AQUARIUM water turned BROWN | EP2 NO FILTER NO CO2 WALSTAD METHOD aquarium

In this video of NO FILTER NO CO2 NO FERTS Walstad method aquarium I will show you the progress during first 2 weeks after the setup. The most important thing with these kind of setups is to have patience. Yes the water will get brown but that is just potting soil leaching tannins. In my case I didn't mind the brown water so much but the main reason for water change was development of thick biofilm on the surface. I also discovered one baby snail that hitchhiked his way into the aquarium so I decided to add more baby snail from my other aquarium. I noted in the last video: "Although it is possible to place fish and other organisms on the first day (nitrifying bacteria are present in the soil), I have decided against it. There is always possibility of initial ammonia spike from the soil in case it was not capped correctly". During first 2 weeks I did daily test and it is interesting to note that I discovered no presence of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. I will assume that nitrifying bacteria that came with potting soil and huge plant mass took care of that. Big thanks to Foo the Flowerhorn and Diana Walstad who were main inspiration for this aquarium.
Support Channel on Patreon and get extra benefits
/ imaquariums
Support Channel on KZbin and get extra benefits
/ @imaqua
00:00 EP1 Recap
00:23 Day 2 NO FILTER NO CO2 Walstad Method
01:01 Overview of the substrate
01:15 Day 3 NO FILTER NO CO2 Walstad Method
01:37 Day 4 NO FILTER NO CO2 Walstad Method
01:51 Brown aquarium water
02:02 Thick surface biofilm
02:16 Aquarium worms
02:27 Day 5 NO FILTER NO CO2 Walstad Method
02:40 Ammonia reading
02:51 Trimming plants
03:05 Replanting trimmings
03:19 Removing surface biofilm
03:30 50% water change
03:52 Surprise?
04:14 Day 6 NO FILTER NO CO2 Walstad Method
04:37 Day 9 NO FILTER NO CO2 Walstad Method
04:55 80% water change
05:39 Day 10 NO FILTER NO CO2 Walstad Method
05:50 Adding 11 Baby snails
06:44 Snail heart beat
07:29 Day 14 NO FILTER NO CO2 Walstad Method
08:10 Day 15 NO FILTER NO CO2 Walstad Method
08:26 50% water change
Aquarium - 45cmx27cmx30cm (18inx11inx12in)
Optiwhite glass 6mm | Tank Volume 37LTR | 10GAL
Soil - Organic potting soil (N:210 mg/l, P2O5:150 mg/l, K2O:170 - 390 mg/l, M: 100 mg/l)
Gravel - size 2-3 mm | Fine sand - 0.2-0.6 mm
Light - LED Power: 21W | Luminous flux 1950lm
Filter - NO | Water pump - YES
CO2 - NO
Heater - YES
Plants - Egeria densa, Bacopa caroliniana, Hygrophila polysperma, Limnophila sessiliflora, Hemianthus micranthemoides, Hydrocotyle tripartita, Anubias barteri nana, Cryptocoryne lutea hobbit, Elocharis parvula mini, Staurogyne repens, Salvinia natans
Instagram - / im_aquariums
Music - Epidemic Sound:
Lo Mimieux / Cain / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
www.epidemicsound.com/track/V...

[@Sleeper362]

Glad you are being honest. If you took the word of most walstadt KZbinrs you would swear that it never has issues.

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@Sleeper362]

@@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.

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@joeyvan8863]

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

[@svenjaw6723]

@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!

[@hardystein114]

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.

[@IMaqua]

Exactly. It's all part of the process.

[@hammeredgoldenlampstand]

Saw this after our Betta died; best Waldstad video series on YT; inspired me to start my own after seeing this

[@IMaqua]

Thanks for watching. Two year update is coming out soon.

[@JokerCasbah]

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

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@thelittlethingsinlife239]

The tank looks great. Well done for not giving up on it 🙂

[@IMaqua]

Thanks for watching.

[@JuanSalazar-xk3lq]

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.

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@Lazarusthefishboy]

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! 👍

[@IMaqua]

I don't mind tannins also. They are good for fish. Thanks Lazarus.

[@philcarlino6942]

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.

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@nicolegary7567]

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.

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@ricardosalinas4973]

Awesome tank beautiful plants 👌🏼

[@IMaqua]

Thanks 👍

[@lorenzospina3174]

Good job man 😉

[@IMaqua]

Thanks Lorenzo.

[@90AlmostFamous]

does the top sand eventually sink in the gravel ?

[@IMaqua]

Yes but not completely. It just fills in the gaps between the gravel. Even now 2 years later the sand is above the gravel.

[@Dylan-ok6ft]

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?

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@mraquaticnews5676]

Nice 🤘

[@IMaqua]

Thanks Mr. Aqua 👍

[@debkantasamanta3779]

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

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@noyabayo]

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 ?

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@noyabayo]

@@IMaqua thanks a lot for tour quick reply and help! Really appreciate 🙂

[@IMaqua]

No problem. Its one of duties as a creator; helping viewers as fast as possible.

[@pcharm3711]

I really need help saving these beta fish, can I put them in almond leave water until I can get home from work?

[@IMaqua]

I replied to you in a comment on different video. I hope your betta will get better soon.

[@lemonlizard1]

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

[@IMaqua]

Thanks I am aware of it. It is even possible to add livestock on day 1. Cheers

[@colonelgrizzly4548]

My Jave fern gets brown but is pearling like other plants. Could these be stress? I just setup the tank 3days ago.

[@IMaqua]

Is the tank injected with CO2? Usually java fern can get brown leaves when introduced into the new environment.

[@colonelgrizzly4548]

@@IMaqua No it's an Walstad tank :) only a heater

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@ankanchowdhury4370]

hii... I am following your setup instructions..but..my tank is filled with detritus worms.. what should I do it would be great!!

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@ankanchowdhury4370]

thank you so much..

[@IMaqua]

@@ankanchowdhury4370 You are welcome.

[@vincentlee2460]

What is the dimension of this tank Thanks

[@IMaqua]

Dimensions are in video description. If i remember correctly it is 45x27x30.

[@GoodSamaritan1972]

What is the temperature of your water 💧 in your tank?

[@IMaqua]

I have a heater and I keep it at 27C.

[@user4129i]

❤👍

[@IMaqua]

👍👍👍

[@akashdeb5485]

🧡

[@IMaqua]

👍

[@IskaSaint]

I also want to make something like that, but in my place the temperature is very hot up to 31°C -Hendra

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@IskaSaint]

@@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

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@IskaSaint]

@@IMaqua there are advantages and disadvantages..about temperature or fish

[@IMaqua]

Thats true. I am sure not a lot of plants can be kept at that temperature.

[@Muslim-Man]

hello, i hope you still remember me, but i still watch your vids

[@IMaqua]

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.

[@mannyblackstar]

Channel monetized

[@IMaqua]

Thanks Mannish you also helped me reach monetisation with your views and comments.

[@mannyblackstar]

@@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

[@IMaqua]

@@mannyblackstar betta video is coming soon. I am preparing a big surprise.

[@mannyblackstar]

@@IMaqua 😱😱😱

[@IMaqua]

😉