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Walstad Method problem

Started by Guest_lozgod_* , Sep 18 2009 11:49 AM

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15 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_lozgod_*

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Posted 18 September 2009 - 11:49 AM

OK, so I am setting up my tank. Filled it with water last night. It has been cloudy ever since. Will the dirt settle and will it clear in time or do I need to change the water?

Substrate is 1.5 inches of top soil. (Scotts premium unfertilized with peat moss)
a paper thin layer of sand
.5" layer of pebble gravel.

Set a large salad bowl in the area I was pouring the water but it did disturb the substrate regardless.

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#2 Guest_nativeplanter_*

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Posted 18 September 2009 - 01:24 PM

Sure, it'll settle. Run the filter and it should be clear in a few days. Not to worry. If you change the water, you risk disturbing it all over again.

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#3 Guest_lozgod_*

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Posted 19 September 2009 - 10:59 AM

Thanks for the reply. Bought a small HOB filter. Don't plan on using it when tank is up and running. Going filterless. Just using it as needed for debris in the water.

I have the powerhead running now as well. I am doing that so any loose substrate will get sucked up now. Seems to be clearing up slowly but surely.

Added Ludwiga last night. I have babys tears, Vall Gig., and java moss on the way. Also ordered some frogbit but that a floater so no worries as far as substrate being disturbed there.

I been talking about this tank for 2 months. Been researching like crazy. Happy I finally got it up and running.

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#4 Guest_Piscator_*

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Posted 19 September 2009 - 08:28 PM

Lozgod,

I had never heard of the "Walstad Method" until you mentioned it in an earlier post. I looked it up, and it sounds interesting. My aquarium has always been pretty low-tech, but I've never thought of going "no tech"! I will be curious to see how it goes. I wonder if it would work for a brackish system? Personally, I'd be too chicken to try it, I think.

Meantime, here's something to ponder:

"Plants: All underwater vegetation, including phytoplankton and algae produce oxygen through
photosythesis. The tiny bubbles seen during the day on plants is oxygen that they produce. However
all plants USE oxygen through cellular respiration, just like animals. Plants are net oxygen consumers
during the night and low light conditions. Therefore, it would be a good bet to aerate your aquarium
the same if you have living plants or not."

This passage is from an estuarian aquarium primer I recently found online at http://web.vims.edu/...eepwriteup.pdf. Thought you might be interested. Best of luck!

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#5 Guest_schambers_*

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Posted 19 September 2009 - 11:00 PM

"Plants: All underwater vegetation, including phytoplankton and algae produce oxygen through
photosythesis. The tiny bubbles seen during the day on plants is oxygen that they produce. However
all plants USE oxygen through cellular respiration, just like animals. Plants are net oxygen consumers
during the night and low light conditions. Therefore, it would be a good bet to aerate your aquarium
the same if you have living plants or not."

Boy did I learn this the hard way! I thought that since I was only using low tech methods, I didn't need to aerate my planted tanks very much, if at all. I had a mysterious huge die off after adding fish that was caused by low DO. Now I make sure to aerate enough!

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#6 Guest_farmertodd_*

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Posted 20 September 2009 - 11:27 AM

I run an air pump at night on a timer counter to the light cycle. It's a pretty easy solution, without loosing too much CO2 during the day.

Todd

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#7 Guest_lozgod_*

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Posted 20 September 2009 - 05:59 PM

I have a small air stone and a HOB filter made for a 10-20 gallon with a sponge in it for mechanical filtration so I should have enough aeration. I am not xure if I should run them 24/7 or just at night. Right now I am going to try 24/7 and see how the plants do. Would rather lose plants than fish early on.

Have a thread title The Calm Before the Storm on here documenting my progress. Check it out. In the Captive Care section.

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#8 Guest_Piscator_*

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Posted 20 September 2009 - 06:08 PM

The author of the above-mentioned primer recommends leaving an aerator on 24/7 for the simple reason that, in the event of a power outage, an air pump will almost definitely start back up afterwards with no problems. A HOB filter, on the other hand, may get hung up on fouling, causing a die-off. Good point, I thought. I don't have an aerator at the moment, but I think I will add one.

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#9 Guest_nativeplanter_*

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Posted 21 September 2009 - 11:58 AM

I think that an airstone is a good idea for all but the smallest of tanks (and even those it won't hurt). One of those "better safe than sorry" things. Plus, it helps keep the water moving about, even if slowly. Natural temperature fluctuations outdoors would do that, but inside I can imagine stagnant zones in the corners. Plus, I find it helps keep the food moving around so it can be found.

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#10 Guest_Newt_*

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Posted 21 September 2009 - 02:14 PM

I run an air pump at night on a timer counter to the light cycle. It's a pretty easy solution, without loosing too much CO2 during the day.

Todd

Todd, do you have a CO2 injector?

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#11 Guest_lozgod_*

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Posted 21 September 2009 - 07:37 PM

Todd, do you have a CO2 injector?

I am pretty sure he doesn't.

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#12 Guest_schambers_*

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Posted 21 September 2009 - 09:18 PM

I am pretty sure he doesn't.

No, he doesn't.

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#13 Guest_farmertodd_*

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Posted 22 September 2009 - 11:54 AM

My CO2 injector has fins

Todd

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#14 Guest_Newt_*

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Posted 22 September 2009 - 12:38 PM

I was just curious if you'd tested your CO2 levels with aeration on and off. I've seen conflicting anecdotes and no hard numbers on CO2 levels achieved by livestock respiration v. atmospheric exchange. Obviously it's going to vary from case to case, but if a reasonable stocking level gives you more available CO2 than aeration does, that would make a world of difference in planning a planted tank.

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#15 Guest_farmertodd_*

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Posted 23 September 2009 - 08:07 AM

Yeah, I need to test CO2 independent of using the oxygen stress as the "indicator". That's all stuff I was planning to test this winter once things settle down and I write an update on my observations in AC.

Todd