Hello,

My fiancé, Jess, and I are new to the network but already have our hands wet with fish keeping. Now that we have moved we are looking at getting into a planted tank. Seriously looking at the "walstad method" I've seen described and discussed so much.

Our tank is a 55g hex and the ultimate goal, I think, would be blue rams once the system is reliably stable.

I am thinking of blogging my build with pics or video, suggestions regarding dirted tanks would be appreciated as I am still researching and planning the build.

I have materials on the way to me as we live in a small rural town with zero outlets regarding pets.  Substrate mix I'm considering is Miracle-gro organic mixed with red clay and sphagnum, thin layer of fluorite and then a fine gravel topper.

Lighting is the next item for research. Current canopy has only 1 tube and I'm not certain of the wattage at the moment. I am somewhat handy so considering diy mods to the canopy via ballast box or perhaps LED replacement? I do want to keep the budget down on this project though.

We have a list of plants that we like. Still some work to see if they are all compatible enough parameter wise. If that is even an issue.

Will post more specifics later but plants of mention are Hygro difformis, coupla anubias, some ludwigia, with a hemianthus 'cuba' carpet, a sword and a couple other prospects whose names I cannot recall at the moment.

Unsure about fish species. we are thinking about a pair of bristle nose plecos some kind of corys. I would eventually like to have blue rams. We have experience with rams and unfortunately we consistently received stock with cammllanus nemotodes. We would keep them in a sterilized qt for three months sometimes after our first experience with that parasite. These poor rams. Sometimes they would show in a few weeks and die, others would survive longer, medication was successful yet die from gi blockage. Such beautiful fish too. So one day, I will have healthy blue rams. Probably going to have to track down a relatively local breeder... but now I'm rambling.

More to come on a 55g hex walstad build!!!!! Materials arrive in a few days! W00T!!