Riccia lawn... tips needed!

[blaze]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum.... quick question, hoping you can shed some light.
What's the easiest way to grow a really nice riccia lawn? In my experience the riccia just breaks up, floats around and is more hassle than it's worth. But.. I love the riccia lawns I see!
Any response is much appreciated. cheers guys
////blaze////

[Weirong]

Spread some riccia on a piece of wire mesh (size dependent on tank) and cover the mesh with a fine plastic net. Exposed to strong light, the riccia will grow out nicely and form a thick carpet.
Over time, the riccia will surely float as the riccia at the bottom will decay due to lack of light, making it unable to hold the riccia at the top. Sprinkling sand on the riccia will hold it for a while but you will still have to re-tie the riccia eventually.
You have to put in work to appreciate beauty...

[chua]

Or you can keep adding meshes on top to keep the riccia from floating, just like NA but it will still end up out of control

[iver74]

I place the riccia between 2 pieces of mesh (stainless or plastic ones), them under strong light and they will grow pretty fast. With CO2 injection, will get the O2 bubbles effect easily.
After the riccia grows thick enough, and the bottom layer starts to decay upon insufficient light getting to that area, the headache starts with messy lush lumps of riccia starting to come off. I tried putting pieces of small pebbles to weigh them down, or simply take out the whole mesh and retie the riccia to the mesh.
IMO, too troublesome and high maintenance required for riccia. However, still remember the happiness I had when I first time saw a full lawn of riccia bubbling.
Hope my experience helps.

[stormydax]

hi ,
i placed mine on a piece of arcylic sheet and use a green net to tied over it...but the riccia will just keep on floating up once in a while..but its beautiful when the whole lawn is bubbling...

thanks

yours sincerely,
Storm

[JT]

If you can afford the time(definately worth the wait) let the ricca grow at the top of your tank, let it float on the surface of the water. It grows faster with the strong light and soon enough, it will cluster itself into a bigger mass. Then you can consider putting the whole mass submerged. Easier this way. Alternatively u can 'engage' some this plant (not sure what is the name,...long strends of thin line with small little beads inbetween)to help cluster/entangle the Ricca together and the chance of it getting afloat is greatly reduced. It works real well for me.

[Aeon]

And regular trimming also. Will keep the bottom healthy.