Here's the plan. Sand as substrate, 2" deep as anaerobic denitrification zone. Locally collected live plants, rooted and floating varieties, not all identified. Some wood and stone decor, a pile of sticks coming toward the middle from a back corner, and loads of this macro-life I have in vases all over my house.
My main question is: Do I need any water movement / filtration in a set-up like this? Will a good swarm of daphnia move enough water on its own? You know how people do live rock only in SW and it works with light stocking? That's what I'm thinking, but in FW.
If I do need to filter, should I use fine gravel and do a very gentle UGF?
There will be much living plant matter and I suspect the hydra population will wax and wane from time to time. Food will enter in the form of green water (suspended algae) and either old fish food dust or active yeast. I don't plan on doing extremely frequent water changes on this one, probably 50% once a month or so. Unless it obviously needs it or is not functioning properly.
My main question is: Do I need any water movement / filtration in a set-up like this? Will a good swarm of daphnia move enough water on its own? You know how people do live rock only in SW and it works with light stocking? That's what I'm thinking, but in FW.
If I do need to filter, should I use fine gravel and do a very gentle UGF?
There will be much living plant matter and I suspect the hydra population will wax and wane from time to time. Food will enter in the form of green water (suspended algae) and either old fish food dust or active yeast. I don't plan on doing extremely frequent water changes on this one, probably 50% once a month or so. Unless it obviously needs it or is not functioning properly.