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

[fishscale]

I just started a tank with this method using SMS pre soaked in a fertilizer mixture. My only question now is: how well planted does the HC need to be? People say that tweezers are a must for planting HC, but it seems to me that if i just push the HC in a little, it holds fine, since it is a tank with no water, so I don't need to worry about it floating.

[A Hill]

Originally Posted by fishscale

I just started a tank with this method using SMS pre soaked in a fertilizer mixture. My only question now is: how well planted does the HC need to be? People say that tweezers are a must for planting HC, but it seems to me that if i just push the HC in a little, it holds fine, since it is a tank with no water, so I don't need to worry about it floating.

Just get the roots in the soil. Keep the soil wet. Then wait till it all roots. Since it's not underwater it wont get pulled up by fish/shrimp an that type of stuff so there isn't much to worry about, it should send new roots down either way.

-Andrew

[Yoshi]

I just took the plunge too... I basically sprinkled the HC onto the substrate; for longer pieces I nudged it slightly into the soil.

My Journal

So far the health of the HC seems normal, but it's only been a few days. At first I was fearing that they might darken and die, but things look good so far. I hope the HC starts taking off in a week or so.

[fishscale]

Another question: since there isn't a hug concern about algae, is there a huge downside to leaving lights on longer?

[Yoshi]

Around this time of year here in Southern California, the sun is up in the day for about 11-12 hours. Granted, it's not shining at full intensity all 12 hours because of sunrise/sunset and overcast conditions... so, I would venture a guess that you should just leave your lights on no longer than a standard photoperiod (between 8-10 hours). Anything longer would just be for your viewing pleasure. Just keep in mind plants need the dark as much as they need the light.

[cookingnerd607]

Just got my 90 gallon going using this method. I have 4 pots of hc split up all over the substrate. Im running 2x 150 8k mh about 12" above the tank surface. the top is covered with thick acrylic. I havent noticed much growth in the last 5 days. I did notice some of the leaves browning. My sms is wet up to the soil line. It stays very humind in the tank itself. Could it be getting too hot in the tank? Im going to take the temp today after my lights kick off.

[BentZero]

What kind of ferts did you add to the SMS?

[speechless33759]

Yeah, I wonder if sms would work with this growth or not. I don't think it would without ferts...am I correct in saying that?

[JenThePlantGeek]

Nah, sure it would. This tank gets fairly little in the way of ferts and I have all sorts of stuff growing up and out of it, even without the humidity. That's Soilmaster Select in the top there. I don't like the way the emersed growth trough turned out though, and I plan on redoing it soon.

[fishscale]

I just went for it and soaked the SMS in a bucket of water with about a week's worth of dosing in it. Go to water parameters, click dosing regimes. It looks like my HC is doing ok. The HC I planted earlier is sending out new buds and looks like it's rooting. I just got another package of HC today and planted it. It may die down a bit before it grows, though.

[cookingnerd607]

I soaked mine using the same idea. I also mix up a npk mix and spray that on the substrate every day. Ive been away for two days hopefully its growing better.

[cookingnerd607]

How is it coming along for everyone?

Some of my HC turned brown and died (almost looked like some type of funky algae) The temp gets up to 86F in my setup.. Im starting to notice growth now.. Its been two weeks.

[fishscale]

I'm seeing growth in places, but I'm having issues keeping parts of the tank moist enough. I have a decent sized hill in my scape. At the top of the hill, it is moist to the touch, and looking from the side, I can see water between the substrate particles, but the growth is much slower in this area. Also, I had a disaster when my substrate divider came undone, sending a part of scape sliding. Can anyone help me out with this? I amd trying to create a scape where I have:

SMS Sand SMS
------------------------ ____________________-------------------------

I used suction cups and strips of acrylic report covers. It seems the report covers are a bit too flimsy.

[cookingnerd607]

Ive cut up plastic 2liter bottles into strips.. and pushed those down into the substrates to divide them.

Ive got some questions regarding the "ferts to spray on" I mixed up
1 tsp CSM+B
1 tsp MgSO4
2 tsp K2SO4
1 tsp KNO3

in about 400ml of water.
Is this too rich? Could it be hurting the hc?

I mist this on the plants mon, wed, fri. I do about a dozen sprays each day.

some of the HC turned mushy green.. The rest seemed to take off fairly well.

Im also using some acrylic cut to size to cover the top of the tank.. While the lights are on it sits on the tank top very well.. When the lights are off it seems to bow mildly allowing moisture to escape. Im concerned this is a problem! Any thoughts? Is glass expensive to cover a 90g?

[fishscale]

I just used saran wrap, working real well. Every time I open the tank to do maintenance, my glasses fog up