Nature's Balance: How And Why Aquarium Filters Aren't Always Necessary

[@AQUAPROS]

How much nitrate you rocking? 🤓Get Some Test Strips!!! ► geni.us/gtyj4k 🐟🦐LEGIT. Fish Food ► geni.us/LEGITFishFood

[@CLifemusic]

How do you clean the substrate if it's sand? How do you get the detritus out without sucking up the sand?

[@whatever833]

Someone on the coop forums did a little experiment and found that lucky bamboo pulls more nitrate than pothos. It was very interesting. I myself played around with this and ended up needing to remove some of the lucky bamboo because my other plants were suffering and I just couldn't keep decent nitrate levels so I think they do indeed soak up nitrates.

[@AQUAPROS]

Thats wild, maybe i need to test that out!

[@BTQ410]

I have a way over stocked 40 gallon community tank. It is heavily planted javelin fern, a some Lilly’s and another plant whose name escapes me along with floating frog bit. It has pothos, a peace lily and Chinese evergreen on the tank. It is also over filtered with allot of mechanical and bio filtration. Before I did this my nitrates were in the high okay range. Now I have no nitrates, no nitrites, no ammonia. Water is beautiful and crystal clear. The combination of the three types of plants and a monster filter did the trick. I checked my canister after 2 months running and it was clean. Before I put the big canister on I was changing water once a week and cleaning my HOB once a week. I am watching this tank closely to see how long the filter holds up before it needs cleaning and I test once a week to see if I need to do water changes. I keep an eye on my fish too. It has been my project tank for a while. This tank has been up and running for almost 10 years and my Cory’s and plecos have been in the tank since it was setup. I also have mutt guppies in the tank which is why it stays overstocked, and I recently added some American flagfish which I love. They were a great addition to my cleanup crew as they devour all types of algae including Blackbeard algae.

[@katrinabond7974]

I am new to the hobby and started right off with planted, low-no filter tanks and I had to move them two weeks ago. I was so worried but to me everyone/thing is recovering. I am doing pretty much what you are saying here and this video just kinda gave me a pat on the back so thank you!! I am really enjoying trying to use less/no synthetic products in my tanks. Thank you for this it was fun to watch and I learned a lot!

[@AQUAPROS]

Thats awesome! Thanks for lettin me know, thats why i do it :)

[@insanebmxthomas]

thanks to channels like yours i managed to somehow get a large vase to work for guppy fry with basically no water changes. Only added a small piece of Mopani wood (wood lowers the ph is all i know) and having a huge thick carpet of duckweed on the surface appears to help with all the other factors. So the fish have nice, stable, and a bit tan water. A tank doesn't need much to be self-sustained but fishkeeping itself is a very complex thing where lots can go wrong.

[@insanebmxthomas]

forgot to add, it worked so well (+2mo without water changes, still tested clean) that i transfered my mom's fry to an identical vase, with lots of duckweed, a piece of wood again, and this one got a bit of sand on the bottom. My mom can't take care of them so i'm just happy i got those little guys out of that cloudy bowl. They'll be fine for much longer now, so maintenance is for me, and now it's somewhat bearable!

[@dimitrijekrstic7567]

Nice job. Wood can be bad too, but only in cases of low KH, where it can change the pH too drastically for some fish.

[@shesellsfish]

Aquariums throw surprises at ya no matter how experienced ya are or how long ya been keeping fish. It's always interesting to see something you've never experienced before. Test strips are the one staple supply nobody should be without. 👍❤️👍

[@AQUAPROS]

Cheers to that Shelby!🤙🤙🤙

[@bellecraig]

That's a funny looking dog (9:44).

[@kristenrabeler8727]

That was a dog???

[@NUXLOO505]

I just saw a rabbit running around on the floor. Ahhh. great video

[@MDFishTanks]

Really nice presentation style mike. 👍

[@AQUAPROS]

Thanks bae, you watched at 34 min right? 🤪

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

I’m a no filter guy. Life’s better and easier for the most part. 1st reason is what did it for me.

[@AQUAPROS]

whats your biggest no filter tank???

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

@@AQUAPROS 20 long unless you count the 50 gallon galvanized tub outside with guppies. But actually the secret, I honestly believe coquina rock. I got a 60 cube that I’m about to put up with no filters.

[@JiyuuNK]

A lake. Does it count? 🤔

[@dimitrijekrstic7567]

​@@JiyuuNKyup

[@user-ohmy]

I got into undergravel filters and I really enjoy it. I have it on my 75

[@AQUAPROS]

nice, its important to like whatever you decide to do for "filtration" The longer I do this, the more I realize there isnt a right or wrong way to do most things :)

[@user-ohmy]

@AQUAPROS there can be wrong ways haha. Like those cartridge filters the package says you need to replace them every 3 months and keep buying them which is just terrible

[@AQUAPROS]

@@user-ohmy well, ya, i wasnt thinking about scams like that hahaha

[@sharleanebailey2795]

Love it! It made me go do test strips on my tanks! No nitrates, just needed a water top off, and I cleaned sponge filters.

