Best Gravel for HC?

[Corleone]

1. I am thinking of doing up a new tank with a HC Lawn, was intially thinking of using Aquasoil, but i somehow feel auaqsoil is not tight enough to hold down the HC, any suggestions for the gravel to use?

2. If i were to use gravel like Onyx sand will it affect the powersand from gettin to the plants?

[Goondoo]

1. I am thinking of doing up a new tank with a HC Lawn, was intially thinking of using Aquasoil, but i somehow feel auaqsoil is not tight enough to hold down the HC, any suggestions for the gravel to use?

2. If i were to use gravel like Onyx sand will it affect the powersand from gettin to the plants?

Personally, I felt that normal gravels (as long as not sand) is good enough. The main problem will not be the gravels nor the plants "holding" on to it.... but more of the shrimps, especially Yamato, or fishes like cories....

As many forumers had stated in other posts, if you want to start a new HC tank, start without either of them.

[Chuah CS]

Only Yamato shrimps that have to be avoided or all shrimps? I will be getting some HC for my tank soon and I have about 10 cherry shrimps in my 4ft tank. Will it be a problem for my HC?

I heard HC can be planted by using net. How to plant it by using net? Is it the same way like planting Riccia? I need advice from the member here. Thank you.

[Goondoo]

Only Yamato shrimps that have to be avoided or all shrimps? I will be getting some HC for my tank soon and I have about 10 cherry shrimps in my 4ft tank. Will it be a problem for my HC?

All shrimps are potential of pulling out the HC intentionally/unintentionally. Just that Yamato are alot stronger than the rest...

[wong1979]

u can try growing some emmersed on fine sponge, when they grow thick enough, transfer them submersed into sand gravel.

[Goondoo]

u can try growing some emmersed on fine sponge, when they grow thick enough, transfer them submersed into sand gravel.

It doesn't really help, (if you are having yamato), they still can strand out the HC, and it will also be harder to plant the HCs. What I did was I tore them into big pieces like 4-5cm sq, and use gravels to hold them down... even so, i notice the yamato removing the gravels.... I really wonder if it was intentional...

[wong1979]

the HC root system is very massive inside the fine sponge that i used, can hardly pull out. of coz 1st must let it established well on the sponge 1st then transfer. another plus point is you can chuck it onto gaps of driftwood for decorations

[Goondoo]

the HC root system is very massive inside the fine sponge that i used, can hardly pull out. of coz 1st must let it established well on the sponge 1st then transfer. another plus point is you can chuck it onto gaps of driftwood for decorations

Oh, you mean plant with the sponge....

[Chuah CS]

Thank you. I will try out all the suggested method if I found it hard to plant it into sand gravel.

Did anyone try planting HC by using net? Appreciate if you can tell me the method and the outcome.

[joe]

fyi, the sponge usually contains fertilisers which are toxic to shrimps

[ranmasatome]

out the hc patch on your gravel.. then use a netting and lay ontop of it.. then shove the corners of the netting in the gravel to hold.. wait for a wfew weeks..then remove.. the HC should have rooted.

[wong1979]

fyi, the sponge usually contains fertilisers which are toxic to shrimps

i mean use any fine sponge like those you normally use form washing dishes

[joe]

i mean use any fine sponge like those you normally use form washing dishes

ah den not a problem ... just dun accidentally use the one which aledy used for washing plates

[Chuah CS]

Hi all, Thanks for the advice. I'll start off with the netting cuz not that tedious. Will update you all with the photo once completed.

[Plantbrain]

I'd suggest using the ADA soil alone with some peat and mulm on the bottom, in 3-4 weeks, you will have a nice easy to maintain rug.
Good CO2, nutrient dosing and you will be set.
That's about the best method I can suggest without going above the water's surface.

Regards,
Tom Barr

www.BarrReport.com

[BFG]

1. I am thinking of doing up a new tank with a HC Lawn, was intially thinking of using Aquasoil, but i somehow feel auaqsoil is not tight enough to hold down the HC, any suggestions for the gravel to use?

2. If i were to use gravel like Onyx sand will it affect the powersand from gettin to the plants?

1. HC WILL grow on Aquasoil, no problem. I had setup a colleague tank using HC as foreground with Aquasoil. It grow into a lawn where there is light. Eventually when he reset the tank to rescape as he started to dislike stem plants, the HC needed a slighter more tug to pull it out from Aquasoil. The plants and leaves are small but the roots are long.