Achieving Good Water Quality In Your Aquarium | Aquascaping

ADVERTISING

LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard

Shop now »

NOCO Genius GEN5X2, 2-Bank, 10A (5A/Bank) Smart Marine Battery Charger

Shop now »

RHINO USA Boat Trailer Transom Straps (2PK)

Shop now »

LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder

Shop now »

Seaview 180 V3 Full Face Snorkel Mask

Shop now »

Most popular comments
for Achieving Good Water Quality In Your Aquarium | Aquascaping

Live comments
Comments on YouTube

brick9is9red - 8 years ago

Dude, this is hands down the best in-depth planted tank discussion I've watched on youtube. Thanks for keeping it real. Subbed.

avarua65 - 7 years ago

I couldnt find your Video that you promote in this Video.
Secrets to balancing your aquarium oder something like that?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

avarua65 I removed that video. This one is more accurate and comprehensive.

Alex Decampos - 7 years ago

recommendation for shops in Northern California?

Alex Decampos - 7 years ago

thanks great channel too

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Alex Decampos I don't. There is AFA in San Francisco, but I don't know of any farther north than that.

Austen Grant - 7 years ago

I need to try these!

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Austen Grant yo what's up man!!! Yeah practice your husbandry techniques. All about reducing organics and increasing O2

Clint Parsons - 7 years ago

You mentioned nualgae. You should totally make a video about that product... seems sketch to me and who wants to encourage diatoms of it even works at all?

fbexi1981 - 7 years ago

thank you! it can get very overwhelming reading all this in forums and this has really helped me understand what I should be aiming for.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Hey, thanks for watching. I am glad you liked it. I went pretty in depth. Basically you have high organic pollution at the beginning and your aim is to get it down one way or another.

GhoulsN'Glamazons - 7 years ago

This made me feel dumb asf

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

GhoulsN'Glamazons haha, I can see that. Hey, well I used to not know any of this. Just have to keep reading and studying. Basically just keep your oxygen levels high and keep organic waste to a minimum. Have good surface agitation, circulation throughout the tank, and then clean detritus off of the substrate, clean your filter, and do water changes. Basically all the kind of stuff we already do. I am just explaining why we do those things and why they are important

Nigel Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Informative

Paul Theunis - 7 years ago

Hey Dave, i travel 4 days a week for work. is it viable for me to even have a planted tank? especially in the beginning, i imagine this to be an issue?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Paul Theunis If you did maintenance on the days you were home it could work. Really only need to do maintenance once a week even in the beginning. Simply put in the beginning you get more rapid formation of detritus, so you just have to clean more of it, and maintenance may be a bit longer. Unless using already cycled biomedia from a filter, it takes 21-30 days for biomedia to fully cycle. A low-tech aquascape will usually mature within 3-6 months depending on plant types and general experience.

10. comment for Achieving Good Water Quality In Your Aquarium | Aquascaping

Robert Krais SR. - 7 years ago

Hey Dave do you recommend Marine Bio Pure I saw on Majestic TV he even puts the Bio balls in the aquarium great video thanks

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Robert Krais SR. it really isn't necessary to have them in our aquarium. We have ample amounts of bacteria and root mass maturation in the substrate. Especially when using CO2. And High O2.

25Aditya25 - 7 years ago

I can watch your videos all day

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

25Aditya25 thanks!

LISLANDaquariums - 7 years ago

U know ur stuff man.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

LISLANDaquariums thanks for watching

Mike Kollin - 7 years ago

What is up Fish Tank Freak!! ? :)

Swapnil Shukla - 7 years ago

how can I have a setup of a 2 feet tank, where I can keep amzon sword bocopoa and java moss please guide everything required and also quantity.. I tried but didn't success. I'll keep shrimp there

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Swapnil Shukla if you just use organic top soil that will work and is less expensive, but really messy. You can use sand, root tabs, and dose liquid fertilizers. If you had issues growing Amazon swords it could be that your lighting was too low.

