#walstadmethod

[glassboxdiaries]

I trimmed the pearlweed in my Walstad method pearlweed jungle tank to make space for some Medaka rice fish, and it's nice to see my Bloody Mary Neocaridina shrimp in all their glory!

[filfy-kat]

Probably because it's been cold, but one week and now I've finally got some green coming from my seeds! --- #glossostigma #drystartmethod #walstadmethod #plantedaquarium #plantedtank #fishkeeping (at Bloomington, Indiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqyPBtUFmdc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dtbsmtwaq7mf

[meghanschader]

Trimmed all the plants and remembered there was fish in there #aquascape #plantedtank #walstadmethod #pleco #harlequinrasbora #serpeatetra #rainbowbosmani

[hueyland]

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Worms! #discus #discustank #150galdiscustank #dinnertime #aquariums #liveplants #walstadmethod #chicagodiscus (at Cheeseville, Wisconsin)

[glassboxdiaries]

🌱 After trying countless #aquariumplants in my Walstad tanks, I've found that some are better at natural water purification than others. Here are my top 5 picks for Walstad tanks that keep water parameters stable and safe for fish! 🧵👇

Limnophila Sessiliflora 🌿 This is my favorite submerged plant for #Walstadmethod tanks! It grows fast, uses up plenty of ammonium and nitrate, and provides surface area for beneficial bacteria. Plus, it’s easy to propagate by replanting trimmed stems! 🪴 One drawback of Limnophila? It can grow so fast that it starves itself of nitrate, leading to browning. Feeding fish a bit more should help fix this as fish waste feeds #aquaticplants.

Salvinia Auriculata ☘️ Floating plants like Salvinia are great for a Walstad #aquarium since they get CO2 from the air. My tanks have seen noticeable nitrate drops after adding it. Plus, its leaves change size based on nutrient levels, giving a visual cue for tank health! A pro-tip with Salvinia: keep it in a floating ring to control light levels for your submerged plants. And be ready for regular maintenance—I remove handfuls from my #fishtank every week! 🌊

Rotala Rotundifolia, I keep this in 6 tanks and it's great for a #natureaquarium! It’s a slightly slower-growing stem plant, which means less trimming, about every 3-4 weeks. For those seeking low-maintenance plants, this is a perfect choice that helps stabilize tank parameters. Rotala is also easy to find and cheap. Unlike Limnophila, it doesn't get leggy in low light making it perfect for a #lowtechtank. For me, Rotala and Salvinia are the dream team in Walstad tanks. 💪

Pearlweed💧 New to my tanks, but I’m loving it so far! Despite being labeled as "advanced," it's doing well in both medium and low-light tanks. A liquid fertilizer may be needed in low-bio tanks like a #shrimptank. Fun fact: “pearlweed” can refer to several species, causing confusion. I’m using Micranthemum Glomeratum and, though growth is slower at first, it speeds up after 2-3 months! 🕒 It uses up a lot of nitrogen compounds making it perfect for #dirtedtanks

Hygrophila Polysperma and the Rosanervig variant🌿 They are solid choices for any #plantedtank especially Walstad tanks. They grows in random directions, making them less ideal for aquascapers. But it’s great for tank health if you don’t mind the wild look. Hygrophila Polysperma Rosanervig has a virus that limits chlorophyll production causing beautiful pink leaves on fresh growth making it a great plant for an #aquascape too. While all these plants work well, Rotala Rotundifolia and Salvinia Auriculata are my ultimate duo for keeping Walstad tanks thriving. 🌿 What plants have you tried in your own Walstad tanks? Let me know your favorites and check out my video on the topic.

[glassboxdiaries]

🌿🐠 **200-Day Update: My 6.6-Gallon (25L) Walstad Cherry Shrimp Tank!** 🦐✨

Welcome to my 200-day update on this thriving 6.6-gallon (25-liter) Walstad method cherry shrimp tank! 🎉

The Walstad method is all about working *with* nature to create a sustainable, self-sufficient aquarium ecosystem. This tank uses topsoil capped with gravel as the substrate, which is rich in micronutrients that help plants flourish. 🌱 The plants not only provide beauty but also act as the tank’s filtration system. 🌿

The soil supports beneficial bacteria that naturally boost CO2 levels, creating the perfect environment for plants to grow and thrive. One of the stars of this tank is **Rotala rotundifolia**—a hardworking plant that absorbs toxic nitrogen compounds like ammonia and nitrates while also providing endless grazing opportunities for the shrimp. 🦐

