Filterless

[wrm130]

Anybody have any experiences running without a filter?

I'm planning on tearing down my 16g, only running it maybe 1/3-1/2 full, lots of light/plants and only a Mini Elite with the sponge removed for circulation.

Thoughts?

[Lithops]

I never done it, but I run my tank with only sponge.

[Harris625]

The natural planted tanks are good option for non filter tank. Plants can act as a biological filter if the light and nutrients are in balance.

[flyingpancake]

I just have my filters and lights run a few hours at night, but keep the heaters on 24/7.  It has cut the hydro bill alot, and everything is breeding and growing.

[Nerine]

just make sure to stay on top of water changes! I've done it many times...and no issues as long as you keep on top those water changes and don't over feed

[Shawn84]

I have a 10G with no filter just java moss and light. fish are breeding in it and surviving and i do 10-15% every 2 week. This is my experimental tank so i'm testing all different method of fish keep. I feed every other day.

[Chinaman]

Depending on your fish loading.....I had a 20G which was heavily planted, small aeration
and heat. I had a school of neon tetras with couple of cories.  These guys bred regularly.
The tank was literally self-sustained.  The thing was the environment was ideal with morning sun
keeping the plants healthy.  I maintained the water temperature at 24C.

I was living on the 7th fl of an apartment then.

Rgds,

Sam

[wrm130]

Thanks all for the input!!!

For now the tank is still "settling" in.  I made a ridiculously high dirt bed in one of the corners and the tannins are ridiculous.  For the next couple weeks I will keep my canister running with Purigen in it.  After that's taken care of, just the Elite for circulation.

Temperature I can play with, any suggestions for livestock in a shallow tank?

[Chinaman]

Shallow and long I would consider stocking with fast swimming schooling species,
such as tetras, zebras etc.

Sam

[dpatte]

people for years kept tanks without having power filters. The trick is to make sure your tank is well-cycled first to ensure the natural biological filter can handle the ammonia that is created by the fish, and any waste.

[wrm130]

Annoyingly, even all my established tanks always test 0's for ammonia nitr-ite/ate.  And I've never vac'd the substrate.  This goes for all 11 of them.  I'm not showing off, just stating that bio-load isn't a huge concern.

I am however curious as to whether less filled tanks require more ferts, trimming, are algae prone etc.

Kindof like being forewarned so I know what to expect or what can go wrong.

[wrm130]

Here's the tank so far.

[Nerine]

Looks nice

[fischkopp]

Interesting aquascaping. But hey, what is that a filter doing in there?

[wrm130]

I said it before but keen eye

The filter is only in for a few more weeks to control the tannins.  I made a dirt bed Maybe 8"thick and its leeching quite a bit. Soon though!

[wrm130]

Ok scrap that plan.

I've now gone the filterless route in 3 other tanks. JUst mini elites with the sponge removed or hollowed out. Shrimp seem ecstatic and the plants look great! Very interesting.