jetajockey
come get me tang police!
Hunger is a great motivator, it's hard to say what'd happen, I guess we might find out soon enough, though!
Self Sustaining Tank Setup!
- Thread starter GodFan
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
With so many fish keepers feeding generously, we don't see the predators doing as much hunting as they might be doing in a natural environment. That is how populations regulate themselves.
It might be a series of ups and downs on the number of species you have in there based on the available food levels. Less so if you are supplementing their food source.
This subject is quite interesting, in so much as there is such an artificially created "natural" environment we make for our aquariums. Even when we mimic the fish/creatures natural environment, I doubt for the most part, most who do this are very accurate.
Interesting topic is creating further questions for me!
It might be a series of ups and downs on the number of species you have in there based on the available food levels. Less so if you are supplementing their food source.
This subject is quite interesting, in so much as there is such an artificially created "natural" environment we make for our aquariums. Even when we mimic the fish/creatures natural environment, I doubt for the most part, most who do this are very accurate.
Interesting topic is creating further questions for me!
It may not but if I notice the scarlets seem hungry I can supplement feeding. This idea would be EXTREMELY cool with a wild species of betta.
lol we will see. I am thinking about going ahead with the early stages (removing unwanted species, wheening the tank off the filter, etc)
I agree. I would like to see just how to do a true "natural" setup! Also seeing the fish act more natural in terms of hunting and such should prove very interesting!
Tetra1990
Aquarium Advice Addict
Autumnsky said:
The wheels in my head are turning. I do like the natural food chain thing.
jetajockey
come get me tang police!
It can be done, but it is going to take a seriously thought out balancing act. Especially on the predator end, because you want to have enough food for them, but you don't want them to eat faster than the food is produced.
An algae/detritivore like scuds would be a good food, along with the myriad of other bugs found in nature. They would need to have a safe haven, like a refugium of sorts, to keep from having the population decimated. However they'd also have to be able to get into the tank enough to keep the predators happy. I think an algae scrubber type setup would work great for this.
An algae/detritivore like scuds would be a good food, along with the myriad of other bugs found in nature. They would need to have a safe haven, like a refugium of sorts, to keep from having the population decimated. However they'd also have to be able to get into the tank enough to keep the predators happy. I think an algae scrubber type setup would work great for this.
I am not sure what scuds are........
Wyomingite
Aquarium Advice Freak
Scuds are amphipods of the suborder Gammaridae, and are often referred to as gammarus or freshwater shrimp as well, regardless of the actual genus they belong to. They are common, so I'd bet ya've see 'em in pond or creeks if ya have ever messed sround in a creek or along a lake or pond shore. Here's a pic: Google Image Result for http://www.flyfishersrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/freshwater-shrimp.jpg
WYite
WYite
Wy Renegade
Aquarium Advice Addict
GF you may want to google Riparium set-ups, somewhat similar to what B. Bradbury is doing with his tanks. I think as AC pointed out, trying to do this on a smaller scale is going to require that the tank be seriously understocked, you might for example have to have only a single fish, rather than six, which is a fairly significant number to have to provide enough shrimplets for. Scuds are a definite possibility, if as Jeta pointed out, you can get a established breeding population that will maintain itself and has a safe haven away from predators. That may involve something as simple as a very densly planted area that the fish can find all the prey in. or a area with some sort of natural barrier the fish can't get through. Right now my 30gal paludarium is running under a similar situation, but the scud/invertebrate population is supporting only a single swamp darter.
Oh ok but how do I get them? I cannot collect from a creek. My mom will kill me. She already isnt real fond of this.....
Ok I gotchya. Do scarlets badis really eat that much you think?
Wyomingite
Aquarium Advice Freak
From a creek, LOL. Seriously, try Sachs Systems Aquaculture (Fresh Water Invertebrates at Sachs Systems Aquaculture). I think ya could probly google 'em and get 'em from somewhere else.
They eat a surprising amount considering their size, IME.
WYite
jetajockey
come get me tang police!
Fish spend much of their day grazing so they could decimate a population easily if left unchecked. When the time comes to stock predators only add one or two and see how the population fares over a few weeks.
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Aquarium Advice FINatic
Spotted African leaf fish!
Coolest predator!
Loves plants!
Eats shrimp!
Pretty!
Get it!
Coolest predator!
Loves plants!
Eats shrimp!
Pretty!
Get it!
aqua_chem
Aquarium Advice Addict
Scottyhorse
Aquarium Advice Addict
So is the tank going to happen?
Yes it is! Here it is!
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f24/25-nano-planted-build-244836-4.html#post2382678
I did choose smaller fish but the concept is the same!
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f24/25-nano-planted-build-244836-4.html#post2382678
I did choose smaller fish but the concept is the same!