skipcharlie - 7 years ago

We've all experimented with co2 injection but has anyone ever experimented with pressurized oxygen injection?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

skipcharlie hmmm, good thought. I don't know if they have other than using the Twinstar gadget. T will increase O2. O2 doesn't dissolve, but only diffuses into water, so it seems harder to increase the total ppm=mg/L of O2 in the water. But O2 becomes toxic at lower levels than CO2. I can't remember the exact mg/L at which O2 becomes toxic, but it is a pretty low concentration when compared to CO2.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

ADU Aquascaping is proud to announce their partnership with BucePlant! Check out BucePlant.com.
When ordering, if you type "ADU15" into the code section you will get 15% off of Plant Orders Only!
To get to their website click on the BucePlant icon link that I have listed below!
http://buceplant.com?rfsn=512608.61055d

Christian Lorentzen - 7 years ago

Would you ever use bottled bacteria?

surabhi singh - 7 years ago

When u set up an aquarium with aquasoil and plants do you add fish immediately or is there a waiting period?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Usually no just because I could seed a tank with filter media from another setup, or just wait the 21-30 days it takes for bacteria to fully seed the biomedia. If planting heavy the plants themselves can also help to take up the initial residual ammonia.

Oleg Reshetov - 7 years ago

Good helpful video!

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Thanks for watching man! Keep it up. It is a very rewarding and challenging hobby.

Oleg Reshetov - 7 years ago

Yes, right! I am starter and learn to keep my tank in good condition by watching your videos among few others. Wish you great inspiration!

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Oleg Reshetov thanks! glad you liked the video..Over the top for most YouTube viewers, but is definitely a good in depth video.

Rhona McGloughlin - 7 years ago

Would you say a JBL Greenline E901 and an E701 is enough filtration and flow for a 180 litre? It's fully stocked and heavily planted! They're running opposite each other, thanks!

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Rhona McGloughlin how many liters per hour do each of them pump?

20. comment for Achieving Good Water Quality In Your Aquarium | Aquascaping

Adam Head - 7 years ago

I have a question about water hardness. I just started a planted tank and have well water with a water softener. My ph is easily in the 8 kh mixed with 50/50 tap and distilled is 8, which I'm thinking is perfect. But my gh from my test shows like 2 or less degree. Is this a definite problem I should be adding some hardness to my water?? By the way I love all your tanks. Your making me start to like smaller tanks more than ever.

Adam Head - 7 years ago

Yea I was actually doing that. I have a valve before the softener that I was using. But after further testing I realized I was testing my nitrates wrong. Once I tested it correctly I'm getting looks like 80+ ppm nitrate. And I've actually lost like 6 fish now that look very bad just before dying. Obviously nitrate poisoning. I've found natural spring on my road that has much lower nitrates so I'm gonna try that water.

Ancel Rick - 7 years ago

@adam, just a thought , may not work for you but if you can get some of your well water before it passes through softener, you can mix that instead, albeit at at different ratio than 50/50. You'll need to test it to know.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

yeah you may want to increase the GH. THanks for watching!

Ljupco Radevski - 7 years ago

nice one

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

thanks!

Erik J - 7 years ago

Fantastic Video! You are one my favs for sure

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

thanks brother!!

nathan e - 7 years ago

So when the ditetritus builds up, it slows down the oxygen levels, and the organ is build up and each the bacteria and food the plants need?

nathan e - 7 years ago

Ocygen*

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

nathan e It reduces the oxygen, which the bacteria, plants, and fish need. The bacteria also can use nitrogen when decomposing the carbon from the decaying plants and fish waste. Basically you want to maintain high oxygen in your water by reducing decaying organics. Some evidence also shows an increase in organic nitrogen can lead to algae blooms. Also, keeping oxygen high helps keep the CO2/O2 exchange rate at the surface of the water stable. A stable environment helps plants to grow instead of algae. Just clean detritus in the filter, on plant leaves and on top of the substrate to help keep oxygen high and to limit a build up of organic nitrogen.

