No tech tank

[Coldnorthtoy]

WCMM are awesome - such beautiful little fish.

You might consider using a sponge filter to create some water movement - I do this in my 5.5 gallon Ghost Shrimp tank, just to keep things from getting stagnant, but it does generate a moderately decent flow.

You might also consider using a Marina Slim 10 just to create some flow as well - they are beautifully silent, self-priming, include a nice reticulated foam intake filter and are dirt-cheap (~$20 at Petsmart here in Canada). That's what's running on my Walstad 5.5 gallon WCMM tank. It just has a piece of foam in the filter chamber, but no filter material - and quite frankly, I'd be better off with nothing in there at all, since it's just for flow, basically.

[gabysapha]

I second a sponge filter. It's such a simple, inexpensive, quiet item that will make the tank that much better. With a sponge filter some longfin white clouds would look very pretty. I have a very similar set up.

Now if that tank were in a window with more light, then you'd have lots more options for plants. I would consider moving the tank, but I know what it's like having limited sunny-window space.

[BBradbury]

Originally Posted by PaulG

This is my 2nd Walstad in fact, definitely need more plants I know. Put some L. Repens and H.Polysperma in behind the wood, only tiny cuttings so far but they always grow super fast for me. Other than that the only thing that's changed is some massive duckweed growth, it's close to covering 2/3 of the tank now.

I know, slow progress!

Not sure about adding pothos, may add some emersed plants once it develops a little. It's a north facing window so maybe I'll even wait until the summer so they can benefit from the natural light.

Hello Paul...

If you want to consider emersed plants, Pothos is average at best. Chinese Evergreen will filter the water much better, but the root ball will need to be aerated to ensure the roots get the nutrients from the water, so the plants grows and keeps the water pure for any fish you may want to add. Attached is a pic of one of my no water change tanks. I do have to replace the water lost to evaportation.

Good luck and above all, have fun.

B

[gabysapha]

Actually, I'm going to do a 10g no tech with WCMMs. Your tank got me inspired.

[GMYukonon24s]

Any updates?

[PaulG]

The bulb blew if that counts!

Will get a replacement tomorrow and also going to add another desk lamp to cover the right side, there's just no growth that end.

[drewsuf82]

This thread will be great, I look forward to following it

[PaulG]

Ok so I have an idea. Instead of emersed plants in planters how about some Echinodorus radicans in the substrate and allowed to grow right up through the surface? Tank is 15 inch deep and they can supposedly hit 30inch or so. Will this species be able to tolerate around 17c? That's the lowest temp I've recorded in this tank.

[PaulG]

Thinking of just keeping a single male paradise fish, seems perfect for my set up but one problem, the open top would be an issue. Would dropping the water level 2 inches be ok?

http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species...s-opercularis/

[QQQUUUUAADDD]

I would think a paradise would prefer a higher temperature.

[PaulG]

Originally Posted by QQQUUUUAADDD

I would think a paradise would prefer a higher temperature.

Above link suggests they'll be fine?

[QQQUUUUAADDD]

I guess I'm wrong then. It would be a great addition.

[ony]

A paradise fish would be great in there and they have huge personalities. They do jump and quite high, I often hear a splash when one gets startled so definitely lower the water level a few inches if you can't cover the tank it any way. If you could get some sort of mesh to act as an anti jump barrier it would be a good idea.

[gabysapha]

Originally Posted by ony

A paradise fish would be great in there and they have huge personalities. They do jump and quite high, I often hear a splash when one gets startled so definitely lower the water level a few inches if you can't cover the tank it any way. If you could get some sort of mesh to act as an anti jump barrier it would be a good idea.

I second that. They truly are jumpers. I see no sense in keeping fish I worry will go on suicide missions.

Mine disappeared one day. I found her a few days later when my pet rabbit found him under the sofa!

Will adding a top complicate your plans for your tank?

[JoeGREEEN]

you said unheated....

I would go with a durable school fish that prefers cooler temps like:

White Cloud Mountain Minnow - Tanichthys alboneubes they would look great in your tank.

or like said before, you could try local minnows.

keep us posted