New method(?) to start up an algae free tank without any water changes or work(really

[ikuzo]

what about mixing water with liquid ferts for the spray? i don't have access to enriched substrate that i have to stick with 1-2 mm gravel. i think it will work this way.

[mistergreen]

Originally Posted by ikuzo

what about mixing water with liquid ferts for the spray? i don't have access to enriched substrate that i have to stick with 1-2 mm gravel. i think it will work this way.

that's what I'm doing.. I have a little top soil in the bottom too.
I've noticed some potassium & calcium deficiency in the emergent growth...

[fishscale]

My substrate isn't enriched either, I have SMS. I soaked my SMS in a bucket of fert solution for a few days, then planted. Every week, I drain it and remoisten with fresh solution.

[danbryans]

Hey guys..thought I'd share my emersed setup. This is just past the 2nd week. Plants include HC, HG, E. tenellus...which will be what I will leave as is. It also includes M. umbrosum, pearlweed, aurea, rotundifolia, stargrass, L. arcuata & glosso. These will enventually be removed once I start flooding the tank. I just wanted to jumpstart an emersed culture so I can transfer em to pots outside.

Full tank shot


HC patch


other's


Comments on the hardscape is greatly appreciated.

[plantbrain]

The hardscape, given the rock choices and type here, is really pretty good.

I'd leave it.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[CmLaracy]

what type of rock are those?

[danbryans]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

The hardscape, given the rock choices and type here, is really pretty good.

I'd leave it.

Regards,
Tom Barr

...Thanks Tom! So far everything's doin great. It will be really interesting to see how things go once its flooded.

Originally Posted by CmLaracy

what type of rock are those?

Err...Sorry but I really don't know what type. Just went to some garden shops and sifted through the rubble they have.

[danepatrick]

well, here's my shot at it!

been going for about 2 weeks now and things are finally starting to convert over and grow.

[plantbrain]

You do not need this much water BTW.
Just enough to keep the roots saturated with water, no need to go above the surface.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[quatermass]

HC?
What plant name is that then?

<later>

Ahhhh the plant Hemianthus callitrichoides.
(Took some digging to find this out.)

[quatermass]

Originally Posted by Yoshi

Here's my 4.5L "Dry-Scape" update...


I look forward to the next few weeks, watching the HC grow like this is pretty neat, and the progress is interesting to keep track of...

Click here for the blog: http://one51.blogspot.com/

Have you abandoned the blog? Didn't it work out?

[fishscale]

I've got an update as soon as I find my camera. Lots of growth these last 2 weeks.

[quatermass]

I was wondering if I can extend the photo period from 10 hours to even longer to speed up the initial growing of my dry-scape?

I know some plants give up after 10-12 hours and no benefit is gained. Is this universal you think?

[RoseHawke]

Originally Posted by plantbrain

You do not need this much water BTW.
Just enough to keep the roots saturated with water, no need to go above the surface.

Regards,
Tom Barr

I just wanted to comment on this. What I'm seeing in mine is that the HC that's totally emersed is doing much better than what's half-n-half. I didn't mean to put that much water in it, but left it. Since it's now obvious that what's in the water is struggling a bit (under these conditions I'd imagine it would equate to a stagnant pool) I've been trying to get some of the extra water out and I can already see a difference. Not really paying a whole lot of attention to mine, taking the top off to look at it once or twice a day (since all the condensation on the acrylic makes it difficult to see,) spritzing it with a dilute solution of Miracle-gro if I think it looks like drying a bit more than I'd like.

[danepatrick]

Originally Posted by RoseHawke

I just wanted to comment on this. What I'm seeing in mine is that the HC that's totally emersed is doing much better than what's half-n-half. I didn't mean to put that much water in it, but left it. Since it's now obvious that what's in the water is struggling a bit (under these conditions I'd imagine it would equate to a stagnant pool) I've been trying to get some of the extra water out and I can already see a difference. Not really paying a whole lot of attention to mine, taking the top off to look at it once or twice a day (since all the condensation on the acrylic makes it difficult to see,) spritzing it with a dilute solution of Miracle-gro if I think it looks like drying a bit more than I'd like.

after the comment by Tom, i took out what that excess water. i brought it down to right below the soil line and i think within a few days i can see some new growth. i agree with you guys that there shouldn't be that much water.