The Simple Secret to Keep Your Aquarium Clean!

WHAT IS A CLEAN TANK?
FATHER FISH explains the basics of a clean fish tank. A clean tank does not mean constantly cleaning. It is not natural and upsets the fish. Think of clean as healthy. What will make the tank healthier? Father Fish has discovered many ways we can increase the health of our aquariums. Join him and the Shoal on this journey to finding nature in our aquariums.
FATHER FISH is an advocate for natural aquariums. His research over 25 years provides a wealth of information about the creation and maintenance of natural aquariums.
On this channel you will find scientific research as well as personal testimonials by countless hobbyists who have applied the Father Fish System and are enjoying its amazing benefits.

Lots of stunning merch is in the store.

This is a wonderful way to meet and make new fishy friends as well as get the help you need. Join us at Father Fish Server on DISCORD!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:29 Is your tank hardy?
1:41 The Easy Part
4:27 Plants Deal
5:00 Most Difficult Part
7:45 Create Effortless Aquariums
8:30 Evolution of Natural Aquariums
10:45 Nature maintains itself

edited by @deadmanswill

All clips used in the video are for representation or visual beauty and there's intention of maligning anyone. We always use clips contributed to us directly on discord or clips released under the Creative Commons license on YouTube or other platforms.

Clips from our discord members:
Titia's planted aquariums
Gills in the Grove

Tank in thumbnail:
Nathanial Hendrickson

Clips used under CC license:
Crazy Aquarium Guy
Aqua Life - clean tank
jay vaghela Aap Gujrat
sciencefix
Brian Cumminger
MicroOnStream
Invertebrate Biology Videos
Joey Slay Em
Feeding ALL my aquariums
Joshua Jones
Don Fassbender
Lee Chin Eng
Amano
Peace Nippon Project

#FATHERFISH #deepsubstratetank #naturalaquarium #deepsubstratetank #naturalaquarium #plantedtank #plantedaquarium #fishtube #fishtank #fishkeeping #dirtedtank #walstad #foodweb #fishfood #naturalaquarium #deepsubstrateaquarium #balancedaquarium #selfsustainingaquarium #healthyaquarium #sandsubstrate #deepsubstrate #naturalsubstrate #naturalfishkeeping

[FutureRobert]

My aquarium was caught in between the war in Ukraine and all the fish survived because of your tips and tricks. Thank you Father Fish.

[lukasgayer]

That´s it! After 15 years, I´m buying an aquarium again! Thank you for sparking my interest again! What a lovely day I´m having.

[jmwilson]

I took your advice Father Fish. I drained my tank to the gravel and left all the waste on top. I added 2 inches of sand directly on top of the gravel and filled the tank. I added some store bought plants and went to my local, clean river and pond and snatched up plants from there. I added the plants with the soil attached to the roots and planted them straight in. My fish are so happy because now they can dig around the decaying debris and search for food like fish are supposed to. So happy I did this conversion. Added bonus, one of the plants had a big fat snail on it. Double score

[NathanAnnandale]

When an old wise man says "Let me tell you something..." that's when I sat forward and really listened. He is absolutely brilliant! I've taken the same approach with growing indoors. Seems to obvious, yet no one does it.

[tinosmo]

I have worked at multiple fish stores and this man knows exactly what his talking about. Fish stores are more interested in you coming back to buy more stuff.

[fletchoid]

My most balanced 55g aquarium ever had a bottom layer of Miracle Grow Potting Soil mixed with non-clumping, unscented cat litter, and Flourite; Capped with 2 inches of gravel. I heavily planted it, and inoculated with pond creatures from my wild Daphnia culture. After a month of running, I slowly added small schools of fish, every few months. After the first year, I hardly ever did water changes. I had to remove excess plants every few months and give them to friends. This tank ran for 12 years, until I had to move it to another room during a renovation. Biodiversity and balanced ecosystems require less intervention.

[tgraham]

You are such an inspiration. My great grandmother had aquariums in west Texas in the early 1900's. She even had a small seahorse....all before she had electricity. Thank you for connecting me to her Spirit through this hobby. Your fount of wisdom and experience amazes me, but you sharing all of this so freely makes you an absolute gem of a human being!

[woken_token_]

This guy is a world of knowledge. He's the uncle or grandpa everyone wants to have

[sophiathiem]

I also had an aquarium as a Teenager and didn‘t clean it as ofthen as I was told to. I accidentially created a selfsustainable biome. It is so nice to Watch your video and get an explaination for the phenomen my Tank was clean, without cleaning it. My Fish ofthen became ill, after changing a Part of the water. So I Didn’t do it so ofthen. Sorry for Bad english.
Greetings from germany :)

[freshfalcon]

Where has this guy been all my life? He's fantastic!!

[Chizzard]

I put this video on last night, and my gf started saying “why are we watching some old man” I told her to just watch and listen and learn. You can just hear the experience.

[mikeymacaque]

I lived with a roommate for about 5yrs. I had a planted 40g, he had a 120g saltwater. I did weekly water changes, he would change water multiple times a week and add/subtract nutrients to optimize his tank. Needless to say, his tank had 2-3 mass extinctions while my plants and fish were multiplying and I was giving them away to local stores. He finally asked me what I was doing, and I told him “tap water and leaving it alone.” Once he switched to a more relaxed approach his tank looked beautiful.

[sharondimond]

I just got into freshwater aquariums within the past year. My doctor actually "prescribed" it for my PTSD and anxiety. It has been incredible! Unfortunately I did get off to a rocky start and lost quite a few of my fishies in the beginning but I'm eagerly learning and thankfully getting better. I still have sooo much to learn and I'm so thankful for your channel and others like you ❤❤❤❤❤

[adambus]

You are 100% right. I started small 50l tank in 2016. I add no chemicals; I dont change water (only add evaporated). There is a small simple pump with sponge filter. But I think the key is to keep relatively large amount of plants. They stabilize the ecosystem and control algae growth. I can enjoy Tanichthys fish that are reproducing and also small shrimps ang snails. Best wishes from Poland.

[williamn]

I'm instantly interested again in aquaculture because of this man's knowledge and delivery. I can't wait to learn more! Subbed.

[johnmanrow]

Thank you for mentioning Lee Chin Eng. He kept the first reef tanks without filtration, using only live rock, natural seawater, and an AirStone. He was the first to successfully keep these reef tanks. Of course, it was helpful to live in Indonesia on the coast, with all the corals, fish, and other livestock. Also he had all the fresh seawater that he would ever need. I was given a copy of his tropical fish hobbyist magazine article about his natural aquariums that was published in 1961.

[isaq]

May you always be healthy pops. Your voice is calming my soul

[nathanbriner]

I’ve come to realize you have to embrace what your tank is doing. The moment I stopped trying to mimic the real pretty Facebook and instagram aquarium posts my tanks started to thrive. They now look like the slice of nature they should look like, healthy fish living in a booming ecosystem.
Amazing advice!

[BritneyHolt]

I've been following your advice, and my 3 tanks have been thriving for 7 months now. Thank you father fish for your common sense and knowledge ❤

[drakoinx]

00:59 this fish video started to take a dark turn