My First NPT(Natural Planted Tank) Using Dr. Walstad's methods.

I first became fascinated with this concept when I read a Tropical Fish Hobbiest article about a NPT fish room. I then had to buy the book, boy it's a text book, rather than a fish book. Lots of science in there. If you like reading a biology text book, this book is for you. Otherwise it's still a good read, and you'll learn a ton, but it'll feel a little like work.

Basic premises of the Dr. Walstad Method.

-Soil substrate contains 7 different bacterias that can live in aquariums.
-Soil substrate provides co2 to the aquarium from decomposing matter.
-Plants when given the opportunity prefer to feed on ammonia.
-All nutrients that plants need can be provided from fish food.
-Nutrients are removed from the aquarium via plant trimming.
-Water changes are not necessary.
-Topping off water, does not change hardness or ph after the tank is established.
-Filtration should not be used.
-Circulation is an option.

So basically we see here, a tank that never needs a water change, doesn't need a filter. Sounds too good to be true right? That's what I thought also, until I started reading her forum and seeing amazing tanks, following these exact guidelines.

Have a look at this tank. It won't knock your socks off, until you realize there is no filtration, no fertilizers, and no water changes, and it's been stable for 9+ years.

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So after doing a bunch of research and procrastinating, roughly 6 months. I finally started a NPT. I had the soil sitting around for 3 months etc.

Tank: 29 gallon, painted black back.

First thing, I had to drain and take down the tank, I had used it for breeding Albino Bristlenose Plecos.
Pic to come later.

Then I measured and marked on the glass, 1 and 2 inches. 1 Inch is supposed to be organic soil, covered with an inch of aquarium gravel to top it off.
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This is the soil I chose to use. Cost me 2.79 from home depot.
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Then I had to sift all the organic soil, to get all the sticks and bulky items out. I found a $1 colander from the dollar store worked great for this. This process probably took me 40 minutes.
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Next I covered it with a mix of gravel. It had some laterite in it, with crushed coral and natural colored gravel. I used this mix, because I had it laying around. Then I started filling it up with water very slowly. As you can see... It pretty much does what you'd think it would... Big mud pit.
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I then let it sit for a day, no improvement on the muddy conditions. So I did a water change down to the gravel. and refilled, much better, and a new pic to come when I get home. I forgot to take a picture last night.

yeah... I rinse the heck out of the soil/sand/gravel before puttin it in the tank.... helps with the cloudiness. I am actually going to be using that method in allot of my tanks... thanks for the post!

Wow Cory, I can't wait to see the finished product! Keep us up to date!

Cory,
Good luck with your new project. Did you consider to try a dry start with this set-up?

Some more updates on this tank. Here is the pic I promised. A tank as of yesterday.
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Here is what I got done today. Plants I had on hand.
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Plant list:
Vallisneria(pulled from higher PH shell dweller tank)
Dwarf Lily Bulb
bolbitis heudelotii
Crypt. Wendetti bronze
Subwassertang
Java Fern Narrow Leaf
Salvini(floating plant)
Water sprite(floating form)

Livestock:
3 Blue Platies
1 MTS
1 Olive Nerite snail
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Today when I got home from work. My guppy grass was pearling. First time I've ever had a plant pearl for me.

tanks is looking great man
but whats pearling??

When a plant is photosynthesizing so effeciently that you can see it releasing oxygen into the water. Basically means it's happy.

This is not my plant. However this is what it looks like. Also sometiems plants can look like this after a water change. However it's a good sign when it does it every day for ya.

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Woooo Hooooo Pearling!!! got to love it when a plant is happy it bubbles! I just finished puttin together my 20gal walstad tech tank!! You convinced me cory...... it will be for my discus when I get a pair! thanks again for the idea!

I DEFINITELY want to try this. Keep posting!!!

sandnuka wrote:Woooo Hooooo Pearling!!! got to love it when a plant is happy it bubbles! I just finished puttin together my 20gal walstad tech tank!! You convinced me cory...... it will be for my discus when I get a pair! thanks again for the idea!

That sound like a very interesting and challenging project. Please let us know when you start the project!

just posted pictures in the show and tell.... sorry cory, not to steal your thread.... my project is thanks to you.... well and Lilydog (he original taught me the tech)

sandnuka wrote:just posted pictures in the show and tell.... sorry cory, not to steal your thread.... my project is thanks to you.... well and Lilydog (he original taught me the tech)

Don't worry, you're not stealing my thread. The real magic, is if someone can remember to keep posting update pictures

Yesterday I had pearling as well. Very small amounts so far. Today I plan to start feeding the tank. I must admit I am nervous, because there is no filtration! Today is go time!

Cory, what are your water parameters.... I keep gettin a higher nitrite reading.... whats weird is there shouldnt be any ammonia cause there is no fish in there, and I havent fed anything in there?? Think I am gettin a false positive??

On the upside I am gettin allot of growth! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I just did a water change on my tank today. So that I could move it. To make room for 2 more 55 gallon tanks. So my parameters would not be correct.

However it makes sense you have Nitrite in the water, you have dirt that is rotting. Making ammonia etc.

you think i could do this in 10 gal tank if i find shourter plants or something i want to try this

I know a very successful dwarf breeder that uses this tech in all his tanks... and most are 10 gals ..... He has no problem whatsoever! Honestly, I believe it would actually be easier to keep water parameters stable this way. Good luck.

This is my 1 Month update. I really didn't think the tank changed much, until I saw the day 1 pictures vs todays picture. I did add 1 plant, Sunset Hygro.

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Nitrates 20
Nitrites barely registering.

No water changes. Only feeding the platies. Platies are breeding.

Cory... looks awesome!!! I am gettin crazy amounts of growth too... I love this setup! The plant on the left of the picture... kinda pink on the top leaves, what is the name of it??? someone told me it was illegal?? I love it, and it grows like mad craziness!

Are you using any at all filtration?? anything for water movement, air pump? its Awesome you have not done one water change... this is where you and I differ... i still do water changes and use a filter

There is literally nothing done to the tank, no filtration or water movement AT ALL. No water changes. Also the plant is sunset hygrophilia? as far as I know it's legal in washington . There are some version of hygro that are no legal.

I put boiled top soil under the sand in all of my planted tanks, it makes for very happy plants. I just boil it because I'm in FL and there are all sorts of critters and nasty's that could wander into my tank if I didn't, so boiling it is a good way to water-log it and sterilize it.

If you have a betta or something you can have mosquito larvae in the tank and the fish will eat it right up

I removed the dwarf lily out of the tank as the growth had gotten insane. 7+ leaves that were 3-4 inches in diameter. Tonight is a Gsas meeting though. So I'll be on the look out for plants to put in my tanks.