[@AQUAPROS]

ahhhhh, just a good ol' top off, thats the best! Cheers!

[@Betongbols]

Mike: What is that like 8 inches? Actually it's only 3. Weird. Me: *suspicious* 😂😂😂

[@adrian4314]

I was looking for this comment😂

[@BTQ410]

When I do water change on my shrimp or guppy tank and it is just a straight water change, I put a prefilter sponge on the end. That way I don’t have anyone riding the roller coaster. I also use a sponge when adding water and it diffuses the water wonderfully.

[@steve852011]

I let the fish store test my water, if my wife ever found out how easy and cheap it is to test your own water my supply of new fish would be pretty much cut off....

[@GrizzlyDave85]

I feel bad for you. Anyone in your life that doesn’t support your hobbies isn’t someone to usually keep around

[@kayakcarol]

Great video Mike! I have been a no filter girl for 20+ years, largest no filter is a 125gal. It does have two air stones. I don't do any water changes, just top off. Low bioload, heavily planted...easiest tank in the world! I also have two macroalgae salt water tanks, also no filter, sump or skimmer, lots of macros, low bioload, 20% water change a week. I also have two outdoor, year around ponds, no filters and no air stones. I'm also an aquarium co-op test strip user, love them! Easygreen also👍

[@ZaneofAustin]

30:12 that's basically what a pothos does if it's a baby pothos then no it's gonna take some time. but i have GIANT pothos at my house, like they send off tons of leaves and those leaves need nitrates, tbh the other minerals in my tank become a bottleneck before the pothos can use all the nitrates. however they still reduce the nitrates by a substantial amount. however they can also rot, leading to an increase in nitrates. so i've found the best practice is to have a smaller pothos in multiple containers, letting them get large is fine but they become a bit of a pain to move around and they'll probably break once they get really long, also they drop leaves sometimes so you gotta clean those up too (or they fall into the tank and increase nitrates) just do what makes sense, i love pothos, i noticed the fish love to hide in the root systems, and if you can get the pothos to root (into the substrate of the tank, not just the filter) then that also has an exponential boost to production. I put pothos in all of my tanks, let it root down and give it tons of light (or use it to block out light if you have an algae problem) use the brain cells i believe in yall, I'm making a filterless aquarium in my grow tent (lit 24/7 with hp grow light) im going to fill the container with pothos and throw an endler in there to see if i can filter a tank entirely with pothos (and not let the nitrates get out of hand, although tbf fish can tolerate really high nitrates and the higher the nitrates the better the pothos will grow)

[@kellygordon103]

Liquid test are undoubtedly better and more accurate that test strips. For you next video maybe you should do some back to back testing with multiple brands.

[@lakeshiamills1454]

I had a filter on my 75 clog up and stop flowing for probably a week or two before I even noticed it. The tank isn't necessarily heavily planted but most of the fish are still small so the bioload relative to the plants makes it work I guess. I'm considering taking the filter off completely. Only thing in that tank currently is an air stone on full blast for circulation.

[@AQUAPROS]

Yaaaaa i feel ya on that, having some circulation at least def seems like a good idea ;)

[@lakeshiamills1454]

​@@AQUAPROSfor sure! I'm in the process of switching filters since the 75 is going to get reset anyway soon

[@nathanhoveyaquatics]

Sorry 4 the long comment... I set up my 1st no filter but failed. I added the smallest sponge I had(it's small small) The tank is 5.5 gallons with a 3 or 4 inch sand/pea gravel mix substrate fully planted with a few cpd's. Had a die off so moved them into the cube n they r doing good so far. Oh n some Ramshorns. Thinking of removing the sponge n trying again. I would love no filters on all my tanks as I have 9 in my bedroom and it gets warm during the day especially being in Southwest Florida.

[@radicallamp6762]

I have HUGE pothos & other plants growing up a lattice out of my guppy aquarium. I highly recommend you do this! I just got my first fenestrated pothos leaf. I am stoked! Do it! Do it! Do it!

[@AQUAPROS]

Thats awesome!

[@guppyshack]

Hey Mike, watched this video and I noticed your test strip was a light violet for GH which isn't on the chart. I get the same on my water. Do you notice any issues with neocaridina and java moss? I can't grow moss well and have a low survival rate on shrimplets. My strip readings are near identical with yours. Thanks.....Mike

[@andystokes8702]

Liquid tests are far more accurate than test strips. How do I know this? - Well, everybody on KZbin says so. I've always wondered whether this is in fact true or is everybody just parroting what they have been told for years by other people who are also just saying the same thing with no idea whether it's actually true. I've seen a KZbin fish channel do a side-by-side comparison between tests strips and a liquid test and when the results differed confidently pronounced that the test strip was inaccurate - like, how do you know it was not the liquid test that was inaccurate, maybe they are both inaccurate?

