ralliart12's "Garden by the Bed"

[5stars]

What is the minimum time period for DSM for HC?

[ralliart12]

Share an interesting photo of the "trails" left behind by my snails while they make their rounds around the tank:



Any way, I'm back with a couple of questions:

Question #1: I'm thinking of tying some mini bolbitis to portions of my (plastic) filter inlet & outlet pipes. Specifically, I'm considering tying a (adequately-thick) layer of netting around the pipes first, then place the mini bolbitis on top, & then secure them with thread. This way, should the plants root, they will root onto the layer(s) of netting, instead of cracking my plastic pipes. Any idea if this is a good idea? Any potential pitfalls, from those who have attempted these sort of tying before?



Question #2: I was moving my C.Parva when I realised their roots have become rather long after some time. These excessively long roots make it very tough to re-plant them into the soil. May I know if it will hurt the plant if I cut them away? Will the plant be al right as long as I do not cut the centre, stubby "core root"? Pardon me, as I do not know the proper term for that central piece, & I believe it's not a conventional "stem" per se. So, which of the type of roots may I safely cut, & to what degree/extent?

[mincedmeat]

I can only question #2 based on my experience. I have bought crypts from LFS with those long roots before and have more often than not trim them before planting them into the tank. Some have died on me though I would very much think they melted during coversion of forms.

[Mystikboy]

As your crypts were submersed, ralliant, I doubt they will take long to acclimatize. So cutting the long roots will not be a problem. But if you can somehow embed them into the soil, it can only be beneficial to the plant to have use of its established root system

And I seriously doubt that mini bolbitis roots can break/crack plastic. The mesh will actually serve the role of providing better traction and a more suitable surface for the plants to grow. And perhaps camouflage the pipe which is green, I believe?

[ralliart12]

...and have more often than not trim them before planting them into the tank...

But, not the one selected in purple right? I should not touch that "core", right? Till how short do you cut them?

...But if you can somehow embed them into the soil, it can only be beneficial to the plant to have use of its established root system..

But with those long roots, it is very challenging to physically insert them into the soil. Anyway, I thought the general recommendation is to cut the roots of plants to "force" them to grow sprout new roots?

...I seriously doubt that mini bolbitis roots can break/crack plastic...

I do not know. I thought plants have roots that are tough enough to push through anything, i.e. even the pavement by the sides of roads are more often than not cracked by tree roots? I just don't want any permanent damage to my filter pipes.

...The mesh will actually serve the role of providing better traction and a more suitable surface for the plants to grow...

So, you will still recommend a layer of "something", just not for the purpose which I originally proposed.

...And perhaps camouflage the pipe which is green, I believe?

My filter pipes are dark grey & smokey grey.

[mincedmeat]

I think I would cut them to where the roots split. I usually don't cut them too short so that there's something for the soil to hold the plant as well.

[Mystikboy]

I've always found that plants this big do better if I leave their roots intact. It's only their leaves that I snip. So I would recommend minimal trimming but that's my personal experience.

Yes I highly doubt the roots will break your pipes. Tree roots, with respect to those which grow more laterally out than vertically down, break pavement because they have no where else to go. In this case, the path of least resistance will not be through the pipe. Yet your concern is understandable. As I mentioned, it will be a better surface for plants anyway

[diazman]

I believe you can trim the the yellow & red parts. The one highlighted in blue looks like it's tuber, which is a source of energy for the plant i believe.

[ralliart12]

Phase #1 of migration done by 0600H; have to perform Phase #2 another day...

[diazman]

Phase #1 of migration done by 0600H; have to perform Phase #2 another day...

Wah. thats alot of stuffs . Is that a customized stand? Looks really sleek

[cherabin]

I believe that might be a Gex stand.

[ralliart12]

I think I would cut them to where the roots split. I usually don't cut them too short so that there's something for the soil to hold the plant as well.

Yeah, but the challenge is inserting them into the substrate when the roots are so..."all over the place".

I've always found that plants this big do better if I leave their roots intact...

You mean for older plants they may not have the capability to regenerate new roots before their main stem dies out?

...In this case, the path of least resistance will not be through the pipe. Yet your concern is understandable. As I mentioned, it will be a better surface for plants anyway

You have a good point; nonetheless, I just directly tied the mini bolbitis to the pipe's surface anyway.

I believe you can trim the the yellow & red parts. The one highlighted in blue looks like it's tuber, which is a source of energy for the plant i believe.

Roger that.

Wah. thats alot of stuffs . Is that a customized stand? Looks really sleek

I believe that might be a Gex stand.

Yes, it is a GEX steel stand with 2 metal SS stands from which the light is suspended from.

Already clear off a lot of my outdated aquarium stuff already...this is considered a "small" pile.

[ralliart12]

What is the minimum time period for DSM for HC?

Whatever the case, once you start to see aggressive spread, can start to flood the tank already. I DSM for > 7 months; in the end my lawn starts to rot from the bottom when I flooded the tank.

Btw fellows, I'm also looking for tonina fluviatilis & hottonia palustris. If you have them or come across them at any LFS, please do let me know.

[diazman]

Yes, it is a GEX steel stand with 2 metal SS stands from which the light is suspended from.

Already clear off a lot of my outdated aquarium stuff already...this is considered a "small" pile.

Can share where you get the stand? Love the design.

[ralliart12]

Almost done with the migration; just a little bit more items to integrate into the system:

[ralliart12]

Can share where you get the stand? Love the design.

I bought the GEX Steel Stand from C328. But I seriously wouldn't recommend this particular stand though. I made the light stands from Hup Seng Metal (they are simply, bent SS pipes).

[felix_fx2]

Whatever the case, once you start to see aggressive spread, can start to flood the tank already. I DSM for > 7 months; in the end my lawn starts to rot from the bottom when I flooded the tank.

Btw fellows, I'm also looking for tonina fluviatilis & hottonia palustris. If you have them or come across them at any LFS, please do let me know.

you have leveled up my friend

huat ah... i flood tank on new years eve....