LOW TECH ANGELFISH TANK WITH EASY PLANTS

George Farmer
16 May 202408:19

TLDRThis video showcases a low-tech angelfish tank with a focus on easy maintenance and visually appealing plants. The tank features a simple layout with driftwood and a sandy substrate, housing angelfish and amber tetras. The owner discusses the ideal size for the angelfish before moving them to a larger tank, suggesting a guideline of six times the fish's length. The tank is well-lit with a WEO Slim 60 cm light and uses liquid fertilizer daily. The plants, including Amazon frogbit and other species, create a natural look, with some algae growth adding to the aesthetic. The video ends with a teaser for future content and a new scape for the tank.

Takeaways

  • 🐟 The angelfish in the tank are expected to be moved to a larger aquarium, the Highline 400.
  • 📏 A guideline for tank size suggests it should be at least six times as long as the fish's total length.
  • 🏊 Angelfish require a tank with a high aspect ratio due to their size and territorial behavior.
  • 🎨 The tank features a visually appealing contrast of blue and orange fish against an orangey-green background.
  • 🌿 The tank is easy to maintain with a simple layout, plain sand substrate, and easy-to-care-for plants.
  • ☀️ A powerful light, the weo slim 60 cm, is used, despite the model no longer being in production.
  • 🌱 The tank includes a variety of plants such as Amazon frogbit, Limnobium, and Vallisneria, contributing to a natural look.
  • 🌿 The presence of extra light due to thinning out of plants has caused some algae growth, which is considered attractive in the natural style of the aquarium.
  • 🔧 The tank setup includes a simple triangular driftwood layout that may be improved with pruning shears for a more natural look.
  • 💧 Maintenance involves a daily dose of liquid fertilizer, a weekly water change, and weekly pre-filter cleaning.
  • 🔬 The owner prefers observation over testing kits for water parameters, relying on understanding the behavior of fish and plants.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

    -The main topic discussed in the video script is the care and maintenance of an angelfish tank, including considerations for when to move the angelfish to a larger aquarium, the types of plants used, and the overall setup and aesthetics of the tank.

  • What is the recommended size for an angelfish tank according to the guideline mentioned in the script?

    -The guideline mentioned in the script suggests that the tank should be at least six times as long as the length of the fish, referring to the total length of the fish.

  • What type of fish species are mentioned in the script besides angelfish?

    -Besides angelfish, the script mentions pleco and Amber Tetra as other fish species present in the tank.

  • What is the aspect ratio consideration for the angelfish tank?

    -The aspect ratio consideration for the angelfish tank is that it should be relatively high, especially from a visual perspective, to accommodate the tall growth of angelfish.

  • What is the lighting setup used in the angelfish tank as described in the script?

    -The lighting setup used in the angelfish tank is a weo slim 60 cm model, which is no longer in production. The lighting is relatively powerful, and liquid fertilizer is dosed every day due to this.

  • What type of substrate is used in the angelfish tank?

    -The substrate used in the angelfish tank is plain sand, without a nutrient-rich substrate.

  • What plants are mentioned in the script as being part of the angelfish tank's ecosystem?

    -The plants mentioned in the script include Amazon frogbit, Limnophila, Alternanthera, Ludwigia, Mossile Guyana, Sagittaria, and possibly an inferior.

  • What is the maintenance routine for the angelfish tank as described in the script?

    -The maintenance routine for the angelfish tank includes a water change once a week, cleaning the pre-filter every week, and thinning out the fast-growing plants like Talinum every couple of weeks.

  • What is the creator's approach to aquarium water testing as mentioned in the script?

    -The creator prefers to rely on observation and intuition rather than test kits for water testing. They believe that observing the fish and plants can provide a better understanding of the tank's health rather than relying solely on test kits.

  • What future plans does the creator have for the angelfish tank mentioned in the script?

    -The creator plans to migrate the angelfish to a larger tank, the Highline 400, and create a new scape for the Aline 60 tank, inspired by Ty treatment's work.

  • What is the creator's view on the use of CO2 testing in an established aquarium?

    -The creator believes that testing for CO2 is important at the beginning when setting up an aquarium, but once the levels are dialed in, regular testing may not be necessary.

Outlines

00:00

🐟 Angel Fish Tank Setup and Considerations

The script discusses the considerations for moving angel fish into a Highline 400 aquarium. It emphasizes the importance of fish size and species, the space they need to swim, and the tank's aspect ratio. The narrator mentions a guideline from a Practical Fish Keeping magazine that suggests a tank should be at least six times as long as the fish's total length. The video also touches on the presence of an Amber Tetra and the angel fish's predatory behavior. The tank's aesthetic is highlighted, with a blue and orange contrast, and the use of easy-to-maintain plants and a simple layout with driftwood. The narrator plans to migrate the angel fish soon and is open to ideas for a new scape, inspired by Ty Trement's work.

