Is It Ok To Run Filter-Less With Just Plants

[creg]

i bought a filter for my newly setup up high tech planted tank but it was far too noisy so ive took it out, i wont be able to afford a decent external filter for a couple of weeks so is it ok not to have a filter with just my plants in the tank? probably a really stupid question but thought id check

 

[StandbySetting]

It depends fully on the set up, nobody can say yes or no, each tank is unique, you could try it but test regularly to see if you get any ammonia.

 

[creg]

pretty sure my substrate dosnt leak ammonia but ill test to make sure

 

[StandbySetting]

As long as there are no fish in there, things should be fine, you still need to maintain some form of circulation though, or else the plants will become deficient.

 

[creg]

yeah shouldve mentioned ive got a powerhead for circulation

 

[This Old Spouse]

I'm not a plant expert, but it seems that should work for a couple weeks.

 

[RadaR]

If done properly, you can have tanks stocked with fish and plants with just powerheads. No filter required. Diana Walstad had great success.

 

[lljdma06]

When I return from NYC, will be converting my current ADA setup to a tank with just powerheads. BigTom has a setup that is filterless, I think, as well. Like SBS says, really depends on the system and the level of experience the hobbyist has.

 

[aaronnorth]

What are the lighting levels? Providing you have low light then it is viable.

 

[Vin Swords]

filter.. powerhead.. what is the difference in plants only tank?

(i dont know really..)

 

[creg]

What are the lighting levels? Providing you have low light then it is viable.

its high light and it will only be for a couple weeks till i can afford an external filter, ive got no choice really

someone on here posted pics of his tank which was a large low tech planted tank without a filter so i guess it can be done long term also, im a perfectionist though and would like a filter to catch particles and debris out the water even if it was safe for fish

 

[aaronnorth]

filters filter out the wste in the tank, wether it be the sponges catching debris or the bacteria in the filter nitrifying ammonia.

Powerheads are just a pump that creates extra flow within a tank.

Let us know how you get on, as I'm sure you know though light + NH3 = algae. So if NH3 concentrations could (and probably will) increase it would be better to keep lower lighting levels.

Thanks, Aaron

 

[creg]

filters filter out the wste in the tank, wether it be the sponges catching debris or the bacteria in the filter nitrifying ammonia.

Powerheads are just a pump that creates extra flow within a tank.

Let us know how you get on, as I'm sure you know though light + NH3 = algae. So if NH3 concentrations could (and probably will) increase it would be better to keep lower lighting levels.

Thanks, Aaron

where will ammonia come from without any fish?

 

[This Old Spouse]

Decaying plant matter will also produce ammonia.

 

[StandbySetting]

There may also be ammonia present in the tap water, it only has to be traces to cause algae.