El Natural Question

[bordercollie05]

I'm thinking of trying the Walstad method on one of my tanks. It's a ten gallon and is mature with fish living happily in it (for about 6 months). My question is, if I leave the filter, does that take away from the nutrients the plants get? Or should I ditch the filter? If I do, will my fish be okay to be in the tank right away, or do I need to move them and re-add them gradually? Thanks!

Laura

 

[Mr Bliss]

I don't think leaving the filter in will have any effect on plant growth, as plants can use nitrate just as well as ammonia. The filter will also help protect against early ammonia spikes, as the substrate is likely to burp up some ammonia along with assorted escaping gases for the first month or two.

 

[aaronnorth]

She didnt use filters on her tanks, as the idea is to let it grow naturally, therefore the plants being the filter, i suppose it wouldnt hurt for the 1st few months like Mr. B said . You can leave the fish in as these form part of the nutrients available to the plants, aswell as the fish food.

 

[bordercollie05]

Thanks aaron and mr. b. Hopefully I'll be working on that tank next . The plant bug has bitten...I want live plants in all my tanks now!

Thanks again for your help

Laura