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This should be tagged as the best aquarium advice ever!! Patience is the key. Water has everything it needs to support life. I've had tanks last years just using an air stone (to keep proteins in check on the surface) and small water changes.

The fish tube community has changed my fish keeping experience from 25 years ago when I walked away from the hobby for lack of resources and information to now having returned two years ago to find this incredible source of information and a feeling of belonging to a community of fellow fish keepers. I value yours and others content explaining the success and failures that are part of the hobby. Thanks for helping to create this space for conversation.

I wish I had seen this video back when I fell into this hobby by accident thanks to my daughter getting an aquarium. I ended up doubting myself thanks to KZfaq and forums. I ended up spending more money than I should have. I no longer listen to opinions and do my own thing. So long as my fish are fed, healthy and my water parameters are good, I’m happy. Great advice John 👍🏼

I've worked for a big box chain store for over a decade, and I still don't know how not to take it personally when customers refuse to do the right thing by their fish. They add standard plecos to their 5-gallon to avoid scrubbing, they keep goldfish in a bowl or a tiny tank not knowing or caring they're slowly (yet quickly) killing them.

Well said John. I agree 100%. I have used many styles of filtration. Some based on noise levels, sound, floor space etc. I just focus on the health of my fish. Like u said if the fish are eating, breeding and doing well, you must be doing something right

Love the message. I got caught up in that in the begging with my first 37 gal. Listening to ppl and not know who to listen to. So now ten tanks later I’ve learned it’s fun to watch other ppls KZfaq’s but like you said if my tanks r thriving…”don’t fix what ain’t broke”. Love the messages you and your wife always put out there. One of the reasons why I’ve stayed following you!!!! You never just give one perspective. Or at least state that it’s what works for you and it doesn’t mean we as watchers have to follow. Keep up the great content!!!! Love the new fish room btw.

100% agree with this video! I think it's true for most things in life. There's nothing wrong with giving your opinion about what works for you but another way might work as well or better for someone else.

I stopped chasing that golden fish keeping ring years ago. Some of my biggest mistakes were after changing things in a working aquarium because of something I heard on YT. I even include a disclaimer under every one of my videos which states how fish keeping is fluid situation and what works for one person might not work for another. Their are so many moving parts. Gotta get info from several sources and really do your research before making any changes, and always be reluctant to change things in a working system. And I agree, anyone that props themselves up as the final authority about some aspect of fish keeping to the point where they argue with anyone that does things differently... that person is a fool.

ok..... reeeeaaaaallllllyyyyy wish someone had said this 20-30 years ago when I needed to hear it. Well done !!

Agreed. When I was getting my PhD I took classes from two very well respected researchers in the same area at the university that had some very different ideas. These two never agreed on anything but they were both very prolific, high-profile researchers. The big thing I took away from that is that even though people look at "science" as having some absolute answers, knowledgeable people will still disagree and be bound to their paradigms. It's ok. I think if you don't know anything it is best to educate yourself and experiment, but if you come to a different conclusion than your favorite fishtuber on something, it really is ok.

GUILTY AS CHARGED - yes, I must hang my head in shame - I am guilty of the very point you are making despite the fact that I have been a fish keeper for over 50 years. I got sucked by a supposed expert with a Ph.D and changed my successful way of fish keeping life to become a groupie, a disciple of the "new-old way" and regret it. I thought I did my research and due diligence. I thought I understood the science. I thought and thought and thought and I swallowed the Kool Aide. Like any person who undergoes a conversion (religious, political or fish keeper) I became a zealot and am paying the price with mediocre not excellent results in my hobby. Great message John - you are spot on. Research - Reflect - Research - Reflect. Thanks for the video. Greetings from Rapid City, South Dakota.

Great video. Love being able to watch upfront and honest, non edited videos. Especially on doing things your own personal way and what works for you!