[@Gilsfishroom]

I compared several liquid tests and test strips. The results were all different.

[@kurtbrutting5118]

I am loving your videos! Awesome content, keep up the amazing work!

[@AQUAPROS]

Yo! Thanks Kurt, your food will ship out tomorrow, thanks for the support!

[@evilone543]

I don’t have any no filter tanks. I even put a nano sponge filter on the 2g Wabi Kusa. I do have a couple tanks that don’t need water changes often though.

[@usmc187]

Great video and glad to see you posting! You have great knowledge!

[@AQUAPROS]

Thanks Nick, appreciate you dawg!

[@Staggo_L]

An info packed video. Thank you. 😏

[@vb2377]

I like doing water changes because i like to be active in my hobby. To each their own though. Different styles for different people.

[@AQUAPROS]

I feel that! cheers😎

[@vb2377]

​@@AQUAPROSSo water changes is still easier than none in most cases. Not to mention other chemicals we cannot measure.

[@davidm6395]

cool video. what's your ammonia level?

[@AQUAPROS]

0!

[@jaybee1111]

I believe you put some inaccurate and dangerous informarion our there on the effect of nitrite. Plus when it is present in an aquarium the balance is off, for beginners this is when to worry and start doing water changes and regulars intervals to keep it low and wait for the cycle to pick back up...

[@iainaquariumagic]

Very impressed 👏

[@footagemissing]

Awesome video, really appreciated it, thank you.

[@AQUAPROS]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stephenhulme90]

I think the test strips can be better. One of my tanks has read 0 on everything for 2 years so i got lazy with liquid tests. Every now and then put strip in and caught a random spike of nitrates.

[@AQUAPROS]

Yup, thats the way to go!

[@GoldXy]

I have 15 gal no filter planted tank and its perfectly running for 2 years I have guppies and german blue ram on it..

[@xillerin]

What are the floating plants that cover the top of most of your tanks called?

[@AQUAPROS]

Salvinia minima

[@kylequinn1963]

I don't really think it's "impossible to know", I've been following the channel Father Fish and he seems to know. In the guppy mansion tank, you have deep substrate, but it isn't JUST deep, it's layered up with what looks like dirt under the sand, creating an anaerobic area that REMOVES nitrates from the tank itself. The other tanks that don't have this specific condition have very little way to remove the nitrates, aquarium plants do use nitrates, but they'll actually use Ammonia first, meaning they're basically skipping out on the nitrates.

[@dimitrijekrstic7567]

Yea "he seems" to know. To you. Recently he himself killed a lot of fish too. Where's your god now?

[@OrangeLimeS]

@@dimitrijekrstic7567 Uh when?

[@jeffereyhopkins750]

My one 6.5 gallon guppy tank has no filter and to be honest it is doing better than other tanks that have filters. The fish are as healthy if not more healthy than the filtered tank. Just an air bubbler in there.

[@ESF19791111]

VERY INTERESTING :) THANK YOU FOR THE EFORT :) THANK YOU FOR SHARING :) THANK YOU FROM ISRAEL :)

[@corydora2894]

those are some amazing guppies!

[@AQUAPROS]

Thanks! I know right? ;))))

[@AquariumCoop]

First

[@AQUAPROS]

🤯😄

[@SoberBangBangVeteran]

1:49 You won’t take it off 😂😂😂❤

[@AQUAPROS]

i mean... prolly not... :)

[@Pembalap]

Quite a surprise how your betta tank's nitrate is high. It seems very little bioload. I am sure you didn't over feed. Do you have any explanation on this?

[@JiyuuNK]

Blame the test strip 🙄

[@BaculVania]

Great vid. Thanks.

[@AQUAPROS]

Glad you liked it!

[@zoelawrence568]

A 50% water change plus another 50% water change is a 75% water change, not a 100%. When you remove the second lot, its half original water and half fresh water, so you're only removing an additional 25%

[@reginaphalanges7331]

Great video! Re: plants and nitrates.. I have a 90 gal discus tank, which I had planted with tons of Val, my nitrates were always pretty high. After I removed the plants and 90% of the bladder snails that lived on them, the nitrates are consistently under 10 ppm. Of course, it's a filtered tank, but my work load actually went down after removing the plants! I believe it is because the snails were creating so much waste. Less plants = less food for the snails= less nitrates.. I'm guessing? Also, the Co-op test strips are a staple! I always test my water in all my tanks before doing a W/C. Sometimes, it just isn't necessary! Love your channel!❤

[@AQUAPROS]

interesting, maybe the val had some die off? or ya if it was massive snail city in there, that might have contributed??? Something I learned in the last couple years (kinda around the time when I started LEGIT fish food): fish waste (and im guessing snail waste too) as long as its digested well, shouldn't have very much Nitrogen left in it... But the scale of your snail problem could negate that I guess ;)

[@sallopez5684]

I’m no scientist but I e always read anywhere , even in books that nitrite is the deadlier then nitrate or ammonia as the lethality of ammonia also reduces with the lowering of ph and increases in high ph .

