My 2ft rescape

[Danialavr]

The last time i bought from C328, it didn't grow upwards but i got fed up with it because it kept floating up! Maybe because my soil was not high enough to hold it down.

Where do you usually get the tropica p1-2 grow plants?

I bought my dwarf hairgrass from c328 and it is too long, i've read that there are just too many species of hairgrass that it might not be the smaller dwarf version. Have yet to try tropica 1-2 grow. Seen those at c328 too.

[Urban Aquaria]

I've also tried the various types of hairgrass from LFS, and so far the only variety that i've used which forms a nice compact carpet and naturally stays low is the Tropica Eleocharis sp. 'Mini'... for reference, you can check out its growth pattern and height at my 2ft tank journal:

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...074#post771074

The tank has been running for close to 9+ months already and i've not had to trim the hairgrass during all that time, it just grows more compact and doesn't get taller than 2-3cm height. To date, its the easiest and lowest maintenance carpet plant i've ever used in an aquascape.

[cherabin]

Hi UA. Have you tried monte carlo? I'm curious to its difficulty and maintenance level as compared to Tropica's mini hairgrass? Asking as all here knows you're an encyclopaedia and a gem to the community.

Sent from my GT-N8000 using Tapatalk

[Everlance]

Hi UA. Have you tried monte carlo? I'm curious to its difficulty and maintenance level as compared to Tropica's mini hairgrass? Asking as all here knows you're an encyclopaedia and a gem to the community.

Sent from my GT-N8000 using Tapatalk

monte carlo is a very easy plant. 6hrs of proper lighting and co2 are all it takes for you to achieve a carpet in 1 month. the only bad thing about this plant is that trimming is needed very regularly as it grows so damn fast. and trimming regularly = very messy, troublesome and unsightly... but it grows back quickly .

20140531_193919.jpg

[Urban Aquaria]

Hi UA. Have you tried monte carlo? I'm curious to its difficulty and maintenance level as compared to Tropica's mini hairgrass?

Yeah, i also currently have a test batch of monte carlo growing submersed in one of my indoor grow-out tanks too, as well as a batch emersed in an outdoor container.

So far from my experience with it, the growth rate is quite similar to glosso... so i guess if you can successfully grow glosso in a tank, you can also grow monte carlo too.

Maintanence is similar amongst such leaf/runner based carpet plants, they will eventually grow layer upon layer into a dense carpet so you'll need to trim it regularly to prevent the bottom layers from browning out.

[kopiopeng]

Nice scape. Good job

[kopiopeng]

looking real good

[rakurime]

livestock still in makeshift tub?

[rachel]

livestock still in makeshift tub?

I am back! Livestock still in tub. 2 danio died. I think my mom overfed them.
I'm going to rehome all my fishes to my friend's 3ft tub!

[rachel]

These are the plants i got.

Planting the monte carlo is so tiring! Luckily my mom thinks its fun and helps me to separate the plant from the sponge. I think I killed a few by plucking out the roots by accident.


Flooding the tank is tiring too. The water flows so..... slow....


even my dog is bored.

finally its done! But I am thinking of getting more monte carlo to speed things up abit.
missing the bubble counter. Shall go C328 tonight!

[diazman]

Camping here. The tank layout looks really good

[limz_777]

whats that cone shape on the dog for ?

[rachel]

Camping here. The tank layout looks really good

Thank you! I just hope the monte carlos won't melt away.

[rachel]

whats that cone shape on the dog for ?

Oh she has skin problem. Thus in the daytime we put on this collar on her to prevent her from scratching or biting herself.

[rachel]

This is my co2 tank. It does not have a timer.
So i will have to on it 24hours a day. Can you guys help to advice how many bubbles should it release if I have to turn it on full day? Thank you!

[Urban Aquaria]

This is my co2 tank. It does not have a timer.
So i will have to on it 24hours a day. Can you guys help to advice how many bubbles should it release if I have to turn it on full day? Thank you!

For Co2 injection that is on 24 hours a day, you'll just need to monitor the Co2 levels using the drop checker... tune the bps rate until you see the indicator solution maintain a consistent range of dark to light green color during both day and night. Co2 can keep accumulating over time (especially with setups that are on 24/7), so you'll have to keep a closer eye on the Co2 levels.

Note that the indicator solution has a delayed reaction time (usually around 1-2 hours delay, depending on the diffusion rate).

Start with low bps (ie. 0.5 bps) then check the indicator color regularly and gradually tune it higher over the span of a few days if required. The amount of Co2 that your plants can effectively use will depend on your diffuser placement and circulation pattern, so just shift them around to find the ideal combination.

You can also start with high bps (ie. 4-5 bps) then gradually tune it lower, though that method tends to waste alot of Co2.

[rachel]

For Co2 injection that is on 24 hours a day, you'll just need to monitor the Co2 levels using the drop checker... tune the bps rate until you see the indicator solution maintain a consistent range of dark to light green color during both day and night. Note that the indicator solution has a delayed reaction time (usually around 1-2 hours delay, depending on the diffusion rate).

Start with low bps (ie. 0.5 bps) then check the indicator color regularly and gradually tune it higher over the span of a few days if required. The amount of Co2 that your plants can effectively use will depend on your diffuser placement and circulation pattern, so just shift them around to find the ideal combination.

You can also start with high bps (ie. 4-5 bps) then gradually tune it lower, though that method tends to waste alot of Co2.

Thank you for the detailed explanation!
I am not using a diffuser. I am using the CO2 reactor. ( I think that is what its call) so the co2 is connect to the outlet pipe of the filter then mix with the water and out into the tank. ( I hope i did not confuse you)

Actually, a diffuser is better or the co2 reactor?

[Urban Aquaria]

Thank you for the detailed explanation!
I am not using a diffuser. I am using the CO2 reactor. ( I think that is what its call) so the co2 is connect to the outlet pipe of the filter then mix with the water and out into the tank. ( I hope i did not confuse you)

Actually, a diffuser is better or the co2 reactor?

Well, there are various schools of thought when it comes to methods of getting Co2 into tanks, but usually Co2 reactors allow for 100% dissolve rate so they tend to be more efficient, the trade-off is reactors require the use of canister filters or pumps with specific ranges of flow rates to work properly (can't use with hang-on filters)... and when used with canister filters, reactors can reduce the flow rate of the filters by a certain percentage (depending on their individual specifications and design).

[rachel]

Well, there are various schools of thought when it comes to methods of getting Co2 into tanks, but usually Co2 reactors allow for 100% dissolve rate so they tend to be more efficient, the trade-off is reactors require the use of canister filters or pumps with specific ranges of flow rates to work properly (can't use with hang-on filters)... and when used with canister filters, reactors can reduce the flow rate of the filters by a certain percentage (depending on their individual specifications and design).

ahh I see. Im using the eheim ecco pro 200 canister filter. The power of the outflow still seems quite strong when i full blast it.

[ichise]

Pictures pictures ~ don't ask so much ... Hahahha