Ecology of the Planted Aquarium: A Practical Manual and Scientific Treatise for the Home Aquarist

by Diana Walstad

This book presents novel scientific information in a way that beginning hobbyists can use it to set up and maintain planted freshwater aquaria


About The Author:
The author is a medical research technician, former technical advisor for the Aquatic Gardeners Association, and a long time aquarium hobbyist.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Reference, Nature, Biology, Gardening, Plants

194 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the aquarium book I was looking for. It really discusses "why" anything happens in the aquarium and how to balance it. I was tired of "do a water change", "buy these chemical additives", "charcoal!". This book gives you the tools to actually balance your aquarium in a low tech way.

I'm rereading and will probably reread over and over again.

[Ill D · Rating 4 out of 5]

To those of you who know, I’m hardly one to agree with the most anyone on anything. Not out of an intrinsic appeal of contrarianism or neck-beard styled trolling, just good ol’ critical thinking is my weapon of choice. So, I found myself in a completely surprising position to agree with the 3rd review here for Walstad’s Ecology of the Planted Aquarium: “Extremely technical.”

I’m sure a lot of us have come across Diane’s paean toward a more “naturally” styled tank via probably one of the greatest resources of newbies to this: Dustin’s Fish Tank channel on Youtube. However, as a bridge toward the construction of great tanks, this book is way too technical for anyone even remotely tethered within the realm of the amateur, no matter how aspiring. Effectively varnished with jargon, this product of a specialist (with a decade under her belt at the point of this publication) falls unsurprisingly close to its progenitor – dense and, well, technical.

Which is not to decry her knowledge or expertise which is completely unarguable. I’m sure all the mumbo-jumbo and equations work out as do the copious (and highly impressive) array of academic sources that back them up. However, to repeat oneself, all of this is hardly going to do much for the everyman approaching this surpassingly complex hobby.

So, to leave this on a nice note I would happily advise any fellow amateur to give this book a skim with a focus on the details that are the most pertinent; which is where the book succeeds the most for the rookies. There’s some great little nuggets here in there that can really boost a tank no matter it’s inherent nature (the sections on plant alleopathy and snails were really useful). But, if you’re looking to apply her method to the planting of a fresh tank, a cursory search on youtube will manifest a highly useful catalogue of options that will help you the most in the here and the now.

For the specialists (or anyone well versed in legit scientific methodology with a focus on chemistry and aquatic biology) this book I’m sure well deserves its biblical status in the aquarium community. With the right now how, this would make a stellar source for grad students and such.

But for everyone else: Search: Walstad Method on YouTube. It’ll be the first one up.

You’re welcome.

4 Stars for Specialists / 3 Stars for New Kids on the Block / ~4 stars overall.

[Kellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most important books on freshwater aquariums. Don't be fooled, it is a graduate level book for those with substantial experience and a genuine interest\talent for science. If this is you, few books will reward as much and be as necessary as Walstad's.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book ages ago. Dog's ages. It was incredibly useful and got me off to a good start, learning about aquatic and soil ecosystems, and now I've gone on to learn about other microbes than bacteria have several years now of practical experience. I've found much of what Walstad says useful, but not always consistent with what I've found in practice. Especially where she describes starting an aquarium with a layer of topsoil topped by gravel, planting it heavily and throwing fish in. In my experience topsoil releases a great deal of ammonia and other toxic gases into the water before the bacteria in the soil which consume those toxins multiply sufficiently to clean the water of them. Where I've followed her recommendations very closely, it took several months before the aquariums were ready to host plants and animals of any sort. I must note that I never was able to plant any aquarium nearly as densely as Walstad describes, so I've no way to know whether her EXACT formula would work for me. I suspect it would-I have no doubt of her veracity.

HOWEVER, after the initial period of settling it, aquariums set up along her general guideline are among the most fertile! Plants absolutely thrive and the fish are hardy and healthy. Further, the information Walstad provides is incredibly useful to a dilettante scientist such as myself and she has set me on a follow-my-nose journey of discovery which has led me to develop my aquarium keeping into a sort of art.

