Western Australia 🇦🇺
I did remember your comment when I was building and planning this, so thank you!!!
I would absolutely love some mollies and it sounds like you have a few spare hahaha. The Australia thing maybe an issue though! Hahaha
Thank you so much for your comment!
@@FishShopMatt Matt you can have the lot! Regarding the caves and habitats for the fish I tend to look at the design of the tank as a chess type of game, you have to think several steps ahead as to how things work as you load the tank with the ingredients to bring it all together and how each item fits with the next and one before, and then depending on is the tank one sided (only seen from the front or 2 sided, from both front and back (mainly)
Though I only have 2 x 5 foot tanks you have to work harder I think to get the scape right each time
Love the videos Matt
That's why I watch and recommend them, your knowledge is invaluable
Tony from Western Australia 🇦🇺
Very nice scape Matt ! Very inspiring ! I can imagine that with some soil and more plants, this "cave style" could be very appreciated by Apistogramma or Ramirezi !
Beautiful ❤
Thank you! 😊💜
Great vid!
Thank you so much! 💜
Very nice scape, definitely making me want to try axolotls!
You should! They're great fun!
it's a great set up.
Thank you!
That Flo gets around 😂
Hahaha 🤣 no comment
Awesome looking axolotl scape 👌
Thank you!
Very interesting. Looks great 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you! Cheers!
29:11 cheeky
@@nagyseggukacsa1618 not sure what you're talking about? 🤣🤣🤣
Matt, you and Katie have made me want Axolotls. I'm doing all my research first. Should there be two, or is one the loneliest number? L0L I love your videos!!
That's so cool to hear.
It's a tricky question as some people get on with having groups, some with pairs and some singly. If you can afford the space I would say to get a little group, just be aware as they grow you may need to separate them. If you want to keep the tank space to a minimum go with a single and they will be just fine.
A single is fine, theyre not really social animals, it is though more enriching and mentally stimulating for them to live in pairs/groups. Just make sure you have plans to dispose of eggs if you get any females.
They produce ALOT of bioload, so a good sized tank (40+ gal for one lotl) plants and a good filter is key to keeping the water healthy.
Ive got a single, living with some mollies (changing to zebra danios soon, the mollies came from a friend who couldnt keep them anymore)
And some cherry shrimp, they like to snack on their smaller tankmates alot so be prepared to that aswell as them risking a nip at eachother.
Theyre not swimmers, so a longer rather than taller aquarium is best.
A little trick I picked up somewhere: when doing tank maintenance that is going to take more than half an hour or so, is to drain your filter of water - and might as well give it a clean out at the same time - and then put all the media and sponges back in and close it back up. As the filter is closed, the media stays wet and warm, but the nitrifying bacteria won't start to die off due to being deprived of oxygen which would happen if you just turned the filter off and left the water in (ask me how I know 🤦♂)
I figure you are probably aware of this trick, but was just curious to see you didn't do it here with the excess media, rather opting to put it in buckets of water, so thought I'd mention it on the off chance you weren't (highly unlikely given how long you've been doing this!)
Anyway, love your and MD's videos, you guys helped inspire me to get into this hobby!
I much prefer this scape. Ive also never heard anyone else use the term flumping before!
Thanks! I'm really happy with it. Really? 🤔 Maybe it's a southern British thing 😂
Brilliant video. Thanks
Those are cute. I love the tutorial. Matt I saw a a little creature. So cute. Leaf Sheep. Don't know if they are fresh or salt. I hope it's fresh.
Hi! Love it!
Hey, Thank you.
Tank looks great, it's the axolotls that I am still not keen on 😂😂 Great vid as always 😜✌️💜
Thank you 💜 yeah they're not for everyone 😂
What is rockwool made out of? I've always wondered 🤔
I'm not sure but if you dry it out and then get it on your arms it's itchy. So I wouldn't recommend doing that hahaha
Its rock thats been melted to a liquid, then slung around while cooled to make a wool like product.
Basically, its candyfloss made from stones😅 which is why it itches when it gets on your skin dry, its tiny little rock flakes, not good to breathe it in either.
Original Greggs Shoes give a nice touch :)
I love how your axolotls seem to really get along and like being around one another! Did they ever have any issues getting acclimated with one another? Thanks for the great video and the tank look awesome!
hey matt, i dont know if you have another fluval filter not in use or you could buy another hose kit, that way you can swap them over to the tub without having to swap the media over
No, I had no spare parts for this filter. I mostly run Oase bio masters so this is my only 07 filter.
Another channel I watch about vivaria and aquaria, SerpaDesign, often uses egg crates on the bottom of his tanks to help distribute the weight of set pieces over larger area's, preventing too much weight being concentrated in one place and cracking the glass. Such a solution might help in future reworkings of your aquaria.
I really love the ‘rock wall’. When I set up my fish tank I had planned on doing something like this. But I chickened out because I was worried about the weight. Not for the glass, but for the cabinet underneath. How do we know how much weight we can add? After watching this I’m more confident to give it a go. Thanks Matt❤️🇦🇺
Thank you! I've never really had an issue with adding weight in the way of rocks as it displaces a fair amount of weight in water.
I'll be honest I've put double if not triple the amount of rocks into a tank before and it's been fine, that was also on dodgy old aquarium cabinets not like the ones we have today!
