Virgin low tech Iguwami wannabe

[solidbrik]

Great news!

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Urban Aquaria]

Anyway seaview plants quality ok? I do not have a spare tank for quarantine..is it ok to use normal tap water? Heard about the purple solution thingy to kill parasites etc..able to advise what is the name? Necessary?

The plants at Seaview seem to be from the same suppliers as at most other LFS (based on the handwritings on the plastic containers), so i guess the quality are the same. Just check to make sure the individual plants are healthy (not rotting or deteriorating) before purchasing them.

I guess the purple solution you mentioned is potassium permanganate? I've tried using that for plant dips before and while it does help kill some parasites and pests, its not 100% effective (and it stains skin and clothes too, so have to be careful when using it). I've even tried using stronger methods like bleach, hydrogen peroxide, excel etc. but i find that after being subjected to all those chemicals, plants usually tend to get "burnt" out, become too weak and just gradually die off.... and yet algae, snails and pests still somehow survive and pop up in the tank. So its like back to square one.

Nowadays i just wash the plants in running water and physically check the leaves and stems for snails, eggs or worms (very easy to spot them if you look closely) and remove or wash away affected parts. Any stems or leaves which have visible strands of algae, i also cut away and discard. Then i separate the plants and submerge them in a clear container of water (i use those small plastic "guppy brand" tanks) for a day to see if anymore pests pop out. Once okay, i'll just proceed to plant them into my main tank.

So far that's worked out well, at least the plants are still in good condition when planted and the chances of algae/snails/pests appearing are minimized.

Oh..1 last question..DSM suitable to be used for both hairgrass and monte?

Yes, those 2 plants can be grown via DSM.

[solidbrik]

Thanks!

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[cherabin]

Actually both hairgrass and Monte carlo are easy plants. The former actually spreads lower then the latter. Maybe you can grow them submersed immediately instead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[solidbrik]

Thanks cherabin..I'm starting with a low tech tank..so starting submerged may be more challenging without co2 supplements? Or will excel/flourish do the co2 job as well?

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Stinson]

Is co2 a must to grow dhg carpet?

[Urban Aquaria]

so starting submerged may be more challenging without co2 supplements? Or will excel/flourish do the co2 job as well?

Co2 injection solves the carbon supply limitations and helps boost the growth of the plants so they can establish much faster (and better outcompete algae). Excel is a good carbon supplement but on its own the effects generally wouldn't be as great as with Co2 injection, i'd estimate maybe 30% as effective as Co2 in enhancing growth rates.

Overall plant growth with Excel will still be noticeably better than if no carbon supplements were used though, so its a good solution for low-tech tanks.

Note that some plants cannot withstand Excel so well and may end up melting (ie. riccia, some mosses, vallisneria etc), especially if the dosage is too high.

Is co2 a must to grow dhg carpet?

Co2 injection isn't essential for dwarf hairgrass to grow, but the growth rates will be much slower in non-Co2 vs Co2 tank... the difference in speed to grow a carpet could be like 4-6 weeks (with Co2 injection) vs 4-6 months (without Co2 injection).

[Stinson]

Will liquid carbon help?
My DSM went bad as I might have too much water and too humid thus mold grow,leaf turn brown and a lot are dying.Cannot take it so flood it after 5 days and put 5 yamoto shrimp inside.Second day,miracle happen.All grass looks very green and all mold were clean by the yamoto!!

They are really the best clean up crew.

[Urban Aquaria]

Will liquid carbon help?
My DSM went bad as I might have too much water and too humid thus mold grow,leaf turn brown and a lot are dying.Cannot take it so flood it after 5 days and put 5 yamoto shrimp inside.Second day,miracle happen.All grass looks very green and all mold were clean by the yamoto!!

They are really the best clean up crew.

Liquid carbon supplements like Excel will help the plant growth... Excel also has the side effect of inhibiting algae too, so its an added benefit.

[solidbrik]

Wow..I've read a lot of DSM ended up with mould..lol

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[solidbrik]

Ok..just got hg and monte from fishy business..and was advised to dump in base fert for more guaranteed results..lol..so later will dismantle everything to put base fert and try to recreate the scape..lol..faintz

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[solidbrik]

One tub each of monte n hg from 1-2 - grow. .dare not press the monte too deep in cuz the roots look like they are damm fragile. .n any deeper the leaves will be covered somewhat..end up some of the monte are left just with roots resting on substrate..is that ok?
uploadfromtaptalk1401386577751.jpg
Cling wrapped
uploadfromtaptalk1401386623107.jpg
Do you think the substrate is wet enough? Or if no condensation tomorrow morn then I better add more water?
uploadfromtaptalk1401386721705.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1401386737205.jpg

I'm planning to leave the lights on for 12 hrs daily at night..meaning I come back from work on till I wake up the next day..is it too much or its ok?

Now fingers crossed n pray to god hope for the best. .lol..


Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Urban Aquaria]

Unless your room has air-con switched on, try not to seal the tank totally... that will retain too much humidity and heat in the tank along with stagnant air, mold and fungus love to grow in that type of environment.

Leave some gaps at the top to allow for some air exchange (can also try not covering it at all, i did my HC DSM without any tank cover). As long as you mist the soil regularly and keep it slightly moist (not soaked) and the bottom layer of the substrate has a reserve of water, the water will automatically wick up the soil granules to hydrate the plant roots.

The practice of covering the tank fully during DSM is usually for those who live in countries with cool weather and low humidity. Thats why most overseas DSM guides show the tanks being all wrapped up, because they are in countries with dry climates. In Singapore, its so humid here that its actually not necessary to cover the tank, the relative humidity these days is hitting 90%+, we are all already living in a green house.

[TheAquarist]

Yea! Singapore's the best place to keep/rear pets like hermits and semi-aquatic crabs ! IMO

Sent from my HTC Desire 601 using Tapatalk

[solidbrik]

Oh no..just saw your post..will open up for Circulation tonight. .hopefully the mould not that quick developing. .lol..

Is my proposed lighting plan ok?

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[solidbrik]

Crabs is a totally different ballgame for me. .I think I should fare better eating than rearing!..lol

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Urban Aquaria]

Oh no..just saw your post..will open up for Circulation tonight. .hopefully the mould not that quick developing. .lol..

If your room has air-con on at night, then cover it during that period of time (or it'll dry out due to the dehumidifying effect of the air-con)... but for the rest of the time without air-con, leave some gaps for fresh air to circulate though it.

Is my proposed lighting plan ok?

Your light schedule looks okay... i've run my DSM tanks successfully on 14 hour photoperiods, so you could consider extending the timings too.

[solidbrik]

Great. I will definitely extend. .rational will be to get as much photosynthesis going on as possible so that they can root faster..

Anyway any issue if some of the monte is just left lying on substrate instead of buried in? The roots are so fragile and am afraid that they will be squashed if I push them in..The ada soil not exactly very pliable now..lol

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[solidbrik]

Hairgrass turning brown..gan jeong..mist somemore..lol...uploadfromtaptalk1401461269958.jpg

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[solidbrik]

uploadfromtaptalk1401461346936.jpg

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk