How do you know when a tank is a self contained ecosystem?

[z71silverado98]

Back to the early statement, I believe the better phrase is not 'self-contain' but 'minimal maintenance' system, relatively of course. Another related term is 'low cost' but it is already out of topic.
BTW, I pity that paperweight cherry shrimp.... for the sake of temporary 'self-contain' system.

is it this ecosphere i want one.

why do you pity the shrimp? its no different than any fish in your aquarium 2yrs is a long time for a shrimp to be temporary. and its safe from us

"You even wonder if it's cruel to put them in this crystal prison.


But you reassure yourself that at least here they are safe from whales and oil slicks and cocktail sauce"

 

[spinjector]

You have a balanced ecosystem when you add no food, no CO2, no plant ferts, and your plant mass and fish mass remains stable over long periods. If you are adding anything, or removing anything, it is not a balanced system.

This reminds me of those Nasa Ecosystem spheres they sell at the science store at the mall. You know what I mean? They are glass spheres about 6" in diameter, completely sealed, and they have a few little red shrimp in them, and some small sprigs of plants. You're supposed to be able to keep them alive for years if they are kept in a well-lit spot with consistent temperature.

 

[Kissofthegorami]

is it this ecosphere i want one.

why do you pity the shrimp? its no different than any fish in your aquarium 2yrs is a long time for a shrimp to be temporary. and its safe from us

"You even wonder if it's cruel to put them in this crystal prison.


But you reassure yourself that at least here they are safe from whales and oil slicks and cocktail sauce"

I actually didn't say that I pitied the shrimp. I just mentioned that a self contained system with no water changes ever was completely possible. But now that u mention it, I would prefer to see the shrimp in a large colony in a planted tank and places to hide. I don't think that anyone is eating cherry shrimpo with cocktail sauce.

 

[RTR]

LOL! My niece gave me one of those Ecospheres (?) some time back. It is still going okay, on the second generation of shrimp, but not as many as the original stock. It will be 4 years at Christmas. But it took me several months to get the light right for it.

 

[z71silverado98]

I actually didn't say that I pitied the shrimp. I just mentioned that a self contained system with no water changes ever was completely possible. But now that u mention it, I would prefer to see the shrimp in a large colony in a planted tank and places to hide. I don't think that anyone is eating cherry shrimpo with cocktail sauce.

sorry Kiss, i meant to quote the post below yours, ive edited that however.