No-Filter Shrimp Bowl | Low-Tech Aquarium That Actually Works

Welcome back to our cozy, plant-filled apartment

This time, I'm building a filterless, low-tech bowl aquarium — a fully planted mini-ecosystem that runs without a filter, heater, or CO₂ system. Yep… just plants, shrimp, snails, and a little patience.

Inspired by @qball_aquatics on Instagram, I scaped this bowl with frodo stones, lava granules, aquasoil, and slow-growing plants like Cryptocoryne and Echinodorus. It’s simple, beautiful, and (dare I say) nearly self-sustaining.

In this video, you’ll see:
— How I scaped the tank and chose substrate layers
— Why I used no tech (except a good light)
— Why heavy planting matters in low-energy tanks
— What shrimp species I added (spoiler: not cherry shrimp 👀)
— How guppies and snails help keep algae in check
— Why sometimes low-tech aquariums are the most rewarding

This tank runs without a filter, but it works because of the natural nutrient cycle: shrimp + snails = waste → plants use it → algae stays in check → everyone wins.

Bonus: A peek at my high-tech setup and outdoor lotus pond too

If you enjoyed this build, drop a comment — what would you change or try in your own version?

Massive thanks to those of you who comment on every video — your support honestly means the world and it's not something I take for granted. Let’s also try to be better as a hobbyist community by crediting where ideas come from. Inspiration is free. Respect is priceless.

Materials used:
Aquasoil
Lava Granules https://www.sybotanica.com/products/l...
Frodo Stones

Plants:
Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae
Cryptocoryne walkeri 'Hobbit'
Cryptocoryne wendtii "Affinis Rot"
Cryptocoryne wendtii "Green"
Eleocharis acicularis
Cryptocoryne albida 'Brown'
Cryptocoryne beckettii "Petchii Pink"
Cryptocoryne undulata 'Green'
Cryptocoryne parva
Echinodorus 'Hadi Red Pearl'

Watch next:
My 2cm Aquarium Build (yes, seriously this small):
   • DIY Bookshelf Terrarium | A Tiny Ecosystem...  

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Art & Illustration:
@jonasloose_art on IG + TikTok

My grow light (SANSI) + 32% off code:
[https://www.sansiled.com/?aff=356]
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