Setting up a SIMPLE nature aquarium with BOTANICALS. Tetra aquascape tutorial.
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- čas přidán 3. 02. 2024
- I wanted something really different for the fish room, a total contrast to the existing green aquariums. This blackwater inspired botanical aquarium is the perfect addition to the collection.
Let me know in the comments what other fish you would like to see me put into this fish tank. As I said in the video I'm thinking either Apistogramma or Corydoras but thought I would let you all decide, then we can pop them into the aquarium in a few weeks.
I've used botanicals before but not in the amounts in this aquascape and it has definitely inspired me to use more in future builds. It naturalises the aquarium so well and adds a good amount of enrichment for the fish, not to mention the health benefits.
**Important public service announcement**
Very early on in this videos release someone has pointed out that the fluval prism is only meant to be used submerged. I've used and sold these lights for years and have only just heard about this (should probably read the instructions more). I've not known of any issue with myself or customers running these above water but there must be a reason for them to display that warning.
Fish:
Rummynose Tetra (Petitella bleheri)
Hockeystick Pencilfish (Nannostomus eques)
Plants:
Ludwigia Mini Super Red
Alternanthera Cardinalis
Cryptocoryne sp.
Fittonia sp. (above the water)
Hardscape:
Maple leaf rock
Manzanita wood
Oak leaves (locally collected)
Jack fruit leaves
All my aquariums run on @NTLabsOfficialSite products, go check out their channel for all sorts of awesome fishy content.
Support the channel by joining the channel members area here.
/ @fishshopmatt
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Don’t know if anyone has said but the prisms should only be used submerged so the instructions say
Oh I just went and checked the instructions and you're right. In all the years of using them I've never had a problem with running them out the water. I guess it must be the heat, thank you for alerting me to this!
Also you're the only one to say this so far but I guess that's because very few of us read instructions hahaha.
I would use the the clay hydroballs as substrate for the riparian plants sitting in the walnut pods
@@thewrxshop8213 I suspect it’s going to be fine but we will see it’s always good to try new things
@@FishShopMatt Ha. I was just logging on to say this! lol. They are super cool though.
The build is OBVIOUSLY awesome, but let's take a moment to appreciate how much better, technically, your vid is! I see a huge improvement in your speaking, the presentation and lighting. ❤
Agreed.
All things come with practice. He's definitely getting the practice between MD and his own videos. He's definitely improving, and he seems more relaxed and natural in his presenting. I have to agree with you 100%.
Awww thank you so much! It's all a learning curve, I make sure I learn at least one new technique or skill with every new video.
That way I know that I'm slowly progressing.
@@FishShopMatt and it really pays off, cause it shows! Slowly, but surely, the progress is amazing. I missed a few of previous vids because of YT algorithm and in this one I was like whaaaaaat! (I've watched the missing few in the meantime tho :D) Your knowledge and skill is impressive for sure.
100%!
SMASH that like button guys, it costs you nothing and helps Mathew grow his channel !
Thanks buddy!!! 💜💜💜
So it is said. So it is done! I wish I could smash it twice!
I hit that like button as soon as the video starts. I don't want to forget to and I know I'm going to like it
i love the creative ideas with gluing dried oak leaves on the "branches" and using seed pod as a planters for the red fittonias
Thank you, yeah it came out really well.
Gluing the leaves to the wood was a great idea, makes the entire scape look more compleat. Thanks for the great Sunday video
Thank you, that was the hope I had when I started glueing my fingers to the branches.
Matt I just wanna say I absolutely loved the video I have watched MD for years and the videos you appear in I always loved I’m very happy to see you’re doing your own thing and creating your own scapes they’re can never be to many fish CZcamsrs especially with your knowledge just wanna say congratulations and great video! Can wait to see what the future holds!!!
Beautiful, as always!
I live near the Edisto River in South Carolina. It is the second longest black water river in the world.
One thing you see a lot of is Cypress needles and cones. Many shallow areas have green plants, often floating downstream until they catch on something.
I once saw a bare branch lying in the water with a clump of round leaved plant caught on the end of it. I picked up the branch to pull it in and get the plants for my aquarium, but when the branch moved, a snake reared up until his head just cleared the surface of the water and stared intently at me. I decided his claim to the plant superceded mine!! 😂
That's amazing I've just Googled the river, looks cool! Interesting about the cypress needles as I think they're too toxic to use in the aquarium but now it's got me thinking hahaha.
@@FishShopMatt Next chance I get I'll try to get some decent photos for you.
@rebeccaampuero2347 Almost in my backyard and I was oblivious. I’m planning my spring trip now. Thanks!
Matt you’re great too. 💜💜💜
Rummy nose tetras look great in there. Love this scape. Simple yet looks complicated if that makes sense….A piece of art.
Thank you so much!
I love the idea of a heater filter!
Yeah so far it's working really well.
To you know MD would be watching and saying Matt plants load it up lol
Looks great sometimes we loose how great hard Scape is.....
me too
Me too and fits in corner nicely too. My only worry - is it shrimp and fry safe?
Honestly, the idea to use the seed pods for the plants is genius! And it looks great as well
Rummy nose are so cute! The pencil fish are really interesting. This scape has definitely made it to one of my top 3 favorites 😍
Thank you so much!
I would just like to say this build looks like a beautiful autumn setting. Only downside is all the inspiration I keep getting from these videos isn’t making my wife too happy about all the aquariums I’m starting to accumulate lol. Thanks for another beautiful idea!
You are the 'real man' of aquascaping in the way you keep it real as you show your process of doing this.
Saw the pencil fish in the shop and really wanted them but not the right time.
Love the look of this tank, super natural, and really appreciate your style of making the video, at home, much more like us mere mortal fish keepers😊
Thank you so much! 💜 They're a really lovely fish and so so interesting!
I love this concept. Fully planted tanks are not for everybody. I think the inspiration is a great new direction for some looking for other options. Great work!
Totally agree I've got some different ideas for future tanks so we will see how they come out.
It’s really spectacular Matt! The seed pod planter idea is genius! The fish look great. Really nice set up. Thanks for the video.
Glad you liked it!
Very cool tank!!! Especially the seed pods with the plant in them!!! ❤❤❤
Super creative!
Thank you! I do have good ideas sometimes hahaha.
They are going to need watering if the roots dont have access to the tank water. Perhaps drill a small hole or two in the bottom of the pod ?
@@FishShopMatt
Gluing some leaves above the water seemed like a stroke of genius to me….totally makes the theme come together/cohesive.
Sad that you are not with MD anymore but delighted for you. 😊
Hello Matt. I appreciate that you used color to simulate a black water tank. Your version is user friendly. Yes, not everyone uses real plants.
Thank you so much!
because of MD i`ve discovered this amazing channel. 4ft tanks are great but for me there`s something about keeping smaller and nano planted tanks for shrimp and fish like guppies and platys that makes them more personable. and don`t even get me started with all the different vases i`ve set up to breed snails
Love the creativity and out-of-the-tank thinking! Please keep the videos coming!
His ideas are genius level stuff.
Thank you both so much!
Your best aquascape yet. Well done 👍
Wow, thanks!
Dude, you and MD are magic together. Hope that isn't gone from CZcams.
@chicago902 what?
Looks fabulous Matt. Love the spotlight
Thanks 👍
Love the set up. One thing to learn from this video - be patient. Have always loved rummy-nose tetras. I vote for corys.
Thank you, sometimes it's worth just giving the tank time to work out what it needs.
I was skeptical at first, but I really love how it turned out.
Apisto's, obviously! I'd love to see it go more blackwater.
I just love how organic and genuine you are Matt.
Brilliant Matt once again you’ve given us a beautiful tank to look at. I love that you share your knowledge. Thank you!
Thank you so much!
Very cool tank Matt, you've introduced us to quite a few different/less common ideas here (the stood up wood forming trees well above the water, the spotlights, the planting of the nerve plants in the floating pods, glueing leaves to the branches above water for the dying back trees)
Great video 👍
Thank you so much and glad you like it.
You are one of my favorite humans in the aquarium hobby space. Just saw MD aquascaping's video last night that you've broken off on your own. CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so happy your channel is succeeding! Officially subscribed :)
I hope you guys collab in the future! Your guys's energy is incredible.
Hi Matt, I hope you and the fam are doing well! Thanks for the sunday morning video!
Doing really well thank you! Hope you're doing well too?
Really nice black water setup, love the rummynose fish and maybe some corys
Thank you so much!
The spotlight is a great idea
Yeah it works well!
You are taking off, Matt. I got the news from MD that you are on your own. Please continue the cooperation with MD. You guys have a magical connection. But continue to be you as well. The number of subscribers speaks volume about you, I am of course one of them. Nice tank. Greetings from US.
Congratulations Matt, so happy to see your success and I'm excited to see what you come up with next. The oak leaves in the trees are awesome! CORYDORAS always
Amazing scape, and one of the best videos you've done on this channel. I love the way you carefully edited this video and introduced each component of the whole scape step-by-step to the camera. It felt really smooth. This video came at a great time as I was on the edge of making a river & wood-heavy blackwater type tank. Will definitely be taking a look at the heater/filter combo!
That's so great to hear that the video came across well! Thank you!
I know you are rolling out more vids and are killing it. But? - no buts hahaha. Love the content and who better than a true fish nerd from a true fish shop? Looking forward to watching your channel explode with subscribers my friend. Very best of luck!
Just watched MD’s video about you working on your own. I’m so happy for you! I hope you go back sometimes. 🎉 I’m so excited to see your new videos!
Great video as always. Love to see the longer version of planning out the tank. Those pencil fish look fun to watch. The color of the tank is perfect of a dark water and a clear water. Nice elegant look. I am glad you made the rocks less sharp for the fish. Funny that when you said “a bit messy “ it seemed like you were looking up for your wife! I bet not she seems pretty chill. Like I said great video. I can’t wait to see the next one. PS thank you for the warning for that plant. It looks great though. The seed pod planter is genius.
Thank you so much! Yeah Katie is very chilled, but I wouldn't leave the mess hanging around hahaha.
The plants is lovely to look at just not to cuddle
Awesome Matt - that cript hides that filter nicely- good shout - 😊😊😊
Thank you! Yeah it worked perfectly.
LOVED IT. Such a different scape and to be honest I wasn’t sure whether I’d like it, but it turned out to be so interesting, and the end result was just lovely. The little hockey-stick fish were so engaging - bit like a swimming Otto.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Out of water wood finally gets the love it deserves!! Love blackwater.
Really interesting build!!! ❤️❤️ Love that you choose a little different "bits and bobs"! 😅😅 It turned out beautiful!!!
Thank you! 😊
I vote apistos! I really think some Macmasteri would really fit the red theme as well.
Macmasteri are a lovely fish!
Very cool tank Matt. I think adding a breeding pair of Apistogramma hongsloi might be very cool.
I did see some lovely hongsloi the other day.
Wow nice to see something a bit different on CZcams for a change very creative scape 👍🏻
Love this scape Matt.. and ur idea of planting in those seed pods in the branches, just on the water's surface, worked out excellent, made for a great affect.
Awesome, thank you!
That came out so amazing. Didn’t see that coming. At the beginning I was like where are we going with this?
I absolutely love this tank! Rummy nose tetra are my favourite nano fish & they school so nicely. Great scape! 🍂🍁🪹🪵🤎💛🧡❤️
Awesome! Thank you!
Congratulations, we also caught ornamental fish in Brazil, fish from the Amazon, Rio de Janeiro and others
I love you're tanks so much! Such great, unique ideas. Inspirational.
Glad you like them!
I absolutely love what you've done here! Always a fan of blackwater tanks. Just wanted to say that fittonia typically don't like to have wet feet, so the amount of tank water that makes it into the seed pod may be an issue over the long term. Fittonia will always freak out and get all dramatic when they're unhappy, so you're gonna know pretty quick! Excited to see this tank evolve!
In my experience theyre most dramatic when they get even slightly dry
I really love that fall theme tank! Great choices in hardscape, plants, etc. Giving me some new ideas.
This was a great watch 👌
Thank you!
The spot light is a great addition!
Absolutely love the pencil fish! We never see them around here but they are so cool and I want some for a future tank! Great call. I like how this tank came out and it’s so different
Well done Matt - every project is better than the last and the editing has come on leaps and bounds!! Would be great to see an Apisto species added to the tank - corys are everywhere 😂
The aquarium came out phenomenal! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much!
Amazing tank 👏 also absolutely love the way you put across your knowledge very informative but in a way thats not lecturing or abrupt..fantastic channel definitely my favorite on the tube..!!!
You and MD should collab 👀! Yes, the statement was tongue in cheek hehe. Well done on your ongoing success.
You have a photogenic likeable cheeky personality, not to mention interesting content👍
I think a one of those cockatoo apistos would look awesome and would go well with the red theme!
Cockatoos would look awesome.
Hi there! Well done with the improving quality of the videos and the scaping ideas! I am commenting under your video since I think you are one of the most prepared dude on youtube about the fish keeping world! I was wondering if you could do a video about the different types of algae and some tips against them and then would be really cool having a "tutorial" on all the plants problems such as melting or chlorosis and tips here too. If you don't have any algae, pictures from internet would be cool too! Best regards from Italy!
