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Carpet plants

Discussion in 'Advanced Strategies and Fertilization' started by Ian H, Feb 14, 2005.

  1. Ian H

    Ian H Guru Class Expert

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    After a few false starts I think I am getting the hang of the plant growing challenge. My Echinodorus Rose has over-dominated my 30" tank with the broadest, longest most colourful leaves I've seen on a swordplant. The Mexican Oak Leaf is growing like a weed, again with broad colourful leaves.

    It's been a gradual process starting October last year. First I added Laterite to my already ample depth of fine gravel and sand substrate. Then added extra lighting after redesigning my hood,then DIY CO2 and PMDD ferts, followed by pressure CO2. The most recent upgrade is to PC T5 lighting.

    I have to thank my fish and my 'fishy' friends (special mention for Tom here) for tolerating and assisting me through this process. There have been some wrong turns and near disasters but I think I've prevailed.

    The thing I haven't got right yet is the low growing carpet planting in the tank foreground. The hairgrass just sits there without any attempt to spread. They've been there since November. The dwarf 4 leaf clover (Marsilea Crenata) introduced 3 weeks ago is thinking about spreading but the stem length and leaf size have shrunk considerably. The Nymphae Stellata in the same area are growing very well.

    Am I being impatient or do I have a problem. I know it's in the wrong order but my next upgrade could be to replace the substrate. I have avoided this to date because of the inherant dangers to my fish in doing so. If i do change it I am considering Onyx sand as the material to a depth of 2".

    Over to you guys. Any advice will be appreciated.

    Ian
     
    #1 Ian H, Feb 14, 2005
  2. JadeButterfly

    JadeButterfly Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Carpet plants

    do you prune your dwarf hairgrass?

    dont worry about cutting it too short, because after pruning, they grow pretty fast.

    I prune my hairgrass once a week before water change. It took me 3 weeks to get them fully carpeted...

    i've already stop pruning my dwarf hairgrass after the 3 weeks..

    its been already 3weeks after...and the hairgrass has already settle at its' max. height...which is about 2-4"...

    hope that helps.
     
    #2 JadeButterfly, Feb 14, 2005
  3. Paul

    Paul Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Carpet plants

    Ian

    Try some Hemianthus callitrichoides (Cuba) I got some 2 weeks ago and its growing really well and looks nice (as long as you can get the wadding off it), its on the Topica web site
     
    #3 Paul, Feb 14, 2005
  4. Ian H

    Ian H Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Carpet plants

    Thanks Jade, I did prune them initially but I think that my biggest mistake initially was planting them in too dense a clump. I split them about a month ago but as I said they are static.

    Ian
     
    #4 Ian H, Feb 14, 2005
  5. Ian H

    Ian H Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Carpet plants

    Thanks Paul, in fact the morphed clover has a similar appearance to the cuba.

    Ian
     
    #5 Ian H, Feb 14, 2005
  6. travdawg

    travdawg Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Carpet plants

    Heya Ian, I was just wondering what your WPG are? I was wanting to eventually have a nice carpet effect in one of my tanks, & the clover was the plant I wanted to use.
     
    #6 travdawg, Feb 14, 2005
  7. Ian H

    Ian H Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Carpet plants

    I'm running at 4 watts per Imperial Gallon. I have to confess that I don't know if the w per gal 'rule' is based on US or imperial gallons................There's a little difference you know. :)

    Ian
     
    #7 Ian H, Feb 14, 2005
  8. JadeButterfly

    JadeButterfly Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Carpet plants

    flourescent and PC bulbs makes a difference...

    anyhow. besides the couple of stem of ludwiga in my tank used as a hiding place...my tank is carpetted with dwarf hairgrass and glossos only and thinking of trying riccia.

    anyhow, i find most carpet plants can do well with lighitng above 2wpg

    it is more important to have good/excess CO2 and nutrients in their water column.
     
    #8 JadeButterfly, Feb 14, 2005
  9. Ian H

    Ian H Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Carpet plants

    Riccia was one of my disaster plants. When I got the little clump of it from Greenline I couldn't decide where to plant it. I thought ' let it float on the water surface and it will propogate into a much bigger clump'.....................WRONG! it sort of spread itself out into bite size chunks that turned my fish wholesale into Riccia vegetarians. A few wispy bits remain after 2 weeks. A similar story with the Java moss bought at the same time, although that sunk and there is some still with the mangrove root and on a stone outcrop, most has disappeared.

    Ian
     
    #9 Ian H, Feb 14, 2005
  10. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Re: Carpet plants

    Riccia needs a place to grow out and loves KNO3/CO2.

    It does not need high light.
    Nor does dwarf clover.

    Both are very weedy.

    You might want to just add patience, they sell a large imperial pints at the local pub.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #10 Tom Barr, Feb 15, 2005
  11. travdawg

    travdawg Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Carpet plants

    Does it take larger dosages of Imperial Pints to induce Patience in large men? I am a very large man myself, & quick tempered to boot... I am in DIRE need of some Patience Tom, I tried DIY at home, but it didnt work out to well... Can you point me to a chart, or something that can help me out Tom????

    HURRY

    QUICK!
     
    #11 travdawg, Feb 15, 2005
  12. Tom Barr

    Tom Barr Founder
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    Re: Carpet plants

    Well, they do call us Scots for a reason, it's colder up there and we need a more potent solution to our cold and our ill tempers. We are so grumpy we need to be incognizant as possible. At least we can forget how grumpy, crotchety, onerous and impatiant we are. Apparently some of my family decided they too grumpy there and came here, then they made bourbon. 12 year old Scotch and Wild Turkey are much more effective when dealing larger infestations. Rapid response plays a large role in the efficiacy of any treatment.

    I personally do not drink nor seek treatment, hence my ill mannered attitude and high propensity to quarrel.

    Regards,
    Tom Barr
     
    #12 Tom Barr, Feb 15, 2005
  13. Ian H

    Ian H Guru Class Expert

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    Re: Carpet plants

    You may not drink Tom but couldn't the high doses of KNO3 and CO2 have a similar effect? :)

    It's OK for you young-uns to have patience, but I want to be around when my tank 'carpets'.

    Ian
     
    #13 Ian H, Feb 15, 2005
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