Unfiltered and unheated.....

[bmxer4ever]

Going to have a spare 15+ gallon tank soon due to upsizing all my current set ups. Was thinking of putting it in my bathroom, but with no power available, was thinking of a heavily planted tank, with a small shoal of White Cloud Mountain minnows.
Would this work?
Don't think I've ever tried anything like this before, so does anyone have any experience of this type of set up?
Would the plants keep the water oxygenated enough for fish? How do I keep the water quality good enough for fish? Lots of water changes?
Water temps for an unheated tank in my house generally stay around or above 70 degrees, partly due to timed central heating (although with obvious seasonal variances...).
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Dread]

The heating would be fine... however I see a small problem.

During the day, plants Photosynthesize, taking in C02 and Releasing Oxygen. However, at night, it's the opposite. They take in oxygen, and expel C02. This is why sometimes if you have a heavily planted tank, fish are gulped for surface air early in the morning. Without any surface aggitation, oxygen has a hard time getting into the water. A problem for both the fish, and the plants. The problem is, if you got a battery powered Air Pump to aggitate the surface water, there's a good chance that whatever C02 was in the water for the plants to use up is being taken out by the air pump.

As for the water quality, the plants would definately help if they were functioning like they should, and large frequent water changes would be nessecary, I imagine. I have a 5.5g that has some White Clouds in it, with no heater, and no filter, and I do 50% water changes every 4 days to keep the water in good order.

 

[StripeGirl]

you need good light with a heavily planted tank and with no power i don't see it working.maybe try a pair of paradise fish?They seem to do well with little oxygen.

 

[dbcb314]

just put a betta in there..

 

[M|L]

no heater is fine but you'll need a filter.

end of story.

 

[fishdance]

Of course you can run an unheated and unfiltered tank. Goldfish bowl keepers do it all the time and the more experienced ones keep their fish healthy for years. Just keep tank lightly stocked if you want low maintenance.

White Clouds are a great coldwater fish option, Paradise fish as HotfishGirls recommended is another good coolwater option and a labyrinth (airbreather) although males are territorial. Zebra danios, rosy barbs, cherry barbs and Australian Pacific Blue eyes are some other possibilities. Weather loaches have tons of character. Do a google search for coldwater fish since these ones are just off the top of my head.

You will need some light for plants of course but I wouldnt worry about the lack of oxygen at night.

 

[BushFishRox]

no heater is fine but you'll need a filter.

end of story.

I agree 100% as for the gold fish bowl guy, go stick you head in a gold fish bowl....

to do a unfiltered tank you will need a lot of prime or ammo-lock and daily 100% water changes...

 

[Miles]

15+ gallons is a bit of water for this type of setup.. Put it in a window, and heavily plant it with low-light plants like Java Moss and Java Fern.

Find some nice labyrinth fish, such as paradise gouramis or a betta.. There is also some other varieties but they might be hard to find in your area. They can surface for air if need be..

2-3 white clouds or danios would probably live okay, as they don't respirate like most fish.. a 'shoal' is probably not a good idea.

Don't use a ton of chemicals, let the plants work as your filter.. Change a good percentage of the water every few days..

 

[bigspizz]

no heater is fine but you'll need a filter.

end of story.

I really wish you could be more informative and less brash with beginners, or anyone asking anything not "bling bling" Not every one is rich! You are a mod. If you are only a mod so your name is red fine, but didn't aquamojo just get blasted for days, for being accused of being like you?.....Your short, rude answers, are just trolling for posts at the op's expense. Sorry for the rant but you are just too rude for words!


"get a bigger tank"
"those pics are the most terrible pics of the same thing over and over" (the only rude comment on the whole thread)
"end of story" (no it is not, you are just conceited imo.....)

 

[BushFishRox]

no heater is fine but you'll need a filter.

end of story.

I really wish you could be more informative and less brash with beginners, or anyone asking anything not "bling bling" Not every one is rich! You are a mod. If you are only a mod so your name is red fine, but didn't aquamojo just get blasted for days, for being accused of being like you?.....Your short, rude answers, are just trolling for posts at the op's expense. Sorry for the rant but you are just too rude for words!


"get a bigger tank"
"those pics are the most terrible pics of the same thing over and over" (the only rude comment on the whole thread)
"end of story" (no it is not, you are just conceited imo.....)

well because a lot of people get tired of having the same questions asked to just give the same answers, which is why they just give them the final result which is in this case you'll need a filter...

so take your "rants" elsewhere as that is not being rude rather it is just straight to the point rather then dancing around the bush... also always use the Search forum feature before you post...