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How to Build Aquarium Substrate | Beginner’s Guide (Aquariums for Dummies Ep.2)

I Do Scaping

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Aquariums for Dummies – Substrate Made Simple!
Setting up your aquarium substrate doesn’t have to be confusing. In this beginner-friendly guide, I’ll explain:

-What materials to use for your substrate
-How to layer substrate properly
-Why we cap nutrient-rich layers
-How oxygen-rich water flows through the substrate

This video is part of my Aquariums for Dummis series — designed to help new hobbyists build a healthy, thriving aquarium without overcomplicating things.

👉 If you’re just starting out in the aquarium hobby, this video will give you a solid foundation to grow healthy plants and keep your fish happy!

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MUSIC:
Epidemic Sound : https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/?...
#aquarium #fishtank #plantedtank #idoscaping

20 Comments

@IDoScaping Creator 1 year ago Pinned

💧 Thanks for watching Aquariums for Dummis! 💧
I’d love to hear from you: What substrate are YOU using in your aquarium right now? Gravel, sand, soil… or something else? Drop your answer below ⬇️

👉 Don’t forget to like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share if this video helped you set up your tank!
Your support helps me keep making simple guides for beginner aquarists.

🐠 Stay tuned for the next episode of Aquariums for Dummis!

@407Maddi 5 months ago (edited)

This is truly Aquariums for Dummies (substrate guide). I am transitioning from a nano betta tank to a 10 gallon betta and corydora aquarium. And as I was taking notes (yes, with pen and paper and pausing when necessary 😂), I was thinking, "this is so easy for me to understand." You explained the how and why (9:41), and I love it. Vielen Dank!

@sarahpeterson2229 2 weeks ago

This is the best video I have seen on this topic
Thank you for putting in the time to explain this

@chrischan4579 11 months ago

I had no idea Arnold Schwarzenegger knows this much about substrate

@shazlark 1 year ago

Thank you! I am just about to set up my first tank and this has been invaluable information, I have been watching lots of different channels before embarking on setting it up because I am worried I may get it wrong. This video is easy to understand and I now feel much more confident in setting it up.

@letsdothis7548 3 months ago

Great Video and very informative. A lot of people do not understand substrate for the aquarium hobby. Good job for explaining the mixing of substrate for everyone to understand.

@FireFightersMoM 9 months ago

The bowl tank is gorgeous

@Geto_Suguru272 2 months ago

Just need subtrat guide and found this good now gonna do it

@orlandolopez7568 4 months ago

Very new to aquascaping and this video did an excellent job of logically breaking down the concepts of substrate layering better than anything else I’ve seen or read. Thanks!

@vickedv5 2 months ago

Very well explained..

@taysaaa 6 months ago

this video is exactly what i was looking for!! im getting ready to aquascape a 40 gallon for my 2 orandas and i ive watched so many videos but needed someone to explain the different layers to substrate, their purpose + benefits, whats best to use, etc. thank you!!🙏🏻

@oryx8293 3 months ago (edited)

A trick that I learned the hard way is if you're using a really fine grain sand, you will have oxygen porblems and a lot of pockets which water can't flow in them . The thing I learned was you should only use 2-3 cm of sand as the top layer. And also you should use trumpet snails, they dive into sand and pretty much search everywhere in the sand and this will make water flow better and also break pockets and the also eat leftovers in the sand as well so they are really useful

@Vanessa-zf4lg 10 months ago

Wow thank you. Found your channel by chance and it prevented from using the wrong substrates for my new shrimp tank

@ashauntekey92 6 months ago

I'm considering staring my first riparium. This was exactly what I was looking for.

@EtherealSunset 9 months ago

This is probably the best video I've seen on substrates. Thank you so much. A lot mention what they do, but not why. This is such an informative video. It's exactly what I've been looking for.

Ps. I'm not hearing the Arnie accent some are talking about 😂

@FranzvonderAlm-u5i 9 months ago

Shortly will be back to aquaristics and checking several channels, cause I’m „a bit rusted“ after so many years 😊
Got nice tips and recommendations out of this video… Subscribed and looking forward for more. Thx mate! 🤗

@jameshanson5610 9 months ago

Thanks, this was super helpful. I have just setup my first planted tank. For my 1st layer I used the Dennerle Substrate mixed with volcanic rock & gravel. I caped it with a generous layer of aqua soil.

@mmpressey 5 months ago

Best explanation I’ve seen!

@TerminaLord 4 months ago (edited)

picking up a 20 long. i have a 10 i had for a rescue hospital tank, but really love the 20 long and 40 breeder the most. Thanks for the info and tank inspiration

@J.BrianLedgerDVM 7 months ago

Very well presented information. I am new to aquariums and need to be informed so I can make good decisions. I have a 10 gallon and moving to a 29 gallon as my next step. This video has been a great help for me to decide on what substrate to use. I was cautious about AquaSoil but understanding it and preparing the layers has made me more comfortable considering using it. Big Thanks.