Question on HC sold on "sponge"

**bigfthing** · 16th Apr 2010, 14:30

Hi All! I am planning on planting HC majorly over the floor of my new 4ft tank. I like to know is those sold on the sponge at LFS the one to use? How do i use them? Do i pluck them out or plant them directly in? As you know, LFS tells you differently! Or is there other kind to purchase?

**eviltrain** · 16th Apr 2010, 15:26

if i'm not wrong, those HC grown on sponge are grown emerse ( chance of them melting in your water filled tank) if you want, you can grow them using dry start method.

**bigfthing** · 16th Apr 2010, 16:40

Hey Alan, what's the dry start method? Is that suppose to be a link but cannot link?

**eviltrain** · 16th Apr 2010, 16:42

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=42183
try again, hope this will help

**vinz** · 16th Apr 2010, 16:59

Take a look at this thread too... for those grown in or already adapted water.

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=60315

**reveru** · 16th Apr 2010, 18:06

Hi bro, just to share with you, i bought 3 sponge mats of HC to plant in my 2 feet. Cut them into 1cm squares and plant directly into the substrate. It will help a lot if your top soil layer has finer granules. It will enable the HC to take root easier. I was lucky and it worked for me even though i did not use dry start method. only about 5-10% of the HC leaves melted during the transition stage.

**bigfthing** · 16th Apr 2010, 19:29

Oh hi Reveru! I was just reading your thread also. Very very nice! So, you mean its ok to plant in the sponge thing together ya? I was in doubt with LFS assistant suggestion but now that it is coming from you & looking at how beautiful yours turn out, I think i know what to do! I also see those sold in the little plastic pot ones. BTW i was told that i could order whole sheet of 1x2ft ones from that LFS, how many you think i would need for a 4ft tank? Some spaces will be drift woods & rocks...please advise me! Many thanks!

**reveru** · 18th Apr 2010, 00:19

Seriously, my experience is just beginner's luck, so take what i say with a pinch of salt.

I actually watched the video that Vinz so kindly linked in for you and followed their advice to plant. Cut into small squares, and push directly into the substrate. However, I think it is quite essential to have the soil powder as the top layer instead of the usual soil granule size. I have a friend who planted exactly the same way, but without the smaller soil granules. His HC grew and spread too, but had some difficulty trying to stay rooted, inadvertently affecting the carpeting effect.

I do not know how many pieces of sponge you need for a 4 feet as I only have experience with my humble 2 feet! If i had to guess, depending on your hardscape (affects the area you have to cover), i think you need about 6-10 mats (the usual size ones you can get from C328 ). As with all other plants, it will be good to plant densely right from the start! More is better!

Hope this helps!