So, one question came up on another fish forum concerning the role of beneficial bacteria (BB) in the water column. The other forum which can safely be characterized as a Nitrogen Cycle hub, the insistence is that BB only exist on things : the bio-media, substrate, decorations, etc. And, that the water column has to be filtered through it. But, I question that since I've had no filtration for almost two months and cycled fairly quickly (two weeks) with nothing more than 7 gallons of standing water and five zebra danios. Oh, and four lucky bamboo plants. Is it possible for lucky bamboo to convert that much ammonia that quickly or can "floating" bacteria contribute its share to the nitrification process?
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You can see the old bio-media cartridge at 9 o'clock. I can probably toss it, right?
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Just tested the parameters again and have noted a nitrate level that appears to be bumping up against the 40-80 ppm level. That's after 5 weeks without a water change. So, some water change appears to be in order.
Likewise, there had been some concern about the ph creeping up in alkalinity since the beginning of the month. Today it measured 753 on my LED pen. As I've mentioned in other threads, I live in Brooklyn and I'm not accustomed to having alkaline water. So, I've removed my ancient and revered sea shell rock pending the water change. By the way, is fish poop acidic or alkaline? I forget. Perhaps, a good gravel rinse is in order, too?
All in all, I'm delighted with how things are coming along. If anyone had told me I could maintain a tank with five fish and no mechanical filtration for over two months l would have not have believed them.
Btw, that smudge at 9:00 is where the rock used to be. I can't decide whether that is leftover diatom or bacteria? I thought I would leave it for now.
Likewise, there had been some concern about the ph creeping up in alkalinity since the beginning of the month. Today it measured 753 on my LED pen. As I've mentioned in other threads, I live in Brooklyn and I'm not accustomed to having alkaline water. So, I've removed my ancient and revered sea shell rock pending the water change. By the way, is fish poop acidic or alkaline? I forget. Perhaps, a good gravel rinse is in order, too?
All in all, I'm delighted with how things are coming along. If anyone had told me I could maintain a tank with five fish and no mechanical filtration for over two months l would have not have believed them.
Btw, that smudge at 9:00 is where the rock used to be. I can't decide whether that is leftover diatom or bacteria? I thought I would leave it for now.
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Thanks, Michael. I actually prefer the bowl open. The open pool look is why I chose to go porcelain in the first place!
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So...it's been 3 months since the beginning of this set-up and I am over the moon by the results so far. No filter. No artificial light. Stable parameters. I've gradually added six glo-fish danios that easily present as tiny goldfish when viewed from above and they couldn't be happier. I've just completed a 20% water change after 3 weeks and the nitrate level appears to have been reduced from ~40 ppm to between 10-20 ppm.
One of the more interesting recent developments is the ongoing battle between the duckweed/wolffia and the beneficial bacteria that is slowly making a return to lower left-hand side of the bowl. They seem to take turns waxing and waning, depending on conditions above the water line. The duckweed appears not to like condensation and has visibly melted since I started covering the bowl again with a glass top. The lucky bamboo seemed okay with it. As an experiment, I'm going to start leaving the bowl uncovered again.
One of the more interesting recent developments is the ongoing battle between the duckweed/wolffia and the beneficial bacteria that is slowly making a return to lower left-hand side of the bowl. They seem to take turns waxing and waning, depending on conditions above the water line. The duckweed appears not to like condensation and has visibly melted since I started covering the bowl again with a glass top. The lucky bamboo seemed okay with it. As an experiment, I'm going to start leaving the bowl uncovered again.
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Fascinating update on the wolffia vs. beneficial bacteria (BB) battle. I left the bowl unattended for 10 days while I took a holiday away from the city (I've been fully vaccinated.) When I returned, I realized to my horror that I had not correctly turned on the automatic feeder. My six danios were perfectly fine, but they had effectively resolved my wolffia problem. Their disdain for vegetables which had been evident when it was first introduced about six weeks ago was quickly set aside when no other food source was available.
Not coincidentally, IMO, the beneficial bacteria has taken over one side of the bowl. I have now been a member of the APC community for two months and I'm rather jealous of the focus on exotic plants. One of these days I'd like to start a dirted tank. But, in the meantime, I wonder whether there is some way I can adjust things in my low-light, low-tech porcelain bowl so that plants (any plants) are more competitive with the BB for nutrients? I'd like to make it completely filterless but I'm beginning to realize that part of the problem is that porcelain seems to be a BB magnet.
I'll add a snapshot when the sun gets a little higher, later in the day.
Not coincidentally, IMO, the beneficial bacteria has taken over one side of the bowl. I have now been a member of the APC community for two months and I'm rather jealous of the focus on exotic plants. One of these days I'd like to start a dirted tank. But, in the meantime, I wonder whether there is some way I can adjust things in my low-light, low-tech porcelain bowl so that plants (any plants) are more competitive with the BB for nutrients? I'd like to make it completely filterless but I'm beginning to realize that part of the problem is that porcelain seems to be a BB magnet.
I'll add a snapshot when the sun gets a little higher, later in the day.
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Haha! Finally got some dirt in my bowl. It feels good. The pot contains a white lily bulb (nymphaea.) It's already sprouted some stems. The water may be too deep for it at this point so I may put the miniature milk crate back in and lift it up a little. Also, the pet store owner sold me on giving the floating plants another shot. He says, this isn't duckweed but I'm not going to split hairs:
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