Q&A for How to Make a Closed Aquatic Ecosystem

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What if all of my animals need different climates?

Community Answer

If they need different climates, it is not a good idea to put them together.

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Question

What if I'm not able to feed the fish, but it needs to stay alive for a long while?

Community Answer

You could get a food source that can live and remain in the ecosystem for the fish. If you have herbivorous fish, get plants that they would eat. If your fish are carnivores, get several shrimp or minnows of opposite genders, and let them reproduce. Then, you will have a school of prey and a school of predators. Also, make sure there are places in your ecosystem for the prey fish to hide, so they don't all get immediately eaten.

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Question

How do guppies breed?

Community Answer

All you have to do is put the male and female together. Just make sure to separate the babies, so the parents don't eat them.

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Question

Can I just have algae, shrimp, and bacteria in my aquatic ecosystem?

Patrick

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Shrimp are small and low maintenance, and they produce only small amounts of waste. Algae and bacteria will help keep the water stable.

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Question

For open ecosystems, if I were to have a 2-3 gallon aquarium and each month sucked out a gallon of water, and replaced it with a gallon of distilled water, would that be sufficient to avoid chlorine and water change?

Community Answer

Not unless you could regulate where the water was being taken from. If you just scoop it out, you wouldn't get all the minerals that settle, and distilled water doesn't mean it is nothing but water, you could end up having far to many minerals or too few. Distillation is not perfect.

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Question

Is there any type of fish that can survive a closed ecosystem?

Community Answer

Sort of. You would need to open it, clean the aquarium and oxygenate the water. Otherwise, the fish will die without oxygen.

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Question

Could leaving the system sealed with bacteria still inside force a slow evolutionary process to them surviving in a mini ecosystem?

Community Answer

(Adaptation is the word you're looking for, unless you're insinuating that the fish might grow legs?) The answer is no, because there is more than just bacteria in a mini ecosystem.

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Question

Could I do this but leave the top open?

Hayden Hartsock

Community Answer

Of course you can. Just make sure no other small creatures can make their way in there.

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Question

How moist or dry is the soil?

Community Answer

The soil will be wet by the time you put it in the tank, but before that it will vary.

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Question

What temperature does the water have to be?

Community Answer

It depends on the life forms you chose. Often, it will be at a tropical aquarium temperature, around 26 degrees Celsius or 80 degrees Farenheit. Make sure to research each life form you chose to make sure the size and temperature of your enclosure provide an appropriate habitat.

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Question

About how long will this ecosystem last?

Patrick

Community Answer

It depends on the species you are using in the tank and how many plants there are. Larger species will produce more waste and will make the ecosystem's life shorter. Use smaller animals and plants better suited to this type of environment to make the ecosystem last longer.

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Question

Can I mix different species?

Community Answer

It depends. You can mix the fish as long as they share similar needs. It wouldn't be smart if you have a fish that needs cold water with a fish that needs hot water, or fish who have different eating habits.

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Question

Does it matter if I put sand in my aquatic ecosystem?

Patrick

Community Answer

No, not necessarily. However, substrate that is specifically made for aquariums is a better choice than the sand or gravel that you find outside.

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Question

Can I use a plastic water bottle?

Patrick

Community Answer

Having a larger container is better for this ecosystem; a plastic water bottle would be too small.

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Question

Do I feed the animals?

Community Answer

Yes, you will have to feed any animals in your ecosystem unless you want them to die.

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Question

Would ribbon weed work in a sealed ecosystem? Is it beneficial to place large rocks on the sediment level?

SAEEISAE Albrecht

Community Answer

Yes, as long as it has plenty of oxygen and clean water. Try small rocks at first, then build from there.

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Question

Is creek water and plants ok?

Community Answer

No. Use tap water and treat it with Seachem prime or another conditioner. Creek water is unsafe. You could probably grow the plants though if you sanitize.

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Question

Can I keep cherry shrimp in a small glass bowl like this, with no filter and keep it closed and not have to feed it on my desk?

Mel K

Top Answerer

No. Every living thing needs to be able to breathe and eat. By doing this, you would kill them instantly.

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