ADVICE PLEASE Week old 12L bowl no Filter no Fert

[Thomas 231]

Hi I’m new to hobby loving it so far I’ve just made my first bowl Aquascape. Question for everyone would you advice adding fish to it and if yes what type.

or even Shrimp I’ve got a master water test ammonia is 0 there still a bit of nitrite and the nitrate is at 40 on the scale

 

[Salty&Onion]

I think that's just me, but I would put a filter in. If you would do a Walstad tank then I would understand the luck of filter, or do you do a Walstad tank?

 

[Thomas 231]

I think that's just me, but I would put a filter in. If you would do a Walstad tank then I would understand the luck of filter, or do you do a Walstad tank?

yeah that’s the sort of tank I’m going for I have been watching MD fish tanks on YouTube for a long while now.

he seems to always do so well this way with no issues so far but its been a week and the water is doing well I’ve been checking ever other day and the nitrite is dropping

 

[Thomas 231]

Just wondering if anyone has EXP in this sort of tank and what fish choice they would go for if any?

 

[Essjay]

I would not put any fish in the bowl, 12 litres is too small for any. Maybe shrimps as you suggested.

 

[Byron]

I had a 10g tank on this principle, no filter, no light (it was in front of a west-facing window), sand, plants, and fish. I did have a heater as it gets cold in the winter. I did a 50-60% water change every week. Tank ran for a year. No problems, fish were healthy, plants too. But not having a light over it made it tricky to really see the aquascape and the fish.

A 12 liter (3 gallon) is very small space, and finding suitable fish is probably impossible. Maybe a Betta, some betta members might think this too small a bowl, I won't argue that. Shrimp are possible, but those members who know shrimp better than I do can advise.

 

[Thomas 231]

I would not put any fish in the bowl, 12 litres is too small for any. Maybe shrimps as you suggested.

Thanks for the advice I’ll keep you all posted on how it’s doing how many shrimp would you say would be ok?

 

[Thomas 231]

I had a 10g tank on this principle, no filter, no light (it was in front of a west-facing window), sand, plants, and fish. I did have a heater as it gets cold in the winter. I did a 50-60% water change every week. Tank ran for a year. No problems, fish were healthy, plants too. But not having a light over it made it tricky to really see the aquascape and the fish.

A 12 liter (3 gallon) is very small space, and finding suitable fish is probably impossible. Maybe a Betta, some betta members might think this too small a bowl, I won't argue that. Shrimp are possible, but those members who know shrimp better than I do can advise.

Thanks for the advice the plants I picked are such fast growers had to trim them already I’m running the light 12 hours a day. Yeah love to hear from the Betta and shrimp experts.

I wouldn’t want the fish or anything to be uncomfortable would be hell being trapped I’m horrible home.

 

[Essjay]

I know that a lot of people reckon 2.5 gallons, or 9.5 litres is OK for a betta, but I don't like keeping them in less than 5 gallons/19 litres.

If you go for shrimps, get the smaller ones such as red cherry shrimps. Get no more than half a dozen to start with, if they include at least 1 male and 1 female, there will soon be more.
My main concern would be the nitrate level. Is this the same as your tap water?

 

[Thomas 231]

I know that a lot of people reckon 2.5 gallons, or 9.5 litres is OK for a betta, but I don't like keeping them in less than 5 gallons/19 litres.

If you go for shrimps, get the smaller ones such as red cherry shrimps. Get no more than half a dozen to start with, if they include at least 1 male and 1 female, there will soon be more.
My main concern would be the nitrate level. Is this the same as your tap water?

Yeah seem a lot of people say no fish don’t want to stress them so I’ll go for shrimp.

it is tap water I got a master kit the nitrite level is a very pale pink nearly clear on the liquid test and the nitrate is in between 40/20 so I’d say 30 as a guess.

the ph level is between 6.5/7.5 tested that ammonia is 0.

im guessing I have to wait for the nitrite test to have no colour when I add the test liquid is that right?

 

[Essjay]

Yes, both ammonia and nitrite need to be zero as shrimps are more sensitive to them than fish. Your nitrate is a bit higher than they like but if it's coming from the tap water try them and see. That's why I suggested only a few to start with - if they are happy they will breed so there will soon be more.

 

[Quin]

Thanks for the advice the plants I picked are such fast growers had to trim them already I’m running the light 12 hours a day. Yeah love to hear from the Betta and shrimp experts.

I wouldn’t want the fish or anything to be uncomfortable would be hell being trapped I’m horrible home.

I personally wouldn't put a betta in anything smaller than a 5, especially with those thick plants further reducing swimming room. Some people do it, but I don't think it's the best option if you can do better

 

[Thomas 231]

Yes, both ammonia and nitrite need to be zero as shrimps are more sensitive to them than fish. Your nitrate is a bit higher than they like but if it's coming from the tap water try them and see. That's why I suggested only a few to start with - if they are happy they will breed so there will soon be more.

Cheers essjay

 

[Thomas 231]

Thanks for the help everyone been good

 

[JuiceBox52]

Keep this updated, it sounds like a cool project!