I Built a Self-Sustaining Aquarium Using Nature (No Filter)

Can you build a beautiful, functional aquarium that runs almost on its own—without spending a fortune?

In this video, I document the first 50 days of a low-budget, self-sustaining aquarium built using natural elements like river sand, driftwood, and plants. From the initial setup and cycling process to algae outbreaks, plant growth, and fish breeding, this tank shows how natural balance can replace heavy filtration.

You’ll see:

How I set up a planted aquarium step by step
Natural algae control using plants, snails, and plecos
The nitrogen cycle explained in a simple way
Real problems like hair algae and black beard algae—and how I dealt with them
Before and after footage showing the tank’s evolution over 50 days
The goal isn’t perfection, but creating a living ecosystem where plants and beneficial bacteria do the real work.
If you’re interested in natural aquariums, low-tech planted tanks, aquascaping inspired by nature, or building self-sustaining ecosystems, this video is for you.

The book I show at the end of the video (How to Create an Organic Aquarium):
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241682603-how-to-create-an-organic-aquarium

Music
Gymnopedie No 2 by Kevin MacLeod
Light Awash by Kevin MacLeod
Drone in D by Kevin MacLeod
Danse Macabre - Isolated Harp by Kevin MacLeod
Lost Frontier by Kevin MacLeod
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

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Music: