[Kinection]

I've been looking for a carpet plant in every LFS
I could find and dwarf baby tears were the ones
I could only find. I don't know if I'll be able to grow
them in an outside tank. I know it needs co2 and
high light, but would it be able to survive in an
outside tank that gets 10 hours of light a day?
My substrate will be Eco-complete with osmocote.
Since my LFS sells only like 4 strands for $5, I'll
need to grow it fast, so I'll be using the dry start
method. I have some questions though.
1. If I use 1 inch of MTS, and 3 cm of gravel,
would they be ok? (not using sand)
2. Everyday I will have to add water to it right?
How much? I'll be growing it in a 10 gal.
3. Once it grows enough, I can just take it and put
in the main tank? ( can I just lay it on the substrate or do I have to cover the roots?)
4. Can they withstand temps of 40F during the night?
Sorry for so many questions, I didn't want to throw $5 down
the drain.

 

[Kehy]

I've grown HC in emersed situations using sunlight. I use:
-windowsill with bright, but not direct light for 6-18 hours
-Had mine on a seedling substrate (very fluffy, lots of compost and sphagnum moss that held moisture without being wet)
-Grew things in clear plastic bags that held in lots of moisture, but opened for at least an hour a day to air out, added a sprinkle of water whenever I remembered , usually twice a week

Really, once it gets going it'll grow just fine as long as you can avoid mold. Make sure there's air circulation for awhile to help keep down mold

 

[Kinection]

Oh I see. I've read some forums about HC needing high
light and CO2, could I dose excel to replace CO2?
I have Vals, would the Excel kill them?

 

[Kehy]

Vals can't be grown emersed, but they'd love excel in the water. HC likes it too, but you don't need it or co2 for emersed growth. Sometimes excel is used for mold control, but I haven't noticed that it did much.

 

[aokashi]

excel may cause val melt :O

 

[Kehy]

Hmmm, I've never had that problem, but your millage may vary.

 

[Kinection]

Sorry for the misunderstanding,
I mean when I transfer the HC
into the main tank, I would dose
Excel, but I wondered if it would
kill my Vals.

 

[Kehy]

I would dose lightly, but honestly, I've never had issues with vals melting. My usual problem is them taking over, hahaha

 

[Axelrodi202]

If anything Excel helps to keep the vals at a manageable rate of growth.

 

[Kinection]

Ok, let's see how it goes.