LOW TECH ANGELFISH TANK WITH EASY PLANTS

George Farmer
16 May 202408:19

TLDRThis video showcases a low-tech angelfish tank with an emphasis on easy maintenance and visually appealing plants. The tank features a simple layout with driftwood and a variety of plants like Amazon frogbit, Limnophila and Ludwigia, creating a naturalistic environment. The angelfish are nearing the size for transfer to a larger Highline 400 tank, following a guideline that the tank should be at least six times the fish's length. The tank is well-lit with a WEO Slim 60 cm light and maintained with weekly water changes and daily liquid fertilizer dosing. The video also discusses the importance of observation over reliance on test kits for maintaining a healthy aquarium.

Takeaways

  • 🐟 The video discusses the considerations for moving angelfish into a larger aquarium, the Highline 400.
  • 📏 A guideline is mentioned for determining the size of the tank based on the fish's length, suggesting the tank should be at least six times as long as the fish.
  • 🏞 The angelfish tank has a high aspect ratio, which is visually appealing and suitable for angelfish that can grow quite tall.
  • 🌿 The tank setup includes easy-to-maintain plants, plain sand substrate, and no CO2 injection, relying on daily liquid fertilizer dosing.
  • 💡 The lighting is provided by a weo slim 60 cm model, which is no longer in production.
  • 🌱 The tank features a natural style with plants like Amazon frogbit, Limnophila, and other species that create a realistic environment.
  • 🌿 The tank has some algae growth due to extra light hitting the plants after thinning out the floating frogbit.
  • 🎨 The video creator appreciates the color contrast of the angelfish against the orangey-green background.
  • 🔧 A simple triangular layout with driftwood pieces is used to create depth in the tank, with plans to improve the natural look of the driftwood.
  • 👀 The video creator prefers to rely on observation and intuition rather than test kits for maintaining water quality and plant and fish health.
  • 📚 The video mentions an upcoming book by Ty Treament, which the creator is excited about and will likely influence future tank designs.

Q & A

  • What is the title of the video script provided?

    -The title of the video script is 'LOW TECH ANGELFISH TANK WITH EASY PLANTS'.

  • How big should angelfish get before being transported into a new tank?

    -The guideline suggests that the tank should be at least six times as long as the total length of the fish, which includes the length from the nose to the beginning of the tail.

  • What type of fish is mentioned to not need as much swimming space?

    -Plecos are mentioned as not needing as much swimming space because they generally stay in the same location.

  • What is the aspect ratio of the aquarium ideally needed for angelfish?

    -The aquarium ideally needs to have a relatively high aspect ratio, especially from a visual perspective, to accommodate the tall growth of angelfish.

  • What is the name of the fish species that is mentioned to be exhibiting predatory behavior in the tank?

    -The angelfish is mentioned to be exhibiting predatory behavior in the tank.

  • What type of substrate is used in the tank and why?

    -Plain sand is used as the substrate because it's easy to look after and doesn't contain nutrients that could lead to excessive algae growth.

  • What is the lighting setup for the tank?

    -The lighting setup is a weo slim 60 cm model, which is no longer in production. The lighting is relatively powerful, which is why liquid fertilizer is dosed every day.

  • What plants are mentioned to be in the tank and how are they maintained?

    -The plants mentioned include Amazon frogbit, Limnobium, and Ludwigia. They are maintained with a daily dose of liquid fertilizer and occasional thinning out to control growth and prevent algae.

  • What is the layout style of the tank?

    -The layout style of the tank is a simple triangular position with two or three pieces of driftwood to create depth.

  • What is the maintenance routine for the tank?

    -The maintenance routine includes a big water change once a week, cleaning the pre-filter every week, and adding one square of fertilizer daily.

  • What is the speaker's approach to testing water parameters in the tank?

    -The speaker relies more on observation of the fish and plants rather than using test kits. However, they do mention the importance of testing CO2 levels initially to ensure they are not too high or too low.

  • What future plans does the speaker have for the angelfish and the tank?

    -The speaker plans to migrate the angelfish to a bigger tank, the Highline 400, and create a new scape in the current tank, possibly in a natural style inspired by Ty Treatment's work.

Outlines

00:00

🐟 Angel Fish Tank Setup and Considerations

The script discusses the intricacies of setting up an angel fish tank, including considerations for the size of the fish and the aquarium. The narrator ponders on the ideal size for angel fish and mentions a guideline from a fish keeping magazine that suggests a tank should be at least six times as long as the fish's length. The Highline 400 is considered for the fish's future home due to its aspect ratio. The tank's aesthetic is highlighted, featuring an Amber Tetra and a discussion about the angel fish's behavior towards it. The narrator also talks about the tank's maintenance, which includes a weekly water change, daily liquid fertilizer dosing, and the use of easy-to-maintain plants. The presence of algae is noted but embraced as part of the natural style of the aquarium. The script ends with a plan to migrate the angel fish to a new tank and a call for viewer suggestions for the new scape.