05:01

🌡️ Aquarium Water Testing and Observation

In this paragraph, the narrator contemplates the need for water testing in their aquariums, noting that they have not tested the water in their current residence for 10 years. They rely on observation and intuition, such as adjusting CO2 levels based on bubbles per second and observing the health of fish and plants. The narrator suggests that over-reliance on test kits might hinder the development of observation skills. They mention the importance of testing CO2 levels initially but suggest that once optimized, frequent testing may not be necessary. The narrator also shares updates on their other aquariums, including the Highline 400, iwagumi, and cichlid tank, and mentions plans to set up new nano cubes for sale at Aquarium Gardens. They end by asking viewers for help in identifying the gender of their angel fish and encourage subscriptions and engagement for more content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Angelfish

Angelfish, scientifically known as Pterophyllum, are a popular species of freshwater fish often kept in home aquariums. They are known for their distinctive appearance with long fins and vibrant colors. In the video, the creator discusses the growth and care of angelfish, mentioning the need for sufficient space and proper tank conditions to ensure their health and well-being.

💡Highline 400

The Highline 400 appears to be a specific model or size of aquarium mentioned in the script. It is likely a larger tank that the creator is considering moving the angelfish into as they grow. This is an example of scaling up the tank size to accommodate the growth and needs of the fish.

💡Tank busting

Tank busting refers to the concept of fish outgrowing their current aquarium and needing to be moved to a larger one. The video mentions a guideline that the tank should be at least six times as long as the fish to prevent this issue. This term is relevant as it discusses the importance of providing adequate space for fish to thrive.

💡Aquarium aspect ratio

The aspect ratio of an aquarium refers to the proportionate relationship between its length, width, and height. A higher aspect ratio is often considered more visually appealing and can also provide a more natural swimming environment for certain fish species, like angelfish, which are mentioned in the video.

💡Amber Tetra

Amber Tetra is another type of fish mentioned in the video that coexists with the angelfish in the same tank. They are described as hiding, possibly due to the presence of the larger angelfish, indicating a behavior response to tank mates.

💡Predatory behavior

Predatory behavior in fish refers to actions that are typical of predators, such as hunting or chasing prey. The script mentions the angelfish exhibiting some sort of predatory behavior towards the smaller Amber Tetras, which is an important aspect of fish behavior and tank dynamics.

💡Aquatic plants

Aquatic plants play a crucial role in the health and aesthetics of an aquarium. The video discusses using easy-to-maintain plants and mentions specific types like Amazon frogbit, Limnophila, and others that contribute to the natural look of the tank.

💡Liquid fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer is a nutrient supplement used in aquariums to promote plant growth. The creator mentions dosing liquid fertilizer daily due to the powerful lighting in the tank, which can deplete nutrients needed for healthy plant life.

💡CO2 injection

CO2 injection is a method used in planted aquariums to increase the availability of carbon dioxide for plant photosynthesis. The video mentions not using CO2 injection but instead relying on natural processes and observation for maintaining the tank's balance.

💡Aesthetic

Aesthetic refers to the pleasing or artistic appearance of the aquarium. The creator discusses the visual appeal of the tank, including the contrast of the fish colors and the layout of plants and driftwood, which contribute to the overall aesthetic.

💡Natural style aquarium

A natural style aquarium is designed to mimic the natural habitat of the fish and plants within it. The video describes the creator's intention to maintain a natural look, with plants and decorations arranged to resemble a wild environment.

Highlights

Introduction to a low tech angelfish tank with easy-to-maintain plants.

Discussion on the appropriate size for angelfish before transferring them to a Highline 400 tank.

Guidelines for tank size relative to fish size, with a recommendation of six times the fish's length.

Mention of practical fish keeping advice from magazines on tank busting fish.

Observation of angelfish possibly exhibiting predatory behavior towards Amber Tetra.

Aesthetic appreciation of the blue and orange contrast in the fish and the tank's background.

Details on the tank's maintenance routine, including water changes and fertilizer dosing.

Use of a WEO Slim 60 cm light, which is no longer in production.

Inclusion of floating plants like Amazon frogbit and Limnophila, and their propagation in the tank.

Natural style aquarium design with easy plants and realistic-looking artificial ones.

Description of the tank's simple layout with triangular positioning of driftwood.

Plans to create a new scape in the Aline 60 tank inspired by Ty Trement's work.

Preference for observation over testing kits for maintaining water quality and plant and fish health.

Emphasis on the importance of learning the language of plants and fish through observation.

Update on the creator's other aquarium projects and future content plans.

Invitation for viewers to subscribe for more content and to share their ideas for the new scape.