WaterForest's Planted Tanks - 8 years ago

nice video! I'd like to extend an invite to you to join
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1777107202546467/

Glass Grove Aquascaping - 8 years ago

Ha! Busting Tom's balls...hilarious. Great clarification on EI and 50% dosing. So funny that those things get thrown in his face all the time by the folks hating on EI. Come talk to us on The Aquascaping Podcast sometime!

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

haha, well. We know of course CO2 and light will synergistically increase growth, but with inefficient filtration and O2 levels you aren't going to have a healthy tank. He knows this and most of us take it for granted. I think a lot of hobbyists issues come from low O2 and high organics, which fluctuate the surface interface O2)CO2 exchange and cause algae. Tom knows this, but only mentions it sometimes. I have noticed Tom and Dennis on Facebook both are now talking more about surface skimmers, wet dry filters, organics, O2, and circulation a lot more lately when people are having issues with their tanks. Haha. Usually they just preach CO2 and light. Well don't forget temperature. The true #1 determining factor of growth. Plants aren't going to grow if it is too cold or too hot no matter how much light and CO2 you have. They both know this, but a lot of hobbyists have issues because of small tanks and canister filters. Can't properly regulate the Bio chemical oxygen demand, so they buy a surface skimmer.

haha, anyhow I still need to figure out my mic codecs for my digital interface. It is the only mic I have and it is super nice and my interface has great preamps. I just moved into my new apt. So I have to set up my computer and mess with it.

thanks for watching man

Glass Grove Aquascaping - 8 years ago

Great points about the chopping things up and the magic bullet! So hard to get folks to realize its not a single component and that the whole system interplays. BTW, love that scape behind you!

Mr.Ruffy - 8 years ago

if u want to jump start an aquarium u can use water from litte sees ore slick
it really helps because there many litte animils who eats biowaste and filtrate the water

Ironiic zero - 8 years ago

that scape looks so clean and slick. nice job

Ironiic zero - 8 years ago

Haha XD nice, I just came out of a mini retirement. Gonna start a new simple scape. Need to do some research since I forgot a few things

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

Dang, getting a slick from you. haha it must be good. I really need to do an update and more videos. My next video will be a discussion. A bunch of guys sitting around talking about aquariums. Stay tuned.

Malcolm Skinner - 8 years ago

Excellent video Dave as usual. Thanks for all your work

30. comment for Achieving Good Water Quality In Your Aquarium | Aquascaping

Kevs Hi Tek Tanks - 8 years ago

Interesting bro, thanks!

Anderson Witherell - 8 years ago

Best tank advice out there, and done while higher than a hippie in a helicopter.. slow clap..

John Zimm - 8 years ago

Damn! Thanks for all the great info!

Fish Behind Glass - 8 years ago

Amazing how much you cover. Yeah, there is a lot of info out there and it's very spread out. I do 50% water changes, but I do it to let the plants break the surface of the water. Doing this once a week, it seems to help with the growth of my anubias. Am I wasting water? I think of the biological systems like a water bed. The bed is flat and even until someone sits on one side. Then one side goes down with the weight of the person. The other side rises up. And the shape of the water mattress all depends on where the person lays on top of it. Tanks are similar. When adding or taking away something from the tank will have consequences in other aspects of the water and tank. Hope that made sense.

Eugenio Vazquez - 8 years ago

Chainers Calleri - 8 years ago

Hi Dave, great channel keep it up. Question for you, what is your thoughts on surface skimmers? I like the idea of getting one but at the same time don't want too much cluttering the tank.

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Chainers Calleri can just have outrageous water surface agitation instead, or use a wet dry filter

Isometric Aquariums - 8 years ago

i love your science !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian's Fish Tanks - 8 years ago

I tried that Water Cleanser about 3 years ago. I didn't notice any change, but I'm curious to see what you find. The sales rep I was working with at the time told me to put it in my canister.

KrispyAquascape - 8 years ago

You've busted his balls on numerous occasions lol if you didn't mind me asking, what engineering field did you study for? Have you achieved a BA yet?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

KrispyAquascape I am studying environmental science and management

TubeYou - 8 years ago

Your videos are invaluable! Thanks for your guidance!