Speaking of shrimp, they’re absolutely thriving in here! 😍 I estimate there were around 100 cherry shrimp at one point, thanks to their constant breeding. They’re busy all day grazing on biofilm, algae, and any leftovers, contributing to the tank’s perfect nutrient cycle. Shrimp waste feeds the plants, which in turn help keep the water pristine for the shrimp and fish. It’s a beautiful balance! 🌊✨

Over the past week, I rehomed 15 shrimp to my other tanks and gifted 35 to friends who wanted to start their own shrimp setups. Sharing the love for these little critters! 🥰

As for the tank’s fish, I recently moved the two Medaka rice fish that lived here to my main Medaka setup. In their place, I introduced some guppies about a week ago, and they’re settling in wonderfully! So far, the guppies are doing great, and the balance of the tank remains stable. 🐟

This tank is a perfect example of how the Walstad method creates a low-maintenance yet thriving environment for both plants and livestock. It’s so rewarding to see nature’s balance play out in a small, controlled ecosystem. 💚

Let me know if you’re thinking of starting a Walstad tank or if you already have one! Would you try it with cherry shrimp, guppies, or even Medaka? Drop your thoughts below! 👇✨

[glassboxdiaries]

I spent nearly half an hour earlier trimming back the pearlweed jungle in my Walstad Method tank—warmer temperatures have really kicked its growth into overdrive.

The Bloody Mary neocaridina shrimp and orange Medaka rice fish went back to foraging for food within minutes, totally unbothered by the disruption.

I even used some of the trimmings to start a new shrimp jar—a fun little side project that should fill in nicely over the next few months.

[glassboxdiaries]

The Easiest Shrimp Tank Setup You’ll Ever See! (No Filter, No Heater, No CO2)

My Blog Post On The Best Shrimp Food - https://glassboxdiaries.com/the-best-shrimp-foods-to-support-growth-health-and-reproduction/ Tank Setup Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6gQkIIldn8

Welcome to the 7-month update for my 6.6-gallon (25-liter) Pearlweed shrimp tank! This tank has been running using the Walstad Method, with a layer of topsoil capped by fine gravel, and relies entirely on plants for natural filtration. Inside, there’s a colony of Bloody Mary Neocaridina shrimp, though spotting them can be tricky with all the lush plant cover.

Pearlweed Growth & Maintenance The pearlweed has thrived in this setup and now requires regular trimming to keep it under control. On average, I trim it every two months, cutting it back by about one-third. While I don’t replant the trimmings in this tank due to space limitations, I’m considering using them to establish pearlweed in another tank. Pearlweed is an excellent natural water purifier and provides great coverage for shrimp, fertilized eggs, and fry.

In fact, I’m planning to use some trimmings to create a breeding base for celestial pearl danios in another tank. Despite this tank being unheated and averaging a cool 18°C (65°F) in winter, the pearlweed and shrimp are thriving. Growth has slowed slightly with the colder temperatures, but it remains healthy and vibrant.

Updates on the Bloody Mary Shrimp Colony The Bloody Mary shrimp in this tank are doing well, breeding happily among the dense plant cover. Recently, I gave ten shrimp to a friend with a larger tank to help him establish his own colony. I’m even considering giving him more in the coming weeks to maximize his breeding potential and possibly receive some shrimp back next summer.

The main challenge with this setup is that the shrimp are so well-hidden it’s hard to keep track of their numbers. Unlike my other tanks, where shrimp come out during feeding, this tank has an abundance of biofilm and algae, so the shrimp are constantly grazing and rarely gather at the front. This can make it difficult to enjoy their activity, which has me considering moving them to a new tank.

I’m currently cycling two new tanks that might work well for the Bloody Mary shrimp. One is a Walstad Method setup, and the other will feature an Anubias lava rock island with a filter. I’m also thinking of pairing Medaka rice fish with shrimp, as their compatible water parameters and added bioload could enhance plant growth while creating a balanced ecosystem.

Water Parameters This tank has been remarkably stable, requiring only top-offs to counter evaporation rather than full water changes. The pearlweed, combined with beneficial bacteria and archaea, keeps nitrogen compounds in check, ensuring a safe environment for the shrimp.

Many worry about TDS levels creeping up without water changes, but that hasn’t been an issue here. The pearlweed absorbs nutrient salts and heavy metals as it grows, helping to maintain balance. I’ve also stopped dosing shrimp salts to increase gH and kH, and there haven’t been any problems with molting.

Feeding Routine The shrimp get minimal supplemental feeding since the pearlweed provides ample surface area for biofilm and algae. I add about a quarter of a Hikari Mini Algae Wafer each day, which the shrimp pick at throughout the day. Interestingly, research suggests Neocaridina shrimp are micro predators, consuming small organisms like nematode worms and microcrustaceans, which may contribute to their diet in this tank.

