17 yr planted bowl update

[brandon429]

I hacked and pulled out some plants and changed water for first time in about twenty months. Currently has white cloud minnows and mixed neo shrimp

Posted in a reef forum why: bc its seventeen years jutting out the top to the ceiling slash not usual. A marine kessil, not freshwater kessil, runs it. Used to be a 20K metal halide, marine lights or windowsill light run it
A tuna sun does hit the top growth on ceiling

 

[Nano sapiens]

Wow, that's been going for a long time!

 

[Malifry97]

NICE! Can you get any photos of livestock? Also, what is the tall planted glass thing in the corner

 

[Smarkow]

Wild! Thanks for sharing.

What was the inspiration for this? Any older pics for progression?

 

[brandon429]

Smarkow


Thank you very much for posting!

I did scour the web and found a 1st run pic off plantedtank.net just after assembly, its marked 2001 but thats wrong date, that camera had date glitch thats in 2003

This system was my absolute firmest attempt at creating a self sustaining, no lifespan, self controlling ecosystem that can be multigenerational, like a bonsai handed down though the ages.

all ecosystems housing animals need protein input, they can't recirculate it as efficiently as we can help by minor feed and occasional water change, as in ever few years not months.

Everything I have ever written about reef tank sandbeds, this runs opposite. Its a permanent storage system, I dont remove detritus. its all plant feed.

the substrate is about a foot thick and consists of two pounds of powdered laterite at the very bottom/iron forever pretty much.

above that a bunch of seachem flourite gravel which never breaks down, it doesnt collapse. it holds open channels in the bed vs compacting into hardness over the years. snail and shrimp and various fish waste simply fills in the substrate and i give it ferts every once in a while.


the system isn't plugged into electricity, a power outage means nothing, any season. The light that shines on it needs juice, but tilted towards a windowsill it will run the same.

included in the list of freshwater oddities (unusual shapes)

 

[brandon429]

the acrylic sphere:

Fish Tank bowls & Aquarium Supplies at FantasyBowls.com

www.fantasybowls.com

readers are thinking: should I get one of those and put some cool goldfish in it for my kiddo?


do you want them to be inspired for life, possibly contemplating fish tank biology for ever and ever? then do order one. keep hamsters in it with bedding at the bottom if you want lol, just get one. there is something about a sphere in your home

 

[Smarkow]

Wow. I need to read your substrate notes... Thank you so much for the detailed reply. Wife and I are expecting our first, my wife wants me to find a way to teach her the hobby. Will be a few years but I should do one of these with her when the time comes.