[Wet Thumb Forum]-Carrying capacity

[Coloboz]

I will be setting up a Walstad type 29 gallon aquarium, in Texas. Can this type of tank support a pair of angel fish, some neons, 3 cory catfish and trumpet snails? I won't be able to do frequent water changes because of the poor water quality avaiable, high Ammonimum, high Nitrite, high KH & GH. Guess you could call it high water. My plan is to do quarterly partial water changes, with good water. This tank will have to be low maintances because I live in Colorado.

[Coloboz]

I will be setting up a Walstad type 29 gallon aquarium, in Texas. Can this type of tank support a pair of angel fish, some neons, 3 cory catfish and trumpet snails? I won't be able to do frequent water changes because of the poor water quality avaiable, high Ammonimum, high Nitrite, high KH & GH. Guess you could call it high water. My plan is to do quarterly partial water changes, with good water. This tank will have to be low maintances because I live in Colorado.

[dwalstad]

Dear A;

The fish you describe should fit perfectly into a 29 gal.

The water is loaded with nutrients. With a soil underlayer, enough light, and enough of the right plants, it could do very well.

Don't worry about frequent water changes. My 55 gal (see earlier folder) that I set up in March still hasn't had a water change and it's doing great! Fish are thriving.

[Coloboz]

Hi all
I changed my user name.. used to be a,.

My concern with the Texas tank is largely due to the fact that I have always had very soft water PH 7, KH 0, GH 0. When this water is added to my 29 gal natural aquarium it becomes PH 8, KH 7, GH 6; CACO2 40mg/L. This seems to work ok.

The raw water in Texas is PH 8.3, GH 25, KH 7; CACO2 100mg/l, Ammonium .25, Nitrite, .3mg/l, Nitrate 5mg/l. When this water is added to a natural aquarium will the PH, GH, KH increase to unusable levels?

I have had no experience dealing with water like this and after setting up the tank, for my grandson I will be returning to Colorado. My son will probably try and help but he has no experience with tropical fish.

Al

[dwalstad]

Hi Al,

Let's see. You're setting up a tank with soil (difficult because your grandson won't get any support from the aquarium stores) for your grandson who has very little experience. Then there's the really hardwater that will inhibit many plant species not to mention the fish; the ones you've mentioned all come from softwater.

This doesn't sound like a recipe for success. Most of the people who try my type tank have had previous experience or at least unbridled enthusiasm! They have read my book and embraced the concepts of having a natural tank.

I would be inclined to let your grandson set up his own tank the way he wants to. If he uses an undergravel filter and keeps hornwort (which loves hardwater and doesn't need substrate) to help lower the ammonia, he may be able to get away with infrequent water changes. I'd suggest he start out with Tanganyikan cichlids, which thrive in hardwater.

However, there's still the issue of adequate lighting for decent plant growth. I would feel better if your grandson was the one posting letters on this website, as he is the one that will be maintaining this tank. Let your grandson, if he's really interested, take the iniative.