In this video I’m doing a proper deep dive on my biggest tank in the studio — my 1000L “8ft” planted aquarium — and why it’s finally hit that sweet spot after about five months where it’s just running perfect. It’s heavily stocked (angels, keyhole cichlids, loads of corys, and more), but there’s a complete balance going on: the fish look amazing, the plants are thriving, and there’s basically no drama between the angels, which I honestly put down to the sheer size of the tank. I break down exactly how I built it in a simple, low-tech way: my classic substrate method (nutrient layer of gravel mixed with aquarium compost, capped with thoroughly washed builder sand, then detailed gravels and big smooth pebbles for that proper “rivery” vibe). I talk through plant choices that reliably work for me (loads of Anubias and Java fern, plus Rotala varieties and the signature Nymphoides Taiwan). I also explain what actually fixed the tank when it went ugly with algae — it wasn’t magic lighting tweaks, it was adding a proper cleanup crew (bristlenose plecos) and being more proactive with fertiliser. Finally, I cover the stuff everyone asks: lighting (don’t overdo it in low-tech), filtration (why I run two big canisters on this one), water changes (I’m lazy, but here’s what I’d recommend), and CO2 (it turbocharges plants, but you absolutely don’t need it to succeed).