Tank maintenance on the 55 gallon walstad

[@d1gw33d]

Nice video man... really cool with the time lapse. Keep em coming.

[@hbenson52]

Lovely Walstad! Just started my first a month ago on a 10g. best growth I've ever gotten from a planted! So easy to keep going! Doing it to my 20g long next week.

[@MrJoeGecko]

Filters are not required, the plants are the filters. what you need is something to move the water and keep it from becoming stagnant. It can be a powerhead, a HOB filter or a canister filter to move the water which allows air exchange at the top and nutrients to disburse throughout the tank. I use a canister filter but I do not have any media other than clay pellets for added bacteria growth. I started with a powerhead and another tank with a HOB to make good use with what I had.

[@BrownDarter]

Thank you , all your videos are great, very informative.

[@MonopolyBag]

Fish die, even when tanks are healthy. But nice tank, I have been looking into the Walstad Method. Looking to try it soon. Love the low maintenance theory behind it and I take care of salt water reef tanks too. I love the high speed through the algae cleaning! haha.

[@MrJoeGecko]

Thanks, good to be back!

[@MrJoeGecko]

They do if you keep up on it regularly. Most time I do not and the algae can be too tough for them. For the stubborn spots I use an old filter foam and have to stick my hand in the tank, very effective.

[@MdPorkchop]

Love using the waldstad method, but next tank I setup will be either sand or the rather pricey planted substrates. I have never had algae blooms like that on my tank. Even when I let it go for a month with no maintenance. About the filter question, I personally use a marineland 350 on mine with only filter pad and ceramic media I got from eBay. No complaints and the only reason I have lost fish in that tank is the puffers. The botia helps to get rid of snails and I rarely see him. He digs into the substrate and makes a big mess of things. Great job on your dirted tank

[@MrBurtley]

I really like the look of your light fixture what brand is it?

[@MrJoeGecko]

Yes. I use a dechlorinator that works on chlorine and chloraminesas since I have chloramines in my water.

[@Deputy_Warden_Galont]

So how is the tank looking 9 years later???

[@MrJoeGecko]

All detritus stays in the system and settles to be broken down by the fish, snails and bacteria. This helps to replenish nutrients in the soil and helps maintain dissolved organics in the water column for the plants.

[@BrownDarter]

Do you use a filter on this tank? I ask because do not see one, very pretty tank. I am in process of doing the same soil method in a 20 gallon long planted tank ,which I plan to house common cherry shrimps but not sure if filter or no filter.

[@SuperFlojoGuy]

great vid

[@garionporter5961]

Those magnet scubbers actually work? How long did it take for front glass? Some of my algae spots just will not come off.

[@watchingitallhere]

If you have no filter then what happens to the algae and detritus when you clean the glass? does it stay on the scrubber or does it stay in the water?

[@turnipsucks6416]

Mine has a hob. I simply use a pre-filter, and or floss on the inside of the hob. No issues, or algae blooms. Literally ignore tank and simply add plants and fish slowly and enjoying.

[@MrJoeGecko]

No, never have. I do cycle my lights during the day to keep the CO2 from depleting. I follow a "siesta" method of 5hrs on, 4hrs off and 5hrs on again. 4 hrs without lights on during the day keeps allows for CO2 to build back up to normal levels.

[@MrJoeGecko]

Its a coralife 2 bulb fixture. search for "48 Inch Coralife Aqualight Dual T5 Lamp High Output Fixture" It came with a 10K and actinic bulbs but i swapped the actininc for a 6700K.

[@Rinful]

do you use a C02 injector for that tank?

[@airplanecity]

Do you use tap to refill your tank?

[@MrJoeGecko]

@chronikiss Thanks!!

[@AL_McLoud]

very nice, like your tank. sorry about your pearl :(

[@AReadythen]

this was cool