Thank you John for being the one to stand up and make this video...I do happen to know the 2 people involved in this scenario and yes I 100% agree that this should've never happened and that it's so important that We ALL understand that there are a million ways to be successful in this hobby...✌

Thanks for this John. When I got into this hobby 2 years ago, it was your channel and MD that inspired me. Fast forward I’ve gone from a small goldfish bowl to multiple tanks with different filtration on them all.

Filters are a very personal thing. I am not a fan of sponge filters, but thats because I like my tanks (which are mostly on the larger side) to be very clear and mostly particle free. But sponge filters work and are the mainstay of the aquarium hobby, especially in stores. If it works, great!

Yes I can relate as a new fish keeper. I am currently overwhelmed with the different substrate advice, how it differs a lot channel to channel and it literally has stopped me in my tracks from setting up my last 3 tanks since I'm afraid I screwed up my first 7 tanks or could have done it better. I have a OCD, depression and anxiety which is why I enjoy this hobby so much; it helps those things greatly. TYVM for making this video.

So many people need to hear this. Thanks for putting it out there, John!!!

John, thank you for doing this video! I had aquariums years back and worked up to where I had a 125g and a 55g tank. Both were on HOB filters. This was back before the internet, so I relied on folks at the LFS for information. I didn't know any better when they told me there was NO WAY I could run a 125g on HOBs and the fish stay healthy, that I HAD to have a canister filter. So I bought a very expensive canister filter that I ended up hating. I finally got so tired of dealing with THAT, I got rid of BOTH tanks and got out of the hobby for a number of years. If I'd been able to stick with my HOBs, I don't think I would've gotten so fed up and gotten rid of those tanks.

Spot on. "Don't be looking for problems"...perfect.

Carl🤣🤣 It is amazing how we end up immersing ourselves into this community.. lately I had gotten a little overwhelmed trying to keep up with all the wonderful channels I like to watch and learn from. The main thing that channels like yours and so many help me understand is how to give my fish the best and longest life possible and that I don't need to be in competition with anyone else. Learning by watching experience fish keepers helps me realize when I'm not doing things quite right. I am just enjoying my aquariums and how this hobby helps me!! Like we always say one thing that works for one person may not work for the next but having people we can trust to watch here on KZfaq like you guys is priceless!!!🙏❤️🌿🐟🌿🥰

I built my own internal filter for my 4ft long shallow lowboy. It works much better than any shop bought filter and although it's not aesthetically pleasing to look at. But it works amazingly well and I couldn't have done it without the aid of the youtube fish keeping community

Excellent video! This should be required watching for anyone in the hobby--new or veteran. Glad you're in NC and I'm always checking your website when I need something.

There are about 3 or 4 great KZfaq channels that have taught me so much about fish keeping. Learning so many facts has helped me become a better fish keeper and yes, there are LOTS of ways to keep a successful aquarium. As a teacher, I love the science behind it all and I'm teaching my students all about aquariums, ecosystems, the nitrogen cycle etc. We started with a ten gallon tank and one betta and soon we will be planting real plants, cycling that tank and slowly adding fish. The kids are super excited and so am I.😊

I love you so much. You are so honest and straightforward. You are my favorite KZfaq channel along with Cory at Aquarium Co-op. Thank you so much for good information. Much respect to you. 💚💚💚

When I watched your videos a year ago I decided to get some danios to start off with this hobby. Your videos helped me to understand the basics. I check my water regularly and keep things very simple in terms of maintenance. I think I am doing things right judging my fish look healthy (and my water). Thanks for all your advice that you have given me! I do plan to upgrade to a larger tank with tropical fish soon :)

On one hand I like and respect that you didn't name names. On the other hand I want to know the drama. But seriously, great video and great advice! I'm not really a beginner in the hobby, but I recently joined a beginner group on FB and the people giving advice in that group have very strong opinions on things that don't matter in my experience.

