Getting started with a walstad aquarium

[geniusOfSalt]

Walstad tanks are truly wonderful if you do them right. I highly recommend reading Diana Walstad's book, Ecology and the Planted Aquarium - it's a game-changer. As a microbiologist, she brings a unique perspective to aquarium-keeping. I've found her method fascinating, although I admit it reads like a college textbook.

I've set up many tanks using her philosophy, and all my current tanks are Walstad setups, including my 55g. The goal is to replicate natural processes as closely as possible, eliminating unnecessary technology. The foundation of the method is built around a few key principles.

First and foremost, it's all about the plants. They provide the filtration, so you need a lot of them. I usually start with around 15 different species, a mix of forms and growth rates. Once the plants are in and thriving, you can add fish and let the plants do their thing.

Stocking levels are also important. I use aquadvisor.com to plan my initial stocking, and I find that keeping it around 80% or less works well. As long as you keep up with water changes, you can go a bit over that.

Water circulation is crucial, especially in larger tanks. In smaller tanks, an airstone will do the trick, but in bigger tanks, I use a canister filter and a powerhead to keep the water moving.

Substrate is also worth considering. I prefer a soil substrate capped with sand, as it releases ammonia and CO2, giving the plants a boost. That being said, I've had success with just sand, no soil.

As for specific plants, I've had great results with crypts, java fern, and fast growers like ambulia and valisneria. I also love using floaters like frogbit and floating fern. The key is to add a ton of biodiversity to hedge your bets.

Keep us posted on your progress, and good luck with your Walstad tank!

Thanks for the tip, I've been doing some research and I've definitely noticed the importance of understanding the background processes in a Walstad tank. Once I get back to the States, I'll probably pick up the book - even if I don't end up doing a Walstad tank, I think it'll be a great resource to learn from. Appreciate the advice.

[BadgersSong]

Walstad tanks are truly wonderful if you do them right. I highly recommend reading Diana Walstad's book, Ecology and the Planted Aquarium - it's a game-changer. As a microbiologist, she brings a unique perspective to aquarium-keeping. I've found her method fascinating, although I admit it reads like a college textbook.

I've set up many tanks using her philosophy, and all my current tanks are Walstad setups, including my 55g. The goal is to replicate natural processes as closely as possible, eliminating unnecessary technology. The foundation of the method is built around a few key principles.

First and foremost, it's all about the plants. They provide the filtration, so you need a lot of them. I usually start with around 15 different species, a mix of forms and growth rates. Once the plants are in and thriving, you can add fish and let the plants do their thing.

Stocking levels are also important. I use aquadvisor.com to plan my initial stocking, and I find that keeping it around 80% or less works well. As long as you keep up with water changes, you can go a bit over that.

Water circulation is crucial, especially in larger tanks. In smaller tanks, an airstone will do the trick, but in bigger tanks, I use a canister filter and a powerhead to keep the water moving.

Substrate is also worth considering. I prefer a soil substrate capped with sand, as it releases ammonia and CO2, giving the plants a boost. That being said, I've had success with just sand, no soil.

As for specific plants, I've had great results with crypts, java fern, and fast growers like ambulia and valisneria. I also love using floaters like frogbit and floating fern. The key is to add a ton of biodiversity to hedge your bets.

Keep us posted on your progress, and good luck with your Walstad tank!

You can actually find it at many libraries if purchasing isn't an option. I managed to track it down through interlibrary loan in rural Wyoming, so I'm confident you'll have better luck in Georgia. I ended up buying a copy myself, though - it's proven to be a valuable resource for future reference.