How to setup No co2 planted nano tank.
This is a Walstad Method tank. The credit goes to Diana Walstad for publishing the organic soil substrate method.
Check out her book in the link below if interested.

I made a full tutorial of how I did it. Hope this helps.

11 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsUkQGY8vR0
10 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8ZAWAVwlSU
9 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im9lDTRTAOk
8 Months Update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLh-4Tzc-2M
7 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyftwc1NLyU
6 months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpi4CcHQHTg
5 Months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU5izzyxqeA
4 Months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtdkRe6VjSs
3 Months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xut0YAvE8eQ
2 Months update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBGcPGQvO9Y


Here are the links to similar materials if you're interested:

4.6 gallon low iron rimless tank http://amzn.to/2yKTWST
5.4 gallon low iron rimless tank http://amzn.to/2y5YZeO
50W heater http://amzn.to/2tAQOsy
Heater cover so plants won't get burned http://amzn.to/2sw42ap
Tiny thermometer http://amzn.to/2tAwFmg
Magnetic thermometer https://amzn.to/2LRCrXd
(I'm using the tiny thermometer with a small rubber band to hold it in its place.)

Mini round shape magnet scrubber http://amzn.to/2zx6k8D
Miracle gro organic choice potting mix http://amzn.to/2tyHm9g
2~3mm gravel 20lb bag http://amzn.to/2gJ5tOl
2~3mm gravel 5lb bag http://amzn.to/2y3e3ih
The book that I read to make this aquarium:
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad(Hard cover) http://amzn.to/2tB4xiZ
Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad(digital) http://amzn.to/2svT0Sy

The light is an obscure brand Klarmax light. 35cm (14inches) long. It came with a 24W PFL compact florescent light. I changed it to an 18W one. It takes 4 pin compact florescent light, and I couldn’t find a light that was lower than 18W and daylight color, or 6500K.

You can use any kind of florescent or compact florescent. For a 5 gallon tank, 12~14 watt should be plenty. You can go as low as 10W.

The wires and clips and sleeve are picture frame hanging wire and accessories.

This setup is the same as my previous tanks: the 7.5 gallon bowl and the 5 gallon tall.
The only difference is that I will not be starting out with any livestock. Only thing I would like to have done differently is the 18w lamp. I think the wattage is too high. I usually go for 2~3 watts per gallon rule. Hopefully the height adjustment works out.

I’ll be documenting the progress of this tank more in detail until the balance is achieved.


The plants I used:

Eriocaulon cineteum
Dwarf hairgrass https://amzn.to/2sjG2W1
Ludwigia Sp. Mini Super Red https://amzn.to/2J0SAfu
Bacopa caroliniana https://amzn.to/2LIPFpj
Didiplis diandra https://amzn.to/2LJj4j2
Egeria densa (Anachris) https://amzn.to/2LJCUuO
Rotala rotundifolia (indica) https://amzn.to/2JbzLFF
Pearl Grass - Hemianthus glomeratus https://amzn.to/2LIIPA5
Rotala sp Nanjenshan
Hemianthus umbrosum https://amzn.to/2LIIPA5
Mayaca Sp.
Najas Guadalupensis (guppy grass) https://amzn.to/2LLN8L8



Gymnopedie no.1 played by Accou
Gymnopedie no.2 played by Kevin Macleod
Gymnopedie no.3 played by Kevin Macleod