1-2 Gallon Walstad RCS Bowl, I have questions.

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philipraposo198

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Mar 4, 2014
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I want to experiment with a small shrimp vase/bowl using Walstad method. I did a bit of reading but still have some concerns as I have never done anything outside of my one tank.

First question, from what I understand I would rare do wcs and it would mostly be top ups. I am assuming I would do this the same way as a normal tank wc with treated water that is matched for temp. right?

When I first start can I just use water from my tank? Or should I just use treated tap water? Would this jar cycle? I can't imagine it would, from the reading it seems like the plants use up the toxins and the shrimp / snails would feed the plants.

So does that mean I can plant it and put shrimp and snails in right away? or should I do just plants for a while to let the plants establish themselves?

How would I control / avoid algae? I am not to use ferts right? The idea is to have the plants use up everything and leave nothing for algae?

What else do i need to know before trying this? I don't want to just kill my shrimp or plants.

I wasn't going to use any of the following:
no light, no filter, no heater.

Just a bowl / vase / jar (i haven't picked it out yet) safe -t-sorb substrate (same as my tank) and a ton of plants (all clippings from my tank)

Livestock would be rcs, mts, ramshorn, and pond snails. I don't know how much of each. Any suggestions? Assume for 1g how much of each could I put? If I then end up with a larger 3-4g I would just do the multiplication and work it out that way.

I understand its all about balance but I really have no idea where to start. I am still trying to figure out the balancing act in my 75g. its going well but not perfect, yet
 
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