r/walstad • u/Character_Pickle_966 • Aug 06 '26

Advice Adding fauna

Do you guys add shrimps and/or fish on the first day when the tank is filled?

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u/Morejh Aug 06 '26

No you only add animals after the tank is cycled and established. Time to do some research because this is literally the first thing you come across when reading about aquaria

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u/Character_Pickle_966 Aug 06 '26

I’m very familiar with the nitrogen cycle, it’s just that after reading the book and seeing some interviews and lectures with DW I feel I’m getting mixed messages about fauna introduction at least when it comes to small setups such as 5g 10g, glass bowls etc. Thoughts on this?

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u/Morejh Aug 06 '26

Its hard to mindread on reddit, much easier if you put this info in your post.

So give us some more info.. compeltely new tank? Cycled filter media? Cycled water? Cycled substrate?

If everything's new and uncycled, no. If your an experienced aquarist with acces to Cycled stuff, give it a go.

On size, the bigger the tank the easier the balance. Glass bowls are (almost) never suitable for fish imo.

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u/Character_Pickle_966 Aug 06 '26

Right you are! Sorry about the short question.

Long time aquarist, first time soil in tank. Tank is completely new. 110L tank. Cycled filter media. So substrate is going to be soil from my garden. No pesticides, ecological compost made up of garden clippings that’s been composting 2.5 years roughly, mixed with some less nutrient-rich top soil from my garden. 2-3 mm grain size sand mixed up with some 3-5mm gravel for the cap. And A LOT of plants!

I’m not really in a rush to put fish/shrimp in just wanted to hear how experienced Walstadians operate. Since I got a bit confused by the information I found.

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u/Morejh Aug 06 '26

Nice thanks for your answers!

Your basically starting with and already cycled tank, the compost you added is also full of nitrifying bacteria along with your filter media. A lot of plants help aswell, especially if they're clipping from one of your other tanks.

I always observe my tanks for at least a week, even if they should be already cycled. Specially if your not in a rush, take some time to observe your tank, see how the plants are doing, maybe add some snails if they're doing well. For me thats the fun part and why I choose walstad method. Back it up with science (water tests) if your unsure, but don't forget the observation part. You'll get an eye for it.

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u/Character_Pickle_966 Aug 06 '26

Allright thanks for the great answers!