No Filter?

[Clarousel]

naturally fish don't have a filter and they don't die cos of high ammonia and nitrates cos the plants take them up and they have a lot more water? i was thinking is there a way to have a fully natural tank (with lights and heater) but no filter... and if so how much water would each fish need and how much plant

I see where your coming from.

Hm.. I'm new to all this but (trying to dig up all my science knowledge) I believe fish are able to survive that way because there are many more organisms in the water especially microorganisms. Further more like you said, they have lots more water so their waste isn't as concentrated. It could be possible with lots of plants and a few fish that don't produce too much waste methinks, although this sounds like a pretty cool project.

 

[Malawi MaD]

yer that sorta thing =] i was thinking it would have to be big but would like a 120l tank be ok for 1 fish? or would you need bigger still? ... i was wandering on a rough size (i know bigger the better in this case )

Yeah i think 120L would certainly be fine if all your having is 1 fish. If you wanted a full on eco system its got to be at least 10ft i recon maybe more. I get what your wanting to do now, pretty good idea actually to see how things would work naturally. You considering doing it mate?

 

[mike455555]

thats what i was thinking i was just wandering if anyone had done it before and if so what would the fish/water ratio be (about)

 

[Malawi MaD]

thats what i was thinking i was just wandering if anyone had done it before and if so what would the fish/water ratio be (about)

One thing i think that would help( I know its not natural) but a powerhead of some sort that recreates the flow of a river/lake etc.. Help the plants to

 

[Clarousel]

I agree with the water flow thing. Definitely would help in some way

 

[soybean]

Even without a filter I think you would still need a powerhead.

 

[mike455555]

thanks i thought about a power head just to keep the water moving

 

[soybean]

And it would need to be incredibly heavily planted.

If you Google filterless tanks there is a fair bit of info. There is a planted tank forum which would be helpful.

 

[Malawi MaD]

thanks i thought about a power head just to keep the water moving

Yeah will just keep the water moving and stop be being still/stagnant to much. You going to have a go at this?

 

[mike455555]

i might do if i find a big tank it depends to be honest id like to but id feel bad if i got it wrong and the fish kept dieing i guess starting off big could work like get a massive tank and put 1 fish in it then add more to see what happens mesureing all the time

would you need to do water changes on a tank like this?

would you need to do water changes on a tank like this?

 

[Malawi MaD]

i might do if i find a big tank it depends to be honest id like to but id feel bad if i got it wrong and the fish kept dieing i guess starting off big could work like get a massive tank and put 1 fish in it then add more to see what happens mesureing all the time

would you need to do water changes on a tank like this?

would you need to do water changes on a tank like this?

See thats the thing lol would it mess up the eco system(If you got it right and it settled) or would it help. Like soybean said id have a good read about it

 

[mike455555]

would a small air stone be good for water movement? instead of a power head

 

[mike455555]

im thinking i might try it with a small tank plant it to start with and maybe add 1 tinny fish (which doesn't mind being on its own) iv got a 16L i could attempt it in and a 90l (although the 90 has a filter in it)

 

[soybean]

Seriously doubt you would get far in a 16l.

I think you need to be asking in the planted section, or on a planted tank forum, as that's essentially what you want to set up. It's not easy to set up a self-sustaining system but it can be done.

 

[Ziggs180]

for about 4 months, my 30 Gallon had no filter. Google Diana Wasltads natural planted tank. I have a filter now for getting rid of Tannins, but one is not needed at all for that sort of set up.