I think every aquarium has issues. Every method will have good and bad sides. Its always best to experiment yourself. I guess everyone shows good sides. And thats not realistic and I would say no. 1 reason why people quit hobby. Even this aquarium (I am just looking at it) looks amazing now. To get to "amazing" level I had to suffer with brown water and biofilm.
@@IMaqua I run a filtered hi tech set up with Walstadt style substrate and even it had its issues. Still battle with green hair algae from time to time. For me it takes about four months before my tanks are anywhere near worthy to be put on camera. Thank you for being honest from the start. It’s a good reminder that it takes work. Your tanks are gorgeous even with brown water though. Keep making content. I’ll keep watching.
Thanks for compliments. You see, each tank is different. This one doesn't have filter and so far in almost 2 months has 0 algae and looks like it won't get any soon. I put so much plant mass inside that algae had no chance (will show it in the next episode). When I look at aquarium now I can't belive it it is the same aquarium as shown in this video.
I agree my 75 gallon walstad style has massive diatoms but it’s bc I have a high silicate sand but my 2.5 gallon walstad has only green algae but that’s bc of extra sunlight from a window so it honestly depends on how it’s setup and what is being used
@Sleeper362 Actually mine never had issues after balancing. In the beginning, every tank has algae problems because the plants can't acclimste that fast to suck up excess nutrients. That is a normal cycling process. After that, just change a little water (once a month 25%, sometimes you just have to top up the water), cut some plants, and feed your lifestock every other day (not too much). Pro trick: get some Daphnia from your local pond. They clean the water SO GOOD! They can be fish food, too. Snails will clean your glass. Welcome to your 10min/week maintenance tank!
I found you on reddit livestream proabably a couple of years ago during first quarantine. Sometimes I come back when a new video is uploaded. Always great content, i'm not really much into acquariums but I love your videos! I should give you more interactions and likes, you deserve them. Video quality always at top! Keep it up
Good job, friend. I really like the music on this one, very calming. In my walstad tank the first week or two I did a water change almost every day because the biofilm just kept coming back. I thought it would never stop, but once I added snails and shrimp and the plants rooted and started to grow it hasn't returned. It is my easiest tank and I do absolutely nothing to it except trim the plants every month or so. No heater in it so nothing grows super fast, don't have to add much of any food because cooler water is slower metabolism for the inhabitants. It's just a mini ecosystem on my desk that keeps me interested in it as I type. Great job getting through the "ugly phase," now onto autopilot. Take care and Happy New Year.
Hey Phil Happy New year. Almost the same story here it good cleared up in few weeks and now looks amazing. If you see tank on my table now the tank in this video you would never say it is the same one. It is just as you said; small ecosystem.
Thanks Nicole. I loved that jar also it was so interesting to watch it develop. With the current arrangement of tanks no. But the wheels are in motion and I am planning to build of new fish room and hopefully I can place few jars there. I had idea of doing a seawater jar because I live so close to the sea. But I have read they are extremely hard to do and they often crash.
Haha, I had a tank turn dark brown. Yours is still stunning and tannins are great for lots of fish! Calm, outstanding video as always IM! Keep it up man! 👍
I like these stories, different even in music, I have a small aquarium with the same method, at first some plants died, after changing the water to 50% everything changed, so far so good, if all goes smoothly bye expensive substrates.
Exactly. Now the water completely cleared, plants are growing like crazy and all that without any fancy equipment. I will continue using aquarium substrate in some of my aquariums as much as finances allow me. I think I spend 2$ on the substrate in this aquarium and if you go and check the price of aquarium substrate, well its gonna be at least 5-7 times more expensive. I encourage anyone to try this method.
Thanks for sharing this ! Do you thing using a 1inch or more of sand cap instead of gravel and sand combo would've prevented this nutrient leach? Could you share the reason for opting gravel + sand combination, does it have any advantage over 1 inch gravel only or sand only cap?
@@Mr.Aquarist-r2m the only reason was because I had some extra sand and not enough gravel. I think the soil will leach brown colour regardless of the cap that you use. Cheers
Which light ur using and i just started a new planted tank today is day to for now am using led bulbs can u suggest me good light and look little bit budget friendly am from indian thanks in advance
Detritus worms are normal part of aquarium ecosystem. Their numbers will reduce with time. In all my videos there is a lot of worms in first couple of weeks and later on they dissappear. Enjoy your aquarium.
As I said from time to time I would experience in a new setups some of the Java fern leaves melting and getting brown. If its one or two thats OK. Just keep an eye.
Substrate, plants and regular maintenance are the best filter money can buy 😉. Keep up the great videos! Do you use the siesta method to give the plants a little extra CO2?
Exactly, if nature can do it why not try to replicate the same. No siesta, my light period is 12 hours without breaks. The plants are growing like crazy, you will see in the next few videos. I need to stay on top of weekly maintenance because even without siesta I am trimming huge amount of plants weekly.
