Red_Rose

Just like the subject title says, what do you love most about NPT's?

I know everyone probably has a lot that they love about these set ups but if you had to choose just one, what would it be? For me, it would be the water changes or lack thereof. It's nice to know that you can enjoy a freshwater aquarium while conserving water! Of course, there are many other things that I love about this set up but I think that little to no water changes would be at the top of my list.

How about all of you?

01krisp10

Water changes go right onto my vegetable garden! (it loves it)

More enjoying less fuss, and less messing with the poor fish.

and finally, SUN POWER, and its FREE! :P

fishyfingers

low maintenance, and cheap.

As long as I feed my fish, I only have to do maintenance once a month.

It cost me very little to get started. I had a spare tank with a hood and a spare filter. All I needed was soil, gravel, rocks, wood, fish and plants.

Alex123

What I love most about NPT is just seeing a small ecosystem and marveling at the balance that was achieved. It brings a sense of peace. I love looking at the greenery and knowing that they are living, breathing dynamic system. I enjoy seeing the natural sunlight on the aquarium with sparkling water and bubbles forming on the plant leaves and bubbling to the surface. Each plant from the planted ones to the submerge ones to the floating ones each do its part to maintain a mutual balanced aquarium. With fish swimming through the upper regions of the tank while others clusters at the bottom regions and still other on the substrates and side walls doing their daily routines are very calming. To balance out the day, at night the trumpet snails emerge from substrate to take on the activities while other day creatures are fast asleep. It's really hard to believe how easily life can generate, grow and prosper given right conditions. I must say the side benefit of not having frequent maintenance such as water change a very nice perk. But that really is a testament to a balanced ecosystem as close as we can simulate under the confine of our small space.

dwalstad

Alex, your prose is lovely, indeed. It captures the essence of NPTs.

Most people keep aquariums to see a "slice of nature". If not, they would be playing videogames.

Red_Rose

I would have expected a remark like that from people my age group or from teenagers, not from those who are more antiquated.

To each his own.

AaronT

Two words: No dosing.

Morbida

I can do it on the cheap. I love that , and it fits about any size tank.

plantblr

Its the best coz its very straight.....
>Use cheapo potting soil instead of those expensive stuff
>Natural growing plants instead of CO2 & dosing(its like using steroids to grow plants)
>Natural light & less water changes(save money & time)
> & lot many things that sgood about El Natural ...........

Ravi

01krisp10

I'm confused by your post, maybe you are misusing the term antiquated (old, obsolete)? As a certified avid gamer, turned occasional gamer, I find her statement to be right on. I use NPT's as a way to relax, educate my children, and avoid unsustainable hobbies, such as as over gaming, watching TV, and high tech aquarium keeping. I think you may be biased as you consider yourself to be a gaming fan, possible avid gamer (via your profile). From the outside (and in) gaming can appear very sedentary and unnatural.

Maybe I'm wrong...