Hi,

I have three "Walstad" type tanks going, one for more than 2 years. They are all different. One needs nitrate nutrient dosing every few months; the others less frequently. (I determine when more nitrate is needed with a test kit.) All get some Flourish occasionally.

I am quite satisfied with that approach. My main problem is that some of the plants spread too fast (crypts, E. tennelus, and S. sublata, among others) and I do not like to prune. Over time this results in a natural but messy aquarium.

I also have experienced algae problems, particularly in the first month or so.

My soon-to-be-set-up next tank will be a soil-based tank, but I am also experimenting with inert substrates and water column dosing.

Bill