This has changed how I view Walstad Method setups. Even with such minimal feeding, the plants are thriving, showing how biofilm, algae, and shrimp waste create a self-sustaining system. I’m even tempted to experiment with a pearlweed shrimp jar, feeding only algae and biofilm to see if the system can support itself.

Final Thoughts This shrimp tank has been easy and affordable to maintain, starting with just a single pot of pearlweed and a Walstad Method setup. With no filter or heater, running costs are low, making it a great choice for budget-conscious hobbyists.

The main downside is the dense plant cover, which makes it hard to spot the shrimp. However, regular maintenance and trimming could address this if visibility is a priority.

Thanks for following along with this update! Let me know your thoughts or questions in the comments below.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro 00:07 - Shrimp Tank Method 00:26 - Pearlweed Growth 01:37 - Bloody Mary Neocaridina Shrimp 03:04 - Potential New Homes 03:47 - Water Parameters 05:08 - Feeding 07:40 - Wrapping It Up

Some of the links in this video description may be affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission from any purchases made.

[glassboxdiaries]

My new Walstad Method tank has just hit the 1-week mark!

The Hygrophila (both types), Java fern, crypts, and floating plants are thriving, but the Lilaeopsis brasiliensis has started to melt.

Algae is beginning to appear in some spots, and a light layer of biofilm is developing on the glass.

Ammonia levels are hovering around 0.5 ppm, but I’ve started seeing nitrite and nitrate readings, so the cycle is progressing.

There’s also a white, cloudy layer forming in the lower section of the tank, so I’ve ordered a small USB water pump to help improve flow.

Overall, I’m really pleased with how everything is growing in so far!

[glassboxdiaries]

My new Walstad method guppy tank setup from last night.

I'm currently monitoring the water parameters daily, and once they're stable, I'll be moving my two male guppies into the tank and possibly adding another two or three.

The tank will also house some neocaridina shrimp, and I'm considering introducing skuds, water louse, and seed shrimp as well.

Plant List

🌿 Hygrophila Polysperma 🌿 Hygrophila Rosanervig 🌿 Java Fern 🌿 Crypt Willisii 🌿 Lilaeopsis brasilensis 🌿 Duckweed 🌿 Water Lettuce

[glassboxdiaries]

Today, I’m debunking some common myths about Walstad Method aquariums. As a content creator, I know we sometimes oversimplify things, leading to misunderstandings. Let's clear up some confusion!🌿🐟

Myth 1: Walstad Method Tanks Don’t Use Filters.

Not entirely true! Dianna Walstad herself uses filters in some setups. Her book mentions using canister and HOB filters (pg. 57) and internal filters on (pg. 199). Filters = optional, not forbidden. 🌿🐟

If you’re new, a basic filter can help with water flow, mechanical filtration, and ammonia processing. But if you're going filterless, a USB water pump is a cheap, effective alternative to create water flow and maintain stable parameters in your aquarium.

Myth 2: Plants Are The Only Filters In Walstad Method Tanks.

Plants absorb nitrogen compounds, heavy metals, and more—but they’re not the only thing keeping fish safe. Beneficial bacteria and even archaea in the substrate play a huge role in processing ammonia and nitrite. 🦠

Did you know plants can process ammonia, ammonium, nitrite, AND nitrate? Research shows some plants even prefer nitrite over nitrate. Fast-growing plants like duckweed are excellent nitrogen absorbers but can be hard to manage.🌿🌿🌿

Myth 3: Walstad Tanks Don’t Need Water Changes.

Dianna Walstad says she does partial water changes every 3–6 months on established tanks. New tanks may need them more often due to soil leaching nutrients like ammonia. 💧💧💧

While water changes can be minimized, monitor parameters. Tap water provides essential plant nutrients, and plants help manage TDS over time. However, some things (like non-nutrient salts from medications) require water changes. 💧💧💧

Myth 4: No Fertilizers In Walstad Tanks.

Walstad tanks can run without fertilizers, but potassium & iron often need supplementation. Mulberry leaves & spinach are great natural options to boost potassium. Still, fertilizers remain a practical choice. ����🍃🍃

Myth 5: Walstad Research Is Outdated.

The Ecology of the Planted Aquarium was first published in 1999, but the 4th edition (2023) includes updated research. Always check the latest edition for the most relevant findings. 📚📚📚

Myth 6: Walstad tanks can be stocked instantly.