[@sallopez5684]

Also doesn’t nitrite represent and incomplete cycle in a tank ?

[@AQUAPROS]

yes, nitrite is a sign that nitrification is not complete/unbalanced... it should balance out eventually though

[@AQUAPROS]

ya, a little ammonia in a pH6.5 tank is ndb, (what concentration would still cause harm? not sure..) Same ammonia conc. in a pH 8 tank, prolly real bad...

[@Boja23]

Why can't a test strip include ammonia? We can put a man on the moon, but no ammonia test strip? As for the aquarium coop test strips, I was getting some false super high nitrate readings and false nitrite readings when compared to the API test kit readings. That's not cool. I would say use all these test strips for a general (possibly false) understanding, not a precise one. In other words, compare any out-of-range reading on a test strip to a more accurate test.

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

"Deep substrate" 11:00 lol

[@animablo]

Do I need to feed my mollies...? Because I found a lot of microfauna in the aquarium

[@justinbrown2199]

I have a 55 gallon with a 40 gallon filter that barely works. It could definitely run no filter

[@UK88272]

I would always question the accuracy of a test strip, on getting an indication of high nitrate I would definitely use a more accurate test like a liquid kit,

[@AlaniJarvis-t9m]

You need shrimp in your tank, it would complete your ecosystem.

[@hamzaimthiyaz2257]

You look and talk like a doctor ❤

[@tiffanyclark-grove1989]

i dont have a filter but I vacuum every 3-4days and I have an airstone

[@animablo]

I watched it using Indonesian subtitles, I think I would understand better if you explained it

[@jygogaming3550]

U dont really need a filter in a tank. All you need is a surface skimmer with polishing floss

[@AQUAPROS]

ya totally true for a lot of tanks, somehow the part where I talked about skimmers and mechanical filtration got left out... prolly cause this one was already 30 min long... lol

[@mrchumly720]

Love your stuff but this was a hard video to stick with, kind of all over the place.

[@catmellor5930]

Your room is hooman tank. 😃

[@Hopeflowz]

Twin cities!

[@Smegun]

2x 50% water change is 75% in total. Not comparable with a 100% change ;)

[@AQUAPROS]

I took math 111 3 times, dont tell anyone....

[@tr0_0rt]

I see what you did there 10:33

[@-AndrewR]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@AQUAPROS]

my dudeeeee 😎

[@jrdesantiago7148]

Try father fish

[@onehitterquitter2130]

All the cichlid owners want to know how to do a no filter?

[@AQUAPROS]

yaaa that might be tough, unless your got pea soup for water ;)

[@onehitterquitter2130]

@AQUAPROS no pea soup but I do have pea puffers 😁

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

20:00 Your plants require nutrients.

[@Anthony69420]

Nahhh dude you wont ever get real nitrate eaters unless you have a plenum that has an anoxic condition

[@AQUAPROS]

imma do the experiment, no plants just 9 inches of sand 😉

[@theHappiSingh]

dude. you did 2 50% waters changes..thats not 100%..lol. Good video though.

[@marcusp6501]

What's your gamer tag?

[@pollyanamunoz4640]

What did we learn? Nothing. Get your act together.

[@CocoVanderbilt-wx5ij]

“All 3 of the nitrogen species” this guy has no clue. Why is there any nitrite in his tanks at all? Those Aquarium Co-op strips are notoriously bad at testing too, but he’s pushing them for his buddy. It’s all about the cash for these influencers.

[@apatheticsquid5658]

Are you okay buddy

[@jojobro123]

Bro let people do what they want

[@wheelbite9]

Strips aren't perfect, but they give you a pretty good idea of where you're at.

[@dimitrijekrstic7567]

Cause he didn't change water in a long time lol? Wtf are you asking here? Are you new here

[@pandora881]

Nitrate, nitrite, ammonia.

[@jayflocka7343]

aquariums are kool, make my comment the top 👍🏽😭

[@ragingcalmness7815]

Man i m jealous, how do you keep all those plants? I have green algae growing on the dying leaves of my floating plants AND all over the roots of the floating plants. I tried hydrogen peroxide and it also damaged my floating plants, they seem more fragile. I only use an 11W LED on a 5 gallon for 10 hours which is absolutely nothing for floating plants. Any1 has a pro tip? 😅🥲🤪