Little Ecosystem?

[MisssMarie]

So, a while ago I read about someone who created their own ecosystem. They never had to do water changes, though they did have to add water because of evaporation, and they didn't have a filter. So, I don't remember how they did it, or anything really except that they had some fish, snails/shrimp and a lot of plants. I have a 2.5 gallon I want to do something fun with. Well, I'd love to give this a try. What would I need to even attempt this? How many plants would I need? Basically, I'll have a very light stocking - 1 mystery snail and one male betta. I'm thinking black sand for substrate. What would I have to do to even try to attempt this? Share your ideas on what you think I should add. I know duckweed takes care of nitrate (or was it nitrite....) a good bit, but, well, I'm EXTREMELY reluctant to try that after my last little excursion with that horrible stuff... What do you think I should try? Thanks!

I think this is the right section, becasue it would be a scientfic experiment....

 

[DrRob]

Ecosystem systems are a fairly simple concept. You have a low bioload and lots of things that will process that bioload. Generally you need a big tank with very low stocking and beds of mud or similar to house the bacteria that will do all the things we don't normally let happen in our tanks. Generally it should also provide all the food that the tank needs, and you'll probably be wanting to feed that betta.

I suspect you'll struggle with a 2.5 gallon with pretty much everything, but they stocking you have is almost certainly too much already for an ecosystem tank. It's probably commonest in some garden ponds that people put some goldfish in that they rarely see but have a whole system that builds around them, although not intentional.

 

[ian]

agree with Rob, small tanks are hard to create this environment. You have to have the right ingredients to do this kind of thing, and first you have to have low lighting...the rest is here

http/theaquariumwiki.com/Walstad_method

there have been a few successful walstad style of tank on here

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/350140-toms-bucket-o-mud/

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/276528-once-upon-a-time-at-the-riverbank/

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/295754-endor-lljs-36g-low-light/

all have been very good planted tanks.

 

[MisssMarie]

Alright! I just think it would be an interesting challenge in such a small tank! I'll take a look at those links for sure! Any other ideas/hints would be helpful even if it's only that I'm a nut job

 

[Geoff-]

Trying to make a closed system will teach you more about aquarium processes than you ever thought possible. As long as you're prepared to do your homework (research) that is. Yeah a 2.5G tank is hard, but 1 small fish and a snail or two plus plenty of low-light plants and give it a go!!

 

[bae1994]

I did this sort of with a 2litre cylinder thing I made with shrimp and it ran for ayear without water changes and water stats were very consistently good

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/369041-my-2ltr-planted-cylinder-shrimp-tank/page__p__3082612__fromsearch__1#entry3082612


It did have a filter but after a few weeks I removed the sponge from it so effectivly it was just a power head and it ran fine admittedly I only had shrimp and assasin snails

Atb bae

 

[MisssMarie]

Awesome! Where can I go about finding some research? How much light do I need? How many plants? What kind? lol

 

[Shogunblue24]

This thread and the subsequent thread links are exactly the sort of think I've been looking for. Thanks to those who contributed etc.

 

[Justaerin]

heres a concept for an eco system, would it be possible to use something like ceramic live rock instead of a filter like a SW does?