Wow...thank you! I have four tanks from a 10 gallon to a 100 gallon outdoor tub. All four have different types of filtration, all four are stocked differently, all four have varying degrees of live plants. Best of all, ALL FOUR are thriving, my fish are healthy, active and reproducer very nicely and my parameters are all in line but not synchronized in any way. All are different. I'm also in the process of starting an American Toad enclosure because one of out door muck buckets spawned hundreds of tadpoles

I discovered this channel shortly after I started my first tank a couple months ago and I have enjoyed your content. Thank you for your concern to the fish keeping community and helping so many others enjoy the hobby.

I'm so glad you said this. I am currently cycling my first tank. I have been special-interest-obsessing learning about aquariums for about a month now. At first, I saw people that were like This Is The Way and I was like, okay, that's how I have to do it. And I found another dude who did it a different way and was like, well, he isn't doing it The Way, so he must not really care about what's best for his fish. And then I found about ten thousand different Ways and realized ...oh. A lot of this seems to be about experimentation and finding what works for you and your specific tank situation. Okay. It gave me a lot more confidence and chill about it. I've had a few things not go very well but now I've consumed enough content that I know that Sometimes That Happens And It's Okay, and it helped me not to freak out like WHAT AM I DOING WRONG??? So I'm experimenting, and I've gotten ten different opinions about various things, and that's cool. If one doesn't work, maybe I can try another.

Great video John! I do agree with you I have sponge filters and HOB filter systems. There are pros and cons for both. Just use what works for your aquariums and keep up with your maintenance and don’t over feed your fish.

THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES for saying this! i’ve had this exact experience and lost a fish going through this and trying to implement every single person on lines opinion but realized i cant take every single persons opinion and be cautious of what advice to take so thanks for this video again it can be a struggle starting out this hobby

i absolutely agree, ive been slated for having shubunkins with mollies in a heated tank, my tank is 24c without a heater and in heat waves been as high as 29c and all have been fine, i had a tiger barb that had its fins ripped off and to save him knowing that my shubunkins are really friendly the only thing i could do was to put him in the tank with the shubunkins because i didnt have many tank choices and the tiger barb went straight to the shubunkins and just stayed with them, no fin nipping no nothing, weeks later fins back and the tiger barb swimming around the tank as if it was patrolling and always slept with the shubunkins, never nipped or tore any fins, i lost that tiger barb 2 years later through severe swim bladder and had been in a tank with guppies and mollies for the best part of a year, what im getting at is know your fish, if you understand them and know their behaviour a bond will form, even communication with some fish (not conversations) such as my angels know when its feeding time as i wriggle my fingers in front of the tank and they go like little puppy dogs because they know foods coming, anything is achievable, you cant achieve your dreams and goals by listening to people that say no you cant do this it can only be done like this, obviously youre not gonna keep aggressive fish with peaceful fish, some things are achieved by accident, i dont even test water anymore because smell will tell me when it needs a change and my fish tell me too, fish keeping is still very experimental which in its own its amazing, anything is possible

These are the type of videos I really appreciate. My tank set up and how I care for it most people could say is wrong, but all my fish are happy and healthy.

Yes I've been in that situation multiple times. I have 5 aquariums and they're all thriving. I only take advice from seasoned aquarists now. People I know who's been doing it for a long long time. You nailed all the points in this video! 👏 💯

Thank you John! In my fish room the only common denominator is the tanks all have water, and I run a Jehmco air pump for my entire fish Room. Other than that I have tanks with just sponge filters, sponge and hang on back, canisters and sponges and one tank with just a hang on back. Thanks to the fish gods all of the tanks are running great and it all works. If I knew then what I know now I would have done an auto water change system, but filtration wise everything is wonderful. Tell Carl I love his twisties, I had one of my cats years ago that used to do them all the time twist around and was nearly a professional contortionist. Love seeing those brings back great memories. Anyway thank you again for what you and Lisa do.

