Vin I love reading this journal. I find all the detailed information fascinating, and it provides an enormous amount of food for thought.
But I do have a general question for you.
In my own tank, I have mixed success with different species. Right now Rotala Mac V, Lud. Cuba, Pantanal, Pogo Kimberly, Mermaid Weed, Rotala Blood Red, etc all doing great (well, for me anyway). However, always have had problems with some species, like AR Mini & Var., and even S. Repens. Even an easy grower for many like Lud. Sp. Red does OK, but doesn't really thrive. It never makes sense to me.
So the question is this. Given all your experience, do you think chasing the right set of parameters for one set of plants can negatively affect others that are doing well? That is, can you be all things to all plants, or better to stick plants that like the stew you are providing? I guess in general what is your attitude with your Dutch tank?
I’ve kind of been leaning toward just sticking with the varieties that do well, and to heck with the others. Don’t know if it’s worth it to bang my head against the wall just to please a few. Or am I just giving up too easy and there is an elusive combination that leads to nirvana? Just curious as to your thoughts?
But I do have a general question for you.
In my own tank, I have mixed success with different species. Right now Rotala Mac V, Lud. Cuba, Pantanal, Pogo Kimberly, Mermaid Weed, Rotala Blood Red, etc all doing great (well, for me anyway). However, always have had problems with some species, like AR Mini & Var., and even S. Repens. Even an easy grower for many like Lud. Sp. Red does OK, but doesn't really thrive. It never makes sense to me.
So the question is this. Given all your experience, do you think chasing the right set of parameters for one set of plants can negatively affect others that are doing well? That is, can you be all things to all plants, or better to stick plants that like the stew you are providing? I guess in general what is your attitude with your Dutch tank?
I’ve kind of been leaning toward just sticking with the varieties that do well, and to heck with the others. Don’t know if it’s worth it to bang my head against the wall just to please a few. Or am I just giving up too easy and there is an elusive combination that leads to nirvana? Just curious as to your thoughts?
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