05:01

🌡️ Aquarium Water Testing and Observation

In this paragraph, the narrator contemplates the need for water testing in their aquariums, having relied on observation for the past ten years instead of test kits. They discuss the importance of understanding the water hardness and adjusting CO2 levels accordingly, emphasizing the value of intuition and observation over strict reliance on testing kits. The narrator also shares their plans to create more content, now that they are back from traveling and maintaining tanks in Denmark. They mention several of their aquariums, including the Highline 400, iwagumi, and cichlid tank, and discuss the challenges of managing a breeding fish population. The script concludes with an update on the sale of an NT bank and plans to set up new nano cubes for sale, promising to create content around these new tanks as well.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Angel fish

Angel fish, also known as Pterophyllum, are a popular species of freshwater fish that are known for their distinctive and elegant appearance. In the video, the speaker discusses the growth and eventual size of angel fish, which is a crucial consideration when deciding when to transfer them to a larger aquarium. The angel fish's size and behavior are central to the video's theme of aquarium maintenance and fish welfare.

💡Highline 400

The Highline 400 refers to a specific model of aquarium that the speaker is considering for transferring their angel fish into. It represents a larger and more spacious environment for the fish to grow and thrive. The mention of the Highline 400 underscores the importance of providing adequate space for aquatic pets as they grow.

💡Aquarium aspect ratio

The aspect ratio of an aquarium refers to the proportion of its length to its height. The speaker mentions that angel fish, due to their tall and elongated shape, would benefit from an aquarium with a relatively high aspect ratio. This is important for the aesthetic appeal and the comfort of the fish, as it allows for better swimming space and a more natural environment.

💡Tank busting

Tank busting is a term used in the aquarium hobby to describe the situation where a fish outgrows its current tank. The speaker references a guideline that suggests a tank should be at least six times as long as the length of the fish to prevent this issue. This concept is directly related to the video's discussion on the appropriate timing for moving the angel fish to a larger tank.

💡Amber Tetra

Amber Tetra is a type of small, schooling fish that is mentioned in the video as being present in the same tank as the angel fish. The speaker notes that the angel fish's presence seems to have a slight intimidating effect on the tetras, which is an example of the complex social dynamics that can occur in a shared aquatic environment.

💡Predatory behavior

Predatory behavior in the context of the video refers to the natural instincts of the angel fish, which may exhibit hunting or aggressive actions towards other fish in the tank, such as the Amber Tetra. This behavior is a part of the angel fish's natural characteristics and is mentioned to highlight the importance of understanding and observing the interactions between different species in an aquarium.

💡Aquatic plants

Aquatic plants play a vital role in the aquarium ecosystem by providing oxygen, food, and shelter for fish. The speaker discusses the use of easy-to-maintain plants in the tank, such as Amazon frogbit and Limnobium, which contribute to the natural look of the aquarium. The mention of aquatic plants emphasizes the importance of creating a balanced and healthy environment for both fish and plants.

💡Liquid fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer is a nutrient supplement used to promote the growth of aquatic plants in an aquarium. The speaker mentions dosing the tank with liquid fertilizer daily due to the powerful lighting, which can deplete nutrients. This practice is part of the maintenance routine to ensure the health and growth of the plants, which in turn benefits the overall aquarium ecosystem.

💡Aesthetic

Aesthetic in the context of the video refers to the visual appeal and arrangement of the aquarium's components, such as plants, driftwood, and the fish themselves. The speaker discusses their dissatisfaction with the floating plants' appearance and their decision to adjust the layout for a more natural and pleasing look. The aesthetic aspect is important for the enjoyment and relaxation that an aquarium can provide.

💡Water change

A water change involves removing a portion of the water in an aquarium and replacing it with fresh water to maintain water quality. The speaker mentions performing a weekly water change as part of the tank's maintenance, which is a common practice to remove waste and toxins, ensuring a healthy environment for the fish.

💡CO2 testing

CO2 testing is a process used to measure the levels of carbon dioxide in an aquarium, which is important for plant growth and overall water chemistry. The speaker discusses the importance of testing CO2 levels initially and then relying on observation and intuition for ongoing maintenance. This highlights a shift from strict reliance on test kits to a more experienced approach based on understanding the tank's ecosystem.

Highlights

The angel fish tank setup is a low-tech environment with easy-to-maintain plants.

The size of the angel fish before transferring to a larger tank, like the Highline 400, is a topic of discussion.

A guideline for tank size is at least six times as long as the fish's total length.

Angel fish require a tank with a high aspect ratio for optimal swimming space.

The tank currently houses an Amber Tetra which is exhibiting some predatory behavior.

The blue and orange contrast of the angel fish is visually appealing against the orangey-green background.

The tank is easy to look after with a simple maintenance routine including weekly water changes.

The tank setup includes easy plants without the need for C02 injection.

A daily dose of liquid fertilizer is used due to the powerful lighting from a weo slim 60 cm model.

Floating plants like Amazon frog bit and Limnophila are used to create a natural look.

The presence of extra light due to thinning out of plants has caused some algae growth on leaves.

A realistic plant arrangement is created with species like Helanthium, Hetanostoma, and Sagittaria.

The tank has a simple triangular layout with driftwood pieces to create depth.

The tank's maintenance includes a weekly pre-filter cleaning and thinning out of fast-growing plants.

The tank's future plans include a new scape inspired by natural style aquariums.

Observation and intuition are used for water parameter management instead of relying solely on test kits.

The importance of testing CO2 levels at the beginning of setting up an aquarium is highlighted.

Content creation will increase as the creator returns from traveling and maintaining tanks in Denmark.

Plans for setting up new nano cubes and creating content around them are shared.

The creator is unsure if the angel fish in the tank are a pair or the same sex and seeks viewer input.