Hitchhikers and Macro only tank

[tarmer]

Not sure where to post this - and not even sure it is original thought but wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts or experiences on this.

I have a 5 gallon cube ( so tall not long) and wanted to get it back up and running…. But because of size I had an idea for this tank

I am looking at either TBS or GLR rock and sand to get it going - and whatever “lifeforms” come with it….

I don’t want to add fish or anything that is soley dependent on feedings ( so the tank is pseudo independent) but rather just light, water and any nutrients ( algae etc,) that grows ( within reason - dont want just a ton of algae but i think you get my point)

Understanding the nature of this - I do know that if i get crabs or other things like that I will in fact have to feed the tank and will do so - but the concept is the same…

Tank may sound kind of “blah” without moving lifeforms but it may also be cool if rocks have a lot of good stuff

Any thoughts ? Ideas ? I would not rule out hermits if needed and no other crabs are there and may look at some type of corals - but small tank

 

[Dan_P]

Not sure where to post this - and not even sure it is original thought but wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts or experiences on this.

I have a 5 gallon cube ( so tall not long) and wanted to get it back up and running…. But because of size I had an idea for this tank

I am looking at either TBS or GLR rock and sand to get it going - and whatever “lifeforms” come with it….

I don’t want to add fish or anything that is soley dependent on feedings ( so the tank is pseudo independent) but rather just light, water and any nutrients ( algae etc,) that grows ( within reason - dont want just a ton of algae but i think you get my point)

Understanding the nature of this - I do know that if i get crabs or other things like that I will in fact have to feed the tank and will do so - but the concept is the same…

Tank may sound kind of “blah” without moving lifeforms but it may also be cool if rocks have a lot of good stuff

Any thoughts ? Ideas ? I would not rule out hermits if needed and no other crabs are there and may look at some type of corals - but small tank

If I take you literally, the likely outcome of such a venture is an aquarium full of nuisance algae and slime, not immediately but inevitably. Without feeding the system, the population of organisms will drift further and further towards just micro algae and bacteria. No matter what organism you place in the aquarium, it will need to be fed. You’d surprised how much nutrients algae consume to stay healthy. You might look for slow growing macro algae if even fertilizing the aquarium is not part of your vision.

 

[tarmer]

Thank You…. Will consider that and adjust though process accordingly!

 

[tarmer]

If I take you literally, the likely outcome of such a venture is an aquarium full of nuisance algae and slime, not immediately but inevitably. Without feeding the system, the population of organisms will drift further and further towards just micro algae and bacteria. No matter what organism you place in the aquarium, it will need to be fed. You’d surprised how much nutrients algae consume to stay healthy. You might look for slow growing macro algae if even fertilizing the aquarium is not part of your vision.

Dan…

In futher thinking -
What would feeding this kind of tank entail -

 

[Dan_P]

Dan…

In futher thinking -
What would feeding this kind of tank entail -

I would need a bit more detail about the organisms that would live in the aquarium.

 

[tarmer]

It is a small 5 gallon cube - So it currently has GLR live sand and rock - I am getting a few more pounds of TBS premium rock to fill it in a little more…. So whatever comes in that rock - plus since it is so small the livestock is fairly limited - i would think about MAYBE a couple corals, something simple ( not a ton - and maybe that would only be a plating monti)

As far as livestock- it would be very limited- maybe shrimp or hermits etc as i do kot think anything will really fit in it

 

[Reefering1]

Pics!

 

[tarmer]

Pics!

Here it is so far

 

[Reefering1]

Looks good! I agree, you have to feed the tank.. but a healthy balance of algea, sponge, critters can be very low maintenence. Add some more rock, see what comes out of it. Add some snails, shrimp or something. Do occasional water changes and feed. Done.

 

[tarmer]

Looks good! I agree, you have to feed the tank.. but a healthy balance of algea, sponge, critters can be very low maintenence. Add some more rock, see what comes out of it. Add some snails, shrimp or something. Do occasional water changes and feed. Done.

Thank You - Yes I have another 5 lbs coming from TBS so that should help fill the void better - as it seemed light to me as well

Thank You - so still not 100% sure what feeding actually entails….. are we talking phytoplankton ?

I know for shrimp I have to feed something else as well

 

[Tikki]

I love to watch what pops up on lr. You could set up an auto feeder with pellets that way you get reliable nutrient addition with minimal effort. You can prune back macros as they fill in. I have a lot of cool lr stuff cultivating in my sump, I like to watch how it grows. There’s a small cuc including a peppermint shrimp in addition the micro brittle stars , sponges and macros that came with the rock.

 

[Reefering1]

I prefer frozen foods. A pinch or 1 cube a day will be plenty..