Walstad method

[RobM]

Hey all,

Just wondering how many of the caudata faithful use the Walstad/Natural Planted Tank method (http://theaquariumwiki.com/Walstad_method)?
Any stories? Tips? Info?
Like how is it for keeping clean and maintained?

 

[eyrops]

I have some concept of what you are talking about, but your link did not work for me. Could you check that out, or post an alternate description?

-Thanks,

-Steve Morse

 

[Jennewt]

We had some discussion of this method in a book review thread on Walstad's book:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1-gen...w-ecology-planted-aquarium-diana-walstad.html

I'm intrigued, but haven't tried it.

 

[RobM]

I have some concept of what you are talking about, but your link did not work for me. Could you check that out, or post an alternate description?

-Thanks,

-Steve Morse

Sorry the bracket and question mark got included, the url is:
Walstad method - The Free Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Encyclopedia Anyone Can Edit - The Aquarium Wiki

We had some discussion of this method in a book review thread on Walstad's book:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1-gen...w-ecology-planted-aquarium-diana-walstad.html

I'm intrigued, but haven't tried it.

Thank you Jennewt. I wonder if I can find this book in a library, I doubt it!

Some more info here:
Step by Step: Setting up a Walstad-Type Natural Planted Tank | Plants
Setting up a Walstad Natural Planted Tank. | Plants

 

[jclee]

I've got two Walstad tanks for fish. I was thinking about using one of them for salamanders, but I fell in love with celestial pearl danios, so it's a fish tank now. I think it would be suitable, though. One thing to look out for is that, unless you sift the soil very well, some little wood bits push their way out of the substrate cap. This could lead to impactions, so it might be worthwhile to set it up and wait a few extra weeks. That would give you time to manually remove any wood that's escaped the sand layer.

 

[Joost]

I work like this method as long I have this hobby, though I didn't knew this was called the Walstad method. It's works for me for about 17 years now.

 

[Ken Worthington]

I bought the book after reading the review. I found it for under £20 (inc. post) on ebay, and recieved it last week. I can't rate it highly enough.
The book is my bed-time reading at the moment lol
It has the right blend of scientific explanation and practical application, and has answered so many questions for me......
Although it's primarily written with fish in mind, I'd be interested to see how keepers of axolotls, etc, would cope with the substrate being disturbed too much...
I presume something like 1" of sieved top-soil topped with 1.5" washed play-sand (rather than gravel) might be okay?
I was planning to have a slate bottom to my 3ft axie tank until I got this book...maybe I can combine the two ......hmmm!

This is a very interesting thread :happy:

Joost, I'd be interested in hearing more about your experiences

 

[RobM]

I work like this method as long I have this hobby, though I didn't knew this was called the Walstad method. It's works for me for about 17 years now.

It gets called many things, such as low-tech, naturally planted etc
How have you found it for caudata?

I presume something like 1" of sieved top-soil topped with 1.5" washed play-sand (rather than gravel) might be okay?

I think if you use sand, it has to be a fairly fine layer to allow oxygen to get to the soil. With gravel you can have a deeper layer, however then you could run the risk of impaction, this could make the method unsuitable for axolotls.

 

[jclee]

I think if you use sand, it has to be a fairly fine layer to allow oxygen to get to the soil. With gravel you can have a deeper layer, however then you could run the risk of impaction, this could make the method unsuitable for axolotls.

Actually, sand is a suitable cap. The idea is that it is planted well with rooting plants, and rooting plants release enough oxygen from their roots to prevent anaerobic bacteria from accumulating. When you first set it up, you've really got to load it with plants. This is not a substrate method that would work for a tank with only one or two centerpiece plants. Definitely read up on it before getting started.