Can feeder guppies live without filter?

OK, this is how you "cheat" and keep them alive.

Use plants as the biological filtering. It's actually more complex than just using a filter, because you need lots of plants, which means a bigger tank, and you must have the correct lighting and nutrients for the plants to grow. If the plants don't grow, the whole system collapses and the fish die.

Have a read here.

http://theaquariumwiki.com/Walstad_method

Technically you are filtering the tank, but you are using the plants. Should get bonus points for the science project if you can explain how that works. But as the article explains, you must have the right setup, especially the lighting .

Ian

The fancy guppies commonly sold require more care and heated water,the feeder guppies should care much less about it. Use a five gallon or larger for about 3 to 5 of the small feeder guppies. A large clump of java moss should help filter the water. Do small water changes.

The Importance of Cycling an Aquarium and only doing small water changes so that you do not upset the biological balance:

I have raised fish for more than 35 years, the most common hardship that people face when raising pet fish or pond fish is due to not understanding the importance of the Nitrogen Cycle and Cycling the aquarium or fish pond. It is extremely important to gradually add fish that get along to any aquarium. If you just did more than a 50 percent water change then the aquarium or pond needs to be cycled again and the water quality parameters of Ammonia and Nitrite monitored. Never change the pH suddenly it is fatal or near fatal. Always remove the chlorine,chloramine and add water that is the exact same temperature so that there are no sudden temperature changes on the fish.

Monthly water changes of 10 to 20 percent are recommended, in some instances it should be done weekly. Always monitor the Ammonia and Nitrogen levels and add beneficial bacterial enzymes if needed, usually they are needed and can be purchased. BIG WATER Changes of over 30 percent can actually do more harm then good, and upset the balance.Over cleaning of the gravel and tank is a fast way to kill off the fish you have raised for so long.The beneficial bacterial colonies live on the surfaces of the filer material,gravel,rocks,plants,etc!

Green algae means that the water quality is in balance. Green algae looks bad but is beneficial. Reduce the lighting number of hours and keep away from a bright window.Reduce the lighting to around 8 hours daily;use a coffee pot timer if needed. Algae will first occur as a brownish film then gradually green up, at that time you can also add an algae eater or snails of appropriate type. Do not kill off your pleco or otocinclus by putting it in the tank too soon!

When you are ready I suggest a heated smaller aquarium as a quarantine tank for new arrivals for two weeks, then add them to your main aquarium. Water should be cycled in both aquariums. I also highly recommend sponge filters maintain beneficial bacterial colonies. New fish should be monitored for possible ick and fungal infections, these can be frequently seen in fish from large pet store chains and stores which sell fish and linens and more. Stores that sell clothing and fish etc tend to be clueless as to what they mix in the same tank. One of the worst examples of this was male fancy guppies in a tank full of spotted green puffers. Not only do those places have low quality fish care but they are expensive.

My favorite products are Aquarium Salt (non Iodine salt used for water softeners,ice cream making or sold for freshwater fish),Kordon Rid Fungus which also works great on Ich. Low level doses of Malachite green. Scaleless fish like tetras,catfish,ghosts,silver dollars, loaches,botias should be treated with scaleless type medication or reduced levels. Do not use copper products on snails,shrimp,or crustaceans.Antibiotics should only be used when there is a bare bottom aquarium and the water quality is being checked. Many bad water quality issues can trigger bacterial and fungal issues, and antibiotics are not always beneficial. They tend to also destroy the water quality.

Increase oxygen if water is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and always increase oxygen when treating sick fish.

http://vendio.com/stores/buytropicalaquariumfishno... is a great place for high quality American born and raised fish from top breeders. Support your local pet store. Avoid fish from big chain stores and the worst being those who sell pets,clothing,and groceries under the same roof.

In the past I owned a pet store for more than 8 years which specialized in high volume fish sales. I have been raising and breeding fish for more than 35 years. Fish are easy if you follow basic guidelines and keep fish species that should live together with each other.

Enjoy your aquarium!

http://vendio.com/stores/buytropicalaquariumfishno...

Oh yeah. You just need to do large daily water changes trying to keep the new water about the same temp and pH as the old. Its not ideal to change so much of their water daily as they can be shocked by a sudden change in the chemical makeup, but it will prevent the ammonia and nitrites from getting to deadly levels.

They CAN but it isn't a good idea. Those self sustaining eco-system projects rarely work, and even when they do, you end up with unhealthy fish. If possible, make a simple sponge filter to provide some kind of filtration.

yes, but you will need to do a water changes more often and you will need plants so there will be oxygen

yes

a lot of air space on top