Walstad method + Dwarf cichlids = bad idea?

[Lemon]

so I am thinking I want to set up a Walstad method tank, and I have some kribs in qt. the concern is they will dig and cloud up the tank from what I understand a walstad tank is top soil capped with gravel sand. I want to breed them will that be a issue? 

sorry if that was confusing 😅I got a new tank so I am exited thinking about what I want to do

[GardenStateGoldfish]

I am not a cichlid person so take what I am about to say with a grain of salt. 

If you make the sand cap deep enough they won't be able to dig deep enough, I would follow father fishes guidance on how to do it, if i remember right its about 2 inches of mud, 3-5 inches of sand depending on the size of the tank/how good of diggers they are. Also, I always heard cichlids are no good with plants so also I am not sure how the walstad method would go but in terms of digging thats easy to just add more sand. 

 

[Streetwise]

I can’t address Cichlids, but an organic soil tank is just fine with some mess. I stir up mulm with many of my top-offs, and nobody is bothered. In my shrimp tanks, it triggers a feeding frenzy.

[Lemon]

4 hours ago, GardenStateGoldfish said:

I am not a cichlid person so take what I am about to say with a grain of salt. 

If you make the sand cap deep enough they won't be able to dig deep enough, I would follow father fishes guidance on how to do it, if i remember right its about 2 inches of mud, 3-5 inches of sand depending on the size of the tank/how good of diggers they are. Also, I always heard cichlids are no good with plants so also I am not sure how the walstad method would go but in terms of digging thats easy to just add more sand. 

 

I think they are fine with plants 🤔

 

4 hours ago, Streetwise said:

I can’t address Cichlids, but an organic soil tank is just fine with some mess. I stir up mulm with many of my top-offs, and nobody is bothered. In my shrimp tanks, it triggers a feeding frenzy.

ok thanks.

[Lemon]

24 minutes ago, Joe L. said:

I am new to the Cichlid world, but I currently have a pair of Kribensis that are close to finishing quarantine. Although I have them in a bare-bottom tank temporarily, I’ve noticed that they enjoy digging around the tank, looking for nooks and crannies. I would caution against the Walstad method, specifically for a fish like Kribensis who like to dig and sift sand. I would go for root tabs and sand if I were you. Just offering my two cents.

ok thanks 🙂

Edited May 24, 2021 by quirkylemon103

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

Kribs - They will definitely rearrange the tank especially the substrate. Sorry to put the brakes on your Walstad plan. Other dwarf cichlids from South America would be a better choice. Apistos and Rams will sift sand but won’t move substrate around. MD Fishtanks on FishTube had some good video recently of his kribs digging down a couple inches to build a cave under some rocks if you want to get a visual of what they do typically. Here’s a pic I grabbed from google images from another forum to give an example. 

[tonyjuliano]

And...

You’re going to regret the decision to cap with sand.  Sand doesn’t let the organic soil “breathe”, it’s quickly going to trap hydrogen sulfide, and also form anaerobic pockets.  Not good.

A much better choice for the cap is 2-4mm gravel.  You should consider this, you will thank yourself in the long run.

Diane Walstadt herself discourages using sand as a cap.

[Lemon]

I won't do the kribs in a walstad tank, now I need to find a reason why I need another tank for my parents 🤔

[Bru]

My Kribs definitely sift sand but rarely dig because I offer them plenty of the coconut and cichlid caves that the Co-op sells. Although, I have a donut-shaped air stone and I saw a female keep disappearing down the middle of it that was flat against the sand, so she must have dug a cave several inches into the sand and raised her fry there. While it's not a walstad tank, it is pretty low tech with a jungle of süßwassertang.. so I imagine you could find a way to make it work ^^