Walstad Setup Aquarium.... Pros and Cons? Experience/ Opinions

[jetajockey]

One of the things I find most perplexing in this hobby is telling someone to adjust their photo period when it comes to dealing with algae. This was the first thing I was told but during research I came to understand that light is only an issue in a few cases of algae and that algae is more like an equation, similar to that of the fire triangle. Heat+fuel+oxygen=fire. It's just that in this hobby the elements change from one aquarium to the next.

Because in many, if not most cases its a hobbyist wanting to go planted and getting a fixture that is way overkill. They have a light level that needs an extremely high tech dosing routine if it's even controllable at all. This is especially evident when people are dealing with t5 lighting and still referring to WPG as a method of measure.

So rather than try to figure out what to cut out, start with the light and everything else becomes way more manageable and less picky.


On the subject of dirt tanks, they are my favorite, although I definitely prefer the mineralized method over straight potting soil. I recently did my 125 with mineralized topsoil and oil dri, granted, there was a bit of effort involved, but total cost for a 2 1/2" deep substrate was < $10

 

[Eastside Game]

any useful links that you have regarding this thread can you guys pm them to me?

 

[Rbishop]

Posting of links to share information we have learned over time, is perfectly acceptable. Always good to find additional info on any subject that interests members.

 

[jetajockey]

I'd just get the ecology of the planted aquarium book if you want to do it ala walstad. Otherwise just google around and read the myriad of different writeups/journals that people have done with natural planted tanks/mineralized soil/miracle gro organic choice/walstad tanks

 

[Optimus]

Because in many, if not most cases its a hobbyist wanting to go planted and getting a fixture that is way overkill. They have a light level that needs an extremely high tech dosing routine if it's even controllable at all. This is especially evident when people are dealing with t5 lighting and still referring to WPG as a method of measure.

So rather than try to figure out what to cut out, start with the light and everything else becomes way more manageable and less picky.

I must admit that I have only come across that once before, wherein someone just purchases a bunch of t5s and a few plants. Everyone I've encountered moved into the planted aspect gradually, once they were sure they had a firm grasp of the basics of fish keeping. Though what your saying does make perfect sense, I was speaking specifically in terms of people who just throw out the "adjust your lights" response on a whim. Most times not taking a moment to find out the persons algae type, params, changes they may have made, etc The response remains the same regardless.

A generic response (I was told by one of the longstanding members of that plant specific forum) that supplies a constant source of new members to their forum, once they find out that adjusting their lights has nothing to do with the algae they are trying to defeat and go in search of a more detailed answer.

any useful links that you have regarding this thread can you guys pm them to me?

Posting of links to share information we have learned over time, is perfectly acceptable. Always good to find additional info on any subject that interests members.

www.Plantedtank.net is a treasure trove of info imo. Though I must warn you there is a lot of competing ideas and theories there so my advice to anyone signing up there is this. Grab a pen and pad, take notes, and look at the science behind any theory you come across before you apply it to your own aquarium(s)

 

[maxthedog123]

Optimus - I would agree, there are some different takes on that forum. There is a "Low Tech" forum on plantedtank that is pretty useful if you are after information on that type of tank.

I would also check out the "El Natural" forum on aquatic plant central - Diana Walstad is one of the moderators.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/el-natural/

As Optimus said - read, take notes, learn. Apply things to your own situation, discern what is good information, learn more.

 

[SickBum]

Because in many, if not most cases its a hobbyist wanting to go planted and getting a fixture that is way overkill. They have a light level that needs an extremely high tech dosing routine if it's even controllable at all. This is especially evident when people are dealing with t5 lighting and still referring to WPG as a method of measure.

So rather than try to figure out what to cut out, start with the light and everything else becomes way more manageable and less picky.


On the subject of dirt tanks, they are my favorite, although I definitely prefer the mineralized method over straight potting soil. I recently did my 125 with mineralized topsoil and oil dri, granted, there was a bit of effort involved, but total cost for a 2 1/2" deep substrate was < $10

Yeah, this applies to more than just plants. So you added this, now you need that. You have this now you need that. So you have sick fish, algae, expensive filter you have to constantly clean, and have spent like 1000 bucks, when you could have a much simpler tank with more plants and more fish than your expensive setup which hardly needs any maintenance and never has any problems.

 

[steffish]

Great vid Optimus! Your fish look so vibrant! Loved the sound track too.
Just happen to have a copy of Innes' book at hand. 1966 T.F.H reprint "with 70 new color photographs" Oh boy!
Innes on using soil for planted tank- "No. Theoretically it might be a good idea to provide soil substance in the form of a sub-stratum for plants, but in practice it does not work out well...To those who feel they must try soil, we recommend clean, old earthy settlings from some stream.."
Innes on fertilizing plants- "This is a 'noble experiment,' but a dangerous one. It belongs in the same category as placing a layer of soil under the sand, only it is a few degrees more dangerous."
Guess things have changed since then.

 

[silentcircuit]

We've got a lot better at testing levels (safely and consistently / cheaply) and understand the chemistry involved a bit better. That's the main thing. Before it was something of a shot in the dark. Overdosing stuff was too easy.

 

[maxthedog123]

I love getting the Innes book out sometimes. I love the pictures of parasites/pests - there is a dragonfly nymph (I think) eating a whole fish. I've never seen anything like that in my life!! Seeing the "prevailing wisdom" of the era is a hoot. It explains a lot of what I learned about fishkeeping as a kid in the 70s and why I started over when I picked it back it up about 4 years ago.