Low-tech (non-CO2) tanks post your pics!

[taikiat]

Since my first 2 year tank I decided to try something different! Achieving a slightly different way to use BW, to get the look of a tree branching into water. =)

So it went from my 1st tank this...


to this current tank!

[dolo]

Anyone doing it in the style of Diana Walstad or close to it? Care to share?
How about those filter-less ones? Or simple tanks with plants growing well without much intervention.

I'm new to aquaria and have a small tank with a bottom layer of potting soil covered with gravel. It's about a month old now. After an initial algae bloom and few plants, I added as many plants as i could fit - wisteria, anubia, sword plants, nymphea, some kind for low growing grass, bacoba. All are growing nicely and no more algae. Every now and then a huge bubble bursts from the bottom. So according to DW, something is happening right. Since it is a small tank, I have 3 danios only sofar and they are thriving. they are so much fun to watch. I do have a small filter and light. I removed the small heater since the danio like it cool. I think I'm hooked now and will soon get a much larger tank - this was so easy.

[barmby]

hi dolo, less is more thanks for sharing

[Mr.Oink]

My tabletop Low-Tech tank. 18cm(L) x 12cm(D) x 14cm(H)

No filter, No CO2, No fertilization.
Lighted with 5W bulb about for 4hrs a day
Doing weekly water top up and monthly water change of 40%
4 guppies & 10 Sakura Shrimps

[octopus]

Hey! thats fantastic. Care to share what substrate you are using?.

[Mr.Oink]

Hey! thats fantastic. Care to share what substrate you are using?.

If you are refering to my setup, I'm only using GEX soil (red packet)

[Hilde]

I'm new to aquaria and have a small tank with a bottom layer of potting soil covered with gravel.

What gravel did you use? I tried gravel and the dirt came through.

[Hilde]

to this current tank!

Is that moss on the right? How did you get to anchor down?

[dolo]

What gravel did you use? I tried gravel and the dirt came through.

I put about one and a half inches of organic potting soil and covered it with about one inch of brand name Fluorite - premium substrate. May I suggest, after my trial and error, to put enough water in first to cover these layers so they are thoroughly wet Then plant your plants in the dirt, then add enough water gently to fill your tank. You can add more plants when tank is full, but the water becomes murky. I removed the fish for this and allowed the filter to clear the water before putting them back in. Hope this helps.

[Hilde]

I put about one and a half inches of organic potting soil and covered it with about one inch of brand name Fluorite

I was hoping you had found some cheap gravel. I fortunately got some use fluorite for free. I am planning to move this year though and don't have any extra fluorite. Thus will probably use river sand. Found if not careful filling tank with sand as topper the dirt comes through. With Fluorite I don't have that problem.

[HexHammer]

Hi guys, I'v read loads of posts stateing the only thing done over time was adding water. If I understand it right, it's kind of a biosphere you got going on. Why not just add a tight lid, thus no vaporation?

I'm very interested if this is possible, as I like a 99% selfsustaining tank, only adding light and heat.

[HexHammer]

Please disregard my former post, better delete it as I forgot the feeding factor.

[Hilde]

I'm very interested if this is possible, as I like a 99% self-sustaining tank, only adding light and heat.

I have seen some do it. They usually have water that has a lot of minerals, like well water. My tap water is soft and has mostly phosphates in it. Thus trying a 10 gallon tank in window with moss and ferns. I will be placing pregnant fish in it. I think it can still be consider self-sustaining tank.

Definition of self-sustaining tank:
no water changes check
no added co2
no ferts DOH

[HexHammer]

Thanks, much appreciated!

[Xianghao]

just to share my low tech sakura/galaxy tank:

[Dean]

My tank on study desk.
31(L) x 29(W) x 26 (H)
Using filter and light with no CO2, no fertilization and no cooling system. Doing weekly water top up and 2 times per month of water changes.

Fauna: 2 ramshorn snails, 5 neon rainbowfish, 3 anglefish, 1 corydoras.
Flora: Java fern, anubias nana, morimo moss ball and us fissiden.

[leoslizards]

Awesome tanks guys. I think the key to a sucessful lowtech tank is good water quality. My low tech planted tank looked best when I used RO water.

[Hilde]

Why not just add a tight lid?
I'm very interested if this is possible, as I like a 99% self sustaining tank, only adding light and heat.

I have glass over my tank yet still I loose a little water when it gets hot.

Seems to depend on water quality. Those whom well water have done it. I can't for I live near a city and water is severely treat with clorax, in fact you can smell it. Got Java fern and moss growing in tank by window.

Click here to see some whom have done it.

[taikiat]

Is that moss on the right? How did you get to anchor down?

It's Subwassertang, anchored down by a plastic mesh, which still floats, but weighed down further with a rock by the side, which explains the slope.

anyway an update!



No ferts, No Co2, just Halilea filter and water top ups.

Fauna: Cherry Shrimp, 6 amber tetras, 2 bumblebee gobies, 3 otos.

Plants include Subwassertang, Java moss, Nana, unidentified lotus/lily pad looking plant as well as hair grass and others which I dont have a clue what they are.

[lvictorl]

Day4.jpg

This is my newly setup tank, no CO2 no Fert. its only a week old.
Shall update as it grows along... ^_^