dwarf hairgrass and regular hairgrass mix?

[pufferfreak]

Hi I was wondering in my 12 gallon nanocube if the lighting would be good enough. Its 24watt pc lighting, ordering a 6500k bulb for it. I have pool filter sand but thought about useing flourite instead. Maybe mix the flourite with sand since I've heard they like fine subtrates? Do you think dwarf hairgrass and regular hairgrass would grow good? I have a peice of driftwood in the middle of the tank and its sorrunded by a pile of lava rocks i'm debating on takeing out or not. Also will there be thick coverage from the tall hairgrass? Its going to be a dwarf puffer tank, I need alot of plant cover that they can swim through. (1 inch long puffers) I can take out the lava rocks and buy some rounded flat stones and have them covering up 2 shot glasses (the caves) and have the in like a pile around the driftwood in the center, give a more smooth effect. Also I can add flourish (1 ml a week). Maybe some flourish excel if need be also? Any ideas? Also I'm going to have one otto as my clean up crew.

[ninoboy]

Dwarf and regular hairgrass would live with your set up. It might take a while for them to spread. They actually spread very fast under intense lighting. I've never tried it without CO2 injection though.

[pufferfreak]

Well I'm getting flourish excel to help out. I'm going to order enough so that if it just lives and dont spread, then I will be fine. I'm ordering about 5 pots of regular hairgrass and about 10 pots of dwarf hairgrass.

[ninoboy]

Originally Posted by pufferfreak

Well I'm getting flourish excel to help out. I'm going to order enough so that if it just lives and dont spread, then I will be fine. I'm ordering about 5 pots of regular hairgrass and about 10 pots of dwarf hairgrass.

Dude, that's too much. I only use 2-3pots for my 10gl and it covers 3/4 of my tank within 1.5 month. If they survive in your tank, they will spread anyway. And to cover the tank nicely, you have to count on the runners to fill up. If you just plant them like you do your lawn, it will look crappy.

[pufferfreak]

well ok I'll get 3 plants of each. That should be enough I guess. Thanks

[pufferfreak]

Also I can't find any info on regular hairgrass. Any suggestions?

[ninoboy]

It's giant hairgrass or Eleocharis montevidensis. I've never grow this one. Some says it's bog plants but I saw them in some planted tanks before. Also, most aquatic plant stores carry them. You may want to give them a call to find out (aquariumplant.com or aquabotanic).

[pufferfreak]

thanks, I was looking for the sci. name! Your a big help man. Thanks, I'll serch around for it.

[Momotaro]

Eleocharis montevidensis would outgrow a nanocube in no time. It is a tall plant!

Mike

[pufferfreak]

If I kept it trimed do you think the plant would be good, or would it weaken the plant?

[sparkysko]

I have both growing in my 20Long w/ 110 watts of PC. Most of the Giant Hairgrass ends up growing up into the lighting, and burning itself at the tips. Right now, I can see only 2 'blades' that aren't burned and are actually under the water. It still spreads like this, although I've never really had it spread very quick (although I treat it like a redheaded step child).

Dwarf hairgrass is fun. Dividing and replanting a few times has given me a lush yard in around a month. It looks really neat when you can see it creeping around from the front glass. I'd say a new 'shoot' every 1 1/2 days, with each node capable of sprouting 4+ 'blades of grass'.

If you do go the giant hairgrass route, I can guarantee you that over 2/3rds of the blades are going to need cutting. It spites me :|

[SCMurphy]

I tried keeping E. montevidensis in my 56 gallon tank that is 24 inches deep. It was sticking out of the top of the tank 4 or 5 inches when I gave up on it. The other hairgrass species should do what you are looking for in a 12 gallon tank, I wouldn't waste my money on the E. montevidensis.