First emmersed attempt

[Monster Fish]

A requirement in most cases. I did my dry starts with Miracle Grow Organic Choice Potting mix capped with sand so I didn't need any ferts. However, kitty litter aka clay has no ferts whatsoever.

[amberoze]

Originally Posted by Monster Fish

A requirement in most cases. I did my dry starts with Miracle Grow Organic Choice Potting mix capped with sand so I didn't need any ferts. However, kitty litter aka clay has no ferts whatsoever.

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertil...ate-jamie.html

Read the info in that link, then tell me that kitty litter has no ferts. It's natural clay from the earth, been mineralizing and collecting organic ferts for years before it was mined, bagged, and sold.

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[Monster Fish]

Ah I should have clarified. Kitty litter has no Nitrogen or Phosphorus, macro ferts needed for plants.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...27&postcount=1

Turface/Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil/Pondcare Aquatic Plant Soil/AquariumPlants.com Substrate/Kitty Litter/Oil Dri-
Pros-Appearance, Uniform Size, High CEC, Cost
Cons-It is very light and easily disturbed, Lacking Key Plant Nutrients

[amberoze]

Ah, I see. So a cap full of flourish in my spray bottle should do the trick then?

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[Monster Fish]

Flourish comprehensive? It should work. Though the amount of macros it has is kinda small. Try it out and see how your plants do once you get them.

[amberoze]

Originally Posted by Monster Fish

Flourish comprehensive? It should work. Though the amount of macros it has is kinda small. Try it out and see how your plants do once you get them.

That, plus ill be using the water from my 125 gallon planted tank. I don't dose ferts, but it's definitely got a lot of nutrients in it.

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[amberoze]

Update:
Plants planted, all come from other tanks I have up and running, so no new plants purchased. Also, I decided to forgo the Cyperus Helferi due to space restraints.

From right to left:

Marsilea Hirsuta


Anubias Nana and Anubias marble


Hygrophilla Difformis. Only had the two stems to spare of this one.


Java fern. I believe I forgot to mention in my original plant list, but I have a butt ton of java in my tanks.


Hydrocotyle sp. (Brazilian pennywort). I also have a lot of this one.


Last but not least, Riccia Fluitans. I know it's floating in stagnant water, but it is an oxygenating plant and I'll be spraying the tank with fresh water daily, so that'll keep the water from going totally bad. Plus,the kitty litter hasn't totally settled yet, so I can't siphon the water of without mucking the whole thing up.



Oh, almost forgot, the mandatory fts.


It looks sparse now, give it amonth. If everything goes according to plan, it'll fill in nicely.

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[@marko@]

dont be afraid of fertz.
i use miracle grow soil, and every month put in a bit of miracle grow liquid fertilizer (dont measure it out, just squirt it in).
tap water will have some, but youll get much better growth if you add more.

[amberoze]

I actually have a question, what can I expect from the plants add they switch from submerged to emersed growth forms?

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[BBradbury]

Hello am...

Didn't get the specifics on the type of plants you plan to use. Emersed plants grow best with bare roots. The roots must be completely exposed to the water. Also, the roots need to be properly aerated. I use plastic tubing attached to an air pump. Just position the end of the tube directly under the root ball. Doing this, creates a natural environment for the roots. The water movement made by the bubbles circulate the water through the roots and provide a constant source of nutrients.

The leaves need to completely above the water to make good use of the CO2 in the air.

Just a couple of thoughts.

B

[somewhatshocked]

Emersed plants don't grow best with bare roots. They grow best with proper nutrients, lighting and water.

Emersed setups are a common thing here on TPT, BBradbury - please check some journals out. People use wet substrate and keep their plants moist with a mister.

Originally Posted by BBradbury

Hello am...

Didn't get the specifics on the type of plants you plan to use. Emersed plants grow best with bare roots. The roots must be completely exposed to the water. Also, the roots need to be properly aerated. I use plastic tubing attached to an air pump. Just position the end of the tube directly under the root ball. Doing this, creates a natural environment for the roots. The water movement made by the bubbles circulate the water through the roots and provide a constant source of nutrients.

The leaves need to completely above the water to make good use of the CO2 in the air.

Just a couple of thoughts.

B

[pweifan]

One thing I noticed in a previous emersed setup was it's better to get the ferts INTO the substrate. If you dump it on top or mist the plants with it, it encourages algae growth.

[amberoze]

Originally Posted by pweifan

One thing I noticed in a previous emersed setup was it's better to get the ferts INTO the substrate. If you dump it on top or mist the plants with it, it encourages algae growth.

Ill keep that on mind. I'm looking into using root tabs of some kind soon.

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[amberoze]

Question, anyone know what kind of fauna I can put into this emersed tank? The kitty litter is like mud and I'm not sure how strong the roots of the plants are yet, as it's only been a few days set up. Maybe some micro fauna would be okay? Not sure what kind though. Suggestions?

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[amberoze]

One week update. Nothing dead yet. Successfully siphoned off most of the standing water, and added only a few strands of java moss that I found floating around. Still working on finding some the best, most inexpensive root tabs to use.

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