Adopted no tech shallow

[Iain Sutherland]

Hey folks, a local ukaps member was leaving the area and wanted to rehome a shallow 60 and I felt just about ready for a second tank.

All the better is the fact this tank turned out to be a self sustaining, no tech scarlet badis breeding house.

I'm totally fascinated by the tank, I have no idea how it's previous owner managed to make this work as it receives no water changes, no ferts, no filter and no feeding. It has a thriving population of copepods, seed shrimp, scuds, bladder and blue rams horn snails; a little ecosystem all working together to feed the scarlet badis ( 2 now named cheese and crackers by my daughter?) Apparently it previously had over 20 baby badis that were given away last year.

After getting it home I checked the tds and it was 578! It's cambridge tap water and topped up with cambridge tap (370 tds)! The tank had been left to get a little wild so gave it a minor trim and a tiny water change, careful not to upset what had been magically conjured up by the previous owner.

I think a fun new journey is beginning..

 

[FrozenShivers]

That’s a nice looking shallow! Is the plan to change things up or maintain? Congrats on your new tank either way!

 

[John.D]

That’s a really cool little tank to be self sustaining. Looks really nice too.
I hope it keeps going like this for you

 

[Connswater]

I have no idea how it's previous owner managed to make this work as it receives no water changes, no ferts, no filter

You might, in time, I've never had one of these shallow tanks but that may be part of the 'magic'. Keep us posted.

 

[Iain Sutherland]

That’s a nice looking shallow! Is the plan to change things up or maintain? Congrats on your new tank either way!

I'll run it as it is, something I havent tried before and all the various bugs are fascinating to watch in themselves.

You might, in time, I've never had one of these shallow tanks but that may be part of the 'magic'. Keep us posted.

I suspect, much like my shrimp tank, the emergent growth plays a huge role in the stability of the system. I was luck enough, a long time ago, to visit London zoo with @taistrietman who was working in the Aquarium and all the huge systems had jungles all around the filter house doing their bit to maintain water quality, I mean giant monstera, colocasia, pothos etc with roots across multiple tanks.

This little shallow has two monstera, a large peace lily and several emergent anubias and would suggest they do a lot of the heavy lifting.
I have no explanation on maintaining without ferts though, at 4 years old, the soil must be depleted 🤔

 

[Connswater]

giant monstera, colocasia, pothos etc with roots across multiple tanks

Great response, really interesting photographs. Thanks.

 

[Iain Sutherland]

Explosion of what I think are copepods since yesterday.

Cheese has been out and about capitalising on the abundance of snacks.

 

[wearsbunnyslippers]

Hey folks, a local ukaps member was leaving the area and wanted to rehome a shallow 60 and I felt just about ready for a second tank.

how could you say no, beautiful little setup, congrats!