my first 1.5ft planted

[midniteguy]

hello all, this is my first time setting up or trying to set up a planted set up.


my tank before anything was inside.


wanted to have HC as foreground plant. so i started the DSM method. never got a chance to take a picture when i first planted. but this is the results after 1 month. i used a cling wrap to cover the top of the tank during this 1 month. despite many people saying about not to cover it in singapore somehow mine worked, in my room with no aircon.




The HC has been spreading and rooting. need to add in pebbles to stop the HC from growing around my entire tank.

next is to hunt for rocks and driftwood for my tank.
also where else can i find a nano 13mm lilly outlet? ( already have a gush inlet )
as greenchapter has ran out of it. if anyone has one to let go feel free to pm me.


going to use a ehiem 2213 for it with gush inlet. have a 2L co2 tank for it too with inline diffusal.

[nicholasliao]

Whats the reason for covering it with cling wrap?

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[sakuras]

Congratulations on the success of dsm! I've tried dsm but just couldn't get the amount of water right. Either too damp or too dry.

[midniteguy]

Whats the reason for covering it with cling wrap?

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i believe covering it is to produce a green house effect where the co2 is trapped inside the tank.

thank you. i just made sure the soil is moist. water level is very very slightly above the soil level when i top up once a week, but i am not too sure if they will make it through the flood phase.

[Dodofish]

Nice dsm. Can I ask what led light is that?

[Shadow]

nothing to do with CO2, plant produce CO2 much less than it produce O2. Cling wrap use to trap moisture although not necessary in Singapore humid environtment.

[qngwn]

Nice dsm. Can I ask what led light is that?

its' the Up Aqua Z Series 45cm LED lights

[qngwn]

Whats the reason for covering it with cling wrap?

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To keep the moisture in the soil as well as to keep the humidity level right.
As mentioned by Robert, not necessary for humid singapore, but saves you the effort of watering the HC.

[qngwn]

Congratulations on the success of dsm! I've tried dsm but just couldn't get the amount of water right. Either too damp or too dry.

Have you tried planting and flooding it to grow instead? I personally have not tried DSM as i find they they grow faster underwater.. (for myself at least)
Just need to make sure that there is no ponding or puddles, then it should be just about right.

[midniteguy]

nothing to do with CO2, plant produce CO2 much less than it produce O2. Cling wrap use to trap moisture although not necessary in Singapore humid environtment.

thanks for your insight (:

i have not flood the tank yet as i do not have a lilly outlet for now. still looking for one.

[midniteguy]

i have a question with regards to DSM, after DSM, do i flood the tank before planting other plants or do i plant before flooding?

[nicholasliao]

Why a lily outlet prior to flooding?

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[Urban Aquaria]

i have a question with regards to DSM, after DSM, do i flood the tank before planting other plants or do i plant before flooding?

Best to flood partially until just above the substrate soil, then plant your other plants (like how how Amano does with his ADA tank setup demos)... its much easier that way and doesn't kick up the soil and dust as much.

After planting, then fill up the tank slowly, and you'll have much clearer water from the start.

[midniteguy]

Best to flood partially until just above the substrate soil, then plant your other plants (like how how Amano does with his ADA tank setup demos)... its much easier that way and doesn't kick up the soil and dust as much.

After planting, then fill up the tank slowly, and you'll have much clearer water from the start.

once again i want to thank you for all the help and advise you have given me. (:

just flood my tank today and spammed co2. manage to see my HC pearling.



water is still murky as of now, shall wait fora few days for it to clear up.

[Berny]

plants pearling for the first time might not be the real deal. might be algae on them pearling. not trying to be a wet blanket, but speaking from past experience. mine was bought from lfs, those that is tied onto coconut husk, that getting night, it pearled, but other hc didn't, and the pearling didn't last very long, stopped after a week and never pearled again

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[Xanavi]

I agree. I recently added some new patches of HC (grown out of water) to my existing carpet. The new batches pearl almost immediately and were pearling quite readily as compared to the existing patches.

[midniteguy]

hmmm now i am scared that it might be algae. but only time will tell i guess. hope it wont melt off.

i got mine from teo's farm.

[HeMan]

hmmm now i am scared that it might be algae. but only time will tell i guess. hope it wont melt off.

i got mine from teo's farm.

You can insert shrimps to help eat the algae since your HC already rooted well .

[qngwn]

You can insert shrimps to help eat the algae since your HC already rooted well .

"insert" shrimps. Haha yes introduce them only when plants have rooted else you'll see your plants flying around the water tomorrow morning.


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[felix_fx2]

You can insert shrimps to help eat the algae since your HC already rooted well .

insert shrimp-zilla: )

if the hc spreading is on level with substrate and not lingering over it likely be fine.