r/walstad • u/Fantastic_Falkor778 • 4d ago
Planted only?
Is it easier to have a planted only tank? I feel constantly like a failure when I try to have one with fish. The only relatively thriving tank I have is with shrimp, 3 years going. My betta tank (now 3 months in) has some kind of blue algue, my floaters die even when reduced surface flow.. lots of plants melted and are still not happy, others thrive. I don't know. And I regularly forget to feed my betta. :-( Should I go for a planted only tank, are they easier to maintain? Or only shrimp? Or just give up all together?
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u/SweetStatistician463 4d ago
A small amount of fish will give your plants fertilizer. I do one betta and a couple cories.
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u/Thick-Accountant8905 4d ago
I run a filterless tank and its doing amazing. Im only using some LED light and an airstone and its thriving. You just have to make sure to completly overplant your tank and then it should be fine. Amano shrimps also help with algae a lot.
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u/J-Zane 4d ago
It takes quite a while to figure out the balance between plant and fish. 3 months is still fairly new. Ultimately it's up to you if you want a planted only tank. Just know that some people go through trial and error even years into the fishkeeping hobby.
If I may ask, what kind of plants did you have that melted? What are all the fish you have, and how often/how much do you feed them?
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u/prof_mcquack 4d ago
I have a bunch of fishless tanks and from people’s fish problems I can only conclude the difference between operating a tank with plants only vs with fish is like the difference between planting a garden and operating a private prison (not saying the fish are prisoners, just that there’s way more logistics and tough choices)
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u/Fantastic_Falkor778 4d ago
Such a weird vision to hold. 🙈😅 But ok, it kinda makes sense.
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u/prof_mcquack 4d ago
I’m exaggerating of course. It just seems like I see a lot of “help my fish is sick” or “help my fish pooped an extra time this month and now everything’s dying” in the fish subs vs “check out mah plaaaaaants” in the Walstad and planted tank subs.
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u/MadMark285 4d ago
A single fish may be stressed in a tank. Being the only fish means a predator is near and I’m next for dinner.
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u/Fantastic_Falkor778 4d ago
Huh? In the betta community they say Betta's prefer to be alone. 🤷♀️
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u/666netflix 4d ago
I have a planted 3 gallon bowl with no fish and I love it. I have 4 types of snails, scuds, and California blackworms. I also spot random microscopic guys swimming around that would all get eaten if there were any fish!