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
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
