Practical Fishkeeping's Low-tech Experiment

[George Farmer]

Some of you will find this interesting.

Peter Bradley, Practical Fishkeeping magazine’s (UK) regular planted contributor has set up a planted Juwel Rio 180 (180 Litre, 47 US Gallon) in accordance with Diana Walstad’s low-tech methodology.

For those who haven’t read Walstad’s excellent book; “Ecology of the Planted Aquarium”, the main principles are low-moderate lighting, soil-based substrate and minimal water changes. The substrate provides most of the necessary nutrients (even CO2) as well as the fish food and waste, in fact she encourages “over” feeding, with the view that the plants will use up any excess nutrients. The minimal water changes (running for months with no changes) allow the accumulation of various algae fighting substances i.e. humic acids and allelochemicals. Plant choice fairly limited due to the lighting and obviously root-feeding species will benefit the most from the soil-substrate i.e. Crypts and Swords.

Anyway, you can see the tank’s progress from week to week via the PFK website blog. You can even leave comments and questions (I’ve just left some feedback and questions, it becomes public after PFK have approved it). You’ll need to register to be able to do so but it is an excellent site with loads of reviews, articles and useful calculators etc. so is worthwhile taking the little time to leave your details and register.

In a few months Peter plans to run a similar “experiment” with a high-tech set-up. The comparison should prove very interesting.

For anyone interested in a low-tech tank then this should prove invaluable. One massive plus of a low-tech over a high-tech is cost for those on a budget.

Here’s the link – remember you may need to register to view it.

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...category=plants

 

[George Farmer]

My feedback and questions are now on the site.

 

[simonbrown403]

Thanks for the link george, il watch it with interest.

Do you have any links to info on Diana Walstad’s low-tech methodology

Thanks

 

[George Farmer]

I don't know any in particular. Google might though!

 

[zig]

Interesting.........dont think much of his scape so far ive seen better in members aquarium pictures on here

Good questions......i will definatly keep an eye on it as he progresses.

 

[BigC]

http/www.aquabotanic.com/diana_walstad_gallery.htm

 

[IovaykInD]

Now it sounds like something worth reading. It will be cool seeing the difference between a low tech tank and a high tech tank, and seeing the results they produce.

 

[lljdma06]

Interesting.........dont think much of his scape so far ive seen better in members aquarium pictures on here

I agree, his aquascaping is not my favorite, but I like the ideas behind the setup, though because of my lousy experience with Flourite, I'm a little wary of a loam substrate.

Great questions and feedback, gf. Also, thanks for the exposure to a new website. I'll be keeping an eye out on Practical Fishkeeping's Experiment. I'm curious about the High-tech version.

 

[Ptarmigan]

.

 

[zig]

http/www.aquabotanic.com/diana_walstad_gallery.htm

I have been watching this page for some time now, hoped to see an update soon !
Unless I am missing something this all dates back to her publications some time ago,
this page mentions Oct2001 and May1993!

I think I have seen her post more recently in a forum or listserver ( APD ? Perhaps?) so I think she is still 'about' but no updates on her results or mature info on her experiments.
Which is a shame

I think the idea is you buy her books, there is very little information about her methods online, she is a mod on Aquabotanic where they have a low light section specifically dealing in the type of tanks she sets up, even after reading through practically every thread in that section i still didnt come away that informed as to her methods, she also comes across as someone who is quite cranky with some of her replys!

Also there is practically no photographs of her work online either, and i believe what is available is not that inspiring.

Edit: oh ok i didnt check the link some of her tanks are pictured and well i think i was correct.......not that inspiring.

 

[simonbrown403]

http/www.aquabotanic.com/diana_walstad_gallery.htm

I have been watching this page for some time now, hoped to see an update soon !
Unless I am missing something this all dates back to her publications some time ago,
this page mentions Oct2001 and May1993!

I think I have seen her post more recently in a forum or listserver ( APD ? Perhaps?) so I think she is still 'about' but no updates on her results or mature info on her experiments.
Which is a shame

I think the idea is you buy her books, there is very little information about her methods online, she is a mod on Aquabotanic where they have a low light section specifically dealing in the type of tanks she sets up, even after reading through practically every thread in that section i still didnt come away that informed as to her methods, she also comes across as someone who is quite cranky with some of her replys!

Also there is practically no photographs of her work online either, and i believe what is available is not that inspiring.

Edit: oh ok i didnt check the link some of her tanks are pictured and well i think i was correct.......not that inspiring.

Tell me about it, the only stuff i could find after a lengthy Google search was her book endorsement and and the odd snippet.
the only good bit of info on a link you posted to Tom Barr's site where he out lined her basic method and explained and answered readers question's interesting reading.

click on read all comments at the bottom to review all comments.

http/www.barrreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395

 

[George Farmer]

.......dont think much of his scape so far ive seen better in members aquarium pictures on here

I think that's the low-tech's biggest problem - at least from an aesthetic perspective. Creating a lush looking aquascape would be very challenging without the lighting and CO2 levels that high-tech tanks utililize especially with plant choice also being limited.

It certainly will be interesting to see how Peter sets up the high-tech tank, especially regarding lighting, fertilisation (somehow I doubt he'll EI) and plant choice. As far as I can tell from his PFK contributions he's more an advocate of the low-tech approach so I wonder if this will be reflected in the "experiment"?

 

[lljdma06]

It certainly will be interesting to see how Peter sets up the high-tech tank, especially regarding lighting, fertilisation (somehow I doubt he'll EI) and plant choice. As far as I can tell from his PFK contributions he's more an advocate of the low-tech approach so I wonder if this will be reflected in the "experiment"?

Do you think he'll set up a Dutch-type aquascape or an Amano-type? I'm guessing Amano, since I get the impression that Dutch may be out of fashion. It would make a difference in the maintenance. If he doesn't EI, then what's the point? The high-tech experiment could possibly not be as successful. Don't get me wrong, but if he's going to go high-tech, he should go all the way!

I tried googling Walstad's methods as well, and wasn't inspired by anything I saw on the internet.

PFK is paying for his experiments, right? I'd love to be paid to do that kind of experiment.

 

[Ptarmigan]

.

 

[Mr Miagi]

.......dont think much of his scape so far ive seen better in members aquarium pictures on here

I think that's the low-tech's biggest problem - at least from an aesthetic perspective. Creating a lush looking aquascape would be very challenging without the lighting and CO2 levels that high-tech tanks utililize especially with plant choice also being limited.

I dont think its that hard. Creating a "lush" looking aquascape requires a bit of imagination, not technology. Plant choice is limited, and it does frustrate me sometimes. That, I feel, is the only real dis-advantage to a low-tech planted tank.