outdoor experiment

[qwe123]

Set up a dirted aquarium on my front porch as an experiment. No filter, heater, or artificial lighting. Plexiglass top so nothing can get in or out.
Plants: java fern, hydrocotyle, wisteria, crypt (not sure what kind), anubias nana (might be dead, we'll see if it grows), dwarf water lettuce, and a pothos




Going to be home to these guys, found in friend's pool:

 

[ROYWS3]

this is going to be interesting to follow.

Good luck

 

[ManEatingShrimp]

watch out for a huge algae bloom. I set up a 10 gallon outside and even with only 2 hours of somewhat direct sun in the morning the nutrients from the dirt allowed algae to completely cover and choke out all the plants and moss I had in there in less than a week.

After that initial algae phase the plants start growing very well. Also those beetles sting or bite so be careful when you're sticking your hand in there.

 

[SubRosa]

watch out for a huge algae bloom. I set up a 10 gallon outside and even with only 2 hours of somewhat direct sun in the morning the nutrients from the dirt allowed algae to completely cover and choke out all the plants and moss I had in there in less than a week.

After that initial algae phase the plants start growing very well. Also those beetles sting or bite so be careful when you're sticking your hand in there.

What he said.

 

[qwe123]

Thanks, I read all about the giant water bugs, so I know they bite, but they should be rather fun to watch hunt. Part of this experiment is actually in hopes of getting some algae, I have some rocks in there that, once covered, I was going to give my plecos.
Plus either way, this set up didn't cost me anything... all stuff I had around the house already, so if the algae is just too much or it fails for any other reason, oh well, lol

 

[authmal]

Part of this experiment is actually in hopes of getting some algae, I have some rocks in there that, once covered, I was going to give my plecos.
Plus either way, this set up didn't cost me anything... all stuff I had around the house already, so if the algae is just too much or it fails for any other reason, oh well, lol

I've thought about doing something like this myself, for this very reason. I just haven't gotten around to it. I don't want to find rocks, because I have no idea what I'll actually end up with around here, and haven't been motivated enough to find some good inert rocks at a LFS for the experiment. Are you going to run a filter?

 

[qwe123]

I might end up putting in a small internal filter just for the water movement if it gets too stagnant, but no plans for a filter atm.
I have more trouble finding things to do with my rocks than finding the rocks themselves lol

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[jasonfishaddict]

I had a 55g a long time ago with plants and no filter. I did daily partial water changes and it was lightly stocked. I only changed it when I got interested in cichlids. I wish you much success and ill be following this thread.


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[qwe123]

Day 10
not much change... the algae that was already on the plants before has grown a bit, seems to be the only difference



The big guy likes to hang out here, couldn't find the little one today... going on vacation tomorrow, gotta get him some feeders for the week

 

[jetajockey]

Not bad. The algae thing may get out of control but being on the porch in relative shade will help a lot. I ran one 40b outside with no filtration and just plants and a few mosquitofish and it worked out fine although the hair algae went out of control after a while. I now have a greenhouse with a recirculating system so I'm intimately familiar with the algae thing.