Need advice on filterless shrimp tank

[zyblack]

Hi people,

I am pretty new to this shrimp keeping hobby and would like some advice on how to keep a low maintainece tank. Im thinking of the following setup.

1) 30 x 18 x18 (1 footer) tank
2) Taiwan Moss as substrate
3) Java Ferns as hiding places and background
4) Pieces of "matured" ceramic rings strewn among moss for jumpstarting biological filtration and might be removed later or left as decorations
5) Sunlight and lights in my living room as lighting
6) A small spikey drift wood as centrepiece

I have hunted around the web for information regarding filterless tanks and gathered that it is possible since bioload for the shrimps will be small. I am wondering if the moss and the ferns will be able to handle the bioload and provide oxygen to my shrimps. I will probably do regular water changes (water from my bigger fish tank) of 10-20% weekly and feed them spirulina tabs 2 - 3 times a week. I am thinking of putting a single male swordtail or guppy to take care of mosquito larves but hope it is not neccessary.

Would like any advise on the following setup as whether it is feasible or not. Any advise will be appreciated

[Rupert]

If your moss/plants grow then you should be ok. If you have cherry shrimp they will multiply at an alarming rate and are a good first choice.

I do not think the "matured" ceramic rings will have any impact as you have no substrate/filter, so the plants will have to do all the work… so more moss the better. Try some floating plants, but only if this does not block out the ambient lighting.

Indirect sunlight is not to be underestimated so if your tank is close to the window then great. Room lights will not have much impact, but look at you moss, if it has green tips [growing] then you know your lighting is ok.

good luck

[budak]

My 20 cm shrimp tank with no filter (just a 11W PL tube) has been running for over two years now. I rarely do water changes (a 20-30% change every few months), just top-up evaporated water. Key is to plant heavily and keep livestock low initially.

[zyblack]

Hi guys, thanks for quick replies.

Rupert, I am kinda of worried about my lighting since my living room lights dun don't get switched on often. The only impediment to me getting lights for tank is my Mum since she has wagging tongue non-stop ever since I got a 2 feet tank for my Striped-Neck Turtle. Though she has grown a soft spot for my puppy-like water pet, I doubt she would go easy on me if she finds out I am gonna going to bring another tank into the home. Thats why I am trying to make this tank as low key as i can (meaning no noisy equipments).

I am also looking at building a mini moss wall instead of the Java Ferns but that might further cut down the amount of available light from one side of the tank.

And thank you budak, you give me hope that this endeavour is possible. One question, what do you mean by heavily planted? Will an all-moss substrate do? Or do I need to get more leafy plants and of course would love some recommendations. BTW, how many shrimps do you keep in your shrimp tank?

[budak]

You can go all moss if you want to. My setup has mosses, pellia and java fern/anubias nana on wood, plus floating duckweed. I also use no substrate, just a thin sprinkling of plain gravel for cosmetic purposes. I have no idea how many shrimp are there, as they breed profusely (mix of the black shell shrimp from System Control [see other thread in this section] and cherries). Fishes are 10 Boraras and 2 coolie loaches.

You can see the tank here: http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated..._room_min.html

[zyblack]

Haha nice tank! Budak!

I just noticed that the forum system automatically correct my garbled words when I post...kind of feels like I am back in school. Need to watch my words.
Did you plant the tank as it is or did it grow from small plants in to the current stage? Looks really natural though pity I can't see your shrimps. Must be having a good life. Thanks for your help and I will probably post my tank pictures when I get down to it.

Crossing my fingers....hope my mum don't throw me out...

[evolim83]

If you read the small prints in the bottom of your post,
Last edited by Justikanz : Today at 12:29 AM.

The forum do not encourage SMS language and would prefer words to be spell out full.

Hope this helps

[budak]

i started with a thin layer of moss/pellia which has grown a couple of inches thick. The ferns also spread out on their own across the wood. Because there is no co2 and fertilisation, the growth rate is slow but steady.