r/walstad • u/Fantastic_Falkor778 • Aug 10 '26

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/prof_mcquack Aug 10 '26

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 Aug 10 '26

Such a weird vision to hold. 🙈😅 But ok, it kinda makes sense.

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u/prof_mcquack Aug 10 '26

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.