This here, folks. This is why I like you guys. Stuff like this that we know, but often forget. Or just get caught in, wondering who to listen to and what we should do. No. What are you doing? Is it working for you? Why worry about it?! Because we're all guilty of wanting to do what's best and doubt creeps in. This isn't just aquarium advice, it's life advice. Thanks for the reminder.

Very Good Advice-I just set up my First Aqua Scape and I have had so many people tell me that i did everything wrong!!! But i have enjoyed my tank, eve if its not perfect!! Thank You!!

This advice is as good as your beard John! This situation confused the heck out of me back when I was doing African Cichlids. The different philosophies their are like fundamentalist religions in a perpetual state of war. I would have shopkeepers with 30 years experience telling me the exact opposite of (even popular) KZfaqrs and online communities. Some KZfaqrs advice i have followed ended in disaster in my tank - like when I added very expensive Nirite snails to my African Cichlid tank to only watch them immediately eaten. To succeed: do lots of research, trust your gut, experent, learn from mistakes - you will make them!, and then develop your own fishkeeping style. You need to develop your own confidence and not be led about & swayed by other opinions. Help others but dont become "fish police" too! Ive seen tanks with some wild fish mixes that worked for that person (but likely would not have worked for me with my 1 aquarium). Be you - unapologetically!

Great video with invaluable advice. It’s tragic how people will discourage people out of the hobby. Thank you for making this video. I really enjoy this sort of content! Thanks again brother! ✌🏾

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!!! It’s been 6 months since I decided to start fish keeping and I still have nothing except a dry tank and a lot of filters, heaters, water conditioners, etc. That’s it. I’m done researching because it has lead to lots of confusion and LOADS of money spent. I’m getting my fish this weekend.

This just reminded me of a shop where discus were kept with only one airstone no filter. When i asked where are the filters , owner said he does almost 100% daily water change so he does't need one ..... love this video. Plz keep these coming .

As long as you are just trying your best at making the animals live a healthy and happy life, just keep at it! Too many times people will preach that this is the one and only way, but will not always know why or why not to do something. Learn the reasoning behind it all, and form your own opinion on the subject. All of our tanks are just an experiment, every one of them has their own specific requirements. Even with something like live plants, every tank within the same house will grow slightly different…even with the exact same parameters and equipment and maintenance schedule..you will have some outperform others with their growth. Nothing is 100% the same, which is what really interests me in the hobby. It’s always a little bit of a puzzle trying to find perfect balance. So long as you are doing what you feel is safe and ethical, who cares if you use product A or product B. Who cares if your tap water has 5° extra GH compared to Billy who lives two states over? If it works for you, and your fish and plants are happy and healthy, then keep doing what you’re doing! Stressing over others beliefs will only cause you to get burnt out on the whole hobby, so just learn what works for you, and disregard the rest until you can learn the principles behind those other claims. Just remember folks, the point of a hobby is for it to be fun. Getting stressed out over everyone else’s opinions and results will only cause the hobby to not be enjoyable anymore.

Always enjoyed your videos. This couldn't be any truer, when I got into this for the first time of my life a few months back I had no idea what I was in for, and boy have I learned a lot in that time. Every store, every keeper, every resource I talk to or read says something different than the last and it gets overwhelming if you let it.

I love this. I recently posted a picture of my tank on a forum and was really racked over the coals for not having a big enough tank, (it's a 20-gallon long). I was told the fish chosen were the wrong fish, but the worst part was when someone asked me a question about the filter I was using, they got criticized too. All I answered was what I am using, and directed the person to you and prime time aquatics for more information. It was really disheartening and really made me wonder if I wanted to keep fish at all.

Thank you for this! I just got an aquarium after 30 years of not having one, and I appreciate your videos and advice so much!

Great advise that you could apply to many things in life. I’m just about to buy a new 300L tank after a 3 year break from keeping fish. I have had small tanks now it’s time to ramp it up. I will continue to watch your vids because it’s sensible advice. Thank you for put all these vids together..

