Quick Gourami Question, Just Curious

[Starfishpower]

they have a labyrinth organ like bettas right? so, do they need a filter or are they ok without one like bettas? i mean, has anyone ever really tryd it for themselves... seeing if they will do fine without one so long as regular water changes, ect. (proper maintenance) is done properly? im just curious, not planing to go out here and try it any time soon i just wondered.

 

[Biulu]

I would say that every fish needs a filter. The labyrinth organ is only for oxygen purposes, not to deal with the build up of waste fouling the water. You could probably do without a filter if you have live plants that take up the waste.

I have never kept my bettas without a filter either by the way......

 

[Starfishpower]

so they can live without a filter! ha, i knew it! those lfs ppl lied to me when i asked if there were any fish that dont need filters other than bettas and they said there werent. and yes i keep all my bettas with live plants. thanks so does this hold true for all fish that have a labyrinth organ?

 

[Honeythorn]

All fish should have a filter ( yes even bettas , their native waters are very slow but not still, and are refreshed and filtered by rainfall, plants and flooding, even in nature they have filtration so a tank should be no different ) You'd be putting them at risk of ammonia based damage without one. Also, I don't see why you'd want to make more work for yourself and risk stressing the fish with constant water changes. The filter and cycle will do all the work for you, and weekly -- bi weekly water changes + gravel vac and testing are all you'd need to do.

You would need an absolute crapload of established plants to cope with that amount of waste, not to mention quite a decent sized tank to keep the waste diluted enough . Plants actually only use up nitrate.

 

[Biulu]

There is a group of aquarists that do without filters, but the bioload in their tanks is very low. They use plants, even real soil in their tanks. Can't think of how they call this trend but Karin Walstad? is involved and considered an expert.

 

[rmanpf]

I would NOT advise EVER having a fish without a filter! its not that they can live in small places, which they shouldnt. Its like saying a human doesnt need a toilet. Sure we could survive without it. but I would not like to be constantly living in my own waste. So why should it be ok for fish to?

 

[Starfishpower]

chill out guys, im a responsible fish keeper, i was just asking i agree with Honeythorn in that their water shouldnt be still, thats why at the very least i keep an airstone in all my betta tanks - along with live plants. at this point though i think we are getting into the literal biology of the tank makeup and that could become quite a lengthy and involved debate, one which i do not care to go into right now, atleast not in this section, maybe in the scientific section on a later date. i havent done enough research on the subject to speak intellectually at a deep enough level to satisfy the curiosity the present parties seem to require. without offering actual citations of scientific studies this is a pointless to discussion as it would do nothing but degenerate into one persons opinion verses another without actual evidence to substantiate either claim. i appreciate the respect all of you have for the well being of your fish, and i share that sentiment with you.

 

[Biulu]

I would NOT advise EVER having a fish without a filter! its not that they can live in small places, which they shouldnt. Its like saying a human doesnt need a toilet. Sure we could survive without it. but I would not like to be constantly living in my own waste. So why should it be ok for fish to?

How do you think they live in the wild? With a filter? Just like cow#### fertilises grass, fish waste fertilizes aquatic plants.

 

[rmanpf]

chill out guys, im a responsible fish keeper, i was just asking i agree with Honeythorn in that their water shouldnt be still, thats why at the very least i keep an airstone in all my betta tanks - along with live plants. at this point though i think we are getting into the literal biology of the tank makeup and that could become quite a lengthy and involved debate, one which i do not care to go into right now, atleast not in this section, maybe in the scientific section on a later date. i havent done enough research on the subject to speak intellectually at a deep enough level to satisfy the curiosity the present parties seem to require. without offering actual citations of scientific studies this is a pointless to discussion as it would do nothing but degenerate into one persons opinion verses another without actual evidence to substantiate either claim. i appreciate the respect all of you have for the well being of your fish, and i share that sentiment with you.

sorry, your right,

i tend to get worked up when i hear of fish being filterless and i didnt mean to act so rashly.
and i usually believe i know everything but that is a BIG understatement.

so forgive my prievious post.


my appologies,


Ryan T

 

[Starfishpower]

chill out guys, im a responsible fish keeper, i was just asking i agree with Honeythorn in that their water shouldnt be still, thats why at the very least i keep an airstone in all my betta tanks - along with live plants. at this point though i think we are getting into the literal biology of the tank makeup and that could become quite a lengthy and involved debate, one which i do not care to go into right now, atleast not in this section, maybe in the scientific section on a later date. i havent done enough research on the subject to speak intellectually at a deep enough level to satisfy the curiosity the present parties seem to require. without offering actual citations of scientific studies this is a pointless to discussion as it would do nothing but degenerate into one persons opinion verses another without actual evidence to substantiate either claim. i appreciate the respect all of you have for the well being of your fish, and i share that sentiment with you.

sorry, your right,

i tend to get worked up when i hear of fish being filterless and i didnt mean to act so rashly.
and i usually believe i know everything but that is a BIG understatement.

so forgive my prievious post.


my appologies,


Ryan T

absolutely, apology accepted. and thank you, it takes true character to be able to say something like that.

 

[rmanpf]

thanks but in the future i will think before i write an angry post