Thank you so much, I'm constantly teaching myself new things with the videos so they are slowly getting better.
I just screenshot your comment to remind myself about an algae video for the future.
I absolutely adore those little pencil fish. Glad to see them featured in a great scape.
Beautiful tank. I am very glad you decided to add the plants!
Thank you very much!
Congratulations Matt on striking out on your own. Love the tank.
Another great build Matt something different but a great build as always
Glad you enjoyed it
You're videos are getting so much better, my friendly advice would be to work on the thumbnail to make it simpler yet more appealing and the colors used are a bit strange. Love the work keep going! @FishShopMatt
love the idea of you gluing oak leaves to the manzanita and more would look better. Me being a tree nerd I was like yes! what you have done inadvertently is naturally called marcescence meaning young oaks or beech hold onto their leaves during the winter so thumbs up. Id love to see you scape a 200L black water with some big angels, cant wait for your next videos. cheers
Thank you so much and that's interesting I didn't know that.
what a beautiful tank!
You and MD are my version of ASMR.
KUDOS to you Matt!
Apistogramma hongsloi or erythraea are my favs for blackwater
this is a gorgeous tank
Thank you!
wow, I love this aquascape!
Thank you!
That set up is gorgeous. I could look at that all day
love the scape and the pencil fish
Thank you!
Looks great! Awesome fish combo. Perhaps an Apistogramma macmasteri to work with the colour scheme but also bring in a few different highlights.
Gorgeous work! One of my faves 💚
Thank you! 😊
Awesome Tank! I like that it’s so different from the usual tanks you see. Great idea with the seed pods.
Thank you! Yeah it is fun to do something a bit funky.
Lovely small setup Matt, nice one
Thanks 👍
I love this! It looks so artsy and natural! I think it's my favorite tank you've done!
Thank you so much!
In love with this. Pigmy Cori’s please ❤❤❤❤❤
just got the news on MD tanks! I am so happy for you! so sad for us viewers who loved watching the interaction between the two of you, PLEASE do videos together on each others channels.
@Matt. Seriously. This is so good. It is so easy to associate you with MD and believe you both have the same vibe. That is so far from the truth. Your build style is so interesting! Nice work, sir.
Great scape. Great concept.
Somehow, it looks like an underground cave system
Keep up the good videos. Your videos brings me peace. 🤦🏾♂️
I'm glad I can help you relax.
Far your best tank! The spot light really sets the mood of the tank. 👌
This tank is beautiful. It would have looked good with or without plants. I love the pencil fish. ❤
Brilliant scape and video. Also really pleased to see you have over 50k subs now. Onwards and upwards, congratulations on a great channel.
I really like the way you glued leaves onto the branches, it makes them look more realistic. One thing with the lighting, it is almost as though the main light is the sunlight over the stream while the spotlight - which you don't have on anything like as much - is a full or half-full moon shining down, much more natural for the fish in many ways than either bright or dark depending on whether the main ,light is on or off. It contributes to the authentic nature of the living environment for the fish, more as it would be in the wild.
I love this tank! I want to do blackwater too one day. I absolutely adore pencilfish! I have marginatus myself together with some black neon tetras. I love them.
Very inspiring build!
Thank you so much! Maybe just add a few small botanicals to your existing tank?
@@FishShopMatt i could. I do put some botanicals in every now and yhen but not enough to call it blackwater XD. Idk if my plants would like too mutch blackwater
That looks great. Really simple but natural in a proper tetra environment.
Matt you had worked hard to build up your channel, and all the effort would of been for nothing if you had stood with MD. It was a good team until it lasted, he's a nice man and spoke so highly of you. I'm so glad your back to your own channel, your here to stay. We missed you!
Congrats on going it alone Matt and hope you continue to grow, you deserve it buddy
I wanna see a day in the life of Matt!
Matt, you and MD should really work on finding a way to continue to work together! Maybe a revenue split on any videos you appear on. The quality of the content on his channel is astronomically higher when your both involved! Love both you legends obviously so what’s best for your life and family, but I know us the viewers will dearly miss the amazing duo y’all make!
Maybe a monthly collaboration video?
I think for me this is one of the best scapes I've seen 😊 I think not rushing has made a big difference 😊
Gorgeous tank. I love the idea of using those pods for the above water plants.
Thank you, yeah it worked really well. They were going in the tank until I realised what I could do.