Thank you very much. The soil I am using you can get only in Europe (and only in some of the countries). Its called "Florabella". If you can't get it you can use any organic potting soil without pesticides and chemicals added.
the reason why you didn't get any ammonia on day 2 is because soil already contains nitrifying bacteria. When you flooded the tank, they instantly started removing nitrogen from the water
Looks like you have a new name Hendra, good luck with your new channel. 31C sounds like a perfect temperature for a Betta fish but I am not sure how the plants would take temperature that high.
@@IMaqua Thank you, bro, yes, for betta fish in my place, there are many types of betta fish, even in the river.. I caught a lot of Aplocheilus panchax yesterday
You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place where you have river full of fish close by. I visited Indonesia long time ago and it is beautiful country.
@@IMaqua I'm glad I can help plus I saw whole 2 ads for 30 seconds to support you as you have such a quality content. I'm also an old viewer just my old I'd got banned 🚫. I'm happy trust me. But we need more betta videos
Glad you are being honest. If you took the word of most walstadt UA-camrs you would swear that it never has issues.
I think every aquarium has issues. Every method will have good and bad sides. Its always best to experiment yourself. I guess everyone shows good sides. And thats not realistic and I would say no. 1 reason why people quit hobby. Even this aquarium (I am just looking at it) looks amazing now. To get to "amazing" level I had to suffer with brown water and biofilm.
@@IMaqua I run a filtered hi tech set up with Walstadt style substrate and even it had its issues. Still battle with green hair algae from time to time. For me it takes about four months before my tanks are anywhere near worthy to be put on camera. Thank you for being honest from the start. It’s a good reminder that it takes work. Your tanks are gorgeous even with brown water though. Keep making content. I’ll keep watching.
Thanks for compliments. You see, each tank is different. This one doesn't have filter and so far in almost 2 months has 0 algae and looks like it won't get any soon. I put so much plant mass inside that algae had no chance (will show it in the next episode). When I look at aquarium now I can't belive it it is the same aquarium as shown in this video.
I agree my 75 gallon walstad style has massive diatoms but it’s bc I have a high silicate sand but my 2.5 gallon walstad has only green algae but that’s bc of extra sunlight from a window so it honestly depends on how it’s setup and what is being used
@Sleeper362 Actually mine never had issues after balancing. In the beginning, every tank has algae problems because the plants can't acclimste that fast to suck up excess nutrients. That is a normal cycling process. After that, just change a little water (once a month 25%, sometimes you just have to top up the water), cut some plants, and feed your lifestock every other day (not too much). Pro trick: get some Daphnia from your local pond. They clean the water SO GOOD! They can be fish food, too. Snails will clean your glass. Welcome to your 10min/week maintenance tank!
It`s a lovely tank.
Dealing with brown water and bio film is just part of the process , but its not really that bad.
Great job.
Exactly. It's all part of the process.
I found you on reddit livestream proabably a couple of years ago during first quarantine. Sometimes I come back when a new video is uploaded. Always great content, i'm not really much into acquariums but I love your videos! I should give you more interactions and likes, you deserve them.
Video quality always at top! Keep it up
Thanks. Yes I was doing Reddit live streams but that was long time ago when I started the channel. Nice to see people still follow me since then.
Saw this after our Betta died; best Waldstad video series on YT; inspired me to start my own after seeing this
Thanks for watching. Two year update is coming out soon.
The tank looks great. Well done for not giving up on it 🙂
Thanks for watching.
Good job, friend. I really like the music on this one, very calming. In my walstad tank the first week or two I did a water change almost every day because the biofilm just kept coming back. I thought it would never stop, but once I added snails and shrimp and the plants rooted and started to grow it hasn't returned. It is my easiest tank and I do absolutely nothing to it except trim the plants every month or so. No heater in it so nothing grows super fast, don't have to add much of any food because cooler water is slower metabolism for the inhabitants. It's just a mini ecosystem on my desk that keeps me interested in it as I type. Great job getting through the "ugly phase," now onto autopilot. Take care and Happy New Year.
Hey Phil Happy New year. Almost the same story here it good cleared up in few weeks and now looks amazing. If you see tank on my table now the tank in this video you would never say it is the same one. It is just as you said; small ecosystem.
Love this video! Can't wait for the next one! You're doing a really great job! Any hope of another jar ecosystem someday? I really liked that one.
Thanks Nicole. I loved that jar also it was so interesting to watch it develop. With the current arrangement of tanks no. But the wheels are in motion and I am planning to build of new fish room and hopefully I can place few jars there. I had idea of doing a seawater jar because I live so close to the sea. But I have read they are extremely hard to do and they often crash.
Haha, I had a tank turn dark brown. Yours is still stunning and tannins are great for lots of fish! Calm, outstanding video as always IM! Keep it up man! 👍
I don't mind tannins also. They are good for fish. Thanks Lazarus.
Awesome tank beautiful plants 👌🏼
Thanks 👍
I like these stories, different even in music, I have a small aquarium with the same method, at first some plants died, after changing the water to 50% everything changed, so far so good, if all goes smoothly bye expensive substrates.
