Axolotls tank without filter.

Hello.

I haven't mechanical filter in my tank, only plants. Started in January 2014 with one monster, there are now three, one male and two females.

My tank measure 107*35*45(cm) or 42*13*17(inch). I'm looking for bigger

It's almost self sustaining ecosystem. I don't change water but completed evaporation with rain water or tap water. I'm checking parameters when I introduce a new axolotl, I see growing algae or limestone trace on the glass.

Light is compact fluorescent bulb 20w, 6500°k (daylight), Color Rendering Index: 99. I have DIY reflector cardboard

Axolotls are not the only animals in my tank. There are Neocaridina Shrimps, Gammarus, Asellus, can Axolotls eat and Hydra, Daphnia, Clyclops and Ostracods. I feed with Guppies, mosquito fish, worms, dragonfly larvae.

Aquatics plants are Vallisneria, Ceratophyllum, Elodea, Lilaeopsis and Myriophyllum.
Terrestrial plant are Phillodendron, Dracaena spathiphyllum, Tradescantia.


My tank:


Xochi:



Axo (albino) and Oxah (wild)



On video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTyJy8Pgd9Y&feature=youtu.be

If you speak french, you can follow my thread on french axolotl forum here:

Connexion


Sorry for my bad english, i'm learning........ better late than never

The proof, as I think the French say, is in the pudding, and you certainly have some happy and healthy-looking axolotls. I also did the no-filter thing successfully in a previous planted tank, but am setting up a new tank and this time have decided on two air-pump-driven sponge filters in a 190-litre tank (three-foot long). It just seems safer. I was always concerned about plants dying or yellowing, and although I am still a big fan of a planted tank, I do think a basic sponge filter is a good precaution. Not sure whether your tank would be lacking minerals from the lack of top-ups (rainwater doesn't provide minerals I believe), and if your plants began dying or yellowing, the lack of water changes could lead to rising nitrate levels, so with your set-up, I would suggest at least occasional (weekly or fortnightly) water changes of 10% to 15% with dechlorinated tap water.

In France we said : "On juge l'arbre à ses fruits." (Tree is judged by its fruits)

Sweetie said:

I was always concerned about plants dying or yellowing,

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I just look if all is ok, I must keep a balance between animal and plants. On may 2014 I had a deficient plant (Anthurium) because No3 was 0. There was too much plants, but today, all is ok (at least for now )

rainwater doesn't provide minerals I believe,

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Exactly. When GH it's low I use dechlorinated tap water (it's too hard here), when it's high, I use rainwater. That's why I look the glass.

Trams said:

In France we said : "On juge l'arbre à ses fruits." (Tree is judged by its fruits)

Click to expand...

Thank you for that. I learn something new every day!

Trams said:

When GH it's low I use dechlorinated tap water (it's too hard here), when it's high, I use rainwater. That's why I look the glass.

Click to expand...

It sounds as though you're keeping tabs on nitrates, water hardness etc, and as I said in an earlier post, your lotl certainly looks happy and healthy, so you must be doing something right.

Meanwhile, and completely off topic, I am so jealous - will be sitting up late at night here in cold, cold Melbourne, Australia, watching the cyclists traverse your beautiful mountains and countryside in Le Tour from 4 July, having caught up on a bit of sleep since the Giro, though not much, with the Dauphine just completed and the Tour of Switzerland currently on. (Yes, I truly love my cycling.)

Of course, to get back on track, the lotls are at their liveliest around 2am, so catching them engaged in some of their most bizarre activities is a bonus of my addiction to late-night sport on TV.

Without drugs would arrive in September at avenue des Champs-Elysées but shhh it's a secret.

If you want we can exchange our house on July I fed yours animals you mine. I'm sorry but I did not bike, take yours

I haven't TV. Personally, I prefer watch only my tanks it's safe for my mental security. TV today make......:crazy: ^^

That is one awesome tank, seems like you have managed to create a very natural environment for your beautiful axolotls... good work. I am not sure I would have the patience lol

Thank you very much.

All fishkeeper have a little patience, yours may be hidden
Remember that you waited three or four weeks for cycling your tank. It is long....for all ^^

Your tank is beautiful! So natural. What is the grass like plant in the bottom may I ask? I have sand substrate and still need to add plants but am unsure of what to get. I would love something like that in mine to make it appear less barren.