While Walstad sometimes stocks the same day, beginners should wait. Soil can leach ammonia, plants need time to adapt, and bacteria/archaea colonies take weeks to establish. Patience ensures a safe, balanced tank.🌿🐟

Avoid rushing into fish stocking. For shrimp tanks, waiting a few weeks allows algae & biofilm to grow, providing natural food for the shrimp. Slow & steady wins the Walstad race. 🦐🦐🦐

I hope this helps debunk some Walstad Method myths! It’s an incredible way to create natural, low-maintenance tanks—but understanding the nuances is key. My full video goes into far more detail!

[glassboxdiaries]

Thriving Walstad Shrimp Jar - Day 200 Update! My Planted Yellow Cherry Shrimp Ecosphere!

My 200-day-old Walstad Method shrimp jar is really coming to life as it matures!

The ecosystem is thriving, with active shrimp, healthy plants, enriched substrate, and plenty of biofilm growth.

The whole setup is coming together beautifully.

The setup uses a 6.5-liter (1.7 US gallon) jar, a clip-on Hygger nano light, a topsoil substrate capped with gravel, and plants that naturally filter the water to keep the shrimp safe.

I keep yellow neocaridina shrimp in the jar because they’re hardy, easy to care for, and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for a shrimp jar. I started with five shrimp when I set it up, and they’ve been breeding—now there are over thirty in the jar!

I plan to keep all the shrimp in the jar, taking a natural “survival of the fittest” approach, where the older shrimp outcompete the younger ones for food, naturally controlling the population over time.

The topsoil supplies micronutrients to the plants and hosts beneficial bacteria colonies. Nitrosomonas and Nitrosococcus convert ammonia into nitrite, while Nitrobacter and Nitrospira transform nitrite into nitrate, which the plants then use as a nutrient source. Bacillus feeds on the gunk build up to increase CO2 levels in the jar to help the plants grow.

Rotala rotundifolia serves as the primary filter for the jar, absorbing toxic ammonia and nitrite, with support from the beneficial bacteria. It also takes up various minerals from the water column, helping to manage TDS buildup that could otherwise lead to issues over time.

I add a small amount of food to the jar daily, with Hikari Mini Algae Wafers being the main food source for now since they’re nearing their expiry date. I also occasionally feed Fluval Bug Bites, Shrimp Snowflake Food, and bloodworms.

Ammonia and nitrite levels remain stable at 0ppm, with nitrate holding steady at 5ppm, all within safe ranges for neocaridina shrimp. The pH, gH, and kH are gradually increasing, which, according to Dianna Walstad’s book, is a normal byproduct of photosynthesis.

The jar uses a Hygger clip-on light, providing six hours of light each day—just enough for the plants to thrive without promoting excessive algae growth. This lighting also encourages biofilm growth, allowing the shrimp to graze on it in addition to their regular food.

This jar is very low maintenance; aside from daily feeding, I only add small amounts of water monthly to counter evaporation. I haven’t even trimmed the excess plant growth lately, allowing everything to develop naturally. Check out my YouTube video on the jar's progress for more information.

[glassboxdiaries]

Bad Plants For Walstad Method Tanks! (There's Better Options For Your Dirted Planted Tanks)

Commonly Recommended Plants for Walstad Method Tanks That Aren't Great for Natural Water Purification 👇

Bacopa Caroliniana 🌱 This stem plant is easy to grow, but unlike other stem plants, it has a very slow growth rate. That reduces its water purification efficiency, so it’s best used as a decorative plant.

Java Fern 🍃 In the right setup, this plant can be amazing and easy to keep. However, its slow growth means it’s better suited for providing hiding spots rather than purifying water naturally.

Red Ludwigia Varieties 🌿 Often called "easy to grow red plants," these can be temperamental. They may randomly melt, releasing toxins into the water from decaying leaves—making them tricky for beginners.

Bucephalandra 🌺 This beautiful, slow-growing plant adds nice red or brown hues to your tank, but it’s purely decorative. It doesn’t contribute to water purification due to its low growth rate.

Amazon Frogbit 🌿 This floating plant is great at water purification, but its rapid growth can lead to issues. Its long roots can penetrate the substrate and may stir up soil if you remove them, clouding the water.

Anubias 🌱 With many sizes and leaf shapes, Anubias is easy to grow. However, it’s slow-growing and doesn’t offer much in terms of water purification. It’s best as a decorative plant.

You can find out more about bad Walstad plants in this video.

You can find out more about the best Walstad Method plants in this video.

[glassboxdiaries]

Here’s a quick two-week update on my new Pearlweed Jungle shrimp jar.

I’m running it Walstad-style, so it’s still cycling; ammonia is holding steady at about 0.5 ppm.

To keep that in check and protect the pearlweed, I’m doing 80 percent water changes every third day, and so far everything is right on track.

