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I have published scientific papers on nutrient cycling in natural systems and that was not a misrepresentation

Hope it works! Another easy tannin source depending on where you live is leaf litter from oak or magnolia trees. I have them in all my tanks. Or make a tea from them. Only brown fallen dead leaves though.

there is nothing wrong with doing lots of water changes. It works for people who are disciplined and have good water (my tap is >8ppm ammonia)- but don’t be so quick to assume it’s the only way. nature can also work in your favor like in Old’s tank to reduce water changes. In natural ponds...

Not water changes like an aquarium that gets weekly or biweekly 50% water changes.. Low water change aquaria aren't truly closed systems either- water top ups, food addition, ferts etc. plant removal. I agree with this. eventually, things will accumulate. and depending on the organisms present...

Just because you like your method doesn’t mean other methods can’t work. Marine tanks are also mostly closed systems. If you want to know the science Read about biogeochemistry and denitrification and the natural nitrate levels in ponds and lakes- 0! How? Nature! Fish food and Top offs can keep...

I think it depends on your tap water quality ( mine is full of ammonia at fish killing levels) and preferred method. Most people who are loudly vocal on here prefer frequent water changes. and it depends if your tank is designed to act as a natural water treatment system that an handle nitrates...

My fish used to die frequently until I stopped the frequent water changes and figured out how to manage an ecosystem. My tap sucks so now bacteria and plants do the work- keep parameters stable and mortality has stopped.

I feed to my snails and shrimp and they love it. Will leave little white snail poop trails in your tank. If you put a whole one it might cloud the tank. Break it up and start small. Fruit flavor is a favorite.

I hope she’s not eating one of the males

A local pond. The shrimp like the holes and there is a white slime mold that keeps doing laps around the pod top of the pod so we have named him Bob.

No. They are pretty much all the same

Here is an alternate view. I only use sponge filters and/or diy bubble filters ( uplift tube in jar full of floss and filter media) in my 7 tanks and stopped using hobs except for running occasional polisher or carbon. Yes- even in my goldfish tank. My nitrate is now under control (lower flow...

Here is one of the males- trying to get a pic of a berried female

Thanks - it’s this light (below). I love it and plants are doing great. ECtENX LED Aquarium Light, Fish...

Thanks! It’s been a fun project. If babies survive I will need to expand though.. or populate some other tanks.

Maybe they need more protein? Ghosties are more carnivorous than other shrimp and can cannibalize the small/young. Or could be another more aggressive species.

Finally have luck with ghost shrimp so thought I’d share.. the came from store cloudy and sickly looking but they came back to health.. 5 shrimp (2f 3m). I put them in a seasoned 2 gallon tank with lots of physical structure: driftwood, found lotus pod, leaf litter from yard, plants from local...

This link below is useful but also comes with instructions..has worked for me as described it just keeps the ammonia nitrite and nitrates at really low levels and still allows cycle to complete. So easy.. low risk to fish. It can make salts accumulate in water if used long term but I use it for...

Sand . Java ferns and hornwort

Adding some gravel or gravel sludge.. or better-some filter media from a healthy established tank will speed things along. Adding plant ferts can jump start a stalled cycle ( bacteria need minerals too!) Also use nitrazorb if doing a fish in cycle- cheating yes..but the safest way to start a...