so ive had an aquarium set up for over a year. its a 10g tall. My filter went on it within the first few months and my fish didnt seem bothered by it so neither did i. Now i just added some plants. Java Fern and java moss. NOt alot the java moss is a ball a little less then a baseball and the java fern is about 6in high with about 10 different leaves coming off of the base. My algae eater is no longer with us since he was chasing my other fish. the local fish store took him back. I just picked up an API freshwater master kit and it is saying:

PH 7.4
Amonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 0ppm.

Now as i have never checked this before i assume i am doing something wrong since not having a filter and only have 2 plants for the past month shouldnt make the levels all drop. My light is a 25w and i also have a bubble wand to keep the water moving. I am doing the test again but does anyone else think this is weird. O and my bio load. 2 angel fish, 3 neon tetrs, 1 cardinal tetra, and 1 other tetra(was injected to be a neon pink but the color has since faded) All of these fish have been together happy for 9-12months.

I'm confused. You said you assume you're doing something wrong, but your water parameters are fine, and nothing has died.

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but shouldnt not running a filter in over 6 months cause some serious problems?

I would think that the nitrates would show something. Unless the kit is expired or the directions for testing are not being followed.
Do you do water changes?

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Do fish get thirsty?
How to fishless cycle your aquarium http://www.aquariumforum.com/f66/fis...cle-15036.html

Information on API FW test kit http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/api-...ion-15347.html

once a week 3.5 gallons out of 10...i was worried about it being expired since my local store had dust collecting on the top of it. ill recheck ina few min to see if it changes.

Regular water changes like what you've been doing, combined with plants and light feeding, can make running a filterless aquarium a viable option. It's a fine balancing act though, so truthfully I'd get a filter on there just so you have a bit of a safety buffer.

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everything was the same this time around with testing except my ph shows 8.2 instead of the 7.4...how do i get my PH lower?

Welcome to the forum. Does not look like you are doing anything wrong to me.

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Help those in our hobby to exceed beyond their expectations.
Aquatic Engineer

Get a filter or more plants or I think your tank will crash sooner or later. The two angels get too big for a 10 gallon for sure.

I just posted a new thread about the api nitrate test on the general forum page. I was getting a 0 for nitrates til the folks on here told me to shake the second nitrate bottle before adding the drops and also to shake the tube vigorously after adding the reagent. Check out the directions they posted and see if that changes your results.

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Niki

4 tanks, all planted:
20 gal tall
10 gal
2 - 5 gal tanks

anubias, java fern, java moss, water sprite, vesuvius, wisteria, red cryptocoryne wendtii
48 Watt T5HO on the 20

many happy guppies
one crabby betta