If plant growth keeps up and the ammonia and nitrite remain safe, the jar should be shrimp-ready in roughly a month.

[glassboxdiaries]

Here’s a quick update on my 25-liter (6.6-gallon) Walstad Method aquarium.

It’s now over a year old and is currently home to four male guppies and a thriving colony of cherry shrimp.

The tank is built on a base of topsoil capped with gravel, relying heavily on plant filtration to maintain water quality.

The guppies are always active, the shrimp are breeding like crazy, and with the warmer weather starting to kick in, plant growth has really taken off.

While I’m happy with how the tank looks overall, I’m considering adding a small Cryptocoryne species to the midground for a bit of contrast and some fresh leaf textures.

I’ve also been toying with the idea of setting up a larger guppy tank.

If I go ahead with that, I might move the guppies over and return this tank to a fully filterless setup.

PLANT LIST 🌿 Rotala Rotundifolia 🌿 Bacopa Caroliniana 🌿 Eleocharis Parvula 🌿 Christmas Moss 🌿 Duckweed 🌿 Water Lettuce

[glassboxdiaries]

6 Lessons From A Failed Walstad Method Aquarium To Help You Avoid My Mistakes In Your Dirted Tank!

In this video, I walk you through the five-month journey of one of my Walstad Method aquariums—what worked, what didn’t, and most importantly, the lessons I’ve learned so you don’t make the same mistakes in your own setups.

This was a dirted tank that I set up during the colder months here in the UK, and that decision alone made everything harder than it needed to be. I wanted to experiment with a cold water fish tank using the Walstad Method, cycling it without a heater to see how the plants and microorganisms would handle the lower temperatures. While the idea was interesting in theory, it quickly became clear that starting a tank like this in winter—especially in an unheated fish room that drops to 18°C / 64°F—wasn’t ideal. Diana Walstad recommends temperatures above 22°C / 72°F to keep plant growth strong, and I now fully understand why.

In a Walstad aquarium, plants play the key role in filtration. Without a filter, the system relies on rapid plant growth to stabilize water parameters and manage waste. When the plants aren’t actively growing, they don’t pull nutrients or ammonia from the water effectively—and in a cold environment, their growth slows down significantly. As a result, I ended up facing ammonia spikes, cloudy water, and some pretty frustrating setbacks.

Another key lesson I learned was to avoid overloading the tank with plant species I had no prior experience with. I went all in on Hygrophila difformis and Hygrophila corymbosa, both of which are often recommended for Walstad tanks. But being unfamiliar with them—and sourcing them in their emersed (above water) form—meant I underestimated how long they’d take to adapt and start growing underwater. During their transition, they weren’t providing any meaningful filtration, which put more strain on the system and led to further instability.

If I were to do it again, I’d stick with proven performers like Rotala rotundifolia and Hygrophila polysperma—plants I’ve used successfully in other dirted tanks. These fast-growing stem plants can be lifesavers during the initial cycling phase and are much more forgiving in cool water conditions.

This tank was originally intended to be an apex predator setup featuring a paradise fish, so I didn’t expect a heavy bioload and assumed I wouldn’t need many fast growers. But that assumption didn’t hold up when ammonia began to build before the biological cycle was established. Looking back, I’d recommend overplanting in the beginning and gradually thinning things out as the tank matures.

I also share my experience sourcing fish for this project. After shelving the predator tank idea, I pivoted to zebra danios—hardy fish well-suited for unheated aquariums. But thanks to changes in UK regulations, they’ve become harder to find, and I had to resort to buying from Pets at Home. Unfortunately, the quality of those fish wasn’t great, and I lost most of them despite stable water conditions and careful acclimation. It was a tough reminder that sourcing from reputable breeders or specialized stores like Horizon Aquatics or Gateshead Guppies can make a huge difference in your fish tank’s success.

As for the future of this aquarium, I’ve decided to break it down and repurpose the space for new shrimp breeding projects in my fish room. The remaining zebra danios are going to a friend with a dedicated breeding setup, and I’m passing the tank and light along to someone starting a whiptail catfish tank. With online platforms like eBay UK banning live animal sales, and even Facebook cracking down, I’m planning to stay more self-sufficient by breeding my own high-grade shrimp going forward.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro 00:29 - Walstad Mistake 1 02:17 - Walstad Mistake 2 04:05 - Walstad Mistake 3 07:07 - Walstad Mistake 4 08:38 - Walstad Mistake 5 11:13 - The Future Of The Tank 12:33 - Cold Water Walstad Method Tanks

Disclaimer: Some of the links above may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission from purchases.