A lot of fishtube has mixed opinions about almost everything and i try things based on what I think would be comfortable for my fish, The hang-on-the-back filter hacks and videos about sand vs gravel substrate have been super helpful. dropped food no longer gets buried and my tank stopped getting cloudy every few days. I don't use filters that go in the tank because my fish gets jumpy when my building vibrates (I live near a military training base and my apartment neighbors overall like to slam things for some reason) or vehicles pass by at night with their brights flashing through my window, and so he zips around and bumps into things. When I was no longer too poor to decorate the tank, i tried decorating the tank with a cave and fake plastic plants because that was the cool thing people did with tanks, and now all that decor I bought is sitting outside as patio decor/Museum of Items My Fish Injured Himself With. Never again!

Thank you for this video, I have been keeping fish for more than 30 years. Like you, I have all type of filters, lights, aquarium sizes, fish, shrimps, plants, etc... one solution does not feet all. One solution for you and for your animal! The online media explosion is a great source of information, but also a great source of confusion. One opinion is just that... an opinion. You can take a plastic bottle and make a very efficient filter or a planter or ... why buying an aquarium use a plastic tub... the possibilities, as you said, are infinite. I understand your golden rule, although, I will like to be a little more precise considering we are keeping animals: 1- Learn = Fish keeping is a journey, a discovery. 2- Dedication = Keeping animals is a great responsibility, make sure you have time to take care of them. 3- Money = Setup a system within your budget. You do not have to spend a fortune and break the family budget. 4- Patience = What is making you happy? Do you want to breed fish? Do you want to have the best display aquarium? learn and do what is pleasing you. Go in this journey one step at the time, one aquarium at the time, one fish at the time, one system at the time, you will learn so much. 5- HAVE FUN. The day it will become a burden, is the day you need to stop, because, your animals will suffer.

So true! And if you try to explain to that person that it can be done multiple ways, it's like speaking to a wall. It should be fun and relaxing. 🤗

This is by far the best advice. Thank you. A lot of people destroy this hobby for other people I see it every day and Facebook groups. Everything that you just said is very very true about some hobbyist. Wow hit the nail on the head.

Man, i am starting my first tank, nano planted, and watching this particular video give me more confidence to go forward and do a low budget one. I really like fish and shrimps, i just want to do a very simple build, and now i am confident that i can do it! THANK YOU!

You are absolutely right. It’s a hobby that needs to be enjoyed and not made into a competition. Like the cliché says if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

Sorry about the rant, but i can relate to this video so much, as its what I was facing few days back. Ty for making this, it was a medicine for me feeling bad. I am a beginner aquarist... I first got a betta fish in a teeny tiny tank... feeling bad for the fish, Got my first actual tank (30cm cube)... built a thick substrate layer that I liked, planned to fish in cycle and I panicked when I saw an ammonia spike. So I asked reddit for help and I did get an answer to why it was spiking (I used amazonia aqua soil for substrate, which causes ammonia leach). So to counter this, what was suggested to cap the substrate with sand or rescape it completely with less amazonia. However since I dont know how to seperate sand from aqua soil, I decided to cap it. Which not only didnt help, but it reduced alot of vertical space in the tank. So they asked me to rescape it again (after being angry for not rescaping it in the first try), I do agree that there was too much sand (I wanted to make sure ammonia didnt leach),but again idk how to rescape, never seen anyone do it properly, but I did end up pulling some sand from the front. But the point is, dealing with these guys demotivated me alot. Its the fishtank which kept me going rather than the people on these online forums who has a shared interest. I am not saying they are bad or wrong, but their love for the fish tank makes me feel bad on what I am trying to do. I am not making mistakes intentionally or not listening intentionally, But when I do a change, I want to wait and see the effect of the change before making another change, you may know what is needed but without me experiencing a problem with it done like one way, how would I learn not to do it again? Luckily other people in reddit said not to worry about it and keep using Aqua essentials (which should detoxify the ammonia) , keep doing water changes and I will be fine. So thats what I am doing, I am enjoying the hobby again, since no1 is breathing down my neck on how it needs to be done.

Thank You for reinforcing a mentality that I have had for a number of years, I try to limit my exposure to the chat groups, blogs, etc. for the reasons you mentioned. I’ve had a basic 10 gallon for about 11 years, I keep a few tetras, and some “Ottos” and they’ve done very well during that time, with just basic water changes for the most part.

I know the videos of which you speak and I agree 100%with you. And the whole scenario was ridiculous. My way is just MY way. After doing this hobby for over 31 years, I’ve learned one thing…I’m doing it all wrong! So wrong in fact that I have an old O’dell that’s been running since 1991 and a spotted raphael that’s been in it since I set it up. Yep…totally all wrong 😂. Go figure!

I see it all the time. My thinking is “If ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.. I always tell people this is what works best for me. I will say if it wasn’t for a few select KZfaqrs I definitely would not be as successful in the hobby as I am today. But we really do have some toxic “Experts” out there. Thanks for all you guys do!

Thank you So much John. I'm a wheelchair user. My hardest challenge with fish keeping is lifting heavy buckets ect. so I spend about 1 hour rinsing out a 4 pint milk bottle and use that. I stir the gravel with the long handled algea scraper. then scoop the water out as fast as possible. Not perfect but i'm doing ok. I think i've tagged You in a Photo of my Aquarium if you and Lisa want to take a look. Never posted on instagram before so can you let me know if you find it please.

I've had aquariums for over 50 years. I've learned a lot. People come to my house and see my tanks and say that they have never seen a tank as clean and as clear as they are. If it works for you folks, don't change a thing.

Well spoken. So glad I found your channel. A wealth of great advice. 😊

This video popped up in my feed at the perfect time. I have a 55g setup stocked with Mbuna's. Tank is cycled, got 1 agressive guy and seeked some research, and now the entire tank and species, etc need to be changed per them (and not the basic m/f, species compatibility, etc...). It really did discourage me and I've been going crazy about this. This video allowed me to let that go. Thanks man.

Cue the canned applause 👏 I'm so glad I clicked on this video as I procrastinate tearing down a tank, removing a "thing" that did not work at all, replacing it with a tried and true - for me - dirted tank. One rule to Rule Them All: put water in the tank.😉👍

You are 100% on point. I have just started my fish tanks about five years ago. My Axolotl tank has two sponge filters, Betta sorority tank has hang on back filter, and the bettas love swimming through the current, and my Bichir fish have a canister filter. Weekly water and filter changes, along with a good diet, have been very successful.

Great advice! I also love the new informal style of these recent videos...nice work 👍

I’ve got sponges, HOB, canisters, a sump, and even some special DIY filters in my fish room. And one type of filter would not be the right filter for each different tank.

John, every word you said is absolutely right on. I think we've all been subjected to these groups online... some members are evil little nasties. It's what makes Tank Talk so great, because it's wonderfully free of the drama in many other groups. I'm going to take your kindness and pass it on.

This needs to be shared in a FB groups because there are “experts” on FB that are just bullies. They like to tank shame.

I've had fish tanks since childhood, I read few books (some older than me), had a help from my father (who used to have a fish tank or two) and I've seen all kinds of trends and for some "the only right way". First it was no dirt in the aquarium, because of some gasses and what-not. Nowadays there are all kinds of substrates and there are experienced aquarium owners who have used garden soil underneath the sand for decades. Then one local company kept saying the best filtration is a large block of foam with a powerhead on it (set on slow flow), nowadays it's all kinds of super media while in reality it just adds some space for bacteria and does the same thing like the sponge filter. Another thing could be the whole CO_2 high-tech planted tanks, which for some plants is better, but not the only way to grow plants. CO_2 injection sets have also the inherent danger of overdosing or accidents. It's like martial artists from different schools discussing... one Taekwondo, other Shokotan Ryu Karate, then a boxer joins them at the table. Each of them is different, but not the only right way.

