Here is an example of
aquarium without filter.
No Filter means that this aquarium
does not have any man-made filters.
Wait, are there any other,
no man-made filters in this aquarium?
Yes. Sure. There are natural filters
in every and all aquariums,
including this one.
Natural filters come in the form of different,
yet well known names - plants, algae,
bacteria, microorganisms and such.
We do not call them filters,
but that is what they are!
They filter water for a living.
In fact, they do much more than that,
making them more efficient
than any man-made filters.
Microscopic bacteria and algae are
fundamental in our environment and
can be found in any and all living aquariums,
including aquariums with man-made filters.
Here you can see many plants growing.
And here are some green dots on the walls -
it's common green algae.
So again, next time you hear anyone saying
that an aquarium does not have a filter,
do not take it literally -
they only mean no man-made filters.
No Ferts in an aquarium.
Fertilizers are substances
added to increase the fertility of plants.
Fish poop and all other waste produced by
all living organisms, including plants
themselves, are fertilizers.
Any and all fish food,
commercial or homemade,
added into aquariums eventually
becomes fertilizers,
whether fish eat it or not.
So, the next time you hear
No Fertilizers in an aquarium -
do not take it literally!
Feed your fish for the fish’s sake :)
It serves your plants as well.
NO CO2
It means no CO2 injections
in an aquarium that some people do
to supposedly boost the growth of plants.
Plants, algae, and some other microorganisms
need CO2 for photosynthesis.
They release Oxygen through this process
during the daytime.
Here you see oxygen bubbles
on a Marimo ball.
All living organisms consume Oxygen
and produce CO2 as result of breathing.
Snails, fish and ... plants themselves
consume Oxygen and produce CO2.
The great thing is that plants produce
more Oxygen in the daytime
than they consume in the nights.
So we all can breath :)
CO2 gets in the water from atmosphere
through air to water surface exchange
and from the breathing of aquatic organisms.
CO2 dissolves in water
about 20 times faster than Oxygen.
The more CO2 is in water,
the less Oxygen is there.
Be mindful about it.
No Water Changes.
It means do not draw (replace) water
from an aquarium - which is generally done
to remove fish waste
to maintain water quality.
Here is an example of an aquarium
where the water was not changed since 2016,
about 4 years as of now.
The waste has been accumulating
on the bottom and turns into fertile soil.
Whether you change (replace) water or not,
you still have to add water to the level
as necessary.
Get a Proper Aquarium.
Many thanks to everyone who suggest
that I get a proper aquarium.
I know you mean well!
Go ask at a pet store for a proper aquarium!
It is the best advice...
for those who don't know what they need.
I build hundreds of aquariums of
different shapes and sizes,
each to fit for a particular project.
A proper aquarium for each project.
You are the one who knows best
what you need.
You have to learn the meaning of what is
proper from your personal experience.
Do Your Research - "Google" it.
This kind suggestion
may be the cause of confusion.
Googling is a synonym for online searching.
Searching through known data.
Researching means systematic
experimentation in order to find new ways,
new data!
So, let's rephrase it.
"Google" it then do your research.
For me it makes more sense to do it
in this order ;)
Googling may help to do research.
It does not substitute it!
So, here we have Proper aquariums
with NO Filters, NO CO2, NO Ferts.
Each of this NO is a step toward
Natural Self-Sustaining aquariums.
All and each of those big NOs are about
Self Sustaining aquariums.
I will share my thoughts and ideas about
self-sustaining aquariums and some other
Big NOs related to it in future videos.