For the experimenter, someone willing to spend much time measuring water quality, investigating the levels of the various chemicals involved, for anyone wanting do dig deep into the ecology of the planted tank-buy this book and keep it on hand. For someone less deeply involved or interested, I'd suggest borrowing-bug your library to get this book or get it through interlibrary loan. I wish every hobby which touched on the sciences would inspire a hobbyist to do the sort of research Walstad has done and to share it with the rest of us.

following is what I wrote years before, while still reading "Ecology..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I am learning about the nutrient cycles and the roles of various plants, bacteria, fungi, and fish in them.

Bacteria is (are?) my favorite topic. They live in complex systems called biofilms which involve hundreds of species! Also, delicious words like "polysaccharides" keep popping up and giving me the opportunity to bone up on my greek and latin prefixes and suffixes and root words. Poly means many and a saccharide is a sugar-related chemical. Like saccharine!

OK, you must have the heart of a nerd to love this book but if you do you'll find a book written by a scientist from one field who's a hobbyist in the field of aquaria. The result is something put together on the level of a huge Scientific American article - it's written for a layperson with much exposure to science writing and a love science writing.

If a magazine like Scientific American makes no sense to you, you may still find useful tidbits but the material may seem rather dry and confusing.

Personally, I loved this book!

[Santi Acosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is more of a reference book than an actual read. Super rich in detail, everything from the chemistry of the water to the effects of plants on the system. It’s kind of sad that the BIG FISH industry pushes people toward sterile aquariums when, with just some dirt, some sand, and a couple of plants, you can create a full ecosystem with virtually no maintenance. Good thing Diana is here to share her secrets.

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much science, not enough how to. College chemistry textbooks are easier to read. This is way too much for a beginner hobbyist wanting to take a natural approach to aquarium keeping. There’s a tiny section at the end that has beginner how to but it’s ironically lacking in detail while the rest of the book is drowning in excessive scientific detail.

[Raphael Maier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just a Wow!!! So much that you read about aquariums is just nonsense. This is a scientifically well founded book, that changed my understanding about fish keeping. I use her method and am very pleased by the results.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely technical. The average or beginner hobbyist might want to avoid the book, because it can make the hobby seem intimidating.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE book for planted aquarium enthusiasts. Accept no substitute.

[Ivars Svekris · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have only 20 minutes with this book, I recommend the chapter nine about the algae combat mechanics.

[Lisa Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly the most fascinating book about this method but it is very informative. Some of it I understand. Some completely over my head. This is not a step by step guide to how to do this.

[Mert Salık · Rating 5 out of 5]

Çok başarılı, her şeyden bahsediyor. Müthiş

[Diego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect combination of technical and practical. It wasn't an easy read, to be honest, but it gave me what I needed.

[Петър Стойков · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaто цяло единственият опит за научна книга за акваристиката и по-специално за отглеждането на растения.

Излишно е да се купуват "аквариумни" книги: всичките са еднакви, ориентирани към абсолютните начинаещи и по-голямата част от обема им е запълнена от описания на различни видове риби - може би защото това позволява да се включат хубави, цветни снимки на въпросните риби, което кара хората да купуват повече, знам ли. Това обаче (описания на различните видове риби) е съвършено излишна информация, защото тя може да се намери в интернет, а и повечето от тия видове начинаещите не могат да ги гледат.

Така или иначе, като се изключи култовата "Акваристика" на чехите Карел Ратай, Станислав Франк и Рудолф Зукал, която е издадена толкова отдавна, че даже я няма в тоя сайт, не ми е известна друга стойностна книга за акваристиката.

Може би затова, методът "Уолстед" (или "Валщад" както стана известен у нас) стана много бързо популярен и името на авторката е може би едно от петте най-известни в хобито на "растителните" аквариуми (заедно с Amano, Barr, Senske и ... не се сещам за петия, но тия имена ги потърсете в гугъл заедно с aquarium, няма да съжалявате). И продължава т��ка, макар книгата да е издадена преди 25 години.

Накратко, идеята почива върху ултимативния нискотехнологичен аквариум: слагането на дебела подложка от обикновена почва на дъното на аквариума с всички произтичащи от това естествени биологични и химически процеси, осветление каквото дойде, вкл. просто слънце от прозореца, смяна на вода 2-3 пъти годишно и т.н.

[PD · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book underlines the concept of a ‘Low-Tech’ Aquarium. The author suggests ways to set up one using a moderate number of fish, reduced filtration and cleaning, a large number of healthy plants and diverse microorganisms. She also highlights the attributes of such an aquarium, where the pH remains stable, maintenance required is low, and how the fish behavior is normal.

