SHARPiE
Aquarium Advice Freak
Hi all,
I have decided to create a Walstad inspired tank.
The plan is to have a male betta and some cherry shrimp.
I'm using cuttings off my new 20G planted tank and driftwood I've been curing for some time.
Substrate:
2/3" layer of premium potting mix
2/3" layer of 1-2mm black silica gravel
Lighting:
18" T8 light housing
15w T8 Power-Glo tube
Filtration:
None at this point
Day 1
I placed the potting mix in the bottom of the tank with a layer of gravel.
Filled it up carefully with water.
Placed the pre-soaked driftwood in the tank.
The water was quite cloudy at this stage (but is expected)
Day 2
Heater is installed into the tank, water is clearing
Grabbed a bit of Java Moss from my main tank to see what would happen
Day 3
Water has cleared a little more so did a PWC, clipped some plants from my main tank and planted: 3 dwarf blyxa cuttings (front right) 1 Vallisneria spiralis sprout (far back right - out of view) 1 Hygrophila (front right). I moved the drifwood a little too.
Photo after planting:
Day 4
Water is clearing again after planting
Day 5
The lighter coloured drifwood is coated in a jelly like slime. From research this is normal?
Questions:
I have decided to create a Walstad inspired tank.
The plan is to have a male betta and some cherry shrimp.
I'm using cuttings off my new 20G planted tank and driftwood I've been curing for some time.
Substrate:
2/3" layer of premium potting mix
2/3" layer of 1-2mm black silica gravel
Lighting:
18" T8 light housing
15w T8 Power-Glo tube
Filtration:
None at this point
Day 1
I placed the potting mix in the bottom of the tank with a layer of gravel.
Filled it up carefully with water.
Placed the pre-soaked driftwood in the tank.
The water was quite cloudy at this stage (but is expected)
Day 2
Heater is installed into the tank, water is clearing
Grabbed a bit of Java Moss from my main tank to see what would happen
Day 3
Water has cleared a little more so did a PWC, clipped some plants from my main tank and planted: 3 dwarf blyxa cuttings (front right) 1 Vallisneria spiralis sprout (far back right - out of view) 1 Hygrophila (front right). I moved the drifwood a little too.
Photo after planting:
Day 4
Water is clearing again after planting
Day 5
The lighter coloured drifwood is coated in a jelly like slime. From research this is normal?
Questions:
- Do you think I can get away without a filter?
- Does anyone have any scientific information on the slime on my driftwood? (only the light colour is developing slime)