I'm new to the hobby just got my tank cycled and been watching a lot of videos from all different channels learning.it definitely makes it hard to learn with all the channels doing it different ways and arguing over witch way is the best.

I have been in this hobby for over 30 years and I have learned alot along the way...and this video is spot on...do what works for you.....take in the other advice...but take it with a grain of salt. If you have a aquarium that is doing well by what you are doing ........DON'T change anything!

In saltwater, everyone says you need a lot of flow, especially for sps corals. But every time I crank on a power head, I get dinos. So I am just going without the extra flow and so far, nothing has died from lack of flow. Nothing has actually died at all since I cut the powerhead. I will probably run into wonky growth forms later, but for me and my system, low flow is the way to go. Wish I knew that before spending over $100 on a DC pump, but oh well.

I just wanna say congratulations. This video has 25,000 views that’s incredible accomplishment I have 20,000 subscribers it’s hard to get 10 views let alone 25,000 in less than one day speaks volumes to your creation that you have done on this channel can’t wait to see what’s next and where this goes love the show.

I'd like to propose a third rule to the fishkeeping hobby... watch this video. 👍 Spot on with this.

Great topic 👏. It's so true. It's happened to me also but I just let it go. All my fish are doing well and all my five aquarium and have not lost a fish yet. Keep it simple.

When i first got into the hobby i did excactly that. Went and brought that because i saw it on youtube or got this because someone else swore by it. Anyway well over a $1000 later i finally woke up to what was happening...this... its been a very expensive lesson to learn but i now just buy what i need and have fun doing it. I read posts on facebook for example and if i comment i make sure its an opinion and not a must do. Some folks have picked up some good tips from me and i have with them as well. Its a never ending learning experience i can tell you now.

That 'incident' happened a couple months after I converted to anoxic filtration. AFS works and I'm happy to talk with people about it, but it was very disappointing seeing Dr. Novak act like that. He doesn't communicate well and he's a bit of a crank on other issues, but in fairness, he does tell people there are other ways to filter your tanks. That said, he was a real asshole about that whole thing because he felt like Cory dismissed the whole AFS, which he sort of did, but not in a 'it doesn't work' way but rather in a 'I'm not interested' way. I'm with you, if it's working for you, keep doing it. I've learned a ton from Dr. Novak's channel, but it's not an excuse to slander people over an innocent comment or disagreement.

My daughter brought home a gold fish (she won it at a fair) last week. I’ve binged probably 100 of your videos and you are the man! I love how you and your wife never give anything but helpful information.

Amen! I'm familiar with the situation you are referring too. It's even weirder than at first glance, because the 1st party directed listeners to the 2nd party as those are the experts... yet the 2nd party still chose to get upset for not being sufficiently revered and worshipped. In that particular case I think most impartial viewers weren't swayed. But it does make a good jumping off point for the bigger topic, your rambling made perfect sense to me, and I did very much enjoy the video! P.S. about filling a tank up with water... what about mudskippers 😀 lol

Excellent advice! Love watching your channel! Thanks so much for sharing!

A much appreciated video this Sunday morning! Thank you! My fish like it my way and that’s all that matters, they’ll let me know if it’s time for anything to change. 🐠

Glad you put this perspective out there. 75 MILLION right ways to do it! LOL. I will say that I appreciate all the different ways and schools of thought. I have learned so much from all the different ways. Thanks.

Hey John! Appreciate the advice! Love the videos....question if you have time to answer. I have an angel that keeps nipping the fins of everything in my tank....its not breeding or anything it's a solo angel just very aggressive is there anyway to fix this before I choose to rehome him? He's with an electric blue acar some congo tetras cherry barbs harlequin rasboras and a few rams.

