Expert Reflection

Question
QUESTION: Considering you are an expert, I would like your reflection on my tank set up:

latest rundown on tank as of 11/28/2010:

I've been running this tank for one year now as the following:

The 55 gallon freshwater aquarium has no filtration, water flow pump, heater, overhead lighting system.

The tank does have a Fusion Air Pump 700 that puts air into two flexible bubble wands (in order to create plentiful oxygen). The lighting is provided by the sunlight regulated by mini blinds. There are live plants (naturally grown algae: cladophora; java fern and all types of anubias). There are a few pieces of Malaysian wood. There are assorted pieces of rock (slate, sandstone and river pebbles).

Sixteen gallons of water is changed out each week (8 gallon on Thursday and 8 gallons on Sunday). Every Sunday the fish are unfed (to clean out digestive systems). On Monday, fish eat pea pulp; on Thursday, fish eat (3) algae wafers; Monday through Saturday I give the fish a high quality flake with freeze dried blood-worms. As a treat I will give the fish minced chicken and non-oily oysters (rinsed off).

Tank inhabitants consists of:

1 red-tail shark
1 yellow platy
4 dwarf chain loaches
4 silver tip tetras
4 scissortail tetras
4 black kuhli loaches
6 harlequin rasboras
8 cherry barbs
8 zebra danios
15 cardinal tetras
15 red platy

1 african dwarf frog
5 olive nerite snails
10+ ramshorn snails
12 ivory mystery snails
12 golden (apple/mystery snails)
12 blue mystery snails
12 black mystery snails
40+ trumpet snails

Live Plants:

anubias barteri
anubias coffeefolia
anubias Congensis
anubias hastifolia
anubias nana (in gravel)
anubias nana (on driftwood)
Java Fern

Algae:

cladophora (naturally grown by sunlight, water & fish poop)

Rock:

sandstone
river rock
river pebble
slate


Wood:

bogwood
malaysian

Shell:

trumpet snail shells
apple snail shells
ramshorn snail shells

Today's water tests:

Temperature: 82-84 (helps slowdown any bacteria, parasite that may enter)
Ammonia: 0.25 (consistently tested each week)
Nitrite: 0 (consistently tested each week)
Nitrate: 35-40 (consistently tested every other week)
Oxygen: 9 (plentiful rich oxygen in water column)
Hardness: 4 (for the fish I have, just about right)
Iron: 0 (the live plants are deep green - very little need for iron, go figure)
Phosphate: 0.5 (consistently tested every other week)
PH: 8.1 (tap water tested at 8.1...so far, no harm to fish)

So all but one water test shows that the tank is performing quite well without filtration. The PH is higher than I would like (prefer it to be around 7.4) but I have been in this house for almost a year, and I have little choice. I refrain from using any chemicals. I do plan to put more anubias attached to Malaysian wood in the coming year (possibly this will help lower the PH). If not, it's okay for the fish appear fine. In other words, it is not toxic for the fish at a PH of 8.1. The main thing is, it is consistent at 8.1 rather than fluctuating every day or week. This is the most important thing to remember in this hobby, consistency is key when it comes to the water chemistry in our tanks.

I will keep all of you up to date every week or so on the water testing. In January 2011 I plan to test only once a month, then in February I will test only when I observe there is a problem or a fish death. Ammonia and nitrite I will test periodically, possibly once or twice a month but not on set days just to get a fraction of the window open to make sure all is fine.

Tell me your thoughts, I am always open to new ideas.


ANSWER: Edward,

 I am in shock that you are not having any problems in that tank with no filter. You are over stalked on fish. With that many fish you will need to test that water weekly along with weekly water changes if not more. You really need a much larger tank. It is not good to have a tank by a window ether. You run the risk of over heating that tank. With that many fish you will be lucky to stop any problem when they arise. By the time you know there is a problem it will be too late. Please think about either getting a larger tank or finding homes for some of the fish. Good luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well you should be shocked. I put all "expert" advice to shame (no offense).

I'll shock you even more, I never vacuumed the tank.

Funny thing is, when I did have a problem, like an ich breakout, I raised the temperature and provided the salt treatment. Cured naturally. But since I had this tank going like this for a year, I had no ich breakout.

The key to understanding an ecosystem is to know the fish and to always water test. I gave you the results of the water tests. I perform them on a regular basis. I observe on a regular basis.

Now I do agree, no one should ever try this with a newly set up tank. The tank must be at least 2 years old; one must keep a log book daily; one must water test; one must observe on a daily basis to prevent any crisis (experience will prevent ailments from happening in the first place); and most of all, one must respect the natural ecosystems by not putting so many man-made gadgets in the tank.

I have proven it can be done. The water tests prove the fish are not stressed. The fish act no different than when I had all the gadgets and filtration (I had 550 gph of filtration in the tank at one time), I had a water flow pump; I had a heater; I had overhead lighting...I had over $1,000 in the tank to begin with...but over time I realized that was all a waste of money and effort.

As for the over stocking...the fish I have are all under 3 inches; 8 fish alone are bottom dwellers; others are mid dwellers...it's in the levels of the tank where this key to "overstocking" lies. I have plenty room on the left side of the tank for open space swimming (I wish I could provide a picture...if I can, please tell me how).

To know a fish one must think as one (((smiles))).

The sunlight never raises the temperature for I have mini blinds, but the funny thing is, I never had to close the blinds. And the naturally produced algae (cladophora) gives food for all the snails and is pruned weekly to monthly (as needed).

Key is, it works if you take the time and slowly eliminate human gadgetry over time. First I started taking out the lighting; then the water flow pump; then the heater; then the filtration.

Try it you may be (further) surprised. Anyway, thanks for replying. I look forward to your next response.

And by the way, your shock is a compliment. Thank you very much, Edward

Answer
Edward,

I guess if it works don't fix it. I have had fish all my life, literally, and I have never had any problems doing it the way every other person would say to. With my tanks, I try to keep everything flowing including to mood of all my fish. I have 5 tanks going with home made filters, heater and may air stones. I guess if a fish gets used to something and knows it won't change, they have to adjust to their homes. Good luck in the future with your tank.