Project Low Tech.

Just picked up glass for a new build, which will be added to an existing tank and thought I'd document the progress from the start. The plan is to have no filtration at all. Water changes will be minimal to start with, down to zero after a month, or whenever there is strong plant growth that can handle nutrient export. Just a disclaimer to any newcomers to the hobby... This is definitely not something I would recommend until you have enough experience with plants and establishing community tanks.

Anyone that has tried this, please chip in with things that one should be wary of. I'm planning on using a substrate of 4cm potting soil, capped with 2cm of river sand in a 120cm x 45cm x32cm high tank. It's low, so that plants can easily grow emmersed. I may decorate with one or two small pieces of wood, but no rocks, as there should be good exchange between the soil and water. Oxygenation will occur from water circulating between this tank and a 150 liter tank situated above it.

hardware for both tanks will consist of:
1 x 2000l/hr pump
2x 150w heaters set to 22C
12x 5W LED downlights

Will post pics later... Any advice or ideas would be appreciated.

 

The new 4 ft tank will sit where the bottom 2ft tank is now. Water will be pumped up to one end of the long tank on top and drain out of the other, back into the new tank.


The base braces glued into place. Sides follow when base is dry.

 

Thanks Bucherman. I enjoy experimental builds.. Keeps me interested

 

Title confuses me, no tech? There seems to be a lot of tech and zero maintenance.

 

You're right... The title isn't accurate. It's the first thing that popped into my head. My thinking was that this project was the next step below low tech... I'll start a new thread.

 

Why can't the original poster change the title of a thread? Is something that's frustrated me before..

 

Agreed @RoGe.

 

O Ok, I also struggle to name threads properly

 

But you're right Gerhard, this title really is missleading.

 

Sounds like a very interesting project @Broder

 

It will be interesting to see how no water changes or filtration effects the water chemistry. I'll be able to monitor it quite well, as the top tank has been running for over a year with normal filtration and water changes, so any changes will be immediately visible.

 

Tell me what kind of plants are you going to. Have in the bottom tank ?

 

Haha... I'm terrible with plant names, but there will be plants like Amazon swords, bacopa, hygrophyllia etc that can grow emmersed. I want a lot of emmersed plants, that's why the tank is only 32cm high. Basically any fast growing plants will be best for nutrient export, so that's how I'll start out.

 

Good choice of plants they are pretty easy growers and not that fussy about conditions plus you are going to use potting soil I swear by the stuff since I started using I have never looked at anything else so that will help your plants alot

 

That's the truth! I've used pfp in most of my tanks. I tried some potting soil in this 2ft...

And the growth has been radical. The hc in front is only about 3 weeks old. No fertilizer or dosing at all.

 

Jip same here I don't put root tabs or anything with it just fish waste C02 and lighting my cobra grass loves it @Broder

 

I'm a bit confused....
Are you removing filtration in the top tank and then letting the bottom tank basically do it?

 

That's right. Removing filtration from the top tank when the system has stabilized. The plants in both tanks, but mainly the bottom will aid filtration. There will of course be bacterial filtration in the substrate etc, but no formal media with water passing through in either of the tanks.

 

All glued together. Tomorrow I'll do the sealing beads. I'm sure the pros do it all in one, but without practice it's better to do it in two stages. Handy tip: Avoid drinking wine before you do this... I forgot...