Exactly. Now the water completely cleared, plants are growing like crazy and all that without any fancy equipment. I will continue using aquarium substrate in some of my aquariums as much as finances allow me. I think I spend 2$ on the substrate in this aquarium and if you go and check the price of aquarium substrate, well its gonna be at least 5-7 times more expensive. I encourage anyone to try this method.
Thanks for sharing this !
Do you thing using a 1inch or more of sand cap instead of gravel and sand combo would've prevented this nutrient leach?
Could you share the reason for opting gravel + sand combination, does it have any advantage over 1 inch gravel only or sand only cap?
@@Mr.Aquarist-r2m the only reason was because I had some extra sand and not enough gravel. I think the soil will leach brown colour regardless of the cap that you use. Cheers
Oh okay got it. Thanks for taking time to reply @IMaqua.
does the top sand eventually sink in the gravel ?
Yes but not completely. It just fills in the gaps between the gravel. Even now 2 years later the sand is above the gravel.
Good job man 😉
Thanks Lorenzo.
Which light ur using and i just started a new planted tank today is day to for now am using led bulbs can u suggest me good light and look little bit budget friendly am from indian thanks in advance
The light I am using is Chihiros AII. They are very budget friendly and I don't know any lights that are cheaper than that.
hii... I am following your setup instructions..but..my tank is filled with detritus worms.. what should I do it would be great!!
Detritus worms are normal part of aquarium ecosystem. Their numbers will reduce with time. In all my videos there is a lot of worms in first couple of weeks and later on they dissappear. Enjoy your aquarium.
thank you so much..
@@ankanchowdhury4370 You are welcome.
I really need help saving these beta fish, can I put them in almond leave water until I can get home from work?
I replied to you in a comment on different video. I hope your betta will get better soon.
What is the temperature of your water 💧 in your tank?
I have a heater and I keep it at 27C.
My Jave fern gets brown but is pearling like other plants. Could these be stress? I just setup the tank 3days ago.
Is the tank injected with CO2? Usually java fern can get brown leaves when introduced into the new environment.
@@IMaqua No it's an Walstad tank :) only a heater
As I said from time to time I would experience in a new setups some of the Java fern leaves melting and getting brown. If its one or two thats OK. Just keep an eye.
Substrate, plants and regular maintenance are the best filter money can buy 😉. Keep up the great videos!
Do you use the siesta method to give the plants a little extra CO2?
Exactly, if nature can do it why not try to replicate the same. No siesta, my light period is 12 hours without breaks. The plants are growing like crazy, you will see in the next few videos. I need to stay on top of weekly maintenance because even without siesta I am trimming huge amount of plants weekly.
What is the dimension of this tank Thanks
Dimensions are in video description. If i remember correctly it is 45x27x30.
Thanks a lot for sharing your skills! So pleasing to watch and very inspiring 😊Could you tell me what is the soil brand you are using ?
Thank you very much. The soil I am using you can get only in Europe (and only in some of the countries). Its called "Florabella". If you can't get it you can use any organic potting soil without pesticides and chemicals added.
@@IMaqua thanks a lot for tour quick reply and help! Really appreciate 🙂
No problem. Its one of duties as a creator; helping viewers as fast as possible.
Shrimps and guppies would have sorted out the biofilm and more sand for the cap...nutrients being released
@@Clevo89 I added shrimps in the next video. Cheers
Nice 🤘
Thanks Mr. Aqua 👍
the reason why you didn't get any ammonia on day 2 is because soil already contains nitrifying bacteria. When you flooded the tank, they instantly started removing nitrogen from the water
Thanks I am aware of it. It is even possible to add livestock on day 1. Cheers
I also want to make something like that, but in my place the temperature is very hot up to 31°C
-Hendra
Looks like you have a new name Hendra, good luck with your new channel. 31C sounds like a perfect temperature for a Betta fish but I am not sure how the plants would take temperature that high.
@@IMaqua Thank you, bro, yes, for betta fish in my place, there are many types of betta fish, even in the river.. I caught a lot of Aplocheilus panchax yesterday
You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place where you have river full of fish close by. I visited Indonesia long time ago and it is beautiful country.
@@IMaqua there are advantages and disadvantages..about temperature or fish
Thats true. I am sure not a lot of plants can be kept at that temperature.
hello, i hope you still remember me, but i still watch your vids
Yes i do remember you. Didn't see you long time in the comment section but i know you are long time fan. Thanks for watching.
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❤👍
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Channel monetized
Thanks Mannish you also helped me reach monetisation with your views and comments.
@@IMaqua I'm glad I can help plus I saw whole 2 ads for 30 seconds to support you as you have such a quality content.
I'm also an old viewer just my old I'd got banned 🚫. I'm happy trust me. But we need more betta videos
@@mannyblackstar betta video is coming soon. I am preparing a big surprise.
@@IMaqua 😱😱😱
😉