Tank setup without Filter and Aeration

[Martin1]

Is it possible to breed CRS without water filter system and aeration? Relying on moss and gravel/ soil (for CRS) and weekly water change, is it good enough?

[Drakarian]

What will be the temperature of the set up? I am not an expert, but I am an expert at not getting them to breed/ survive. So I can safely tell you that it takes a lot of work to ensure they survive at room temperature without a chiller, least to say a water filter system or at least aeration. Hope this helps ^^ From what I've read, it does not seem that people believe they can be kept at anything above 26 degrees for a long period of time, and to do so without filter/aeration would be difficult. However, personally I believe that addressing the temperature is sufficient if you are careful, but I haven't been able to try.

[Martin1]

Thank you Drakarian. I am keeping them at temperature 26-27 degrees and doing weekly water changes about 30%. So far, they are surviving ok. I know of someone who is successful in breeding them (Grade A crs) without filter and aeration with an all natural tank with just Java moss, shrimp soil and weekly water changes of about 10%. Temperature about 26% and no pH or gH measurements. Just curious to know if this is just coincidence or it can really work without filter system, chiller and aeration?

[Drakarian]

Haha you'd have to ask the experts about that then. But the whole point of those are to maintain temperature, bring down bacterial infections, nitrogenous waste poisoning and increase the amount of oxygen in the water. Therefore if you could do all those without using them, there's no reason it can't work ^^

[Martin1]

Yeah, I guessed that's the challenge ie. to achieve all that without filter systems and aeration... probably with some water condtioners and water changes.

[Drakarian]

but get your hands on some really good plants. they must be to be able to help. But that said, I haven't been able to do so myself.

[Martin1]

Yup, I am on a constant look out for plants or moss to put into the tank. I guessed it is ok to overstock the tank with plants a little...

[imke_j]

In my experience, you can breed shrimp in tanks without tech equipment - however, they should have been running for a long time and must be heavily planted. The plants will keep the nitrification running, and the water clean. However, you won't have success with moss only, you need a real underwater jungle.

The tanks I have seen all were in Germany, - I guess your water might be too warm for CR without a chiller. Why don't start with neocaridina, like Taiwan Fire Red or so?

[Martin1]

Thank you imke_j. Appreciate the advice.

[BiNgO]

if you have stable planted tank maybe its possible i think. just check the parameters and temperatures. not an expert but a wide reader only.