Thanks John, love this advice. Have been through some ups and downs with a new tank that came with fish, this advice is great for anyone. Maybe just one more rule - if your tank is dirty, don't rely on 'cleaner' fish, just clean it!

Great video and some of the bet advise I have ever heard in this hobby. Thanks for everything you do

I needed this because I was one of those it has to be done this away. Thank you for correcting my way of thinking with the fish tank.

I have been in the hobby for more than a decade. I currently keep a small school of Goldfish in with my 12" Oscar and everyone is doing amazing. The goldfish and Oscar are growing rapidly and there is no aggression between fish. They don't even try to eat each others special diets. My other show tank is a planted 29g that I will admit is very over stocked. The tank is running extremally well without issues and there are constantly new babies found. The key to my success in keeping these tanks very healthy is I am religious about maintenance. I do big (60+%) water changes on a strict weekly schedule. I also way over filter my tanks. For example my 75g has a 400gph canister filter meant for 160g tanks, 2 hob units that connect with that filter that adds more media space AND a Tidal 110 all on the 1 tank.

We’ve been lucky I guess. The first few KZfaqrs we followed all said ‘ this works for me but you might find something else works for you, because we all have different water etc,etc. So any KZfaqr we see that says ‘there is only one way’ we just don’t watch. As it was we made some mistakes (technically) on our our first tank 2 months ago but we never had an explosion of algae or ammonia or .. anything! Probably lucky but the next tank we’ve done differently. Guess what? We got different results. You are one of the best fish KZfaqrs! Keep it up!

I needed that talk and I whole heartedly agree. Thank you. Can't wait to see you guys at aquashella chicago ! ❤️

I have followed you for a while now and love your advice. I’ve had tanks since 1977. You give great advice man.

That's a great video. I don't know what's wrong with people. They cry for inclusivity on everything, but then when someone else has a different opinion on anything they want to destroy them....

I have got frustrated several times every time I follow someone advice on a forum. I just sit there and go to myself I love my fish let’s figure out what went wrong. My goldfish tank has like 425 gallons of filtration on a 75 gallon tank. I know everyone would tell me I’m doing bad because I shouldn’t have 7 common goldfish in the tank. Though I have done things like over filtering like crazy, adding live plants, and minimizing Un eaten food. I had my fish now for a year and they are happy. Also my filtration system is 2 sponge filters and two hob filters.

This is advice I wish I had when I first started fish keeping. I'm glad I have it now and hally I learned and gained my own experience. Another great video

Great video it's about trying out what works best for your setup allways good advice out there jyst try your own things, thanks.

I am on the salt water mixed reef tank side. And what you said is so true especially for beginners. I have watched a lot of your videos they are very informative.

You are so right, I have been running tanks for over 20 yrs and I like seeing what other peoples experience are in what fish they keep together and I like to see aquascaping but then the filtration always a huge deal to this or that and Im like no! If your fish are happy and thriving who cares how your tank is going! I have both African cichlids and a salt water aquarium both of mine are thriving, when something goes down like the heaters you replace them other than that I just do what makes mine happy and the salt water folks would not like I use 2 FX6 canister filters on my 180 gallon, I am growing coral and my fish have been thriving with water changes! I appreciate what you are saying so thanks!

I had aquariums 'back in the day's. I had undergravel filters, & hobs that you had to start with suction. Never did water changes, just topped it off, & the fish lived forever.

my Internal filter in my juwel aquarium works perfectly well and I never listen to others how to do it when I know its all good as it is

Happy fish, happy life. 38 years I've done all types filters and set ups. It all comes down to happy fish in a glass box. You do you. My preference doesn't mean it's your preference.

Well done my friend! I preach the same everyday!

Well said John I appreciate that because a lot of people think you have to do things there way or is wrong. 👍 thanks for sharing this truth full point.