minimalist tank

[limnologist]

so Ive decided to get back into my aquariums about a year ago, when i got all my equipment out though, i didnt have any working filters. I had chosen to just fill one of my ten gallon tanks with sand, driftwood, a boatload of plants and then throw in a few fish. I have a bubble stone running in it and only do water changes once a week. ive never had a tank look so amazing with no cleaning or filtration. i currently have a couple baby angels, a kuhli loach, baby bristlenose plec, blueberry shrimp, couple baby bluegill, and a few mosquito fish in it. Im using it as a grow out tank, but i might just make it my main planted tank. Havent used any fertilizer or CO2 but looks amazing. Anyone ever try a no filter set up with a bigger tank??

 

[Bert2oo1]

No filter on a big tank is asking for trouble if u ask me. Biggest issue is flow. Plants need flow to keep algae off them and to also float nutrients past there leaves etc.

To be honest over a few weeks u will see deficiencies even in your small tank. Once the nutrients run out algae will take over and the plants will die. I'd be trying to get even a small HOB for it.

Bigger tanks want around 10x tank turn over per hour if possible.

 

[limnologist]

its been goin strong for about a year. never any fluctuations, all the snails and baby plecos take care of the algae. it gets air flow from water changes and the air bubbler.i believe my dad had a bigger version of it and he called it a natural aquarium but i dont really remember.

technically speaking, its a miniature pond with higher airflow.

 

[limnologist]

also, its not exactly true that plants NEED flow to keep away algae. I think the key is finding a way to replicate a pond or lake, and isnt that what keeping aquariums was originally about? replicating the natural water habitat?

 

[Bert2oo1]

also, its not exactly true that plants NEED flow to keep away algae. I think the key is finding a way to replicate a pond or lake, and isnt that what keeping aquariums was originally about? replicating the natural water habitat?

100% disagree. Lakes get flow/ nutrients from water run off etc. ponds grow algae in a big way unless water can be filtered in some form. I've never seen aquatic plants thrive in stagnate water.

Just my opinion

 

[limnologist]

an enormous group of plants specifically need stagnant water to thrive though. plants need food, water and oxygen as a basis, whether or not there is flow is not entirely important. besides, if my plants and fish can grow better than they ever have in a non filtered ten gallon, im sure it will be the same story in a 50 gallon. however, you should do some research on pods, bogs and swamp plants.

 

[Bert2oo1]

an enormous group of plants specifically need stagnant water to thrive though. plants need food, water and oxygen as a basis, whether or not there is flow is not entirely important. besides, if my plants and fish can grow better than they ever have in a non filtered ten gallon, im sure it will be the same story in a 50 gallon. however, you should do some research on pods, bogs and swamp plants.

Don't ask the question if u think you know the answer. No offence but I was just giving my advice based on what I have read and experienced through having a planted tank

 

[limnologist]

Don't ask the question if u think you know the answer. No offence but I was just giving my advice based on what I have read and experienced through having a planted tank

but isnt it better to ask other opinions instead of just doin some research and assuming youre right? that's kinda the whole reason I joined this forum....
And it is kinda anti-progressive to tell someone to not ask a question. all questions are good questions.

 

[Bert2oo1]

I suggest u have a read on barr report and ukaps forum, both suggest atleast 8x tank turn over per hour. A lot of plants won't grow without ferts and co2 and flow.

I'm not saying it can't be done but in my experience no flow = algae issues.

 

[Dallascowboys16]

Honestly, Im not surprised that it's working alright. Aquariums aren't that hard. We tend to over complicate things. I will suggest that you lighten your stock a little bit, but thats just me. Four angels in a ten gallon tank is a bad idea. They will be stunted soon if they aren't already. Could we see a picture of your tank?

 

[Brookster123]

Pics of this tank please?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[limnologist]

Honestly, Im not surprised that it's working alright. Aquariums aren't that hard. We tend to over complicate things. I will suggest that you lighten your stock a little bit, but thats just me. Four angels in a ten gallon tank is a bad idea. They will be stunted soon if they aren't already. Could we see a picture of your tank?

there are only two baby angels and they wont be there long

 

[limnologist]

alright, if i did this right, here are the pics of my ten gallon. no heater, filter, water tests, special media, ect. every now and then i do a water change. i barely fed the fish since there are many insects and breeding shrimps. they water stays warm from the light I use, the hair algae grows thick sometimes but if the fish dont eat it, i remove it and feed it to my goldfish.

 

[limnologist]

alright, if i did this right, here are the pics of my ten gallon. no heater, filter, water tests, special media, ect. every now and then i do a water change. i barely fed the fish since there are many insects and breeding shrimps. they water stays warm from the light I use, the hair algae grows thick sometimes but if the fish dont eat it, i remove it and feed it to my goldfish.

by the way, the calico faintail and the comet are only in there for a moment. the tank i had for them started leaking.
right now, i have mosquito fish, a kuhli loach, a baby bristlenose, blueberry shrimp, a super tiny baby bluegill, and the baby angels living in it.