01-17-2017—Walstad Tank

Below is photo of tank from October 2016. In rough shape. Algae was flourishing on anubias leaves and micro sword was fighting for scraggly existence. The problem: micro sword needs moderate/high light, anubias leaves need low light to prevent algae growth.

Here's tank today. Micro sword is no more. Water lettuce and Pachira aquatica were added to shade anubias. You can also prevent algae growth by moving light farther away from water's surface or decreasing light time.

Also replaced filter with air bubbler. Bubbler keeps water moving without removing material, which is more concordant with Diana Walstad's method, a closed, self-sustaining system. Distilled water is added every 1-3 weeks to replace evaporated water and about 1/3 water replaced every couple months.

09-05-2016—Walstad Tank

The two glass shrimp that were added disappeared by the next day. They were replaced by zebra nerite snail, which helps keep algae in check. A few weeks later, I was cleaning out the filter and saw a shrimp go down the drain. It was clear, not opaque, alive and eking out an existence in the filter chamber. Unfortunately no more. I moved the light farther away. Anubias leaves were being consumed by black algae. They looked horrible; I wish I had taken a photo. Once the lamp was moved, the algae disappeared within a few days. I've tried a few times to leave the filter off, but the water seems to get scummier. On the hunt for a cheap microscope, so I can view the water under magnification to compare filter and no filter.

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis (micro sword) has seen better days. The rhizomes that root in the soil are green, but the unrooted blades are yellow. Looking at past photos, I can see that it's thinned significantly. Due to lower light levels maybe?

Today, after water change, Bud had this alien-like parasite sticking out of his head. Turns out it's a normal appendage, called a siphon, for getting more oxygen. Sure enough he was rushing over to the filter outlet, where he sat with his antennae flowing in the current. A few minutes later the siphon had retracted, and he was on his way.

07-08-2016—Walstad Tank

Tank water within acceptable parameters. Added Marimo ball and two glass shrimp. One shrimp is much more vigorous than the other. Not sure if mopey shrimp will make it. Fingers crossed.

06-24-2016—Walstad Tank

Driftwood in tank was getting moldy on the part sticking above water. Removed it and mounted Anubias on terra cotta shard. Doesn't look as good, but will be easier to keep clean. Pothos stem kept rotting, which was a surprise. Replaced it with more spider plant. Did 50% water change, and added filter. Water is still brown from tannins in wood. Next day the snails were lying upside down on bottom. I threw away the smallest snail but left the biggest in the tank. Added more chelator. Came back and the snail was alive! Dug the second snail out of an empty yogurt container in garbage and returned it to tank. It also came back to life! Update: 06-26-2016 Second snail died. Being garbage is bad for your health.

06-17-2016—Walstad Tank

Started Walstad tank a week ago with Egeria densa, Lilaeopsis brasiliensis, and Anubias sp. Pothos and spider plant are in hanging baskets on top. Used organic Miracle Gro and black aquarium sand for substrate. Chem strip results: Nitrate (0), Nitrite (0), Total Hardness (300), Total Alkalinity (300), pH (8.4)

Today I removed the Egeria because it looked gross and mounted the Anubias to driftwood. 2 black mystery snails (Pomacea) were added 5 days ago. Chem strip results: Nitrate (0), Nitrite (1.0), Total Hardness (150), Total Alkalinity (80), pH (7.2) Changed out 10% of the water. Accidentally used drinking water w/ mineral additives. Hopefully this won't have ill effects.