Those plantlets are definitely not HC. I used to have them too. They're just weeds/algae of some sort.
Yes, I would suggest you trim them carefully and try not to disturb the roots and replant those trimming at the empty areas.
Been growing HC for close to 6 weeks now, and they are creeping very nicely, growth has been quite noticeable after blue33 advised me to remove water pool.
They have begun growing on top of one and another, and have noticed some melting at the bottom at the front. Is it because the 18w lights insufficient? or should i just trimm them ?
some other plantlets growing in the soil, dont know if its HC or just weeds in the gex soil?
Those plantlets are definitely not HC. I used to have them too. They're just weeds/algae of some sort.
Yes, I would suggest you trim them carefully and try not to disturb the roots and replant those trimming at the empty areas.
nice growth torque6 bro..hope my next project will enjoy such nice growth as yours...how big is your tank? 18w enough meh?
ya, i abit scared 18w not enough. No matter, if am having problems later on, i can still upgrade back to the 24w, just need to get one that is 65000k instead of the provide 120000k.
Vurbul, trimming them will remove the roots from the plantlets, with this in mind, i can still plant them ?
is the 120000k too strong for plants? why the need to change to 65000k
Yes, some may survive, some wont. Try to make sure that the HC dont get too thick. Remember my nano tank? The HC at the centre and back got too thick.
2 weeks after flooding the tank, the HC at the bottom started melting and die off while the top was okay resulting in a very messy and funny looking growth. It looks as if the HC creeps not exactly on the surface of the substrate but about 1 cm above the substrate.
Torque6,
Glad to hear your success on HC growing.
You should added enough water to fully saturate the soil without having it come to the surface. From the pic i can see you have quite abit of water in front glass, thats why is rotting away. You only intend to plant the front only? If you intend to plant the whole tank HC, then you got to spread them across and not waiting to grow from front till back, you can trim some plantlet and spread them.
For lighting, 1.5-2w/gal of standard "Fluorescent lighting" works pretty well. Btw is 6500k and not "65000k".
Btw this info is extract from Tom Barr article on growing HC. I just highlighted the things you are missing and also put it more simple way to understand.
Happy growing!
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A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step
how to flood the tank if it is like that?
add more water and it start to turn brown at the bottom liao..
thanks for the advise guys, looks like its going to take longer to fully setup this tank. Will give it a trim tomorrow and reduce more water, so far blue33 theory has worked wonders, noticed in my pic that the higher slope are creeping faster than those slightly submersed in water.
actually bro, HC doesnt require trimmings as much, with high lights it should carpet well and form a nice cover.
From the pictures the HC looks like it still has gaps in between. Maybe you would want to replant them in the gaps ?
I have, but my fish ate it. It grows well with low temperatures submersed. 25C and medium to high light and it looks great IME.
You can if you dare to fail - Stan Chung
High light is the main thing. Achieving a true lawn is only achieved at high light, atleast its very difficult if your lights arent bright enough.
I'm still yet to actually keep HC alive. Need to upgrade my lights to T5 before i try again though.
Verminator
Aquatic fanatic and keen learner of aquascaping
The canvas is what you make it...
its true HC doesnt really require that huge amount of lights, but to err on the safe side, ill prefer giving it 3wpg at least, which i did to my Hc.
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