If you have toyed with the idea of setting up a natural ecosystem in your aquarium where the fish and the plants live and grow healthily, then it is worth reading this book to get some insights. There is a lot of detail in this book, and you may not be able to implement everything that is suggested, but knowing what factors are conducive and what factors are not for setting up such an aquarium will take you a long way in your pursuit.

Read my review at:
http://blog.technicalley.com/book-rev...

[Sumner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did read this book cover to cover, not just using it as a text. As a text book, you almost need to know more about keeping aquarium plants than I do to treat as a text. All in all worth it for the aquarist interested in planted tanks.

[Jake Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informational, and has been working out great so far!

[Heather Seeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! I will be referring to it often!.

[Kalamos · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good introduction to the topic, relatively easy to understand, gives explanations for different chemical reactions that (may) happen in an aquarium. refreshingly critical of high-tech tanks.

[Jann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

Great knowledge for beginners! I was doing so many things incorrectly, now my tanks have gotten better. I will suggest to anyone!

[shannara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

If you want to stand a chance at successfully keeping aquarium plants in a low-tech environment, you absolutely must read this book.

[Rachel Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful, but a very dry read. Definitely written more like a scientific text than the alternative "Aquariums for Dummies" guide!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I learned so much so quickly, it was amazing. The facts and information does a good job of dispelling myths that have been around a long time. GO DIRT!

[Adrien Tremblay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. A must read for anyone who is currently or intends to care for an aquarium. It explains what is (from my personal experience aswell) the easiest, simplest and simply best way to take care of an aquarium.

Simply put: with a layer of soil then gravel (or sand) to top it of, and live plants. Throughout the book, the author goes over various topics in order to explain why this method of setting up an aquarium works so well. These topics include:
- Humic Substances + Allelopathy (plant chemical weapons)
- Heavy Metals
- Nitrogen compounds
- Bacteria
- Carbon
- Substrate
- Emergent plants
- Algea
- and more

There is so much interesting science (biology, chemistry and even physics) that goes into an aquarium. Not only is this info interesting but it's usefull. The author explains things citing studies and at-home experiments she has done. This gives a lot of credibility to what she says. She also goes over real and some fictional scenarios to lock in how to use this knowledge.

There were so many "aha" moments where I understood why a certain thing is done for aquariums; or I learned something that would be highly useful in my own aquarium caring. I have watched so many YouTube videos on aquariums and I learned so much from this book that is not at all contained on YouTube. I highly recommend taking notes of the practical knowledge one learns while reading this book.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew that this was a particularly influential book for hobbyist so I read it before I set up my 36 gallon planted tank. As others have said, it's very much a "why" book and is a good place to begin to learn about planted aquariums. Its dry, it's not an "easy" read, but it got me started on what I needed to research to maintain my tank. The books now 20 years old and I'm told by more experienced hobbyist that a lot of the things Walstad has written are not sustainable or even correct (alleopathy in planted tanks), but I still think it was a good place to start.

[Bbqchips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Can't wait to start my own planted aquarium. Years ago, I owned an aquarium without any plants but seeing how much is going on inside when you add plants makes it much more interesting. This book is often very technical in its writing with regards to the chemistry and I struggled to keep up at times but it's worth trying even when you don't understand all the chemistry.

[Bartek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary book for all aquarists. In detail explanation of processes that take place in the aquarium with real life example and experiments. Tremendous amount of research job done here. But beware, it is not an easy book. Knowledge of chemistry is mandatory to understand it. I am planning at least one re-read.

[Adam Benway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every recommendation I get for this says they read the whole thing which seems doubtful. I skipped over some sections that clearly didn't apply to my tank and I did some external research to understand better. Definitely made easier if you have a good understanding of chemistry already, since it presents some difficult information.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The go to book for no filter aqua scaping and fishkeeping. This book is very informational and reads much like a textbook. The problem for me is the actual market for this book is the hobbyist. The book is not very approachable due to the heavy reliance on chemistry and scientific jargon. For that I took a star. Still an incredible resource and would recommend with the one caveat.

[Himorithm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for hobbyists planning to start planted tank

It's such an informative book. Well researched. The fundamentals discussed are timeless and once understood can be applied to current available technology.