My 1st DSM

[Shadow]

Yes, I always use ADA soil

You maybe right, in my case, it open top container. For your case, you have plastic cover, the heat from the light might trap inside like green house effect. Maybe your temp end up above 35 degree

[dc88]

Yes and if I don't cover it with cling wrap the temperature will still go up (31-32 C) due to the heat of the light enough to dry away the moisture in the plain gravel.

ok, whether pass or fail this round I shall give it a try again next round follow your method with ADA soil and open air.

[felix_fx2]

Gravel cannot hold water well in open air condition.
Have to most more often.
Tried before lapis and topsoil in dsm, I spray water once in morning once in evening.

[dc88]

Thanks Felix,
may i know in your experience how much gardan soil you mix with lapis sand?
I think my case may be not enough soil so it drys up fast?

[felix_fx2]

I tried 1 inch lapis still feels abit too thick. But it was doing pretty good still.

But I do know that last dsm I did had 2 major thing you should take note.

1: it was cooler back then.
2: I didn't wait till fully packed lawb before I flooded it.

[dc88]

Thanks.
So I don't have to wait for 6 wks!!
One week has passed I start to run out of patience already

[unpluggedmusic]

In my opinion no need to worry so much on dsm temp. I try before on the container, outside balcony with direct sunlight at certain hour. Temp is roughly 30-32 or maybe hotter depending on Singapore whether at the time. Spray water 2 timer a day. HC have no problem growing on that condition.

I agree with shadow, using sunlight is fine. Should pay more emphasis to the soil than the heat. Spray is important too.

[dc88]

My 1st DSM (update) :

This is sooooooooo sloooooooow !!!! 2 weeks has passed and looks liked it is all down hill.....




Putting all my hope on 2 little crumbs that still have some sign of life.... see if you can find them

[ralliart12]

Thanks.
So I don't have to wait for 6 wks!!
One week has passed I start to run out of patience already

My attempt is now 4month9day-old.

[felix_fx2]

You want to tilt the tank abit?

[dc88]

So the gravel will level with the water level ? Good idea ! Thanks.

btw I'd just gave the tank a "water change" - by flooding it and then siphon out the water till it is emersed.

[dc88]

Update : This is the 4th week.
Not much progress. Some small tiny leaf growing within the clusters, but overall not spreading out yet.

[Darylyap]

how's your app in the iq5 tank?

[dc88]

Sorry this is HC not app.

[dc88]

Post DSM Update :

It's been a while since the last update.
8 weeks has passed and no much progress. I decided to rise the water level. First to check all system ready : DIY CO2, Reactor, HOF, Cooling Fan...

This was cycled with snails for 2 weeks.

[dc88]

Post DSM Update :

HC still grows pretty slow. And then I notice some elongated growth in some of the HC crumbs.
See the below pics one example (highlighted area). Photo taken from my main tank.

Is it a mutated HC ? Or is it a renegade HM ?

I planted these elongated "HC" at the back. They grow fast. Each time I trim it and plant the cutlets back. Gradually they start spreading and prosper.

[dc88]

Post DSM Update :

Here's the compare. Those at the foreground are the original HC, surviving but not spreading. Those at the back are the mutated one and are spreading fast and need to be trimmed weekly to keep it low.


Full tank view.

[ralliart12]

...Is it a mutated HC ? Or is it a renegade HM ?...

Perhaps it really is hemianthus micranthemoides? Here's a very close-up photo of HM (observe the leaf shape):