Crazy idea, has anyone did this and is it possible.

[thepotz]

here's some pics of the tank. Also, I try to add O2, then CO2 so that but gases remain present in my water.

 

[kcfan491]

Thanks aquapaw, This setup runs first through a underwater algae scrubber, that uses an airstone to aerate the water, and supply some co2 to the algae, then it runs into the next chamber that is sealed, and there is co2 pumped into it via a diy 2-liter pop bottle with sugar and yeast to create the co2. in this chamber there is a waterfall algae scrubber, and the next chamber is also the same as the one I just described, but I just wanted more filtering and water contact with co2. This system seems to strip all the nutrients out of the water column, thus keeping my tank algae free. I use Miracle gro ORGANIC potting soil and ORGANIC top soil as the base substrate for my tank. It's then topped with 1.5" of sand from the bottom of a local river, that locks down the soil. My plants seem to love this situation. I never do water changes.. ever. I only add whatever evaporates. Yes there is fish poo at the bottom, but it looks natural, and eventually feeds the plant roots. I have a 6" bluegill, about 30 baby black mollies, that just kinda chew on whatever.. (cuz I never feed them) and a bristle nose pleco to keep my driftwood cleaned up. It's not a huge stock, but I like having a natural display, that looks very real, and Frank (the bluegill) isn't good at keeping friends. I put some chubs in with him, and he chased them out.

I like the way you operate. How about a full tank shot, or a video


Is that a real tire, and if so how does that affect your water chemistry
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[thepotz]

The only thing the tire really leaches is a lil rust (iron) from the steel belts. Here is a pic of the whole tank 2 weeks after set-up. If you like the algae filter Idea, here is one that I built into a custom hood for a 65 gal. View attachment 796356View attachment 796357View attachment 796358

 

[beaslbob]

Someone mention my name early on?

I have done this with many tanks in 1/2 dozen cites in the US as I moved around in the Air Force.

Not only is this possible but it simply works.

most recent tank was a 10g with 30 guppies with 6-10 reproducing adults that ran from 2001-2009 with no mechanicals for filtration or circulation, no water changes. the fish were descendants from the original cycle trio and every now and then I would harvest 1/2 dozen or so for other hobbists.

I cleaned the substrate like every couple of years or so and went 3-4 years without toucing the algae free glass.

Literally just the tank, stand, plants, fish, water, and a 1 tube flourescent light.

my .02

 

[WyldFya]

beaslbob is correct.

To those that say that is has to be a low stocked tank, that is not true, the growth of the plants must be selected to keep up with the waste loads, but very doable. To those that said the O2 levels would be too low, that is also incorrect. Plants in the proper types, and quantities, with proper nutrient balance, will produce far more O2 than any amount of surface agitation ever could.

I know this to work, as I have done it many times. My last tank was many years ago, however, it was quite heavily stocked. With 17 discus, 12 corydoras, and 12 plecos of many different sizes, the tank ran without a filter for over a year. It was only a 135.