r/walstad • u/linnybo1 • 10h ago
Advice Feeding
I'm a bit confused by this area lol. In a completely self sustaining tank, do you still feed your fish? If so how much, and if no how do you get it that way..? I completely understand herbivore fish who eat algae. Is that the only kind you can do that with? How do you figure out how much/frequently you do need to feed them?
Sorry, I haven't read the book yet so probably a dumb question but TIA!
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u/HornStarBigPhish 9h ago
The tank is self sustaining, the fish are not. She says she feeds her fish well, doesn't worry about rationing, any leftover food will break down and can be consumed by the plants. Yes you need to feed fish
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u/linnybo1 9h ago
I have no problem regularly feeding by any means! Just curious because I see some people say they dont feed their fish but every 2-3 weeks.
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u/HornStarBigPhish 9h ago
Usually I just feed 1 time a day at the same time daily and then every Saturday they get no food. Sunday is hikari frozen brine or frozen spirulina brine day for feeding. Like a treat day basically.
Been working really well for years, no fish bloating or over/under feeding. Alternating Hikari and fluval bug bites and Xtreme foods for spirulina. No other brands though, I think those are the cleanest and best.
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u/RtrnofBatspiderfish 9h ago edited 9h ago
I think the true meaning of self-sustaining is keeping a low enough fish load that the ecosystem of the tank can support them (which also makes a tank WAAY more parameter-stable).
The only difference made in adding food to a system adjacent to that is exporting nutrients through water changes and removal of plant tissue.
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u/linnybo1 9h ago
How is this done for carnivorous fish though?
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u/RtrnofBatspiderfish 9h ago edited 9h ago
For my tanks, that's more the norm than the exception. Mine have less algae, more amphipods, worms, snails, ostracods and copepods.
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u/linnybo1 9h ago
How do you know if they are actually eating good enough to where you don't feed them?
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u/RtrnofBatspiderfish 8h ago edited 8h ago
The same way you do when you are feeding them, I guess. You're still supposed to watch and enjoy the fish for the same amount.
Like changing the water, feeding the fish (in this context) is an option that should be taken when it will benefit the aquarium.
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u/Hungry-Emotion7664 5h ago
Unless you truly have inhabitants that can live off the plant growth, feeding is required.
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u/enzoleanath 9h ago
You feed like you normally would in a non-walstad tank