So really it's all about how strong you feel your cabinet is really.
I love those creatures. The gold one looks like this 😮
I have a bubbler and a skimmer basically the same way.I just tossed about 5 pounds of valisneria.
Still trying to talk the boss into another aquarium.
He does indeed look like that all the time! Hahaha
Good luck in trying to talk the boss into a new tank.
I really like this scape Matt but was a bit concerned about the weight in the tank. Obviously it is very sturdy!
Hello Matt
An entire ecosystem contained in a tiny infantesimle spec 😁
It's a crazy thing!
H2O2 bath for all plants (and wood) helps with algae ... always worked for me and plants dont mind it at all. And cyano bacteria hates it lol ...
Do you use a chiller on the axolotl tank? What temp do you keep it at?
I don't use one currently I just keep an eye on the temps. This tank normally sits around 18c and then climbs to 20c in the summer.
Hi Matt, what was the advantage of keeping so much of the tap water from the previous set up?
Just because they were used to the parameters of that water so I knew it wouldn't stress them out by changing too much in one go.
Crumbs, that looks like a lot of wait on the base of the tank. I would be looking at it every ten minutes scared it would crack rather than concentrating on a game of Hero Quest.
I have a burning question. Did the spider at 18:10 make it out?
Absolutely along with the half a dozen woodlice that I didn't remove from the rocks hahaha.
It's chemistry
😍🔥
Thank you!
💚
Good taste in backing music👍may i ask where do you download from plz
Matt, when you super glue the plants to the rock/wood, how easy is it to get them off when you come to do a re-scape?
Normally fairly easy, just peel them off. They may have rooted by that point though and that can be trickier.
What a beautiful tank 😮 question Matt ? I got chichlids and I have had one glass surf for over two weeks now, it only stops when the lights are out I don’t understand my water parameters are great and temp etc I don’t understand.
Are red tiger lotus safe for your critters? I think one lotus as a feature in your tank would look beautiful.
It would be safe, not sure it would like the cooler water but I do agree. I'll have a look into it.
I think the past three videos I've watched of Matt has been something along the lines of "I pre rinsed this and it did not work" lol
Hi Matt. Awesome build. The nose dive into the sand cracked me up. Sorry to be a bother or sound dense but I don’t quite understand your jug method for working out the extra water you added so you can treat it. You timed how long it took to fill the 2L jug but I don’t quite see how that can be used to work out the volume of added water. I was thinking you could add say 10L (5 jugs) to the tank and measure how much the water level rose in the tank, filled it to the desired level and worked it out that way. For example, 10L raised the level 1cm, the total water level increased 10cm so 10x10= 100L (just an example). That might be a hard way to be exact. Anyway, curious as to how your method works 😊.
Thank you! No need to apologize. So I timed the 2L jug filling and then timed how long the tank took to fill.
So for ease of math if it took a minute to fill the 2L jug and then 10 minutes to fill the tank I've roughly added 20L.
@@FishShopMatt
Ahh of course! That makes sense now. Thanks for taking the time to respond mate. Huge fan from AUS.
Axos are amazing. They have incredible regenerative powers. They can regenerate limbs organs even brains, so long as the brain stem remains intact. Pain in the but to keep though, but your setup looks pretty much hassle free, tbh. It's brilliant.
Thank you! They're amazing creatures, it's actually why one of my females has a bent leg because it was missing a long time ago and it grew back funny. Amazing animals though.
I was just thinking about this tank. 😅
And here it is hahaha
What is that small pump you used to fill in the aquarium with the water from the black tub?
Really nice. But do you think you should've used river round cobbles large and small? Do you think the rocks are rough and do you think it will cut them?
Do you use fertilizer for the plants? I've heard conflicting thoughts and wondered what you do!
The true math would have been - given the tank is let's say 80cm wide and 40cm deep, and you wanted to increase the water level by 10cm - 0.8 x 0.4 x 0.1 x 1000 = 32, which is the water volume in liters. Now this is not exactly acurate because of the stones and the wood and so on, but it gives you an idea. Idon't want to sound like a smarty-pants, but I think this little formula can be very helpful.
That's interesting, I hadn't thought of it that way.
I've always just timed how long it takes to fill the jug and then timed how long it took to fill the tank. So for ease of math if it took a minute to fill the 2L jug and then 10 minutes to fill the tank I've roughly added 20L of water.
@@FishShopMatt Your approach is perfectly fine and also clever actually :D
I'm looking to buy the fluval shaker 345L but I'm nervous that it doesn't have a middle brace at the top of the tank. Have you heard of anyone's bowing?
How long did it take for your water to clear up
Curious - could you not just run a larger air stone into the holding tank for the 6-36 hours you are using the plastic container as a temporary holding tank - do you need an *actual* filter.
where did you get the stones from?
Axolotls can live for more than 15 years! Its a long term pet....
Yeah it's crazy! It's like having a dog! I can't remember when I got my oldest two but it was probably around 8 years ago. I think I looked for original pictures when I first set this tank up.
wOW nICE Video ! Any thought to make box for turtle or vampire crab or other critters ??
What an amazing axolotl tank!!! 😍 If it were me I would keep the lights dimmer in their tank since anubias do not need much light and the axolotl’s don’t like much light either, plus you’ll get less algae!