Thinking of going filterless

[bbortko]

I have a 5g fluval chi with a sponge filter and 13w cfl light (tossed stock light/filter combo). Right now the tank is crammed full of anubias and duckweed but my planted tank is in dire need of a trim so I'm contemplating removing all but 1 or 2 anubias and replanting with the trimmings. Stock is a betta and cherry shrimp. With the low bioload and some fast growing plants I'm contemplating removing the sponge filter and relying solely on plants. I read some of the plant only filtration thread and it mostly talked about using terrestrial plants. Any thoughts/tips for this endeavour?

 

[backpack]

You would need to dose co2 or co2 injection if you lose all of the water movement. The filtration part will be fine but you will start having plants die off due to high 0xygen levels and no co2. This will make ammonia from dead plants. Terrestrial plants grab co2 from atmosphere and not the water column.

 

[bbortko]

I do have metricide 14 I can use. I also have a boatload of endlers, maybe add a couple of males will help with oxygen consumption.