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

maria0000000000000 thank you!!!

Jasper van den Berg - 8 years ago

Great video, again I learned a lot! :D

DMAN D - 8 years ago

What is this 'twinstar' you speak of?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

DMAN D hydrolysis gadget

Emilio Maldonado - 8 years ago

so... what you're saying is... it's all about the base no treble.

Damion Markham - 8 years ago

separateness is a illusion

Mark Morgan - 8 years ago

ALSO... Lemme get one of those ADU hats lol

Mark Morgan - 8 years ago

I saw that old video lol i saw this and was like o he's doing the same video again...but this one is great also. That video along with most of your videos have helped me more than you can even imagine in getting serious with planted aquariums. You're the shit dave haha

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

Mark Morgan Thanks Mark!

kehw - 8 years ago

This video makes me want to go watch some of your older videos now with a better understanding.

Chris Locke - 8 years ago

excellent topic, thanks for sharing your extensive knowledge. But what are these 'gadgets' you speak of, pls?

Chris Locke - 8 years ago

oooo... looks a little scary to me! lol I'm sure its safe / beneficial, but still scary. :)

Mark Morgan - 8 years ago

look up the twinstar nano ...its a pretty crazy little thing or "gadget"

dbestsk8ter - 8 years ago

I was just thinking about this, interesting you would do a topic on it. I was wondering though other then experience, how would you gauge flow? And would rates be similar to salt water?

ADU Aquascaping - 7 years ago

dbestsk8ter watch my flow video, thanks for watching

lou9294 - 8 years ago

thanks for all the information I appreciate it

50. comment for Achieving Good Water Quality In Your Aquarium | Aquascaping

Blind Cheese - 8 years ago

Great video.... I have a question about co2 on off times with a LED light that ramps up and down. My lights have a 2 hour sunrise and sunset when should I have the co2 turn on and off. Right now the co2 turns on an hour before lights turn on and turn off 2 hours before the lights turn off. I also use EI ferts. thanks for the help

Sergio Gmez - 8 years ago

Excellent information!!! Thank you so much... Sometimes we focus so much in other aspects that we forget essential things like O2 among other stuff.. I love your videos men.. Thank you so much..

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

Thanks, it is the secret. High O2 and good circulation. Trust me.

COOPER'S CICHILDS - 8 years ago

great video much needed information

jeremiemcd - 8 years ago

I couldn't agree more, I had to increase the oxygen in my Mars scape, and add one more 30 percent water change to beat my algea problem, my tank is looking awesome now, my house was hit hard by a hail storm, so once my home gets all fixed I'll shoot a new video, great information thanks for sharing, :) Balance is Key

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

thanks man, yes it is the main secret. high O2 and circulation. = efficient filtration. Tom Barr knows this, but says it is a given, but for smaller tanks and those with canister filters vs wet dry filters we need to watch our O2. It can reduce the surface biofilm we get, which will greatly increase the stability of your CO2/O2 exchange rates, which really impacts your tank and algae growth. But this is only possible with efficient filtration. It starts with the periphyton biofilm. Plants will manipulate their surroundings as well, but staring off on the right foot is key to helping your tank flourish and continue to flourish. I wrote a more in depth comment above in the comments section if you want to read it.

jeremiemcd - 8 years ago

The ball thing looks like a cool experiment, there's a product that is a straw ball that breaks down and as it breaks down it helps the bacteria fight algea in ponds, looking forward to seeing the results for the ball your using, keep your sleeves wet:)

9929kingfish - 8 years ago

seachem purigen is the way to go.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago

That can help trap organics and clear up the water, but will need to be purged frequently and is not increasing O2 levels. High O2 and circulation=efficient filtration. It really helps reduce the surface biofilm, which will increase the stability of your CO2/O2 exchange rates. This really impacts the balance of your system. Plants do manipulate their surroundings, but it starts with the periphyton biofilm and in small tanks with canister filters we really need to watch our O2. That is why wet dry filters are best. We can use skimmers in small tanks as well.

ADU Aquascaping - 8 years ago