It was never a textbook Walstad tank, but I bought her book and followed advice from Dustinsfishtanks before I set it up - so I give a lot of credit to her. This was my first dirted tank. Since then I've done a 90 gallon blackwater (angels), a ten gallon shrimp breeder tank, and a 26 gallon bowfront (whatever fish my sister decides to remember to feed). All the plants in all the tanks are thriving (without CO2 or high lights) except the Hygro in my sister's 26 bowfront. The 90 gallon is kind of an experiment tank I set up for a friend. He wanted a very low maintenance tank so he does water changes only once a month or longer. Walstad says this is common with dirted tanks because they end up being Nitrite furnaces. So far his fish are happy and his plants are growing (low light).
I really didn't intend to get pressurized CO2 or high lights but I had money to burn and I like the project aspect of owning a tank. I think the next project for me will be building an inline CO2 diffuser for the FX5.
I'm pretty new here, and I don't know how trading works or who is cool yet, but if you ever want anything I have - just let me know. I'm always up for trades as long as both parties are happy.
Oh and about Plecos, I got some plecos in a trade with Egbar (so far the only person I've met or traded with - and she's cool). I bid on some plecos off Aquabid from my favorite seller "Beviking" but I was outbid. I'm still looking for about 6 more BN Long Fin Pleco juveniles. I just need some plecos from another genetic line. I don't know much about fish inbreeding but I figure it can't be good.
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that is some mad growth.and its not high tech?? ah i see it has become a CO2 \dosed tank over time.it looks so good it reminds me of higher learnings tank and he is pretty hard core.did you rinse the soil or any other preping of the substrate or just cover with gravel and let it ride?and do you already have a pair of brisstle noses ?
